Chapter 33

Today is a school holiday, and it's also a day I've been looking forward to.

I plan to test the transformation magic that the cat teacher taught me the other day.

As usual, there are a couple of people in my room, so I decided to find a quiet place outside and concentrate.

I followed the procedure as I was taught, and my body gradually turned into that of a cat.

Finally, I compressed my magic power and reduced my body size.

"Wow."

My line of sight lowered, and my body felt incredibly light.

This is how cats feel.

I walked forward on all fours, leaping like a cat.

I felt so light that I almost wanted to start dancing.

I sang "Meow, meow" through my nose, walking rhythmically.

When I reached the grass, I lay down and basked in the sun.

Ah, it feels so good.

A passing student noticed me, but since I was a cat, nothing special happened.

Satisfied with that, I continued to explore the school grounds.

I felt like I had really become a cat.

Maybe I should find a nice spot and take a nap.

I also want to see how long I can stay transformed.

Purr!

While I was enjoying a pleasant walk, my natural enemy appeared right in front of me!

It was a male cat with a scar on its face. Its sharp eyes and large body made it clear that it was a seasoned fighter.

Moreover, it was clearly showing hostility and trying to intimidate me.

Do cats have territories? I don't know the details, but it seems I've upset him.

"Meow," I said, meaning to say "Hello."

Purr!

"Meow," I said, meaning to say "Are you hungry?"

Purr!

"Meow," I said, meaning to say "Would you like to join me?"

Purr!

No good, I feel like his mood has worsened.

There's no choice; I have to prepare for a fight.

I gradually approached him.

Understanding my intention, he also got ready for battle.

But before that, I slightly released the compression of my magic power to make my body larger.

Meow!?

The other cat was surprised.

Suddenly, the cat that was at a clear disadvantage became twice its size.

Realizing this was bad, it turned and fled in an instant.

Not as big as I thought.

Kururi, Heran. One battle, one victory.

I returned my body to its original size and resumed my free walk.

Then, a grasshopper hopped in front of me.

I didn't intend to do anything, but I found myself chasing it with my eyes.

Ah, I want to catch it.

I wanted to catch it with both hands.

The grasshopper landed and started to hop. I pounced and tried to catch it with both hands, but it escaped. The grasshopper's movements were just a bit faster.

I tried a few more times, but I couldn't catch it.

Then, I decided to catch it with my mouth!

Snap. Ah, I caught it successfully.

I did it!

...Ugh. Realizing I had caught the grasshopper in my mouth, I quickly let it go.

Ah, the taste is still in my mouth. Ugh, ugh.

I had become a cat in my heart. Dangerous, dangerous.

This magic might be a bit dangerous.

I regained my composure and returned to exploring the school.

The paths I had walked many times looked completely different from a cat's perspective.

It was fresh. Everything was new and piqued my curiosity.

As the cat teacher said, this magic is convenient.

As I walked along, I found a couple cuddling on a school holiday morning.

I recognized both of them. From their location and behavior, it seemed they were secretly dating.

Wow, I saw something interesting.

Since I was a cat, they naturally didn't suspect a thing.

I thought, this magic could be used in other ways, and I felt like I had a clever idea.

This transformation experience has been piquing my curiosity, but maybe it's the transformation that's making me feel sleepy.

I want to find a sunny, quiet place and take a nap.

With that in mind, I came to a corner of the school building that seemed less crowded.

What's that?

There was a familiar face.

Iris was sitting alone, reading by the flower bed.

Reading alone on a holiday. She's so diligent.

But I couldn't help but think otherwise.

Iris is a special presence in this school and is often a target of bullying.

Although the biggest obstacle, Eliza, hasn't taken action yet, Iris has been envied for her friendship with the prince and her good academic performance.

I've started to hear stories about her gradually receiving harassment from those who dislike her.

There are also rumors that some upperclassmen with a high sense of superiority are starting to move.

In such a situation, it's impossible for Iris to have female friends.

I'm sure she stands out in the dormitory as well.

I haven't confirmed it, but I can easily imagine it, so I think it's probably true.

Iris is always bright and cheerful when she's with me, so I haven't thought about it.

But seeing her spend her holiday alone, it seems she doesn't really have a place in the school.

I moved to a spot where Iris couldn't see me and released the magic.

I checked my hands to confirm I had returned to my human form.

"Hey, what a coincidence, Iris." I approached Iris and greeted her.

I had to act as if I had just arrived by chance.

"Kururi, what are you doing here?"

"That's what I was going to ask you. Reading alone in a corner of the school building, you're so diligent."

"This place is relaxing. No one comes here, so I can concentrate on reading. But you came, Kururi."

When we talked, the usual bright Iris was there.

"Iris is always cheerful and bright. I'm a bit insensitive, so I don't understand how you feel. So, if you have any troubles, please tell me in words."

"What's with you all of a sudden?"

Iris started laughing.

"Well, I'm on your side, so I'm always ready to listen to your complaints."

"Thank you very much. It's an honor to be heard by a noble like Kururi-sama." Iris bowed.

The fact that she could joke around meant she was still in good spirits. She seemed better than I thought.

"If you're being harassed... if you are, just tell me. I'll do something about it."

"I'm fine, I'm a strong girl." Iris smiled.

She didn't seem fine. This is probably why I want to protect her.

I felt like I had glimpsed the secret of why Iris is so popular.

"Phew, I worried for nothing. If Iris were a more sentimental and pure girl, I could have been a hero."

"Hmm, do you want to be a hero, Kururi?"

"Sure, all men want to be heroes."

I smiled at Iris.

We talked for a while, and at the end, I told her she could come to my room anytime.

"Anytime, morning or night, Cross and Vain come whenever they want. You can do the same."

"I can't do that," she replied.

That's the normal reaction, right? Those two are weird, aren't they?

Feeling energized by Iris, I resumed my cat walk.

When I activated the magic, my body felt even lighter.

The enjoyable conversation had stabilized my magic power.

I meowed and walked forward.

I found a perfect sunny spot.

The sun wasn't too strong, and there were flowers around, making it a comfortable place. A gentle breeze was blowing.

There's no choice but to take a nap.

I lay down and relaxed my body.

Ah, it feels so good. I feel twice as relaxed as usual.

Those furballs must always feel this happy.

It's unfair.

But since I'm a furball now, I can enjoy it to the fullest.

Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep and drifted into a deep sleep.

...Wake up.

"Cat, wake up."

I heard someone's voice as I started to regain consciousness.

I hadn't opened my eyes yet, so I didn't know who was there.

It felt like someone was tickling my chin.

Ah, it feels so good, keep it up.

Ah, right there.

This person seems experienced with cats, stimulating the right spots.

Ah, I can't stand it.

"Meow, meow, meow."

They meowed rhythmically and petted me. It felt like a lullaby, and I could fall asleep again. I can't stand it.

"Meow, are you going to sleep again? It's time to wake up."

Now they were massaging my paws. Squish, squish.

I've said it before, but I can't stand it.

The voice sounds familiar, but the person I'm thinking of is too different. It must be someone else with a similar voice.

After enjoying the massage for a while and my dazed mind started to clear, I opened my eyes.

Oh!

If I had to describe my current feeling, it would be "Oh!"

I could feel my fur standing on end from the shock. I was too shocked to even speak.

"What's wrong? You've been here for a while, meow."

It was Eliza, who was cutely adding "meow" to the end of her sentences.

She was stroking my chin with a face I had never seen before, a gentle one.

"Hehe, you can still lie down. I want to stay with you a bit longer."

Well, if you insist...

It feels so good, so I let her pet me.

Still, I never thought Eliza had such a cute side.

I'll take this secret to my grave. I feel like I should. Ah, that feels good.

"Cat, cat. Cats seem so free."

What's with this suggestive tone? It sounds like there's more to it.

Please continue.

"I'm a caged bird, not free. I want to live freely like you."

...Hmm, I feel like I shouldn't have heard this.

But she's my future wife, so should I listen?

"I don't have any friends. Can you be my friend?"

...Meow.

"Ah, you will? You're such a kind cat."

She said that and started petting me again. Hey, can you also pet my ears?

Eliza doesn't have any friends either. What about the Four Heavenly Kings? Are they not friends?

I'll take this information to my grave. I definitely feel like I should.

But I think I should run away now.

I've been sleeping for a while, and I don't know when the magic will wear off.

I tried to break free from Eliza's hands and started walking.

"Wait!"

She said that and picked me up.

She held me close to her chest and looked into my eyes.

"Just a little longer, okay? Please."

Oh, no. I'm getting excited.

...Really bad. My magic power is about to be released.

I tried to struggle in her arms. No good, she's not letting me go.

I have to endure. If I return to my original form now, certain death awaits.

I have to endure! Kururi, Heran!!

"Hehe, you're a male. I can see your balls. Hey!"

Ah, I can't take it anymore.

My magic power was released when she poked my balls. Why did she poke them?!

The magic wore off, and I appeared in front of Eliza with a *pop*.

"Hey, how are you?" I greeted her with a sudden, cheerful greeting. I hope she forgives me.

"..."

And so, I found myself being chased by Eliza.

She was chasing me with a scythe, looking like a demon.

If I'm caught, certain death awaits. She'll cut off my head without hesitation.

Kururi, Heran, this is the day I ran for my life, and I'll remember it as a page in the history of my life.