79 Mini Casualty (1/2)

Tarou couldn't help but shake his head while hunting for more food.

'Ha! Even a weak creature like me has more common sense than Boss!'

Just when Tarou deposited more food in his stash, his whiskers twitched. The small mouse ran towards a dark corner before squeaking a warning.

”They're here!”

tak...

tak...

Tarou let out a deep breath when he heard the approaching footsteps. He scratched his stomach but something felt strange.

There was no other movement in the kitchen except for his scuttling.

'Then, Boss...'

'Could Boss be...'

With the sudden realization, Tarou reluctantly left his hiding spot and rushed towards Boss.

Tarou scratched his head at the sight.

The absentminded cat sat in front of the door as if to welcome anyone who enters.

”Boss, quick, hide!”

A sense of dread crept up Tarou's fur. He couldn't help but gnaw on a paw as the heavy footsteps approached the kitchen.

tak...

tak...

With both paws, he dragged the absentminded cat towards a concealed area in the kitchen.

When he felt the cat move, Tarou felt relieved. He fled right away without looking back.

Just then a foot entered the doorway.

Tarou could see everything from his new spot. And he could see the black cat, sitting in front of the doorway like it was the most natural thing in the world.

'Didn't Boss?'

Tarou gnawed on a paw while waiting.

'Of all places...'

”Boss, you're asking for death!”

Tarou warned Boss through barely audible squeaks but the cat remained in the same spot. But she stood firm ready to face the incoming enemy head-on.

'What is Boss thinking?'

'I dragged Boss away but this cat is so stubborn.'

'If this cat dies...Well, it's not my fault.'

Tarou winced when he felt pain from gnawing his paw.

'I can't let this happen.'

Tarou tapped a paw on the floor while considering his options but before he could come up with anything, he heard another footstep.

'Boss can't die just like this...'

'All my abundant days could come to an end without Boss.'

Tarou sensed that the enemy was getting closer and closer to Boss.

Immovable and calm, the black cat remained seated in front of the doorway.

Tarou could hear his heartbeat. The fast pounding was like a stampede.

Tak...

Tak...

With each step, Tarou heard the human huff.

'The footsteps... stopped?'

”Humans!!!”

Tarou covered his mouth to muffle his unexpected squeak.

The cat looked up at the human who barged into the kitchen calmly. The human looked down to the cat on the floor, sizing up the animal.

”Huh!”

The almost indistinct human sound conveyed a challenging tone. Tarou saw a large woman carrying a large smoking pot. Behind her, there was another woman behind who was holding on to a huge basket.

'Boss may have a chance!'