Cornelia's eyelashes fluttered, as if she had sensed something.
She turned her head, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
Dekan hadn't even come close yet, but Cornelia had already spotted him.
Dekan smiled and called out to her, "Afternoon!"
Cornelia: "Hi!"
Dekan quickened his pace and jogged over to her. "Cats?"
"Mm..."
Cornelia's mood was clearly a little low as she nodded.
Dekan grinned. "I'll help."
"Huh?"
Without lingering on Cornelia's slightly bewildered expression, Dekan headed toward the group of Sprite Cats.
The cats didn't seem wary of Dekan at all.
He picked up the bowl of cat food and walked away from Cornelia.
One by one, the Sprite Cats began to follow him, all hoping for some dried fish.
The kittens weren't afraid of him at all. He practically radiated friendliness.
Then he set the bowl down, picked up a Sprite Cat, and slipped a piece of dried fish into its mouth.
"Meow~"
Once it had finished eating contentedly, Dekan began scratching under its chin.
He stimulated the kitten's pressure points with practiced ease, even making a rhythmic sound as he petted it.
Like a lullaby, it coaxed the cat to sleep.
The cat gradually grew drowsy.
Actually...
He'd secretly used a tiny bit of Hypnosis Gas, holding his breath the whole time.
Before long, the cat had fallen asleep.
Dekan carried the cat back over to Cornelia.
Cornelia gazed excitedly at the kitten in Dekan's arms and swallowed.
Cornelia: "Pet?" (Can I pet it?)
Dekan: "Sure."
Cornelia reached out with a slight tremble, looking as excited as if a long-held wish were about to come true.
But just then, the kitten suddenly woke with a start, its fur standing on end.
It wriggled free of Dekan's arms in a panic.
Then, thoroughly spooked, it bolted away