Obsession... What's That? I Just Wish Someone Would Help Me Escape - Chapter 69
Somehow, I ended up accepting the role of co-parent for the kitten.
It was partly for my dirty and underhanded schemes, but mostly because the kitten was irresistibly cute and cuddly.
Clara and I devised a top-secret mission called the “Kitten Relocation Operation.”
We couldn’t leave the motherless kitten in the labor yard.
However, with the constant meowing, if we just carried it out in the open, it would definitely get us caught.
If only I could use my illusion ability to put it to sleep…
Too bad I still couldn’t use my powers. What a shame.
“Clara, if the kitten starts crying, you make cat sounds next to me.”
“Are you insane? How dare you expect me to do that?”
“Just claim it’s part of your training. If anyone asks, act serious and angry. If you, the ever-serious one, start acting weird, everyone’s attention will shift to you.”
Clara glared at me with clear irritation.
“That’s absurd…”
“What’s your plan then? Labor’s over, and the next time we can come here is during the Winner’s Tournament. Can you manage to bring it then?”
Bringing the kitten back after the tournament when we’d be in shambles was impossible.
Clara nodded in resignation at my words.
“Fine. I’ll throw away my dignity. Nothing’s more important than this kitten’s life.”
She seemed to like animals more than people, just like me.
After labor was done, the prisoners were loaded onto military trucks parked outside the arena. Clara and I boarded the same vehicle.
We exchanged silent signals as we sat across from each other.
The kitten was hidden inside my clothes.
Fortunately, it was still asleep. If everything went smoothly, we could make it without any trouble.
Thud
The truck jolted along the uneven road, and I felt the tiny kitten squirming inside my clothes.
“Mew…”
“Oh! I’m so tired!”
I shouted loudly, trying desperately to cover the kitten’s cries.
Clara shot me a panicked look before crossing her arms and closing her eyes.
“Meow.”
Some of the prisoners were startled and looked at Clara.
That sounded more like a wild beast than a kitten. Could that really hide the noise?
“Myaaa…”
“Meow.”
Her overly solemn “meow” sounded far too different from an actual kitten, but neither the prisoners nor the guards seemed to notice.
“Prisoner number 7, why are you making cat noises? It sounds so real.”
Someone, unable to contain their curiosity, asked.
Clara, though expressionless, was red up to her neck.
“This is part of my internal strengthening training. You should all follow suit.”
With her chillingly serious voice, even the top-ranking prisoners, numbers 4 and 5, were fooled.
Soon enough, everyone began meowing together, and before long, the prison came into view, bathed in the glow of the setting sun.
We were almost there.
It seemed like the mission had succeeded.
Once we returned to the prison, I grabbed some blankets and clothes, using sticks to build a little hideaway for the kitten.
“It’ll come and go as it pleases. Since it can’t hunt yet, you and I will have to take turns bringing it food.”
Clara, gazing at the little hideaway with admiration, turned to me.
“I’ll take care of feeding it. You don’t have enough to eat as it is.”
“Wow, you actually have a conscience?”
Watching the kitten with its big round eyes inside the hideaway, I couldn’t help but cover my mouth.
“This is insane.”
“It’s unbelievably cute.”
Clara had the same reaction.
We clasped hands and jumped up and down in excitement before suddenly feeling awkward and pulling away.
“Uh… thanks for your help, Kido.”
“It’s not like I did it for you or anything. I’ve always liked cats.”
I tossed the words over my shoulder nonchalantly as I turned away.
But, thinking about the kitten’s bright eyes, I couldn’t help but feel pretty good.
* * *
After occasionally dropping by to check on the kitten, the day was fully over.
I went to shower, and upon coming out, I ran into someone I definitely didn’t want to see.
Grandis stood there, her face twisted in irritation.
Judging by the bruises around her eyes, it seemed like she’d had a fight with Clara’s group.
All my scheming must have worked out well.
Ah, so satisfying.
“Hey, pick a different time to shower. We hate seeing each other, so let’s avoid running into each other, yeah?”
I glared at Grandis coldly, and she returned the favor with a murderous glare.
Was she planning to kill me now?
“I always shower at night. Why don’t you switch to the morning? Unless you want to disappear in the middle of the night, without a sound.”
“I shower twice a day. My roommate’s sensitive about cleanliness.”
Grandis stared at me for a moment, then slowly broke into a smirk.
“You’re trying to win Clara over, even doing things you normally wouldn’t. It’s hilarious.”
What was she talking about now? I looked at her in confusion.
Then it hit me—my mind flashed to the kitten we brought in today, and a chill ran down my spine.
