Soft light slipped through the cracks in the wooden window, casting shadows across the worn wooden floor and the small table cluttered with vases of fresh flowers. The afternoon breeze carried the scent of roses, jasmine, and mint—blending into one long, fragrant breath.
Mathien slowly opened his eyes.
His head felt heavy, and his body... much smaller than it should be. He didn't move right away. He just lay there, staring at the bamboo ceiling and listening to the shrill crow of a rooster from somewhere outside the house.
"Where am I…"
Slowly, he lifted his head. His throat was dry. His whole body ached like it had just been hit by fire magic. He tried to sit up, and then—
He fell.
His head drooped downward, directly facing two tiny orange-furred paws hanging in front of him. Tiny claws. Soft fur. And… a light body that was utterly unworthy of a noble.
"No…"
His eyes widened. He hunched down, sniffing himself, then quickly turned around—only to see his own tail swaying gently. He winced. A deep, unmistakable expression of frustration clouded the feline face.
"Why am I still in this body?"
He bit the tip of his tail. Gently. Just to make sure it was real.
"This isn't a dream... I really am a cat."
A familiar floral scent drifted past his nose again. Not the scent of a palace. Not the scent of a magic chamber. But the distinctly earthy aroma of... a human home.
He looked up, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar room filled with lace cloths, floral doilies, and wooden walls that were simple, yet warm. In the corner, tiny vases lined the shelf—each one filled with fresh flowers from the fields.
"Ahuman's home," he muttered inwardly. "Weak scent. Unrefined. But warm."
Mathien still lay atop a thin, flower-patterned cloth, his eyes half-lidded. He didn't plan to move, just staring blankly at the curtain swaying gently in the breeze.
Then he heard it.
A cheerful voice. The same voice that had made his fur stand on end since last night.
"Gran, I'm hooome~!" Light footsteps followed her words. "It was so hot today, oh my God, all the flowers wilted on the way to Bu Anjani's..."
Mathien narrowed his eyes.
"No... that voice…"
"And on the way home, I peeked into the room and saw Mr. Orange Cat still sleeping! His face looked like he was crushed by all his life problems~"
The footsteps grew louder.
"Don't tell me… she—"
The curtain was pushed aside softly. And there, in the doorway, stood a young girl with straight black hair, cheeks flushed from the sun, a wrinkled school uniform, and a smile… far too bright for a mere mortal.
Mathien froze.
"It's her."
"The careless human who ran me over." "The bicycle girl."
Hana immediately leaned in, her eyes wide the moment she saw Mathien's eyes fully open.
"OH MY GOD!!" she shouted. "You're finally awakeeee~!"
She crawled right in without hesitation, sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of Mathien.
"You must be super hungry, huh? Sorry I got home late—I had to deliver flowers to Bu Anjani's, but I got this for you!" She lifted a small plastic bag filled with cans.
"Salmon-flavored sardines! I heard cats really love these!"
Mathien stared at her blankly. His eyes blinked slowly.
"I am not a cat."
"And who said I like salmon-flavored sardines…"
Unfortunately, all that came out of his mouth was:
"Meeooowrr."
Hana sat in front of him, full of enthusiasm as she unwrapped the bag.
"You're gonna love this… I bought it from the mini-market near my school. They say cats just can't resist the smell of salmon."
She pulled a small can from the bag.
Instantly, the sharp, salty aroma filled the air. That unmistakable scent of canned meat drowned in thick sauce… and who knew what else.
Mathien wrinkled his nose. His eyes widened. He turned his head away.
"What is that? Poison? Putrid liquid from the underworld?"
"It smells disgusting… disgusting!"
"Hold on, I'll open it for you~" Hana said, smile still plastered across her face.
Click! The can opened with a sharp pop. A warm puff of steam drifted out. And for some reason... the world seemed to shift.
Mathien held his breath. But… failed.
Something deep within him stirred.
His small body tensed. His neck stiffened. His nose—now overly sensitive—began to sniff, involuntarily.
"No."
"Stop."
"I will not—"
His nose twitched again. One tiny step forward. Then another.
Hana placed the food on a small floral plate. "Come on, eat up~"
Mathien was still fighting it. But his paws… moved on their own. Tap... tap... tap...
He stood before the plate. His bright blue eyes filled with sorrow. His head leaned down slowly. His tongue—once accustomed only to Valtherion's finest wines—touched the salmon-flavored sardines.
And...
"-What… is this…"
He swallowed.
"...Delicious...?"
One beat of silence.
Then, without realizing it, he began devouring the food. Fast. Greedy. Like a starving cat.
Hana clapped her hands. "YAAAY! You like it after all! I even got two more cans for dinner later."
Mathien looked up. His mouth was smeared with sauce. His breath was short. His eyes glassy.
"My dignity…"
"My honor…"
"All... ruined…"
After a few shameful bites—and a disgracefully enjoyable taste—Mathien slumped in front of the plate. He panted. His tongue slowly licked the leftover sauce at the corner of his lips.
"I can't believe this. I actually did it."
"I ate cat food. From a floral plate."
"And I liked it…?"
Before he could gather the shattered pieces of his pride, Hana suddenly grabbed a tissue from the small table nearby. She leaned down, and—without asking—began wiping Mathien's face gently.
"Geez, you're such a mess. Hold still, okay…"
Mathien flinched. His ears perked up. His eyes widened.
"What is she doing—!?"
Hana casually wiped his messy face. Then moved on to his cheeks, chin, and even behind his ears. All while humming a little tune.
"You really should eat slower... this is someone's house, not the jungle. I wonder if you're a city cat or a country cat."
Mathien let out a low growl, "Mrrhhh…", but couldn't dodge her. His limbs were too weak, and his feline body heavy from food.
Then, Hana paused. Her gaze turned concerned.
"Hey, are you hurt?" she murmured. "You got hit pretty hard last night, you know."
Without warning, her hands moved again. This time, more gently. She began inspecting his body—pressing lightly around his belly, chest, back legs, spine, and tail.
Mathien could only sit there, stunned.
"This touch is... most improper."
Finally, Hana sighed in relief. "You seem totally fine. Your fur's so soft though—you're definitely not some random stray, huh?"
Mathien managed to move one paw—and with great drama, turned his back on her. His tail swished in irritation, a display of dignity hanging by a thread.
Hana just giggled. "Hehe… are you mad? Sorry, sorry. But you're just so cute when you're grumpy."
Mathien closed his eyes slowly.
"Cute? Did she just call me cute?"
"Oh Valtherion, please let me return before my pride is utterly destroyed."
He sat with his back turned. His tail occasionally smacked the wooden floor, as if to remind the world that his royal dignity had not yet been fully extinguished. He refused to look at the girl who had just wiped his face like a newly weaned baby.
Hana stood up, then knelt behind him, resting her chin on her hand. She studied the round, heavy orange cat body—fluffy, chubby, and... far too massive for anything normal.
"I should give you a name," she muttered. Her finger tapped her chin. "Hmm…"
Mathien narrowed his eyes.
"What does she mean by naming me? I already bear names of royal heritage! Mathien Caevior Valtherion!"
Suddenly, Hana blurted out, "CHIRO!"
Mathien froze. His neck slowly turned. Slowly. Very slowly. His eyes glared daggers.
"CHIRO," Hana repeated gleefully. "It sounds super cute, right? Totally suits a chubby, cuddly cat like you! Round, fat, and big blue eyes! Chiro… chiiirooo~"
"Chiro…?"
"CHIRO?"
"You dare compare me to a child's plush toy?!"
Mathien stood—or tried to. But the obese cat body was too heavy. His belly hit the floor before his back legs could even lift him. He hissed softly.
"MRAAAWRRRHHH!!"
Hana flinched. "Eh? You mad? Why? It's cute…"
Mathien walked away—or rather, slowly rolled. Every step was a struggle. He raised his tail high, flicking it furiously.
"I am Prince Valtherion. Heir to the throne. Master of advanced magic. I… I…"
His foot tripped over a piece of cloth.
"I AM A FAT CAT WHO JUST GOT NAMED CHIRO!!!"
Hana burst into giggles. "You really do look like a Chiro… you're so adorably chubby. Look at those cheeks!"
She reached out, gently pinching one of his round cheeks.
Mathien screamed silently in his mind:
"VALTHERION, TAKE ME BACK!!!"
🌸🌸🌸