Ch. 2: Sai and the Kitten
Sai: "I agree…but I'm alright just watching like this."
I couldn't get Sai's troubled smile out of my head, and had difficulty sleeping that night.
The next day…-.
While Sai was off on official business, I took a stroll down a small path near the castle.
I wonder if I've walked a little too far.
Along the path that connected the town to the castle, there stood a dilapidated cabin.
What's that…?
As I happened to pass by the front, I could hear the boys from yesterday.
Are they playing again?
I moved closer and peeked around the side…
OO: "…!"
The boys had surrounded a kitten and were roughly washing it.
OO: "Stop, it doesn't like that!"
I suddenly rushed over, and the boys looked up at me in bewilderment.
Boy 1: "It's dirty, so we're cleaning it up."
Looking at the kitten, I saw it shivering in fear.
Sai: "OO? What's going on?"
I looked towards the voice, and saw Sai peering out from a carriage.
OO: "Sai…!"
Sai and his servants had been en route to the castle, having finished their business.
Sai: "Go on ahead, I'll be fine."
Sai came over, having told the servants to go to the castle.
Sai: "…what are you doing?"
Boy 1: "The cat was dirty, so we brought it here to our hideout!"
Boy 2: "So we're cleaning it!"
Sai looked at the frightened kitten for a moment, then calmly turned to face the boys.
Sai: "You shouldn't do that. This kitten is hurt."
Ah…
Looking at the kitten's paws, it appeared as if something had bitten it.
It seemed the boys noticed the injury for the first time as well.
Sai: "It's in pain from this injury."
Sai dropped his gaze to the kitten's injury, as if directing the boys to look at it as well.
Boy: "…it looks like it hurts."
Sai: "A stray dog must have bit it…and it's scared, and confused. And then you boys brought it here and caused more chaos."
The boys stared at the kitten, trembling in fear at Sai's feet…
Boy: "We're sorry."
They looked up at Sai.
Sai: "Good. But don't apologize to me, apologize to the kitten."
Contrary to Sai's harsh words, his expression instantly softened.
Sai…
That kind expression made my heart beat a little quicker.
OO: "A-also, we should treat that bite."
Sai: "Good point."
The wet kitten snuggled up to Sai's feet and started purring.
[CHOICE]
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How cute (SUN)
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It seems to like you (MOON)
Entering the cabin, we treated the kitten as best we could with what was on hand.
It instantly took a liking to Sai, and stayed firmly at his side.
OO: "It seems to have finally calmed down. I wonder if it's because of being near you."
Sai: "Eh?"
OO: "I mean look, it hasn't left your side."
Sai: "…"
The kitten purred, as it say it wanted to be pet, but not once had Sai made a move to touch it.
OO: "Sai…?"
Sai: "…what should we do with it?"
OO: "Hmm…I know! Can't you give it a place to stay in the castle!?"
Sai: "Eh…"
Sai blinked.
OO: "S-sorry…that was a little selfish of me."
Sai: "It's fine…. But I can't keep it in the castle. My father absolutely hates animals. I think it's because I was bitten by a dog when I was small…after that, he forbid animals from coming into the castle."
OO: "O-oh…"
If that's the case…
OO: "What if we take care of it here for a little while, and in the meantime we can find someone to adopt it?"
Sai stared at the kitten for a while…-.
Sai: "I suppose we can't just leave it on its own…alright, let's do that."
With that, he agreed to my proposal.
OO: "Thank you! Isn't that great~!"
I picked up the kitten, and gave it an affectionate pet.
Sai: "OO…"
OO: "Eh?"
Sai:" OO, has anyone ever told you you're a bit pushy?"
OO: "Wh-what's that supposed to mean…"
I reflexively peered into his face at that sudden question.
Sai:" S-sorry…"
He seemed to panic and turned his gaze away from me.
Sai: "…I think it's nice, that side of you."
I felt my cheeks heat up at that.
The earring hanging from his right ear shifted and reflected a blue light.
OO: "Haha, how cute."
Sai: "…yeah."
Sai…?
He simply gave a nod, and his eyes were cold as he looked at the kitten.
OO: “I think it likes you Sai.”
Sai: “...I wonder.”
Sai spoke curtly, as if he had no interest in the kitten.