Action
A faint crimson light slipped in through the gap in the window.
In the chilly air, my eyes snapped open.
I twitched my little nose, and along with the cold stone scent of the room, the smell of burning firewood drifted up from downstairs.
It was still before sunrise outside. In the snow-covered forest, the cries of early-rising birds rang out, clear and sharp.
Back when I was human, if I’d woken up at this hour, I would’ve gone right back to sleep without hesitation.
But this fluffy little body was different. The moment I woke up, my mind was already clear, and I could immediately recall everything that happened last night.
I pushed myself up and stretched my front paws waaay out.
Come to think of it… I’d fallen asleep on Valdo’s chest last night, but now I’d been laid down beside the pillow. And, kindly enough, something that looked like Valdo’s clothes had even been draped over me so I wouldn’t get cold.
Looks like he moved me.
I feel bad waking him up, but…
Can’t be helped, this is for Valdo and Korn!
I looked up at Valdo’s face as he slept right beside me.
His large body lay across the bed, and surprisingly, he was sleeping quietly without even snoring.
I let out a “meow” right next to his face. Then I stretched out a paw and started patting his cheek with my tiny pink pads.
“Nya, meow~!”
“Mm…?”
I kept patting his cheek, and finally, Valdo cracked one eye open just a little.
Yes! He woke up…
But that thought barely had time to form when, his thick hand slid out from the blanket and grabbed me.
Next thing I knew, I was plopped onto his chest and pinned there.
I blinked in surprise as his hand came over and started ruffling my head.
“Lemme sleep a little longer… I’ll play with you later.”
“Meow-!?”
N-no! That’s not it, Valdo!
I didn’t wake you up because I want to play!
At this rate, Korn might leave the mercenary group all by himself!
And the only ones who can stop him are me and you…!
“Miya~ Miya! Meow!”
Ugh, not being able to speak is seriously frustrating!
No matter how desperately I cried out, Valdo didn’t seem bothered at all, he just closed his eyes again.
Damn it…!
If that’s how it is, then I’ll use my last resort!
I took a step back and gathered strength into my hind legs.
And then…
“Miyaa!”
I launched myself straight at Valdo’s face with all my weight!
The result? My body obeyed gravity and went poof, completely covering his face.
My fluffy, squishy belly pressed right up against his nose. His hot breath tickled, but I endured it.
And after keeping his nose and mouth sealed in fluff for a few seconds…
“Bwah!? …Oi, Al, what the hell are you doing!?”
Valdo shot upright, eyes wide.
At that instant, I flipped lightly through the air and landed neatly on the sheets.
Then I raised my tail straight up and let out a triumphant cry.
“Nyan!”
Valdo glared at me resentfully.
“Ah, damn it… I’m wide awake now. And I’ve got fur all over my face…”
“Miya~ Miya-!”
“What is it? You hungry or something?”
I walked over to his right hand on the sheets, placed my tiny paw on top of it, and cried out insistently.
But even then, it didn’t seem to get through to him.
So I grabbed his rough thumb in my mouth and started tugging on it.
“… You trying to take me somewhere?”
The moment Valdo tilted his head suspiciously, I lit up.
Yes! Finally, he gets it!
“Meow~!”
Relieved, I let go and cried out proudly again.
Valdo shrugged like “what a pain,” but climbed out of bed anyway.
“Alright, alright, hold on. Lemme get dressed.”
He stood up, scratching through his messy bed hair, his voice still low with sleep.
The cold floor creaked under his steps as he grabbed a shirt and coat draped over a chair.
I circled around his feet the whole time, still meowing urgently.
“Miya! Miya~!”
“Jeez… what’s got you so worked up?”
Even while he was getting dressed, I couldn’t sit still.
Korn might leave at any moment.
The second he finished changing, I dashed to the door.
Standing on my hind legs, I scratched at it with my front paws.
“Nya, nyaa!”
“… Something outside?”
The moment Valdo lifted the latch and opened the door, I couldn’t wait, I slipped through the gap before it was fully open and bolted out.
Cold winter air brushed against my fur as soon as I stepped into the hallway.
I stopped briefly in the middle, turned around, and called out again.
“Nyaaa!”
“Alright, alright, I’m coming.”
Valdo followed with a wry smile.
I dashed down the quiet morning corridor, leading him.
Then…
A heavy thud suddenly echoed, breaking the silence.
My ears twitched.
That sound… was that the front door?
Then, did Korn already leave!?
Crap! Am I too late…!?
I pushed off with all four legs and sprinted down the stairs.
Behind me, I heard Valdo shout, “Al!?”, but I couldn’t stop.
When I reached the first floor, the front door was half open, snow blowing in through the gap.
Looks like it never fully closed properly.
Just like yesterday, I slipped through the opening and dashed outside.
A silver-white world spread beneath a leaden sky.
The snow had stopped, but the wind cut through my fur like needles.
The brightness made my eyes sting, but I squinted and scanned the area.
And then…
Down the path leading away from the chapel house, I spotted a slender figure in a cloak.
A red-haired young man with a pack and longbow on his back was slowly walking away, crunching through the snow.
“Nyaa!”
I kicked off the snow and ran after him.
“Miya~! Meow~!”
I shouted Korn’s name with everything I had.
Of course, all that came out were cute little meows, not real words.
Still, I kept calling him again and again.
Then…
Korn finally stopped and slowly turned around.
“Al…?”
At that moment, I caught up to him and, without slowing down, clung tightly to his boot, digging in my claws.
Snow soaked into my fur, but I didn’t care, I cried out desperately.
“W-why are you here!? Don’t tell me… because of what I said yesterday…?”
Korn’s voice trembled with confusion.
And then…
“Korn… what are you doing?”
A low voice, footsteps crunching through snow, approached from behind.
When we turned…
Valdo was there.
Having followed me, he now stared at Korn in shock.
“Co-Commander Valdo!?”
But the one just as shocked… was Korn.
His malachite-colored eyes widened, lips trembling as he stared at Valdo.
~Read Chapter 12-19 in advance on Patreon~
What do you think about this chapter?
