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I’d always thought Hinako had a strange way of expressing herself, using phrases like “dying of cuteness overload.” But after becoming Lucille, I understood the feeling very well.
Really, how can this cat be so smol and adorable?!
I’d also learned what she meant by “touching something that’s too cute turns one into a fool” soon after moving to Leeuwenhoek. When your heart is aflutter, it’s hard to come up with anything other than the most basic words.
I’m sorry, Hinako. Everything you said was right!
Oh, I should share this finding with Maouldoth. He used to call Hinako the weirdest person to ever walk the land.
“Meooow! (And, you know, since Lilybell is the cutest thing in the world, even dragons bow before me!)”
“Yes, I’m sure they would!”
Indeed, Maouldoth was no match for me. Well, he didn’t bow down to me, but it was close enough, right?
Wait, does this Lilybell have a dragon friend too? What a coincidence! She really is similar to me when I was Lilybell!
“Mreooow! (Lilybell was doted on by champions as their favorite cat!)”
“Wow, that’s amazing!”
My owners were also champions—although I didn’t know that until recently. I can’t believe we even have that in common!
Also, the way she talks in the third person is sooo cute.
Since the cat kept saying “Lilybell” this, “Lilybell” that, at some point, my brain got muddled up and started thinking she was talking about me. It didn’t help that her experiences were strikingly similar to mine.
“Meooow! (So Lilybell should be respected more than anyone else. Nobody can go against Lilybell! Everyone has to do what Lilybell says!)”
“Um, that’s not right.”
“M-Meow?”
In my confusion, I denied her claim.
“It’s true that Lilybell was highly respected,” I said. “I was rarely treated with disdain, but that was because people loved me. There was never any rule saying that they had to listen to what I said.”
In fact, since my owners had been so strong and individualistic, I had usually been the one reluctantly going along with their crazy antics. That said, it hadn’t necessarily been a bad thing. Wouldn’t anyone be happy to be pushed around by someone they loved? Even if it made you say, “Goodness, you’re so irresponsible!” wouldn’t it feel special to be depended on in their time of need?
Suddenly, I realized what I’d done. Oh no, I thought Lilybell was talking about me! Did I offend her?
“Wait, Lilybell, I’m sorr—”
“M-M-M-Meooow?! (L-L-L-Lilybell?!)”
“Huh?”
For some reason, Lilybell shouted her own name. Her eyes were wide open, and her body was shaking. She seemed to be very surprised.
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“M-M-M-Meooow?! (L-L-L-Lilybell?!)”
“Huh?”
I knew something was wrong! I felt it when she was talking! Th-Th-This human... Her ridiculous mana, the cats’ bizarre adoration for her, her mysterious magnetic pull—the likes of which even I’d give in to if I wasn’t careful enough—and the way she talked about Lilybell as if she were talking about herself... No, not “as if.” She was talking about herself!
Th-This human’s true identity is the charismatic white cat loved by champions: the legendary holy beast, Lilybell! Ahhh, I should be praised for not collapsing on the spot! No cat would ever expect something like this to happen, right?! I can’t believe I get to meet my idol in the flesh!
But why is she human?! How could Lilybell turn into a human?!
The shock was making me dizzy. I mean, I admired Lilybell so much that I’d pretended to be her...
“Oh my, Lilybell! Are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere?”
The real Lilybell peered into my face and gently stroked my back. She thought I was reeling because I felt unwell.
Oh! This pleasant feeling is just like when my mommy used to lick me a long time ago... Wait, no, that doesn’t matter right now!
Lilybell’s soothing touch had brought me back to my kitten days. I frantically tried to regain my composure.
I can’t space out now! There are so many things I want to ask the real Lilybell!
However, her patting was most incessant.
“Relax, Lilybell. I’ll keep petting you until you feel better.”
Perhaps her human transformation had affected her behavior in addition to her body. Her gentle motions and calm voice were ringing alarm bells in my head.
Th-This is bad! I can’t keep up my cool and noble appearance like this! The cat-sona I worked so hard to develop is going to fall apart!
Then again...the real Lilybell is right here. Does it even matter if my fake version of Lilybell crumbles?
No, that’s a separate issue! I’ve been calling myself Lilybell everywhere I go, and that’s who cats recognize me as. If I don’t keep up the dignified act, I might tarnish the image of the almighty Lilybell! Oh no, just thinking about it fills me with horror!
“There, there. It feels nice when I pet you here, doesn’t it?”
“M-Meooow...meow meow.”
Ugh, stop... If I give in to pleasure here, I’ll go back to being an ordinary stray cat...