Chapter 48 The Cat's Hand

“Okay, good.”
“Y-Yes.”

After opening the front door and checking the surroundings for safety, I turned around and called to her.
The two of us walked out, creating the atmosphere of infiltrating some secret base.
I felt like I was doing something really bad, but what we were about to do was just a normal walk.

The reason why I’m so covert was so that Mashiro wouldn’t be seen behind me.
There’s nothing wrong with walking with Mashiro outside, but to be seen coming out of the room with her was to start a strange rumor.

In particular, the landlady. Although I told her that I have a cat, it would not be good for her to know that I have a new roommate.
Of course, a reasonable explanation would be all that was needed. But of course, I can’t explain that Mashiro, who used to be a cat, has turned into a person.

I don’t think I can keep it a secret forever, and I feel guilty. However, I still haven’t come up with a good explanation. Therefore, the matter is still pending.

“So, is it fine?”
“Ah, she’s always out at this time and won’t be back until the evening.”

Mashiro was looking around anxiously, but as it turned out, she was able to walk out the front door and outside the property without being seen.
It was the first time in a long time that Mashiro had been exposed to the fresh air, so she stopped and took a deep, quiet breath.

“I could smell the air outside.”
“Does it smell good?”
“Yes, it does. It’s been a long time and the breeze felt good.”

A moderately pleasant breeze brushed her cheeks and ruffled Mashiro’s light hair.
I took a moment to admire her face, as her neck and forehead, which I rarely see, were exposed.

“There’s a small park up ahead, so let’s walk there.”
“Yes!”

Mashiro replied with an energetic voice and started walking.
It was the first time I had ever seen her walking leisurely like this, and it gave me a fresh feeling.
As we walked closer to the park, Mashiro seemed to have gotten used to the outside world, and her gait became more light-footed, which I don’t usually see.

“Don’t get too excited and trip.”
“Yes, I’m fine…Hiya.”

Just as she turned around and replied, she tripped and lost her balance on a step, probably due to the unfamiliar sandals I had lent her.
I was able to quickly support her body and avoid falling, but as she was in my arms, she looked down in embarrassment.

“You’re okay, Mashiro?”
“Yes, I am. Thank you very much…”

It was the first time I had seen her so excited and careless. I almost laughed, but I managed to hold back for the sake of Mashiro’s pride.
I wonder if that’s how much fun it was to be able to walk around freely. If this was the case, I might as well have suggested it earlier.

“Here, Mashiro.”

Thinking about this, I reached out my hand to her as she regained her balance.
Mashiro stared at my hand for a moment, puzzled, but when she realized my intention, her eyes started to blink, wondering what’s going on.

I tried to pull back, thinking that maybe she didn’t want to hold my hand, but Mashiro looked flustered and put her hand on top of mine.
Somehow we couldn’t say anything to each other, and there was silence for a while. When I lightly pulled my hand away, she started walking along with it.

I didn’t think too much about it, and I wondered if I had embarrassed Mashiro by offering my hand, but by the time we entered the park, she didn’t seem to mind.

“I didn’t know there was such a large park nearby.”
“Yeah. I like it a lot, it has a nice atmosphere.”

In the center of the park was a large lawn with playground equipment, surrounded by paths and trees.
As Mashiro and I walked along the path together, we looked at the children playing in the park, the birds perching on the trees, and the flowers blooming along the roadside.
Mashiro’s beautiful eyes shone as if reflecting the world she could see.

“If Mashiro liked it, it was worth coming here.”
“Yes, I think it’s a very nice place. I like it.”

Mashiro answered me with a smile as we walked side by side. She squeezed my hand, which made me involuntarily nervous.
I was strangely nervous when I was forced to be aware of it, as I had tried not to be too conscious of it so far.

“Ah, do you want something to drink? I’ll get you one.”

Unable to resist the thumping in my chest, I diverted the subject and asked her.
Mashiro tilted her head a little curiously, as if it was indeed too sudden, but she must have sensed my situation, because she replied, “Yes, please.”

There was a bench nearby, so I told her to wait for me there and let go of our hands.
At that moment, Mashiro let out a small “Ah…”, which made me feel even more uneasy, and I headed for the vending machine as if to escape.

At my age, I still feel ashamed of myself for being so happy and sad about holding hands.
I had been allowed to touch her paw a little when she was a cat, but it was a different kind of feeling.

With this thought in mind, I bought a can of warm cocoa for Mashiro and a can of cold tea to cool my head, and then returned to Mashiro.