I was "Kawaii."
I had other names like "Cat-san," "Kinako," or "Latte," but since "Kawaii" was the one that made everyone look the happiest, I figured it must be my real name.
My papa was Leo-kun!
Leo-kun was probably a farmer. He grew potatoes and gave me some the other day. They were delicious. I wondered if he’d give me more?
Thud, thud.
I walked down the hallway. It was time for my daily patrol. I had to protect my family from any strange people.
Even so... I felt like the hallways had been getting smaller lately. But I was an elegant cat; I would never do something as crude as breaking furniture or vases.
As I walked, I spotted a familiar face. It was Claire-mama!
Claire-mama called out to me.
"Kinako-chan, where are you going?"
"Meow."
"Oh, you're so cute!"
Claire-mama petted me. I knew it; my name really was "Kawaii."
Now, I had to return to my patrol.
"Don't go too far, okay?"
"Meow♪"
I parted ways with Claire-mama and headed deeper into the palace. Soon, a tiny mouse arrived, sitting right on top of Melissa-mama’s head.
"Oh, Kinako. You're Kawaii today too!"
"Meow♪"
She gave me a good scruffing. Melissa-mama usually said things like, "I hate animals because they die!" but she was actually the biggest softie of them all. She gave me a treat every time we met.
"Here you go, some fish."
"Meow♪"
"You're so Kawaii~. There’s a cat at my parents' house too. Unlike you, she only weighs about four kilograms. She’s an old lady now."
"Meow~"
"You make sure to live a long life too, okay?"
"Meow♪"
After giving my greetings, I returned to my patrol. Next, I found Ren-mama. She seemed sweet, but she was the strictest.
"Oh, Latte-chan. Out for a stroll?"
"Meow♪"
I sat down primly. Ren-mama always told me to be polite, so I sat. I was a very good girl. I felt like Ren-mama was the same species as me, just... a little different. A stronger sort of creature.
On top of Ren-mama’s head sat my little sister, Daifuku. She was tiny, but she was definitely my sister.
"Kyu-kyu-kyu!" she greeted.
"Meow♪"
Daifuku hopped onto my back.
"Kyu!"
"Is that all right, Latte-chan? Please take Daifuku to your father."
"Meow!"
Ren-mama had given me an errand. I had to do my best!
I went to look for Papa. I thought he might be in the garden.
"Kyu, kyu!" Daifuku chirped, saying we should go to God’s place.
I agreed. I trotted along, though the paths felt so narrow lately.
Thud!
I bumped into the garden fence and knocked it over. Whoops. Oh well, it was fine.
I eventually reached the Shrine in the garden. God was there.
"Meow♪" God~.
"Kinako-chan!"
God hugged me, and I purred loudly. It looked like she had been playing soccer with One-oh-one-chan, Tatiana-chan, and Shiyun-chan. One-oh-one-chan hopped over to hug me too.
"Kinako~!"
"Meow♪"
One-oh-one-chan was such an energetic girl. Her hugs always made me feel energized too, even if she was a little rough. Whenever she did something that hurt, I’d just pat her on the head, and she’d understand.
Tatiana-chan hugged me next. She was a gentle girl and was careful not to squeeze too hard. Then came Shiyun-chan, who approached more shyly. She was a gentle soul too. Pat, pat.
I played soccer with God and the others. Since I was much bigger than them, I was careful not to cause any injuries. Daifuku watched from the sidelines with Shiyun-chan. Shiyun-chan was busy looking after Daifuku-chan along with Berry-chan, Apple-chan, and her own Mon-chan.
"Pui-pui-kyu!" "Kyu-kyu-kyu!" "Kyu-kyu!" "Kyu-kyu-kyu-kyu!"
The little ones were all curled up on Shiyun-chan’s lap.
After we’d played for a while, Papa arrived.
"Meow!" Papa!
I pounced on him and rubbed my face against his. Even though I was bigger than him, Papa still picked me up. He was incredibly strong.
As I frolicked with him, I noticed a blue cat sitting behind him—Big Sister Dora.
"Meowwwwww!"
She gave me a little smack on the head to keep me in line. Dora-san was the eldest sister, a very cool cat.
"Oh, Dora-san. Acting like the big sister because you're in front of Kinako, are you?"
"Meow~"
"I see, I see."
Papa seemed to be able to talk to us. We didn't exactly use words, but we understood each other.
"Kinako, Kawaii, Kawaii."
He scruffed and petted me all over. Eee~♪ I rolled over and showed him my belly. I loved Papa!
Daifuku and my other tiny sisters climbed all over him too.
"Kyu-kyu-kyu♪"
Papa nuzzled them in return.
"Kyu~♪"
When playtime ended, Papa carried me, balanced Daifuku on his head, and headed back inside. Because I was a big sister, I had my own room. My sister Daifuku was still a baby, so she slept with Veronica-mama. I wasn't allowed in that room because I was too big.
Instead, Melissa-mama would come to my room to sleep beside me. I loved Melissa-mama!
On our way down the hall, we ran into Veronica-mama.
"Meow!" Mama!
She gave me a good scruffing. "Ho-ho, Latte. You are quite Kawaii."
Veronica-mama petted me, and then I returned to my room. My patrol was finally over. When I got sleepy, Melissa-mama would arrive, and we’d settle in for a nap. Sometimes Papa would join us too, usually after being kicked out by Veronica-mama.
"Listen, Kinako... a lot happens in a marriage... Like when she finds out you bought a Gal-themed Video that's the exact opposite of Wifey..."
I didn't really understand what he was talking about. I just patted his shoulder, and he petted me gently in return. I gave him a lick, and he scruffed my fur. Eek!
I loved everyone! I just wanted everyone to be happy together.
When I slept with Papa, Melissa-mama would sleep with Big Sister Dora. The scent of Papa always helped me drift off into a peaceful sleep.
I had many names. Veronica-mama and Ren-mama called me "Latte." Papa, Claire-mama, and Melissa-mama called me "Kinako." But everyone always told me I was "Kawaii."
So, I was pretty sure my real name was "Kawaii."
I was "Kawaii," and my papa was Leo-kun. I loved him!