After returning to the apartment, Kawashima Toya headed straight for the cat carrier and returned the two clusters of the Power of Existence to the kittens.
The moment the energy integrated, the kittens materialized before Yukinoshita Yukino's eyes, and her suppressed memories flooded back. Recalling how coldly she had treated Toya just moments ago, a deep crimson flush spread across her face.
This is so humiliating.
She had confidently declared she wouldn't forget, only to do exactly that minutes later. It was a relief Toya hadn't tried to talk to her during the ride back, or the awkwardness would have been unbearable.
"Memories back?" Toya asked with a dry smile. "Then stop sulking and go check on them. They lost a bit of essence, but they should still have a lifespan of about two hundred years."
As the energy settled, the two kittens revealed their true nature. They were no longer mere strays. Toya focused his gaze, and the system displayed their status.
[Name: Nekomata (Cait Sith Variant)]
[Strength: Paper-Class]
[Description: Newborn cat spirits of a high-tier breed. Being infants, they possess no offensive power, but can grant basic protective blessings to others.]
Toya finally understood. The reason Yukinoshita could move freely inside the Fūzetsu was because of these two. Without their blessing, she would have been frozen along with the rest of the neighborhood.
"Commission complete. I'm heading out." Seeing Yukinoshita occupied with the kittens, Toya decided to take his leave quietly.
"Wait, Toya." Yukinoshita called out, her expression a mix of shyness and hesitation. "I'm about to start on dinner. Would you like to stay?"
"I'll pass. I've already got my fee, so I won't impose." Toya politely declined. He didn't want to stay out too late with a chaotic Evil God avatar waiting at home.
"I see. I won't keep you, then." Yukinoshita watched him leave. His directness made her wonder if her cold personality was truly driving everyone away.
Shortly after Toya left, Yukinoshita received a call from her landlord. The demand was blunt: get rid of the cats or face eviction.
Give up Shiro and Kuro? Yukinoshita felt a pang of reluctance. She had only just begun to experience the joy of their company. If she wanted to keep them, she would have to find a new place, but as a minor, finding a willing landlord without her mother's help was nearly impossible.
After a long silence, she made a bold decision. She would see if there was a vacancy in Toya's building.
.....
Trash Fox Detective Agency.
Toya made it back just in time for lunch. As he stepped inside, he found a large round table set up in the center of the office.
"Master, lunch is served!" Tohru announced with a bright smile.
"I've prepared a special feast just for you!" Nyaruko had traded her usual dress for a maid outfit that matched Tohru's.
Nearby, Kasumigaoka Utaha and Kasugano Sora were already seated, waiting for him.
"You don't have to wait for me next time," Toya said, taking his seat at the head of the table. His eyes widened at the spread. "Is today some kind of anniversary? Why is there so much food?"
In the center of the table rested a massive, unidentified roast. The aroma was so rich it was impossible to ignore.
Sora looked conflicted, debating whether to tell Toya the truth. This morning, she had gone to the kitchen for a snack and caught Tohru holding her own tail and chopping a segment off with a massive knife. That explained where the "high-quality meat" had come from.
Nyaruko's eyes narrowed with a competitive glint. Dammit, his eyes are glued to that lizard's tail! I have to make him taste my cooking!
Nyaruko leaned in, her voice unnaturally sweet. "Darling, look at this dish. I put my heart and soul into this. A deep-dive into decadence, crafted just for you."
A sophisticated tureen sat on the table, steam billowing from within. Judging by the expensive ingredients on the surface, a massive amount of effort had gone into it.
Nyaruko made this? Toya was surprised. The complexity of that dish was legendary, yet hers looked like the work of a professional chef.
"I'd endure any hardship for you, Darling," she said, puffing out her chest.
Tohru gritted her teeth, a small puff of flame escaping the corner of her mouth.
Utaha, watching Nyaruko's smug expression, felt a shiver. Is that even safe? She had witnessed the cooking process. Nyaruko hadn't used a single traditional ingredient. Instead, she had thrown in several writhing, shadowy masses that looked like Evil God minions—minus the sanity-eroding aura.
After a series of steps that looked more like a lab experiment than cooking, it had miraculously transformed into gourmet food. Utaha remained deeply skeptical.
"Wait!" Toya stopped just as he was about to take a bite.
Nyaruko laughed awkwardly. "Darling? Why the hesitation? Everyone was waiting for you to start."
"Nyaruko, something feels off," Toya said, his eyes narrowing.
In his hunger, he had almost ignored the nature of the cooks. One was an Evil God avatar; the other was a dragon. The former was a master of deception, and the latter was famous for cooking her own appendages.
"What could be wrong?" Cold sweat beaded on Nyaruko's forehead, but she stayed calm.
Toya's eyes took on a clear, azure glow as he looked at the spread. "Darling, just eat. It won't be good if it gets cold."
As he peered through the illusions on the table, Toya took a sharp breath.
"You two..." Toya looked at Tohru and Nyaruko with weary resignation. "Don't do this again. Is this stuff even edible?"
Looking past the disguise, he realized that a third of the dishes were made of various cuts of dragon meat.