Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093094088809262/episodes/16818622170423924099
◇1 week later
A week has passed since I left Akino san with Aira.
I submitted Akino san’s resignation from her part-time job at the convenience store, took great care not to leave any traces, and acted in a way that wouldn’t be discovered by that guy.
When Aira goes to work, she takes her to the office with her, and Akino san quietly does the clerical work as a helper.
I really wanted to ask her about her ex-boyfriend in detail, but when I broached the subject, her body would start shaking and her eyes would close tightly, so I couldn’t pry much.
In the meantime, I was busy doing research secretly to fulfill my promise to that detective without the boss’s knowledge.
Then, on a holiday after a long time.
While I was lying on the sofa, I noticed Yua chan standing by the door with her arms crossed.
Her small body is looking down at me, motionless.
“….Yua chan?”
“…Amusement park…halfway…”
The tone of her voice, as she spits out a few words, is filled with frustration at having to leave the amusement park halfway through.
I realized that even though there were circumstances, I haven’t pay any much attention to her.
She showed me her childlike attitude, and I felt a little bit like a father.
“…..Alright, let’s go somewhere. Is there anywhere you want to go?” Yua chan held out her smartphone to me.
On the screen was a picture of a cat cafe.
“…..A cat cafe. That’s nice. Okay, let’s go here.”
We immediately started getting ready.
While I drive, Yua chan in the passenger seat keeps playing cat videos on her phone.
She occasionally lets out a small laugh to motivate herself.
If she likes cats so much, maybe we should get one. I don’t mind cats either.
“Do you like cats?”
“…..I like them.”
“What breed do you like?”
“Um…erm…a Scottish Fold.”
“Oh〜nice one. The kind with floppy ears.”
“…What about you….Yuto san?”
“I’d have to say American shorthair.”
“That’s also cute.”
We arrived at the cat cafe after driving for about 30 minutes while having a good time talking about cats.
The wood-grained exterior with glass windows and a swinging sign that read “Cat Cafe” at the entrance.
“Oh, it has a very stylish atmosphere.” I said, and Yua chan nodded vigorously.
Even before we entered the store, we heard “Meow~meow~ !” “Moew !” and the cat’s voice leaked out from the door.
The interior of the store is a warm wooden space with cats lying on shelves and furball toys lying on the floor.
The waitress looks up from the counter, sees me, and for a moment looks frightened.
Of course.
It would be terrifying to see a scary-looking man visiting a cat cafe in the middle of the day on a weekday.
But when she saw Yua chan standing next to me, the waitress’s face relaxed.
When I asked “Can we get a seat for two?” She replied, “Yes ! There are no other customers here right now
!”
Once inside the store, Yua chan was surrounded by a crowd of cats.
Scottish Folds and Maine Coons were lounging around her feet.
I, on the other hand, have food, but only a few of them come up to me, glancing at me and meowing.
When a cat that wants the food snatches the crunchies from my hand, they quickly move away.
People and cats alike tend to hate me…
But when I see Yua chan’s happy face playing with the cat, I can’t help but smile.
The sight of her holding the cat in her lap and petting it spreads a peaceful atmosphere in the store.
[Illustration]
https://kakuyomu.jp/users/tanakamatao01/news/16818622170428738364
“Meow,” one of them said, urging me for food. “Yes, yes, sorry,” I said, offering it to it, and it quickly snatched it away and left. Oh man…I’m so sad.
Then, a cat came to me.
It meows softly, and thinking it was looking for food, I offered it some crunchy snacks. The cat stared at me for a moment, then jumped onto my lap.
Its fluffy fur is warm and it rumbles in its throat.
The waitress saw this and said, “Sir, you’re amazing. That girl isn’t really attached to anyone.” she said to me.
“Eh? Really?”
Looking closer, I thought the cat’s eyes looked like Yua chan’s.
When I gently stroked it, it squinted its eyes pleasantly.
The expression on the cat’s face was irresistibly cute, and when I was crumpling the head while saying, “Here, here.” Yua chan looked at me with the cat in her arms.
“…Hm? What’s wrong?”
“….Which is cuter…the cat…or…me?”
Her jealous tone was adorable. “The cat is cute. But Yua chan is cuter.” I replied.
Then she starts to look around and fidget, and her cheeks turn slightly red.
The gesture was so adorable that I felt compelled to take a picture of it, something I usually don’t do.
When I held up my phone, Yua chan hurriedly hid her face with a cat. As we repeated this attack, the waitress chuckled, and my 23-year-old face grew hot with embarrassment.
After enjoying the cats for about two hours, we left the store and went to eat. Yua chan said she wanted pancakes, so we headed to a popular pancake shop.
A sweet aroma wafts through the air, and we both bite into a fluffy pancake.
They are a little heavy, but delicious.
Yua chan kept talking about cats while we were eating, and I smiled and listened to her, thinking how much she really likes cats.
When I asked her if she wanted a cat, she shook her head.
“No…I had enough with cats.”
“Why not? I like cats too. I was just wondering.”
“I’d be sad if you stopped paying attention to me.”
Her words were so cute that I couldn’t help but pat her head. When she gives me a small smile, it makes me feel like my exhaustion is going away.
I go home, clean up, put away the laundry, and stand in the kitchen to make dinner for the evening,Yua chan said, “I’ll make it tonight. It’s a thank you for taking me to the cat cafe.”
All of her dishes are delicious, and she gets better every time she makes them.
She also adjusts the flavors to my liking, so I look forward to it every time.
I sit down on the sofa and close my eyes, and that dreamy feeling comes over me again.
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