Chapter 35

"Hmm," Last night, I slept well and woke up feeling great. I stretched my arms up and extended my body, circulating blood throughout. It's one of the few pleasant things to experience in the morning. When I looked outside the window, it was a clear, cloudless sky. My room gets good sunlight, and it seems to be benefiting from the clear weather outside. I feel warm and cozy, thanks to that.

Since I always wake up with plenty of time before class starts, I enjoyed the scenery outside a bit this morning too. I'm feeling refreshed, and my body is starting to want to move. I guess it's time to get up.

I changed into my clothes and enjoyed my morning tea. For some reason, it tastes even better than usual. It's going to be a good day. That's the kind of morning it was.

As I was thinking about this, a happy sound came from my stomach. *Rumble*.

It seems my stomach is craving food. I should head to the cafeteria.

As I was about to go to the cafeteria, I headed for the front door, and someone knocked. The only person who would come this early in the morning is Vain, but the knock sounded unusually gentle.

I felt a bit uneasy but opened the door anyway.

"Here I am, nya."

"I didn't call you," I gently closed the door.

"Whoa, wait, nya," the door didn't close completely, and I felt resistance. Looking up and down, I noticed the cat teacher's feet were stuck in the door gap. It seems he's quite used to this kind of thing.

"Why are you here so early in the morning?"

"Well, I'll just come in, nya."

There was a bit of a push and pull at the door, and I was eventually overpowered. The decisive move was a close-range push. Wow, he's pretty strong!

"How's the transformation magic working out, nya? Are you using it, nya?"

"Yes, it's been helpful. I used it the other day."

Hmm? Is it really helpful? I almost got killed...

"I see, that's good, nya. Anyway, I have something to talk about, nya."

The cat teacher's atmosphere suddenly changed, and it was clear that something not so good was about to come up.

Should I run before I hear it? But the cat teacher is blocking the door, and I'd have to shake him off. Can I really escape?

"I won't let you go, nya."

He read my mind.

"I taught the transformation magic to Kururi. It's a secret and important magic, not something to be taught lightly, nya," he said in a very patronizing tone. I felt like something was being forced on me.

"I'm very grateful for that."

"But the world isn't that kind, nya. You can't get something for nothing, nya."

"..."

The cat teacher's eyes sharpened, and he looked a bit scary. I had no choice but to listen. Would he take my pinky finger?

"I taught the magic to Kururi, and now it's time to repay me, nya."

"What do I have to do?"

"Transform into me and take my class, nya."

"Me? No way!"

"Don't worry, nya. It's just a lecture today. Just make them read their books quietly. Class is easy, nya."

...Is that really okay, cat teacher?

"But, is it okay?"

"It's fine, nya. You might not be as refined as me, but it will probably just feel a bit off, nya."

Is he saying I'm not refined?

"Hmm, is it okay? By the way, where will you be during this time?"

"Spring has come, nya. It's warm outside, nya. It's the best season for living beings, nya. I have extra energy, nya."

I don't understand what he's saying.

"Wait, where will you be?"

"You don't get it, nya. It's warm and I'm feeling frisky, nya."

"..."

I decided not to ask any more. I'm not uninterested, in fact, I'm very curious.

But I suppressed my emotions. I realized it was the safer choice.

"This is just this time, nya."

"Understood, nya. I'm grateful, and I'll bring back a proper souvenir, nya."

"Sure, sure, I'll be waiting, nya."

It was supposed to be a good day, but it turned out to be a very challenging one.

What if I get caught? More importantly, I can't go to class.

But I was given the benefit of being marked as present, so that problem was solved.

I went to Vain's room next door and told him, "I'm not feeling well today, so I'll skip the morning class."

The class bell rang, and all the students in Class C gathered in the classroom.

I was in the classroom, but I had transformed into the cat teacher. No one seemed to notice, so I must look fine.

The class had already started, and everyone was facing me. Oh no, what do I say to start the class?

"Let's start the class, nya."

Is this how the cat teacher talks?

The classroom feels unusually quiet, ... maybe everyone is just listening attentively. I need to calm down. If I worry too much, I'll lose my composure.

"Open your textbooks, nya. Today we'll study the theory of property-changing magic. Just read it on your own, nya."

Following my instructions, everyone opened their textbooks and started reading.

Good, I haven't been suspected yet. They're all focused on reading, so I should be fine for a while.

After a while, I thought it might look strange to stay at the podium, so I decided to walk around the classroom. This way, students can ask questions more easily if they have any.

As soon as I started walking, I hit my thigh on the corner of a desk.

"Ouch!" A dull sound and a strange voice came out.

The cat teacher's body is wider, so I hit it when I walked normally. This was an unexpected event. For a moment, the magic almost broke due to the intense pain.

"Are you okay?"

The girl at the desk I hit looked worried.

"I'm fine, nya. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, nya."

"But you made a loud noise. It sounded like a man's voice."

"That's not polite," the girl next to her scolded, and the situation was somehow defused. But it was very close. It was extremely dangerous.

I continued walking after the collision.

I tried to be more careful not to hit anything. ... But it's not going well. My walking is very awkward.

It's obvious that something is off. I should have returned to the podium immediately after the collision.

"Teacher," just when I needed it, a voice called out.

"What is it, nya?"

"I don't understand this part."

I bent down to look at the part she pointed to. Ah, this one.

I understood it immediately and answered her.

"Oh, I see. That makes a lot of sense."

Seeing this, the student next to her called out, "Me too."

Another basic question.

I answered it quickly.

After that, questions came in like a flood. Class A's theory lessons are quiet, but it seems Class C is different. I guess this is okay too.

"Excuse me," I heard a familiar voice.

It was Crossi. Ah, right, she's in Class C.

"I don't understand this part."

I checked the part she pointed to. Ah, this one.

"You should interpret it like this. Go back a few pages and see."

"Teacher, your words..."

"..."

I messed up. I relaxed too much with Crossi, and my true self came out.

This is very bad. I felt sweat trickle down from under my fur. What should I do?

"..." I tried to explain, "It's just my charm, nya."

"Charm? That?"

"Ah! It's already this time, nya. Everyone, let's end the class, nya!"

I hurried back to the podium, bumping into desks. It hurt a lot.

"Dismissed, nya. Review pages 134 to 241, nya."

I left the classroom quickly after saying that.

I need to get out of here. I haven't been caught yet. If I can escape, I win.

"Teacher!"

I rushed out of the classroom, but a student followed me.

It's definitely Crossi. I hesitantly turned around. Was I caught?

"Teacher, your thigh is peeling."

She pointed, and I checked my thigh. A small part had turned back to human skin.

"..." I stammered, "It's just a coin bald spot, nya."

"Coin bald spot!? Is the teacher stressed?"

"Yes, nya. Teaching is tough, nya."

"Try your best. I'll give you a special cream next time."

"Thank you, nya."

She's such a kind girl.

But, the cat teacher isn't stressed. He's actually letting it out.

I'm the one who's stressed.