IPBD chapter 12

Emilina’s day always started with checking on Kir’s condition.

It was inevitable, given that Kir occasionally transformed into a cat.

After all, the Klein couple had no idea that Kir was actually a beastkin.

That was because Emilina had lied in order to live with him.

And today was one of those days.

“Kir, you’re really too much.”

At Emilina’s grumbling, Kir, who was licking his front paw on the bed, tilted his head.

“Meow?”

“No matter how I think about it, this is cheating.”

She sighed, looking troubled.

Curious about what was wrong, Kir flicked his ear with a hind paw and approached Emilina.

Lifting Kir into her arms, she spoke.

“Yeah, this! When you turn this cute, huh? Do you think I wouldn’t want to smother you with affection first thing in the morning?”

Rubbing her cheek against his face, Emilina savored the soft, fluffy fur.

So plush.

And those pink paw pads she had only recently discovered—utterly addicting.

She grinned.

Seeing her rather suspicious smile, Kir shuddered.

But Emilina paid no mind.

She indulged herself, petting him to her heart’s content before finally letting him go.

“So, when are you planning to turn back into a human today?”

She muttered the question, though her fingers were still poking at Kir’s cheeks.

Hissing, Kir quickly backed away, looking somewhat exhausted.

“Sorry. Your cheeks just look so pokeable. I couldn’t help myself.”

“Hah…”

Kir gave her a dumbfounded look, as if asking when he ever gave such an impression.

Was that a sigh just now?

Feeling a bit awkward, Emilina let out a small laugh.

But soon, her disappointment took over, and she tried coaxing him.

“Come on, just a little more. Let me touch you a bit longer. You haven’t been turning into a cat as often lately, have you? Hm?”

At that moment, Kir’s tail shot up, and he scurried backward.

His body trembled, as if horrified, and he eyed Emilina warily.

In fact, the way he looked at her… it was as if he were staring at some kind of pervert.

Hurt by his reaction, Emilina pouted.

“Jeez. So mean. I just think you’re cute, that’s all.”

“Meow!”

But her words had no effect.

Turning his head away, Kyr darted into an empty box he had claimed as his little nest.

The box fit him perfectly, with just his small head peeking out from the top—utterly adorable.

To think he had escaped from her touch only to hide in that snug little box.

Emilina couldn’t help but laugh at how unbearably cute he was.

However, the realization that she couldn’t cuddle him anymore left her utterly devastated.

Collapsing onto the floor with her knees drawn up, Emilina groaned.

“Ugh. That just makes me want to pet you even more…!”

At some point, Kir had stopped letting himself be handled when he turned into a cat.

She had a pretty good idea why.

Once she got her hands on him, she would pet him for hours until he was completely drained.

It was inevitable.

What could be crueler than not showering an adorable creature with affection?

Besides, she never knew when Kir would transform again, so she had to take every chance she could get.

That was probably why he had finally started running away.

At first, she had felt betrayed.

Hadn’t he once curled up on her lap, purring and seeking affection?

But whenever she sulked and accused him of changing, he wavered only briefly.

Then, at the sight of her wiggling fingers and mischievous grin, he would flee in terror.

In hindsight, it was only natural for him to avoid her.

‘Wait… When I think about it, I really do sound like some kind of creep, don’t I?’

A pang of guilt struck Emilina.

She made a silent vow.

Next time, she would restrain herself.

But no one—no one—knew that this promise would remain only in her heart, never kept.

***

An hour later, Kir finally turned back into his human form.

“Noona.”

“Ahh! You scared me!”

Other than her usual startled reaction, it was a familiar routine.

“Can I have some clothes…?”

Kir hastily pulled a blanket over himself, his voice trembling slightly with embarrassment.

Emilina still wasn’t used to this.

Every time he transformed, he was completely naked, and it made her heart race to the point of bursting.

The situation was so awkward that she often thought they desperately needed separate rooms.

But the Klein household only had two rooms, so they had no choice but to share.

This had been a point of contention with the Klein couple at first.

But Emilina had convinced them in the end.

She had emphasized Kir’s unfortunate circumstances and how young he still was.

In the end, her soft-hearted parents reluctantly agreed—on the condition that it would only be temporary.

And so, with things as they were, Emilina handed Kir the neatly folded clothes she had set aside.

A moment later, now fully dressed, Kir tapped her on the shoulder.

“Noona?”

Emilina rolled her eyes before glancing at him.

Now standing before her in proper clothing, Kir looked as refined as ever.

‘Mm. His face really is flawless, no matter how many times I see it.’

If cat Kir was the sweet side of a treat, then human Kir was like a sophisticated, salty flavor.

Even the plain clothes she had given him somehow didn’t look plain at all.

Satisfied, Emilina admired him with a pleased expression.

Then, a sudden thought crossed her mind, and she asked—

“Come to think of it, doesn’t it feel like your transformation cycle is getting shorter lately?”

“Yeah. I think I’m slowly gaining control over it.”

“That’s a relief. I’ve been on edge, worrying that my parents might find out.”

“…I’ll try harder.”

“Gasp! That’s not what I meant! Just do what you can. You don’t have to force yourself.”

Emilina hurriedly added, watching Kir’s expression.

But it was too late—his face had already clouded over.

Of course, Kir knew. He wasn’t oblivious to the fact that her parents weren’t exactly thrilled about his presence.

They had openly expressed relief when the black cat they often saw suddenly stopped appearing.

Sensing the heavy mood, Emilina grabbed Kir’s hand and pulled him along.

Then, in an exaggeratedly cheerful voice, she changed the subject.

“Let’s go eat!”

Nothing lifted the mood like food.

Besides, since they had slept in, hunger was setting in.

Hand in hand, Emilina and Kir headed down to the kitchen—only for Emilina’s face to immediately fall.

“Ugh, bread and soup again?”

Katie had prepared their breakfast before leaving for the day.

Emilina puffed out her cheeks in discontent.

This repetitive breakfast was making her feel even gloomier.

Katie’s soup was delicious, but there was one major flaw.

“I really hate hard bread…”

If she wasn’t careful, she might dislocate her jaw just trying to eat it.

“I don’t want this! I want meat!”

Sometimes, she wanted to bite into something rich and savory right from the morning.

Sigh. Emilina picked up a piece of bread, mumbling under her breath.

The fact that this rock-hard bread was the only thing available made her feel a little pitiful.

But what could she do? She was hungry, and she had to eat to survive.

If she dulled her taste buds enough, maybe she could trick herself into enjoying the texture…

Nope. No way.

Tch. Clicking her tongue, Emilina began chewing the bread mechanically, eating solely for sustenance.

Meanwhile, Kir—who had every reason to complain—ate without a single complaint.

Compared to her dramatic fuss, he was completely unfazed.

He even dipped the bread into the soup, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Given how tough the bread was, soaking it in soup at least made it more edible.

That’s why Katie always prepared soup whenever she got these bricks from Mrs. Busy.

‘The problem is, it happens way too often.’

“Ugh. How do poor people even survive?”

Emilina pouted and grumbled.

Watching her quietly, Kyr suddenly asked,

“Noona, are you poor?”

His voice was so innocent and genuine that Emilina froze on the spot.