“Meowng!”
I swiped my front paw swiftly, trying to catch the foxtail grass.
But no matter how close it seemed, I just couldn’t grab it.
Hmph, is that all you’ve got?
You really think I can’t catch you?!
“Meow!”
I slammed down hard with my paw, trying to pin it.
But the foxtail slipped right through my paws, as if mocking me.
Still, I had anticipated that.
I leapt at it in a flash.
And finally—
“Myaaang!”
I conquered that foxtail beneath my pink jelly paws!
It squirmed briefly, then drooped limply without resistance.
“I came, I saw, I conquered!”
I trembled the tip of my tail in triumph.
I was soaking in the joy of victory when—
Just as I lifted my paw, the devious foxtail slipped right out from under me again!
By the time I realized it, I was frantically hopping around in circles again…
Ugh, how frustrating!!
“Ahaha!”
Dominique, who had been shaking the foxtail playfully, finally burst into loud laughter.
Panting, I shot him a sulky glare.
“Really? Teasing a cat is that funny to you?”
I haven’t even repaid you for all your help yet!
But just then—
“Cadet Dominique.”
A sharp voice called his name.
Dominique flinched and instinctively straightened up before turning around.
“Ah, Priest.”
“What do you think you’re doing here?”
A stern priest scolded him harshly.
His voice was so fierce that I could see Dominique’s shoulders tense up immediately.
As the priest came closer, he began pushing Dominique’s forehead with his finger.
“If you’re staying at the Grand Temple under the grace of the Saintess,”
Tap.
“You should be training hard to repay that grace.”
Tap.
“And instead, you’re playing with a cat? Tsk.”
Clicking his tongue loudly, the priest brushed past Dominique with a cold gust of air.
“Ugh, that kid’s just so gloomy.”
He joined another priest who had been waiting ahead and raised his voice, clearly intending for Dominique to hear.
“How long are we supposed to keep dragging that burden around in our Grand Temple?”
“Don’t be so harsh. The royal family entrusted him to the Regalis Church because they trust us.”
“Yes, I know that, but still…”
The priests continued whispering among themselves as they walked away.
Dominique stared after them silently, then bit his lower lip.
His clenched fist, still gripping the foxtail, trembled with tension.
“…”
I watched him, feeling something I couldn’t quite describe.
And in that moment, I realized—
Just how hard Dominique’s life must be at the Grand Temple.
More than anything, I noticed something else: even though he might’ve felt shame, he wasn’t shocked or angry at those cruel words.
Which meant…
He’d been insulted like that so often, he was now numb to it.
…So used to it that he couldn’t even muster a response anymore.
“Meow.”
Anxiously, I rubbed my body against his ankle, trying to comfort him.
“Meow, meow. Myaa.”
Are you okay?
Don’t be too upset, alright?
Hearing my soft voice, Dominique finally looked down at me.
Slowly, he crouched and reached out his arms.
I gently let him pick me up.
“…”
He took a deep breath, then tightly closed his eyes.
The arms that wrapped around me trembled faintly, unable to suppress the emotions swelling within him.
—
Later that day, as the sun dipped below the horizon—
I trudged back into the cabin, utterly drained like a cabbage pickled in salt water.
‘I wonder if Dominique made it back okay…’
When he hugged me tightly earlier—
I could still feel the tremble in his arms.
Even though I don’t know who my mom or dad are, not even once have I felt lonely.
Because I’ve always had my sister, who took care of me so tenderly.
But…
‘Dominique doesn’t have anyone, does he?’
He’s probably still alone right now.
I’d heard that his past life had been difficult, even before my regression.
But I didn’t know he was being so openly ostracized.
> “If you’re staying at the Grand Temple under the Saintess’s grace, you should be training hard to repay that grace.”
That lonely back, silently enduring the priests’ insults, kept replaying in my mind.
Sigh…
Just as I let out a heavy sigh—
Someone spoke to me.
“Mei, you’re back—oh my goodness, did something happen?”
It was my sister.
Noticing me, she immediately crouched down, eyes wide in worry.
“Why do you look so down, huh?”
I looked up at her concerned face.
Those warm, gentle eyes that only ever cared about me.
“Yaaawn.”
It’s nothing.
I shook my head and rubbed against her leg.
She knelt down and gently stroked my head and back.
“My sweet Mei, are you really alright?”
“Meow.”
Because I had her warmth, I was okay.
But—
‘Will Dominique be alright too?’
…That, I couldn’t answer.
Only one thing was certain.
Dominique, who never fit in with anyone—
Felt just like me and my sister.
And so…
‘I hope Dominique doesn’t feel lonely anymore.’
—
Late that night, in the dormitory of the training center.
In the corner of a four-person room, on a creaky, worn-out bed, Dominique opened his eyes.
‘I can’t sleep.’
Beyond the window, the full moon was glowing bright in the sky.
Seeing the moon reminded him of the little white cat he had met again today.
‘…A candy necklace, really.’
Dominique let out a soft chuckle.
That cat with a necklace made of candies—it was such a silly sight.
And the way she wagged her rear, pouncing at a piece of foxtail—honestly ridiculous.
But what comforted him the most was—
> “How long are we supposed to keep dragging that burden around in our Grand Temple?”
The soft, warm forehead that rubbed against his hand as if to console him.
Because that tiny white cat had been with him today—
Dominique was able to endure the cruel words he had heard.
‘Will I get to see her again?’
He thought about it for a moment—
But then, without mercy, crushed the small hope that had bloomed in his heart.
‘No, it’s a pointless thought.’
His life was too harsh to assign meaning to a stray cat.
Every day was a battle to survive the hostility of others.
Dominique pulled his blanket up over his head.
‘Enough. I need to sleep.’
Training would begin early tomorrow.
If he didn’t want to draw more glares, he couldn’t afford a single mistake.
Still…
‘…But I saw her again today.’
Maybe she’ll show up tomorrow too.
His heart fluttered despite himself with that tiny hope.
Dominique tightly shut his eyes.
But even then—
He couldn’t stop the image of that little white cat from drifting into his dreams.
