41 Fluttering Hear (1/2)
”Rat! Where are you?” Tarou squeaked while dying with curiosity. He saw slight movements and immediately ran towards the direction of the animal Boss subdued with a claw. Unfortunately, he saw nothing when he arrived at the scene.
'That rat will come back and bite me into pieces.' Tarou shuddered at the thought.
With slumped shoulders, he headed back to where Boss was at. The cat was still giving the general a hateful stare and he saw the man signal Barca with a look before heading off on his own. Tarou couldn't help but be amazed at how the general could understand and give orders without saying a word. The man was like a mind reader!
Unfortunately, all these qualities did not improve Tarou's impression of the man. To him, the only admirable human was Barca.
Thinking about how the human realized right away that rats were eating away horse hooves, not him, Tarou's glum mood was replaced with excitement and admiration.
”Human, you got rid of the rats!” Tarou squeaked when he was closer to the cat and his human. Barca turned to look at the mouse after hearing the squeak. Tarou detected movement from the man and shortly after, one finger descended giving him a pat on the head.
”Good job with the rats. The stablehands never figured out why the horses kept on complaining at night. Those vicious creatures have been gnawing off their hooves,” the gentle voice explained.
Tarou couldn't help but dance around with glee. This human surely knows how to make a mouse's heart flutter. Tarou tapped the finger in return as if to tell him that he's glad to be of help. Tarou couldn't help but look steal a glance at Boss after the short exchange. As expected, the cat gave him a disgusted look.
'It's not my fault you chose the unappreciative human, Boss,' he thought. As if to add insult to the injury, Barca said his favorite word.
”I'll be back with food.”
”Happiness! This is paradise!” Tarou squeaked while looking towards the direction where Barca disappeared. Shortly after, the cat nudged him and spat a vindictive meow.
”Daydreaming about your human? Your priorities shift so quickly!”
Tarou looked at the black cat who was in a surly mood. Without hesitating, the mouse revealed his inner thoughts.
”Barca is one of the best humans I've ever meet.”
”You only think so because a gluttonous mouse like you will be over the moon with just a few grains.”
”A person like him deserves a woman as gentle as Wifey.” Tarou looked pleased with himself when he said those words. ”As my human, I will try to help him find someone who is worthy of him,” Tarou promised and he meant every word.