"Wait! Did you… just meow in response to what I just said?"
Oh?
Oh, right!
Claire realized it too!
"Meow!" she meowed again, leaning forward slightly as if to make sure Emilia noticed. Her tail flicked with determination, signaling to her master.
Because even if she couldn't speak, she could still meow!
And that was already enough!
All she needed was for Emilia to know she understood her—that was it!
"Wait!" Emilia suddenly sat up straighter and carefully placed Claire down on the bed.
Claire sat opposite her, posture upright, her small face unusually serious. Even her ears tilted forward in full attention.
"If you understand what I'm saying right now, meow twice," Emilia said slowly, as if conducting a serious experiment.
Claire didn't even hesitate.
"Meow! Meow!"
"Oh my god!!!" Emilia gasped, her voice full of excitement.
"Hmmm… but it could just be a coincidence…" she muttered, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
So she tried again.
"Now, can you meow five times?"
Easy!
Claire lifted her chin like a pro and did it just as instructed.
"Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow!"
Although it did take a little while to get all five out, since meowing is hard work, at least it would help Emilia confirm the truth!
"Wow!!!" Emilia gasped again, her eyes sparkling like stars, an excited smile spreading across her face.
"Oh wait, can you… like… do math too? What's nine plus ten?"
HAHHHH!?
Claire froze, staring at Emilia like, What the fuck? Are you serious? HOOOMAN?!
Well, of course she knew what nine plus ten was…
But to have to meow nineteen times in a row?
COME ON!!!
Still, she had no choice.
Claire took a deep breath and committed.
"Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow… meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow!"
Nineteen solid meows… completed!
"WOAAAAHHH! SO YOU REALLY UNDERSTAND ME!!!" Emilia shouted, practically bouncing on the bed.
"MEOW!!!" Claire replied proudly, puffing out her chest like she'd just completed an epic quest.
Emilia giggled, her heart overflowing with joy, and pulled Claire closer, hugging her tightly.
The embrace squished Claire between her master's soft, pillowy boobs. Attempting to push away, her paws only sank into the warmth, and her meow was muffed.
"Hihi… I know you're special!" Emilia giggled as she released Claire, then leaned forward to give her a quick kiss on the nose.
It was so sudden that Claire froze in place, whiskers twitching, ears jerking upright in surprise.
"So, how should I name you now, Miss Noctifelis?" Emilia asked with a cheeky grin, her eyes glinting with mischief.
Because, well… that was still a big problem.
Even though Emilia now knew Claire could understand her, there was still no way for Claire to fully explain exactly what she wanted. Words were off the table.
However, just then, Claire's eyes lit up with an idea.
She hopped onto the window platform, tail swishing with purpose, and meowed toward the sight outside.
Emilia tilted her head, curious, and followed her over.
When she reached the window, the night greeted her in full splendor. From her room high atop one of the towers of the Silvervein estate, she had the perfect view—an endless sea of stars glittering above, a silver moon glowing softly, all set against the vast, inky velvet of the sky.
"You mean… Moon?" Emilia guessed, pointing upward.
Claire shook her head.
"Stars?"
Another shake of the head.
"Oh… you mean… Darkness?"
"Meow!"
Yes! Darkness!
Now that was a cool name. It matched her sleek black fur perfectly. After all, she was a Noctifelis—a magical beast cat with a coat as dark as the deepest shadow.
But… just "Darkness" felt a little too plain. Too short. Too simple.
She needed something more!
Claire suddenly rolled onto her back, tongue lolling out, paws curled, lying completely still with her eyes shut.
"Oh no! Are you okayyy?" Emilia gasped, crouching down with both hands hovering over her.
But Claire popped up in a flash, meowed to reassure her, then flopped onto her back in the exact same position again.
"What? I don't under—oooooh! You mean… dead?"
"MEOW!"
"Dead and Darkness? Darkness of the Dead? Deadly… Darkness?"
"MEOW!"
Yes! Deadly Darkness! Now that was a name worthy of a legendary Noctifelis. It was strong. It was intimidating. It was cool.
Claire's tail twitched in excitement. She loved it already.
But Emilia crossed her arms, giving Claire the stern look.
"Absolutely not!" she declared. "That's a terrible name! That's way too scary and morbid!"
"MEOWWW!"
Claire meowed in outrage, ears flattening.
But no matter how much she argued, hissed, or glared, her master didn't yield.
Arrghgh, fine!!!
Claire gave up.
She was about to look for some other inspiration for her name… something like "Shadow" or something along those lines.
But suddenly—
"Wait! I know!" Emilia gasped, like a lightbulb had just gone off in her head.
"Meow?"
Claire narrowed her eyes.
Alright. What now?
She wondered what other awful name her master was about to come up with this time.
But it turned out… Emilia's idea wasn't bad at all!
"How about you take after my name? So that we have similar names?"
OOOOOH!!!
Claire's eyes lit up.
That was a good idea indeed!
So… her master's name was Emilia… what should her name be now? She tilted her head in thought.
Milia?
Emile?
"How about… Mimi?" Emilia suggested.
Eh?
Mimi…
Well, even though it still wasn't as cool as Deadly Darkness…
It did sound good, and cute!
"MEOW!"
Claire liked it!
[Ding! Your master wants to give you a name: Mimi! Do you accept?]
Claire pressed her paws onto the imaginary button!
And just like that…
[ACCEPTED!]
[Ding! Your name is now officially Mimi!]
[You can start cultivating your Bond level with Master! Improve your bond level to get rewards!]
[Reward for Bond level 1: +0.01 EXP!]
[Progress to level 2: 0.01/1000]
[Bond with Master +1 point!]
[Progress to Bond level 2: 1/100]
[Evolution point +0.001!]
[Progress to next evolution: 0.001/1000]
Ooooh, what's this?
Claire blinked in surprise. She had just received something from the system… Just a few evolution points, but nice regardless!
"Hehe, nice to meet you, Mimi!" Emilia said warmly.
"Meow!"
_____________________
A few minutes later…
Emilia was sitting cross-legged on the bed again, the warm glow of the lamplight spilling over her shoulders. In her hands, she held a soft brush, running it slowly through Claire's—no, Mimi's—fur.
"I'm sorry, Mimi… for everything that happened earlier. You must have been so afraid…" Emilia's voice was gentle, almost trembling.
"Meow…" Mimi answered softly.
If only she could speak…
She wanted to tell her master that none of it was her fault. She didn't blame her—nor her parents. After all, that Draco guy had only wanted the best for Emilia… As the genius child of the Silvervein, Emilia had been facing with crushing expectations.
If anything, Mimi was just glad to still be alive… and to have ended up with such a lovely master.
"I promise, I will never let anyone hurt you again…" Emilia said, her voice tightening.
A faint shimmer appeared in her eyes, then a tear rolled down her cheek.
Mimi immediately reached up, her tiny paws brushing gently against Emilia's face, wiping it away.
Oh, wait…
Actually… I'm a cat now.
I should act more like a cat!
With that thought, Mimi leaned forward and gave Emilia's cheek a quick lick with her bristly tongue.
Well, for a human, such a sudden move might be considered some kind of harassment… but for a cat, it was pure affection.
Emilia giggled.
"Thank you… Mimi…" she whispered.
"Meow…"
[Ding!]
Another notification popped up.
[Emilia felt your love for her and appreciated it!]
[Bond with Master +1 point!]
[Progress to Level 2: 2/100]
[Evolution point +0.001!]
[Progress to next evolution: 0.002/1000]