It seemed like he'd been unconscious for far longer than before. As Evan's mind slowly regained clarity, he blinked, squinting into the soft warmth of sunlight pouring directly onto his face. The rain had stopped; the night had faded, giving way to a bright dawn. Instinctively, Evan raised his hand to block out the bright rays—and froze.
It was his own, human hand!
"I'm back!" The words tumbled out, half-shouted, as his heart surged with relief and disbelief. He sat up fast, scanning his surroundings until his gaze landed on Leo, peacefully curled up by his side—the very cat who had, unintentionally, dragged him into a night full of bizarre mysteries.
A long breath escaped his chest, and he couldn't help the faint smile that tugged at his lips. He might not be a "heroic cat knight" or anything like that, but at least he was back to his regular self. Memories of the previous night washed over him—the strange connection, the world that looked so different as a cat, the surreal sensations that were now etched into his memory. As he glanced around the ancient, grand estate, unease flickered in him. This place held far too many secrets.
"No way—I'm out today. This place is way too weird! Struck by lightning twice, swapping souls with a cat—you've gotta be kidding me! If anyone says there's nothing strange about this estate, I just can't believe it! A regular vet has no business staying here!" He clenched his fists, a stubborn determination settling within him. He had to leave, return to a normal life. He glanced at his clothes, mud-spattered and torn, and added wryly to himself, "Definitely never taking on such a weird job again."
Suddenly, a thought struck him. Leo! He quickly turned to check on the little cat, lifting him into his arms. Leo seemed calm, gazing up at Evan with an innocent gleam in his eyes. Gently, Evan ran his fingers through the cat's soft fur, smoothing it down, and with each touch, he made sure Leo's breathing was steady and his heart was strong. Leo seemed perfectly fine.
Just as he was ready to heave a sigh of relief, a sudden, warm, and overwhelmingly cozy feeling washed over him. It caught him entirely off guard. At first, he thought it was just his human body adjusting back, but then he realized it wasn't constant—it came and went with the rhythm of his gentle strokes. Puzzled, he withdrew his hand, and the sensation immediately faded.
"What's going on?" He tilted his head, frowning thoughtfully.
Curious, he resumed petting Leo, his hand gliding through the cat's velvety fur. That comfort returned, even stronger, wrapping around him like a warm blanket on a cold night. Evan's hand paused mid-stroke, his expression freezing in realization—this wasn't right. He stared down at Leo, his hand hovering over the cat's head. Was it possible that he and Leo somehow shared sensations? A shiver ran down his spine at the thought.
"No way…" Evan murmured, his voice barely audible. "That's insane."
To confirm his theory, he gave Leo's scruff a soft scratch, and—sure enough—the strange sensation enveloped him again, leaving him feeling oddly content, as if he were the one being petted! This realization struck him like lightning, and he let out a long, conflicted sigh. He hadn't become a "Cat Knight," yet somehow, he'd ended up with an uncanny bond with this cat.
"Better than actually being a cat, I suppose," he muttered, shaking his head as he snuggled Leo close, turning to head back inside.
However, when he put his glasses on, his vision blurred as if the lenses were too strong. Frowning, he took them off, only to find his vision crystal clear. Every detail, from the tree leaves to the tiniest cracks in the walls, stood out as though he'd been given great sight. A laugh escaped his lips. "At least there's one perk to all this."
Evan chuckled, slipping back into the house through an open window, mud-streaked and a bit worn, when the door swung open and a housekeeper walked in, freezing at the sight of him. Evan noted her slightly startled expression with his newly sharp vision and waved sheepishly.
"I, uh, heard meowing and noticed Leo had jumped out the window, so I went out to get him back," he explained, brushing at Leo's fur, as if to prove his point.
The housekeeper snapped to attention. "Oh, thank you, sir! You should get cleaned up yourself—let me take Leo. I'll make sure he's washed."
Evan hesitated as he handed Leo over, and as he let go, that strange, warm sensation pulsed faintly again. He resisted a sigh, the comfort too strong, as he hurriedly instructed, "Just, uh, be very gentle, please. He's sensitive to baths, and after washing, make sure he's fully dried so he doesn't catch a cold."
With that, Evan practically bolted from the pet room, afraid of what "feelings" he'd experience if Leo got too close to water. However, the further he moved away, the fainter that strange comfort grew, easing his nerves. It seemed the closer he was to Leo, the more intense their "connection" became. He chuckled wryly, thinking, "Looks like Leo's my 'furry radar'—the farther away, the better."
But he knew he'd have to keep a close eye on this, just in case. Who knew what else he might feel if their "bond" extended further than simple petting? He sighed with a wry smile. "Guess there's no escape from this live-in vet role now!