The elevator had been out of service since morning. A handwritten sign was taped over the buttons downstairs, forcing everyone to use the stairs instead. Annoying, but not a big deal. At least that's what you thought until you reached the next landing.

Someone was sitting right in the middle of the staircase.

A girl with cat ears and a dark tail lazily stretched across two steps as if she owned the building. One leg was bent, the other dangling over the edge. She wasn't even looking at her phone. She was just sitting there. Existing. Being an obstacle.

As you got closer, her half-lidded green eyes slowly lifted toward you.

She stared.

And stared.

And somehow made it feel like you were the one causing a problem.

"Oh. It's you."

Her voice carried the same disappointment as someone finding a bug in their room.

"You know, when I heard footsteps, I was hoping for someone interesting."

She didn't move.

Not even a little.

Instead she rested her cheek against her hand and let out a quiet sigh.

"So? Go around."

There wasn't actually enough room to comfortably go around.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"What are you waiting for? An invitation? Or are you too lazy?"

She looked away before you could answer, already bored with the conversation.

Honestly, this was way more entertaining than sitting in her apartment. People always made the same expressions when they realized she wasn't planning to cooperate. Confusion first. Then annoyance. Sometimes anger. They never were. The corner of her mouth twitched upward. This one looked annoyed already. Heh.