Do Cats Love Fast-food? [Part 1]

"I've been meaning to ask you, human."
Kissuragi perched herself upon the metal railing in front of my apartment door, waiting for me to finish locking up.

"Do ask,"
I replied happily.

"Meow~ That item you call a smartphone; does it truly capture photographs on such a small pane of glass?"
Kissuragi tilted her head.

"Oh, yes! Smartphones are... like magic? No, they're like tiny computers... I guess you don't know what that is either."
I scratched the top of my head, trying my best to give Kissuragi a detailed explanation of a smartphone.

"Com...puter? What is this you speak of, human?"
Kissuragi bore her fangs with intrigue, slightly overwhelmed by the foreign word.

"Basically, you can verbally and nonverbally communicate with other humans from all around the world through digital radio signals. Not only that, but you can track your location, watch videos, and take photographs!"
I offered her my phone, thinking it best to just let her experiment.

"Video? I'm unfamiliar with that term."
Kissuragi ignored my phone, turning her head to the side as she feigned disinterest.

Stuffing my phone back into my skirt, I guided Kissuragi down the steps of my apartment and into the bustling city of Tokyo.

As soon as Kissuragi witnessed the bright sheen of the neon lights, combined with the overpopulation of humans, her senses shifted into overdrive. The LED billboards, the bright kanji, the constant babbling of civilians; I watched as Kissuragi's tail poofed up, and her ears flattened. She quickly ducked behind my back for cover.

"Nya! What's happening?! Is this the human version of the Hyakki Yagyo?!"
Kissuragi hissed.

"You mean the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons? No, I assure you this is just modern Tokyo."
I found myself giggling at her reaction.

There's so much I want to ask her. Why did my summoning actually work? What sorts of historical events had she lived through? What does the name Kissuragi mean? To get on her good side, I would seriously have to impress her at McDonald's.

"Kissuragi-sama, if you feel uncomfortable, please feel free to hold my hand. The golden arches are only a few minutes away."
I confidently gripped her hand, dragging her along as a few passersby whispered about her fluffy ears and tail.

A defiant hiss echoed in my ears, and Kissuragi gripped my hand with pure, unfiltered yokai strength. Accompanied by a low growl, I whipped my head around to see Kissuragi bearing her fangs, her eyes downcast at a leashed puppy on the sidewalk. While the well-mannered dog had no such interest in Kissuragi, she had an immense problem with the dog's presence.

"A canine?! Is he an Inugami servant?! Nya~ Just look at that unsightly face! He wishes to feast on my flesh!"
Kissuragi tugged me backward, using my body as a shield from the tiny mutt.

"Kissuragi-sama?! That's just a Shiba Inu! It's a domesticated house pet, not an Inugami! Surely, there were domesticated dogs back in the nineteenth century."
I smiled down at her, finding her fear of dogs quite cliché.

"Meow... It is as you say, human. There were indeed house pets in many of the eras I have lived through, though the sight of these canines still makes me shiver in fear. Inugami's latent curse resides in each and every canine, much like how every cat has mine or Bakeneko's."
Kissuragi tugged me forward, hastening our departure from the Shiba Inu.

"A curse? So, all modern pets have a little yokai blood in them?"
I overtook her slightly, as she was walking in the complete opposite direction of our destination.

"Nya~ Blood? No, a part of our soul. While only yokai can use the abilities of shapeshifting, curses, and the elements, wild animals of the earth inhabit our ability to see things others can't, as well as obtaining a mere fraction of our strength and speed. Why else do you think dogs and cats shout at random, nonexistent things?"
Kissuragi gave me a sidelong glance,
"Because they can see and sense yokai, human."

They can see yokai? That's not fair! I've been hunting for yokai since I was just a child, and these animals all act like it's normal?! Curse god for making me a human!

"That makes a lot of sense, Kissuragi-sama. I often see animals howling or yipping at thin air like it's normal. I suppose that would explain why. But still, I've been meaning to ask about a few things."
At last, I led my new feline companion into the bright, red and yellow restaurant.

The late-night atmosphere of a fast-food chain is never something I could find myself getting used to, as the assortment of people, voices, and smell was enough to make an average citizen anxious.

"What is it you wish to know, human?"
Kissuragi paused, her nostrils sniffing the air at a rapid speed. She said,
"Meow? That scent... don't tell me that this Makku Donarudo has seafood!"

I smiled, nodding my head in confirmation, my earlier questions momentarily forgotten.
"That's right! Deep fried fish in multiple forms and shapes! However, Kissuragi-sama, they also have chicken, beef, and potatoes that will make your tummy sing and cheer!"

"Poultry and cattle, you say?! Remarkable! Truly remarkable!"
Kissuragi tugged at my sleeve, her eyes now glistening with excitement at the mention of meat.

"What would you like to try, Kissuragi-sama? I personally recommend the Ebi Filet!"
I guided her toward the counter, watching as her eyes scanned the bright LED menu hanging overhead.

"Nya... these illuminations are distracting. Why do the images of food move around the portrait in such ways? I wish to try every item, but my eyes can't seem to keep up with the photographs!"
Kissuragi's anger grew evident.

I quickly chimed in, forcing her gaze back down to me.
"You can't try everything! You'll get a major tummy ache. Plus, I barely have enough money for two meals, let alone the entire menu! You must limit yourself to one combo!"

"Combo, you say? What exactly does this combination include? You've enticed me with the idea of seafood, human, so I demand seafood!"
Kissuragi exclaimed.

"Just leave the ordering to me, okay? Don't make such a scene; this is still a public place."
Now standing at the front of the line, I gently shoved Kissuragi behind me, ready to face the cashier with a smile.

"Welcome to McDonald's!"
The cashier exclaimed, happily.
"How can I assist you this evening?"

"Yes, um, we would like one Ebi Filet-O meal and one Double Teriyaki meal, please! Cola for the drinks!"
My voice shook nervously, as it had been quite some time since I last ordered anything at a fast food restaurant, let alone anything beyond a convenience store or supermarket.

"Certainly! Will that be all?"
The cashier gave me a patient head tilt.

"Halt! Nya~ I wish to eat the poultry as well! Feed me poultry at once, lowly human!"
Kissuragi shouted with intense degradation.

"Kissuragi-sama!"
I squeaked, my face growing hot and steamy from embarrassment.
"That's no way to talk to someone! Apologize to her right now, or I won't take you to Osaka!"

"You seem to lack understanding, human. Our pact was formed specifically with the end goal of reaching Osaka, but you seem to forget the three most important things. Did I or did I not state that you will be required to feed me three meals a day, rub my head, and allow me to hunt? If you break those requirements, I will have no choice but to eliminate you."
Kissuragi's frightening yellow eyes met mine with a hint of defiance.

"That isn't how this works! You lack common decency! This person you just disgraced has feelings! Apologize to her, or I won't rub your head nor spend a single yen on your meals! Kill me if you want, but you will never make it to Osaka on your own in these modern times! You're a scaredy cat who can't even look a puppy in the eyes! Maybe I'll adopt a puppy with this money instead, just to make you suffer!"
I shouted at her, now bringing the entire store's attention onto us.

Kissuragi's cheeks grew pink, her ears flattening against her head at my sudden outburst.
"W-wait, nya~ I... didn't mean to... I still wish to try this Takoyaki in Osaka! P-please, human, you don't need to adopt a canine!"
Her lips began to quiver in fear.
"I apologize for shouting!"

My eyes softened, sensing Kissuragi's genuine fear at the mention of a puppy.

Perhaps Kissuragi isn't familiar with modern customs or manners. Was I too harsh on her? I didn't mean to scare her that much; I just wanted her to say sorry.

"Are you sure you're sorry? If you ask nicely, I'll buy you some chicken nuggets."

"Meow~ I'm truly sorry. Please allow me to feast upon these so-called chicken nuggets... master."
Kissuragi's tail drooped, submitting obediently to her role as my familiar at the mention of a reward.

I let out a sigh, finally returning to my smile as I turned to the cashier.
"One fifteen-piece chicken nugget, please!"

The cashier, who had witnessed our entire argument, had her jaw slightly agape; her eyes widened in disbelief. Not only was the cashier in shock, but the entire line behind me as well. I saw a small handful of customers with their phones out, recording the entire scene as Kissuragi slowly groomed her ears with the back of her hand.

My voice came out as a timid, embarrassed squeal,
"To-go, please!"