V1 - Chapter 1

Volume 1 - The Abandoned Kitten, Her, and Me.
Chapter 1

The first time I talked to Minamino Chinatsu was during the autumn, under a big tree in a park located halfway up a slope called Sakurazaka Park.

As the name suggests, beautiful cherry blossoms bloom in spring, but during the deep autumn season when summer has ended, there is usually no sign of people around.

In such a place, I saw a girl who looked familiar squatting in her school uniform. I stopped and hurriedly approached her, wondering if she was feeling unwell.

"Err, if I remember correctly, you're Minamino-san, right? What are you doing here? Are you fine? Do you feel sick?"

"...Eh? Uh, uhm…"

She raised her head in surprise and looked towards me with an expression that looked as if me being here was unexpected. 

"Satou-kun? ...Eh? Were you out on a jog?"

Judging from my getup, she probably deduced that I was out jogging. 

I nodded at her question and replied, "Well, since I'm in the go-home club, it wouldn't be a surprise if my body would become dull, and my house is nearby, so on days when I have time, I jog around this area at this time."

"You're an odd one. If that's the case, why don't you join a club? You don't hate exercising or sports if you're willingly out on a jog, right?"

"Ah, well, I have a part-time job, so... wait, we're going off track. Aren't you here squatting down because you feel sick or something?"

"Eh? Ah, that's not it—"

After saying so, she slightly raised her body, and revealed a small cardboard box in front of her. Finally, there was something on her chest that I couldn't see before. A small—

"—kitten?"

"Yeah, it looks like it's an abandoned kitten, and it seems to be really weak." 

She said that it only meowed once, and when she approached it, it was already completely languid.

"My mother has a severe cat allergy so we can't keep it. But I saw it… and I just couldn't leave it alone, so I was thinking about what to do…"

Usually, she was always cheerful and laughing.

Although I don't know her well since we don't have much of an interaction with each other, the image of her always brightening up the class atmosphere just by being there is like the image of the sun. To be honest, I didn't intend to get involved with her too much. However, when I saw her murmuring with a very sad and lonely expression, I felt compelled to do something to help her, which was a bit out of character for me.

Think, feel, and just give it a try.

Following the words that were often told to me this year, I thought for a while.

The answer was already set.

"...I see, I understand. Let's take the kitten to the vet for now. Also, it might be a bit tough for me to keep the kitten forever, but I can temporarily take care of it at my place."

"Eh?"

When I said that, Minamino-san's big eyes widened even more and let out a much higher pitched voice before looking at my face unblinkingly.

"Look, I'd just feel bad to leave the kitten like this. And, well, even though I said I'll take care of the kitten, it will only be for a while, alright? We have to look for someone who can adopt it."

I think Minamino-san is cute.

The boys in our class consider themselves lucky to be in the same class with her, and her name occasionally comes up during joint PE classes. Her name has never been absent from the daily discussions about which guy likes which girl.

Well, I have never participated in such discussions myself, but I wholeheartedly agree that she is cute.

The group of girls she belongs to are at the top of the social hierarchy in terms of ranking, so to speak. She was inclusive and treated everyone, including those outside of their group without discrimination. She never flaunted her looks or abilities. At the very least, from my perspective, she was a popular and kind girl, like someone out of a picture book.

And, when I was being intently looked at by such a cute girl whom I had never talked to before, I couldn't help but feel embarrassed. To avoid her gaze, I turned on my smartphone screen.

I searched for a nearby veterinary clinic and quickly dialed their phone number. While Minamino-san looked a bit absentminded by my sudden phone call, I explained the situation to the receptionist on the other end and made an appointment with the vet.

For some reason, I was praised for calling to check on an abandoned kitten. Even though I didn't actually find the kitten myself, I felt a twinge of guilt and turned to Minamino-san with a smile.

Smiling comes naturally to me from working part-time jobs.

"I'm relieved. They said we can go and have the kitten checked now. They also asked me if the kitten was vaccinated, its age and all that, but I have no idea about those, so I just said I'll bring the kitten to them so they can see for themselves. If it's sick, they'll give medicine, and if it needs more nutrition, maybe they'll give a drip? Also, I need to stop by home to get my wallet and withdraw some money at the convenience store on the way. Sorry to ask, but can you come with me?"

My house is just around the corner, and I can't go into the convenience store with the kitten in my arms. I continued.

"Sure, of course… or rather I was the one who found the kitten so I was naturally gonna do my best to find someone who can adopt it—eh? Eh? Was Satou-kun this kind of character?" 

"—I'm starting to get really worried about how other people actually see me, though…"

"No, you see, err… Yes! You somehow seem very kind!"

"I'm even more worried now. I mean, with that impression, it wouldn't be hard for me to just run away and say goodbye, right? How cold do you think I am?"

"True! But that's not it. Even though we're classmates, we've hardly ever talked before. Still, you were worried about me just because you saw me squatting here, and you came over to make sure if I was fine and asked if I was sick or something."

"Isn't that normal?"

"Geez, I'm saying that being able to call that normal means you are really kind!"

Minamino-san spoke up in a slightly angry tone for some reason.

Ey, you don't need to get so angry to the point of turning red.

Even though I said I was inconspicuous, my social skills shouldn't have been so terrible. However, it seems that I still lack the level to deal with girls.

"Ahaha, sorry I guess. Well then, even if it was meowing weakly, I don't think it's in immediate danger, but maybe we should hurry. I'll guide you there, so will you accompany me? Should I carry the kitten, or would you like to hold it as it is? I'll also bring the cardboard box, just in case."

I asked Minamino-san and started walking along the road I had jogged from earlier.

Minamino-san, who was still looking at me with interest, nodded.

"I'm sorry, I'll take you to the vet right away, so please hang in there a bit longer."

"Nya~"

"Ah… Satou-kun! It meowed!"

"I'm glad. It's probably just not feeling well because it's hungry, I just hope it's not an illness or anything."

As we walked, the kitten in the arms of Minamino-san, who was walking behind me while gently soothing the kitten, let out a weak but steady meow, indicating that it was still alive. It was a kitten with beautiful white fur.