V1- Chapter 8

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

Chapter 8

I woke up to the sound of my smartphone's vibration. I'm fairly consistent with waking up, so I could tell that it was earlier than usual. 

(Minamino) Good morning, are you up? Have you thought of a name?

As expected, it was an unusually early hour. Most of the people who contact me, whether from my part-time job or circle, tend to be night owls. It was a fresh experience to receive messages in the morning.

—- After what happened, I found exchanging contact infos with other guys really troublesome, so you're actually the first guy I've exchanged contact infos with since entering high school.

—-Yeah, got your ID. Don't sell mine, okay? Though, if you did, you might get a good price for it.

I recalled the conversation we had when we exchanged contact information, even though she declined my offer to send her off to the station.

And now that she mentioned it, I remembered the kitten. No wonder I was sleeping on the living room sofa. 

After our talk yesterday, the kitten had only woken up once to use the litter box. I watched a bit nervously, but it seemed like it was only peeing, which relieved me.

If, by any chance, it hadn't peed or seemed weak, I was told by the veterinarian the other day to bring it in.

Afterwards, the kitten continued sleeping. I found myself looking at my smartphone absentmindedly, and before I knew it, I had spent the night in the living room.

Nevertheless, I couldn't just skip school because of it, of course. The general consensus online was that as long as there's food, water, and a clean litter box, it's fine. But today, I have a part-time job outside of school in addition to classes. Even though I temporarily agreed to take care of the kitten, I had no idea how well it would do on its own.

A wet sensation pressed against the palm of my hand as I had it hanging down from the sofa. Though I couldn't be certain, I was told that the kitten was about four months old and was probably disciplined. The kitten was likely bought from a pet shop and was then thrown immediately. I couldn't understand it myself, but there are people who, after spending a lot of money to buy a pet, end up discarding them because they feel it wasn't the same as they imagined.

Purr, purr.

Nevertheless, regardless of those people's circumstances, the white kitten that was currently rubbing her head against my hand, making purring sounds, was very cute.

"Good morning. Although it will only be for a while, let's get along well."

I had heard that cats were solitary creatures, but this kitten was surprisingly friendly. On a whim, I took a photo and replied with the message, "It's in good health, but still no name."

A reply came back immediately.

(Minamino) So cute.

(Minamino) I'm so jealous you get to see a kitten in the morning.

(Minamino) Oh, by the way, I sent the photo we took of the kitten yesterday to a few people who might be interested.

Seeing the response, I hesitated a little, then turned my attention to the kitten next to me. Just as I was about to send another reply, another message arrived, causing me to pause mid-typing.

(Minamino) Hey, if I came to see the kitten again today, would that be annoying?

It's possible she was typing in between things. However, there was something about the timing of the first three messages being sent quickly, followed by this slightly delayed one. It gave off a tentative atmosphere, and I found myself looking up at the ceiling for some reason.

Think, feel, and decide.

(Satou) I have something I want to ask you.

◇◆

"I'm really happy that I can see Shiro-chan anytime... But never would I have thought that we'd be at the point of having duplicate keys just on the second day we met."

"We're not really at the second day of meeting, and there are circumstances. Please don't phrase it in a way that implies there's something."

After school, I sat on the sofa in my living room, holding the kitten, while Minamino relaxed beside me.

"By the way, is it fine with your friends?"

While getting ready to head out, I asked her that question. I wonder if it was alright for her to go home alone yesterday. Well, I assume it's alright, but...

"I told them I was taking care of a kitten due to family-related reasons."

"I can see you're quite skilled in mixing truths with lies."

"Yeah, well... By the way, Satou, can I ask you something as well?"

As she said that, she turned her head toward me and asked.

"If it's something I can answer."

"Say, do you live alone, Satou?"

"...Yeah."

"I see, well, that's to be expected. I mean, it's understandable that you're entrusted with keys and all since you only meet your parents seldomly. I also know a friend who still accompanies their mom during their parents' business trips. So, is there some family situation going on with Satou too?"

"Sort of. That's why I'm hoping you can look after the kitten during my work shifts. Feel free to watch TV or play games... Just please don't enter other rooms other than the living room, bathroom, or washroom."

"Are you not gonna include your room to rooms that I can enter? Hey, hey, by the way, do you do the classic thing of hiding stuff under your bed?"

"Don't even think about trying to enter a wholesome high school boy's room. And no, I don't hide stuff under my bed."

I don't need to say what "stuff" refers to, but yes, there's nothing under my bed. Although I don't know what "stuff" might be hidden within my PC and smartphone.

"Well, jokes aside, I promise not to do anything weird, alright? Still, is it fine? Even though we're classmates, you're entrusting a stranger you've just met with a key."

I suppose this is the main point of discussion. I shifted my gaze back to the kitten, stroking it slowly as Minamino asked.

"I'd like to ask you the same. Are you fine with entering the home of a guy you've just met, who also lives alone, just to take care of a kitten?"

Responding to a question with a question.

"I like to think I have a good sense for people. Well, although I made a big mistake in middle school, I'm trying to be more careful now."

"What a coincidence. I also like to think I have a good sense for people."

"Hehe." 

"Haha."

We laughed together, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

"You mentioned a part-time job, right? Where is it? Also, isn't it against school rules to have a job nowadays?"

"To be precise, you can have a part-time job if you have a valid reason and permission. I got permission when I entered school. I also avoid working near the station. You know that supermarket and yakitori restaurant down the park? I work at the izakaya there. Since I'm a high school student, I can only work until 10 p.m."

"I see, are you a hall staff?"

"Both drinks and kitchen staff, I do some cooking too."

"So, that's why you can cook, huh... Looking at it this way, we really don't know anything about each other, do we?"

"Well, we'll gradually get to know each other as we go, right?"

"I guess you're right, still…"

"...Seems like you're a bit unsatisfied. Oh, but I have to head out soon. Sorry, but when you go back home, could you please check the food and water, and make sure to lock up?"

"Hmph, I feel like I'm being left behind, but I can't help it if you have a part-time job. We'll continue this another time."

It seems like she plans to continue from where we left off. As I dealt with Minamino, who had taken off her usual mask and began to show her spoiled side while making jokes with double-meaning, I opened the door of the living room to head to work.

"Take care."

Minamino called out to me as I was about to leave.

"Ah... yeah, I'm off."

Come to think of it, I wonder when was the last time someone saw me off when I went outside? "Did I sound embarrassed when I said that?" I thought. 

And then, over a few days after that, we gradually started learning more about each other.