Cat-Cat Is Completely Under Control

"Ding-dong~ Ding-dong~"

The pleasant dismissal bell rang.

It was Friday. College students with no afternoon classes had already entered their wonderful weekend early, making the students in the neighboring classrooms grind their teeth in envy.

Nan Jiayu walked side by side with her roommates toward the cafeteria.

Her original plan had been to have lunch with Su Tianqing, then take the subway toward central Rongcheng and spend the entire day having fun.

But that little fox had said she suddenly had something urgent to take care of. She had not even eaten lunch before hurrying off by herself.

As she sat in the cafeteria eating small bites with her roommates, the petite catgirl felt a little down.

She said she had something urgent. What could it be?

Was it something involving her family? But Tianqing had always lived alone.

Could it be... she would message her later and say something suddenly came up this afternoon, so she could not go after all...

"...Jia Yu, don't you love the cafeteria's braised fish the most? Why aren't you eating?"

Roommate A keenly noticed the catgirl's state, poked her shoulder, and spoke.

"Huh? Ah... ah, nom nom nom..."

Nan Jiayu suddenly snapped back to her senses, hurriedly answered twice, picked up two pieces of fish and put them in her mouth, then started spacing out again.

Everyone exchanged glances, all sensing the subtle atmosphere.

"Jia Yu, you don't seem to be in a very good mood today. Did something happen?" Roommate B asked with concern.

"Yeah, and you actually came to the cafeteria with us today. Haven't we been seeing you eat with Su Tianqing from our class these past few days?" Roommate C asked.

Nan Jiayu remained silent, seeming completely immersed in her own world.

Her roommates had no choice.

That was just this catgirl's personality. She was very withdrawn, and whenever she encountered something that troubled her, she would bottle it up without a word and ignore everyone.

She really was an untamable little cat.

But just as her roommates quietly discussed how to cheer this little cat up, a golden figure suddenly appeared beside their table.

"Ha! I knew Little Fish would be here!"

"Why haven't you been looking at your messages? I sent you so many! Hmph!"

Everyone in the cafeteria turned toward the pleasant voice as if by agreement.

Nan Jiayu turned her head blankly and met the gaze of the little fox standing beside the table with her hands on her hips.

She had changed out of her school uniform and into a pale yellow dress. Her little feet, clad in white ribbon socks, wore sporty leather shoes. A ribbon headband held back her waterfall-like golden hair, and she glared at Nan Jiayu with dissatisfaction.

"Ah... huh? Ah, ah? Tianqing? Weren't you..."

"Check your messages! Check your messages!"

The adorable little fox pouted, practically pressing her face against the catgirl's.

"Doesn't Little Fish usually keep her phone in her hand all the time? Why did you suddenly stop replying to my messages?"

Oh no! She had completely forgotten about her phone!

Nan Jiayu hurriedly pulled out her phone, opened the chat, and looked at the dozen or so unread red bubbles:

"Little Fish, wait for me! I suddenly remembered that I didn't hang up the clothes I washed this morning!"

"I changed into a new dress. I specially went out to buy it yesterday~"

"[Photo]"

"What do you think? Do you like it, Little Fish?"

"I'm heading out! Little Fish, come find me at the subway station entrance!"

"Little Fish?"

"Little Fish, are you there?"

"Little Fish, reply to me already—"

The catgirl looked up blankly.

The little fox before her already had tears welling in her eyes. She lightly bit her lip, her ears flattened against the top of her head, looking as though she was desperately holding back tears. It was unbearably pitiful.

"Wow! Little Fish, you actually dared to ignore Tianqing's messages!"

Instantly conquered by the adorableness of the golden fox before her, Roommate C immediately switched sides and joined in.

"I'm sorry, Tianqing. Maybe Little Fish didn't wake up properly today, so..." Roommate B played the peacemaker.

Roommate A, sitting beside Nan Jiayu, said nothing. She merely pulled the frozen catgirl out of her seat and nudged her in front of the little fox.

"S-Sorry... Tianqing... um..."

"Hmph!"

Fox Fox turned her head away.

Yet one little hand still grabbed the catgirl's other free hand. The tearful expression on her face vanished in an instant as she flashed the roommates a V-sign and gave them a charming smile.

That was definitely an act!

"Thanks, everyone! I'll borrow Little Fish for now!~"

Su Tianqing tightly gripped the catgirl's hand behind her and jogged forward.

Although they knew that expression had been an act, the roommates all secretly clenched their fists.

"She really is so cute, Tianqing."

"Tianqing... she's just too cute..."

"Make sure you two have fun!"

.

"Ding-dong. Rongcheng Tianfu Square has arrived. Passengers transferring to Line 1, please get off promptly..."

"We're here!"

The golden fox excitedly hopped out of her seat. The catgirl hurriedly grabbed the suddenly excited little fox and walked out of the subway with her.

Tianfu Square was as lively as ever.

Standing beside the broad grassy expanse of the square, Nan Jiayu blankly watched the bustling residents and tourists, unsure where to go for a moment.

When she had first arrived in Rongcheng, her younger sister and her father had brought her here for a visit.

Unfortunately, the sheer number of people had nearly triggered her social anxiety on the spot. Then, because of her beastkin identity, she had drawn quite a lot of attention. Since then, she had never returned to such a crowded place.

But.

Su Tianqing walked ahead as though no one else existed, completely ignoring the gazes cast her way. Bathed in brilliant sunlight, she turned around to look at her.

"Little Fish! Let's go eat something tasty over there!~"

The little fox spoke with a dazzling, beautiful smile.

The commercial district on the basement level of the square was packed with all kinds of restaurants and shops.

You could see cosplayers striking poses in front of merchandise stores, and hear someone in a card shop nearby shouting, "I summon Narcissus Mermaid!"

The moment they saw an adorable little fox step off the escalator, street photographers immediately aimed their cameras in their direction.

Nan Jiayu was about to lower her head and hurry away, but Su Tianqing fearlessly flashed a V-sign at the street photographers. The catgirl watched in nervous alarm.

She was far too dazzling! If it were Nan Jiayu, she would never dare accept an invitation for street photography like that!

They had KFC for lunch.

Although it was no longer Crazy Thursday, this fox was especially craving chicken legs. While Nan Jiayu was still nibbling delicately at her cod burger, she had already wolfed down an entire honey-glazed roast chicken.

Foxes really ate roast chicken ridiculously fast. Nan Jiayu thought.

Of course, that entire roast chicken made Su Tianqing pay a small price:

"Guh... so full... I ate so much..."

Fox Fox sprawled contentedly in her chair, rubbing her belly. Her ears drooped limply atop her head, and her entire face radiated the bliss of a full meal.

"Now that we're full from lunch too..."

"Little Fish, let's wander around nearby and walk it off, then go have fun at Greenheart Park!"

"I'm fine with anything. I'll listen to you."

The catgirl tilted her head with a smile.

Su Tianqing paused for a moment, then revealed an even brighter smile.