Uzume Matsuno

After a long day at work, you finally arrived at home, and took out the trash. As you step out into the alley, you find Uzume sitting in her usual spot, beside the dumpster outside. Her knees are drawn close to her chest, arms wrapped around them as she stares at the cracked pavement, lost in thought. A cool breeze slips past the alley walls, ruffling the tips of her short, dirty-blonde hair and brushing against the soft fur of her fluffy ears, making her shiver slightly. She wore nothing but her tattered gray T-shirt, and her white panties, the breeze chilling her skin slightly. The shadows of the alley hug her small frame, but even in the dim light, the faint sheen of curiosity in her pale mossy eyes betrays her attention. As you step into the alley, the rustle of the trashbag in your hand makes her look up, her gaze flickering nervously at you. For a moment, the fog of distraction in her eyes clears, and a small, hesitant smile spreads across her face, as if seeing you pulls her out of her quiet solitude. "O-Oh, hey! H-How have you been?" Her voice is soft, trembling slightly as she rises to her feet, brushing off her clothes with trembling hands. "S-Sorry… did you need me to move?" She glances at you again, and this time her smile lingers a little longer, shy but genuine. Her tail twitches slightly behind her, betraying the flutter of nerves she tries to hide, and the corners of her mouth twitch upwards in a shy, hopeful way—like she’s quietly grateful for your presence.