Oneshot

―I wonder why I’m working.

I suddenly thought that night, when I bought pasta at a convenience store while walking around under the lit streets by the street lamps.

No, of course I know why I’m working.

It’s to live.

In this capitalist country, you need money to live and to get money, you have to work. It’s a self-evident principle.

Yes, I know. I understand. I understand it more than enough. But then, some kind of emptiness unexpectedly hits me… And I think of, “what is a human being?” Human being, human beings……

There’s no answer to the question. Just cold breath and wind on my cheeks.

So, what happens to my emptiness?―

―To finally settle down and breathe cats.

“If only I could go home and smell a cat…”

I never had a cat, but something tells me that the emptiness would disappear if I could bury my face in its fluffy belly and deeply breathe. I don’t know.

“A long-haired calico, I guess…”

Long fluffy fur all over especially around its neck. Well distributed light browns and blacks, and a pure white belly. Sounds good. I really like it. I giggled to myself while holding the imaginary cat in my arms. I checked the pedestrian traffic signal, which had just turned green, and continued to walk.

On my right, I held a heated tomato pasta in a bag, and on my left, was the imaginary cat. I didn’t notice at all the car that was making a left turn―

* * *

“I must be dead…” Sitting alone in a completely blank white world, I muttered as it melted into the wind.

Yeah, if a car that size struck me at that speed, I would most likely die. My last memory was the car’s blinding headlights. I’m glad that I don’t remember the accident. It may have been good since there was no pain or fear.

Yeah, so it’s good. It couldn’t be helped if I’m somehow dead. The question now is―

“Where is this? Who am I…?” I couldn’t believe that a day would come that I’d say these lines. A pure white canvas… To be specific, I was at a loss in an alley in the city where snow was falling.

“It’s scary…” What scares me is the size of this landscape. It’s huge. It was enormous. I knew it was somewhat a back alley, but it was about ten times bigger than anything I knew. What is it, some kind of giant specs?

I feel even scared to talk to myself like before. Although I’m speaking Japanese, for some reason all I can hear is, “Meow”… Meow?

“Oh…goodness, that’s it.” I turned my head and looked at my body. My hands were like a glove with fluffy white fur. Turning my palms towards myself, I saw a plump pink meat ball. Wow, so cute.

“It’s a cat.”

It must be a cat.

“…No, god. That’s not what I meant.”

Yes, I wanted a cat, I wanted to breathe on a cat. I didn’t mean I wanted to be a cat.

God! You were wrong! But, even if I said that, no one would hear me. After being reincarnated, I became a cat. My head dropped in disappointment at this fact as I clutched my head in my hands. For the others, it probably looked like a cat cowering in the snow, holding its head with its paws…it must be cute..

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” At that moment, a slightly high nasal voice said, a sound particular to a human child. Then, there were sounds of footsteps approaching. I gently raised my head in response to it and there was a crouching boy looking down at me.

“What to do? Are you alone, kitty?” His voice was gentle and soft so as to not scare the cat away. He has a chubby figure and his amber eyes are gently narrowed. The light coming from behind him made his soft golden hair glow.

“You… look like you have a lot of money.” is what I actually said, but what came out was a meow. The words I unintentionally said were rude, but I couldn’t help it because the little boy who approached me was well-dressed like he was wealthy.

I’ve only seen a boy dressed in a three-piece suit and bow tie at a Shichigosan 七五三 [1] or a piano recital. However, the boy in front was naturally wearing it with a coat that seemed to be of high quality.

“Young masterーYoung Master Orton! It’s not safe to run around alone!”

“Steph! Look! A cat!”

“A cat?” The man running behind the boy was out of breath. The romance gray person [2] was wearing a black suit with white gloves.

Yeah. A butler, I suppose.

The boy was called, “young master” and the adult speaks to him politely with honorifics, while the boy speaks with manners.

All I smell is money.

“Maybe, it got lost from its mother cat.”

“I see… hey, I feel sorry to leave it like this. How about we take it home?”

“…How kind of you, young master.” The man, who seems to be a butler, was deeply moved by the boy’s words.

No, even if it’s just a child’s whim, I don’t know if I should be that moved so quickly. But, this is convenient. If I push it, I can do it. My heart is telling me to go and go!

“How do you do? I’m a cat (I think.) I suddenly found myself here, so I’m not sure of the details, but I swear I won’t give you any trouble if you pick me up.”

“Wow, the cat sat up nice and snug.”

“If I stay here, I’m sure that I’ll probably die out here. I beg you. Please. I’m a good cat, a very good cat that returns the favor.”

“Wow. The cat suddenly placed its paws in front and rubbed its head against the snow.”

“I want to live comfortably without any worries and eat delicious food while living on other people’s money. Please.”

I don’t know if cats are creatures that get down on their knees since I never owned one. But for now, I’m following my heart just as I am. As I was desperately rubbing my head on the snow, I was gently lifted.

“Are you alright, kitty? The snow is cold.”

Apparently, I seem to be the size of a kitten as I’m easily lifted up by a child. The boy gently wrapped me in his coat and slowly turned to the man, who’s probably the butler.

“I’ll take good care of him and explain to Father and Mother. Steph, may I take it home with me?…”

“…yes, it must be hard for the kitten to be alone in the snow like this.”

“Yes! Thank you!”

“Yes! Thank you!” I stuck my head out of the collar of the boy’s coat as I thanked the butler. Then, the butler looked at me and tilted his head.

“…what a strange cat, young master.”

“He’s a little chatty,isn’t he?” The boy laughed at the butler’s words and I responded with a meow.

“God, thank you!”

I finally did it. The three greatest desires of mankind.

Living off the pocket money from oil tycoons. Win 5 trillion yen in a lottery Be a rich house cat.

And I fulfilled one of them…! Reincarnating and becoming a rich man’s cat!

* * *

“Chateaureizu [3] can’t you put on this collar for me?”

It has been a week since the cat was picked up. It was on the boy’s lap, showing its belly while its chin was being stroked. “Chateaureizu” is the name the boy gave it, which sounds like a cake shop. The boy was holding a collar full of sparkling jewels on his left hand while he begged.

“No, cats don’t have collars like this. The collar alone is likely to be about three months’ worth of my salary. Impossible. If I put this on, I feel as if I might get kidnapped. If I were a bad person, I’d take off the cat’s head and take only the collar. I’m sorry. It’s scary.”

“ is really a chatterbox.”

“That’s right, but I can’t convey what I’m saying other than a meow. That’s why I’m quite troubled. I don’t want to wear that collar. Just use a normal ribbon or something. You won’t be able to see it due to the fur on my neck anyway.”

“Hmm…Chateaureizu is a girl, so maybe she should have more pretty jewels.”

“No! Not even the slightest at all!”

The thoughts weren’t conveyed. Ki! The cat tapped on the boy’s hand that was stroking its chin with its pink paw pads. Of course, it did not bring out its claws. It was tapping with its pink paw pads so it was a reward. Sure enough, the boy smiled at its attack.

“Chateaureizu is so cute. I think that this collar will definitely suit you.”

“I don’t want to. I’ll get kidnapped.”

“Hmm. If only I can understand what you’re saying.”

“That’s right.”

As they were having their regular morning routine where the boy tries to put the collar on the cat and the cat refuses, the door is knocked. Apparently, it was time for the boy’s morning study.

“Then, Chateaureizu, be good.”

“Yes~ Good luck with your studies.”

The boy placed the cat down from his lap and got up from the sofa he’s sitting on. It watched the boy walk out of the door as it stretched on the floor. Then, it walked towards the finely carved wooden bed and jumped on it. The bed looked luxurious. The mattress strings were strong and the comforter was soft and fluffy. As it curled up on the comforter, its bushy tail covered the tip of its nose.

―it loves its fur. Its own fur is the best.

When I was picked up that day, I was brought to this mansion. It was a mansion with an overwhelming sense of wealth. There were many servants around.

Once I was in the mansion, I first looked in the mirror. The reflection showed a long haired calico cat. It was the cat that I thought of right before my death. It seemed to be a kitten though, but since I never had a cat, I don’t know exactly its age. Its teeth were all out and it could eat food instead of just milk. Therefore, it probably wasn’t just a newborn. Its fur was soft and its eyes were large, and its slightly raised mouth was very adorable.

Orton, the rich boy that picked me up, is very fond of me. First of all, the food is delicious. At first, I thought that they would serve me something like cat food, but I was given a proper meal. I was eating something that’s much more sophisticated compared to the pasta that I bought from the convenience store in my previous life.

I was allowed to eat something like white fish terrine with consomméーit was lightly seasoned for cats thoughー and the cat’s tongue can taste its delicious flavor well.

Thank goodness. Rich people are like gods in their own way. That’s why I’m addicted to sleeping. Free days. Free time. Free sleep. It’s a special day. Everyday is special.

* * *

I’ve been enjoying special days for two months. At first, I couldn’t leave the room of the boy who picked me up, Orton, but recently I was able to walk freely around the house. It’s not like I don’t do anything. I eat, sleep, climb up the curtains when I feel the need for an exercise, scratch my claws on the carpet, and I even dare to show my belly to the maids to tempt them. Those were my days.

I felt happy to have been reincarnated, however today felt a little bit different. What’s different today was Orton, he was down. The reason was…

“Chateaureizu…I don’t have any friends…”

“Oh, what’s the matter, Orton? Friends? Don’t worry, I don’t have any either,”

Yes, none. I don’t have any since I’m a free-spirited cat.

“I’m going to try to talk to you, but I don’t know what to say…”

“Ehーyou’re joking, Orton. Aren’t you talking? You talk to me all the time.”

“I can talk so much with Chateaureizu like this.”

“That’s certain. Though I only say ‘meow’, sometimes I wonder if you understand me? There are times I think that way.”

“It was brought up to my mother by others that I don’t socialize or get along well with people…”

“Ah…I’d wish to be left alone, but for someone to say things like that. On no noㅡI really don’t like that.”

That’s hard and discouraging. Isn’t that right? Someone who doesn’t really care about you suddenly becomes worried about you and says that it’s for your sake then says all kinds of things, right? And when Orton’s mother heard that, she was either angry, worried, or anxious, and told him to make friends…How annoying! That’s really annoying!

The cat nodded in understanding and tapped Orton’s right hand with its paw. It’s fine, don’t worry about it. It’s okay to have friends, but it’s also alright not to have friends. It’s enough to have a house that can shelter you from the wind and rain, have food, a good night’s sleep, and a decent amount of work or study.

“… Chateaureizu. ”

“Hmm?”

“…Thank you.” Orton lifted the cat up from his lap and gently hugged it. However, he seemed really down, so it stretched and licked his soft cheeks.

“Mm…your tongue is quite rough, so it might hurt a bit.”

“Yeah. I thought so too.”

He let go and made eye contact with the cat. His eyes narrowed softly, he seemed to have cheered up a little, “This time, I’m going to have a tea party in my house.”

“Hooー”

Orton placed the cat back on his lap again and gently patted its head. It rubbed its forehead against his hand as it lay back down on his lap.

“I heard that my mother invited a lot of kids my age, though I wonder if I’ll do well.”

“I’m sure you can do it. You’re a sweet boy. You can get along well if you play tag together.”

Well, I’m not sure if rich kids play tag.

“…Tomorrow, if I make friends, can I have them meet you?”

“Of course!” As I was laying on Orton’s lap, I hit my chest with my right paw. Leave it to me!

At this, Orton looked at the cat and laughed.

* * *

It was the day of the tea party. It seemed that it was held around the pavilion in the garden, voices of boys, which is not usually heard, could be heard in the garden.

I sneaked out from behind a tree to see what was going on. There was――

“No…Even though you were the organizer, you…”

Four boys were gathered together happily chatting and laughing. As for Orton, he was alone sitting on a chair, quite a distance away from them.

Yeah…the organizer…this looks painful. Remembering how down Orton was yesterday, I placed my right paw on my head. There’s nothing wrong with being alone, but when I think about Orton’s mental state as he just watched other people excitedly talking in his tea party…

Fine. I’ll give him some help here. After all, I owe him for picking me up that day. I’m a cat that returns the favor.

“Hey! Look over here!!” I stood out of the tree’s shadow and meowed out as loudly as I could. There was a meow. They surely have heard that.

“Eh, a cat?”

“You heard that right?”

“Ah, there it is!”

The boys stopped chatting as they looked around. One of them found the cat and pointed at it. They all looked at it at once. After confirming that all their eyes were on it, it let out a loud sound again.

“Gentlemen! Let my cuteness melt you!” As gracefully as possible, yet with the cuteness of a kitten, I placed a paw out and went forward.

Thanks to the power of Orton’s love and money, I was able to eat food everyday and my long fur is smooth and fluffy. Its delicate fur can be felt with each step. Also, its tail was swaying by the wind as it was standing straight. This is the way I walk to maximize its cuteness! The maids, butler, and Orton would always get struck by it.

“Wah! Such an adorable cat!”

“It looks so fluffy.”

“It looks like it’s going that way.”

“Is that his cat…?”

I felt the boys’ attention on me and a grin broke out on my face. Since I’m a cat, even this grin would look cute. I ran past the boys and went straight to Orton. The trick here was not to go directly to the boys.

“Chateaureizu… I told you to wait for me in the room today…”

“Yeah. You did say that.”

Looking at the cat approaching him, Orton had a complicated expression on his face. However, it didn’t care and jumped on his lap. It sat down and pressed its head against his lap as he gently patted it.

“Chateaureizu is cute and they’d all want to touch you, and I thought that it’d be bad for you…”

“Yeah. I knew you were thinking of me, Orton.”

That’s right. Actually, I was told by Orton not to go out today. Honestly, I expected him to ask me to go with him to the tea party, and I intended to, but Orton is not that kind of boy. If he couldn’t socialize well, he could have used me, a cat, as a topic to talk about or to keep me close to help him calm down. However, Orton was concerned about me meeting a lot of people which might cause a cat stress. He would have wanted me to meet them once they became friends, but they were not at that stage yet. That’s why I was told to stay in the room.

Orton is really kind. If his kindness was conveyed to them, he’d surely be able to make friends. All that remains is a chance. And that’s why I’ll be the one to make that opportunity. I am a cat that returns the favor after all.

“I’m sorry for disobeying you. I just made noise by the door and the maid opened it for me.”

“…You showed your belly at them again to charm them, didn’t you?”

“You know.”

Orton seemed to know at once the reason why the cat came to the garden, and he let out a small sigh, “Really…” Then, he gently pulls it into a hug, “…Thank you. I’m afraid I lost the courage to do it now.”

“Yeah.”

“I’m glad that you came here.”

“That’s good.”

He hasn’t had a chance to make friends yet, but it seems that going to him was effective. When the cat answered with a meow, the boys gathered there together.

“What a very cute cat!”

“Ah…yeah…”

“What’s its name?” the smallest but brightest boy asked Orton.

Good! This child seems to be a good communicator! What’s more, he seems to love cats! I smiled as Orton stealthily went close to my ears, “…can I tell them your name?”

“Hey, I’m your cat. You can tell them without even asking permission. You are too gentlemanly.”

There’s no one who’d ask permission to their own cat to tell their name.

“It’s fine. Go ahead and tell them.” I indicated with my paw my affirmation as Orton nodded.

“It’s name is Chateaureizu.”

“Chateaureizu! Even the name is adorable!”

“Ah…I named her.”

“Yes! It’s a lovely name!”

“That’s right, it suits her.”

“Ah, thank you.”

That’s good! He’s making conversation! The boys don’t even seem to mind that he’s timid and quite intimidated, and Orton seems happy to hear their compliments on the name. The tallest boy also joined in the conversation, everyone was able to talk about the same topic. It makes it feel that it was worth it that I stepped in to help.

“May I pet it?”

“Ah, I’m not sure…”

The short boy has been putting his hand out back and forth for a while. I like the fact that he doesn’t suddenly touch me and tries to ask permission first. But…

“No one except Orton.” I avoided the boy’s hand and slipped closer to Orton.

“Ah, I’m sorry…I guess not.”

“No! It’s alright! I’m sorry.”

“We only just met.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The short boy looked a little sad, however he quickly composed himself. Actually, I don’t mind being petted, but if I let you touch me right now, you wouldn’t be able to. If you try several times, I’d avoid it. Sorry… for being a calculating cat…

As you can see, I felt a bit sorry for him, so I offered him my right paw.

“Ah, put your hand here.”

“Eh, here?”

“Yeah. Here…then, bring your palm up…” Orton instructed the boy to place his hand in front of the cat’s right paw.

I placed my paw in front of his palm and put a lot of weight on it.

“Wah, its weight…!”

“Ah, stay still…”

“Okay!…The cat’s paw is so warm and fluffy.”

Then, after putting my weight on his palm for a while, I gently pulled my right paw back. Afterwards ―

“Wow! There’s a paw print! So cute!” The boy looked at his palm as he happily exclaimed.

“It’s a paw print stamp.”

A cat’s paw prints are cute, aren’t they?

“Ah, me too, I want one too…Can I?”

“ Chateaureizu, what do you think?”

“Sure.”

“Then, me too!”

“ Chateaureizu, is it okay?”

“It’s fine.”

One by one, the cat stamps the excited boys’ palms. During this time, Orton was able to talk to them and was able to interact with them until the end of the tea party.

“Well then, See you later!”

“I’ll come again.”

“I’ll bring you an interesting book next time.”

“Next time, we should go and move around.”

“Okay, I’ll wait till then.” I nodded when I saw him making a promise for their meeting next time.

* * *

“ Chateaureizu, thank you for today.”

“I’m a cat who returns a favor.”

“Mother was glad. And…I was glad, too.”

“Un.”

“And I…Perhaps, made a friend, too…”

“I think it’s alright to call them friends now. You’ll be seeing each other again and will have lots of fun!”

“…It’s thanks to you.”

“No, it’s because everyone now knows that you’re a good person. Orton, you are amazing, so have confidence in yourself!”

After the tea party ended without a hitch, that night, the cat was on the bed on Orton’s arm as it spoke to him with a meow. Orton heard what it said and smiled, “I don’t know what Chateaureizu is saying, but I know that you’re always encouraging me. Thank you so much for everything.” He kissed the cat on the forehead.

The gentle touch, his warm arms, the warm duvet, and the warmth of his body filled me with a soft feeling…and it just…

“ Chateaureizu, you’re purring, right?”

“This is, you know. A physiological phenomenon. I can’t stop it…” I answered with a meow, but couldn’t stop the sound from my throat. I understood that when I became a cat that when I’m happy, I’d do this subconsciously. The more the sound goes out, the happier I get…

“So cute, Chateaureizu .” Orton giggled and stroked the cat’s chin with his hand that wasn’t used as its pillow.

Hmm…Happy…I wanted more, so I lifted my chin higher, showing my neck. He giggled again as he continued stroking. Letting out a sigh felt pleasant too…

“Ah…Happy…”

“I feel happy…”

Sharing the feeling of happiness together in the warmth of the bed, the cat’s eyes closed.

“I’m glad to have met you.”

“Me…too…”

“Let’s be together forever.”

“Yeah…”

“… Chateaureizu , are you asleep?”

“…hnn…” That time, I had a whiff of money that moment when I was being picked up. My instincts were brilliant.

I knew that Orton was saying something, but I couldn’t answer him anymore.

“I feel like I won’t be able to like anything other than Chateaureizu anymore…” Orton’s voice was gentle as he mumbled softly.

If you like my translations, please consider supporting me through my ko-fi

[1] Shichi-Go-San (七五三, lit. ’seven-five-three’) ⤴ : refers to a traditional Japanese festival (shrine visit) by children aged seven, five, and three. It is held annually to celebrate the growth and well-being of young children. It isn’t a national holiday and is generally observed on the nearest weekend.

[2] Romance gray person ⤴ : an attractive older man that has some gray hair

[3] シャトレーズ (Romaji: Shatorēzu) ⤴

t/n: I had other spelling variations of this name and I chose a spelling that seemed visually pleasing (and kinda fancy-looking) as well as a spelling that has a closer sound to the Japanese pronunciation.