Cats Are Liquid
“... You’re staying behind, Al.”
“Nyah!?”
W-What did you just sayyy!?
I shot my tail straight up and looked up at Valdo. But with his arms folded, Valdo slowly shook his head.
“The enemy’s a pack of monsters. And they said there’re more than twenty of them. This ain’t anything like that rock bear from before.”
His voice was calm, but there was resolve seeping through that low, heavy tone.
Ugh!
W-Well, yeah, even one rock bear had insane presence...!
And this time there are over twenty beasts like that...
B-But that’s exactly why I can’t let Valdo go somewhere that dangerous alone!
I’m absolutely going too!
“Miya! Myaah!”
Crying out desperately, I climbed onto Valdo’s boot and clung to his pants, digging in my claws. But Valdo expressionlessly peeled me off with one hand.
But… there’s no way I’m giving up that easily!
I chased after Valdo’s long strides with my short little legs, pattering after him as fast as I could. After following behind him for a while, meowing desperately…
“... Haaah. Guess I got no choice.”
Valdo stopped and let out a huge sigh.
Then he quietly picked me up. Inside those big hands, it was warm and comfortable as always.
Oh! So he finally decided to take me along!
But that thought only lasted a moment.
Still holding me, Valdo started climbing the stairs and headed straight for his room.
And then…
“Be a good boy.”
The instant that low, gentle voice sounded right above my head…
Valdo softly set me on the floor and shut the door from the outside.
*Clunk.* The sound of the lock rang out.
The moment I realized I’d been shut inside, I panicked and leapt at the door, scratching at it with my front paws.
“Miya~! Miyaa~!?”
I cried out desperately. But the footsteps outside gradually grew farther away.
Even after they vanished completely, I kept scratching the door again and again.
“Mew...”
I paced around the room, lashing my tail *smack smack* as if trying to vent my frustration. But there was no sign the room’s owner was coming back.
Valdo...!
Y-You’re really trying to leave me behind with a stunt like this...!
But I’m not giving up over something like this!
I looked around the room for some way out. Then, at the edge of my vision, I spotted the window cracked open just a little.
It was only a narrow gap, but for me, it looked easy to squeeze through.
After all, back in Japan, there was a saying: “Cats are liquid!”
… Wait, was that not a saying?
Anyway, I sprang onto the bed, then jumped from there to the desk, then to the windowsill.
Then I shoved my body through the crack in the window. Just as planned, I made it outside. Chilly air brushed through my fur and stung my damp nose.
Alright, so far so good!
Looking around, I noticed a thick tree branch stretching close beside the window.
I gathered strength in my hind legs and boldly leapt down onto it. The moment I landed, I dug my claws into the bark and supported myself.
“Meow...!”
After wriggling into a stable position, I carefully moved along the branch and edged toward the trunk.
My whiskers trembled in the freezing air.
Even so, my heart leaped with excitement that I’d managed to escape the room.
Yes! I did it!
Now all I have to do is climb down…
The instant I looked below, a chill ran straight up my spine.
The ground was way farther down than I’d thought.
The moment I clearly saw that distance, my whole body stiffened. I clung to the branch with my claws, and my tail instinctively wrapped around me.
“... Miya, miyaa...!”
My cry shook. My heart pounded wildly.
And then… I ended up frozen on the branch, unable to move a single step.
Waaah! Somebody help meee~!
“Miya~!! Miyaaaaa~!!”
I kept crying in what was half sobbing meows when suddenly I sensed someone nearby.
Footsteps crunching through snow hurried closer beneath the tree.
“I thought I heard something... what’re you doing up there, Al...?”
An exasperated voice rang out from below, and I jerked my gaze downward.
There stood Korn.
Hands on his hips, he looked up at me while sighing. But in those malachite-colored eyes was an unmistakable concern.
Breathing white mist into the air, Korn called up toward me on the branch.
“Seriously... you’re tiny as hell, but you do reckless stuff, huh...!”
Grumbling like that, Korn grabbed the tree and quickly climbed up branch by branch.
Once he reached my side, he gently stretched out his arms and pulled me against him.
“Meow...”
“There. You’re fine now. I’m here.”
Wrapped in the warmth of his arms, the tension drained from my stiff body little by little.
Korn, thank you sooo much~~!
And seriously, Korn, you were saying you’re useless, but you’re insanely good at climbing trees!
Alright! I hereby grant you the title of greatest tree climber in all of the Black Iron Claws!
Well... I haven’t seen anyone else climb yet, though!
“Whoa there, don’t move! If we fall, the Commander’ll chew us both out.”
“Nya~”
Holding me securely to his chest, Korn carefully turned himself around.
His footing was incredibly steady as he checked each step and descended one branch at a time, so I relaxed and entrusted myself to him.
When we finally reached the ground, Korn let out a long breath and adjusted his hold on me.
“There. Safe zone now. Honestly... don’t make me worry like that.”
“Meow.”
When I answered with a meow, Korn burst out laughing before he could help himself.
But after smiling, he suddenly narrowed his eyes as if realizing something.
“Come to think of it... why were you up there? Don’t tell me you were trying to chase after Commander Valdo?”
“Nyah!?”
Gulp!
That was way too dead-on. My fur puffed up instinctively.
Korn let out a sigh and made a slightly angry face.
“Nope, no way! Commander Valdo told you too, didn’t he? This enemy’s no joke. If a tiny fuzzball like you comes toddling along, those beasts’ll gobble you whole in no time!”
“Miya~!”
Saying that, Korn started walking back toward the chapel building while still carrying me.
He was probably planning to return me to the room again.
Tch, no helping it...!
I didn’t want to use this move, but...!
I shifted around in Korn’s arms, carefully adjusting myself so my eyes would look as big as possible from his angle.
Then I waited for the perfect moment…
“Mii...”
I squeezed out a tiny, adorable little sound from deep in my throat and looked up at Korn with watery eyes.
The instant he saw that expression…
Korn froze like he’d forgotten how to breathe.
“Ugh...!”
As if an arrow had pierced his heart, Korn stiffened completely, turning red all the way to his ears.
Then he raked one hand wildly through his hair and groaned in agony.
“Y-You... that face is cheating...!”
“Mii...”
“N-No, seriously! That voice is cheating too!”
Having completely lost the will to fight, Korn stayed frozen there staring at me for a while.
Then at last, he let out a small sigh.
There was a little resignation in his expression... and gentle warmth too.
“Haaah... fine, I get it! If you promise to behave, then just this once, I’ll secretly take you with us.”
“Miyaa!”
Yaaay! Thanks, Korn!
I rubbed myself against his chest.
He gave a wry smile and gently stroked my head. The rough warmth of his palm seeped softly through my fur.
“I owe you one, Al... I’m still here because of you. So just this once, I’ll indulge your selfishness.”
“Nya~!”
“But you stay right by my side and behave, got it!? If anything happens to you, I’m the one Commander Valdo’s gonna yell at!”
“Meowrr!”
I meowed as if promising.
Korn hugged me once more and smiled gently.
That smile was different from when we first met… the hesitation he’d carried in his heart was gone, replaced by a strong, dependable grin.
What do you think about this chapter?
