The mottled wood grain of the eaves had endured wind, frost, rain, and snow, yet remained as resilient as ever. Its dark, subdued color carried the mellow scent of time, and every raindrop that struck it made a soft sound.
Raindrops slid down the eaves, carrying the chill of the air as they fell onto the soil and splashed up tiny rings of water.
"All right, Hughberlian, hurry up and go inside. The wind's getting stronger."
"Mm, see you at school tomorrow!"
They had agreed to find Dean Loren tomorrow and submit their application to complete the formalities.
After saying goodbye to Hughberlian,
Lanchi opened his umbrella and rested it on his shoulder. Then he crouched down and smiled at his shadow without saying anything.
He reached both hands toward his shadow.
After waiting like that for a while, Cat Boss leaped out of his shadow and climbed into his hands.
"Lanchi meow... how did you discover me..."
Nestled in the crook of Lanchi's arm and held by him, Cat Boss asked guiltily.
"It's raining today, so don't hide in my shadow anymore. You'll catch a chill."
Lanchi spoke gently.
"Mm... sorry, meow..."
Cat Boss buried its head even deeper, feeling increasingly guilty.
Lanchi had noticed it long ago. Not only had he not blamed it, but he had even treated it so gently.
From now on, it would never secretly hide in Lanchi's shadow again.
With a smile on his face, Lanchi held Little Black Cat under the umbrella and walked home.
In fact, he tried this every time he left Cat Boss Restaurant, checking whether Cat Boss was hiding in his shadow.
It just happened to be raining today, so he had tried it beneath the eaves. He never expected to actually fish out a cat.
"Why do