Kitty breathed in the fresh outside air, and the wind blew through his clothes and tickled his ears. He was relieved by the feeling that this place wasn't too different from home. He let his lungs expand, and breathed it in with calmness seeping into his apprehensive feelings. I'll do my best to leave my worries for later. Today I should just figure out what my new life will be like, and explore. I am blessed with new life after death, so I should cherish it.
Arte grabbed Kitty's hand. Her hand, which had almost appeared liquid before, took on a solid shape, and a pink skin-color hue spread across it. Her whole body likewise changed to appear like a young woman, with flowing black hair.
"Wow…" Kitty breathed. She's actually so beautiful…
" I have designed this body to be very appealing to anyone who sees me! I am the goddess of all beauty(a lie)." She puffed her chest proudly, and put her hands over herself in a seductive pose. "Behold! You may drool over my likeness if you wish." She chuckled. Deca definitely would have scolded her, but she couldn't help but to tease the amusing mortal before her.
Any desire for Arte drained from Kitty. He grimaced and appeared disappointed. " Yeah, I'll drool when hell freezes over."
"Wha-" Arte growled. " You are simply a fool." She turned away and pouted. When she turned back, and pulled on Kitty's wrist. " Alright little Kitty, we've got things to discover!"
Once they had climbed down the stairs of the apartment complex, Kitty looked back at it. It actually looked like… a total dump! Litter and trash, markings on the walls, and cigarettes littered the ground. The wind had thrown it off before, but now he could smell the rancid smell coming from the building. "What the f**k." He said. His ears flattened, and he covered his sensitive nose with his hands.
"Oh… wow this place is garbage! How unlucky is that!" She sneered and chortled.
"Uh… 'unlucky'?" He grabbed her by the shoulder. "Isn't this your fault?" He asked pointedly.
"Uh, of course not!" She brushed his hand away. "The room you appeared in was completely random."
"Oh… so it's not mine?"
"Yeah! I reincarnated you, let you start off at an older age, and I even got some cash for you!" She pulled it out of her skirt pocket. The stack waved in front of his face and he pulled it into his pocket. "So don't you dare ask for more than this!"
"I guess you're right." Kitty huffed. "It would be kind of weird anyways, if I had my own place upon reincarnating, so I guess I'm homeless. Damn." He paused. "Wait- two questions." He held up two fingers.
"Shoot."
"One… How old am I exactly? And two… I have no idea how much money this is! It's a different currency!" He exclaimed, waving the cash around.
"One! You're eighteen! Months! Two, you'll have to figure that out yourself… but I would suggest putting it away, I wouldn't be surprised if someone robbed you in this trashy place." She looked around, and pointed at a policeman talking to a yelling person not too far away. "Maybe he would"
Kitty jumped in surprise and thrust the money quickly into his pocket,"Oh the same age as Masaru- Wait months?!" He looked at her intensely.
She pulled a book out of her pocket, which suspiciously appeared empty before. Arte cleared her throat "An adult Bakeneko is 18 months old, their early growth is the same as a cat's, but slows down after their 18th month." She pointed at the page, showing Kitty the words, which indeed matched with what she said..
"Wait… Bakeneko?" He asked, with a wary tone.
Arte nodded. "That's right! A human-cat hybrid creature, a Bakeneko! That's you! You didn't think you would be the only one of your species, would you?" She put a hand on her hip and stared at the now frozen Kitty.
Of course he didn't guess he would not be alone. His creation was really weird, completely unnatural, he'd never seen a part cat-part human before obviously! It was something so fantastical no one would ever think of! But the idea that he was a normal creature in this world? It was simply mind boggling.
Nonetheless, his tail curled up happily.
Kitty inhaled sharply. Then his eyes glimmered with hope, dazzling with happiness. " I'm not the only one! That's so great! I was so worried." His voice shook with pure joy. " I was afraid I would be the only one and become an outcast."
"Yes, yes! This world may look similar to your old one, but you'll find it's very different in many ways."
"Just like a manga hehe."
"What?"
"Nothing."
" You are a strange one indeed."
Kitty and Arte entered the bustling city. It really was just like Tokyo, towering buildings, advertisements for what looked like manga and anime even, and people walking all around, packed like fish. So familiar, Kitty felt he'd likely adjust quickly. Then, he started looking closer at the people, and even searched for another Bakeneko like him. He spotted one, then another, and another. The same tails, human faces and hands, cat ears. Except-He realized a bit ominously, that almost every single one had a collar.
"Hey… Arte? Arte, you noticing this?" He shook her shoulder.
"Hm? Oh yeah that's-" BZZ BZZ. She pulled a small thing out of her pocket. Its shape wobbled a bit, and it looked like that black water, then expanded. It solidified Into the shape of a phone. She pressed a button. "Hello?"
The person on the other end of the phone yelled, in some foreign language. It was a deep, booming voice. "Her dad?" Kitty wondered. The voice continued to yell, and Kitty noticed how Arte began to tremble. His eyebrows knitted together with worry.
Then, she hung up, and Kitty thought he saw sweat running down her brow. "Er… I am so sorry Kitty. I have to go." She clenched her skirt in her fists, and they shook. " I don't know when I'll get to come back."
Kitty's ears flattened, and he bit his lip. Then, in a flash, Kitty swung his arms around Arte. He thought he saw her eyes water a bit, as her eyelashes quivered. Arte hugged him back firmly, gripping his shirt. " Kitty… I've only known you for a short while, but you're the most interesting human-er, mortal I've ever met."
"Erm, thanks?" He whispered,"I really appreciated you too. And don't worry. I won't hold a grudge." He licked Arte's tear which had rolled down her cheek. "I hope the best for you, my dear friend."
Arte felt her heart soar at that final, yet meaningful word. "Thanks." Then she pulled away, and ran down the street, quickly disappearing from sight.