After some time walking, they finally arrived at the place where Lord Fool was waiting.
Samael was practically vibrating with anticipation.
He was absolutely certain the cat would love the name he had chosen with such care.
And he was equally certain that Klein Moretti wouldn't mind him using it.
It was practically a tribute.
A respectful tribute.
A very respectful one.
So excited was he that he began walking too fast, forcing Elizabeth to match his pace.
But when they finally stopped in front of the glass door of the establishment…
He froze.
Literally.
His hand hovered inches from the handle.
But he didn't go in.
"Why did you stop?" Elizabeth asked, observing the sudden shift.
Seconds ago, he had been brimming with energy.
Now he looked like someone about to face public execution.
"Liz… I'm nervous."
He didn't even try to hide it.
Elizabeth blinked.
"It's just an adoption."
A pause.
"Besides, you've already killed a Fallen Devil."
She said it as if comparing it to buying bread.
To her, it made perfect sense.
To Samael… it didn't.
He swallowed.
Killing was simple.
It was instinct.
It was survival.
But this?
This was responsibility.
Looks like I'll have to use my ultimate method… Elizabeth thought.
Last time, it had worked perfectly.
Questions.
Samael might be socially maladjusted, but he loved talking to people he felt comfortable with.
And over time, she had realized she belonged to that small circle.
So she took a quiet breath.
And asked softly,
"Hey, Sam… how did it end… with the Lord of Shadows?"
She almost regretted it halfway through.
Saying that out loud was more embarrassing than it sounded.
Even though she was usually stoic, a faint blush tinted her cheeks.
But Samael didn't notice.
He became serious.
Too serious.
"It was complicated…"
Elizabeth tilted her head slightly.
"What happened?"
Her tone was neutral.
But she was fully invested in the story.
She would never admit it.
"In the end… he threatened me."
Silence.
"What?" Elizabeth frowned.
It was impossible that a cockroach—
"He said he'd return someday… and make me pay."
The seriousness in his voice was absolute.
Convicted.
As if an epic rivalry truly existed.
Elizabeth stared at him for a few seconds.
Analyzing.
"Hey, Sam."
"What?"
"Are you sure you're okay?"
She genuinely considered the possibility that he had hit his head while cleaning the house.
"Of course I am."
He answered with complete confidence.
And without realizing it, while discussing the imminent revenge of a deceased cockroach…
They had already entered the shop.
The air smelled faintly of pet food and disinfectant.
Soft sounds echoed around them.
Meows.
Tiny paws scratching lightly against metal cages.
Samael's heart began racing again.
Even faster than before.
They approached the counter.
Elizabeth stepped back.
Deliberately.
She wouldn't interfere.
He needed to do this alone.
Samael took a deep breath.
Once.
Twice.
"E-excuse me… I came to pick up the cat I bought online…" he said quietly, almost shrinking into himself.
Behind the counter, the attendant looked up.
What she saw was a very beautiful girl.
Shy.
Delicate.
Small.
It was, honestly… adorable.
"Of course! You must be Nagi, here to pick up the cat, right?"
Silence.
Samael's world shattered.
His cheeks ignited instantly.
He wanted to run.
To disappear.
To open a dimensional portal and vanish.
And along with the embarrassment came nostalgia.
Samael—or rather, Ethan—remembered the first time on Earth he had to give someone his email seriously.
Almost everyone goes through it.
Creating a cringe-worthy email during adolescence.
Regretting it deeply later.
When he created the account to buy the cat, he had used the name of a character from an obscure manga he liked.
Old habit.
He had never imagined he would have to say it out loud.
He had never regretted anything more in his life.
And the worst part?
Because of his current appearance…
The attendant truly believed that was his name.
A feminine name.
Perfectly matching his delicate face.
And he could still feel Elizabeth's questioning gaze burning into his back.
But turning to explain would be even more humiliating.
So he did the only thing he could.
He kept his face serious.
Or at least tried to.
"Yes… that's me," he replied.
He looked like a human tomato.
"I'll go get him. Please wait here," the attendant said with a gentle smile before disappearing into the back.
Silence.
Heavy silence.
Samael stood motionless.
Elizabeth as well.
Five seconds.
Ten.
"Nagi?" she asked calmly.
"Please don't ask…" Samael pleaded.
He could feel his blood pressure dropping from sheer embarrassment.
Maybe he was being dramatic.
But at that moment, who cared?
"Is Nagi someone's name?" she asked, genuinely curious. "It doesn't look like… you."
"It's the name of a character I like," he answered, nearly steaming.
There was no actual steam.
Just Samael's internal drama reaching critical levels.
"And why did you use that name?"
"Habit! It was automatic!" he defended quickly. "I always use that nickname…"
Elizabeth remained silent.
But her expression made it clear she wasn't entirely convinced.
Fortunately—or unfortunately—the attendant returned before the interrogation could continue.
She carried a small carrier box.
Black.
Discrete.
And inside it…
A completely black kitten.
Golden eyes shone against dark fur.
The moment Samael laid eyes on him, all embarrassment vanished.
Instantly.
His eyes lit up.
Literally.
The attendant placed the carrier on the counter.
"Here are the documents. This paper explains the necessary care, feeding schedule, routine, and—"
Samael wasn't listening to a single word.
He only saw the cat.
"Sir, you can pay here, please."
"Ah… of course."
He paid without even looking at the amount.
At that moment, any scammer could have taken all his money.
Elizabeth noticed.
But said nothing.
After taking the carrier, Samael left hugging it as if holding a sacred relic.
Or an extremely valuable plushie.
People around them glanced discreetly.
Animals were rare.
Very rare.
Owning one was already unusual.
Displaying one openly on the street was almost eccentric.
"Look, Liz! Hold him too!" Samael said, carefully opening the carrier.
He gently lifted the cat and placed him in her arms, like a proud child showing off a new toy.
Elizabeth froze.
She came from a normal family.
She had never owned a pet.
Had never even held one.
So when Lord Fool was placed in her arms…
She held him like a porcelain statue.
Rigid.
Unsure where to put her hands.
Afraid of dropping him.
The cat shifted.
Searching for a comfortable position.
Its tail brushed lightly against her ear.
Which turned red.
From embarrassment.
She didn't know how to handle this.
And for someone who seemed good at everything…
It was unsettling.
"Liz… you're not good with animals?" Samael asked, clearly surprised.
It was the first time he had seen her lost.
It was… amusing.
And intriguing.
She kept a serious face.
As if performing a highly complex military operation.
The cat moved again.
Settling against her chest.
Soft.
Warm.
Alive.
Elizabeth felt it quietly.
It was… pleasant.
Strangely pleasant.
Samael didn't take the cat back.
He was enjoying the scene too much.
And Elizabeth didn't return him.
Even though she was embarrassed.
Because despite the awkwardness…
She was enjoying it too.
Lord Fool was soft.
Warm.
Small.
In Ethan's old world, anyone would have seen a cat.
It would have been trivial.
Common.
But here…
It was almost a luxury.
Something rare.
Something special.
Things the old Ethan once considered meaningless could be treasures in this world.
The cat finally found a comfortable position.
And closed his eyes.
As if he trusted her.
Elizabeth remained still.
Looking at the small being asleep in her arms.
"He likes you," Samael said with a smile.
Elizabeth looked at the cat.
Then at Samael.
"He has good taste," she replied seriously.
But her fingers, discreetly, stroked the dark fur.
Without realizing it.
Samael noticed.
And said nothing.