"...Ah."
Once Amane finished the latte, a cat hopped onto his lap.
It was the American Shorthair that was at the table next to them.
He had a look at its profile, and the word was 'Kakao'.
One had to wonder if she was bold or naive as she innocently hopped onto his lap, which disturbed him.
Amane understood very well how carefree cats could be, but he was a little restless to have one suddenly approach him.
The warmth on his lap was heavier than he thought. She curled up, as thought declaring his lap as her dominion.
"This one ain't shy."
Amane let Kakao sniff his hand, and saw Mahiru looking envious.
Once Kakao was done sniffing, she rubbed her face on his palm. He had a feeling she was asking to be patted or hugged, and like how he practiced on Mahiru, he tickled Kakao's chin.
Kakao was making a gulping sound with its throat, which was apparent from the way she shook and purred.
He felt fuzzy and healed after seeing such cuteness, and continued to pet the cat. He was however concerned by Mahiru's envious look beside him, and smiled.
"Mahiru, hand over here."
"Eh? Y-yes."
Once she reached her hand out, Amane moved his hand from Kakao, and put Mahiru's hand near Kakao's cheek.
This cat probably was not shy in the slightest, and found humans approachable. She probably would let others pet it if they greeted her properly.
Kakao had a sniff of Mahiru's hand, let out a relaxed purr, and rubbed her face onto Mahiru's palm. Mahiru seemed very moved, and her eyes were sparkling.
"Amane-kun, it let me touch."
Amane smiled at the exhilarated Mahiru, and patted the kitten, combing its fur.
It had fluffy, smooth fur, probably because it was better cared for, and did not have an annoying stench. It had a little of its distinct scent.The shop attendants really care for it,Amane thought.
Every cat appeared to have good fur and health. None of them were too plump or skinny. They were well cared of, and could freely walk anywhere.
"...So cute."
"Yes...I am envious of you, Amane-kun..."
"Try asking Kakao. Get it to hop onto your lap."
Despite a difference in languages, sign language was unexpectedly effective.
Mahiru tried slapping her legs "Over here~" Kakao purred, and slowly walked towards Mahiru's lap.
Amane looked delighted when he saw how moved Mahiru looked.
"How sleazy...I too want..."
"Where's Kakao?"
"Cats really are capricious creatures..."
It appeared Kakao ran somewhere else.
Amane looked around the cafe, and found Kakao curled on the second level of the cat rack. Just a moment ago, she let Mahiru pet it, and perhaps she lost interest.
"Do you like Silk-chan, Amane-kun?"
"No, I can't say since I haven't touched it completely...but well, I think it's really similar to you in a few ways, so I had the urge to pat it."
"Similar?"
"Yes. You're standoffish at first, but once we got closer, you want to fawn around."
Amane however felt that while Mahiru's carelessness and urge to fawn were similar to a cat, the desire to gain full trust and seek attention was like a dog. He could not deny that she had a combination of both cat and dog traits.
Mahiru herself had instinctively relied on Amane, and fawned on him, which made him happy and yet embarrassed.
"...I am not a cat. And I do not simply approach anyone."
"Yeah. You're more wary after all."
"...Are you thinking that I am a cat?"
"No no no."
Amane patted the cat as he usually did to Mahiru, "Right?" he asked Silk.
Silk purred, either out of coincidence or keen observation, and because of this, Mahiru could not ask any further.
Nevertheless, Mahiru looked displeased towards Amane, and Amane used his left hand, which never touched the cat, to pat Mahiru.
"...You are thinking of me as a cat."
"Alright alright. Come on, play with Silk, Mahiru. I think you can borrow toys from the receptionist."
"Pl-please do not try to pull a fast one."
"You don't want to play with it?"
Amane fooled around with Silk as he asked Mahiru, "How sleazy, Amane-kun." Mahiru muttered, and went to borrow toys.
Amane had intended for Mahiru to play with the cat while he borrowed, and widened his eyes when he saw Mahiru like that. Then, he saw that slightly pouty look on her face, and was utterly confused.
"What does she mean, sleazy?"
Is it about me playing with Silk?He muttered, wondering why Mahiru showed such a face.How would Iknow, Silk purred, and rubbed its forehead onto Amane's palm.
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