Chapter 16
The slow-cooked beef stew was delicious as it melted in my mouth.
Kanade-san's calm demeanor and wide range of topics helped create a relaxed atmosphere. Despite being in an unfamiliar place, both Minamino and I felt completely at ease, both mentally and in terms of our stomachs.
"So, are you two a couple?"
Cough!
Perhaps because of that, Kanade-san suddenly asked such a question with a smile, and I ended up coughing on the tea I was drinking.
"...No, Minamino and I are friends, not in that kind of relationship. Besides, she's quite popular at school, so the fact that we've become friends like this is really coincidental."
"My, really? You know, since you came into the room, you both seemed to have that kind of vibe, so I thought maybe you were already in that kind of relationship. This really won't do for me; I guess because of my line of work, I tend to jump to those kinds of conclusions too quickly. I see, I see. So, it's not that kind of relationship yet... Well then, what about you two? How did you first meet?"
Saying this with a grin, Kanade-san turned her gaze towards Minamino this time.
"Um, you see, it's really not—"
While I almost got fooled by her soft expression, just as she tried to steer the conversation in that direction forcefully and completely, I was about to interject with a more genuine response when Minamino laughed.
"Hahaha, you're really in the mood for an interview, aren't you? By the way, this is my first time meeting a novelist."
Novelist.
There were many genres in that field, but among them, Kanade-san was a well-known author specializing in slightly peculiar stories, a mix of mystery and romance that revolved around the youth of high school and college students. Her real name, not a pen name, was used. She even won a bookseller award for one of her works. Both Minamino and I knew her name. When I first heard it from Misaki-san, I could hardly believe my ears.
And then, she had also told us about wanting to know what led to us taking care of the kitten. Since it's not often that she meets high school students, she mentioned wanting to use our experience as a reference. However, it seemed that I didn't fully consider how she might want to refer to our experience despite knowing her works. It was a complete oversight on my part.
Minamino and I did indeed become close through the connection of taking care of Shiro. We got to know each other's more genuine expressions and built a comfortable relationship. However, watching Minamino at school still occasionally made me feel like we lived in different worlds.
Sure, Minamino might not have been her real self at school. But in the first place, even acting aside, the fact that she could be one of the most popular people in the school indicated her inherent charm. Just because I've come to know her real self recently doesn't mean there aren't plenty of guys who could accept her act, not to mention her real self. It felt somewhat disproportionate for someone like Minamino to be suspected of being in a romantic relationship with me. But there was nothing I could do about that.
However, in contrast to my inner thoughts, Minamino was using her natural communication skills to the fullest, engaging in a lively conversation about our meeting with the kitten and our relationship.
Kanade-san, still smiling, was nodding along as she listened. She seemed to be jotting down notes on a notebook as she listened, but I hoped that her next work wouldn't involve a kitten, a beautiful girl, and an unremarkable guy.
Feeling a little awkward, I excused myself to use the restroom.
As I left the table and entered the restroom, a warm sensation spread at my feet. Shiro had approached and was rubbing its head against my legs, seeking attention.
"Good for you, Kanade-san seems like a nice person, so be sure to be a good kitten, okay?"
Saying that while stroking Shiro's head, it pushed back with more force than I expected, almost leaning its whole body against me. I crouched down and scratched behind Shiro's ears with light strokes. In response, it placed its front paw on my left knee, as if urging me to continue.
"Hehe, this is the last time, so I'll give you all I've got today."
However, I couldn't stay in the hallway by the restroom forever. I lifted Shiro and returned to the living room.
"My, it's a little sad that it's the last time for you guys to meet. If you're free, why not come visit again? It would be good if the both of you come, but it's also fine if you come alone, I'd be happy to treat you to a meal at the very least."
As Kanade-san brought the topic up, I was surprised. I wondered if she had overheard my earlier muttering, or rather, the words I had said to Shiro.
"I think the reason why Kanade-san wants me to come together with Minamino is mainly because of your desire to write something, but um… is it really okay to go to such lengths for someone like me?"
Kanade-san fell into the category of what you would call a famous person. And I'm sure there are many fans who would want to get closer to someone like her. While I can understand why she wanted to connect with Minamino, who is both charming and sociable, I can't help but wonder if the reason why she wanted to be friendly with me, who only happened to take in a kitten, was because of Misaki-san's referral.
"Of course... From what Chinatsu-san had shared to me earlier and the way you look at Shiro-chan, I can tell that you're a kind person, Hajime-kun. Someone like that is always welcome here."
"...I'm honored."
I glanced at Minamino, wondering how the conversation went. She noticed and gave me a thumbs-up. No, it's not the time for a thumbs-up.
"Just earlier, I was talking with Chinatsu-san about this, but calling yourself 'someone like me' is a bit of a demerit point. Hajime-kun, you're much more wonderful than you think. Don't worry, I can vouch for that."
"I mean, I don't think someone who I've only known for two hours can say that."
I said with a hint of exasperation at her assurance that sounded as if we had known each other for a long time.
"It's not like that, Satou. I think you'd be fantastic if you let yourself out a bit more, like when you used to play basketball at Misaki-san's place."
"Don't join in and tease me, Minamino. But well, thanks. And you're right, I guess it's not really the end if I'll come to check on things again."
Making that comment while petting Shiro, who was gazing at me with a sound like a soft purr, I added, "What's wro~ng, Shiro?"
"Right, Shiro-chan? You'd prefer that too, wouldn't you?"
Meow.
Shiro rarely made a sound, and it happened to do so at the perfect moment. We all laughed together. It seemed I wasn't saying goodbye to Shiro just yet. And probably not to Minamino either.
And so, the abandoned kitten that I picked up on a whim ended up in the care of a kind owner.
