Chapter 13
"Humans really are idiots. If this great one had all these treasures, I'd have conquered the world ages ago!"
"Ugh! So stupid! Just kill the humans who bullied you—done! Humans really are cowardly, timid, brain-dead lower lifeforms!"
Power, already fuming from the manga, squeezed the tomato in her left hand so hard it exploded.
Cold, sticky juice splattered across her palm.
The wet sensation briefly pulled her focus.
But most of her attention stayed glued to the story.
She gave the tomato mess a quick glance, then casually wiped her hand on the nearest bookshelf.
One hand kept scrubbing; the other—still half-smeared—flipped pages with surprising dexterity.
"Hahaha! A cat scared of mice? That's hilarious! My Meowy eats anything!"
She slapped her thigh with the unclean hand, laughing harder.
The laughter gradually quieted… until silence.
"…Meow… Meowy…"
The memory hit like a brick.
In an instant, the world went eerily still.
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears—pounding, deafening.
She could barely hear her own breathing anymore, yet every inhale sent throbbing pain through her skull…
Eyes bulged. Vision blurred.
Blink… did she blink?
She couldn't remember if things had been blurry before—or if she'd blinked at all. Everything just looked… grayer.
Eyes drifted downward.
Another glance at her left hand—still streaked with tomato juice.
But… the hand?
That person… yellow-hair? Den…?
Power couldn't recall his name.
Or rather—she'd never really bothered to remember it.
Slowly, disbelieving, she lifted her head.
She scanned the room in every direction.
Once again… abandoned by the world.
Just her. Alone.
Her only companion—Meowy—taken away.
Locked in a pitch-black cell.
The lonely, colorless world had finally gained some color—laughter, warmth, bright voices…
A warm palm. Dazzling blond hair. Gentle red eyes…
Memories blurred. Pain deepened.
"Humans… really are the lowest, worst, most evil, most disgusting liars!"
She should be furious.
But she was too small. Too heartbroken.
All her strength went into trembling in place, fists clenched, tears welling up and spilling down her cheeks…
"Meow?"
Hm? Hallucination?
A familiar scent drifted in.
"Oops~ Looks like I came back a little late. Now I've got another 'little stray cat' to take care of."
The voice finally cut through—warm, comforting, threading happiness back into her body.
Denji—still a bit disheveled, but somehow even more charming for it—opened his arms and released Meowy from his hold.
The cat leaped down nimbly and bolted straight for Power.
Power—still half-lost in her spiral—moved on autopilot. Arms opened instinctively, catching the furry missile that crashed into her chest~
"Meowy~!"
Snapping back, Power hugged with desperate strength—yet careful not to crush her.
Tears still flowed, but they no longer tasted bitter.
"Meow~"
Meowy purred in reply, small tongue gently wiping the tears from Power's cheeks.
Watching the tender scene, Denji felt the exhaustion in his body ease.
Handling this so perfectly—he deserved some reward.
With that thought, he stepped closer.
First he ruffled Power's explosively fluffy golden hair.
When her attention shifted to him, Denji spread his arms wide in front of her.
The meaning was obvious.
After a beat of eye contact, he raised an eyebrow—hinting.
Stare——
Power looked down and resumed petting Meowy.
Sigh. Knew it wouldn't be that easy.
Denji felt a twinge of disappointment, but it was expected. No big deal.
Right as he prepared to pull her in himself—
Power suddenly lunged forward like she was falling—crashing straight into his chest.
Denji caught her reflexively, arms locking tight.
Her forehead pressed against his shoulder. Warm, moist breath fanned across his chest. A small, restless hand settled on his lower back.
Closer… closer…
The wet sensation grew clearer. This is…
Wait—no!
What are you—?!
Denji looked down in disbelief, face full of shock.
The hug tightened. Soft nose and cheek squished against his solid chest.
Then—up and down, left and right!
Finally, she buried her face in the cleaner side of his chest, took a deep breath—
And while Denji was still processing—
Power—nimble and slender—ducked low, slipped right out of his arms, and bolted.
Denji wasn't slow enough to miss it… but he didn't stop her mischievous escape.
He looked down at the wet streaks on his shirt—expression cycling through a dozen emotions.
He looked like someone had just yelled "Use Fire Punch on him!"
Fists clenched. Resolve hardened in his heart.
Gotta properly… "educate" this naughty bad girl later!
No rush. Plenty of time~
A forced smile stretched across Denji's face.
Power—feeling a sudden chill down her spine—shivered and hugged Meowy tighter.
Only Meowy could hear it clearly: the frantic thump-thump-thump of Power's heart threatening to burst out of her chest.
Her pale, jade-smooth, tender skin flushed deeper and deeper—cherry-pink spreading like pomegranate juice on snow, layered with glittering gold flecks…
A sneaky, guilty smirk lingered at her lips… but under the strange, sweet feeling, even that smirk softened into something tender and honeyed.
Emotions clashed—her mouth twisted into a wobbly wave.
Annoying————so annoying~
Power—struggling to process the sweet torment—worked herself into a half-angry huff.
But the anger was half-baked. She didn't know where to direct it—or even why she was mad.
Finally she thought of Denji. Turned back, mouth opening to say something.
But the moment she saw him… that anger shrank smaller… smaller… until it vanished without a trace.
Denji had no idea Power was wrestling with so many complicated feelings inside—and even if he did, he wouldn't mind.
Right now he just wanted to clean up the mess this dummy had made.
Fix the chaos Power left behind!
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