Scamming Animals

Rurouni finally reached the kitchen and picked up the chocolate biscuits Somya had brought for him.

As he walked back through the lobby, he noticed his father sitting nearby, reading a newspaper.

His father lowered the newspaper and folded his arms.

He looked at Rurouni with the serious expression of a genius father who had just discovered a new opportunity to lecture his idiot son.

"You know, kids your age should be more responsible."

Rurouni stopped.

His father continued.

"The neighbor's son manages his studies and helps around the house without any trouble."

Rurouni lowered his head.

"Okay, Dad. I'll do better."

The last kid you told me to learn from literally became a thief, by the way.

Before he could say anything else, his mother walked into the lobby.

She looked at Rurouni and immediately noticed something.

"Why aren't you wearing your glasses today?"

She frowned dramatically.

"Did you break them?"

Rurouni quickly laughed awkwardly.

"Hahaha... looks like I forgot."

It's better to tell them I forgot.

They wouldn't believe me anyway.

His mother sighed in relief.

"Don't forget to take them with you to school."

"You should learn a thing or two from Somya."

Rurouni suddenly became quiet.

Of course I should learn from her.

She started working when most people her age were still busy with school.

He nodded silently and headed toward his room.

Yet, as he prepared to leave, a quiet thought crossed his mind.

Why does every conversation somehow end with a complaint?

Rurouni shook his head.

"Whatever."

He picked up his school bag and the chocolate biscuits.

Then he put on his glasses.

"I'm leaving."

“And make sure you focus on your studies!” his father called.

Rurouni smiled from the bottom of his heart.

Not because he liked his words...

But because he don't have to hear words like them anymore.

“Yes, sir.”

He reached the door.

Then his mother called after him from the kitchen.

"And don't forget your lunch today."

Rurouni turned around gave a salute like a soldier.

"I won't."

The door closed behind him.

He took off his glasses and slipped them into his left pocket.

Cool morning air brushed against his face.

Rurouni took a deep breath to relax himself.

"Huff, much better."

For reasons he couldn't explain...

Outside always felt quieter than home.

The streets were unusually peaceful.

Students walked toward school in small groups, chatting about homework, games, and the upcoming weekend.

Meanwhile, nerdy Rurouni walked alone as usual.

The school bag hung from his right shoulder.

His mind, however, was anything but peaceful.

Will I ever be as courageous as Shaka?

Will I really be able to write an amazing fantasy novel someday?

Will I actually be able to achieve the goals I'll set for myself?

He sighed quietly, still worrying about them.

Meanwhile...

Kara was dealing with a completely different problem.

He walked down the street with his eyes half-closed, scratching his head.

"What should I say to Rurouni today?"

Then took another step.

"What shouldn't I say?"

He stopped and decided to think about it.

"...Hmm."

Kara scratched his head even harder.

"Aaah, my head hurts."

Then he sighed dramatically, declaring defeat.

"Thinking is too difficult for me."

Then—

A half-black, half-yellow cat appeared nearby.

Kara's eyes immediately lit up.

A mischievous grin spread across his face.

"I got you."

He crouched down.

"There's no need to be shy, #CutiePie1191."

The cat stared at him.

Kara slowly reached out.

“There's no way I'm letting you go until I give you two hundred and fifty pats!”

The cat immediately ran.

Kara’s eyes widened as he locked onto his goal.

"HEY!"

"I'LL WIN! NO MATTER WHAT!"

He chased after it, his arms flailing wildly.

A moment later—

"Gotcha!"

He scooped the cat into his arms.

“Did you honestly think you could escape me like that S-rank ruthless monster?!”

The cat struggled for a moment.

Kara grinned while looking at her trying to escape.

"But don't worry."

"I'll make that green-chilli parrot suffer."

He gently patted the cat's head twice.

The cat suddenly relaxed.

Then, somehow...

It curled up in his arms and fell asleep.

"...Wow. That was fast."

His grin returned.

"You're pretty cute, aren't you?"

And so began the ritual.

One set.

Two sets.

Three.

Each consisting of exactly 250 pats.

Kara took his animal-petting responsibilities very seriously.

This...

Was Kara's method of scamming animals into accepting affection.

Eventually, he placed the sleeping cat back on the ground.

"Pleasure doing business with you, cutie kitty."

Then he pointed dramatically into the distance.

"And don't forget to inform me if you find that ruthless monster who broke my heart."

The cat remained asleep.

Then—

Whatever Single spotted Nerdy Buddy.

His face immediately brightened.

"Ohohoho!"

He ran toward him with full force 

A left hand suddenly landed on Rurouni's right shoulder.

"Morning buddy."

"GYAAAH!"

Rurouni nearly jumped out of his shoes.

He spun around and started breathing heavily.

Kara stood behind him, grinning from ear to ear.

Rurouni pressed a hand against his chest.

"You almost gave me a heart attack."

Kara nodded proudly.

"Mission accomplished, then."

Rurouni stared at him with frustration.

"Why are you like this?"

Kara coughed a little before giving the perfect answer.

"It's for entertainment purposes only." 

"You may call it the universal law of friendship."

He leaned closer with a mischievous grin.

"My mom beats me up if I prank with her, so I have no choice but to sacrifice you, my dearest friend."

Rurouni blinked at him.

"Huh? Since when did I become your dearest friend?"

He paused.

"And why does almost every conversation somehow end with your mother?"

Kara opened his mouth.

"Well, my moth—"

Then he suddenly stopped.

His expression stiffened.

No.

Better not.

Rurouni tilted his head with curiosity.

"Yeah...? Continue."

Kara decided to make something up and smiled .

"It's nothing."

"My masterpiece anime ended, and now I don't know what to do with my life anymore."

Rurouni looked at him with disbelief.

"...That's what you were going to say?"

"Yep."

Then Rurouni decided to believe him anyway.

"Well, if you say so."

The two continued walking toward school.

For the moment...

They both forgot about their problems.

And, perhaps... 

This is how it should be.

Meanwhile...

Someone was on his way to Hashito City.

No one knew where he had come from.

He was only sixteen years old...

Yet he was already riding a motorcycle alone.

The motorcycle was pure black and fully electric—a gift from his parents on his fifteenth birthday.

A white-and-red bag hung from his shoulder.

Around his left wrist was a slightly worn blue bracelet.

No one knew who he was.

No one knew where he came from and why he was coming to Hashito City.

And no one knew how his arrival would affect Rurouni and Kara.

Except...

The future.