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Hidden in Shinjuku is a small dessert café, well-known for its cat-shaped cakes and their indifferent cat hosts; Riku, a black feline, and Yushi, an orange tabby. Despite both cats being male, they’re often seen together, cuddling under the bench, or leaning against each other while silently judging their loyal customers. In time, their customers began naming them as married cats, simply because they’re never seen without the other, as if an invisible string keeps them close at all times. It’s due to that reason that the cafe slowly gains new customers, keen on meeting these inseparable cats.
Based on Instagram posts, Riku is known to be the shyest one, often running away when someone tries to approach him, while Yushi, the younger cat, tends to be temperamental, where there are days when he’s in an amiable mood, and there are days when he’s in a bad mood. Customers will have a better chance getting a picture with Yushi than with Riku, causing most customers to try their hardest to gain a lucky chance with Riku.
Yuta, the owner of Riku and Yushi, have also started selling merchandise based on his cute cats, usually adding funny captions to simple T-shirts or mugs. He will also hold a raffle where the winner is able to pet Riku in person while Yuta holds him in his arms. It’s the only way for Riku to stay still, feeling calm in his owner’s embrace.
Other than that, customers are able to film Riku and Yushi in their blissful domestic cat life. Like the way Yushi will crowd into Riku’s space, purposely ignoring the concept of personal space as he wriggles inside Riku’s arms, cuddling under him and letting Riku’s weight fall on top of him. Or the days where Yushi would lick Riku’s fur to clean him, whether it’s cleaning the top of his head or his upper back, Yushi is simply content on doing the hard work for Riku.
Meanwhile, for Riku, he becomes this overprotective bodyguard whenever someone tries to feed Yushi with a treat. He meows loudly every time he sees it, and he’s not afraid to screech or to claw someone if they don’t listen to his first warning. It’s why Yuta has a strict ‘no feeding’ policy, making sure that his staff are vigilant about it.
Other than that, Riku is seen to be more clingy than Yushi. He’s often nuzzling his face against Yushi’s neck, rubbing their scents against each other as they purr. Or he’ll purposely lay his head on Yushi’s stomach as the younger cat sleeps, silently judging as customers take pictures of them. They’ll even share cat licks and meow together when they’re in a happy mood.
And sometimes, the customers will catch Riku kneading on their pillow nest, purring while leaving his scent throughout the pillow. It’s usually a highly sought moment for the customers since Riku will often lay down onto the pillow and purr continuously, occasionally letting people come close. It’s also the best time to record Yushi nudging himself to get under Riku, finding the perfect position to cuddle together. It’s only then that Riku will clean Yushi’s face and head, causing the customers to coo over them. It’s moments like this that make the cafe go viral on Instagram.
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In his morning routine, Yuta spends his morning brewing a dark coffee, sipping it continuously before he re-fills the cat bowls with food and water. It’s still too early for his cats to be awake right now, usually waking up past 8 am, so it’s the perfect time for Yuta to take pictures of them.
Usually, Riku and Yushi are seen cuddling together, bodies pressed against each other, or one head laying on top of the other’s body. And Yuta will usually post that photo in his Instagram story, causing his customers to like his story, and maybe, his story will attract new customers.
After taking a picture of them and posting it to his story, Yuta spends the next 3 hours baking and preparing his food. During that time, Riku wakes up first, stretching his body into the downward dog pose before running off to pee in the litter box. When he returns, he steps over Yushi’s body and lays on top of it, ignoring how Yushi will lightly squirm against him before falling back asleep. He waits patiently until Yushi finally wakes up, usually still squished under Riku while blinking himself awake. It’s only then that both cats head to their shared bowls for their breakfast, sharing the same big bowl of food and a big bowl of water.
After that, Yushi heads out for his daily sunbathing, usually located near the window as he stretches and claws the nearby scratching post. He wastes a few minutes sharpening his claws before eventually laying down beside the window, enjoying the sun. During this time, Riku jumps onto the window ledge, squishing himself against it as he likes to watch people pass by. And when Yuta is finally ready to open the cafe, he will slowly open the front door, causing both cats to immediately leave the window, hiding together under their favorite table.
It usually takes them a while before their shyness is gone. Yushi will run off first to one of their favorite spots, and Riku will follow him from behind.
Soon, they’re hiding under a wooden ottoman, curling together while staring at their nosy customers. Yushi will occasionally meow when he’s in a good mood, and in rare cases, the customers will see them lick each other’s mouth and faces, playfully biting the other’s jaw. Some of these customers will giggle happily, thinking that these cats are kissing each other.
It’s why there is a dedicated thread of clips, full of Riku and Yushi sharing kittenish licks to each other. There are also clips of them snuggling in different positions, including ones where they hold each other’s bodies as if they’re humans. But the most viral clip is still Riku hugging Yushi’s head with his paws, holding it tightly against his chest, happily purring. They can even see how their tails are wagging excitedly against the floor.
And when it's near closing time, Riku and Yushi will sunbathe on the porch together, as if saying goodbye to the customers that came by. Riku will yawn occasionally as he lays his chin on top of Yushi’s neck, and Yushi will occasionally meow in goodbye. Soon, Yuta will usher them to come in before giving them their dinner.
Later that night, Yushi will knead on their sleeping pillow, walking around Riku’s body as he leaves a fresh scent. Riku will silently blink in sleepiness, waiting for him to finish, but sometimes, he will fall asleep first, unable to stay up. Despite that, Yushi will always find a way to burrow his head to go under Riku’s leg. It's his newest favorite position, to sleep under him.
And that's how Yuta sees them later on, inseparable as always.
