Chapter 12 - Animal Tribe

CATTE’S POV

Me and the woman kept apologizing to each other for 1 minute straight until Hazuka intervened.

“Stop it, you two. It’s just a misunderstanding.”

“Okay, but I’m really sorry.” I said.

“Now shall we have our mee—“ Hazuka was cut off by her.

“No you don’t have to say sorry! It’s just a misunderstanding.”

“One more 'sorry' from you two or I’ll bump your head with each other.” He threatened us with such deadly eyes.

“Sorry.” We both said in synch that made Hazuka sigh.

“Okay. I’m Hazuka Liones and she’s Lily Jyvaeh. We’re Sir Varean’s trusted detective and he sent us here to help you. I’m looking forward to working with you, miss Catte Lhein Anatalia.” He formally introduced himself and it is like he’s a totally different person now.

“Yes! I’m Lily Jyvaeh! The great and mighty detective!” Lily repeated.

“Nice to meet you too. And may I ask, are you two also a vampire?” I asked because they’re from Sir Varean’s group and it’s mixed with vampires.

“What!? Me? Vampire? They’re not even on the sole of our feet.” Hazuka said incredulously.

“Ah no. He’s a hybrid of bunny and cat from those tribes and I’m from the bird tribe! Isn’t he cute? A mix of bunny and cat? He’s cute, right?” Lily energetically answered my question while hanging her right hand over Hazuka's shoulders while her left hand was under his chin to emphasize his blushing face he was trying to hide.

For confirmation, I’m sitting and leaning on the headboard while the two are on the opposite side.

“Yeah, I think so too.” I said and tried to imagine Hazuka with his bunny ears and fluffy tail with his cat personality and a person that’s warm to cuddle with. That imagination made me ask a question to the both of them.

“Now that I think of it, where are your animal appearances? Like your ears or tails perhaps?”

“Ah! That thing only comes out when we’re in a fight. It doesn’t usually show in our everyday lives. So when an animal tribe shows their animal appearance to you, you’re dead.” Lily explained.

“Uhhh… can you make an exemption for me? Hehe, I really want to see you two in that. Pleaseee..???” I looked at Lily with puppy eyes.

“Didn’t you hear what she said? It only comes out when we’re in fighting mode.” Hazuka intervened. Sounds like he doesn’t want to.

“Oh Catteeeee, you’re so cuteeeee I wanna kiss youuuu.” Lily jumped from the opposite end of the bed and suddenly clung onto me with a hug and looked at Hazuka like she owned me.

Hazuka, on the other hand, unconsciously unleashed his animal appearance and looked me in the eyes like I was his prey. That is the best definition of ‘if stares could kill, I’m already dead by now’.

But his animal appearance is what I had just imagined! He’s so cute yet deadly with his claws!

Lily continued rubbing her head against my neck while still hugging me and I could hear Hazuka’s small growls like a mad cat.

Lily giggled and came back to Hazuka’s place and tapped his left cheek with her index finger and said, “But you’re more adorable—you’re my most favorite of all.” And by that, Hazuka’s animal appearance instantly disappeared.

Is that a spell?

“What are you saying? Stop spouting nonsense and let’s talk about the antique objects.” He tried to change the subject with his trembling lips and beet-red face.

“Oh yeah! Catte, we picked it up downstairs and found out that it is one of the antique inventions! Look, do you perhaps know this?” she asked and showed me a round object.

What the fuck!? The shell of a puppet!?

“Judging by your reaction, it must not be your first time seeing this. Do you perhaps have any lead on the owner and how to open this? We especially found it at your place.” Hazuka said.

“D-did I perhaps trip on that?” I stuttered.

“Yep. We think so. It was beside you when we carried you, so I picked it up, assuming that it’s yours.” Lily was the one to answer this time.

“But that’s so weird. My roommate does not even let me see it up close. She won’t leave it like that, especially, she knew I saw it.”

“So it’s your roommate’s? Do you know why she has this and whose soul is inside?” Hazuka asked as he looked at the texts covering the round antique.

“Unfortunately, no. But Sir Varean commanded me to investigate it, so I’m still working on it. She might be a lead or a member of those vampires.” I explained and looked at them, saying ‘you know who I’m talking about, right?’

“Is that so? Okay, I think I know now the reason why Sir Varean told you to find the other antiques.” Hazuka said.

“Hm?” I asked for the reason.

“It’s a long story. Although it is really helpful and beneficial for us to keep it as a guide to find the other antiques, for now, we should put this back to where you saw it and we’ll just take it again once we find all the antiques to avoid suspicion.” He said and handed it to me.

“Yep, he’s right. It’s too early to be caught by an enemy just because we relied on an item.” It was Lily now.

“I guess you’re both right…” I agreed with disappointment in my voice. Although they are right, it’s still a pity that we’ll have to put it back, because who knows what might happen?

“Don’t worry Catte! With your abilities combined with ours, we’ll definitely find those before the world ends!” Lily consoled me with her raised fists and motivated face.

“Catte? Are you home?”

…!!

“Oh shit. Hide it! Hide it!” I heard auntie Tina’s voice and quickly passed the Antique to the two of them to hide before I limped walked toward the door to open it.

“Yes, auntie?”

“Ah, dinner’s ready, Catte.”

“Ahhhh, okay, please give me a sec.” I said and peeked backwards to see if they had already hidden the Antique.

“Oh, did you have your friends over? Come down with them so we can eat together.” She said as she also peeked to see.

“Ah okay auntieee.”

“All right then, I’ll go first.” And with that, I closed the door and immediately asked the two.

“Where did you hide it?”

“It’s in my pocket.” Lily answered and pointed to the right pocket of her loose pants.

“All right. We’ll have to keep it for now, since we don’t have that much time to put it back. By the way, let’s have dinner.” I stood up and exited my room with them following me.

We’re currently eating dinner at the dinner table and as friendly as Lily is, all we can hear is the laughter and jokes of Lily and auntie Tina that’s just on opposite sides of the table.

“Ah yes, this man right here is my husband and that’s my daughter, Lanzhuen.” Auntie Tina answered Lily when she asked if they’re all family here.

“Oh, so it’s like you adopted Catte! And speaking of, this serious man right here is Hazuka. I trust and treasure him the most!” Lily introduced Hazuka while leaning and pointing at him when a metallic bouncing sound suddenly echoed from under the table. Then Lily had this ‘I’m doomed’ face.

Everyone looked under the table but I was the first one and I saw Lily slightly kick it towards Lanzhuen sitting beside auntie Tina.

“Oh Lanzhuen. What’s that? That’s so pretty.” Lily asked her with an innocent face. I watched anime back then and her innocent face reminded me of a character who accidentally broke a bike but no one saw it, so she put it back, then called the owner and said that his bike was almost stolen, so she fought them, then got out of trouble in the end. Seriously, it’s just like an innocent face but when you see it you know they did something wrong.

Lanzhuen quickly picked it up and hid it at her side where auntie Tina couldn’t see.

“What’s that, Lanzhuen? Why are you hiding it?” auntie Tina and Lily asked in synch, but Lanzhuen just ignored them.

“Oh but I saw it. Aunti Tina, it’s like a small ball that looks old and has texts all around it. Seriously, why hide it? I think it’s such a pretty thing.” Lily said and looked at Lanzhuen with disappointment, but she saw her staring down at her, and looked like she really wanted to kill Lily.

“Oh I’m sorry. Is that supposed to be a secret? I’m sorry I didn’t know, I just can’t believe how pretty it is and why do you even carry it around if it’s a secret? You should not do that if you want to keep it forever.” Instead of being afraid of her appearance, she lectured Lanzhuen.

Seriously, throwing her under the bus, huh?

“Oh, supposed to be a secret? It’s okay, Lanzhuen, I’ll stop digging deeper. Everyone, let’s just eat our dinner.” Auntie Tina said, and everyone did as she said.

“You have such lovely parents, Lanzhuen. I’m envious.” Lily commented, turning everyone’s attention to her.

“Just leave me alone.” Lanzhuen replied for the first time.

“Huh? Why?” auntie Tina asked Lily with a confused look.

“Ah, hehe. They have already passed away.” Lily answered while looking down.

“Sorry to hear that. But I'm sure you are surrounded by kind and loving people. They'll definitely won’t make you be alone.” Auntie Tina consoled her.

“Yep. She’s right. I won’t let you two die in loneliness without a parent’s love.” I just followed auntie Tina with what she said.

I literally forgot that she doesn’t know we’re co-workers. But I guess we’re also friends.

“Awwww, thank youuu.” I don’t know if Lily’s just acting but she really sounded touched.

And with that, the dinner continued with our chatter and laughter.

The Shell of the Puppet was also returned to the current owner without trouble and I had a sigh of relief about that. Thanks, Lily!

“Ahhhhhh, I really had a great time with you Catte! I hope we can work together on our mission and make it a success!” Lily said as she hugged me by the gate.

“Oh by the way, we’ll send you messages once we have a lead for the other antiques. Soooo…. Your number please.” She added and held out her hand to ask for my phone.

“There. I also created a group text so we can discuss there. Just send each picture and pages from the book of the antiques so we can read about them.” She said and returned my phone, then held Hazuka’s arm.

“Bye Catte!” she waved goodbye. “Bye.” Hazuka simply said.

“Bye! See you soon!” I bid and waved my hand.

I walked back to the apartment and saw auntie Tina in the living room.

“Did they already leave?”

“Yep.”

“You have great friends, Catte. I can really feel they will always be by your side. Treasure them.” She said and genuinely smiled.

“You’re not kidding, auntie Tina? Perhaps you’re just saying that ‘cause you and Lily were like long lost best friends earlier?” I jokingly said and had the two corners of my lips point downwards and raised both of my eyebrows to show that I was doubting her.

She chuckled a little before speaking.

“Nah, I can just tell it from their auras. They will be something precious to you.” She clarified, still having that genuine smile.

“Okay then. Let’s see it in the future.”

“Goodnight, auntie!” I greeted her and walked upstairs into my room.

So Lanxiu really has that antique invention, huh?

I laid down on my bed on my stomach while hugging a pillow.

I received a text message from Lily on our group chat. What’s with the group name?

From: Buddies Forever More

Lily: Catte, I just got home! Send the pics ASAP!

After reading her message, I immediately grabbed the book and took a picture on each page.

To: Buddies Forever More

You sent a photo.

You sent a photo.

You sent a photo.

You sent a photo.

You sent a photo.

…..

…..

….

….

Lily: My god, Catte. There are too many!

Hazuka: I’ll read The Dragon’s Roar, Lily, read The Glass of Time and Catte, you’re gonna read the last two. After that, we'll discuss.

Catte: Noted boss.

Lily: Sir, yes sir! o7

After reading the two for almost two hours, I was almost crying because I felt like it took me a lifetime to finish it, so I requested something on the group text. But they were actually finished and were only waiting for me to reply.

From: Buddies Forever More

Lily: Guys, I just finished!

How are ya’ll doing?

Hazuka: I’m also finished.

Shall we discuss it now?

Lily: Hazuka, you’re forgetting another person!

Catte! Are you still okay?

Still alive?

Did you get swallowed by the book!?

Catte-y yooohoooooo

Where are you Catte-y??

Lily flooded the group text with finding me, so I texted back.

To: Buddies Forever More

Catte: Guyss…..(crying emoji)

Lily: Oh! You’re here!

Hazuka: u finished?

Catte: Guys, I’m really sorry for keeping you waiting.

But can we move the discussion to tomorrow?

I can’t go any further.

Texting those long stories is a nightmare.

I’m really sorry, you guys.

Hazuka: What!?

Lily: that’s okay, Catte! You must be traumatized—reading two books after another.

It’s okay for me! Plus, we can better understand each other’s explanations if we have a good rest, so rest for now, babes!

Hazuka: All right, let’s meet at the Roria café tomorrow. Bring your stuff.

Catte: Thank you!!<33

With that, I turned off my phone and went to the bathroom for a half-bath.

Am I getting closer to finding out who THEY are? Nahh, not even a kilometer.

I eventually fell asleep after that.

“Good morning, auntie! I won’t be able to eat with you this morning. I have a group project with my friends. You know? The two who came over yesterday.” I notified auntie Tina who’s currently cooking breakfast in the kitchen.

“Ah, no problem. Have a safe trip!” she said and smiled.

“All right. I’ll get going, bye!” I waved my hand.

I closed the door properly first before going out of the gate.

I’m holding the strap of my backpack on each side while feeling and inhaling the fresh air blowing against me.

I’m currently wearing leggings with 3 buttons attached and a lavender loose polo crop top and a black backpack on my back with my stuff and the book.

“Uh, excuse me. May I ask, do you know where the Roria Faith is?” I asked a stranger passing by.

Ugh, no matter how beautiful I am and my clothes, not knowing where you’re going sucks. But it’s okay, the two were doing me a favor, after all.

“Oh, that’s just one street ahead after you took a right at that corner.”

“I see. Thank you very much!” I said and walked away.

I hope I’m not running late.

“Hi! Good morning!” I greeted the two who were sitting beside each other at the very corner of the coffee shop.

They look like a couple. That’s cute.

“Good morning, Catte! Have a seat!” Lily greeted me and I sat across them.

“What do you guys want for breakfast? It’s my treat!” I asked the two. One is smiling so brightly and the other one’s like the world is against him, yet it is so beautiful.

“Please don’t forget what we came here for.” Hazuka commented with his eyes closed.

“I wanna have blueberry cheesecake waffles! Plus an iced coffee with whipped cream on top! How ‘bout you, Hazuka?” Lily answered, ignoring his comment, then turned to Hazuka on her right.

“Just a normal sandwich and a cup of black coffee.”

“Black coffee as always, Hazuka.” Lily commented. She just copied Hazuka when he whispered ‘blueberry cheesecake waffles as always, Lily’ earlier.

“All right. Excuse me.” I stood up and walked towards the counter. I’m third on the line and there are also not many people in here yet.

It’s 8:30 on Sunday morning, so most vampires will still be asleep by now because I heard that some of them hunt their prey at night.

“Hi! Welcome to Roria café, may I take your order?” I didn’t realize I was actually already deep in my thoughts and just flinched at the cashier’s energetic voice.

“I would like to have a cup of black coffee, a basic and chicken sandwich—one each, blueberry cheesecake waffle, iced coffee with whipped cream and strawberries plus a lemon tea, please.” I said my order, digging up from my memories all those orders.

“All right, that will be 245 tuan.” Oh my god, I didn’t know it was this expensive here. 245 tuan is a vampire currency and is 11 US dollars(595 pesos). I handed her the exact amount.

“Please hold onto this while waiting at your table. Please come back to get your order once it turns red.” She said and handed me a transparent circled glass.

“Thank you.”

“Guys, while waiting for our order, if you were to describe the story you read, what word would you use?” I asked Lily and Hazuka 30 seconds after sitting down.

“Hmm… Interesting and amazing and cool!” Lily was the first to answer with her energetic voice.

“Helpful and deadly.” Hazuka followed with his short answer. It is the total opposite adjective of Lily’s answer.

“Oh goodness gracious. Bless me for good luck.” That’s what I said after hearing Hazuka’s answer.

Two minutes after that, the glass turned red, signaling that our order was ready.

“I’ll go get it.” Hazuka stood up and walked towards the counter. What? Hazuka offering his help? Wow.

“Although he’s sometimes grumpy and strict, he’s still a gentleman, you know?” Lily said while looking at Hazuka’s back, but she was clearly saying it to me.

“Here’s mine, this mine, this yours, this his, and this yours.” Lily distributed the foods when Hazuka came back with it.

“Now, shall we start our discussion?” Hazuka asked the moment he took his seat.

continue next chapter~