I was on my way back to the Inn when I saw Komraad and Fae in the middle of the street. They were looking for me and shouting my name.

“Hey, Komraad, Fae, I'm back! I have something to tell you!” I shouted while rushing towards them.

“Oh, there you are cat.”

“Ms. Ina! Thank goodness! Where have you been? We were worried sick. We came back to the Inn and you weren't there. We waited but you didn't come back so we came looking for you.”

“Oh, I was just walking around, I was bored back in the Inn. I'm sorry I didn't tell you.”

“So, what is it you wanna tell us?” Komraad asked.

“Aah… n-nothing big, forget about it.”

“That can wait. Let's go back Ms. Ina, I bet you're really hungry. I bought you something delicious from the restaurant.”

“Yeah, let's go back, I'm starving. Thank you, Fae.”

“Hey, cat. Next time, at least leave a note on the door,” Komraad suggested.

“How do you expect me to write with my paws?” I replied sarcastically.

“R-right.”

After our short reunion, we came back to the Inn. I ate the food Fae got me and she went to sleep afterward. It was already midnight but I was still up. I couldn't sleep after what I witnessed earlier. Komraad approached me ‘cause he noticed I was hiding something.

“Hey cat, you're not your usual self. Did something happen? Wanna talk about it?”

“It's really complicated, I was gonna tell you as soon as possible but then, I thought of Fae's well-being. I don’t want her to get involved so I hesitated to tell you earlier but now that she's asleep, I think I can tell you everything.”

“What is it? Is it something dangerous? If it is then sign me in.”

“Y-yeah, it's about this place. I stumbled upon something that I shouldn't have.”

“Huh? What do you mean? Is that why you were missing earlier?”

*Nod* *Nod*

“The thing is, I felt something again. I don't know why it keeps on happening but I think I can feel strong emotions when nearby and I always end up going to them. It's the same with Fae, even Nessie. It's kinda hard to tell but it's like my instinct wants me to get involved with them.”

“Aah, sorry I got sidetracked. So about earlier, I think I found someone who can help me. I found a girl earlier, she was reading a book about magic.”

“Oh? That's great, we don't have to wait 3 more days for the witches to use magic again.”

“That's the thing, they aren't actually cursed. It's just a part of their scheme. The head witch can apparently use magic but that's it, just her.”

“What's wrong with that? Why not ask the head witch herself?”

“I can't, She used magic to hurt someone. I can't see her helping me. I don't know what she's planning for the upcoming three days. I know she's planning something sinister. I'm going to figure it out and stop it.”

“What are you even gonna do about it? Do you even have a plan?”

“I'm gonna get adopted as the little girl's pet, the one I mentioned earlier. Apparently, the head witch was her mother. That's all I can think of right now, will you help me out?”

“I promised you back in the village, I'll be your bodyguard. You can count on me. So, what's my job?”

“I want you to stay put, I'll get as close as I can and figure out what they're planning. In the meantime I want you to get Fae out of this. Don't get her involved. I don't want her getting hurt.

I'll tell you what to do until I get enough information.”

“That's it? That's no fun at all!”

“Just follow me like you always do, This time we’re up against a human being, someone who can think for themselves, unlike our previous enemies who only use instinct to fight.”

“Fine! But better make it fast or else I'll kick the head witch's ass myself.”

“F-fine! Just keep quiet for now.”

After our conversation, we went to sleep.

Morning came. We had our breakfast together and after we ate, I told Fae I planned something for today so I'll be leaving early.

“Where are you going, Ms. Ina? Can I come with you?”

“Oh, it's nothing important. You and Komraad can go have fun all day, I'll be back soon.”

“Okay, Ms. Ina. Please take care.”

I left and came back to the alley where I found Rein. I was hoping I'd be able to see her there again. She hid her book here anyways so she'll be back eventually.

I was alone thinking of a way for her to adopt me or at least bring me back with her.

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“How do I make her like me without knowing I'm not a normal cat? I wish I could tell her directly but I'm pretty sure she'll freak out.”

I waited for her all afternoon but she never came.

“Oh, maybe I was too early, or maybe she doesn't go here every day. Why didn't I think of that sooner?”

I was about to leave when someone came to the alley, I thought it was finally Rein but it was actually Fae who came.

“F-Fae??? How did you find me here? Wait, what are you doing here in the first place?”

“Hi, Ms. Ina! The thing is, I tricked Mr. Komraad into telling me where to find you and what you're up to.”

“T-that dog! I told him not to tell Fae. He couldn't even keep his mouth shut.”

(Earlier during Komraad and Fae's conversation.)

“Mr. Komraad, do you know where Ms. Ina is?”

“Yeah, but I can't tell you. She told me not to say anything.”

“I see…”

“Anyway, where do you wanna go next? I promised Cat that we'll have a lot of fun.”

“I think I saw a dessert shop earlier, wanna eat some Mr. Komraad?”

“Of course, let's go fill our stomachs!”

They entered the dessert shop and ate a lot of sweets.

“This cake is so good, I wanna try all the flavors!”

“You'll get a stomach ache Mr. Komraad. You better slow down.”

*Munch* *Munch*

“Oh, by the way, Ms. Ina told me everything. She's actually asking me to bring her something.”

“Oh, that's nice. If she told you everything then that's fine.”

“Mr. Komraad is so easy to trick,” Fae thought to herself.

“I'm actually gonna go there now. Do you know where she is?”

“She's in the alley near the restaurant we ate at last night. She's waiting for the girl she met there.”

“Thanks, Mr. Komraad. Enjoy yourself.”

(End of conversation.)

“So, that's how it happened, now I'm here. I didn't ask him specifically what you're up to, all I needed was your location.”

*Sigh*

“That dumb dog! I should've known.”

“A-anyway, I'm actually about to leave Fae, wanna go back together?”

“Sure Ms. Ina, but only after you tell me what's going on.”

“Aah, I’m in trouble.”

“You don't have to worry about it. It's nothing important, really.”

“Why Ms. Ina, can't I help you out with it? I thought we'll do things together from now on?”

“Ugh... What's with this atmosphere? Fae is clearly upset.”

“Ms. Ina, do you think I'm useless?”

I was shocked by Fae's question. I didn't know hiding things from her would end up like this.

“No Fae, of course not! Why would you even think that?”

“It's just unfair Ms. Ina, you always help me out. You saved the village and you saved me. You allowed me to join you in your adventures and yet, you still don't trust me. I can help too you know. I just feel so useless and worried when you do things on your own. You help me but won't allow me to help you.”

Fae was tearing up. I didn't know she was feeling this way.

“That's not it Fae. Of course, I trust you! You might not know it yet, but you’ve already helped me a lot and I’m very thankful for it. It’s just that this one is different from before. It’s more dangerous and I don't want you to get involved because I wanna avoid you getting hurt.”

“But it'll hurt more if you keep hiding things from me. Promise me, Ms. Ina, that no matter what happens, you won’t keep any secrets from me ever again.”

“I promise. No more secrets. I'm sorry I hid something from you Fae. This time I'll make it right. Will you lend me a hand?”

“Gladly Ms. Ina.”

“After our heartfelt conversation, I told Fae everything, about the girl I met and about the head witch being a bad person.”

“I see Ms. Ina. We really need to do something about it.”

“Yeah, I just can't leave this place after witnessing all of those. For now, my only problem is how I'm gonna approach the head witch’s daughter, Rein.”

“Oh, if it's about that Ms. Ina, I think I have a plan.”

Fae told me her plan and we waited for Rein to come back here before we start. After waiting for a while, Rein finally showed up in the alley. She was looking back, worried whether someone followed her all the way here. The moment she was sure no one saw her, she took the book she hid and started reading it again.

Now that she's here, we can finally start our plan. Operation: Get adopted as a pet.

The plan is on set. I placed myself in front of Rein while acting all cute. It's awkward but it’s what Fae told me so I better do it properly.

“Oh, it’s you again, you're back.”

She put her book down, picked me up, and placed me on her lap while smiling at me genuinely. She was petting me, and weirdly enough, I liked it. Me purring was enough evidence. While Rein was playing with me, Fae appeared. Rein was a bit shocked but she relaxed after seeing that Fae was just a little girl.

*Huff* *Huff*

“Mimi! I was looking all over for you.,” Fae shouted.

“Whao, Fae is very good at acting.”

“Is this your cat?” Rein asked.

“Yes, she is, I've been looking for her all day. Thank goodness she's safe.”

“I see, this is my second time seeing her here. Here you go.”

Rein handed me over but Fae didn't take me.

“What's wrong?” Rein asked.

“The thing is, I can't take Mimi back home.”

“Why is that?”

“My dad doesn't like pets. If I take Mimi back now, I don't know what he'll do with her. Maybe that's the reason why she's been running away from home.”

“Oh no, that's really bad,” Rein sympathized.

“I love her but I don't want her to get hurt. It looks like Mimi really likes you a lot. D-do you think you can take care of her for me?”

Fae begged Rein with all her heart.

“I don't know. I think my mother doesn't like pets too, but if I hide her in my room then maybe I can take care of Mimi without her knowledge.”

“Really? That's a relief. Don't worry, Mimi is very behaved. She won't cause you any trouble. Thank you so much, big sis.”

“It’s nothing, and you can call me Rein if you want. It’s my first time taking care of a pet but I promise you I'll take care of her.”

“I know you will. Thank you again big sis Rein, I'll be going now. My father must be looking for me already.”

Fae said her farewell and left. Our plan worked. After a while, Rein also left to go back to her house, this time I'm with her. When we came back to her house, instead of entering the main door, she entered a small passage directly connecting to her room.

“So that's how she was able to leave and go to the alley without anyone noticing.”

“Mimi, this is going to be your new home. I hope you'll love it here, but please don't ever get caught by Mother or we'll both be in trouble.”

I was sitting in the corner when I noticed Rein was counting and when it hit one, someone knocked on her door calling for her.

*Knock* *Knock*

“Yes?” Rein answered.

“It's time for your bath my lady,” the woman who knocked replied.

“Coming.”

Before going out of her room to take a bath, she approached me and told me something.

“Mimi, I bet you're really hungry. I'm gonna go grab some food after I take a bath. Wait for me here okay?”

“She's gone. This is my time to investigate.”

I looked around her room but I didn't find anything. Her room looks empty. Just her bed, mirror, and wardrobe full of clothes.

“This is going nowhere. Maybe I can find something in the head witch's room. I don't know where it is though.”

I went outside to look for her room.

“Whoa! This house is huge! How am I supposed to find her roo-”

“Oh, there it is.”

I went in because the door was slightly opened but thankfully, no one was inside.

“What are you hiding head witch?”

Her room looks normal, it’s more suspicious that way. I looked around but found nothing, I didn't give up until I found a bump under the carpet. I removed the carpet and saw a hidden door. I can’t open it because it's locked. I wanted to open it forcibly but I might end up creating a lot of noise.

I might not have found that much but this is still a lead. I need to know Whatever it is she's hiding below. I was about to leave the room when someone suddenly came in, it was the head witch, and a maid was with her. It was the same maid that knocked on Rein's door earlier.

I hid below her bed. I'll just wait until she falls asleep and leave.

The head witch sat in front of a mirror and started talking to the maid.

“Dear, how's the brat doing?” She asked.

“She's currently taking a bath,” the maid replied.

“That's good. I don't want her to look ugly on the day of the ritual. Make sure she isn't injured anywhere, I don't want any damage on my new body.”

“Yes, head witch.”

“Eh? Eeh? W-what did I just hear? New body? What does she mean by that?”

The head witch smiled with a sinister look on her face.

“It's been so long, my body is growing older and older and my beauty is slowly fading away. I can’t afford that to happen. It's been 7 years, and I've waited 7 years for this to finally happen. I'll finally get my new perfect body.”

“Yes, head witch. All preparations are finally on set.”

I get it now. so that’s what’ll happen in the upcoming three days. It’s not about lifting the curse, it’s about the head witch acquiring a new body, and that new body is Rein. I knew it! I knew something was off! I have to do something about it before it's too late. I have to tell Rein everything I’ve heard just now.