My lips felt like they were trembling. At the same time, my rational mind was screaming inside my head. The certainty that I would die again if I didn’t answer correctly was approaching like a premonition.
What should I say? It was obvious that if I took too long, suspicion would arise again. I slowly opened my mouth.
“…What do you mean?” I looked at him with the most innocent face I could muster, as if I had no idea what he was talking about.
Isaac stared at me as if he were observing something. If I got too nervous, he might notice that something was off… It seemed better to make the first move.
“Why are you here at this hour, Master?”
He didn’t answer my question. He just kept staring at me. I saw myself reflected in his gray eyes.
“I came down to get some water.”
“…Didn’t I leave a water bottle for you?”
“It was empty. Make sure you don’t make that mistake tomorrow.”
Did I forget? Now that I think about it, it seemed like I did…
Isaac continued to quietly observe me and then spoke. “You weren’t trying to run away again, were you?”
“No.”
“If you get caught again, it’ll cost you 450 gold coins next time. Be careful.” After saying that, Isaac brushed past me and entered the kitchen. His low voice trailed from behind. “Sleep well.”
I walked down the hallway and entered my room. As soon as I did, I collapsed onto the bed.
Was what I just saw really real? Was it a dream? And did Isaac notice what I had witnessed?
Afraid that he might come to find me, I stayed awake all night. I kept imagining being strangled to death like Toby.
And then morning came. I had survived, and Toby was nowhere to be seen. It was declared that he had run away during the night.
* * *
“Mia, you’re here.” Isaac smiled warmly and extended his hand to me. The hand that patted my head was so gentle that it was hard to believe it belonged to a killer.
Two days later, I was summoned back to the night world. I couldn’t quite remember how I spent those two days.
Many people found Toby’s disappearance suspicious. He hadn’t borrowed any money in advance and had maintained good relations with the other employees.
Isaac took the lead in reporting Toby’s disappearance to the investigative bureau. Despite being the perpetrator, he acted so calm. Seeing that made me feel even more distanced from Isaac.
Unaware of how I felt, Isaac continued to pat my back and said, “Mia, you seem a bit down today. Are you okay? Did something happen?”
He offered me an Ouija board, but I turned my head away. I was more tired than I was afraid of upsetting Isaac.
“Are you sick? Hmm? Or did I do something wrong…?”
Isaac fidgeted as he looked at me. The image of him, who became endlessly innocent in front of a cat, overlapped with the image of him killing people without a second thought.
Alright, let’s talk. I stepped away from his embrace and placed my hand on the Ouija board.
-I have something to ask you.
“Sure. What is it?”
-Why did you kill that person?
Isaac’s expression briefly showed confusion, but then he seemed to realize something. “Oh, you mean the one I shoved? Well, that’s because he was trying to kill you, Mia.” His face was so calm as if he were talking about taking out the trash.
-Did you really have to kill him?
“How could I just let him go when he tried to kill you? If I hadn’t set an example, then others would have continued to threaten you.”
…That might be true. After that incident, people’s attitudes toward me changed drastically. I didn’t know what to say. Thanks to that, I survived, and I was safe.
As I remained silent, Isaac patted me and said, “My dear Mia, it bothered you, didn’t it? I’m sorry. But when it comes to anything related to you… I can’t leave any danger unchecked.”
“…”
“I would do anything for you.”
Does that “anything” include murder?
Then, a thought suddenly crossed my mind. I had witnessed Isaac killing three times.
Once, he killed me.
Once, he killed someone who tried to kill me.
Once, he killed Toby.
I was killed for impersonating cat Mia, and the second person was killed for threatening me. Both cases were related to the cat Mia. So, could Toby’s case also be…? Could it be that he killed Toby also because of cat Mia?
Could Toby’s case be related to Mia as well…? Could the reason he killed Toby also be because of Mia?
“Meow…”
What exactly did Toby do to deserve being killed? Isaac didn’t seem like the type to kill without reason. There must have been a reason, even if it was absurd.
“I’m sorry, Mia. I don’t think I can promise not to kill anyone. If someone tries to harm or insult you, I’ll kill them immediately…” He held me tightly and rested his cheek against my head. His cheek was soft. “I won’t forgive anything that harms you…”
Ugh, I don’t know anymore. I don’t even know how to deal with him.
I squirmed out of his arms and placed my paw on the Ouija board.
-Spare those who insult me. Don’t kill for something like that.
“But…”
-I won’t ask you to forgive those who endanger me. But please let go of those who merely insult me.
Maybe this way, if my daytime self makes a mistake, he might overlook it. Though I doubt I’ll mention Mia…
Isaac seemed to be contemplating my words. When I flicked my tail and glared at him, Isaac hastily spoke. “Okay! I’ll try to tolerate insults. I guess I can do something about their tongues…”
-Not the tongue either! Don’t harm their bodies!
“But…”
-No!
When I growled in displeasure, Isaac’s head drooped. He sighed as if he had no choice.
“…Alright. I’ll try to hold back.”
Yes, yes. Good boy. I crawled back into his arms as a reward. Isaac chuckled softly as he held me tightly.
“Geez. I don’t even know who the master is anymore.”
“Meow.”
You don’t know? The cat is always the master, and humans are just their servants.
And so I spent time in Isaac’s arms. Only after three hours was I able to escape his embrace.
“…Mia, be careful out there, okay?”
“Meow.”
I quickly darted out of the room. I had heard a scream earlier, but now it was quiet. Did they encounter a creature?
Anyway, I decided to tread carefully. One good thing about being a cat is that my footsteps are almost silent, and I can hide easily.
Now, let’s go earn some money.
As I was wandering from room to room, I ran into Lian.
“Oh! Mia!”
“Meow.”
Nice to see you, Lian.
Lian seemed genuinely pleased to see me. He picked me up and said, “I’ve been waiting for you to come. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
“Meow?”
What could it be? He looked around cautiously, then entered an empty room and locked the door. From his pocket, he pulled out a leather-bound Ouija board.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you something since last time.”
“Meow.”
“Last time, you knew which maid had the key. How did you know that, Mia?”
Ah, so that’s what it was. No wonder he was curious.
I placed my paw on the Ouija board.
-I had a dream. A dream related to this mansion. That’s how I know what to do.
Lian’s eyes widened at my words. Then, a system window appeared before me.
[Lian’s affection has increased by 10.]
[Current Lian’s affection: 32]
It seemed that he was pleased to know that I was helpful. Well, I am a living guide, after all.
Lian patted my head and said, “That’s amazing. Well, it was already amazing that you appeared as a cat, Mia.”
“Meow.”
“Then, do you know about this too? I found something like this. It’s an earring, but it seems to need another half.” He showed me a luxurious earring.
Oh, that’s an event item…! But it’s an item that isn’t used after unlocking the door. Maybe I can keep the earring if I unlock the door!
I quickly tapped the Ouija board.
-I know. Let’s go to the dining room.
“…Alright.”
His expression grew subtle at the mention of the dining room. I knew very well why he made that face.
We headed to the dining room together. And the moment we opened the dining room door, a strange sight unfolded before us.
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I am intrigued. I can’t wait for Isaac to realize she’s also person Mia which means he also killed her. Lolz get wrecked
Thanks for the tl! ✨
he’d probably have a depressive stage LMAO