episode_0032

“Ah, Junghyun’s dozing off again.”

“…I’m not sleeping.”

“What do you mean you’re not? I clearly saw you with your eyes closed just a second ago.”

Brushing off Xiaolin’s remark, I swallowed the last bite of my sandwich.

“What are we gonna do~? The next lecture is Magical Dynamics, which you hate. At this rate, you’ll just end up snoozing through the whole thing.”

“I’ll tough it out somehow. What else can I do?”

Maybe the problem was pushing my training too late last night.

Even gulping down cold water didn’t shake off the fatigue.

“Hmm… Wouldn’t it be better to get even a little sleep? There’s still 50 minutes left of lunch break—plenty of time to rest.”

Just then, Ume, who had been picking at a tomato from her lunchbox with chopsticks, suggested.

Not a bad idea.

Since the professor ended today’s earlier lecture early, I finished lunch ahead of time, so there was plenty of time as Ume said.

“How come you always say the most helpful things, unlike someone else?”

“And who might that ‘someone else’ be…?!”

“You, obviously.”

“Hey! At least have the decency to phrase it indirectly!”

Leaving behind Xiaolin, who flared up as usual over nothing, I got up from my seat.

A good idea had just come to mind.

“You guys take your time. I’ll follow Ume’s advice and take a quick nap somewhere sunny.”

“Be careful on your way~”

“Hmph, whatever. Do what you want.”

With that, I tossed the sandwich wrapper into the trash and lazily wandered outside the main building.

Ah, of course, with my mask on.

This way, fewer people recognize me on the street, which is a relief.

This was also Ume’s suggestion after hearing me grumble about being recognized too often when out and about.

Despite her looks, she’s kind and sharp.

Reflecting once more on Ume’s cleverness, I checked my surroundings and headed to a secluded spot where no one would pass by.

‘This should do.’

After scanning the area to make sure there were no CCTV cameras, I—

—turned into a cat.

My vision instantly lowered, and the scenery around me gradually shifted.

The red pavement bricks beneath me blurred into indistinct shades of red and green.

“Meow.”

I let out a big yawn and instinctively began grooming my fur—

‘Wait, why am I grooming myself?’

—before my rationality stopped me.

Suppressing the urge to tidy my ruffled fur, I trotted toward the spot I’d chosen for my nap, my short legs moving briskly.

Even though distant objects appeared blurry in this form, I managed to find my way by retracing my memories.

The spot was a bench a short distance from the main building, bathed in warm sunlight and rarely frequented.

Hopping onto the bench, I stretched my body out, folded my legs, and settled into a loaf position.

An overwhelming sense of contentment spread through my entire body.

“Purrr.”

Before I knew it, a purr escaped me.

‘I feel like I’m melting…’

I’d transformed on a whim, remembering the cats that used to sprawl lazily in front of my house in my past life, and it turned out to be an excellent choice.

It felt like my body was dissolving into a soft, gooey marshmallow.

‘Maybe I should just sleep like this at home too.’

The allure of sleeping in this borrowed cat persona was irresistible.

Alright, let’s get some quick shut-eye.

“…..”

I slowly closed my eyes.

Then, what felt like less than two minutes later.

“….?”

I thought I felt something stroking my head.

Wait, was it just my imagination?

No, it felt too real.

I was in the middle of a good nap.

Who the hell—?

Forcing my heavy eyelids open, I saw—

“…..?”

—Karen, sitting on the bench and petting me.

Wait, why is she here?

Shouldn’t she be glued to the water dispenser in the corner of the main building right now…?

‘Ah.’

Maybe because I’m a cat, my widened field of vision let me notice what was resting on her lap.

A plastic bag with the logo “KS23 Convenience Store.”

Something bulky was stuffed inside, judging by the shape.

Then, I remembered what I’d told her before.

– If I catch you skipping lunch again, I’ll charge you interest.

‘Karen’s finally eating lunch…!’

She still seeks out deserted spots, but still, this is progress.

For some reason, my eyes stung a little.

She must’ve stumbled upon this bench while looking for a quiet place.

“…Heh, so cute.”

Karen was petting me, completely ignoring her meal.

Around others, she’s always on edge, careful not to show any hint of cuteness, but in solitude, she transforms into an ordinary, adorable girl who loves food.

And among other things, Karen especially adores cats.

I turned my head to look at her face.

The usual sharp, prickly expression was gone—instead, she stared at me with a dazed, blissful smile.

She’s always scowling, but like this, she’s really pretty.

I wish she’d smile more often.

I still wasn’t used to seeing Karen like this, but I’d get there, right?

Then.

“Ugh… I can’t resist!”

After locking eyes with me, she wiggled her fingers for a moment before suddenly scooping me up.

“Mreow!?”

“Haaah… So soft.”

She hugged me tightly, rubbing her cheek against my back.

After squishing me for a while, she pulled out her phone and opened the camera app.

“Here, look at me.”

Karen, talking to a cat like this won’t do anything.

Sighing inwardly, I turned my head away—but the camera followed.

I turned again; it chased.

Turn, chase, turn, chase.

“Stay still for a sec~”

She showed no signs of giving up, determined to snap a photo of my face.

Ugh, fine.

You win.

With a mental sigh, I slumped my shoulders and faced forward.

“There we go~”

—Click!

Finally capturing a selfie with me, Karen beamed and tucked her phone away.

Her embrace grew even tighter.

It was a bit suffocating, but what bothered me more was… the soft, pillowy sensation pressing against the back of my head.

Wait… is she this well-endowed?

“~!”

“Ah, sorry. Did that hurt?”

Hearing my muffled protest, Karen loosened her grip.

The discomfort faded, along with a strange sense of regret.

“I should’ve been gentler… I’ll be more careful next time, okay?”

Muttering this, she set me on her lap and scratched under my chin.

I considered making a run for it, but the sensation wasn’t entirely unpleasant, so I decided to stay a little longer.

“Hey, the student council was promoting something today. It didn’t seem bad, so I think I’ll apply.”

Treating me like a plushie, Karen continued her monologue.

“Do I even stand a chance…? Honestly, I don’t know.”

Her voice dropped, tinged with uncertainty.

Of course you do.

You’re the one destined to save this world.

I wanted to say it, but alas, I was a cat now.

Even if I could speak, I probably wouldn’t have said that anyway.

I didn’t want to reveal that I’m from another world.

By the way, how far up is her hand going?

She’s about to cover my nose at this rate.

I lightly nipped her fingers to stop her.

“Ah, no biting? Got it.”

Finally, she seemed ready to let me go—

“Then I’ll just pet you.”

—or not.

I was starting to feel like escaping, but seeing how happy she was, I decided to stay put.

She must be under a lot of stress normally. Letting her unwind like this is the least I can do.

As the adult here, I’ll endure a little.

“Ah, now that I think about it, I wonder if that guy applied to the student council too.”

Still petting me, Karen continued.

That guy?

Who’s she talking about?

“I just can’t figure him out. What does my lunch have to do with interest? Right, Sundae?”

Oh, she means me.

And don’t just name me whatever you want.

Sundae? What kind of name is that?

If you’re gonna name me, at least pick something decent.

“At first, I thought he was just another sly guy, but the more I see him, the less sure I am…”

Playing with my ears, she kept muttering.

“Still… saying I’m not grateful would be a lie… Ugh, I don’t get anything anymore.”

At least it sounded like her guard around me had lowered. That’s a relief.

All my effort paid off.

“Uselessly rich, knows a lot, famous. Hmm…”

Squishing me absentmindedly, Karen trailed off.

I’d appreciate it if you stopped kneading me like dough.

“…Wait!”

Suddenly, as if struck by realization, she gripped me tightly and gasped.

Hey, let go, you brat.

“Is he some kind of polymorphing dragon…? No. That can’t be.”

Dismissing her own wild theory, she exhaled deeply and finally set me back on the bench.

Was she finally letting me go?

As I sat still, watching her, she reached into the plastic bag beside her and pulled out a sausage.

“Are you hungry? Want some?”

She unwrapped it and held it out to me.

Cats shouldn’t eat salty food.

Not that I’m hungry anyway.

Without thinking, I shook my head.

“…What the?!”

Karen shuddered as if shocked.

What’s with her all of a sudden?

I don’t get i—

“Y-You understood what I said just now?”

……Oh.