Chapter 33. Don't Grab Me—Grab the Cat!
"Why does the vibe feel kinda weird?"
Sirin and Kiana finally finished squabbling, one clutching the cheek that had been pinched bright red, the other holding her smacked, swollen butt, and the two of them hobbled back.
But when they saw the quiet scene by the charcoal fire, both of them froze at the same time.
What the heck.
Before the fight, everyone had been lively and noisy.
How did it turn into this the moment they came back?
Kiana rubbed her swollen butt, frowned, and tried to gingerly sit on the grass.
The instant she touched the ground, she hissed and sucked in a breath.
As expected of real sisters.
She really didn't hold back.
"Ith… hath anything happuned?" ["Did something happen?"]
Bronya glanced—seemingly casually—at Xander's unnatural expression, then smiled and answered offhandedly, "No, nothing.
We were just a little worn out from playing around."
"I see."
Neither of them doubted it.
They sat down in their spots and started fiddling with the barbecue, not even noticing Seele on the other side with her head down, face red, keeping completely silent.
Mei, who'd been grilling with her head down the whole time, did feel a little puzzled.
But when she looked at Bronya and got a faint smile in return, she shook her head and decided not to dig further.
The round of meat and veggies Mei had just finished grilling was already eaten up.
She was about to pick up new ingredients when Kiana volunteered and stopped her.
"Hey, Mei, go take a break for a bit.
Let me show you my skills today!"
Her thin shirt was soaked with sweat and clinging to her skin.
With Kiana's carefree slaps, ripples rolled one after another.
Hearing that, everyone—except Xander and Seele—instantly wore horrified expressions.
Kiana wants to cook?
What kind of horror event is this?!
After the glorious record of once causing two-thirds of the class to get food poisoning during a cooking lesson, everyone agreed on the rule that Kiana was banned from the kitchen.
"Um, Kiana, I think it's better if I do it.
You and Sirin just horsed around, you must be tired.
Sit there and rest."
"I can help Mei too.
Kiana, just relax and take it easy."
"E'en if I die, I wun't eat Kiana's cooking!" ["Even if I die, I won't eat Kiana's cooking!"]
Mei, Bronya, and Sirin's consecutive attempts to stop her only stoked Kiana's rebellious streak.
She insisted on showing everyone what she could do.
Since the three wouldn't budge, Kiana stood in front of the ingredients and wouldn't let them take any.
For a while, they were at a stalemate.
Reaching out, Xander lightly poked Seele's slender waist, and Seele snapped back to herself with a start.
"B-Brother, what is it?
Did you call for Seele?"
Seele tried her best to stay calm, but if you listened closely, there was still a faint tremble in her voice.
"It's nothing, it's just that earlier…"
He was going to bring up Kiana's situation, but at that, Seele—like she'd prepared a script in advance—cut him off immediately, "It's n-not a big deal, Brother.
Seele understands.
After all, Brother's grown up and isn't a child anymore.
Th-this kind of reaction is… also normal…"
Taking a deep breath to press down her shyness, Seele widened her eyes and, mustering her courage, met Xander's gaze.
"S-so Brother doesn't need to be embarrassed.
Th-this is because Brother likes Seele too, right?
Seele… Seele is really happy…"
"..."
Hearing Seele pour out words like she'd used up all her courage, Xander, mortified, hurriedly cut off her self-destruct, "Actually, that's not what I was trying to say."
"Eh?"
Seele froze, a hint of confusion surfacing in her eyes.
Not that—what did he mean?
Her mental lag vanished quickly, and Seele immediately grasped what Xander meant.
In an instant, her already rosy face deepened to crimson.
She no longer dared meet his eyes.
She covered her face with both hands, squatted down on the ground, and clearly signaled "do not disturb."
But even like this, Seele still took his words to heart, and in a faint voice she followed up, "Th-then… what does Brother want to ask…"
"Uh… it's that Kiana wants to grill for everyone.
Why is no one willing to—"
"No!!!"
Seele shot up with a start.
Even in that state, she yelped so loudly that she drew everyone's attention.
Feeling five pairs of unwavering eyes on her, the breath Seele had just taken deflated at once.
She quietly moved behind Xander, draped herself over his back, and murmured in a tiny voice, "S-Seele can do the grilling…"
Maybe it was a case of the many overruling the few.
Or maybe Seele's line was the last straw on Kiana's back.
With a wronged "You all just don't believe me!", Kiana stood up and ran off toward the other side of the yard, quickly disappearing from sight.
What can you do—Mei's backyard was huge, practically the size of a park.
"Kiana… I'll go look for her."
Mei couldn't bear it and started to stand, but Bronya and Sirin pulled her back.
"Let Kiana cool off.
Mei, do you really want to eat Kiana's cooking?"
Bronya spoke helplessly, and Sirin nodded repeatedly.
They were used to this kind of thing.
Just a little tantrum.
Give her some time alone and she'd be back all smiles, having forgotten everything.
"...Alright."
Mei sighed softly and sat back down.
With Mei continuing to grill, the group chatted while eating.
But when they'd nearly finished, there was still no sign of Kiana.
Worry crept back into their hearts.
"I—"
"I'll go."
Xander spoke first and stood up.
Given the situation, it was best for the one person who hadn't contradicted Kiana earlier to go.
"Mm.
Sorry to trouble you."
Waving to Mei and the others, Xander headed in the direction Kiana had gone.
You had to admit—Mei's yard was big.
After walking for a while, Xander finally heard a strange sound up ahead and instinctively quickened his pace.
Soon, he saw a conspicuous campfire burning on a flat patch of ground.
By the fire, Kiana was sticking her butt out, fiddling with something.
"Kiana~"
Hearing her name, Kiana sprang up and, clutching her butt, limped toward Xander with an impossibly bright smile.
"Ah, it's Xander!
Come quick, I'll show you something great!"
She seemed to have completely forgotten what just happened and, with zero awkwardness, grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the fire.
Feeling the force she used, Xander sensed something was off.
Right now, Kiana felt… a bit too hyped.
Following her to the campfire, Xander quickly saw everything clearly.
Above the licking flames, skewers of mushrooms were roasting.
Even before he got close, an intense umami aroma hit his nose.
No… no way…
A ridiculous thought flashed through his mind.
He pulled his hand free from Kiana's grip and, amid her puzzled look, asked, "Where did you get these mushrooms?"
Kiana scratched her head and answered casually, "In the little grove right next to us.
I just picked them—super fresh.
All kinds of colors, really pretty!
Xander, hurry and try one!"
"Tsk…"
Xander's expression turned alarmed.
He grabbed Kiana, trying to lead her back, but she frowned and yanked herself free with surprising force.
"Hey, why are you pulling me!"
"I'm worried you ate poisonous mushrooms.
We should get you to a hospital to check, fast."
He hadn't expected her to be this strong.
His sudden move had already made her wary, and now it was hard to take action.
"Poisonous mushrooms?
No way.
Absolutely impossible.
I feel great!"
Kiana took another cautious step back.
"You're definitely just like those bad guys who want to drag me off to do homework.
I'm telling you—no chance!"
"No, listen to me, you really—"
"I'm not listening, la-la-la!"
"Meow~"
Whether it was the scent that drew it or not, just then a little stray cat followed the aroma over.
It looked up at the two of them and meowed curiously.
Xander didn't react much.
Kiana, on the other hand, was suddenly aghast.
"A c-cat—this cat's become a spirit!
It can talk!!!"
"Huh??"
Kiana forgot her wariness of Xander and hurriedly pulled him behind her.
In disbelief, she said, "This is my first time seeing a cat that's become a spirit.
Will it transform?
Is it dangerous?"
"...Hold on.
You're saying this cat is speaking human language?"
"Yeah, didn't you hear?
She just said, 'It smells great here.
What are you doing?'"
"Meow~"
The cat meowed again, making Kiana jump.
She shoved Xander back, putting herself between him and the cat, and said tensely, "The cat says it wants to eat us!
Run!
I'll hold it off!!"
"..."
As moved as he was by the sight, Xander still didn't hesitate to dial emergency services.
He also used his phone to ping Mei and the others.
Before long, they were all in an ambulance, wearing complicated expressions as they looked at Kiana strapped to the bed.
Even then, Kiana kept shouting, "Don't grab me!
Grab the cat!
Grab the cat!!
The cat became a spirit—why are you grabbing me?
You've got the wrong person!!!!!"
In the end, a single shot of a sedative finally made Kiana completely quiet.
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