Chapter 6: Library

Ever since Kaoe turned into a human yesterday, my life had somehow become even more chaotic. Before the sun had even risen the next morning, both she and Yuki were already fighting for the same spot.“What are you doing here!?” Yuki suddenly shouted.

“I’m just spending time with my human,” Kaoe replied calmly, putting extra emphasis on the word my. Apparently my chest had become their favorite place to sleep.

“Umm… girls, I can’t breathe,” I said weakly. Neither of them paid attention. Hoping to save myself, I added, “Couldn’t you just sleep on the couch? It’s comfortable… and big enough.”

“Its my couch,” Kaoe declared as she jumped off me and ran toward the couch before sitting down proudly. “No, it’s mine,” Yuki argued as she rushed over and sat beside her.

Now both of them were on the couch glaring at each other like rivals. Their cat ears twitched slightly while they argued, and honestly… it looked kind of cute. Still, if this continued every morning our neighbors might start complaining.

“By the way, why are you two awake so early?” I asked. “And what exactly did Mina tell you yesterday?”

Yesterday Mina had called them over and told me to stay away while she explained things. Yuki was still shocked after seeing Kaoe as a human, while Kaoe looked curious about what Mina had to say. 

Mina explained that a nearby library needed two workers and that since I already had school and a job, I probably wouldn’t have time. 

But Yuki and Kaoe could work there instead. She even added that maybe I would like it if they started working hard.

That single sentence triggered two completely different thoughts. Yuki imagined me smiling proudly and praising her.

Master will definitely love me more if I work hard…Meanwhile Kaoe had a much simpler idea. If I work, I get money. If I get money, I get food.

Back in the present, the sky outside was still dark but both of them suddenly jumped up and started getting ready.

“Hey, both of you,” I called out.“Huh?” they answered at the same time.

“Work hard,” I said with a smile.

Yuki instantly turned away and tried to hide her face, clearly embarrassed. Kaoe on the other hand simply smiled confidently as if she already expected the praise. While looking at her, I suddenly noticed something.

“Hey… your eyes look really cute,” I said without thinking.“Hehe, I know,” Kaoe replied proudly.

A second later I realized my mistake.“Hmph,” Yuki muttered. “Now you’re flirting with her right in front of me.”

“No, that’s not what I meant!” I tried to explain, but it was already too late.“Alright, we’re leaving,” Kaoe said casually as she opened the door.

“Yuki,” I called nervously.

She didn’t answer. Instead she gave me a slightly scary look before leaving with Kaoe. Watching them go, I scratched my head.

Yeah… I definitely made her upset.

Later that day during lunch break, I was sitting on my usual bench under the tree. Today felt strangely quiet because Ester wasn’t there. 

She normally joined me during lunch, so her absence felt unusual. As I opened my lunchbox and smelled the food, I smiled to myself.

“Yuki is really getting better at cooking,” I murmured.“Yuki? Is that your girlfriend’s name?”

I nearly dropped my lunchbox. Turning around quickly, I saw the student council president, Fyumi, standing behind me.

“N-no! S-she’s not…” I panicked immediately. “Relax,” she said calmly before sitting down beside me.

“Hey, Kai,” she added. It was the first time I had seen her this close. Without thinking much, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “Hey… I just realized your hair looks really pretty.”

Her expression changed instantly. “Stop flirting and listen.” “I wasn’t flirting,” I said quickly. “I was just being honest.”

“Shut up,” she replied, though her voice sounded a little shaky. When I looked closer I noticed her face slowly turning red.

“I’m here to ask a favor,” she continued while trying to regain her composure. She explained that she wanted to go to the library after school but felt a little awkward walking there alone, so she asked if I could come with her. “Sure. Let’s go after school,” I replied.

“Really?” she asked with a hint of excitement before quickly looking away. “It’s not like you have to come.” “So… should I not come?” I asked, confused.

“No! That’s not what I mean,” she said quickly. “If you have something else to do, you can go do that instead..

“It’s fine,” I said. “The shop I work at is closed today, so I’m completely free.” “Alright then. Let’s go to the library after school.”

For some reason lunch break felt unusually short that day. Before I knew it, classes had ended and I met Fyumi near the school gate. “Shall we go?” she asked.“Let’s go,” I replied.

When we finally reached the library, something immediately caught my attention. Behind the front desk were Yuki and Kaoe. I hadn’t expected them to be working at this library. “MASTER!!!” Yuki suddenly shouted.

Only then did I notice something else. The library was completely filled with guys. Almost every seat was occupied. 

I even saw Sean sitting there holding a book, which made absolutely no sense because that guy never reads. Suddenly every pair of eyes in the room turned toward me.

“Hey, Yuki,” I said awkwardly as Yuki and Kaoe walked toward me. But the moment Yuki noticed Fyumi standing beside me, her expression instantly changed. “Master… are you cheating again?”

Beside her, Kaoe crossed her arms and calmly added, “Womanizer.” “What are you talking about!?” I protested.

“Keep quiet. It’s a library,” Kaoe said calmly. “Cheater. Hmph,” Yuki added dramatically.

From somewhere behind me a voice whispered loudly, “Why is that guy getting their attention? That average-looking guy… how?” “Hey!! I heard that!” I shouted.

Another voice added, “How did this guy get those girls? He’s even cheating!” “I CAN HEAR YOU ALL!” I shouted again, but they ignored me.

Meanwhile Fyumi slowly stepped away. “I’ll go look for the book I came for,” she said before disappearing into the shelves. Now the entire library was filled with whispers.

“That guy…”

“Why that guy…”

“That guy again…” Every single guy in the room seemed to be talking about me.

Yuki grabbed my sleeve dramatically. “Master… don’t you love me? Why are you always cheating?”

“I… uh…” I tried to explain but couldn’t even think properly.

“If I were him I’d treat her better,” someone muttered. “That guy is definitely a playboy,” another added.

Just then Sean walked over.“Hey Kai, what’s up?” he said casually. “Sean, help me,” I begged.

But what he said next was pure betrayal. “Hey Yuki, I think that’s your name,” he said. Yuki nodded.

“Yeah.”

“Well, I saw Kai with another girl this morning.”And then he simply walked away.

“What!? Sean! What do you mean!?” I shouted, but it was already too late.

Yuki crossed her arms and gave me a cold look. “We’ll talk about this later. Hmph.”

Beside her, Kaoe watched the entire scene with amusement.

“Woo… scary.”

And just like that, I knew things were about to get even worse.