B's Log April 2025: Short Story

Newly-Produced Short Story Series: Chapter 6

Our First Time

Masaki Hokusai, Maruyama Reo, Miyama Kei, and Anne Faulkner were all gathered at a particular cat cafe.

Anne: So, what do you think, Kei? How're you feeling about your first visit to a cat cafe?
Kei: I think it's a pleasant place. There aren't very many people, so I feel quite at ease.
Reo: Well, it is a weekday, after all. You like cats, Kei?
Kei: Yes, I like animals. I find interacting with them to be more calming than interacting with people.
Hokusai: I know what you mean.
Anne: It really is soothing~
Reo: We've got a cat named Luna around our house, too, but this is super nice too~!
Anne: I wish CANDY's customers were cats~
Hokusai: If they were, then I'd work on the floor too.
Reo: Hey, has anyone else noticed that all of the cats have been gathering around Kei for a while now??
Hokusai: It's because the cats feel safe.
Kei: They're all very kind. They're good cats.
Reo: Is this some kind of painting...? I feel like this is starting to feel more "classical painting" than "cat cafe".
Anne: Lemme get this on video.
Reo: Ah, yeah, me too. Hey, Hokusai, you get into shot over next to Kei, too.
Hokusai: Okay. ... like this?
Reo: Aw, maan~ the healing energy going on here is off the charts!
Anne: The visuals are so nice~
Reo: Hey, is it alright if I make a short video out of this?
Kei: That is fine. Just don't post it immediately.
Reo: Gotchaaa~!
Anne: How nice~ I wish I were popular with kitties, too.
Reo: It seems like they don't want to be near us? That's such a bummer.
Anne: You're right! But I didn't even wear perfume today~!
Reo: Maybe they'll get closer to me if they understand how cute I am?
Anne: How do you intend to communicate that, exactly?
Reo: Maybe if I make some noise to attract them?
Hokusai: It's worth a try.
Reo: Hey, kitty, you wanna look over here? Psspsspss!
Kei: ... they do not seem to be coming.
Reo: I noticed.
Kei: Perhaps you should purchase a treat for them?
Hokusai: I think so too.
Anne: Great idea! Let's give them some treats! Excuse me! Staff-sa~n!
Hokusai: Hmm... there's a menu right here.
Kei: Crunchy snacks are 300 yen... and delicacy snacks are 900 yen.
Anne: I feel like this is a familiar system...
Kei: Hm?
Anne: Oh, nothing, I'm just getting flashbacks to my part-time job. (laughs)
Reo: I've already spent a lot of my pocket money this month, so should we just go with the crunchy treats~?
Anne: How naiive. If you're going to spend money at all, it's a given that you should go all-out.
Kei: Is that so?

While they were discussing Anne's part-time job, the cat treats that the group had bought arrived.

Hokusai: Ah.
Reo: What's up, Hokusai?
Hokusai: It's just, I just noticed that kitty.
Anne: Oh my gosh, that cat! It's so cute!!
Kei: It's certainly a cat with a distinct presence.
Hokusai: A black Siberian... so pretty.
Kei: That's what it says on the website. It also says that she doesn't get along with people very well.
Reo: Then it's decided. I want that cat to like me!
Anne: Ah, I had the exact same thought!
Reo: Well then... we have to figure out which one of us it likes more...
Anne: Sounds fun. I'm in.
Hokusai: What's wrong, you two?
Kei: I feel as though the atmosphere has changed.
Reo: Excuse me, staff member! I'd like to buy a treat as well, please!
Anne: Ah--! Then I'd like to rent some toys!
Reo: No fair! I'd like to borrow some too!

Anne and Reo both desperately tried to get the attention of the cat they had set their sights on.

Anne: Here, kitty kitty kitty! I've got some tasty snacks for you over here~!
Reo: I've got way funner toys than they do~! See, I've even got a toy mouse for you!
Kei: Where is she going?
Hokusai: I think the two of them are coming on a bit too strong and it's scaring her away.
Reo: That's so weird. I'm being so inviting, but she's not coming any closer to me~? By this point, Luna would already be rolling around on my lap~!
Anne: Well, in that case... excuuu~se me!

Anne flagged down a staff member and ordered some extra treats.

Anne: This ought to be enough to get her to come closer...
Reo: I'm not gonna lose! Excuse me! I'd like some more too!

Reo's additional order arrived, and the group amassed even more cat toys.

Hokusai: This is... amazing.
Kei: I wonder if we're irritating the cat by doing all this.
Hokusai: If she was unhappy, she would leave.
Kei: I see.
Reo: Here, kitty kitty~! See? It's a toy paradise over here~
Anne: Don't look over there! See here, I've got a huge pile of treats for you~?!
Hokusai: Oh, she's moving.
Kei: Which one is she going to?
Anne: Come over here~!
Reo: Here, kitty kity~!

Slowly, the Siberian cat began to approach the group.

Anne: Here she comes! That's it, just a little bit closer!
Reo: No, no no! This way, come this way!
Hokusai: Ah...
Kei: I see.
Reo: Hold up! Why are you going over to Hokusai!?
Anne: Nooo! Not after I've already dropped this much money!
Hokusai: Heheh. Your tail is so fluffy, it tickles.
Kei: She's really taken a liking to you. It seems that you were able to convey your kindness.
Anne and Reo: Come on...!
Hokusai: Thank you for letting me pet you.
Kei: That's quite amazing. She's practically stuck to you.
Reo: So then... what are we supposed to do with this pile of snacks?
Anne: We've got so many, we're kind of out of luck...
Hokusai: I think that the other cats might enjoy it if you shared with them.
Kei: Yes, I agree.
Anne: Alright. Well, then...
Reo: Well, if we're gonna have a festival, we'd better make it a really impressive one!
Hokusai: Yes. Let's all have fun with everyone.
Anne: Come on, everyone~! We've got pletny of snacks to share~!
Reo: Whoa--!?

Just about every cat in the cafe came running over.

Kei: They all look so happy. It makes me feel warm inside.
Anne Ahh~! If they all rush over at once I'm gonna drown in them~!
Reo: But they're sooo cute! I'm sooo happy~!
Hokusai: Everyone is so cute. Good kitties.

And so, everyone had a great time at the cat cafe.
Except for Reo, who had to answer a very stimulating phone call from Iori about a credit card charge afterwards.