Volume 4 Chapter 71 Cat Ear Before And After
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
When Korukona said she was leaving the village, many villagers came to the port to say goodbye.
A few girls, likely her friends, stood close around her. They held hands, hugged, wiped away tears, and didn’t want to part.
”Take care out there, Korukona.”
”If anything happens, come back anytime, okay?”
Her grandfather, the village head, didn’t say much. Even now, he stayed quiet.
But when he stood in front of me, he bowed deeply and spoke.
”Please… take care of my granddaughter.”
His voice was soft, but his eyes were serious.
He looked at the pirate ship docked nearby. It was once our enemy, the ship that had attacked this village.
Now, we owned it. We had taken it from them.
Looking up at the ship’s big body, the chief said quietly,
”If she’s with the people who defeated those pirates, then I believe she’ll grow stronger.”
He was trusting us—not only our strength, but also the kindness we showed when we saved her.
After saying those words, we left the villagers behind and walked to the ship with Korukona.
Before boarding, she turned around just once and waved.
It was a small, quiet gesture, but her face showed her resolve.
In this world, travel is not easy or safe. Once you leave home, it’s hard to come back.
Sometimes, you might never return again.
Of course, I could use my Love Hotel’s power to return instantly…
But I can’t tell her that.
Tifi also limits her visits home to the bare minimum.
It’s sad, but it’s just how things are.
”You ready, Korukona?”
”…Yeah.”
We boarded the ship.
The sail caught the wind and swelled.
The ship moved out from the port and onto the sea.
Korukona stood at the edge of the deck, facing the village.
The sun hit her brown skin, and her cat ears twitched just a bit.
Her tail slowly swayed behind her.
The port got smaller.
Soon, we couldn’t see the village at all.
She let out a deep breath and turned to face forward.
I spoke to her.
”Are you sure about this?”
”Yeah.”
She answered right away.
”I can’t protect the village the way I am now. I couldn’t do anything when the pirates came.”
Then she went on.
”Anyway, I guess I already died once. That time I jumped off the pirate ship.”
She looked straight at me.
”So now I want to live this life… for Taro and the others who saved me.”
Her eyes were full of resolve. Her voice didn’t waver.
”I see. Well, I’ll be counting on you.”
”And I’ll be counting on you!”
I said it half-joking, and the girl with cat ears gave a shy smile.
She puffed out her chest a little. She seemed confident. Dependable.
”So, what now? Are we heading to the pirates’ hideout?”
Yomi leaned on the railing and asked.
”Yeah, that’s the plan. But before that…”
I glanced at the girl beside me.
Her black cat ears stood up at the sound of my voice and turned toward me. Cute.
”First, can I touch those ears and your tail?”
”Meow!?”
Korukona jumped back, her shoulders twitching.
She had said she’d do anything. I wasn’t planning to hold back.
”Me too! I’ve always wanted to touch them!”
Yomi stepped forward with excitement.
”Even you, Yom-Yom? Why are both of you like this…?”
Tifi looked confused.
”There are cat ears right in front of us. Of course we have to touch them.”
”That’s just how it is.”
Yep. That’s how it is. People have their own customs.
”Um… well…”
Korukona got scared and covered her ears with both hands.
Her tail tucked down between her legs.
It was a bit sad to see, but honestly, it was cute.
She had said she wouldn’t complain. So she probably wouldn’t stop us now.
”I think only someone you like should be allowed to touch ears or tails…”
Someone you like, huh?
Maybe someone you love or want to marry.
”I told you it’s okay to do naughty things.”
”I… did say that, but…”
I didn’t wait.
Yomi and I moved in together and blocked her way.
We touched her cat ears and tail. Lightly rubbing and patting.
”Meow-fu!? Ahh, meow…”
They were soft. Springy.
But also kind of firm. It felt strange but nice.
When I stroked the base of one ear, it shook.
When I ran my fingers through her tail, it gently slid away.
”Huh… what is this feeling?”
”It’s not what I imagined…”
We both tilted our heads.
It was different than expected.
Character Notes:
• Korukona – A cat-eared girl with amber eyes. She is brave but vulnerable, showing honesty and gratitude. Taro rescues her from the pirate and plans to send her to her village.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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