Page 35 of Teaching the Kot'oll Coach

I head back to the door and open it for Telke. He smiles. “I’m so glad to see you again. Thought there’s a chance I’d have to sleep on the floor until tomorrow.”

“Come on... If I don’t want to see you, I’d just tell you to leave.”

“No way. I know you like me a bit too much.”

I roll my eyes despite I hate how he seems to be seeing through my thoughts. I can’t be that obvious with that. He is the one who always bugs me. It’s not my problem. I didn’t start this, and I wasn’t the one asking him out.

I gesture at my home. “Come in before I kick your ass out.”

He chuckles. I kind of love and hate that by now. He comes in. “And twist my arms to get me out? You’ll need more hands than two to do that successfully. Oh, right, where do I put my shoes? Outside? By the door?”

“Maybe by the door.” Even though I love to arrange books and make sure they are tidy, I’m not much of a tidy person in my own life.

Wait...

When I got in, I only thought of Ossa, but...

I glance at the coffee table with my empty coffee mug, which is fine compared to the steamy romance book I’m reading, which...

Telke arranges his shoes and goes inside. He doesn’t seem to be aware, for now.

We get even closer until Ossa is a hand away. Telke squat down to get closer. He is a tall guy, and it may be better for Ossa. A scared cat won’t be good for anyone.

I don’t think Telke is that scary, but for Ossa, who is far smaller than Telke, it may be better.

Ossa is still at his bowl, seemingly isn’t aware of Telke coming in.

“Orange cat, huh?” Telke points at Ossa. “Does he have a name?”

“Yes, he’s Ossa.”

“Oh... And he lives with you.”

“As a pet.” Does Telke thinks I’m dating a cat or something? That would be a bit too silly, even though Telke may have never touched a cat before.

“So... Can I pat him? Is he going to be fine about that?”

“Let’s just get closer and try.”

Ossa, who is the most oblivious one ever when he has food, doesn’t even look at us even though we’re right next to him. He isn’t going to survive outside, in the wild, for sure.

Telke reaches a hand out to Ossa’s back. “Like this?”

I stroke Ossa, who doesn’t move an inch. “Yes, just do it gently.”

Telke strokes Ossa, but Ossa looks up at once. Maybe Telke’s hand feels too different from mine.

“What do I do now?” Telke asks.

“Keep stroking.”

Except Ossa goes to Telke and starts sniffing.

Telke asks again, “How about now? Does he not want me?”

“Let him smell your hand.”

Telke reaches out. Ossa hops onto his hand and climbs up him. “Um... Is this how it is supposed to work?”

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