Chapter 24: The Lewd Cat

I weaved back and forth inside the cat café, passing many adorable cats, standing by the kitchen, ready to serve freshly made coffee to the customers.

When I got lost in thought, my body moved almost on autopilot.

It was only at this moment in the service that I finally snapped back to reality.

Hmm, I probably didn’t treat the previous customers very well, but if they dared to complain, their words would probably just go in one ear and out the other.

Because… savoring good memories is more important than anything.

Looking back at how my body felt, there weren’t any obvious big mistakes—at most I forgot to say ‘Welcome’ or ‘Please come again’.

The problems shouldn’t be too serious.

Comforting myself with that thought, I carried the coffee and served the customers.

It was Thursday.

Even though it was evening, not many people came.

After working for a while, I herded a few cats over to accompany the customers, while I, a maid among maids and cats, shamelessly took a little break.

Hmm—cut me some slack.

The other maids were around, and if they could handle it, I didn’t need to step in.

As long as I did my own job well, I could ignore these bonus points.

“Meow~”

A flame-red and creamy short-legged cat rubbed against my little leather boot, meowing in a soft, babyish voice.

Oh! So cute.

Only after having some downtime do I get to appreciate the adorable cats.

The best perk of working here is being able to pet cats anytime.

Although some cats don’t really like me, Flame is different.

Yes, this cat’s name is Flame, given by the shop manager.

It’s not shy; it comes up to everyone for affection, one of the few cats that aren’t afraid of me.

Mmm… petting time.

Flame closed its eyes in comfort, tilting its plump little head up, letting me scratch under its chin.

Hehe, I’m beginning to understand how Gu Fan feels when he pets cats—it’s really adorable.

Flame’s ears twitched as I stroked it, and I happily wagged my tail, unable to hold back.

After a while, Flame suddenly opened its eyes and sprang up. Its unretracted claws caught on my stockings and started climbing up.

“Ah! No, don’t do that!”

As a girl, this was my first time being treated like this.

Also, I was a bit worried that my stockings might get snagged and torn.

I really don’t want to spend money buying a new pair of black stockings innocently, although I could wear ripped ones to serve customers—but that feels a bit uncouth.

Hmm… then again, who knows?

Maybe some people like that kind of thing?

I tried to stop Flame from climbing up my stocking, but it was too agile.

After a few flaps, it had already scrambled up and was grabbing and swinging my short skirt.

Wow! You lewd cat, don’t bully me like that.

Since the maid dress we wear at the cat café is stick-on style and I’m used to sticking it a little loose, Flame pulling on it almost made me flash.

Pinching Flame by the back of its neck, I finally subdued it and straightened my nearly slipping skirt.

I have to admit, overly enthusiastic cats are still a bit much for me to handle.

After putting Flame back into the cat enclosure and closing the gate, Flame’s front paws hung over the door, watching me with big watery eyes.

Hmph, you misbehaved just now, so you’re not getting any playtime today.

After staying at my post for a while, I keenly sensed another cat staring at me.

Turning my head toward the front desk, I saw a blue cat in the manager’s arms staring at me.

The manager noticed my gaze, looked down at the chubby blue cat in his arms, then smiled and walked over.

“Xiao Shen, look! Little Blue seems to really like you.”

“Little Blue? So that’s its name.”

“Haha, yeah. Don’t be fooled by how it looks now; it used to be very skinny. If I had known it’d grow so fat, I would’ve named it Big Blue instead.”

The manager nudged the little blue cat resting steadily on his arm.

It blinked at me, then closed its eyes and went back to lazily napping.

I haven’t worked here long enough to know the cats well, but this lazy blue fatty left a strong impression on me.

“By the way, Xiao Shen, have you had any good luck lately? You seem so happy.”

“Huh? Is it that obvious?”

I touched my mouth corner.

As usual, it neither curled up nor down.

I didn’t deny having good luck, but I worried whether I should really walk around with a smile on my face all day.

That would be weird.

“Well… not really. Mostly it’s because you usually look spaced out at work. Even during breaks, you just sit alone thinking. Flame meows at you, but you ignore it. But today, you look much more energetic.”

“I see.”

I’ve been thinking a lot lately.

There’s been big progress in my relationship with Gu Fan these past few days.

Although I’m still figuring out how to deepen our friendship, I’m also letting myself relax a bit.

* * * * *

Listening seriously right now.

I said I’d take the exam seriously—so I’ll give it my all.

Even with the bonus of having three years’ worth of knowledge, things still feel kinda fuzzy.

I mean, it’s not like I’m some kind of academic genius or anything.

After the college entrance exam, I spent half the summer break just chilling, basically handing all my study memories right back to the teachers.

That kind of thing where you cram a little right before the test and still score high… yeah, that’s way too magical for me.

Even if I’ve now become a magical catgirl, I still can’t just glance at the review and ace math.

But maybe I could borrow Gu Fan’s notes under the pretext of studying?

If I go over those before the test, I’ll pretty much have it in the bag.

Hmm, and maybe while I’m at it, ask him out to lunch too.

If I don’t come up with excuses like that, I’ll only get to see Gu Fan once a week.

Can’t believe I’m using my already limited brainpower on something this weird…

Heh. Oh well, I don’t regret it.

When you’re deep in thought, time passes way faster than when you’re actually paying attention in class.

I hadn’t even figured out how to start a conversation with Gu Fan before the end-of-class bell went ding-ling-ling.

I gazed quietly out the window, waiting until the hallway crowd thinned out a bit before I started packing up my bag—and wrapping my tail snugly around my waist to avoid any… misunderstandings later.

There were a few times when I accidentally brushed people in the hallway with my tail, so now I’m extra careful.

Also… I don’t want Gu Fan to notice my mood shifts.

I can probably still keep my expression under control.

Only by staying calm can I keep the upper hand in a conversation—I can’t keep letting Gu Fan smile and lead me around by the nose.

We didn’t plan to skip class today, so Gu Fan’s probably eating with his friends.

Not sure if he’s in the cafeteria, though.

As I walked down the hall, I was originally planning to stake out the cafeteria, but after a moment’s thought, I turned around and headed for Gu Fan’s classroom.

I remember him telling me once that he also prefers to wait until the crowd thins out before heading out—so maybe I can catch him now?

Ughhh, if I’d known, I wouldn’t have dawdled earlier.

I should’ve just grit my teeth and squeezed through the crowd.

Now I’m stuck agonizing over this.

Gripping my schoolbag tightly, I dashed down the hallway with a sliver of hope in my heart.