“Ah, oops.”
But I had prepared for moments like this — for when I’d get scolded.
I dropped the twig I had been carrying in my mouth and proudly lifted my chin.
“Meow, mya!”
Sister, it’s a gift!
Feigning innocence as much as possible, I said it shamelessly. My sister narrowed her eyes and glared at me.
“Mei, do you think I’ll let you off just because of that?”
“Mya.”
Sisterrr.
I slinked toward her and began curling around her ankles.
At the same time, I caught it — the corners of her mouth twitching, her angry expression melting just a bit.
“Myaa~”
Sorry. Okay?
When I purred and acted all sweet, my sister sighed and then opened her eyes again.
“Just this once. You hear me?”
“Myang!”
I nodded eagerly, and she chuckled and picked up the twig.
“This is a Cordel fruit twig? Where did you find it?”
“Unyang.”
Oh, I have my ways.
I just smiled without answering properly, and she gave me a mock glare that wasn’t the least bit scary.
“So, have you eaten yet?”
Only then did I realize — I hadn’t eaten anything all day.
“Kyaong.”
I shook my head quickly, and she grinned evilly as she dumped a pile of kibble into my bowl.
I stared down at it with a sour expression.
Because tonight’s dinner was…
“Special nutritional kibble, courtesy of my sister.”
Since I had caused trouble, I sulkily crunched the kibble.
“Speaking of which… that Dominique kid.”
He stayed late to train today. I wonder…
“Did he eat dinner properly?”
I couldn’t help but worry a little.
Dominique seems like he doesn’t quite fit in at the Great Temple.
“Sure, our first meeting didn’t go smoothly. But just wait and see.”
I narrowed my eyes, full of determination.
Because I had a secret weapon to win over kids.
That is…!
—
Three days later.
I headed back to the Great Temple.
Why only after three days?
Because Sabina had been eyeing me suspiciously the whole time.
“Mei, if you come home late again today… you know what’ll happen, right?”
She said that with her arms crossed — I had never seen her so stern before!
“Is my candy necklace still okay?”
I checked the candy necklace hanging around my neck.
My secret weapon for impressing Dominique: snacks!
“No kid can resist sweets!”
Well, the catch was that I had no hands, so I had to string them into a necklace and wear it around my neck.
I had to leave the necklace my sister gave me behind, of course — I couldn’t wear two at once.
“Hmmm…”
I felt a bit ridiculous for a moment.
“Now, where is Dominique?”
I looked around and dashed to the back of the Great Temple.
I headed to the spot where I’d found him last time, just in case…
“There he is!”
My face brightened as I peeked over the wall.
But that smile quickly faded.
“Why is he alone again…?”
Just like before, Dominique was secretly training by himself.
His movements with the wooden sword were sharp — far more focused than you’d expect from a nine-year-old… and desperate.
But the part that struck me the most—
“That expression.”
His face looked so anxious, like he was running from something.
He was still so young.
A wave of emotion hit me, and I quietly approached him.
“Myaa.”
Hey, how have you been?
We met a few days ago. Do you remember me?
I softly called out to Dominique, and I saw it — his face brightened like a clear sky as he glanced my way.
But just for a second.
He quickly looked away, pretending not to notice me.
“Oh, come on…”
I clicked my tongue inwardly and approached him again.
But Dominique refused to look at me.
“So that’s how you want to play it?”
I narrowed my eyes.
“Let’s see who gives in first.”
“Myaoo.”
“……”
“Mya, mya, myaa.”
“……”
I persistently meowed, tapping his leg with my paw.
Finally, Dominique gave in and looked at me — reluctantly.
He pointed to the necklace around my neck with a puzzled look.
“What’s that?”
“Myaa.”
A bribe, obviously.
I shook my head vigorously, dropping the candy necklace to the ground.
Then nudged it forward with my paw.
Dominique’s eyes widened.
“You’re giving this to me?”
“Mya.”
I nodded firmly and held my tail high with pride.
“Myaoong, mya!”
Impressed, aren’t you?
Do you know how hard it was sneaking out candy without my sister noticing?
Of course, you can’t understand a word I’m saying… sigh.
I sighed inwardly and pushed the candy closer to his feet with my nose.
Dominique picked it up, suspiciously turning it in his hands.
“Are you sure I can eat this?”
“……”
I narrowed my eyes at him.
I must’ve looked pretty annoyed, because Dominique quickly tried to explain.
“Wh-What? Why?”
“…….”
“Isn’t it weird to just eat candy a cat gave you?”
He sounded offended, but then realized how absurd he sounded and made a strange face.
“I can’t believe I’m seriously arguing with a cat…”
That’s my line.
I brought you candy, and now you’re accusing me of poisoning it?
“Ugh, what a paranoid little kid.”
I scowled and tapped the candy with my paw.
Dominique looked at me again, confused.
“…Do you want me to unwrap it?”
“Nya.”
I nodded.
He unwrapped the candy for me, and I licked it clean to prove there was nothing wrong with it.
“Myaa, mya, mya.”
It’s just sweet! Nothing weird!
I raised my chin and gave him a look.
“Nya.”
“What the— You really seem like you understand everything I say.”
He stared at me like I was some ghostly apparition, then finally popped the candy into his mouth.
His eyes widened again, and he began chewing.
I stared at him intently, slightly pouting.
See? Tastes good, right?
Why did you even doubt me?
“Nya.”
Hmph.
I sat down at a distance and flicked my tail on the ground, showing I was still a little miffed.
Dominique cautiously glanced my way.
“Kitty.”
Suddenly, something popped in front of my nose.
“What the—?!”
Startled, I leapt back.
My heart was racing for a moment—until I saw it.
“Wait a second…”
My eyes sparkled.
“That’s…!”
It had a fuzzy end… It was foxtail grass!
As I stared at it, entranced, a smug voice came from above.
“I’m not playing with you because I like you, okay?”
…Excuse me?
I looked up at Dominique in disbelief.
“I’m only doing this because you brought me candy. Think of it as repayment.”
You’ve got to be kidding me…
Honestly, I wanted to walk away with my nose in the air.
But the problem was…
“I think I can catch that.”
My feline instincts were flaring up!
I really didn’t want to give in to a piece of grass.
I wanted to stay mad — just for today.
But my eyes were already following that swaying foxtail back and forth.
I mean, come on.
How could a cat ignore foxtail grass?
Ugh, I can’t take it anymore!!
