Manager, can you demonstrate?
22: Chapter 22: I want to keep a cat.
Manager, can you demonstrate?
Hoshimi Miyabi gently covered her mouth with her hand, her gaze averting to the side, and asked for no apparent reason.
“Manager Furina…
are you a Cat Thiren?” “The tail, and the ears are…” Not knowing the purpose of the question, Furina still turned slightly to reveal her swaying cat tail behind her, then took off her hat to show her lively cat ears.
After putting the hat back on, she spread her hands open, just like the idle animation in Furina’s artifact interface.
“See~ I am a Cat Thiren.” Nodding, Hoshimi Miyabi continued to ask.
“Then if I buy some catnip and rub it on my body, will you come over?
Or, if I hold catnip, will you unconsciously follow me?” “This…
Wait, why are you asking such a thing?” Furina leaned back slightly, her hands protecting her front, looking at the black-haired fox in front of her with some uncertainty in her heart.
“Ahem, because I want to keep a cat recently…
but unfortunately I don’t have much experience, so I want to ask a Cat Thiren for some advice.” “Hmm~ Is that so?” “Yes.” Hoshimi Miyabi remained calm throughout, her face showing no special expression, which made Furina feel a bit more at ease.
“I also quite like cats.
Occasionally, on my way home, I feed some stray cats.
You just need to place the food in front of her, then slowly approach and reach out to pet her head, and then scratch her chin, and that’s it.” “And basically, most stray cats will come close when they see me.
It’s best to be gentle and friendly.” “I see…” Nodding, Hoshimi Miyabi looked like a good student listening attentively.
Then she stepped in front of Furina and, under the other’s astonished gaze, reached out to pet Furina’s head.
With her face flushing slightly, Furina looked at the other’s sudden approach and flapped her small hands in confusion.
“W-What are you doing?” “Don’t be nervous.
I’m just experimenting.
After all, I don’t have much experience, so I want to ask you, Manager, to give a demonstration.” “Can you give me some genuine reactions like a little cat would?” Hearing Hoshimi Miyabi’s words, Furina froze for a moment.
Then, under the other’s probing gaze, she slowly extended her hands and curled them into little paws.
“…Meow~?” Needless to say, Furina’s move was indeed quite devastating.
Hoshimi Miyabi’s heart couldn’t help but tremble, then she immediately let go of her hand and took two steps back, her face flushing as she looked away.
“Ahem, then the next step is scratching the chin, right?” “Eh?
Isn’t that about enough…?
I’m not a real cat, and I still have a shop to run here.” Over here, Nicole slowly sat up, watching the show unfold with amusement.
What are the Martial Nut Fox and the Lucky Cat doing?
A role-playing game with cats…
It looks pretty good~ Hmm~ Eh?!
Should the Cunning Hares also hire a cat girl, maybe as a mascot or something…
If the Lucky Cat wasn’t the owner of this shop, I’d really want to trick her into joining us.
“Boss Nicole, what is Ms.
Hoshimi Miyabi doing?” “How should I know?
The Martial Nut Fox’s train of thought isn’t something a normal person can understand.” Crossing her legs, Nicole waved her hand and explained casually.
“It’s probably the legendary cat petting…
But Ms.
Hoshimi Miyabi is the one petting, while Manager Furina is the one being petted.” Although Anby’s tone was somewhat flat, she always managed to spout some shocking statements.
Cissia seemed very relaxed.
After all, she didn’t have anything to do anyway, so she just needed to lean over to one side and watch the show while eating snacks.
Her small blue high-heeled boots took a slight step back, and Furina looked warily at Hoshimi Miyabi as she approached again, frowning.
“You, you should stop doing this kind of thing, I’m not a real cat~ You can just find a random cat outside and try it on them.” Taking a step forward, Hoshimi Miyabi shook her head faintly.
“That won’t do.
I’m a complete novice right now.
If I scare a cat, all the stray cats might find out about me and refuse to let me touch them.” “How is that possible…
Then, then don’t look for me either…” “Manager Furina, please…
let me try.” Just like that, Furina kept retreating, and Hoshimi Miyabi kept closing in, until her tail and back were pressed against the wall.
Furina had nowhere left to retreat.
And Hoshimi Miyabi slowly reached out to pin her against the wall.
Her other hand started reaching for Furina’s small chin.
Thump thump thump—!
“Hello, Public Security.
Please open the door and cooperate with the investigation—” Just at this moment, a series of knocks came from outside the door.
Zhu Yuan stood at the door and knocked twice, with two Public Security officers behind her.
A fully armed squad was also following behind, waiting.
“Not good!
Public Security is here.
Billy, Anby, we need to retreat through the back door!!” “Yes, Boss Nicole!!!” “Understood.” The three of them hurriedly stood up and ran toward the shop’s back door.
Before leaving, Anby even stealthily snatched a piece of cake.
“Um, I’ll go open the door first.” Since the left side was blocked by Hoshimi Miyabi’s hand, Furina could only slowly dodge to the right.
“The shop door isn’t locked.
Manager Furina, this is a critical moment.
Please prioritize cooperating with me.” “Too close, too close, this isn’t good~” Seeing no movement inside, Zhu Yuan’s eyes narrowed, and she slowly pushed the door open.
Click!
The door opened, and a beam of sunlight streamed in.
Zhu Yuan raised her pistol, as did the two Public Security officers behind her.
The three of them scanned the shop together.
“Nobody move, submit to inspection!
Uh…
inspection?” Looking at Hoshimi Miyabi’s back and seeing her pinning an innocent, pitiful cat girl against the wall in the corner, a complex expression crossed Zhu Yuan’s face.
“Miyabi?
What…
what’s going on?
What are you doing…” “Public Security Officer!
Save me, this person is acting so weird~!!!” In order to buy time for Nicole and the others, Furina spoke up to draw attention.
“Uh, please don’t panic first, may I ask who you are?” “I am the owner of this shop!
The drawers behind the counter contain all the permits and information…
Could you please save me~” Nodding, Zhu Yuan holstered her gun, then signaled the Public Security Officers beside her to verify the information.
She sighed and slowly walked over to Hoshimi Miyabi’s side.
She slapped the other’s arm away and pulled the white-haired cat girl behind her.
“What are you doing, Miyabi?
Didn’t we agree to go catch the sword thief…” A fleeting hint of regret flashed in her eyes, Hoshimi Miyabi slowly raised her gaze to look at Zhu Yuan.
“Indeed, but by the time I arrived, the sword had been thrown into the hands of this manager.
After confirming, the sword thief seemed to be trying to sell my sword and then make money from it.” Hearing this, Zhu Yuan turned around to look at Furina behind her.
Seeing the flustered look in her eyes, her appearance was quite cute.
Her brow unfurrowed unconsciously, and her tone softened as she inquired.
“Is that so…
Manager?” “Yes, yes, yes.
And I didn’t even accept their demands.
The sword was returned to…
Ms.
Hoshimi Miyabi.” Seeing the other party trying to hide something, Furina naturally played along.
“Did you get a good look at the thief’s face…?” “They came and went so quickly.
They seemed very flustered, and they were wearing masks, so I couldn’t see clearly.” Zhu Yuan began to stroke her chin in frustration, her hand unconsciously patting Furina’s head.
“This is going to be difficult.
The nearby security cameras are currently undergoing an equipment update and cannot be checked…
Don’t panic, Manager.
You will be safe for now.” “Okay~” Just then, the Public Security Officers, having finished verifying the various permits and business licenses Furina mentioned, walked over.
“Reporting, Captain Zhu Yuan, everything is in order.
This general store has the highest level of business permit!” “You two go outside and conduct a search first.
I still have matters to discuss with these two.” “Yes, sir!” After the two Public Security Officers left, Zhu Yuan turned to look at Hoshimi Miyabi.
“What did you mean just now?
Cornering the Manager…
What were you trying to do?” As she spoke, Zhu Yuan’s own face unconsciously flushed red.
“I came to buy the sword, and I also wanted to ask the Manager for some advice on raising cats…” “She seems to have mistaken me for a cat~ Thank goodness you arrived, Officer.
With my small frame…
I couldn’t have resisted.” Our Furina was quite sensible, quickly feigning the role of a weak victim.
Zhu Yuan naturally knew Hoshimi Miyabi’s combat strength and also knew that this fox’s way of thinking was a bit strange, so she believed Furina’s story.
“Alright, since the sword has been retrieved, you should leave quickly.
Don’t get in the way of the Manager’s business.” “But I’m also a customer…” “No, you’re not.
Didn’t you say you didn’t have any money to buy my sword?
Then what are you still doing here?” Looking at the white-haired cat girl who was so determined to drive her away, Hoshimi Miyabi stared at Furina for a long time, then decisively turned and left.
“Ah~ Sorry for causing you trouble.
This is my friend, she means no harm.” “Mm-hmm, I understand, Officer.” “You can just call me Zhu Yuan~” “Alright~ I’m the Manager, Furina.
I usually sell some potions I make myself and goods I’ve collected from various places.” Nodding, Zhu Yuan looked around for a moment before asking.
“You must have just opened your shop recently, right?” “That’s right, I just inherited this shop from the previous manager.
If Ms.
Zhu Yuan has any needs, you can come see me anytime.” “Okay~ Then I’ll be leaving now.
If there’s anything I need your cooperation with, I’ll come back to find you again.” After all, this place wasn’t far from the Public Security Bureau.
After Zhu Yuan finished speaking, she continued to look for Nicole and the others.
“Phew…
Finally, they’re all gone…
What was with that Hoshimi Miyabi just now…
So scary~”