"Shin: The Cat Who Doesn't Want to Take a Bath"

Shin's searchers returned to the base empty-handed. The allotted search time had run out, and they had failed to find the precious cat girl. They stood before the captain, their bodies still covered in dirt and forest dust. The atmosphere of the base was cold and tense, with only the roar of industrial fans filling the silence.

The captain stood with his back to them, staring at the large screen filled with radar dots and topographic maps. His eyes narrowed sharply.

---

Captain: *(flat but full of pressure)

"So, you've returned... with nothing?"

Guard 1: *(standing straight)

"We've searched the entire perimeter... but there's no trace, Captain."

Guard 2:

"Even the drones and helicopters haven't detected any suspicious movement."

Captain: *(turning around quickly, voice rising)

"It's been twenty-four hours! Twenty-four hours of you being given full access to the best technology... and you can't catch a single cat?!"

Guard 3: *(bows)

"Forgive us, Captain..."

Captain: *(kicks a nearby table causing things to fall)

"Forgive?! Do you think 'forgiveness' can replace a billion-dollar project that has now fled to the forest somewhere?!"

Guard 1:

"We suspect that he was assisted by an outside party... maybe there are residents who—"

Captain: *(cuts sharply)

"I don't need guesses. I need results."

Captain: *(stares at them sharply one by one)

"Listen carefully. If in the next two days you still don't bring back the subject... I will make sure that all of you are transferred to the experimental sector."

The guards exchanged glances, their faces pale.

Captain: *(grinning coldly)

"You know what happened to the 'volunteers' there."

---

Captain:

"You've embarrassed this team enough. Two more days. Just two."

Guard 1:

"Ready, Captain!"

Captain:

"Since you failed, I will send out the Vulture team. They will take over this hunt."

Guard 2:

"Vulture, Captain? Aren't they... elite troops?"

Captain:

"Exactly. Unlike you, they never fail."

Guard 3:

"B-but Captain, if they intervene... we—"

Captain:

"You stay on the field. Help or get out of the way. But if you get in the way, I will personally execute you."

Guards 1, 2, 3:

"Ready...!" (in unison, nervous)

Captain:

"Activate all high-altitude drones and shadow satellites immediately. I want reports every two hours."

Assistant Captain:

"Order received. The Vulture team is already on its way to the target zone."

Captain:

"Shin... I will make sure you return. Alive or... intact enough to be tested."

---

#1

A bright morning shines on the old house in the middle of the forest. Dew still hangs on the leaves, and the morning air carries the scent of wet earth. Soutarou has just finished taking a bath, his hair is still a little damp and he is wearing loose clothes. Akuro, his loyal falcon, has also finished cleaning up—her wings look more fluffy and neat than usual.

However, one thing makes Soutarou frown: Shin is missing. He has searched the living room, the kitchen, even the small attic above his house.

---

Soutarou: (walks through the house while drying his hair)

"Hey~ Naughty cat, where are you? Don't tell me you ran away, okay..."

Akuro: *(circles the room, making a small sound)

"Kirrr~"

Soutarou: *(peeks under the table)

"Not here either... don't tell me you hid just because I told you about taking a bath last night?"

Soutarou: *(looks down while grinning)

"Come on, Shin. I already took a bath, why didn't you~"

Akuro: *(jumps onto the sofa and pecks the pillow, helping to search)

"Kirrr!"

Soutarou: *(walks towards the storage cabinet and opens it slowly)

"If you're here, you're really a real cat..."

---

# 2

Soutarou opens the storage cabinet which is quite narrow, filled with cloths and some used items. When the door opens...

---

Soutarou:

"...Huh?"

Shin: *(shrinks, curls up while staring with a confused face)

"U-uh... morning?"

Soutarou: *(stares blankly for a few seconds)

"Eh... you... how did you... squeeze in there?"

Shin: *(tries to get out, his body is almost boneless as he gets out of the narrow gap)

"Ngg… I… was just looking for a warm place…"

Soutarou: *(stares at Shin coming out of the closet like he's watching magic)

"Gosh… are you serious? It's so narrow…"

Shin: *(stands unsteadily, yawns a little)

"No, it's nice… like being hugged by a pillow."

Soutarou: *(sighs, while staring at Shin's body that looks really flexible)

"I'm becoming more and more convinced that you're not just an ordinary cat… are you… a jelly-cat or what?"

Shin: *(blinks slowly)

"What's a jelly-cat?"

Soutarou: *(laughs while scratching his head)

"Forget it. But seriously, you can adapt really well to your environment… your body is like… elastic."

Shin: *(pulls a blanket from the floor and covers his head while sitting on the floor)

"I don't like mornings…"

---

# 3

Shin was still wrapped in a cloth like a cocoon on the floor, even though he had come out of the closet. His face was still lazy and reluctant to look at Soutarou who was standing with his arms crossed, a mischievous smile clearly visible.

---

Soutarou:

"Come on, get out of there. It's morning, and you haven't taken a bath yet. You have to, so you'll be fresh!"

Shin: *(shakes his head quickly behind the cloth)

"N-no! I don't need water... water is... slippery and cold..."

Soutarou: *(squats in front of Shin, teasing tone)

"Do you want to be a smelly cat, hm? Akuro won't want to come near you."

Shin: *(scoots back, hugging his knees)

"Let it be... I'll be my cave cat forever..."

Akuro: *(stands near the bathroom door while pecking the ladle slowly, as if agreeing)

"Kirrr~"

Soutarou: *(chuckles)

"Look, even Akuro has taken a bath. Why don't you?"

Shin: *(pouts)

"I don't want to get wet. My fur... uh, my hair... it'll look bad."

Soutarou: *(pats Shin's head gently)

"I'll help you dry it later, promise. I can also comb your hair so it looks nice again."

Shin: *(peeks slowly from behind the cloth)

"...Are you serious?"

Soutarou: *(smiles softly)

"Seriously. But, yeah... you have to come out of that cocoon first."

Shin: *(slowly pulls the cloth away from his face, then stands up slowly with lazy movements)

"...Okay... but not too much water... just a little..."

Soutarou:

"Deal."

---

# 4

Soutarou opens the bathroom door and turns on the light. Warm steam comes out a little from inside because of the water he had prepared beforehand. He turns his body so that Shin can go in first, while the cat girl still stands hesitantly in front of the door.

---

Soutarou:

"Okay, the water is warm. I'm not forcing you to accompany me, you're alone in there."

Shin: *(stands stiffly, looking at the bathroom with a wary gaze)

"I-I... really have to go in?"

Soutarou: *(smiles calmly, folds his arms)

"Yeah. It's just water, no monsters. Besides, you'll definitely feel good after taking a bath."

Shin: *(steps halfway in, then steps back)

"But the water is weird... why do you have to bathe your whole body? At my place, you only need to lick your feet..."

Soutarou: *(laughs softly)

"That's so cat-like, Shin. But you're not the only cat here, right?"

Shin: *(grits his teeth a little, then dares to step in one full step)

"...If I die, it's your fault..."

Soutarou:

"Yes, yes, I take full responsibility." (closes the door slowly)

"If you need anything, just call me."

---

Shin stood still in the middle of the bathroom, his face tense as if he was going to fight something. His hands trembled as he touched the water from the small faucet running on the sink. He stared at the water as if staring at his sworn enemy.

---

Shin: *(quietly, to himself)

"I can... I can definitely do it... it's just water... not living mud..."

---

# 5

The sound of trickling water could be heard quietly from behind the bathroom door... until suddenly—

CRASH!

There was the sound of something falling and a very loud splash of water, followed by a typical panicked scream...

---

Shin: *(screaming hysterically like a cat being thrown into water)

"NYAAAAHHHHHH!!! N-N-N-NOOOOO!! THE WATER IS ATTACKING!!"

Soutarou: *(jolting in surprise outside the door)

"Huh?! Shin?! What's wrong with you?!"

Shin: *(from inside, the loud sound of water and bodies slipping)

"I—I SLIPPED! I WAS ATTACKED FROM BELOW! THE WATER IS MOVING!!"

Soutarou: *(holding back laughter while leaning against the wall)

"Shin… that was just you falling into the bathtub."

Shin: *(his voice went up an octave)

"I almost DIED just now! Is this… a LEGAL torture?!"

Soutarou: *(still holding back laughter)

"If you can scream that loud, it means you're still alive and well."

Shin: *(hissing sound like a wet cat, shivering)

"Ugh… this is disgusting… my fur is all limp… my body feels weak…"

Soutarou: *(in his mind, smiling a little)

"He's like a real cat that got splashed with water…"

---

In the bathroom, Shin finally quietly started to slowly douse himself. His face cringed every time the water touched his body, but he tried to stay calm. Soap bubbles began to rise to the surface of the water.

---

Shin: *(whispering softly)

"…If this can make me clean and not smelly anymore… maybe… it won't be so bad…"

---

# 6

Inside the bathroom, the sound of splashing water continued to be heard, accompanied by soft sobs and Shin's distinctive soft voice trying to calm himself down.

---

Shin: *(whispering while shivering, water dripping from his hair and ears)

"I'm sorry... my body... I know you hate this... but we have to survive..."

(he holds the water with both hands, looking at his shaking reflection)

Shin: *(crying softly, tears mixing with the bathwater)

"I have to be strong... I can't lose just because of water..."

(he douses his body slowly, each drop feels like a life test)

Shin: *(in a soft and dramatic voice)

"I'm sorry, myself... I had to torture us like this..."

---

From outside the door...

Soutarou: *(his ears hear a sound like a cat struggling, then...)

"NYAAHH!! Stop it! The water stinks!!"

Soutarou: *(stands up while holding back laughter)

“…Is this a bath or a life and death duel…”

Soutarou: *(whispers softly to the door with a smile)

“I didn’t expect you to be this dramatic about bathing, Shin.”

---

The gurgling sound continued. Shin inside seemed to be getting used to the temperature of the water. Although his body was still tense, he began to soap his body slowly, with an expression full of struggle.

---

Shin: *(wipes his tears while continuing to bathe)

“…I can do it… I’m not an ordinary cat…”

---

# 7

From behind the bathroom door, the noise grew louder. Water splashed everywhere, and Shin’s voice sounded like a cat that was really fighting with water.

---

Shin: *(screams in panic)

“NYAAHH!! It’s cold!! Is this water or ice cubes?!”

(a small 'thud' sound was heard, as if he slipped again)

Shin:

"NOOO!! Water got in my ears!! Ughhh!! This is torture!!"

Shin: *(his voice got louder)

"Is this normal?! Bathing is supposed to be refreshing, not torturing people's lives!!"

---

From the outside, Soutarou sat on the floor, leaning against the wall while holding back his laughter. However, his face was already red and his stomach was starting to hurt from laughing so hard.

---

Soutarou: *(laughing out loud)

"Hahhahaha!! Shin, you... I swear... you're like a cat that's been given lemon water!"

Soutarou:

"I didn't think this could be this funny... you're a real drama queen..."

---

Shin: *(screaming from inside, his voice desperate)

"THIS ISN'T A DRAMA! THIS IS TRAUMA!!"

Soutarou: *(laughing again)

"Okay, okay! But you're great, at least you took a bath, hahaha!"

Shin: *(sobbing)

"This isn't the life I chose..."

---

The splashing of water could still be heard, occasionally interspersed with Shin's voice whimpering like a lost cat. Soutarou was still outside, smiling to himself as he wiped away the tears from his laughter.

---

# 8

After all the commotion and dramatic screams from inside the bathroom, the atmosphere finally began to calm down. The sound of the water stopped, and the bathroom door slowly opened.

---

Shin: *(from inside, slowly)

"Haaah... finally it's over..."

(He dried his body with a large towel, then put on the clothes Soutarou gave him. The clothes were too loose, clearly men's clothes. Shin looked in the mirror while pinching his sleeves)

Shin: *(frowns)

"Huh... why do the clothes have to be like this... this... is too manly..."

(He pulled the neck of his shirt a little which was too loose for him)

Shin: *(stood in front of the mirror for a long time)

"This looks like... dad's clothes."

---

The door slowly opened, Shin came out with a blank face and slightly red cheeks because of embarrassment. His hair was still a little wet and his cat ears were down because he was too lazy to make a sound.

Soutarou turned his head from the living room, and when he saw Shin… he froze for a moment.

---

Soutarou: *(silence, then a mischievous smile)

"Wow… so my clothes are cute if you wear them."

Shin: *(annoyed, glaring sharply)

"Shut your mouth before I bite you."

Soutarou: *(raise your hand pretending to be scared)

"Okay, okay! But seriously, you're so cute wearing that… like a kid borrowing his older sibling's clothes."

Shin: *(grumbling)

"Why don't you have any girl's clothes… weird house."

---

Soutarou: *(walks closer, tidying up Shin's wet hair)

"We'll look for your clothes later, Princess Drama Air."

Shin: *(widens his eyes, slowly)

"I. Am. Not. Princess."

Soutarou: *(chuckles)

"Yeah yeah yeah, but you smell nice now."

Shin: *(face getting redder, pushes his chest lightly)

"Go away... before I call your eagle and have him take you to its nest."

---

Shin walked to the kitchen quickly, trying to hide his blushing face. Soutarou just laughed softly while staring at his back.

#9

Soutarou casually walks into the kitchen while tying his hair back, preparing to cook. He sees Shin standing in front of the kitchen table, still with an annoyed face and red cheeks.

---

Soutarou: *(in a casual tone)

"Yosh, time to cook. Do you want to help or just sit still?"

Shin: *(reflexively takes a step back, looks suspicious)

"Huh? Don't come near me! I've already taken a shower, don't mess around again!"

Soutarou: *(confused)

"...Huh? I just want to cook?"

Shin: *(pointing sharply)

"You must have some strange intentions! You were laughing watching me take a shower—I know your type of people!"

Soutarou: *(laughs amused)

"Gosh, Shin... I didn't come here to bother you. I'm hungry, and you must be hungry too, right?"

Shin: *(still suspicious)

"Hmm... but don't think anything weird!"

Soutarou: *(raise hand again as if swearing)

"For Akuro who is sometimes more human than us, I just want to cook."

---

Akuro: (from outside the window, suddenly makes a 'kraaa!' sound as if confirming)

Shin: *(turns to the window, then back to Soutarou)

"...Okay. But I'll watch."

Soutarou: *(smiles while taking the ingredients)

"Please go ahead, Miss Kitchen Supervisor."

---

Shin sits on the kitchen chair with his arms folded, his face still suspicious of Soutarou's every move, even though the man has started to busy cutting vegetables and lighting the stove.

# 10

Soutarou starts cooking skillfully in the kitchen. The knife in his hand dances, cutting onions, vegetables, and meat nimbly. Shin who was still alert earlier, now starts to fall silent, watching the man's cooking skills.

---

Shin: *(slowly)

"...You... usually cook by yourself, huh?"

Soutarou: *(smiles slightly, still focused on stirring the pan)

"Yeah. If I couldn't cook, I would have starved to death a long time ago."

Shin: *(nods slowly)

"...That's great."

Soutarou: *(raises an eyebrow, amused)

"You can help too if you want. You can start by washing the empty plates."

Shin: *(immediately avoids)

"Ah, no, no! I'll just do the observation."

---

A few minutes later, the food was done. A fragrant aroma filled the room. Soutarou put two plates on the table and a small bowl under the table.

Soutarou:

"Let's eat."

Shin: *(sits down slowly)

"Hmm... it looks delicious."

Akuro: (from below, immediately comes and starts eating enthusiastically from his fish bowl)

"Kraaak!"

Soutarou: *(chews, then speaks softly)

"He's happiest when there's fish."

Shin: *(smiles slightly as he starts eating)

"…This is delicious. Thank you…"

Soutarou: *(turns to him, smiles softly)

"I'm glad you like it."

---

The dinner atmosphere felt warm. Shin began to enjoy the silence and togetherness that slowly felt safe. Akuro also ate quietly below them, as if helping to keep the atmosphere peaceful.

# 11

They sat quietly at the dining table, there was only a bowl of warm soup and grilled fish on the table. Shin seemed to enjoy his soup, he slowly sipped his broth, his expression relaxed, even looking satisfied. His movements began to show adaptation like a normal human, although occasionally his ears still reacted to small sounds.

Soutarou looked at him with a small smile, then started a casual chat.

---

Soutarou:

"Cats are afraid of water, but they still drink water. What's the logic behind that?"

Shin: *(immediately stops his spoon, glares in annoyance)

"...Different! Drinking water doesn't make your fur wet."

Soutarou: *(mischievous smile)

"But it's still water, right?"

Shin: *(rising tone, pouting)

"I'm not afraid of water! I'm just... naturally sensitive when my fur gets wet! It's innate, get it?!"

Soutarou: *(holding back laughter)

"Okay. I get it. Sensitive. It's very natural."

Shin: *(grumbling softly, continuing to eat)

"...What a mischievous human."

Soutarou: *(still smiling, spooning his soup)

"But you took a bath. That's a big achievement today."

Shin: *(flatly)

"Let's not talk about that anymore."

---

Akuro from under the table just rolled her eyes before continuing to eat, as if bored with their drama. But the atmosphere still felt light and warm, like a small family that was slowly starting to form.

.