CH 74

74 The Cat is Heavy

It has been one month since the misanga incident. And finally… finally we were finally going to perform the long-awaited engagement ceremony.

Honestly, it was supposed to be held one week after the Magic Unsealing Ceremony, but in the end, it ended up being delayed to a month. Then again, as long as Muriel was healthy and lively, I supposed it was fine.

However, Father always came back home late at night nowadays due to taking care of this incident’s aftermath. Fortunately, Muriel and the other girls finally received permission to return to their respective families after a close to two weeks stay in Katrina’s mansion.

Still, perhaps due to the fact that Muriel was the only one who almost lost her life in that incident, the doctors and healers still came to check her condition even after she returned to her family. Not only them, but it seemed that Bates also came to ask some questions too during those visits.

Looks like he was conducting an analysis on the bracelet I made. Alas, it turned out to be a normal bracelet. If there was something that made it different from other bracelets, it was the crystal that was used for its creation. The bracelet I made used the crystal that was created during the appraisal part of the Magic Unsealing Ceremony.

Anyway, the White One would stay with Muriel for her treatment for a while. So, I clasped my hands together and thanked the White One.

“Thank you very much, White One. Thank you and do your best over there. Cheers~.”

― Ya~y. You see, it’s not only me, everyone else is doing their best too. They’re doing their best to gather mana from the surrounding, you kno~w.

“I see. Thank you very much, everyone.”

― We’re da best.

― Da be~st.

― Be~st.

―♪

“Come to think of it… what about the Yellow One?” I asked, curious. It seemed that particular fella didn’t participate in the conversation. Speaking of the Yellow One… When I shaved a part of my pendant, created a hole inside Muriel’s chick doll and buried the shaved part of my pendant inside it – at the same time creating a bowtie-like small ribbon around the chick doll’s head to cover the hole – that fella was surprisingly delighted by that. Yet, just what in the world was wrong with that fella now?

― Kii-chan said they had a stomach ache. They’re sleeping right now.

― Stomach ache, stomach ache.

― Ache~.

―Che~.

― #

― SHUT UP ALREADY!

“Having a stomach ache at this time… it seems the incubation period was quite long. Are you okay? Should I get stomach medicine for you? – Or rather, where will you find medicine for magical power again?”

― Worry not. Medicine aside, please feed me mana. Since the mana mixed inside is more troublesome than my expectation, it’ll take quite some time to digest it.

Troublesome mana they said…. “Are you really okay? I’ve no problem with feeding you with more mana, but you have to rest properly, you know?”

When I told them that, my magical power’s avatars calmed down. Perhaps they went to sleep? Or rather… so magical power could get a stomach ache too, eh? Well, I supposed nothing was impossible for these fellas.

Then again… this was clearly abnormal, wasn’t it? I tilted my head. Umm… let’s just ask Father about this matter.

Even though I had decided so, I giggled to myself quietly as I couldn’t help but expect him to look at me with a perplexed expression when I sent this question to him.

“Is something the matter, Theodore-sama?” Muriel, who sat in front of me, asked as she brushed the kitten sprawled on the table.

Oops, my bad. I silently apologized. I knew I was wrong for having conversation with my magical power’s avatars during my date with Muriel. Still, I couldn’t help it since it has been a long time since they met me. I couldn’t bring myself to refuse them who were speaking to me with a delighted voice.

Although that was the case, I shouldn’t neglect Muriel either. It was our long awaited visit to the cat cafe after all. Fortunately, while I was conversing with my magical power’s avatars, Muriel was having her fill with the cats, so I didn’t make a big mistake.

This was an arrangement we had made before our Magic Unsealing Ceremony was held after all.

Its location was a bit further from the center of the royal capital. Despite that, it was a good location with an old town atmosphere, perfect for both nobles and commoners.

The shopkeeper was a cat lover who always fed stray cats, making his place the gathering spot for stray cats. Not even his neighbours’ complaints could stop him. As such, when I suggested he turned his store into a cat cafe instead, the shopkeeper immediately gave his approval.

With his approval, I employed the cat-lovers living in that area to work as his waiters/waitresses. Furthermore, not only did I remodel a part of the shop exclusively for bathing the cat, I also worked together with Luke and developed a magic tool that could repel fleas for the cats in the store.

Seeing my hard work, Father gave funds that I needed for initial investment. With that funds in place, I remodelled the interior and exterior of the store, making sure that the atmosphere of the store matched with the old town’s air. At the same time, I also didn’t forget to reinforce the store’s structure. Aside from the cat bathtub, I also made a catwalk and door for the cats.

Truly, management was tough dammit. Still, for the sake of Muriel’s smile, I had no choice but to put up with it. All so I could bring Muriel to this place when she was healed. Fortunately, my effort wasn’t in vain since Muriel was really delighted.

“Nothing is the matter. I’m just observing the bracelet in case it malfunctions.”

“I see. I wonder though… Bates-sama said that this bracelet is a magic tool, but… is this bracelet truly one?”

She was basically wondering whether the magic tool had defects or not.

“I don’t think so. I mean, I have no idea how to make magic tools. Besides, even Luke said that he has never seen a magic tool like this. It’s probably just Bates being Bates. You know, no one can stop his curiosity for magic tools. In conclusion, the reason he’s interested in the bracelet wrapped around your wrist is simply that he is a weirdo.”

“Mmm, still, you definitely must not call him a weirdo. After all, Bates-sama is our teacher,” Muriel said with a light chuckle. “Moreover, this bracelet did create a miracle. That’s why I feel really grateful for it.”

“It’s not just me. That miracle only happened because Muriel and everyone else did their best. Besides―”

The avatar of my magical powers… must be part of Gods.

“It must be because our prayers are answered by the spi― By the Saint and the Six Gods.”

“Yes. I’m sure they responded to Theodore-sama’s prayer. Thank you for praying for me, Theodore-sama.” Muriel’s face bloomed bright red as she thanked me again. “This bracelet will be my treasure for the rest of my life. My most important treasure.”

Muriel smiled sweetly, and I couldn’t help the squeezing my heart felt. She was simply the most adorable creature in this world. Yup. She is super duper cute~.

“This chick doll is also the most important treasure in my life as well. I mean, this fella caused a miracle too, so it’s also my treasure.” I said, taking out the chick doll from my pocket.

“Oh my, it has a ribbon now. Did you add that ribbon?”

“Yup. I think this fella looks cuter this way. And― this is the gold that came out from my appraisal ceremony. I wanted to give it a token of appreciation for saving Muriel.” I whispered the second half of my words to Muriel, causing her eyes to widen. She looked really surprised, but then her expression turned delighted and she whispered to the chick.

“Then, I’ll give it a present too, as a thank you for saving me.” Muriel then touched the centre of the ribbon before returning the chick doll.

Now, in the middle of the ribbon, laid a black stone.

“It’s an onyx. It works as a charm against evil. It matches this fella who has worked hard to exorcize evil, right? Though… Please don’t tell anyone about this, okay?” Muriel’s soft and tender voice reached my ears, tickling it.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. Theodore-sama did the same, right?” Muriel said, placing her forefinger in front of her lips playfully, as if telling me to keep it a secret while looking at the bracelet wrapped on her wrist.

It seemed she noticed the crystal hidden in the center of the flower decoration there.

What an adorable girl.

While I was swooning inside, the cats in the store were all coming toward Muriel. Perhaps they were drawn in by Muriel’s goddess-like charm? See, this was how adorable she was! Even the cats were unable to escape her charm. And, from the way Muriel looked as she was surrounded by the cats, she truly looked like a goddess!

But ― the heck are you guys doing?! Aren’t you guys way too clingy to Muriel?! Muriel is mine!!! I glared at the cats. What’s with those growls?! Even though none of you come towards me. Some nerves you got there, snarling at me. I’m the owner of this cat cafe, you know?! Your employer! I could confiscate your lunches, you know!

“Bunyaa~.”

An idle fat cat, who perhaps felt my unrest, came to my direction. For a moment, he stared at me with a shameless look on his face, then he leapt on the chair and curled on my lap.

Fuck. T-This fatass is so fu*cking heavy! It might be fine if I grew a bit more, but for now, he’s way too heavy for my ten years old self!

“Bunya.” He meowed with a satisfied expression.

“Ain’t the time to look satisfied, ye fatty cat! Get down, you’re heavy!”

Alas, the fat cat just yawned lazily while tapping my knee with his tail as if telling me to put up with him. In the end, I could only curse to myself because, now that he was curling on my lap, he felt even heavier than before! Not to mention the fact that even when I scratched his stomach or shook my knees, this fat cat didn’t budge an inch. Ultimately, I could only let him sleep on my lap, which stretched to almost one hour long.

◇

“Sorry, Muriel. Even though today is our long-awaited date, we ended up being unable to go anywhere.” I apologized to Muriel while massaging my cramped legs.

Dammit, I guess I’m lacking in training. Tch, I will train to the point my leg won’t be cramped no matter how many hours that fat cat wants to sleep on my laps, just you see!

“No, it’s fine. I also enjoy the fun conversation we had today, Theodore-sama. On top of that, the cats are also adorable.” Muriel said with a smile. “The fact that you don’t disturb the big cat until he wakes up on his own is so cool too. If it’s me, I will definitely wake him up so he will get down from my knees. That’s why Theodore-sama, who lets the cat sleep until he wakes up naturally, is very kind in my eyes.”

“Muriel…. Thank you very much. Well, don’t worry about it. Look, I’m also training to become stronger.” I said, though I got the feeling that Kevin and his companions were smiling wryly behind me, it must just be my imagination.

“Yes. The date is fun, Theodore-sama.” Muriel said, beaming. Faced with her beaming smile, I cried inwardly. Sorry Muriel. I’ll definitely train to become stronger next time. 

I mean, what else could I do? My conscience hurt when she misunderstood the real situation. So, I could only train so the lie became the truth one day.

This marked the end of today’s date.

Seeing Muriel waving her hands toward me from the window of her carriage, I waved back.

“Shall I increase the training proportion?”

“OF COURSE!” I replied immediately when Kevin asked after Muriel’s carriage vanished from my field of view. “― But, starting from tomorrow, please. Today is already impossible for me.”

My leg had almost reached its limit as evident from the way I fell on my knees after I finished speaking. In the end, I even had to be carried back by Kevin, hurting my self-esteem.

Dammit. I’ll definitely win against that fat cat next time!