1 The black cat

Arun felt the sun's rays tickle his eyelids once more, waking him gently from his calm night.

Once again, since he should not have been able to wake up again.

He was dead, actually. His lousy, lonely life had got the better of him, and the urge to stop everything had become too strong.

But despite this, he was well awake, alive and well : in another body, that said. It had surprised him a little at first, but he had come to understand the situation.

"So, finally woke up?"

The little black cat who was lying on the cushion at the foot of his bed was looking at him with big eyes. This deep voice came from him.

"Well, it's not so late..." the young man justified himself.

He glanced at the clock hanging over the door. 9:00 am.

"I thought you had made some resolutions, Arun... Did not you say you'd go back to the clinic?"

The cat gave him a heavy look, reminding him of what he had said the day before, during the long discussion they had together.

"That's right ... and I'm counting on it!" Arun stood up suddenly, filled with energy. "You'll see Mili, I'll give this clinic the shine it should have!"

The cat licked his paw looking at his master exiting the room. Oh, it had surprised him too, when overnight, the boy had woken up and told him he was hearing his voice. That of a cat. True, he was as intelligent as a human, but from there to be understood so easily ...

Yet in this world, it was common to talk to your pet. Everyone possessed one, which was handed over by the government to every child who was born, as a sort of companion, a guardian angel, who would accompany him all his life.

It was therefore more than normal to confide in him as a human being. But what was not, was to hear his voice.

It was one of the abilities Arun had got by waking up in this new body. And it must be said that as a veterinarian, it was the best he could have received!

There were also other advantages to this system which had been given to him for a reason as obscure as that for which he had reincarnated himself.

In addition to being able to hear the pets, he could at a glance see their state of health, something equally beneficial in his job.

No need to search with difficulty where did the evil come from! He saw directly what was happening, and he only had to look in his memory to know how to solve the problem.

And fortunately, it seemed that the old Arun was very good in this area, since he had in mind all the knowledge needed to be a vet.

Only, he had a question that remained in his mind : why was the clinic so unpopular, while obviously, the old Arun had everything to succeed?

It was something he was hoping to discover, along with the customs of this world, which was quite different from his own.

The young man brushed his teeth quickly, and took in the cupboards a bag of croquettes still whole. The living room was still a little messy, he did not had time to put everything away since he had woken up for the first time.

The house in which he lived was certainly large, but also very poorly maintained. He remembered the dust, papers and packaging that he had to pick up and throw to make room. He even wondered how the old Arun could have lived in such a dump.

Mili had joined him stretching, stopping in front of his bowl while waiting for his meal. Arun did not wait and poured the contents of the bag into the small dish.

"Thanks, Arun."

"No worries, it's normal, you have to be in shape too." He replied happily.

Of course, he could have asked Mili all his questions. However, the little cat did not know that his master was not the same as before : and Arun did not particularly want to reveal it to him, as long as he did not know what that might entail.

For the moment, he just wanted to take advantage of this new life, and especially the system and all the benefits it gave him!

He, who had always loved animals, having the opportunity to become a vet seemed like a dream come true.

"Arun, do not forget to take the trash bags, it may have to take time, if you want to clean the clinic." Advised the black cat, licking his chops.

Arun grabbed everything he needed and stuffed it into a little bag he put on his back.

"Don't worry, I forget nothing!" He leaned over to Mili and let him get on his shoulder. "Neither the trash bags nor you!"

Coming out of the house, closing behind him, the young man started down the road to the clinic. He had been there once when he had learned of its existence. Mili had guided him, and he now remembered the way.

However, he had not come inside last time. He had just watched the building from the outside, thinking that when he got in, it would be to put everything back in order.

While walking, he observed the surroundings a little. The neighborhood was not busy in the morning, and only a few people were on the streets. All without exception, had a pet.

It could be a cat, a dog, a lizard, even a fish, or an animal that had nothing to do with what Arun knew. Each pet seemed unique, and the young man was never tired of observing and discovering them.

This thought was enough to give him more than life to resume his activity as a veterinarian. What else could he discover?

Thinking about all this, he had not even seen the ride pass. Arrived in front of the clinic, a small room abandoned with the windows covered with dust, he noticed someone. A girl was standing, looking inside. She had short red hair, and was dressed lightly. Her skirt showed her white thighs, and a small waistcoat covered her upper body.

Arun approached calmly.

"Hello can I help you ?" He asked politely.

The girl turned to him, her eyes glowing as she placed them on him.

"Arun, it's you!"

Without warning she threw herself on him, wrapping her arms around the young man she failed to drop. Mili, however, had to catch up on the sidewalk, grumbling.

"Excuse me... I do not remember you..."

The girl moved away a bit, visibly disappointed and surprised.

"I know it's been a long time since we've seen each other... But please !"

Mili had gone back to his master's shoulder, and was staring at the stranger too. He either did not seem to recognize it, which was not really reassuring.

"I'm Myako, your classmate when we were still in college!"

"Oh, yes, I remember!" Lied Arun. "I didn't think to see you again after so long..."

"I heard about the clinic that you had, and it's been several days since I came hoping to see you... But obviously it was closed!" She said, indicating the blackened windows.

"Yes... I had some problems... But I was going to get back quickly, I was here today to clean the premises."

"Oh I see..."

Her suspicious look let Arun know that she would not leave easily... He hoped she would not be too late either, since he had work to clean up everything...

"If I came... It was to see you in the first place, but also because I wanted to ask you something, Arun..."

Myako leaned forward, bowing respectfully to the young man.

"Please, take me as an assistant!"

Arun almost choked on hearing the girl's request. However he would not refuse a little help... He did not know what he meant for her too, but he was curious to find out. Although a little hesitant, he finally accepted.

"Okay, but I'm going to need your help cleaning up the clinic, that's the first job!"

Making a military gesture, Myako nodded with enthusiasm.

"With pleasure !"

The young man grabbed the keys he had brought into his bag and headed for the door. To him the new life! To him the joys of discovery! He thrust the key into the lock, and opened the door to his new future.