My Cat Turned Into A Cat Girl!

Once we were back in the warmth of our living room, Aoi curled up next to me, her eyes heavy with sleep, though a smile still lingered on her lips. I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close, brushing a gentle hand through her hair.

"Time for a relaxing evening, Aoi," I murmured, my voice soft.

She nestled closer, her voice barely a whisper. "Aoi is happy, Onii-Chan."

I chuckled, my heart swelling with affection. "I'm glad, Aoi. You deserve all the happiness in the world."

As the room filled with the gentle hum of the evening, I felt a shift in the air—a realization that Aoi was growing up. Soon, she'd have to experience more of the world beyond our home and our quiet moments together. It was a bittersweet thought, one that made me both proud and anxious.

After a while, I gently cleared my throat. "Aoi, can I talk to you about something important?"

She looked up, her eyes filled with curiosity. "What is it, Onii-Chan?"

I took a breath, choosing my words carefully. "I was thinking… maybe it's time for you to start going to school. You know, to learn new things, meet new friends, and—"

Her face fell immediately, her eyes widening with a mixture of surprise and distress. "No, Onii-Chan! Aoi doesn't want to go to school!" Her voice trembled, and she clutched my arm as though I'd suggested she leave for good. "Aoi doesn't want to be without Onii-Chan."

I reached out, gently stroking her hair, trying to soothe her fears. "Aoi, you'd only be away for a few hours each day. You'd come home right after, and I'd be here waiting for you."

She shook her head vigorously, her expression pleading. "Aoi doesn't need school. Onii-Chan teaches Aoi everything she needs to know."

I gave a soft smile, though my heart ached a little at her words. "That's true, Aoi, but there's so much more you could learn. School would help you grow, teach you things that I can't."

She bit her lip, looking down, her voice barely above a whisper. "Does Onii-Chan… want Aoi to leave?"

I pulled her close, hugging her tightly, trying to convey through my embrace what words couldn't express. "No, Aoi. I don't want you to leave. I want you to stay with me, always. But I also want you to have a future—a bright, wonderful future where you can follow your dreams. School is just a small step toward that."

She sniffled, her small hands clutching my shirt. "Aoi will… try, Onii-Chan," she murmured, her voice laced with uncertainty.

"That's all I could ever ask for," I replied softly, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head.

As the evening settled into a calm quiet, I took out my camera, fiddling with the settings. I'd need to take a few photos of Aoi for something important I'd been working on for her—a little document that could help us later.

"Aoi, would you mind if I take a few pictures of you?" I asked with a warm smile, holding up the camera.

She tilted her head, clearly curious. "Why, Onii-Chan?" she asked, her eyes wide with both excitement and slight suspicion. "Is it for something special?"

I chuckled, kneeling down to be at eye level with her. "Sort of," I replied mysteriously. "I'll tell you soon."

She seemed satisfied, at least for now, nodding enthusiastically as I lined her up against a simple background. With a click, the camera captured her innocent expression, her large eyes gleaming with excitement, though the faint blush still dusted her cheeks from our earlier conversation.

"Okay, one more!" I encouraged, and she struck a playful pose, laughing as I snapped another photo.

After we finished, I connected the camera to my computer and started transferring the photos. While Aoi was preoccupied in another room, I opened up my editing software and set to work, carefully removing her playful cat ears from the pictures. It felt almost surreal seeing her look just a little different, a little more like an ordinary young girl.

Once I was done, I saved the images, feeling a mix of satisfaction and unease about what I was doing. The next step was vital: I needed to make sure Aoi's documentation was perfect. To do that, I had to create a duplicate birth certificate—something that would establish her identity as my younger sister, as well as help us navigate the school admission process smoothly.

The next morning, I left Aoi with a quick breakfast and a promise to return soon. I had a busy day ahead. My first stop was the ward office, where I needed to create other documents for Aoi. I knew I had to be careful; it was crucial to have everything in order for her schooling.

As I entered the ward office, the sterile smell of paper and ink greeted me. I approached the front desk, where a middle-aged woman was sorting through paperwork.

"Excuse me," I began, my voice steady despite the butterflies in my stomach. "I need to create a few documents for my little sister, Aoi Takahashi. Could you help me with that?"

The woman looked up, adjusting her glasses. "Of course! What kind of documents do you need?"

"I need a health certificate and a residency document to confirm that she's living with me," I explained, mentally running through the checklist I had prepared.

"Do you have her health records with you?" she asked, her tone professional.

I shook my head. "Not yet, but I can get them from the clinic. I just need to ensure that we have the residency document so that she can start school next week."

The woman nodded, typing away on her computer. "I can help you with the residency document today. Just fill out this form, and I'll need proof of your address."

"Thank you!" I replied, relieved. I quickly filled out the form, my hands steady as I wrote down my information. After handing it back, I showed her a utility bill that proved I lived at the listed address.

"Great! This will take just a moment," she said, taking the papers to the back.

While I waited, my mind raced with thoughts about Aoi. I wanted everything to go smoothly for her. After a few minutes, the woman returned with the completed residency document.

"Here you go. Just make sure you obtain her health records soon," she said, handing me the document. "Have a great day!"

"Thank you so much!" I replied, grateful for her help.

After securing the residency document at the ward office, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. The next step was to visit Kenji, my old friend who owned a printing shop, but he was known for his secretive side hustle: creating fake documents. As I walked to his shop, I prepared myself for whatever antics he might throw my way.

END OF CHAPTER : 8 : GROWING UP