How Are You Talking?!

We done fucked up.

"Are you… are you alright?"

Well, they didn't look okay.

Scratches all over their faces, even tiny droplets of blood oozed from those scratch marks.

"We are." I am amazed how they manage to smile through what I can only imagine to be excruciating pain and burning sensation. "And even she is nicely wrapped up."

That was true. 

Despite the cuts and blood on their faces, the kitty cat sat proudly on the couch with bandages wrapped around her feet.

"She is one energetic cat." While the vet maintained a smile, Katase was not that skilled at maintaining it and I could pretty much see her eyebrows twitching from possibly pain and burning sensations and maybe even annoyance.

Or maybe… everything all at once.

"I thought you forgot about the cat." She said as she put a bandaid over her cheek. "But at least you came back."

"That's my fault." Murayama came forward, awkwardly scratching her head. "It was quite busy at the restaurant, so it took forever for Reo to get his order."

"Now now," The vet lady tried cheering everyone up. "While it might have been a challenging dressing session, the good news is that the kitty is fully dressed now and there is also no chance of infection as long as you change her bandages on a timely basis."

The nurse was sweet voiced, and had a plump but adorable face. And she was quite short, an inch shorter than Katase who was much shorter than me.

But keeping everything aside, I gave a polite nod to the lady for helping out the cat.

"Thank you for helping her, ma'am." 

This made her smile, but I also had a few questions to ask of her.

"She already looks better than before, but there is a slight issue."

My question made everyone curious.

"Oh? And what might that be?" She leaned on her table, looking at me and then at the cat. "I didn't notice anything else wrong with her."

"No, it's just that…" I look at the cat, who very cutely twisted her head. "She isn't exactly my pet, but a stray and I was wondering if there were any injections or medicines that I have to give her for rabies or feline temper?"

"Ah, that's what you mean." As she figured that it was not a major issue, she smiled back. "I already gave her injections to prevent rabies, which usually work better when the cat is much younger, but the dosage was stronger and it should be good enough for her."

"As for temper shots…" Katase frowned and pointed at her face, "How do you think I got these marks on my face?"

Oh…

So, it wasn't from just dressing the kitty?

"Anyhow, you do not have to worry about the cat catching diseases." Katase's aunt assured, "Just make sure that you take care of her till she is fully healed."

"And if you think you will have difficulty taking care of her, you can always place her at an animal shelter or a rescue center." Katase chimed in, "Which in my opinion will be better for you."

She was rubbing her cheeks as she experienced first hand how difficult it can be taking care of the kitty.

"I will think about it." I looked at the cat once more, but I didn't give them an answer immediately. "And how much did it cost?"

"The injections were a bit expensive but since this cat is not yours and you are just being a good person…" The lady put on a bright smile, "I will give you a discount and all you need to pay is ¥11,000."

Ouch.

That is going to put a dent on what I have saved for this month.

"That works." But I just couldn't show them that, and so I agreed instantly.

However, Katase didn't like that.

"No no no!" She crossed her arm, "Just ¥11,000 is not enough for what I went through." She pointed at the scratch marks. "I need compensation for that."

"It's fine, Emi." The aunt said, but Katase kept her frown.

Note to self, her name is Emi.

And Emi's words made me a little nervous, "Well you see Katase… I am a little short on money for this month."

But thankfully, it wasn't money she was looking for?

"Who said anything about money?" She raised an eyebrow, "I want compensation in another way."

"Eh, what do you mean?" Even Murayama, who had been looking after the cat, got curious.

"Takoyaki," She huffed, "I want a takoyaki treat."

Oh, that's what she meant.

"Deal." I thought about it for not even a second and agreed as fast as I could. "We can go whenever you want."

Anything to save money, and there were quite a lot of cheap stalls that sold takoyaki nearby.

"Ehh… That's not fair." Murayama felt left out hearing this, "I want some takoyaki too!"

"Then how about you take both of them out, Takeda?" The vet smiled, "Every boy would like having two pretty girls by their side."

"Aunty!"

"Ma'am!"

Both the girls shouted together, and I won't lie but even I felt a little embarrassed.

"Well…" However, I tried my best to not show it on my face. "We can do that. It will be nice to get to know you two better. We have studied in the same school for a long time but I don't know much about either of you."

"A-Are you sure?" Murayama asked, embarrassed at the proposal.

"If you insist…" However, Katase liked what I said. "I don't mind going together."

"See," and if any of this made anyone have fun, it was Katase's aunt. "It's not a bad idea."

"Well… then shall we go out on Saturday?" I suggested, "If you two are free, that is."

"I don't have work on Saturday." Murayama agreed just as I suggested.

As for Katase—

"Well on Saturday…" She looked at her aunt.

"Why are you looking at me?" The lady raised her eyebrows, "You don't have to ask. Go and have fun, and no I won't cut your salary."

"Really?!"

"Really." 

It was funny looking at their expressions, but also quite nice.

Most don't have such family dynamics.

"Yosh!" Katase pumped her fists, "Then it's decided, Saturday." She stared at me, "And you cannot go back on this deal."

It made me chuckle, "Of course."

And so, in just a few minutes, my plan for Saturday was made.

As for now?

I have to leave the kitty somewhere safe.

…

…

[Minutes Later — East District of Kuoh]

The sun was pretty much gone from the sky and night had settled in. 

After thinking for quite some time, I left the cat at a nearby cat shelter and now I pray that she doesn't cause a ruckus there. 

System warned me that she is dangerous, and she is a bit aggressive in front of some people —not in front of me though— so I hope they can handle her.

However, it's not my problem anymore.

And I am free.

{Quest: Tame the Devilish Kitten!}

{Reward: Magical Physique}

As for the quest?

Screw it. There is no penalty for not completing it, so let the cat do what she wants and I will stay safe at my place. 

"Mom, I am back!"

Instantly opening the door, I rushed inside. 

I need a nice relaxing shower and soup. Mom makes the best soup.

But guess what?

"Mom?"

She wasn't there.

Weird.

I looked through the rooms, and as I searched everywhere —I saw a letter on the dining table, next to the food.

That's her handwriting alright.

`Going to the hospital as the neighbor's water broke and her husband is out of town. I will be back by tomorrow morning, so make sure you lock the house after you get back.`

Thankfully there were no thieves around this area, so the house is safe even though she didn't lock it.

`I couldn't make much as it was an emergency, but don't skip on the food.`

I lifted the covers and saw a bunch of food on the table, alongside my favorite thing —bone marrow soup.

No matter what, she always makes sure I have enough food.

My mom is the best.

"Ah, I should take a shower and then enjoy this meal." 

I wanted to have the soup so bad, but my entire body felt sticky.

So the bath came first.

"Yes, meow~"

But just as I thought I could relax… I realized how wrong I was.

"Go shower fast, meow~ I am hungry meow!"

Slowly turning my head around, I saw her sitting with her tail swirling over the cupboard.

Yeah, it was her —black as the night and eyes golden like the sun.

"Hurry meow!"

And without realizing, I yelled out. "How the fuck did you get here?"

After all… anyone would be spooked so see a talking devil cat in their house.

And to make matters worse, I heard the system talk too.

{Quest: Tame the Devilish Kitten!}

{Reward: Magical Physique}

I just cannot skip this quest, can I?

Fuck.

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