Volume 1 Chapter 8

Volume 1 + Chapter 8: The Cat, The Little Girl, And Cream Stew

Following the little girl, I arrived at her home. The empty house took me by surprise.

It was certainly large, but why was there no adult around?

That man from earlier should have been her father. Judging by his demeanor, he didn’t seem like the type who would neglect her like this.

Even though doubts lingered in my mind, I simply observed my surroundings and chose not to pry.

[Pi-ka?]

As soon as the girl opened the door, she softly called out to the kitten, her voice gentle and tender, filled with concern.

“See?”, it was almost as if she was saying that. When there was no response, her violet eyes turned to me, shimmering with unease.

…Sigh. I already touched her face, didn’t I?

Deciding to put in some effort and help ease her worries, I tried calling the kitten as well.

If even I couldn’t help, then the only option left would be to take it to a vet.

[…Pi-ka?]

My voice echoed through the empty house. I walked into the spacious living room, there were toys scattered about, but no sign of the cat itself.

[…Maybe it wandered off somewhere. Let’s go look, hm?]

A kitten suddenly dropped from above, landing squarely on my back. My clothes cried out under the assault of its claws.

M-my clothes…

Silently turning my back to the girl, I could only hope she would quickly rescue my poor outfit from this menace.

But the kitten was faster than she was.

Riiip, scrratch…

With the sound of fabric tearing, the kitten scrambled from my back to the front.

Grabbing the restless little creature, I narrowed my eyes dangerously as I held it up.

You little…!

It’s only been a few days, and this is how you treat the one who fed and sheltered you?!

The adorable ragdoll kitten looked utterly innocent, as if it knew nothing, its only skill being to act cute.

Looking up, I noticed elaborate catwalk pathways built along the ceiling. Truly, this was a wealthy household.

That was all I thought, until I turned to look at the silent girl.

What I saw was her gazing at me with envious eyes that seemed to say, “How nice…”, and that left me feeling inexplicably weary.

[Pi-ka~ This pretty girl here is your owner now, you know? You have to listen to her from now on, okay?]

Putting on a gentle façade, I handed the kitten over to her.

But the little traitor struggled fiercely, leaving several scratches on my hands.

This… thing…

It had been a long time since I’d been injured, and the sudden sting made irritation bubble up within me.

[Sorry, I need to have a word with it.]

I said to the girl, then carried the kitten outside. In the yard, I gently set it down on the grass.

[What exactly are you trying to do?]

[Let me make this clear, I can’t take care of you.]

#Actually, I could. I just don’t want the hassle.#

[Finding you a home is already more than enough. I’m not raising you.]

#I could. It’s just troublesome.#

[This place is practically a palace compared to where you were before. You should be grateful, you know?]

Each time I spoke, I tapped its forehead.

Strangely, the cat didn’t dodge, like a child being scolded by an adult.

It looked both pitiful and helpless.

…Sigh. Even a rotten person is still human.

Feeling as though I was bullying a small animal, I gave up lecturing it.

#Because this is just ridiculous.#

Talking to a cat? Ha.

Something I never would’ve done in my previous life, yet here I was doing it now.

Maybe it was because I’d seen too many bizarre, reality-defying things today, my brain must’ve short-circuited.

Picking up the downcast cat again, I returned inside and opened the door, only to find the girl waiting.

Was she standing here the whole time?

Seeing her gaze fixed on the kitten in my arms, I sighed inwardly.

She really treasures this cat.

Look at you, you already have someone who cares about you this much.

So why choose someone like me?

I silently scolded the little creature in my mind.

Do cats have something like “bad humans are irresistible” too?

I handed the cat over again. This time, it didn’t resist, it obediently let the girl take it, which at least satisfied me.

[Didn’t you say it wasn’t eating? Try feeding it now.]

That was the reason you called me here, right?

The girl nodded, carrying the unusually quiet kitten into the living room. With one hand holding the cat and the other pouring food, her movements were surprisingly practiced.

She gently set the cat down, her violet eyes soft as she watched it nibble its food.

At just eight or nine years old, an age when one shouldn’t even be able to fully care for oneself, she carried a kind of maturity that made my chest tighten.

The way she acted, the look in her eyes, it was too mature.

I frowned.

I hated it.

My mind, unbidden, began constructing reasons, tragic family circumstances that could produce such maturity.

Annoyed with myself, I forced those thoughts away.

Children are reflections of their families. And the maturity before me felt like proof that something was wrong in hers.

This is why I dislike children.

Growing increasingly irritable, I glanced outside, the rain had started again, deepening my mood.

[Have you eaten?]

[…No.]

She hesitated, clearly caught off guard by the question.

[Neither have I. Let me use the kitchen.]

[…Okay…?]

Confused by the sudden turn of events, the girl finally lost that unnatural maturity, revealing a more childlike side.

After showing me the kitchen, she left immediately, not even worried I might take anything.

Well…

Compared to “dead things,” she cared more about “living things.”

A mocking smile surfaced on my face, whether directed at the adults who forced such maturity onto a child, or at my own cowardice in avoiding trouble, I wasn’t sure.

How ridiculous.

Shaking off that expression, I returned to my usual calm demeanor and rummaged through the kitchen as if it were my own.

After gathering the necessary ingredients, I climbed onto a stool and began chopping.

Cream stew, it’s perfect for children, and for rainy days.

When it’s cold, nothing beats a warm bowl to comfort the heart.

After more than an hour of work, it was finally done. Strength wasn’t the issue, height was.

Climbing up and down, moving bowls step by step, it took quite an effort just to get everything ready.

Doing anything in a child’s body is such a hassle.

Carrying the stew, I headed to the living room table.

But as soon as I arrived, I froze.

The girl was holding the cat up, face tilted, breathing in its belly fluff.

She’s huffing cats already at this age?!

Her expert technique made me hesitate to interrupt.

Quietly setting down the bowl, I fetched the rest of the tableware. By then, she had already put the cat down, calmly petting its head.

[Go wash your hands.]

[Okay.]

She set the cat down and walked past me, her cheeks slightly flushed, whether from embarrassment or excitement, I couldn’t tell.

But this childlike version of her was far more fitting than that earlier maturity.

Children should be lively, full of endless energy, that’s how it should be.

Feeling slightly better, I served the stew.

With everything ready, I clasped my hands and closed my eyes in a quiet prayer.

A habit from my previous life, one I had no intention of changing.

Though I only did it when alone.

Opening my eyes, I looked down at the opportunistic little creature.

While I was praying, it had climbed onto my lap, curling up comfortably and swishing its tail.

I had just scolded it, and yet it held no grudge.

For a moment, I wanted to pet it.

But the stew took priority, so I picked up my spoon instead.

I wasn’t about to wash my hands again just to pet a cat.

The rich flavor spread across my tongue, easing my expression as I savored it slowly.

The girl returned, saw me eating, and simply joined in without comment.

But her lack of any pre-meal phrases caught my attention.

Why didn’t she clasp her hands and say “Itadakimasu” like others?

Not knowing, or something else?

Realizing I was about to pry into her personal life again, I shut down my curiosity and continued eating in silence.

Once we finished, warmth spread through my body, leaving me satisfied.

Looking at the dishes, I decided it was time to leave.

#Washing dishes? Absolutely not.#

The cat had eaten, I was full, and the rain had stopped.

There was no reason to stay.

I stood and put on my coat.

[It’s getting late. I’ll head home.]

[…Won’t you stay the night?]

Asking someone she barely knew to stay, her sense of caution clearly needed work.

But that was her parents’ responsibility, not mine.

I shook my head and declined.

Deepening our relationship wasn’t something I wanted. It would only bring trouble.

Pretending ignorance for peace of mind, I decided to end things here, with only the cat as our connection.

——————–

【Today was different from usual.

There was someone at home. The sound of cooking filled the air.

It felt noisy, but not unpleasant.

Father took Mother to the hospital again, leaving me to return home alone.

I thought it would be another lonely day… but instead, I saw that person standing at the door, looking up at the rain.

That person was different. Around her were beautiful spirits.

Surrounded by pale blue-white spirits, she shone brilliantly.

For some reason, my heart felt excited.

The cat she gave me refused to eat. I dislike death, but didn’t know what to do.

Then she appeared again, like a prince from a storybook.

The first time I noticed her in the park, I could already tell she was kind.

Even though the cat was dirty, she gently picked it up, checking carefully for injuries.

I thought she wouldn’t return, but she did.

That park lies on the way to the hospital. I saw her in the morning… and again in the afternoon.

Something about her stayed on my mind.

The next day, when I saw her again, I tugged on Father’s sleeve.

“Dad, what is that person doing?”

“She’s looking for an owner for the cat,” he said gently.

Looking for an owner…

For some reason, I felt that meant I could approach her.

So, for once, I acted selfishly and brought Father to her.

Later, I learned he was a she, not a he.

If she’s a girl… Can we be friends?

Someone so kind would surely make a wonderful friend.

With those star-like spirits always around her, she would make an excellent piano healer.

Her presence, and the spirits around her, told me so.

That gentle aura must be why Pika is so attached to her.

When I tugged her clothes and she looked back at me with those dark red eyes… They were so beautiful.

Pika’s eyes are sky-blue, that’s why I like them.

But her dark red eyes remind me of something else… something like love.

I wanted both the cat… and the person.

But people aren’t like cats, you can’t simply take them.

So I gave up on that unrealistic thought.

Yet everything about her, her words, her kindness to Pika, even the pity she showed me, made my heart tremble.

Inside, a voice kept crying out, “I want her. I need her.”

There is something about her that I long for.

Smelling the food from the kitchen, I hugged Pika tightly, pressing my face into its soft belly.

As if hiding my improper desires, I murmured softly.

“Pika… you want her to stay with you too, don’t you?”】

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