Nozomi watched as Ko stammered. “Lisa you haven’t been replaced. Ko is a new… friend?”; she said and Ko just nodded. “But maybe when you have time, the three of us could all watch together? I really think you two would hit it off.” With that she gave a pointed nod.
Lisa raised an eyebrow, not picking up what the mouse was laying down. Her foot hit something and she looked down to see a bright colored backpack with a pink Care Bear peeking out. And she got a knowing smile. “Oh! What little girl left her bag over here?” All Ko could do at that moment was blush and hide her face.
“Gosh Lisa! You little brat, Ko is still really shy about this.”; Nozomi admonished while taking the bag. She heard a crinkle as she pulled it across the table and smiled a little.
“Oh no! I’m sorry… didn’t realize we had a secret baby here.”; the lab said very low so no one around could’ve heard. She had heard the tell tale sound from the bag herself. She got up and ruffled Ko’s hair as she left the table. “I’ll leave you two to it. I’ve got to get back to the office, but Ko, I think Zozo is right. We have a lot we could talk about sweetie.”
Ko looked up from behind her paws at the mouse. “Little brat?” This started Zomi laughing.
“Yes Ko, she’s a little brat.” She just smiled as if that had been enough of an answer.
“But… like? A little brat, or just a brat?” The sabertooth asked, her curiosity very much peeked.
“She’s not a little…”; Nozomi could see Ko’s hopes dropping as she spoke. “But she is a middle. I met her at a party I went to with my ex.”
Ko saw hurt in her eyes when she mentioned her ex. Out of reflex she leaned in and gave the mus a big hug.
“It’s okay kitten, it still hurts, but she had her reasons and I can’t fault her.”; Nozomi said looking very thoughtful.
Ko nods; “Yea and… who knows?” She looks sheepish and quickly changes the subject. “So a middle? Like she’s…a little kid but not a little little?”
Nozomi smiles at the hint of hope at a future relationship. “Yeah, she can be a handful. She bounces around between six and sixteen. Sometimes she wants to be a little troublemaker and others she’s a sweetheart. Very helpful with the smaller littles from what I’ve seen. Most of our time together has been as adults though. Actually, last time we hung out was at a little indie wrestling event last month.”
Ko lit up at the mention of the event. “No way! I was there!”; and from there the rest of the lunch conversation is about wrestling and music. Zomi would have to get on Lisa for knocking Ko out of little space, but it was still very nice getting to know each other better.
Playpen of Ko 