Really a Cat?!

Euphy froze for a moment, then asked, “Your real name?”

Kuro nodded. “Why does everyone react so strongly to my name, meow? Everyone back home called me that.”

Freya couldn't help but ask, “Everyone? There were other people in your home besides your father? And they all just accepted the name Kuro?”

Kuro nodded again. “What’s wrong with that, meow?”

Euphy fell silent for a moment. Looking at the catgirl before her, she asked, “Are you... actually human?”

The question sounded almost like an insult, but Kuro merely tilted her head and said, “No~ I’m a cat.”

This time, it was Freya’s turn to fall silent. “Wait, what do you mean? You’re saying you’re actually a cat? Then how did you end up looking like this? Can drinking too many potions really let an animal take human form?”

As she spoke, Freya suddenly thought of an ability. She and Euphy spoke almost in unison, “【Lifeform Modification】 from the Earth Pathway's Path of Life?”

In other words, Kuro’s father was highly likely an extraordinary of the Path of Life. Freya felt that directly transforming a cat into a human was a bit strange. It was more likely that Kuro had consumed a potion when she was still just a regular cat and survived, much like Euphy’s parrot. Seeing this, Kuro’s father had repeatedly used his abilities on her, eventually granting her current form.

This explained many of Kuro's previous actions—her high energy at night, suddenly licking Freya, and curling into a ball to sleep. Weren't those all typical feline habits?

Euphy asked again, “Then... Kuro, can I ask what you came to this city to do?”

Kuro was very powerful. She had managed to hide for so long despite a city-wide manhunt, and she could even bypass the detection array set up by Euphy’s grandfather. It was no exaggeration to say she was at least a Rank Five extraordinary. The appearance of such a powerful figure of the Trick Pathway in the capital was highly unusual in itself.

Kuro said, “I can't tell you, meow~ It’s part of the deal, so it’s a secret. I can't tell anyone, meow~”

Euphy thought for a moment and said, “Is this deal to steal His Majesty’s Rank Seven potion?”

Immediately after, Freya clearly saw Kuro’s pupils dilate. The cat ears on her head stood straight up, and she wore an expression of sheer shock. “How did you know that, meow?!”

Euphy said, “It’s not that hard to guess. If someone is making a deal with an extraordinary... extraordinary cat of the Trick Pathway, what else would they ask of you? It has to be stealing something. And since you’re so strong, there aren't many items worthy of your skills.”

But Kuro waved her hands frantically. “Even though that’s true, meow, I really didn't steal that potion! I hadn't even made my move yet, meow~!”

Euphy said, “I know.”

However, seeing Euphy believe her so readily, Kuro was caught off guard. “You believe me just like that, meow?”

Euphy said, “Of course. How could a cute little kitty lie to me? Don't you agree?”

In reality, the actual thief, Freya, was sitting right next to her. Of course Euphy knew it wasn't Kuro.

But Kuro didn't know that. She immediately exclaimed, “You really are a good person, meow~!”

If this were a game, one would probably see Kuro's affection rating for Euphy skyrocketing.

Euphy asked again, “Can I ask who commissioned you to steal it?”

Kuro shook her head again. “I can't say, meow~”

Euphy wasn't surprised by this answer at all. If anything, as a high-rank extraordinary, Kuro was already incredibly easy to talk to. Oh, wait, Kuro was a cat. It made perfect sense that she was so cooperative; a little kitty wouldn't have the devious schemes of humans.

After feeding Kuro the breakfast they had brought, the three of them chatted for a bit longer. Euphy didn't object to letting Kuro hide in her home, but she suggested, “By the way, why don't you sleep in my bedroom instead?”

Eating her food, Kuro tilted her head and asked, “Why, meow~?”

Euphy showed a hesitant expression. After all, she couldn't exactly say she didn't want to see Kuro getting all lovey-dovey with Fufu, could she? Just as Euphy was trying to cook up an excuse, Kuro suddenly said, “Sure, meow~”

After all, Euphy was also a good person in her eyes now. What did it matter where she slept? She certainly didn't mind. Freya didn't object either. While a little kitty was cute, you wouldn't think so when she kept bothering you in the middle of the night instead of sleeping.

Time ticked by. Four days passed after Kuro moved into Euphy's room, marking the tenth day of the city lockdown. Euphy brought some news.

Because of the search for Kuro, a cultist organization had been discovered in the city. Although it had nothing to do with catching the thief, now that they had been found, they couldn't just be ignored, could they?

Consequently, the authorities dispatched several Mobile Squads to conduct a suppression operation.

Upon hearing this news, Freya couldn't help but sigh. “Those cultists are so unlucky.”

It was a case of complete collateral damage, but she was only musing. They were cultists, after all, so they certainly deserved to die. Freya even asked, “Where exactly was this cultist stronghold located?”

If she noted it down now, it would be another piece of useful information once she returned to reality.

But Euphy said, “I don't know.”

“Judging from the commotion of the battle, it should be in the southern part of the capital. However, the exact location and the details of the fight have been classified as secrets. Even my grandfather doesn't have the authority to know.”

Another day passed. While sleeping at night, Freya heard a massive commotion outside. It sounded like an explosion of some sort, which woke her up instantly.

When morning came, Euphy brought news. Apparently, they had spotted the thief's trail and engaged in a brief battle, but the culprit had managed to escape in the end.

But the problem was, while the two of them were discussing this, Kuro was sitting right next to them, wagging her tail as she ate.

Sensing their gazes, Kuro looked at Freya and Euphy, her cat ears twitching. “What is it, meow?”

Freya said, “Both the real thief and the decoy thief are right here, so who on earth was the thief fighting the authorities?”

Euphy said, “I have a feeling... something big is about to happen...”

Two more days passed. On the thirteenth day of the city lockdown, an official squad arrived at the gates of the Holmes mansion.

...