Chapter 208: The Invitation
After picking out the groceries and buying the snacks Eriri wanted, Kaede and Takasu Ryuji checked out together and walked back in each other's company.
Before heading back to his own house, Takasu Ryuji said to Kaede: "Well then, Asakura, I'll come visit tomorrow, and I'd like you both to try the cake I make."
"Sounds good, I'll look forward to it. I'm heading back now, see you tomorrow."
"Mhm, see you tomorrow."
Watching Kaede enter the apartment building, Takasu Ryuji walked toward his own home with an expression full of anticipation: "Cats~~~"
After seeing photos of the three Cats on Kaede's phone, Takasu Ryuji immediately solidified his plan to go cuddle the Cats tomorrow and enthusiastically prepared to bring his best dessert as a thank-you gift.
"I haven't made a cake in a while, so I should practice tonight!"
Meanwhile, Kaede had just changed into his slippers after returning home when Eriri jogged over and said with a smile, "Kaede-kun, Kaede-kun, Mizuki is coming over tomorrow!"
"Usami?"
Kaede looked at her in surprise and said with a smile, "Coming over to pet the Cats?"
"Hehe, that's right!"
Kaede naturally had no objection. He handed the bag of snacks to Eriri and walked toward the kitchen to put away the ingredients: "That's fine. Isn't it great to have guests?
Oh, right, Takasu will also be coming tomorrow. I ran into him at the supermarket earlier.
He likes small animals too, so tomorrow we can see if we can alleviate his problem of animals avoiding him.
Plus, he's bringing a homemade cake. Given his skill, I think we have a lot to look forward to."
"We get to eat cake!"
Eriri was delighted. She had eaten Takasu Ryuji's cooking before, and it was excellent, and since he proactively offered to bring a cake, it meant he was skilled in baking as well.
After thinking for a moment, Eriri suggested, "In that case, let's invite a few more people! It's been quite a while since our last gathering!"
"That's fine. I'll leave the contacting and inviting to you, Eriri."
"Leave it to me!"
Eriri immediately picked up her phone and started making calls. Besides the members of the Art Club, she planned to invite Utaha, Kitamura, and a few others. She also considered asking Shinomiya Kaguya's group.
"Ah, wait, I shouldn't bother Kaguya-senpai's group yet. This period should be an important time for them."
Shirogane Miyuki had previously mentioned inviting Shinomiya Kaguya on a date and confessing, so she decided to check on them first and only invite them after confirming they were free.
"Mhm, I'll do that. I'll start inviting people from school."
She made calls one by one. The club president didn't have time; she was visiting her grandparents in her hometown with her parents today. Uchimaki Subaru, however, accepted and said he would be there on time tomorrow.
Next were Kitamura Yusaku, Oosaka Taiga, and Kushieda Minori. All three could come. In fact, right after contacting Oosaka Taiga, the girl heard that Eriri had adopted Cats and immediately wanted to come over.
Sure enough, less than five minutes later, the doorbell rang.
Eriri went to open the door and saw Oosaka Taiga standing there in a dress: "Where are the Cats?"
"Taiga, you're a little too excited, aren't you?"
"Hehe, I was about to go out to meet Minori anyway, so I stopped by to take a look first!"
After coming inside, Oosaka Taiga greeted Takasu Ryuji, then ran toward the Cats.
"Wow, they're so cute, and there are kittens too!"
With her mouth slightly open, Oosaka Taiga crouched in front of Camilla, and the person and the Cat stared at each other.
It was Camilla's first time seeing Oosaka Taiga. She seemed to notice that the girl looked significantly smaller than her two human feeders, and curious if she was some new species, she observed her without any fear.
While watching, Oosaka Taiga asked, "Eriri, what breed of Cat is this? She looks a bit like a British Shorthair!"
Eriri walked over, shaking her head. "I don't think so. I estimate it's a mix. A British Shorthair's head would be rounder. And if it were a purebred British Shorthair, it probably wouldn't have been abandoned so easily."
"That does seem to be the case."
Nodding, Oosaka Taiga said angrily, "Who could be so cruel as to abandon such a cute Cat? If they couldn't keep it, couldn't they have just given it to someone else?"
"Taiga, do you like Cats very much?"
"Of course!" Oosaka Taiga smiled, reaching out her hand to scratch Camilla's chin. "It's just that I live alone and can barely take care of myself, so I never thought about owning a Cat. I can only occasionally go to Cat cafés to'suck up' the cuteness. But now it's great! Eriri, since you have Cats now, I can come visit often! Although that parrot at Ryuji's house is interesting, I definitely prefer Cats."
Ryuji, huh... Eriri glanced at Oosaka Taiga in surprise, noticing the closeness she expressed toward Takasu Ryuji in her words, but Eriri didn't comment on it.
Since she still had to meet her friend, Oosaka Taiga quickly excused herself after spending some time petting the Cats, and Eriri finally had time to contact Utaha.
The call connected, and Utaha's voice came through the phone, accompanied by the rapid sound of typing.
"Is something wrong? I am working right now."
"I can hear that. I'll make this quick, then. Are you free tomorrow? I'm inviting everyone over for a meal."
"A meal?"
The typing finally stopped, and Utaha asked with interest, "Why the sudden invitation for a gathering?"
"Hee hee hee, because, as of yesterday, I am finally a Cat owner!"
"... Hmm? A Cat?"
"Yes, that's right! Yesterday, on the way home with Kaede-kun..."
Eriri recounted yesterday's experience, leaving Utaha stunned.
"You got a Cat? Well, I certainly must congratulate you." After understanding the whole story, Utaha said with a smile, "I have time tomorrow, so I will happily come mooch off your cooking."
"Hehe, welcome to mooch! I'll be waiting for you tomorrow!"
After hanging up the phone, Eriri sent a message to Shinomiya Kaguya's side. After waiting two minutes, she saw Shinomiya Kaguya's reply.
"Ah, Kaede-kun! There's news!"
"News?" Kaede continued stirring the food he was cooking, turning his head to ask, "What kind of news?"
"Kaguya-senpai is going out tomorrow. Shirogane Miyuki invited her to see a movie!"
"Oh? I thought Senior Shirogane would drag his feet forever. This time he's surprisingly decisive. Good, good."
"Right, it's really surprising, but we're finally going to get the long-awaited conclusion!"
Eriri, holding her phone, was genuinely happy for Shinomiya Kaguya.