Another World Fluffy Cafe

Chapter 6: Can’t Stop the Cuteness

Taichi decided to postpone taming the Forest Cat until tomorrow and instead focus on making some cat toys.

“If it makes the Forest Cat happy, I don’t mind working hard,” Taichi thought, smiling warmly.

Luke, watching Taichi with a sigh, commented, “Your face is a mess, Taichi.”

“Really?” Taichi responded, turning to Luke with a wide grin. As he touched his face, he realized that it indeed felt a bit loose. However, tightening up seemed impossible.

(Well, it’s because there’s a Forest Cat sleeping on my lap!)

After Taichi mentioned making more cat toys, Arts sent over one of the Forest Cats so he could see it play in real-time. This cute cat had a little leaf on its head. After playing with the cat toy earlier, the cat had taken a liking to him and was now curled up, fast asleep, on his lap.

(My lap is so warm and cozy!)

Although Taichi wanted to pet it more, he recalled from a book that cats get angry if you pet them too much. So, he held back and focused on making more toys.

“Hey, Luke,” Taichi asked.

“Hm?”

“Can you talk to Forest Cats?”

Usually, tamers can communicate with tamed monsters through a skill, but if the creature lacks intelligence, conversation is impossible. For example, Taichi’s Berry Rabbit couldn’t speak, which made him a little lonely. Still, the rabbit seemed to understand him to some extent.

Luke glanced at the Forest Cat and shook his head. “That one won’t be able to.”

“Huh?”

Taichi tilted his head at Luke’s words.

“Is it different depending on the individual?”

“Forest Cats usually travel in groups. The boss of the group can speak.”

“I see…”

Taichi interpreted this to mean it was better to tame the entire group rather than separating them.

(Being apart would be sad.)

Thinking about taming several Forest Cats made Taichi grin unconsciously. What’s more, one of them would be able to talk to him, which excited him. He’d never understood cats’ feelings before, but now he could ask directly.

(Talking with a cat…)

Just imagining it made him nervous. He had spoken to the Cat God before, but that was on a whole different level.

(Wait, does that mean I can get feedback on the cat toys and improve them?)

Being a tamer is amazing! Taichi couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.

“Your face is a mess again. Weren’t you supposed to be making toys?” Luke reminded him.

“Oh, right.”

Luke sighed and rested his chin on a beanbag. Taichi realized he had gotten a bit too excited about the cat situation. If he apologized to Luke, he could already imagine the proud Fenrir snapping back with, “I’m not lonely!” That scene flashed so vividly in Taichi’s mind that he couldn’t help but laugh a little.

“Well, let’s get this done… [Creation (Physical)]!”

Taichi used his skill, and a Frisbee appeared in his hand. He thought this would be perfect for playing with Luke in a wide-open field. Hearing Taichi talk about making a cat teaser, balls, and tunnels earlier, Luke looked at the Frisbee suspiciously.

“This is a Frisbee, made for you, Luke.”

“What?!”

As Taichi explained the purpose of the Frisbee, Luke’s ears twitched excitedly. It seemed that the idea of Taichi’s attention shifting to him made him happy.

“But, we’ll need a wide-open field to try it out.”

“That’s no problem! I can run there in a flash! Normally, I wouldn’t engage in something as childish as playing, but since you made it with your skill… it would be a waste not to try it!”

Luke’s expression now clearly said, “Let’s go, right now!” His tail was wagging, and his eyes were wide open, even though he looked like he was about to nap just moments ago.

(This is too cute…)

Taichi agreed to go to the field but still wanted to finish making toys for the Forest Cat. First, he needed to make a ball and a tunnel.

“Hold on, Luke. I’ll make two more toys… [Creation (Physical)]!”

Using his skill again, Taichi created a ball made of yarn with a bell inside that jingled when rolled. The tunnel was about a meter long, curved slightly, and made of a crinkly plastic material that made noise when walked through, perfect for playful cats.

Taichi had used balls like this before in a cat café, but he had only seen tunnels in videos of cats playing online.

(I hope they enjoy it…)

As soon as Taichi held the ball, it jingled, causing the Forest Cat on his lap to raise its head. Its round eyes seemed to ask, “What’s that ball?” The sound intrigued the cat.

“……”

Taichi threw the ball experimentally, and it jingled as it rolled away. The Forest Cat’s ears perked up, and after a moment’s pause, it dashed toward the ball, pouncing on it. It batted the ball with its paws, clearly enjoying the jingling sound.

(So cute!)

Taichi couldn’t help but feel his heart melt. Meanwhile, Luke nudged Taichi’s arm with his nose.

“Now that you’ve finished making the toys for the Forest Cat, let’s try that Frisbee!”

“Alright, alright!”

Taichi grabbed his jacket from the hanger and prepared to call the Forest Cat, only to find it still engrossed in playing with the ball. He couldn’t leave it alone in his room while they went out.

Just as Taichi was wondering what to do, Arts arrived.

“What’s that jingling sound… oh, it looks like it’s having a lot of fun,” Arts said in surprise. It seemed the Forest Cat had never played like this before.

“I’ve done combat training with it, but I never knew it would enjoy something like this… I didn’t realize,” Arts said, sounding impressed.

“Sorry, I’m heading out with Luke for a bit. I’ll be back by dinner,” Taichi said.

“Ah, I understand. You’re going to tame the Forest Cat, right?”

“I’ll do that tomorrow. Today, it’s just… exercise with Luke,” Taichi replied, quickly changing “play” to “exercise” to avoid sounding childish. Arts smiled knowingly, glancing at Luke.

“Take care. Oh, can I borrow the ball? I’d like to play with it too.”

“Of course. I also made a tunnel. Feel free to try that with everyone. They might enjoy it.”

Taichi was optimistic, remembering an advertisement for a cat tunnel that claimed 99% of cats love it.

“Got it, I’ll give it a try!” Arts agreed enthusiastically.

“Let me know what you think!”

“Of course. I really appreciate it, even though you’re just a guest at the inn… thank you, Taichi.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Taichi replied, feeling fulfilled after spending time with the Forest Cat.

As he and Arts exchanged lighthearted conversation, Luke nudged him with his nose again, reminding him to hurry up.