<p>The morning sun rose. Fortunately, I woke up on time this time, got ready without rushing, and stepped out of my room. As expected, Dina was already there, waiting demurely.</p>
"Morning."
I strode up and greeted her. She glanced at me for a moment, then averted her eyes as she replied.
"Uh, good morning…."
What was that? What was with that subtle reaction?
"…Shall we go, then?"
Dina, whose ears were faintly red, started walking first. I fell into step beside her. Yesterday, I'd hung back guiltily because I'd messed up, but today there was no reason for that. I glanced at her, and she kept staring off into the distance, as if trying hard to avoid my gaze. She was radiating an aura that screamed don't talk to me, so I didn't bother asking what was wrong.
We walked in silence like usual when a meow came from the side.
Dina and I turned our heads at the same time. There was the black cat from yesterday. It must have recognized us—it trotted over with a wobbly gait, meowing cutely as it rubbed its head back and forth between my leg and Dina's.
Meow~
"So cute…."
Dina, who had been watching the cat, murmured under her breath without realizing it. Her eyes sparkled as she stared, and the sight was amusing yet somehow adorable. Completely smitten with the cat, Dina forgot I was even there and crouched down to pet it. The cat purred happily, rubbing its head against her hand and gently wrapping its tail around her wrist.
I should leave her be for a bit.
We'd left early today, unlike yesterday, so we had time to spare. A quick petting session should be fine… But when she showed no signs of stopping, I had to butt in.
"If we don't head out soon, we're gonna be late."
"Ah…."
Dina snapped out of her cat-induced trance and sighed wistfully as she stood. Then, to my surprise, she waved goodbye to the tilting-head cat. It was so cute I barely suppressed a grin.
The cat has no idea what that means.
What she was doing looked just like a pure-hearted kid reluctant to say goodbye.
Is even that an act?
Her everyday behavior was so different from the Dina in the novel that I often forgot she was a guy at heart.
Get it together.
She was beautiful, and her actions were cute, sure—but she had been a man originally, which was unsettling no matter what. Any differences from the novel's Dina were probably because I'd gotten involved.
I walked on with a bitter expression, but Dina suddenly stopped and looked back. Wondering what was up, I followed her gaze. The black cat was chasing after us.
Meow~
Dina fidgeted restlessly, clearly wanting to pet it again. But we couldn't risk being late for that. The Shield was still a ways off, and dragging a cat unused to people there felt wrong.
Eh, it'll give up eventually.
We'd met it in the same spot yesterday, so it must live around here. We could always come back if we missed it.
The black cat rubbed its head against my ankle.
"Ah…."
Dina pouted sadly when it came to me instead of her. Both her obvious disappointment and the cat's relentless head-butts were unbearably cute.
Damn, no wonder they say faces break all logic.
Even knowing what was inside, I couldn't help thinking it was adorable. Dina looked up at me with pleading eyes, as if asking if she could pet it just a little longer.
"Haaah…."
I sighed and crouched down to stroke the cat. Taking that as permission, Dina knelt beside me and fussed over it too.
If we're really late, she'll just teleport us like yesterday.
Teleporting with one extra person was no big deal for her anyway. I decided to relax and enjoy the cat's softness.
As we cooed over its antics, I sensed someone approaching from the side.
"Oh? Isn't that Siwoo from Class A and Dina?"
We turned to see a girl with brown bobbed hair—inner layers dyed purple in a secret two-tone style—standing there with a bright smile.
Dina eyed her quietly before speaking.
"…Vice President Lukia?"
"Pfft, no need to be so formal! Just call me Senior Lukia!"
Lukia waved it off with a laugh.
Vice Student Council President Lukia… right, she's…
The one who'd created those illusory beasts at the entrance ceremony on the principal's request. A powerhouse in the novel too.
She looked like a drowned seaweed right after the ceremony, but she's full of energy now.
Lukia tapped her chin with two fingers, humming thoughtfully, then snapped her fingers as if struck by realization.
"Not heading to the main building means you two are proctors for S-Class this time!"
She clapped excitedly. Ooh, that's tough, right? I did it once too! Then she tilted her head.
"So what are you two doing squatting like that?"
At that moment, the cat meowed impatiently since our hands had stopped. Lukia finally noticed it and gasped in surprise.
"Whoa, Blackie's letting you pet her? I'm so jealous!"
"…Blackie?"
I echoed, and she chuckled.
"She's a stray, so no official name. Everyone calls her whatever they want."
She stroked her chin again, pondering, then continued.
"Still, that's wild. First time Blackie's ever let anyone besides the principal touch her."
"Her?"
I couldn't believe it. It had been all cuddles from the start, so I'd assumed it was used to people.
"Yeah. Wanna see?"
Lukia crouched beside us and reached out, but the cat, which had welcomed our hands so easily, deftly dodged hers. She tried several more times, but it evaded every one.
Are cats really liquid?
Its otherworldly dodges made the "liquid cat" theory seem plausible. Could a normal cat move like that?
Lukia, now sweating profusely, wiped her brow.
"See? She never lets anyone."
True enough—it wasn't running away, just sidestepping in place, like it was denying permission. Dina reached out tentatively, and the cat rubbed against her hand. Lukia whined jealously, "So unfair…." Seeing that, Dina extended her other hand to Lukia.
Petting the cat with one hand, she gently tugged Lukia's wrist with the other. Lukia followed blankly, and…
"…!!"
Lukia's hand, guided by Dina, brushed the cat's back. The cat flicked its tail against the ground in mild annoyance but didn't pull away. Lukia, overwhelmed, clapped a hand over her mouth.
"So soft…!!!"
She stroked it gingerly. It wasn't thrilled but tolerated it since Dina had allowed it. Once satisfied, Lukia beamed and pulled Dina into a hug.
"You're such a good girl!"
"Uh…."
Dina let out a soft groan, flustered by the sudden embrace. Lukia rubbed her cheek against Dina's hair—there was a slight height difference, so that's where it landed.
Watching them, I recalled how impossibly soft Dina's hair had felt when I'd touched it before, like the cat's fur. I slipped my hand behind my back.
"Um, excuse me…."
As Dina tried to gently push her away, Lukia's face hardened like she'd remembered something.
"Oh, right—I was heading to a meeting."
With that, she dashed off, calling back as she went.
"I'll treat you to something yummy next time we meet!"
We stared blankly at her retreating figure before standing. Quite some time had passed; it was time to go. Dina gave the cat one last stroke, then shyly offered me her hand while looking away.
I raised mine to take it but hesitated. I knew it was for teleporting, but….
I clasped it slowly. Her hand felt cold against mine. That should've been it, but it was so cold—before I knew it, I gripped tighter, as if to warm her.
Dina trembled slightly but showed no sign of displeasure. My hand was much larger, nearly enveloping hers with just that grip.
The next instant, darkness surged from the ground, swallowing us whole.