"Huh?"
That was the only word that came out of the man's mouth as he stared at the mysterious man in his room, who moments ago, was a cat. An injured cat that he saved while on his way back from university. How did it come to this?
It was just a normal morning in a certain urban household in Ibaraki, Japan. The alarm went off. The blanket moved as a hand poked out to turn it off. Slowly, a young man sat up. He yawned, stretched, and opened the curtains to his window to let the sunshine in. He smiled as he let out a small huff, tied up his long, slightly curly, ginger hair, then he wore the necklace he always wore everyday. Down he went to the kitchen, where one of his dads was preparing breakfast.
"Good morning, dad."
"Good morning, Hihiko. Come sit down. Breakfast is almost ready."
His name is Takafuku Hihiko. A 21, turning 22, year old university student who is majoring in Forensic Science.
"Good morning, father." His other dad, who was reading the newspaper, nodded. Breakfast was served. Then, the family had a conversation.
"To think you are graduating next year. I am so proud of you, Hihiko."
"Dad, that's next year. I just started the first semester for this year a few months ago."
"I'm still proud of you. It's never too early to celebrate."
"You know how your dad is. He's had your graduation celebration planned since you entered university."
"Hey! You excitedly planned it with me too."
He decided to ignore that. He then turned to look at Hihiko.
"So, two more weeks until summer holiday, yeah? Before that, you have one week of exams. Is there any place in particular you'd like to go? We could go together."
"Hmm I will need to think about it, I was a bit tempted to take some summer extra credits too, one week of extra lab lessons."
"Alright, just remember not to overwork yourself, take a rest when needed."
"Don't worry father, I'll be careful"
Hihiko took the last sip of miso soup.
"Alright! Finished breakfast! I'm off to school!"
"Don't forget your bento!"
"Oh! Thanks dad! Alright, bye!"
"Have a safe trip!" His parents said.
Hihiko made his way to the university. When he arrived, he greeted some peers, who were making their way there, too. He went to his class, greeted by his friends, and they talked about random stuff before the professor came into class and the lecture began.
During class changes, one of the female friends he has came up to him. "Takafuku-Kun? Could you help me with these 3 problems? I'm having a little bit of trouble with them."
"Sure! Show me."
"Gosh, stop pretending to have problems. You're just looking for an excuse to get close to Takafuku." Her friend scoffed while checking out her nails.
"I am having trouble with these three questions, okay?!"
"Then why not ask anyone else in class? Why is it only him that you're always asking, hmm?" She smirked while raising her eyebrows up and down.
She paused for a brief moment.
"Because Takafuku-kun is the smartest in the class."
"Sure, I really believe that's the only reason." She walked away laughing, leaving her friend behind while she blushed and pouted. She bowed to Hihiko.
"I'm so sorry about that, Takafuku-kun."
"It's fine. Let's work together to solve the questions, okay?" He flashed her a smile. She nodded and sat down right beside him.
Everything was just normal. He studied, hung out with friends during break time, went to his anime, manga, games club activities, just what an average university student does everyday. School ended for the day. He bid his friends and peers farewell, taking his usual route home. Then, he noticed something in the distance. Curiously, he got closer to check it out.
To his horror, it was a beautiful brown cat. It was badly injured with various cuts. One, particularly deep one on its hind leg. His hand trembled as he extended it to check to see if the cat was alive. The cat suddenly started shaking, slowly turning its head to look right at Hihiko.
It meowed weakly. Hihiko hurriedly picked it up in his arms, took out his smartphone to look for an animal clinic still open at this hour. Thankfully, there was a 24 hour clinic nearby. He rushed over hurriedly. When he arrived, the nurse at the reception was horrified at the injury the cat had sustained. The veterinarian quickly brought it in to treat its injuries.
Hihiko sat outside in the waiting room. He texted his parents that something came up and that he will be late. Minutes felt like hours as he prayed and wished the cat would be okay. After what felt like forever, the vet came out from the treatment room. He pulled his mask down as he sighed in relief and delivered the good news.
"Well, I have great news. The cat is in stable condition. Though, he will need to stay in the vet for observations. Thank god you brought him in time. Who could have done such a thing? Those injuries are not from another animal. They were definitely caused by another human being. Such an awful person." The vet crossed his arms as he huffed angrily.
"Thank you doctor, how long will he need to stay in the hospital for?"
"About a week, to make sure that he can eat and drink well. Also, to make sure his injuries heal well too."
It was a relief for Hihiko. He had heard of people being awful towards animals, but to see it for himself? He gripped his hand into a fist and took a deep breath before exhaling. He went to the counter to pay for the treatment, with the vet saying that he can pay the hospital bill after the cat was discharged. When he arrived back home, it was already very late, and his dad greeted him back.
"Welcome back. What happened? Why is there blood on you? Did someone hurt you?" His dad's voice started to turn into a growl. Hihiko had forgotten that the blood from the cat stained his clothes. He wasn't even aware of it as all he was thinking at the moment was to make sure the cat would get help.
"Wait, dad no! This was nothing! It's not my blood or anyone else! Nobody attacked me, it's just that I was on my way back home and I saw a badly injured cat, so I took it to the vet."
His dad sighed in relief, putting his hand over his heart thankfully that nobody tried to hurt his son. Before he could ask Hihiko to go shower and have dinner, an awfully angry aura was seeping through from behind. It was Hihiko's father. He cracked his knuckle as he asked the same questions of who hurted Hihiko. Both of them hurriedly explain to quell his anger.
Finally, he got to go take a bath. As he submerged himself into the water, he looked out the small window. The stars were bright with the moon even brighter tonight. The warm bath water relaxes his muscles, with the smell of jasmine from the shampoo he used relaxing his mind. It was just what he needed after the whole ordeal with the cat.
"I really wanted to report this to the police. Those injuries. But, I don't have any evidence other than testimony from the vet. Not even a suspect. This really sucks. May this not be the beginning of something awful happening around here."
He lowered himself down until his mouth was in the water. He blew bubbles to distract himself from the thought of an animal abuser running around here. When he was done with the bath, he got dressed and went to the dining room. His dad had heated up the food for him, and his father sat at the table with his smartphone watching some videos on the internet. Hihiko finished his dinner, cleaned up the table and washed the dishes even though his dad said to let him do it. But he insisted.
When he was done, Hihiko went to the living room to watch some television with his parents. He talked about the cat he had rescued. His father narrowed his eyes. It was about bedtime. As he laid on his bed, Hihiko had made up his mind that he will be visiting the cat after school until he can be discharged.
The next day, after classes ended along with club activities, he rushed towards the clinic and asked the nurse if he could see the cat. Granted, he was given permission. The vet showed him the veterinary cage the cat was in. Hihiko looked into the cage. There, the cat was inside with an IV drip around his arm. Bandages were all around his body, but he was sleeping peacefully. He seems to be much better than yesterday.
"Don't worry, he's doing fine. He's sleeping a lot, but he's drinking and eating, so that's a good sign."
For the coming week, Hihiko had made visiting the cat part of his routine. Even during his school days off while also studying for the exams. Everyday without fail, he visited the cat. Observing how well he had recovered. Even talking to him, to which the cat seemed to respond like he understood Hihiko. Until the seventh day where the doctor gave the okay to discharge the cat, though he still needed to be taken care of at home.
Before he went to school on that next day, his father walked up to him and handed him an envelope. It was full of money.
"Father, why are you giving me this?"
"For the cat's stay at the hospital. Also, for you to buy the things necessary to take care of a cat."
"I can pay for it myself. You don't have to-"
Then it suddenly hit him.
"Wait, you want me to adopt the cat?"
"What else is there?"
"I was thinking about it, but I never thought you would be asking for me to adopt."
"Just take it and good luck on your exams."
Hihiko took the money. He went through his day with the first day of exams. Because of that, there were no club activities. He made his way to the animal clinic. Filling in the forms and payments, he waited. The vet came out with the cat in his arms, looking much better now as the cat rubbed on Hihiko's chest when he was in his arms.
Hihiko then receives a message notification. He checked it out. It was from his father, who said, "Buy the most expensive and premium cat food." Going to the pet store, he bought all the essentials for a cat. Including the most premium canned food he could get.
He made his way back home. The moment he opened the door, his father was already waiting by, eager to take a look at the cat. He put his hands forward, and Hihiko gave him the cat, which he gently cradled in his arms. The cat's eyes widened for a moment before they became soft. He closed his eyes as he purred in Hihiko's father's arms. Hihiko let his father have his time with the cat. He went towards his dad who was watching from a distance.
"I didn't know father loves animals."
"Well he has a very special soft spot when it comes to cats."
"Did he have cats when he was a kid?"
"Years ago, yeah."
After dinner and the nighttime routine, Hihiko prepared the cat bed he bought, putting it near where his bed was. After he placed the cat on the bed, he sat down to study while occasionally checking on the cat, which had fallen asleep. His studies were done, he stretched and got up from his study desk. He then pets the cat.
"Heal up well, okay? I should also probably think of a name for you soon."
He starts thinking up a name.
"Hmm."
"How about...Kaneli? It's cinnamon in Finnish. Your colour really reminded me of cinnamon."
The cat's ears twitched. He opened his eyes and looked up at Hihiko. He meowed softly at him as he rubbed his head on Hihiko's hand.
"Aww you like that name? Alright! From now on, you're part of the family, Kaneli."
For the whole exam week, the cat was taken care of by the Takafuku family. Hihiko even took pictures to show to his friends. Everything went so well, finally, the final exam day ended. The whole class cheered as the professor finished collecting the exam papers.
"AHHH finally! We are free!!!"
"Yeah! Freedom!"
"Hey Takafuku! Let's go out and celebrate this occasion! How about we celebrate the coming of summer break tomorrow too? Yahoo!"
"Hold on, let me text my parents first."
Hihiko: Hey dad, father, my friends want me to go out celebrating with them.
Dad: And why is that a problem? You don't need to ask us for permission anymore for this kind of thing
Hihiko: I know, but is Kaneli okay?
Dad: Aww, you're worried about little Kaneli! Don't worry, he's fine.
Father: Just go hang out with your friends. When I arrive home, I'll feed him.
Dad: Huh? But, I'm home already. I can feed him now.
Father: I want to feed him and change his bandages.
Dad: Hehe! Okay then, be back home soon~ Also, be careful when you're out with your friends, okay? Send a message if you need help
Hihiko: Okay! Thanks dad! Thanks father!
His dad sent him a picture of Kaneli on the sofa, relaxing. Hihiko smiled, then decided to go with his friends to celebrate the end of exams and the start of summer break. Being one of the few that are not drunk, he was tasked to call a taxi for some friends who were so drunk, they could barely say a word. After he sent all of his drunk friends back home, he bid farewell to the other non-drunk friends and made his way home.
"I'm back."
"Welcome back! Kaneli has been waiting for you." His dad came out with the cat in his arms.
He was gently lowered to the floor. He ran up to Hihiko, who picked him up to cuddle him. When Hihiko was done with everything and got ready for bed, he decided to bring Kaneli onto the bed. He patted him as he talked to him.
"Seems like in a few more days, your wounds will be fully healed. Now that exams are over and summer break has started, I can spend some more time with you and my parents. Are you happy about that?"
Kaneli responded with a delightful meow.
"Alright rest well. Good night, Kaneli."
The day came when Kaneli could fully take his bandages off. All of his wounds had healed up. He was even brought to the park for a walk. Nighttime had arrived. Hihiko giggled as he pets Kaneli after dinner time.
"Wow, you sure ate a lot today. Much more than usual. Maybe the walk at the park made you build up an appetite huh?"
Hihiko went to bed, in the middle of the night, he felt his cheeks getting tapped, he opened his eyes, it was Kaneli. He got up, rubbed his eyes.
"Hmm? You okay, Kaneli?"
Gracefully, the cat jumped off the bed. He got to the middle of the room. Slowly, he closed his eyes. Light enveloped his whole body. Hihiko squinted his eyes with how bright it was. When he opened them, where there was a cat, now stood a man with a red cape and cat ears. The man slowly opened his eyes again. Those deep brown eyes reflecting Hihiko's figure in them.
A confused sound was all he could make. What was this? Is he dreaming? Surely he was. He pulled on his cheeks to see if he was dreaming. It was very painful. Just in case he slapped himself too, but that added to the pain. So, he wasn't dreaming after all.
"Erm." The mysterious man started "I apologize if that gave you a fright."
"You can speak Japanese?"
"Oh no no. I was using magic, so that you could understand what I'm saying, since our languages are so different. It does the same with what you say to me. Are you not surprised?"
"Yeah I am surprised, but it was so shocking that I was somehow calm."
"I supposed I should explain. I am a prince from another world. My kingdom was attacked. My father used a transportation crystal to make sure escaped, since I got injured quite badly from battle. I turned into a cat when I landed in this world from how weak I have gotten. That was when you found me. I thank you for saving me."
"You're welcome? Oh man, I was feeding cat food to a prince."
"It's fine, it actually tasted very good."
He didn't respond or ask anymore questions, his mind had finally caught up with this whole bizarre situation. The cat prince seemed to understand. He stayed silent.
"Okay, what is going on!? Kaneli just turned from a cat to a prince! Am I in an anime? Wow okay, try and stay calm Takafuku Hihiko, you already pinched and slapped yourself! He escaped to this world because his kingdom was attacked!? Now what?"
"So, you are a prince from another world? How are you going to go back now?"
"Right." He took a crystal out from thin air. "I will go back with this transportation crystal. One crystal can go back and forth once. My dad gave it to me after he opened the portal to this world."
"I see."
"Thank you again for taking great care of me. I need to go back now. I am worried about the kingdom. Especially my family. I wish there was something I could give back to you for taking care of me."
"It's fine. Though, I might need to come up with an explanation to my parents on where you have gone."
"Sorry for the trouble. Maybe this can help." The cat prince took out a clay like substance and gave it to Hihiko. "This is to create another cat that looks like my cat form, so that your parents won't be heartbroken. They have also taken wonderful care of me. Just hold it in your hands and think of my cat form and it will morph itself into a copy of my own likeness."
"Thanks! So, I guess this is goodbye?"
"Yes."
He turned around and waved the crystal. The crystal crumbled into dust to form a portal. The cat prince took a deep breath and exhaled. He turned around to face Hihiko one last time. Then, he smiled.
"Thank you." He stepped right into the portal. Hihiko gave him a small wave as the prince disappeared into the portal. But something went wrong. For some reason, the portal didn't immediately close. Hihiko felt himself getting pulled. He held onto his bed just for his fingers to slip with how strong the suction was. As he was pulled into the portal, he managed to grab his necklace. The one thing he could not go without.
Hihiko lets out a scream. The portal closed a few more moments after it sucked Hihiko in. Morning arrived, his dad went into his room as it was almost noon and his son was still not awake. He opened the door to his room, just for him to be greeted with a messy, empty room.
"Hihiko?"