Claiming the Kitten

After the teacher left, Watanabe Hayabara felt as though everything within the school history museum had become utterly dull.

Stepping out of the museum, Watanabe Hayabara's pace quickened involuntarily. He did not linger, heading straight toward the convenience store. By now, the sky had grown dim, and the once-bustling campus paths had become much quieter. Students on the road were either hurrying back to their dorms or walking in small groups, whispering to one another. Watanabe Hayabara brushed past them.

Like a gust of wind, Watanabe Hayabara moved with long, swift strides, rushing into the convenience store. Before he had even crossed the threshold, his gaze swept the surroundings like a radar. His eyes darted rapidly, missing no corner, as if he intended to see through the entirety of the small shop.

The most eye-catching items were various gaming consoles, high-value luxury goods, cosmetics, ornaments, and toys, while a portion of the food and daily necessities were tucked away in a corner at the back of the store.

[Are these points-gouging traps for impulsive consumption?]

Without a second thought, Watanabe Hayabara walked toward the shelf of daily necessities, though he found it somewhat strange to discover free items there.

Daily essentials like toothbrushes and adhesive bandages were crammed onto shelves labeled "Free."

Watanabe Hayabara picked up one of the towels and felt it, then compared it to a towel on another shelf that required points. The material was not much different, though the paid towel was slightly softer and larger.

[The best salvation for those without points? How boring.]

Watanabe Hayabara was not lacking in these meager points, so he naturally had no reason to choose these "free" items, steering clear of such inferior goods.

After filling half a shopping cart with carefully selected daily necessities, Watanabe Hayabara headed toward the food and beverage section.

It was there that Watanabe Hayabara spotted a stealthy figure with long purple hair standing before the refrigerated drink display.

"Would you mind if we got to know each other? I felt a spark the moment I saw you." Watanabe Hayabara walked up behind her, his footsteps making no sound at all.

"Who!?" The purple-haired girl shuddered, clearly startled, and in her panic, the beer in her hand began to slip.

The girl's face turned pale with alarm; she could already imagine the beer bottle crashing to the floor with a loud bang, drawing the eyes of everyone in the store. Even though it was late and there weren't many students around—after all, she had carefully chosen this time—the thought was terrifying.

Watanabe Hayabara supported the girl's waist with one hand from behind, while his other hand shot out to catch the falling beer.

Feeling the warmth at her waist and hearing none of the expected sound of a bottle shattering, the girl turned around slowly to find a handsome student wearing glasses. A blush immediately flooded her face.

Watanabe Hayabara withdrew his hand the moment she turned, then presented the beer bottle to her chest.

"Could we get to know each other?" Watanabe Hayabara offered a smile.

"S-sure..." She didn't think twice, her mind still reeling from the act of theft and wondering if the person before her had recorded her crime.

"Then allow me to introduce myself first," Watanabe Hayabara said, brushing his hand against her cheek as he placed the beer bottle back onto the refrigerated shelf.

"I am Watanabe Hayabara from Class D."

"I'm from Class A. My name is Kamuro Masumi." Kamuro Masumi twisted her hands together, looking somewhat at a loss.

"Doesn't Kamuro-san want to know why I wanted to get to know you?"

"W-why?" Kamuro Masumi felt nervous and stammered. Could he have found out? Oh no. That was what she thought, her hands twisting even tighter, her entire demeanor becoming unnatural.

"Are you nervous because I'm here, Kamuro-san?"

"N-no, t-that's not it."

"But your behavior is quite unnatural, Kamuro-san. I just thought you were very pretty and attractive, which is why I wanted to get to know you. Do you dislike me that much?"

"I don't think so," Kamuro Masumi exhaled, feeling a small sense of relief. As long as he hasn't found out. Now, she just wanted to escape this person and leave the store.

"But a little kitten that goes 'meow meow meow' and steals things is really cute, isn't it?" Watanabe Hayabara leaned forward, resting his upper body toward her, bowing his head to whisper into Kamuro Masumi's ear.

More than the ticklish breeze blowing against her ear, Kamuro Masumi was struck by Watanabe Hayabara's words. She froze, her face flushing red again, before she retorted: "Who's a kitten!? Your whole family is meow meow meow!"

"So, Kamuro-san is admitting she stole something? I don't think you're the type who can't afford a few points. Or are you a thieving cat who just enjoys the act of stealing?" Watanabe Hayabara remained close to her ear, though he lowered his voice to a volume only Kamuro Masumi could hear.

Kamuro Masumi's face turned even redder. "Don't slander me! I was just looking; why would I steal beer!"

"Is that so? Then I suppose I'll have to let everyone appreciate the little kitten's handiwork. A despised little kitten might be even more pitiful and endearing, don't you think?"

"You... you!" Kamuro Masumi was incoherent.

"Delete the video. Whatever conditions you have, if I can meet them, just name them." After a moment of silence, that was all Kamuro Masumi could manage to say.

"I am a kind-hearted person, and I can't bear to see a cute kitten being despised. However, I do want to adopt a cute kitten." As he spoke, Watanabe Hayabara took off his glasses and ran a hand through his hair. His expression turned cold, as if he had donned a completely new face.

So handsome! That was Kamuro Masumi's first reaction.

"You... you want me to sell myself? In your dreams!" She quickly regained her composure.

"People who cherish kittens like I do are quite rare. But, of course, I'm not asking you to sell yourself. I just want you to not refuse me when I have a need."

"As long as I provide assistance when you need it, right?"

"Simply put, yes."

"Then I will help you. Can you please delete the video now?"

"Actually, I didn't record a video at all. But teasing a kitten is indeed quite fun." As he spoke, Watanabe Hayabara stroked her long purple hair.

"You... you?!" Kamuro Masumi realized she had been toyed with and was naturally furious. She took a large step back and launched a side kick, aiming straight for Watanabe Hayabara's vital point.

However, Watanabe Hayabara was quick-witted and agile, grabbing her ankle and rendering her unable to move.

Watanabe Hayabara slowly increased the pressure, and a soft, whimpering moan escaped Kamuro Masumi's lips.

"Ngh, let go of me!"

"If a kitten is too wild, it needs to be disciplined. Even though I didn't record a video, I did record our entire conversation. You wouldn't want others to know you steal and are so embarrassing, would you?"

"I... I was wrong. Please let me down, I'll be exposed... I... I will provide the help." Kamuro Masumi lowered her head, not daring to look Watanabe Hayabara in the eye.

Watanabe Hayabara set Kamuro Masumi's foot down, readjusted his glasses, smoothed his hair, and flashed a smile. "Please, Kamuro-san, let's exchange contact information."

With that, Watanabe Hayabara pulled out his student ID.

Kamuro Masumi was visibly stunned by Watanabe Hayabara's sudden change in demeanor, but she eventually took out her device, and the two exchanged contact details.

"Alright, Kamuro-san, it's getting late. If you have any questions, just send me a message. I'll do my best to help." Watanabe Hayabara walked away with a smile.

Watching Watanabe Hayabara's retreating figure, Kamuro Masumi reached out, her lips twitching and parting slightly as if she wanted to say something, but nothing came out. In the end, she could only shake her head in resignation.

Caught the very first time I gave in to the urge, and now I've even sold myself out. What do I do? This is so annoying.

Thinking this to herself, Kamuro Masumi trudged dejectedly toward the convenience store exit, having bought nothing at all.

Watanabe Hayabara, who had been walking for quite some time, suddenly stopped. He looked back toward the convenience store, the corners of his mouth curling upward.

I wonder how the little kitten would react if she knew I wasn't recording her either.

Watanabe Hayabara pulled out his student ID and transferred 200,000 points to Kamuro Masumi, accompanied by a few messages.

"My little kitten, remember to buy the best daily necessities."

"Don't let me catch you stealing again, because I quite dislike little kittens who don't learn from their mistakes."

"If you want to steal something next time, try stealing my heart. I quite like little kittens, after all."

"If you can, keep an eye on the students in Class A. It would make me very happy."

Watanabe Hayabara looked at the messages he had sent and revealed a meaningful smile.

This school is truly interesting.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Kamuro Masumi was heading back to the dormitory when she suddenly felt her device vibrate in her pocket.

She pulled it out and began to read.

"You transferred 200,000 points to me?!!!"

"Aren't we only issued 100,000 points a month? Where did you get so many points?"

"What do you mean I'm your little kitten?!!!"

"Even without your reminder, I'd buy good necessities if I had that many points, okay?"

"I wouldn't steal the heart of a bad man like you even if I tried!!!"

"As for keeping an eye on the students in Class A, I'll just treat it as a task for the 200,000 points. I wouldn't take the initiative to pay attention to them, and certainly not to make you happy!"

"I will absolutely never submit to being your little kitten!!!!"

After sending her reply, Kamuro Masumi continued rushing toward the dormitory building.

Watanabe Hayabara saw Kamuro Masumi's reply and chose to leave it on read.

Back in her room, after waiting for nearly ten minutes without a response from Watanabe Hayabara, Kamuro Masumi began to feel anxious.

"Why aren't you replying?!!!" she typed, attaching an angry emoji.

After sending the message, Kamuro Masumi suddenly felt something was wrong. Why was she angry that Watanabe Hayabara hadn't replied? Did she really care about him that much?

When she tried to recall the message, she found it was impossible to do so, so she huffily tossed her device onto the nightstand.

She turned off the lights, covered her face with her blanket, and forced herself to sleep.