My Cat Turned Into A Cat Girl!

The park was alive with color and laughter, the trees swaying gently in the warm breeze, their leaves a lush green canopy above us. The scent of cherry blossoms filled the air, sweet and fragrant, mingling with the laughter of children playing nearby. Aoi and I spread out our blanket on the soft grass, unpacking the picnic basket I had prepared, filled with all her favorite treats.

"Aoi loves picnics, Onii-Chan!" she said with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with joy as she reached for a sandwich.

I smiled, unable to resist a playful remark. "Aoi's smile is the best part of the picnic."

She paused, her cheeks coloring slightly as she took a bite of her sandwich, her gaze fixed on her plate. "Aoi loves Onii-Chan's cooking," she murmured, almost to herself, but loud enough for me to hear.

I chuckled at her quiet praise, feeling a warmth in my chest. "Aoi loves anything sweet," I teased, hoping to coax another smile from her.

She looked up, nodding vigorously. "Aoi loves sweets, but Aoi loves Onii-Chan more."

Her words caught me off guard, simple as they were, filled with such earnestness. For a moment, I felt my breath catch. How often did we take for granted the small gestures, the everyday moments that made life meaningful?

I managed a soft reply, "Aoi's love is the best gift."

She tilted her head, looking thoughtful, as if weighing her next words carefully. "Onii-Chan… if Aoi loves Onii-Chan the most, does that mean Aoi's heart will always be like this? Fluttery, happy…?" Her voice trailed off, and she looked down at her hands, toying with the edge of her skirt.

The question was innocent, but I could see the beginnings of understanding in her gaze, as if she was becoming more aware of the emotions she didn't yet have the words to express. I reached over, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Yes, Aoi," I replied softly. "Love can make you feel that way. It's something special—something that makes every moment brighter, every day feel a little warmer."

Her face softened, and she looked away, gazing out at the park with a wistful expression. "Aoi feels happy with Onii-Chan… like everything is good and safe." She glanced back at me, her eyes wide. "Does that mean Aoi will always feel this way with Onii-Chan?"

I nodded, my voice warm. "As long as we're together, Aoi. I'll always be here to make you feel safe."

She seemed satisfied with my answer, though her brow was still furrowed, as if trying to grasp the full meaning behind our words.

We continued our picnic, enjoying the peaceful afternoon. The world around us faded, and it felt as though we were in our own little universe. Just as I was about to suggest we play frisbee, I saw Takeshi jogging towards us, his familiar figure weaving through the park's winding paths.

"Hey, Ryu! Aoi-chan!" he called out, his face flushed from exertion.

I waved in greeting. "Good morning, Takeshi."

He caught his breath, glancing at Aoi with a friendly smile. "Good morning, Ryu," he replied. After a beat, his expression turned serious. "I wanted to apologize for my sister's behavior yesterday. Ai was out of line, and she knows it. I'm sorry on her behalf."

I gave a casual wave, brushing it off. "No need to apologize, Takeshi. Everything's fine."

Takeshi shook his head, determined. "No, really. She crossed a line, and I don't want it to affect anything between us."

Aoi, who had been listening intently, tilted her head, her expression puzzled. "What happened, Onii-Chan? Is he talking about that rude Auntie?"

I chuckled, ruffling her hair gently. "Nothing important, Aoi. Just Takeshi being considerate."

Takeshi shot me an appreciative look, clearly relieved. "Thanks, Ryu."

Then he said, "know you'll be working tomorrow—we're really swamped at the restaurant."

I nodded. "I'll be there, no worries."

Aoi looked up at me, her face instantly falling at the mention of work. "You're working tomorrow, Onii-Chan?"

I gave her a reassuring smile. "Yeah, Aoi. Just a normal shift at Sakura Restaurant."

Takeshi smiled, offering Aoi a friendly wave. "It's nice seeing you, Aoi-chan. Take good care of your Onii-Chan, okay?"

Aoi nodded solemnly, her small face serious. "Aoi always does."

With that, Takeshi gave us one last nod before continuing his jog, leaving us to our picnic.

We finished our lunch, savoring the quiet joy of the moment. Just as I was packing up the remnants of our meal, I felt a sudden, unexpected weight in my lap—a fluffy white cat, purring contentedly, its large green eyes fixed on me.

Aoi's reaction was immediate and fierce. Her face scrunched up, her little nose wrinkling in disdain. "Aoi doesn't like that cat," she muttered, her tone laced with jealousy.

I smirked, raising an eyebrow in mock surprise. "Is Aoi jealous?"

Her small fists clenched, her voice indignant. "Aoi's not jealous! It's just… that cat thinks she can steal Onii-Chan's attention. But Aoi is Onii-Chan's only kitty!"

I laughed, reaching over to scoop Aoi into my lap, settling her beside the cat. "Aoi's my one and only cat girl. No other kitty could ever take your place."

She snuggled into my arms, casting a wary glance at the intruding feline. "Aoi doesn't like sharing Onii-Chan with anyone," she said quietly, as though confessing a secret.

The white cat, undeterred by Aoi's glare, continued to purr, nudging my hand for pets. I obliged, chuckling softly as Aoi's expression grew more and more indignant.

With a gentle smile, I stroked her hair. "Aoi, you're the only one for me. No one else could make me as happy as you do."

At those words, Aoi's ears perked up, her expression softening, her jealous pout giving way to a shy smile. "Aoi loves Onii-Chan so much," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

I tightened my embrace, feeling a surge of warmth in my chest. "Onii-Chan loves Aoi too. More than anything."

We sat there in silence, the cat eventually slinking off, leaving just the two of us, wrapped in a quiet sense of contentment. The sun continued its journey across the sky, casting a golden light over the park, and I felt, in that moment, that there was no place I'd rather be.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting the park in soft, dusky hues, we packed up our things, saying goodbye to the day's adventures and heading back home.

END OF CHAPTER : 7 : MEETING AT THE PARK