"Is that so? Then I really do have something I need your help with~."
Hayashi said.
"Please say."
Hearing this, Yukino subconsciously adjusted her sitting posture, her back straight and dignified, gazing at Hayashi, awaiting his request.
Kaguya and Yuki, who were beside them, also showed curious expressions.
"..."
Hayashi glanced at the expectant Yuki beside him, thought for a moment, and finally decided he should be more roundabout.
After all, his ultimate goal was to see Yukino wearing a cat tail.
And with Kaguya and Yuki present, accomplishing such a thing would be truly difficult.
So, after a brief moment of thought, Hayashi had a good idea, as Yukino really liked cats.
And speaking of cats... Hayashi stated that he had a lot of connections in the cat world.
"Come here tomorrow; I need your help!"
Saying this, Hayashi handed an address to Yukino.
Yukino didn't think much of it and agreed with a nod.
'His pause just now, did he suddenly change his mind?'
Blinking, Yuki exchanged glances with Kaguya.
'It seems so.'
Kaguya subtly nodded her chin, responding to Yuki's question.
'Shall we go check it out tomorrow?'
Yuki continued to ask with her eyes.
'Okay.'
Kaguya agreed... Soon, it was the next day.
Yukino, dressed in a long cyan dress, arrived in front of a small courtyard at the foot of a mountain in the suburbs, where Hayashi had already been waiting.
He still had that dangerous husky by his side.
"Hayashi-san?"
As she approached, Yukino greeted Hayashi.
"Good morning, Yukino-senpai!"
Hayashi heard the voice and responded with a smile.
"I wouldn't dare be called senpai..."
Yukino gave Hayashi a speechless glance, always feeling that his calling her 'senpai' was teasing her.
Hayashi's experience of being in control at the zoo was still fresh in her mind; she wouldn't dare act as a senpai in front of Hayashi.
"Of course you're a senpai, whether at the villa or at the bureau."
Hayashi had an expression that said, "You're overthinking it."
Yukino couldn't refute him. Not wanting to get tangled in this topic, Yukino got straight to the point and asked,
"What do you need me to help you with?"
"Today's task is a big project!"
Saying this, Hayashi rolled up his sleeves, looking ready for a big endeavor.
Hayashi's attitude also piqued Yukino's curiosity. With a hint of anticipation, she followed Hayashi and pushed open the courtyard gate.
Then, Yukino was surprised to discover!
Cats!
So many cats!!
The courtyard was full of adorable cats.
The moment she saw these cats, Yukino's cool expression almost melted, but thankfully she quickly realized Hayashi was still beside her.
She tried her best to maintain her cool demeanor, but her constantly flickering eyes still betrayed her current mood.
"Today's task is to build a cat cafeteria and dormitory for them~ With your help, Yukino-senpai, it should be much easier."
Hayashi said, pointing at the cats.
"Building houses?"
Hearing this, Yukino's gaze fell upon the pile of lumber and insulation boards in the courtyard, and she understood Hayashi's request.
"Such a simple matter? This doesn't count as a favor!"
Yukino stared at Hayashi, frowning, saying that her favor wasn't so cheap.
"Then how about Yukino-senpai just helps me out as a friend?"
Hayashi didn't refute it, going along with it.
"Alright!"
Very satisfied with Hayashi's attitude, Yukino's cool voice involuntarily carried a hint of joy, as she naturally loved cats.
And building houses for cats was something she was super interested in!!
If Hayashi hadn't been there, she would have even wanted to speak cat language to these cats.
"Let's begin!"
Yukino said, walking towards the pile of building lumber, already considering how deep the foundation should be dug.
And how tall the houses needed to be to build dormitories for so many cats, and she began planning the courtyard in her mind.
Thinking of the adorable kittens sleeping in the houses she would build for them later, Yukino's steps lightened a bit.
But soon... "Hiss—Meow—!"
A wary meow broke Yukino's fantasy.
In front of Yukino, on the pile of lumber, more than a dozen cats in various postures were occupying it.
Some were lying on their sides, some on their backs, some lazy, some playful, all in different poses.
But the moment Yukino approached them, led by a fluffy, coal-black cat.
They let out a hissing growl at Yukino, their fur bristling!
Yukino had naturally seen many wary cats.
But those were just highly vigilant stray cats that would keep their distance from her. This was the first time Yukino had seen cats acting like invaders had been discovered, ready to fight for their lives.
Subconsciously, Yukino checked her attire for the day; the cyan long dress was made of silk, so it shouldn't cause cats to be stressed.
She hadn't sprayed perfume either.
Why were the kittens so wary of her?
Yukino felt puzzled and also a little hurt.
'The cats dislike me!'
"Little Black, this is my senpai, not a bad person!"
Just then, Hayashi's voice came at the right time. The cats, led by the little black cat, relaxed a bit; their bristling fur softened, but they still stared intently at Yukino.
Their attitude remained wary.
"Sorry, Yukino-senpai, Little Black is a stray cat, and the surrounding ones are abandoned pet cats it rescued."
"Perhaps because its former owner was a woman, it's acting this way towards you!"
Hayashi explained, mixing truth with falsehood.
It was true that Little Black was a stray cat, and it was also true that the other cats were pet cats, but its attitude towards Yukino was something Hayashi had discussed with it.
"Is that so?"
Yukino, unaware of all this, suddenly realized. It was then that she noticed the cats in the courtyard truly seemed to be pet cats, such as Ragdolls, British Shorthairs, American Shorthairs, Russian Blues, and Scottish Folds.
"Are they all abandoned?!"
Yukino said with some heartache.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt you."
Gently squatting down, Yukino's tone was full of pity, sincerely speaking to the black cat, trying to gain its trust.
"Meow~!"
In response, the black cat's intelligent little eyes subtly glanced at Hayashi beside her, their true provider.
After Hayashi nodded to it.
It then let out a warning "meow" at Yukino.
Then, to Yukino's puzzled expression, it disappeared from sight like a meteor.
And when it returned, Yukino was surprised to see it carrying a completely black, simulated cat tail with a white tip in its mouth.
"Meow!"
Under Yukino's even more bewildered gaze, Little Black placed the cat tail in Yukino's hand, then, as Yukino's eyes widened in surprise, it meowed and gestured... Its posture seemed to be saying... "You want me to wear this tail for you to trust me and let me enter your territory?"
Understanding its cat language, Yukino still asked, somewhat unsure.
"Meow!"
Little Black nodded with satisfaction.
"Woah~~"
It was Yukino's first time seeing such an intelligent cat. Subconsciously, she looked back at Hayashi.
"Uh~! Don't look at me; I don't understand what this little guy is thinking either. It's always been very smart, almost like a demon. I suspect it's a cat demon!"
Hayashi quickly shook his head, adopting an innocent attitude and distancing himself from Little Black.
"Indeed, quite demonic!"
If Yukino hadn't, with her profound knowledge of cats, discerned that it was a female cat.
Yukino would have suspected it was a lewd cat!
Because the moment she held the tail, a piece of information inexplicably entered her mind, making her understand how to use this tail.
It wasn't just about placing it behind her.
And it would also turn the wearer into a catgirl!
'All poor cats abandoned by women! Only women who become cats can be trusted by them!'
Looking at the cat tail in her hand, Yukino's exquisite, doll-like face was tinged with a captivating blush, a hint of shyness, and a touch of desire!