Chapter 19 He was allowed to touch it!

Meanwhile, Rei Furuya was sitting alone on a park bench nearby. The sun was shining brightly, but he couldn't feel any warmth.

The new school got off to a great start.

Perhaps it's because the presence of someone like Nekono Ikuya, who frequently changes her image and demeanor, has raised the level of acceptance towards appearance among students.

Perhaps it was the mistake of mistaking someone else for someone else at first meeting that stirred up everyone's sense of guilt.

Everyone was friendly towards him, and fewer people treated him differently because of his appearance—whether with good intentions or malice.

"Maybe it's because of Nekono Ikuya here," Furuya Rei thought jokingly.

Clearly, Nekono Ikuya is also deeply involved in this field, and Sakura Elementary School is his home turf. Everyone is used to focusing their attention on Nekono Ikuya, so he, as a "newcomer with some unique characteristics," can't compete with the "veteran superstar."

The attention he received from people because of his unique appearance was actually less than the attention he received because of his interactions with Nekono Ikuya.

This left Furuya Rei both amused and exasperated.

Even if some people were genuinely curious about his blond hair and dark skin, they seemed too embarrassed to face him for a while because of the awkward misunderstanding that happened between them when they first met.

Could this be considered a blessing in disguise?

Rei Furuya estimates that most people will need some time to mentally prepare themselves before they dare to tentatively and formally approach him. After all, not everyone is a social terrorist who wouldn't feel awkward at all.

Overall, most people at the new school treated him in a friendly but not overly enthusiastic manner, maintaining a suitable distance, which satisfied Rei Furuya.

Unfortunately, life is full of disappointments, with fewer things going as planned. Just as Rei Furuya was about to share his joy with Dr. Elena Miyano, he suddenly received the devastating news that Dr. Elena Miyano's family was about to move away.

The news of Elena Miyano's family moving away came suddenly, and even the time for saying goodbye was rushed.

The loneliness and sorrow brought by the separation weighed on Rei Furuya's heart like a boulder, making it hard for him to breathe.

Rei Furuya knew that the family that had given him such rare tenderness and equal treatment had disappeared from his life and he would probably never meet them again.

Rei Furuya felt empty inside, with a sense of being abandoned and lonely.

Not only that, on his way to the park to relax, Furuya Rei also happened to run into those despicable guys who always deliberately caused trouble for him because they didn't like his hair color and skin color.

When they met on a narrow road, they couldn't stand each other, so Rei Furuya naturally got into a fight with them.

Although the opponent did not gain any advantage and was instead badly beaten by Furuya Rei, Furuya Rei felt even more frustrated and disappointed.

After all, Rei Furuya looked at the scrapes on his arm from the fight, knowing that Dr. Elena Miyano would never again gently bandage him.

"Sigh~" Furuya Rei sighed softly, his gaze unfocused on the ground beneath his feet, lost in his own thoughts.

Just then, a nimble black figure silently approached, and a faint rustling sound caught Furuya Rei's attention.

Rei Furuya felt something furry brush against his ankle, bringing a warm sensation.

“???” Furuya Rei lowered his head.

A cat with dark clouds and snow-covered feet sat gracefully at Rei Furuya's feet.

It was an exceptionally beautiful snow-covered cat. Its fur was glossy black, like smooth brocade, and felt wonderful to the touch. Its eyes were bright and clear, like the finest emeralds. Most remarkably, while its entire body was black, the tips of its ears, the tip of its tail, and the fur on its four paws were pure white and flawless, as if it had just walked on snow.

What a unique snow-covered cat!

This special snow-white cat was sitting obediently, its four snow-white paws elegantly folded together, its little head tilted back, staring at him without blinking.

Rei Furuya looked down at the cat, and the cat looked up at Rei Furuya.

Rei Furuya was stunned, and the cat seemed to be stunned as well.

Their eyes met.

They were both surprised.

“…A cat?” Furuya Rei was a little surprised and murmured unconsciously.

When did this cat appear? He hadn't even noticed it.

"Meow~" Although the cat was startled by the sudden eye contact between the person and the cat, its ear tips twitched slightly, and its leisurely swaying long tail froze for a moment, but it did not retreat warily like an ordinary wild cat.

It tilted its head, its small nose twitched slightly, and it sniffed the air carefully, as if trying to discern something.

Then, it cautiously raised its paw and moved forward, slowly circling half a circle around Furuya Rei's feet, seemingly still carefully assessing something.

Even Rei Furuya could see the surprise and confusion in its movements and eyes.

Although he didn't know what the cat was wondering or confused about, Furuya Rei still thought, no wonder adults always say that cats are intelligent. This cat's eyes are so spiritual, it's practically a smart cat!

So even when the cat's tail occasionally brushed against Rei Furuya's ankles, making him ticklish, Rei Furuya held back his laughter as the cat circled around him.

Because Rei Furuya was afraid that his sudden laughter would scare away the cat that rarely showed him any affection.

Fortunately, Ryougu Rei's efforts were not in vain.

As the cat walked along, it seemed to have finally confirmed something, and its previously scrutinizing posture softened.

It even took the initiative to step forward and gently rub its fluffy little head against Furuya Rei's still dusty calves, within its reach.

Not only that, Rei Furuya also heard a soft purring sound coming from its throat. He knew this meant the cat was expressing affection.

Rei Furuya was flattered.

The cat's affection caught Furuya Rei off guard, and he almost instinctively crouched down.

Of course, the crouching motion wasn't fast; in fact, it was quite slow. Subconsciously, Rei Furuya still remembered to be gentle and not frighten the cat.

Rei Furuya slowly reached out his hand, hovering it above the cat's head, his fingertips tentatively probing.

"...Is that alright?" His voice was also very soft, and as he spoke, he stared into the cat's eyes, his purplish-gray eyes filled with a strange tenderness and solemnity.

Rei Furuya was prepared to be dodged or even scratched.

"Meow~" The cat meowed softly, looking at Furuya Rei, its clear emerald-green cat eyes reflecting the human's purplish-gray eyes.

Instead of dodging, it stepped forward and pressed its forehead against Furuya Zero's palm.

Although it was just the palm touching the fur, the soft, warm vibrations, carrying the pulse of life, were like a gentle stream of warmth, instantly melting Furuya Rei's heart.

Rei Furuya opened his eyes wide.

He was allowed to touch it!

A warm, furry touch traveled from my fingertips, striking the softest spot in Rei Furuya's heart like an electric current.

He slowly dug his fingertips into the black cat's satin-like fur, feeling its vitality.

“You…aren’t you afraid of me?” Furuya Rei murmured to himself, his voice a little hoarse.

Perhaps because he had been fighting with people for many years, his scent sounded somewhat fierce to sensitive small animals, so most small animals didn't like to get close to him.

Therefore, this unreserved acceptance is so precious at this moment.

"Meow~" The black cat meowed softly, its voice different from before, carrying a hint of pride and disdain. It was as if it was responding to Furuya Rei's words.

The black cat flicked its tail, proudly raised its head, and looked down at the cat with disdain, as if to say: What's so scary about you? This cat is experienced and knowledgeable; it wouldn't be afraid of an ordinary human child!

"Pfft~" Furuya Rei was strangely comforted by the black cat's meow.

He rubbed the black cat's ears, paying special attention to the tips that looked like white earmuffs, and then followed the outline of the cat's head down to the black cat's chin, scratching it awkwardly and gently.

I must say, the cat's fur looks glossy and smooth, and it feels amazing to the touch.

Rei Furuya really likes it.

"Purr~" As Furuya Rei's movements became more and more skillful, the cat gradually narrowed its eyes and made a soft purring sound in its throat.

Although enjoying itself, the black cat still maintained its proud posture and did not completely collapse.

It's a reserved cat with an idol complex!

Rei Furuya continued talking to the cat: "Don't you want to be alone either? You think it's boring to be alone, right?"

So why did you suddenly come over to stay with him, who was also lonely, and comfort each other?

"Meow~" No, that's not it.

"Meow meow meow~" I ran away because I thought my little owner was too annoying today, not letting me sleep and always wanting to play with me, and accidentally wandered here.

"Meow~" Taking care of a child is so tiring, meow, this cat just wants to sleep.

"Meow~ Meow?" Right, human baby, why do you have your little master's scent on you?

"Meow~" I know, you must be friends.

"Meow~" Why don't you play with your little master and let the cat go to sleep?

The black cat suddenly let out a series of continuous meows, which greatly surprised Furuya Rei.

He stroked the cat's back and said with delight, "Are you trying to comfort me?"

The black cat meowed a few more times: "Meow?" It was just an interjection in cat language, expressing surprise.

"Meow~" People who don't understand cat language are such a hassle, so I'll try to comfort you.

It nuzzled against Furuya Rei, its clear, bright green cat eyes indeed showing a hint of comfort.

“…Thank you,” Furuya Rei said softly.

The two, one human and one cat, quietly kept each other company for a while longer; this moment of tranquility was all the more precious.

Unfortunately, this precious tranquility did not last long. At an ordinary moment, the black cat suddenly pricked up its ears and its emerald eyes warily surveyed its surroundings.

It suddenly let out a long "meow~", its tail tip brushed against Furuya Rei's wrist, and finally rubbed against Furuya Rei with reluctance before nimbly pulling away and disappearing into the bushes nearby.

My little master is coming, meow, I have to go now, meow, see you next time, meow, human cub!

Rei Furuya's hand froze in mid-air, his thoughts, which had just been calmed, were once again stirred up by this sudden parting.

Can't even a cat stay by his side for long? He lowered his eyes in disappointment.

Just then, a voice, both unfamiliar and somewhat familiar, rang out from not far away—

"Furitani-san?"

A note from the author:

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