The Cat is on Strike 69

Moreover, the sheer convenience of it.

Ries had always carried Sefiut around in his mouth whenever they traveled together. It was an arrangement that left his jaw aching and Sefiut feeling gross—an utterly miserable solution for both of them.

Not anymore.

Now that the thing was detachable, he could just stick it onto his back whenever necessary. No more tiptoeing around Sefiut’s complaints about keeping it clean.

And the one who made it was none other than Melissa. When she rummaged through her bag saying she’d brought a gift, he’d assumed it was some silly toy—but this? He never expected this.

“Myaaaow. Nyaa!”

His heart softened enough to play along with her nonsense.

Melissa didn’t miss her chance.

“You like it, right? Then… may I, if I may be so bold, touch your belly? Just once?”

Her breath came out in excited huffs, her face was flushed red, and her voice trembled from barely contained enthusiasm. Ries’s whiskers twitched, and his fur stood on edge with tension. She honestly looked like some cartoonish pervert drawn to life.

He struggled briefly with intense inner conflict, but soon his mind leaned in one direction.

Should I let her?

Letting her pet his belly just once wouldn’t kill him. Even if it was for a single second. And besides, Melissa’s desperate fidgeting tugged at his attention. If she was trying to spark some sympathy, then… it was working.

He stepped forward ever so slightly. Melissa’s face lit up like sunlight breaking through storm clouds, as if that tiny movement was all the permission she needed. She looked ready to drop to her knees in gratitude.

That’s when a sharp, deliberate cough cut through the air.

“Ahem.”

There was no mistaking the source.

Justyn, who had clamped his mouth shut ever since the sudden “gift ceremony” began. Ries turned instinctively toward him and found his own tail flicking nervously without realizing it.

Those crimson eyes swirled with unreadable emotion, locked tightly onto him, as though he didn’t want to look away for even a second.

For a brief moment, Ries imagined the face beneath that mask—either lips puffed in a pout or tightly clamped shut. One or the other, no doubt.

Simply put, he looked very displeased. Ries had been around long enough to know when someone was silently throwing a fit, and the cause was obvious.

He’s jealous.

Only Justyn would protest something so intensely with just his eyes.

Apparently, Ries wasn’t the only one who noticed. Ketir, off in the corner, was already shaking his head in exasperation.

Unbelievable.

He’d thought this before—Justyn’s jealousy ran surprisingly deep.

Ries let out a silent sigh and pulled his paw back. The possessiveness Justyn showed wasn’t just excessive for a pet—it was hard to measure its depth at all.

Still, it didn’t exactly feel bad.

It just means he cares that much about me.

Maybe someday, when he revealed his true nature as a beastkin, that fierce attachment would come in handy. Ries’s ears perked up involuntarily, swept along by the warm thrill running through him.

“Aaah…”

But Melissa, who had been mere inches from her goal, was crushed. Struck dumb with shock, she stood there with her hands outstretched like a raccoon who’d dunked her cotton candy in water. She let out a long, pitiful moan.

…A tiny fragment of his conscience began screaming. It felt even worse than taking back a gift after giving it.

But changing his mind now would only rile up Justyn even more. As much as he felt sorry for Melissa, Ries’s number one would always be Justyn.

Still… I can’t just leave her like that.

In the end, Ries padded over to the now ghostly-pale Melissa and gently tapped her leg with his paw. It was his way of saying “thanks” and offering a bit of comfort.

Fortunately—or maybe unfortunately—Melissa was even simpler and more optimistic than he’d expected.

“With those tiny, delicate paws… you’re comforting me? Lord Ries, are you an angel?”

Color began returning to her face, her skin turning pink with newfound life. And as a bonus, her muttered inner monologue was loud enough for all to hear.

“Heehee. Soft and squishy…”

This time, it was Ries whose soul left his body. He regretted his decision immediately.

Good thing I didn’t let her.

She really did come off like a pervert—it was gross. If Melissa could’ve heard his inner thoughts, she might’ve cried on the spot.

Ries immediately chose to distance himself from her. Gratefulness was one thing, but discomfort was another. Her obsessive fangirling was something he just couldn’t get used to.

He fled to the one place he knew he’d feel safe—Justyn’s arms. The comfort, now so familiar, wrapped around him like a warm blanket.

Since Sefiut was still strapped to his back, he flopped onto Justyn’s thigh like a limp rag. His firm, perfectly toned muscles provided the ultimate cushion.

“If Ries is this pleased, then as long as it’s not an unreasonable request, I’ll grant you one favor. Is there anything you want?”

Maybe Justyn was enjoying the moment too. His tone lifted slightly, barely noticeable.

And, as always, Melissa was consistent to a fault.

“Then I’d like to—!”

“….”

“S-Sorry! I’ll think of something else!”

She deflated instantly. Justyn hadn’t said a word—but somehow, he managed to reject her flat with pure silence.

After some time thinking it over, Melissa finally came up with another request.

“Please watch my swordsmanship!”

She wanted to spar with him. That brought Ries back to when he’d first met her.

She did ask him to teach her swordsmanship.

He peeked up at Justyn. As far as he could remember, Justyn had never actually gotten around to it.

“…Alright.”

Unless he was imagining it, Justyn’s voice trembled ever so slightly. Ries nearly burst out laughing. It was obvious he’d completely forgotten.

“Thank you!”

“Though not immediately. There’s a meeting coming up, so I’ll try to find time afterward. Come see me again then.”

“Yes, sir!”

Melissa snapped to attention and replied like a proper soldier. She seemed downright giddy at the thought of finally receiving the instruction she’d waited so long for… until—

Wait a sec. What?

The observation that had flowed so smoothly came to a screeching halt.

Just now… what did he say?

Ries replayed the conversation in his head.

A meeting… coming up?

He looked up at Justyn again, but this time with a very different expression. His large, gray eyes were now filled with betrayal.

Why are you only telling me this now?

Maybe it was the intensity of that burning stare. Justyn, who’d been watching Melissa, turned and met his eyes. He only had a moment to appreciate how cute Ries looked with his mouth hanging open.

“…Ries?”

Ries turned his head sharply away.

And Justyn was immediately consumed by shock and dread.

***

“Don’t worry and go ahead. I’ll take good care of him, I promise!”

“…Alright.”

Fifteen minutes before the meeting.

Justyn still hadn’t left the office, lingering with a look full of longing. Seeing that yellow, furry back turned coldly away made him want to rush over and soothe him right then and there.

“You really must leave now.”

Ketir’s urging finally helped him steel his resolve. If he missed this chance, things would spiral out of control—not just for him, but for Ries as well.

“Ries.”

He called his name again softly.

All he got in response was the sharp thwap-thwap of a tail slapping the floor in protest. Ries didn’t turn around.

“…I’ll be back.”

In the end, Justyn had to leave his office without receiving so much as a glance from his beloved feline. A mix of disappointment, guilt, and a fist-sized chunk of unease dragged along with every step he took.

And so, once Justyn was gone, only Melissa and Ries remained in the office.

That’s when Ries finally looked toward the tightly shut office door. His gray eyes shimmered with a tangle of emotions.

Maybe misreading it completely, Melissa tiptoed closer and whispered beside him.

“Please don’t be too upset, Lord Ries. I’m sure the Duke had his reasons for not taking you with him.”

“…Myaa.”

“Yes, that’s right! The Duke went out to earn money for you! He’s working so hard so he can buy you yummy food and new toys. Isn’t that amazing?”

Ries turned to stare at her, incredulous. Seriously?

Should he be angry at how she was treating him like a sulky child whose dad had just left for work—or should he be impressed by her utter boldness in saying that a duke had gone off to “make money to feed him”?

Melissa’s face brimmed with satisfaction. She clearly believed she’d managed to console him. She was completely wrong.

“You miss him, don’t you? I’ll tell him everything you want. I’m sure he’d love to hear it.”

That part, at least, he liked a little.

Still, that wasn’t the point. Ries only half-listened to her chatter as he kept mulling over his options.

He’d tried to think of a way to follow Justyn to the meeting, but there just hadn’t been enough time. He even tried begging to go with him, but Justyn had flatly refused.

If I’d known it’d come to this, I should’ve convinced him ahead of time.

He cursed his past self, who’d decided to “think about it later” just because there was time—then promptly forgot.

Still… there’s one way left.

Ries glanced at the door, then at Melissa, still chattering away.

He’d sneak into the meeting room. Sure, he’d get scolded later, but something told him his sudden appearance would actually help Justyn’s position. He could feel it in his gut.

He still had Sefiut strapped to his back. All he had to do was make it out of the office. He was confident he could lose Melissa after that.

Ries narrowed his eyes and focused hard, making them as big, round, and adorable as possible.

Then he met Melissa’s gaze.

“Hyuk.”

Bullseye. She clutched her chest like she’d been shot through the heart.

“Mya-mya-mya! Myaow~!”

“A-Are you… thanking me?! Aaah! I should’ve spent every last penny to buy a magical recorder!”

And then she misread him even further. Ries almost lost control of his expression.

He laid it on thick. Rubbed his head against her feet. Rolled onto his back and showed his belly. Kneaded her with his little paws.

By the end, Melissa was practically fused with the floor, hunched down and fully immersed in petting him.

Then—finally—he sensed someone approaching outside the door. A servant, bringing a snack.

A timid knock, the creak