After the Seven Deadly Sins meeting ended, the black cat did not immediately return to the dormitory. Instead, he changed direction halfway there and headed for the Cat Fruit Tree, intending to take advantage of today's transformation to inspect his territory.
Of course, the more important reason was that when he had left Dr. Duzem's laboratory earlier, he had mentioned to Jiang Yu that he might go to the Cat Fruit Tree that evening.
It was nearing midmonth.
The waxing moon had gained another hint of curve, hanging at the edge of the sky like a rather irregular golden melon seed. The black cat stepped across the scattered moonlight spilling through treetops and gaps between buildings, light-footed and nimble. In moments, he passed several small groves, clusters of shrubs, and the shadowy corners of several buildings without disturbing a single passerby enjoying the moonlight.
Moonlight was not the same as night.
Moonlight was a faintly glowing darkness.
Dead leaves drifted down from branches, insects hummed softly in cracks between stones, the moon rose from the lake's surface, and the lake water flowed toward the distant depths of the sky. Night-hunting long-necked egrets spread their wings and skimmed lightly yet powerfully across the lake, stirring up rippling glimmers.
By the time the black cat arrived beneath the Cat Fruit Tree, a white plush collar, folded over like a lion's mane, had somehow appeared around his neck. It was Jiang Yu's Thanksgiving gift to him.
The black cat felt that wearing it tonight was especially fitting.
On the Cat Fruit Tree, the fruits were as they had always been, hanging from their respective branches, trembling unsteadily and snoring in the night breeze. Their soft long fur rose and fell along with their fine, lingering snores, injecting a different sort of life force