Making it to the bottom of the staircase, Nova walked towards the front door, ready to face the intruder. Before opening it, she peered through the keyhole to ensure the caller wasn't menacing.
On the other side, a familiar figure stood, frantically shaking her frame. Her body was so wide it blocked the entire view of the street, like a giant boulder that had somehow learned to ring doorbells.
"I can't solve your problems, lady." Nova muttered under her breath, a sneer playing across her lips.
Even though the woman was a next-door neighbor, a 'Hi' was typically enough for interaction between the two. This was the first time she'd entered their yard, so Nova wondered what she wanted. She deduced it was troublesome.
The lady lifted her ample arm, intending to ring the bell again. Nova wasn't going to allow it.
"Give me a break."
She hastily opened the door, her scowl shifting to a sweet smile.
"Good—"
"Gee, something's wrong with Purr-ella!" The lady's voice immensely contrasted with her stature, and she spoke quite fast.
'What?' Inside the smiling facade, Nova burned with anger. There was practically no one in the neighborhood who didn't know Purr-ella. Her name was like an alarm for mornings and evenings. She was both a lover and the only child to the lady. According to her, there was no better name anywhere, thus, she felt proud squealing it at the top of her lungs.
Nova knitted her eyebrows, then cooed, "No way, what's happened to Purr-ella?"
"When she piddled on the bed, I shouted, 'Shame on you, freeloader!' Since then, she's gone on a hunger strike, turning her nose up at even the finest caviar and salmon. And now she's also refused to come down from the neighbor's fence. She's really stabbing my fragile heart with her tiny, furry paws...!"
'This is about a cat? You've got to be kidding me.' Nova tried hard not to let agitation reveal itself on her face.
Still, she blurted out something in stark contrast to what was on her mind. "You mind taking me where she is?"
"My pleasure."
The lady effortlessly began pulling Nova's petite frame away from the door's threshold to the street. Nova's face turned red, wondering whether it was normal to step out in public in pajamas.
All the buildings in the neighborhood were two stories high with perfectly manicured lawns. Some of the yards were separated by walls while others by hedges.
The rain had long since ceased, and the sun shone brightly. Nevertheless, a chillness lingered in the atmosphere, compelling Nova to hug herself. On the street, dog walkers and joggers passed by, and on the other side, a spotless black cat lazily lay atop the wall. Nova's lips slightly parted, 'Tiny furry paws my ass! T-that's...that's just a dog!'
The cat stared at them intently as they closed the distance. After reaching it, Nova playfully outstretched her hands, beckoning it to climb down from the wall. The lady joined her, purring. "Prrrrrrrup! Puuurrrrfect! Puuurrr-fectly paw-fect! Purr-fect pleeease!"
"Meeeeeow-weeee...!"
For an instant, Nova's eyes locked with a passerby's, and her cheeks warmed with embarrassment. "... Did you confirm if she's... pregnant?"
"She can't be. She's a maiden, same as me."
"O-oh. If there was a ladder, I could have brought it down."
"Ah yes!"
The lady hastily waddled up the street, disappearing into her yard. Standing on the street, Nova wondered whether she was normal. Would a sane person humor a feline on a street when they're late for school or work? "Hey, come down already, pussycat..."
A short while later, Nova saw the lady returning with a ladder balanced precariously on her shoulder. She placed it at an angle against the wall, then Nova cautiously began ascending. Every second that passed on the street tightened a knot in her stomach, so she wanted to complete this task as quickly as possible and leave.
"Don't worry, I'll grab you in case you slip."
"T-thanks..." Nova's hands trembled as she tightly gripped the rungs, one after another. While climbing, the cat bored its gaze on her, its ominous eyes making a cold electricity crawl down her spine. She reached the top, and luckily, the cat didn't jump or try to run. This was the first time she was going to handle an animal, so she kept licking her lips in anxiety. She had watched a kid's show before, where they explained how to carry cats. So she gently placed one hand under its chest and supported its back legs with the other. Fortunately, the cat didn't squirm. She held it close to her chest with one arm, and used her other free arm to carefully descend the ladder. During this time, she could feel the cat's chest rise and fall against her own chest. "If you bite me, I'll bite back."
As soon as she stepped on the ground, the lady thanked her. Nova handed over the cat to her, then retreated back home. She didn't have the luxury of having breakfast, thus she promptly changed into her school uniform and left the premises instantly. As she moved outside the gate, she checked the time on her wristwatch. It was 9:36 AM. The first period of school had already begun.
She ran through the residential streets with her chin practically glued to her chest, heading towards the bus station. The downtown area was already bustling with activity, and the smell of exhaust from vehicles filled the air. Fortunately, Nova caught a bus that was about to leave on time. The majority of passengers had dressed in suits and ties, and they appeared as though they had bitten on some lemons.
'There's no joy in mundane life.' Nova thought as she sat down in a seat at the back by the window. The engine roared, and the bus began moving. As they rode through the city, Nova looked out the window, watching as throngs of people frantically hurried to their various jobs. She thought that she was lucky she wasn't one of them yet.
At any rate, the first class was Mathematics. Even if she arrived at school after the chime for the end of the first period had rung, she knew she would still face the homeroom teacher, considering he liked extending his lectures.
"Sigh... This is annoying." She mumbled as she leaned back on her seat.