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“Oh my. So your real name isn’t Lilybell?”
I nodded meekly. After the real Lilybell had rubbed me all over, I’d confessed the truth. I couldn’t possibly maintain my act with her right there.
But seriously, what was with her hand? Since I was very knowledgeable, I’d heard rumors of something called “God’s hand” that was capable of making any animal experience nirvana. I was convinced that Lilybell was its wielder. I normally didn’t like to be touched, yet she’d had me pliant and mesmerized in an instant.
I decided to tell her everything.
The real me was neither charismatic nor Lilybell, but an insignificant stray cat. Actually, that wasn’t quite right. I was a stray cat that just so happened to be extremely cute and have glossy white fur. I was also a bit more inquisitive than the average feline. As I’d been gathering information, trying to make my life as easy as possible, I’d learned about Lilybell.
Her existence had come as a shock to me. She was so fascinating and cool, and above all, the name “Lilybell” was absolutely adorable. I’d decided right there and then that if the Lilybell of legend no longer appeared before the champions, then I would become the next Lilybell.
From then on, I’d carried myself in a noble fashion and used all of the information at my disposal to become Lilybell. I’d fleshed out the unknown aspects of her character with my own presumptions, and it’d gotten to the point where I seriously believed I was her.
And now the genuine article has appeared. Not only that, but she saw through my arrogant heart and gently admonished me for being wrong!
That said, I never would’ve expected her to become human. Most humans are meant to serve cats, after all.
“In that case, what’s your real name?” the real Lilybell asked.
I trembled. Now that I’d revealed so much, I couldn’t hide the answer to that question. But how would Lilybell react to hearing my name? Would she laugh, scoff, or make fun of it? The more I imagined my idol hurting my feelings, the harder it was to open my mouth.
Trying my best to hold back my emotions, I murmured, “Meow. (It’s Gonzalez.)”
“Huh?”
“Meow! Meow meooow! Meow! (It’s Gonzalez! My name is Gonzalez! I can’t do anything about it, okay?! So don’t blame me for admiring you and taking your name! Why does a pretty lady like me have to be named Gonzalez?!)”
It wasn’t that Gonzalez was a bad name. In fact, I thought it’d be a great name for a cool tomcat. But who would expect a cute little pure-white girl cat to be named Gonzalez?!
My name had been given to me by a human who had petted me on a whim. They hadn’t taken me home with them, though. They’d given me only a scrap of food and this name. Names held power. No matter what name I was given afterward, my first name would remain special and stay with me for the rest of my life.
Do you have any idea how many other strays mocked me for having a name that doesn’t match my appearance?!
In order to stay strong, I’d chosen the path of solitude and lived as the noble Lilybell, traveling from place to place where no cat knew me.
But now, I’d revealed my true name. How would I be seen from now on? The thought made my chest ache.
I squeezed my eyes shut and lowered my head, only for Lilybell to pick me up, forcing me to look her in the eye.
“Why do you say that? I think your name’s adorable!”
“Meooow! (You can only say that because you have a cute name yourself!)”
“Is that so? I think Gon is really cute. Plus, isn’t it exciting to imagine a scenario where someone only knows your name and not your appearance? They’d be expecting a cool male cat, only for a gorgeous lady to show up instead! Some people put effort into presenting a contrast, you know. Meanwhile, you can do it just by existing!”
Wh-What is she talking about?
“Basically, although you didn’t choose your name, it’s up to you to decide how you make it your own. Instead of hiding it because you don’t like it, you should make it your accomplice in showing off your best self!”
“Meow...”
“I can tell from talking to you that you’re very smart. You’ll easily be able to turn everything you have into your own charm!”
I trembled. I’d always thought of my name as a heavy burden that I’d have to carry for the rest of my life, but Lilybell spoke as if it were a treasure.
In her eyes, the world must be full of wonderful things...
“Also, I’m not Lilybell anymore. Since you admired me, it might be difficult for you to accept that fact, but I’d love it if you called me Lucille instead!”
“Meow... (Lucille...)”
And so, I stopped calling myself Lilybell. For some reason, when I started acting like Gonzalez was the best name in the world, I found myself with even more feline fans than before. They used an affectionate nickname with me, as if my real name were too special to be spoken by anyone undeserving.
“Lady Gon! How can I become as beautiful as you?!”
“Why, if you wish to be like me, then the first step is to stop trying to become me!”
“Huh?”
“You can try all your life, but you’ll never become me. However, you are the only one in the world who can become the best you!”
“L-Lady Gon!”
“Now then, that’s enough for today. It’s time for the world’s most fabulous Gonzalez to go see Lucille!”
The End.