3 Tarou

When Mina stopped reminiscing, the hut was already enveloped in darkness. Unknown to her, the door which was shut close opened slightly, revealing the cool blue evening skies from outside. A small creature slowly crept in, making no discernible sound.

A bitter smile passed through the cat's lips, baring her sharp canine teeth. At that very moment, the mouse happened to glance at the cat's direction. The cat almost blended into the darkness and would have escaped the mouse's notice if not for the sight of its teeth and its glowing eyes. Seeing the scene before it, a terrifying scent registered in the little creature's senses. Fearing for its safety, the mouse swiftly heading to its hiding place, letting out a terrorized squeak.

'One swipe from this evil cat and I'm doomed,' the mouse thought running quickly to his treasure room. 'I'll be that feline's dinner if I'm not quick.'

Unfortunately, the squeak caught the cat's attention. Turning, she saw a tail disappear into a hole. Realizing that she had a housemate, the cat felt elated but confused.

'Why did that mouse run away?'

In the past, Mina recalled how haughty and disrespectful these animals are.

A mouse in her apartment bit her toe. The creature was so into the bite she was afraid she would lose her toe. She was so scared that she'll catch an infectious disease from the animal that she pawned her mother's ring to pay the hospital bill. Her battle with the mouse back at her place did not end there too!

The despicable creature ate the contract her boss entrusted her with, and she had to get slapped for being incompetent because she claimed that she lost it. How could she say the mouse had it for dinner? That's not even the end of their battle. The mouse always knew if she had food in the house and always called dibs on anything she leaves on the table, even for just 10 minutes. That mouse wasn't even shy of shoving her food down its throat even when she was present.

How could she compete with such a devious creature? As if getting bullied at the office wasn't enough, she had to put up with her destructive "roommate" back at her apartment.

Remembering the reaction of the mouse that just disappeared, she couldn't help but think, 'Is this mouse a shy one?'

Every mouse she met in the city City would show you who the boss is right away. Those creatures are not even afraid of her. In fact, she was scared to death when looking at the mouse in her apartment. The rodents look so healthy, it's as big as a kitten! Plus, she was super afraid of getting bitten again.

'I have learned my lesson. This time, I'll show this mouse who the boss is.'

Trying to call out to the mouse, she let out a meow.

Surprised at the threatening meow and fearing for its life, the mouse squeaked again. From the sound, Mina immediately caught on why the mouse was behaving oddly. The mouse seems to be suppressing its fear.

"HAHAHA, I'm a cat! It could be because I'm a cat!"

As the black cat rolled on the floor in a fit of laughter, the mouse became so scared that it squished the cheese in its hands. Testing out her theory, she approached the mouse hole. Her approach was so stealthy, she looked like she's about to pounce on a helpless prey.

"Stupid mouse. Even if you were a gourmet dish, this cat will not gobble you up. I have standards." She spoke through a series of gentle meows.

After berating the mouse for assuming it's worthy to be her dinner, she became curious if the animal understood her. Cats say meow while mice go squeak, squeak after all. She looked at the place where the mouse disappeared to again, curious about what the animal will do.

In the next few seconds, she saw a pair of eyes appear from inside the hole and came eye to eye with the mouse. Excited about the animal's appearance, she asked "Mouse, can you understand me?"

The grey mouse made a cautious step forward, revealing its snout and chubby cheeks

Despite its fear, the mouse found the courage to move closer to the black cat. This was the first time a cat talked to him – they were more interested in having him for dinner after all.

'Maybe it wouldn't be too bad to befriend this cat.'

The cat had black fur all over -this cat will look almost invisible in the dark that he almost missed it.

'Perhaps an alliance with something more powerful could help him too.'

In a series of cautious squeaks, the mouse asked, "Are you talking to me?"

Understanding what the mouse just said through a series of squeaks, Mina couldn't help but feel amazed. 'Awesome! This is so cool.'

Curious on her newfound skill, she probed the mouse even more. "Do you understand birds too?"

The mouse, losing some of its fear, quickly squeaked back, "Yes, you can talk to other animals they will understand you. Bah! You are a stupid cat!"Of course, the mouse did his best to avoid calling the cat stupid but he couldn't help it. Everyone knew they could speak to each other without any problems. You can even talk to fish!

This animal was acting so weird, but he can't let his guard down or else he will end up on the pit of a cat's stomach.

While the mouse was trying to figure out whether this cat will harm or not, the animal in question was feeling elated about all her new discoveries. Being an animal was better, after all, she thought once again. You don't even need translators to talk to another creature.

"Mouse, is there anyone else in this hut?"

"No, the humans who lived here were gone when I came."

So, it was an abandoned hut after all.

She continued to be curious why she was there and why she became a cat, but she could mull over those things later.

"Mouse, do you have a name?"

"I'm just a mouse, I have no name."

"How come you have no name? How do other animals call you?"

"Like how you do."

"Mouse???"

All she heard was an affirmative squeak.

'This is awful, this animal doesn't even realize that it needs a proper name!'

The mouse inched closer, curious about how the cat was acting. Such strange questions. Why would a mouse like him need a name?

Remembering her favorite cartoon character, she looked at the mouse with its chubby cheeks. "From now on your name will be Tarou." The cat approached the mouse and extended its paw to shake hands. Afraid to hurt little Tarou, she decided to just pat its head instead.

Seeing the sharp claws the mouse shook in fear, looked at the cat and pleased dearly, "Please, don't eat me. I'll give you everything even the meat from the bandit's house"