“A cat?!”
Emma Sakuraba and Kikyo Kushida cried out in shock.
Yukino Yukinoshita—a living, breathing human being—could actually transform into a cat!
That was incredible!
Kiana was equally surprised.
‘Could their abilities actually be completely unrelated to Honkai Energy?’
‘I’ve never heard of Honkai Energy turning humans into cats.
If anything, it usually turns cats into Honkai beasts!’
Natsuyu offered a warm, gentle smile:
“Yukinoshita-san, thank you for cooperating.
I’d like to get a bit more detailed information.
This isn’t to pry into your privacy, but rather a mutual exchange of information.
The rest of us will share our abilities shortly as well.”
“So, Yukinoshita-san, could you elaborate a bit more?”
Natsuyu’s voice was soft and clear, like a gentle spring breeze.
Paired with his composed, handsome features, it was almost impossible not to feel favorable toward him.
Kushida glanced at him sideways, thinking to herself that she had definitely underestimated him.
Emma felt a slight twinge of longing.
She thought of her former best friend, Hiiro, who was equally reliable and capable, though she never understood why Hiiro’s attitude toward her had suddenly turned so hostile.
‘If Hiiro were as reliable and gentle as Natsuyu-san, would her attitude have changed so suddenly for no reason?’
‘If I were with someone like Natsuyu-san, I’d never be lonely, abandoned, or bullied…’
Yukino glanced at Natsuyu again, offering a completely logical response:
“Your request makes sense, and I will cooperate.”
“I don’t know much about supernatural powers myself.
I only know that activating this ability allows me to transform into a cat, or gain the agility and reflexes of a cat…
It really is quite fascinating.”
“If the rest of you weren’t standing right here in the exact same situation, I would find it very difficult to accept that superpowers actually exist in this world.”
After speaking, Yukino realized that everyone—except Kushida—was staring at her with wide, eager, and excited eyes.
Natsuyu asked hopefully:
“Can you turn into a cat right now and show us?”
Kiana nodded eagerly:
“Yeah!
I wanna see it too!”
Emma’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Yukino rejected them without leaving a shred of room for negotiation:
“I am not accustomed to being put on display like a performance.
If you are curious and possess abilities of your own, feel free to demonstrate yours as much as you like, but I advise you not to push your luck with me.”
Despite her firm words, Yukino secretly wanted to try transforming into a cat too.
First, to test the mechanics of her new supernatural ability.
Second, cats were absurdly cute!
Being able to turn into a cat was practically a dream come true for her!
Yukino resolved that she would secretly try transforming into a cat later when nobody was watching.
“Ah…
I see.”
Natsuyu, Emma, and Kiana looked visibly disappointed.
‘Aw, what a shame…
we won’t get to see Lady Cat Yukino today.’
Kushida narrowed her eyes and snorted inwardly.
She was annoyed that someone like Yukino was capturing so much attention, but more than anything, she was strategizing how to break through Yukino’s cold exterior and make her a friend.
‘The colder and more withdrawn someone is, the more intoxicating it feels when I break their armor and make them my friend!’
‘Especially when I uncover their secrets and see their true face behind that cold mask…
just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.’
Kushida shifted her gaze back to Natsuyu.
The only male present hadn’t shown an ounce of awkwardness despite being surrounded by attractive girls.
Instead, he displayed remarkable composure, guiding the conversation and naturally becoming the core leader of their small group.
‘If I get his help, I’ll definitely be able to make friends with that annoying Yukino.’
‘I’ll ask him for help later.’
Thinking of this, Kushida clasped her hands together in front of her chest, tilted her head cutely, and smiled:
“Yukinoshita-san’s ability is amazing!
Rurikawa-kun, who goes next?”
Natsuyu said:
“Thank you for sharing, Yukinoshita-san.
Who would like to introduce themselves next?”
“Me!”
Kushida answered before the hesitant Emma could even speak up, her adorable face beaming with an angelic smile that instantly captured Emma’s attention.
Natsuyu thought to himself:
‘It’s almost terrifying how she can pull off such a perfect angel smile right in front of a corpse.’
‘I wonder what kind of ability Kushida has?’
‘At least everyone here has an ability and isn’t just a pretty face.
This team lineup is actually incredible, which significantly boosts our survival chances in this alien wilderness.’
Under everyone’s gaze, Kushida smiled brightly, focusing her eyes on Natsuyu—whom she intended to recruit for help later—and began speaking:
“My name is Kikyo Kushida.
I go to Shiroi Middle School.
I love making friends, and my dream is to be friends with everyone in the world!”
“I only came here because a strange voice in my head promised I could make new friends.”
“Though it looks like we’ve been tricked by some unscrupulous scammers!”
Kushida let out a cute, dramatic sigh.
Natsuyu glanced at her sideways, amazed that someone was actively flexing such single-digit brainpower on purpose.
‘What a ditz.’
Emma opened her pink eyes wide, her eyebrows raising in surprise:
“Huh?
Kushida-san, the voice in my head said I could make friends here too!”
However, Emma had been cautious and rejected the suspicious prompt, so there was no need to elaborate further.
Kushida smiled brightly:
“Emma-chan, you too?!”
“E-Emma?!”
Emma was startled by such an intimate greeting, her cheeks flushing slightly.
Kushida stepped forward with a warm smile:
“Let’s be friends!”
“O-Okay!
Kikyo-san!”
Overwhelmed by the sudden closeness, Emma answered nervously, her face turning even redder.
Kushida was secretly thrilled.
‘No need to waste effort winning over easy airheads like her.’
‘While dealing with that annoying Yukino and that capable guy Natsuyu, getting close to Emma will be a piece of cake.
I can easily make her my best friend.’
Yukino spoke up calmly:
“Kushida-san.
Now is not the time for your friendship drive.
Please explain your superpower.
There are three other people waiting.”
‘What’s the rush?!
You arrogant ice queen!’
Kushida maintained a gentle smile:
“Yukinoshita-san is right.
Sorry for taking up everyone’s time!”
Emma immediately whispered softly:
“I…
I don’t think there was anything wrong with that.”
Natsuyu looked at Yukino and Kushida, a faint smile playing on his lips.
‘Even after transmigrating to another world, Kushida still ran right into a cold-faced, sharp-tongued nemesis who makes her life difficult.’
‘The universe’s character design logic really is relentless.’
Natsuyu asked curiously:
“So, Kushida-san, what is your ability?”
Kushida scratched her cheek softly, speaking in a sweet voice:
“I just discovered that my superpower allows me to redirect other people’s focus and attention.”
“I’ll give it a try…
Like this: [Everyone, look at Rurikawa-san!]”
Kushida’s amplified voice echoed directly inside the minds of the four, carrying a distorted, layered ethereal tone that left them briefly dazed and lost in thought.
In the next instant, the three girls—including Yukino—simultaneously shifted their gazes away from Kushida over to Natsuyu!
Everyone was visibly startled.