Eris, I'm actually from another world called Earth. In my previous life, I was a simp who died trying to save a girl from being hit by a truck, and now I've reincarnated into the body of a catgirl!
…
Yeah, no.
Like hell I can tell her that.
That would make me sound absolutely insane, and the last thing I need is to confuse her—or worse, make her think I've lost my damn mind.
Besides… telling her I was a man in my past life?
Yeah. That would make things super awkward.
I take a deep breath, forcing myself to focus.
The past doesn't matter anymore.
I'm not some overworked salaryman drowning in deadlines, grinding away at a soul-sucking corporate job, throwing money at gacha games like a degenerate.
That life is gone.
Now, I'm a catgirl in a fantasy world.
A fresh start. A new beginning.
I have to let go of who I was and embrace this new reality.
So, what's my best play here?
Simple.
Memory loss.
—————————————
"No way…"
Eris gasps, now sitting beside me on the bed, her hands wrapped gently around mine. Her touch is warm, yet rough in places—calluses, perhaps from wielding a sword.
"You really can't remember anything? Your family? Your home? Nothing at all?"
I shake my head slowly. "No… Whenever I try to remember, I get this terrible headache… like a black fog is covering all my precious memories…"
A complete lie. But a harmless one.
Eris's breath hitches. Her blue eyes shimmer as she quickly wipes away a stray tear with the back of her hand.
"That's awful!" Her voice wavers. "I can't even imagine waking up one day and not remembering my parents or my siblings… Just the thought of it is… heartbreaking."
Her empathy catches me off guard. She looks genuinely pained for me.
"It—it's okay, though," I say quickly, trying to ease her worry. "Since I don't remember anything, there's nothing for me to feel sad about."
"I guess that's true… but still…"
"Thank you for your concern, Eris." My voice softens, cutting in before she can worry further. "Honestly, I'm fine. And I'm really glad you were the one who found me. If it had been someone else… someone with bad intentions… who knows what might've happened to me?"
Eris looks down briefly, then back at me, her expression easing. "No, don't mention it."
Then she hesitates.
"But… your name… You've forgotten that too?"
I freeze.
"Y-yeah…" I whisper. "I can't even guess what the first letter might be… Eh?"
Suddenly—
A voice.
A whisper in my mind.
Feminine, distant, yet so clear.
A single, beautiful word.
Without thinking, I say it aloud.
"Felicia…"
Eris blinks. "Felicia? Wow! That's a beautiful name! So you do remember something!" She beams, her face lighting up with excitement.
But I—
I'm stunned.
What the hell was that?
The moment I heard that voice, the moment I spoke that name, something inside me ached. A deep, poignant sensation bloomed in my chest, like an echo of something I can't grasp.
Felicia…
Was that the catgirl's name? The original owner of this body?
I don't know.
But it feels right.
And since Eris already believes it's my name…
I'll go with it.
"Felicia…" I murmur again, letting the name settle on my tongue.
Then—
"WAIT!"
Eris suddenly gasps, her ears perking up as if she just remembered something crucial.
She jumps up and strides toward the corner of the room. There, a massive wooden chest sits, locked tightly with thick chains and an iron padlock.
"Your stuff! Maybe if you see it, you'll remember!"
I blink. "Huh? My… stuff?"
"Yeah! The dress you were wearing, your jewelry—I kept everything!" Eris exclaims, quickly fishing out a key and unlocking the chest.
She lifts the lid.
And then—
My breath catches.
Holy…
I'm stunned.
Eris pulls out a striking black dress, unfolding it carefully.
It's beautiful.
The luxurious velvet catches the dim light, highlighting the intricate details. A high, ruffled collar. Long sleeves that end in delicate lace cuffs. The bodice is adorned with silver embroidery—delicate vines that weave down the asymmetrical skirt, short in the front and cascading longer at the back.
It's elegant. Dark. Stunning.
And I know it.
Recognition slams into me.
I've seen this dress before.
Because—
It was the catgirl's dress. It was my dress.
"Oh!" Eris gasps. "Your face—you look like you just remembered something!"
I reach out.
My hands tremble as my fingers skim the fabric. A deep, inexplicable emotion stirs inside me, squeezing my heart.
"I-I still don't remember everything…" My voice wavers. "But… I recognize this. It must be important to me."
"Wait a minute! There's more!" Eris exclaims, digging further into the chest.
She pulls out a small wooden box and holds it out.
"Here—your earrings and necklace."
Jewelry?
I take the box, my pulse quickening.
I hesitate before opening it.
And then—
My heart stops.
My chest tightens—a wave of emotion crashing into me like a tidal wave.
I don't know why—
But suddenly—
Tears well up in my eyes for no reason.
And before I can stop them, they fall.