More giggles.
Meow, meow, meow.
His eyelids felt incredibly heavy, as if his eyes were about to roll back. He wasn’t going to lose to her. Even he could spout out an “I like it” and praise people like Hinako. With unsteady feet, he approached the two women.
“That’s nice. I like it!”
The two women jerked their heads up. On one phone was an image of a bright red lace bra-and-panties set.
“…So nice—the weather today is so nice.”
Pretending to look into the distance, Koga walked away. He broke into a cold sweat. He was too scared to look back, imagining what they might be saying about him.
I like it. I like it. Damn it. What’s there to like? Am I an idiot?
Koga bit his lip. He shouldn’t have imitated Hinako. His head was foggy from sleep deprivation. Tonight, he was going to lock that cat in another room.
When he returned home feeling queasy, he was greeted by joyful laughter. Natsue and Emiri were in the living room.
“I’m back,” he said softly, but neither of them turned around. He craned his neck to see what they found so amusing. There was Margot, lying on the rug.
“Oh, you’re home.” Natsue glanced briefly at him and then turned her attention back to Margot.
“You’re so cute, Margot. You’re such a well-behaved girl.”
Natsue was stroking Margot’s outstretched body. Margot looked grumpy but allowed it to happen. Natsue wasn’t sneezing, and her eyes weren’t red.
“Is it okay for you to be touching the cat? What happened to your allergy?”
“I didn’t have a choice but to go to the hospital. But my allergies aren’t that severe. They gave me eye drops and some mild medication. They also recommended brushing her regularly to prevent excessive shedding and keeping her litter box clean. Poor little Margot, cooped up all day in that room. What a terrible daddy you have.”
“Wait, you’re the one who said she shouldn’t roam around the house.”
Koga noticed the instruction leaflet lying on the table. The food and water dishes had also been moved to the living room.
“Hey, Dad, are we keeping this kitty?”
Koga was taken aback by Emiri’s smile. When was the last time he’d seen his daughter smile like this? Since she started college, or perhaps even high school, their interactions had been limited to the occasional conversation, and it had been a while since she had smiled at him like that.
“N-no, we’re just taking care of her temporarily. We have to return her in a few days.”
“Really? I wish she could stay with us forever. She’s so cute and silky.”
Emiri ran her hand down Margot’s body. Margot appeared miffed, but she remained docile.
“Mom, let’s get a cat. I promise to take care of it.”
“What are you talking about? You’re busy with classes and extracurriculars. I’ll end up having to take care of her.”
“That’s not true. I’ll take care of her. Right, Margot?”
With both hands under her front legs, Emiri lifted Margot up. Her body stretched a surprising amount.
“Look, Mom. How funny! Look how long she gets.”
“That’s amazing!”
The two were excited, but Koga wasn’t much amused. It’s the same as always. I’m always left out—at work and at home.
Holding Margot in her arms, Emiri looked delighted. “Let’s sleep together in my bed.”
“No!”
Koga tried to grab the cat from Emiri. To his amazement, Margot’s body stretched even further, making it difficult to lift her completely out of Emiri’s arms. With some effort, he managed to hoist her up.
“I got this cat. It’s my cat, so she will sleep with me.”
“What?” Emiri frowned.
Natsue furrowed her brow. “Come on—you don’t have to be so selfish.”
“No, no. Margot sleeps in the spare room with me. Right, Margot? Let’s sleep together again tonight, okay? Oh yes, Margot, you love Daddy, too? You do. Yes, you do.”
Koga refused to let go of Margot.
After dinner and a bath, he retreated with Margot upstairs. The futon and the crumpled robe remained untouched from that morning. He felt a strange sense of satisfaction. I really surprised them. It served them right for always sidelining him, the head of the household.
“All right, Margot, you’re a good girl. It’s now your second day in our home. Today, you’ll sleep well, okay?”
