"Wait! Did you… just understand and respond to everything I just said?"
Oh?
Oh, right!
Claire realized it too!
"Meow!" she meowed again, leaning forward slightly as if to make sure Emilia noticed. Her tail flicked with determination, a clear signal to her master.
Because even if she couldn't speak, she could still meow! And that was already enough.
All she needed was for Emilia to know she understood her—that was it!
"Wait!" Emilia suddenly sat up straighter and gently set Claire down on the bed.
Claire sat opposite her, posture upright, her little face unusually serious. Even her ears tilted forward in full attention.
"If you understand what I'm saying right now, meow twice," Emilia said slowly, as if conducting a proper experiment.
Claire didn't even hesitate.
"Meow! Meow!"
"Oh my god!!!" Emilia gasped, voice brimming with excitement.
"Hmmm… but it could just be a coincidence…" she muttered, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
So she tried again. "Now, can you meow five times?"
Easy!
Claire lifted her chin like a pro and obeyed without pause.
"Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow!"
It took a little effort to get all five out—meowing that much was hard work—but at least it would confirm the truth!
"Wow!!!" Emilia gasped again, eyes sparkling like stars as a wide smile spread across her face.
"Oh wait, can you… like… do math too? What's nine plus ten?"
HAHHHH!?
Claire froze, staring at Emilia like, What the fuck? Are you serious, hooman?!
Well, of course she knew what nine plus ten was… but to have to meow nineteen times in a row? COME ON!!!
Still, she had no choice.
Claire took a deep breath and committed.
"Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow… meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow!"
Nineteen solid meows… completed!
"WOAAAAHHH! SO YOU REALLY UNDERSTAND ME!!!" Emilia shouted, practically bouncing on the bed.
"MEOW!!!" Claire replied proudly, puffing out her chest like she'd just conquered an epic quest.
Emilia giggled, her heart overflowing with joy, and hugged Claire tightly.
The embrace squished her between Emilia's soft, pillowy chest. Claire tried to push away, but her paws only sank into the warmth, muffling her meow.
"Hihi… I knew you were special!" Emilia said with a giggle as she finally released her, then leaned forward to plant a quick kiss on Claire's nose.
It was so sudden that Claire froze, whiskers twitching, ears jerking upright in surprise.
"So, how should I name you now, Miss Noctifelis?" Emilia asked with a cheeky grin, her eyes glinting with mischief.
Because, well… that was still a problem.
Even if Emilia now knew Claire could understand her, there was still no way for Claire to explain exactly what she wanted. Words were off the table.
But then, an idea lit up in Claire's mind.
She hopped onto the window platform, tail swishing with purpose, and meowed toward the sight outside.
Emilia tilted her head curiously and followed her over.
When she reached the window, the night greeted her in full splendor. From her room,
she had the perfect view—an endless sea of stars glittering above, a silver moon glowing softly, all set against the vast, inky velvet of the sky.
"You mean… Moon?" Emilia guessed, pointing upward.
Claire shook her head.
"Stars?"
Another shake.
"Oh… you mean… Darkness?"
"Meow!"
Yes! Darkness!
Now that was a cool name. It matched her sleek black fur perfectly. After all, she was a Noctifelis—a magical beast cat with a coat as dark as the deepest shadow.
But… just "Darkness" felt too plain. Too short. Too simple.
She needed something more!
Claire suddenly rolled onto her back, tongue lolling, paws curled, lying completely still with her eyes shut.
"Oh no! Are you okayyy?" Emilia gasped, crouching down with both hands hovering over her.
But Claire popped up in a flash, gave a reassuring meow, then flopped back into the exact same position.
"What? I don't under—oooooh! You mean… dead?"
"MEOW!"
"Dead and Darkness? Darkness of the Dead? Deadly… Darkness?"
"MEOW!"
Yes! Deadly Darkness! Now that was a name worthy of a legendary Noctifelis! It was strong. It was intimidating. It was cool.
Claire's tail twitched in excitement. She loved it already.
But Emilia crossed her arms, frowning sternly.
"Absolutely not! That's way too scary and morbid!"
"MEOWWW!"
Claire yowled in outrage, ears flattening.
But no matter how much she hissed or glared, her master wouldn't budge.
Arrghgh, fine!!!
Claire gave up, ready to look for another idea… maybe something like "Shadow."
But suddenly—
"Wait! I know!" Emilia gasped, as if a lightbulb had gone off.
"Meow?"
Claire narrowed her eyes. Alright. What now?
She braced herself for another awful name.
But this time… Emilia's idea wasn't bad at all.
"How about you take after my name? So we'll have similar names?"
OOOOH!!!
Claire's eyes lit up.
Name similar to her master? Now that was a good idea indeed!
So… Emilia's name was Emilia. What should hers be? Milia? Emile?
"How about… Mimi?" Emilia suggested.
Eh?
Mimi…
Not as cool as Deadly Darkness, sure… but it did sound nice. Cute, even.
"MEOW!"
Claire liked it!
[Ding! Your master wants to give you a name: Mimi! Do you accept?]
Claire pressed her paws onto the imaginary button!
And just like that…
[ACCEPTED!]
[Ding! Your name is now officially Mimi!]
[You can start cultivating your Bond level with Master! Improve your bond level to get rewards!]
[Reward for Bond level 1: +0.01 EXP!]
[Progress to level 2: 0.01/1000]
[Bond with Master +1 point!]
[Progress to Bond level 2: 1/100]
[Evolution point +0.001!]
[Progress to next evolution: 0.001/1000]
Ooooh, what's this?
Claire blinked in surprise. She had just received something from the system… Just a few evolution points, but nice regardless!
"Hehe, nice to meet you, Mimi!" Emilia said warmly.
"Meow!" _____________________ A few minutes later…
Emilia was sitting cross-legged on the bed again, the warm glow of the lamplight spilling over her shoulders. In her hands, she held a soft brush, running it slowly through Claire's—no, Mimi's—fur.
"I'm sorry, Mimi… for everything that happened earlier. You must have been so afraid…" Emilia's voice was gentle, almost trembling.
"Meow…" Mimi answered softly.
If only she could speak…
She wanted to tell her master that none of it was her fault. She didn't blame her—nor her parents. After all, that Draco guy had only wanted the best for Emilia…
As the genius child of the Silvervein, Emilia had been facing with crushing expectations.
If anything, Mimi was just glad to still be alive… and to have ended up with such a lovely master.
"I promise, I will never let anyone hurt you again…" Emilia said, her voice tightening.
A faint shimmer appeared in her eyes, then a tear rolled down her cheek.
Mimi immediately reached up, her tiny paws brushing gently against Emilia's face, wiping it away.
Oh, wait…
Actually… I'm a cat now.
I should act more like a cat!
With that thought, Mimi leaned forward and gave Emilia's cheek a quick lick with her bristly tongue. Well, for a human, such a sudden move might be considered some kind of harassment… but for a cat, it was pure affection.
Emilia giggled.
"Thank you… Mimi…" she whispered.
"Meow…"
[Ding!]
Another notification popped up.
[Emilia felt your love for her and appreciated it!]
[Bond with Master +1 point!]
[Progress to Level 2: 2/100]
[Evolution point +0.001!]
[Progress to next evolution: 0.002/1000]