Mandarin Orange, Kotatsu, And A Found Cat - Chapter 87 The Cat's Decision

“…This concludes the old story.”

After taking a final small breath, she concluded.
Mashiro spoke about her past in a calm manner throughout.

She told me that she was originally a stray cat. She told me about her first home where she was picked up.
She told me about her life from the time she left her home until she met me…

What Mashiro thought and felt. How important were those two people to her?
Just thinking about it made my heart painfully tighten.

“Thank you, Mashiro.”

Before I could even think of what to say to her, those words spilled out of my mouth.
I was so grateful that she had the courage to tell me about her past, and of course, for meeting me.

“Thank you very much for listening to me.”

In the room with the lights off, Mashiro and I were on the same bed, staring at the same ceiling.
I could not see her face because of this, but I could somehow read her emotions from the tone of her voice.

“If it’s how you feel, it haven’t changed.”
“Eh?”
“You said it earlier. If my feelings have changed after learning about Mashiro’s past.”
“That’s…yes.”
“You can rest assured. My feelings haven’t changed about Mashiro. You are more important to me than anything else.”

To reassure Mashiro, I held her hand even tighter.
I would never abandon her.

“Thank you…I feel the same way as you do, Satou-san.”

She replied and grips my hand back.
The tone of her voice, which had been slightly strained earlier, had returned to her usual gentle voice.

Gradually, the air in the room that had been tense gradually returned to normal.
The space, where the sound of the hands of the clock had ceased to be heard, gradually regained its usual appearance.

“…I miss them.”

Mashiro murmured slowly.

“You mean the girl and the housekeeper?”
“Yes…They were really, really nice.”

Mashiro must have had a hard time in her life that I couldn’t even imagine.
Despite this, she was such a gentle girl.
It was the days with those people that made her that way.

“Then, the existence like a master that Mashiro was talking about before is…”
“Yes. That is Tsukiyama-san.
“I see…”

I was convinced after listening to what Mashiro said before and what she just said.
The reason why she said “that master is a person like Satou-san” is probably because this Tsukiyama-san is the only existence other than me that Mashiro in human form has anything to do with.

No, perhaps we have something else in common, but only Mashiro knows the truth.
On the other hand, I don’t think there was a single factor that would put me on par with Tsukiyama-san, just from what I just heard…

“Mashiro’s housekeeping power is the result of being disciplined by Tsukiyama-san.”
“Fufu, yes. It was hard work, but it was a lot of fun.”
“But, I see. At that time, your name was Rumi, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, it was. Miku-san gave it to me and I liked it very much.”
“I think it’s a good name. I think it’s a good name. It suits Mashiro very well.”

What can I say, I feel a little ashamed of myself for having thought of her name off the top of my head.
Of course, I don’t regret it, but I am a little concerned about what Mashiro thinks of it.

“It’s all right, Mr. Sato.”
“Eh? What is?”
“No, Satou-san, you seemed to be thinking about my name.”
“Don’t read my mind so easily, Mashiro.”
“Fufu, sorry.”

I wonder if this mindreading to a frightening degree was also a skill that was cultivated in that house.
Or was it simply that I have a personality that easily showed on my face…? No, she can’t see my face.

“I really like the name you gave me, Satou-san.”
“Are you sure…?”
“I’m not lying. And the fact that Satou-san gave it to me is very important.”
“I-Is that how it is?”
“That’s the way it is.”

After that, Mashiro happily talked about many things that happened at the house.
I could tell from the tone of her voice that those were truly wonderful days for her.

At the same time, there was still something that stuck in my mind.
Maybe…no, surely. The weight that she was carrying in her mind was the past was heavy.
And by extension, it was probably the two people who were more important to her than anything else.

She gave up everything that was important to her and met me in a roundabout way.
Mashiro always told me that she was happy living with me.
But I was sure that somewhere in her heart, the memories of that time were still stuck in her mind.

If…that time is still smoldering inside Mashiro.
If…it causes her to have bad dreams.

“Would Mashiro…like to meet those two again?”
“T-That’s…”

Mashiro choked on her words at my question.

“Of course, I don’t intend to force you at all. But I also think it’s what Mashiro needs right now.”
“…”
“Well, there’s a part of me that’d like to meet them personally.”
“…Yes, right.”

I’ve been a little bit careful with my words, and Mashiro affirmed my words with a serious atmosphere.
I wanted to share her burden.
This thought became even stronger when I heard about her past.

“Of course…I want to meet those two. And to firmly apologize to them.”

Mashiro’s voice was a little trembling as she answered.

“Are you afraid of meeting the two of them?”
“…Yes. I wonder what the two of them think of me now. When I think about it…I’m a little afraid.”

I don’t know those two people. But just from the impression I got from Mashiro, I don’t see a bad future.
But I can painfully understand how she might think that way.

I wonder if they still think well of me. On the other hand, do they not think well of me?
Or, have they forgotten about me…”
Such are many factors that can make her feel uneasy.

“I’m with you. I will never abandon you. Still, can’t you stand it?”
“…No, I’m fine. Even if it ends sadly. I’m all about Satou-san right now.”
“Then it’s settled then.”

I re-held her hand once more.
I was sure that if she met them once more, she would be able to live her life more happily than before.
There was a solid certainty there.

Mashiro changed her position and turned to face me.
My eyes had become accustomed to the darkness, so I was able to see her face clearly.

“I’m sorry I’ve made you stay up so late.”
“Sorry…you have to work tomorrow.”
“That’s what I heard. Again, thanks for telling me.”

I reached out my free right hand and gently stroked Mashiro’s head.
She squinted her eyes comfortably and then moved even closer to me. Then she looked me up and down and stared into my face.

“…Umm, can I tell you the last…selfish thing I want to do today?”

She whispered softly in my ear, her face almost touching my shoulder.
Calming my beating heart, which was racing against reason, I replied, “Yeah.”

“Then…may I borrow your arm, Satoi-san, just for now?”
“My arm? W-What do you mean?”

Despite my questioning, she moved even closer and snuggled up to my body.
The left hand that I had just been holding hers was under Mashiro’s head, and she snuggled up to me, using my arm as a pillow.

If I tilted my face even a little, I was close enough to touch her face.
I almost forgot to breathe as her body heat, smell, and touch filled my brain.

“You’re so nervous, Satou-san.”
“…Oh, it’s natural.”
“Fufu, I’m…nervous too.”

The fact that Mashiro was in my bed didn’t seem real, but now I’m sleeping with her with my arm as her pillow.
I wondered when I had fallen asleep and was dreaming, but the beating of my heart denied it.

“Good night, Satou-san.”
“You’re not going to let me sleep…”
“Pfft.”

Mashiro was smiling happily, in her impish mode.
As I listened to her voice, I held my head, which was completely awakened by my unceasing heartbeat.