-----
-----
"Take a look at the bounty notice first…"
Ruri Goko quickly sent over a screenshot.
"How much?!"
The moment Blake saw the reward, he froze in shock.
The missing cat was a chubby British Shorthair—and the bounty was an absurd 400,000 yen.
Even split between two people, that was still 200,000 yen each. For many fresh graduates, that was about a month's salary.
Clearly, the owner of that lost cat was either rich… or deeply attached.
"Did you confirm whether the bounty is legit?"
Blake calmed down fast and got straight to the point.
Kuroneko: "Not yet… I just saw the post and noticed the address was in Tokyo, so I told you right away."
"I'll call and check."
Blake dialed the number on the lost cat notice. After confirming everything was real, he immediately messaged back:
"It's legit. Not a prank. The cat hasn't been found yet… we can take this job."
Turning down easy money was just stupid.
Half a day's work for 200,000 yen? Only an idiot would pass that up.
He opened his navigation app and mapped the route.
"Let's meet at the subway station first, then head over together."
Kuroneko: "I'm heading out now."
…
Twenty minutes later.
Blake arrived at the agreed station and immediately spotted Kuroneko standing off in a corner.
At school, Ruri Goko usually wore her uniform and blended right in. But today was the weekend, and she'd finally changed into her signature gothic lolita dress.
Black fabric, long black hair, neat bangs, pale skin, and that faintly cold aura… she looked like she might start casting dark magic at any moment. Total chuuni vibes.
"Good afternoon, Ruri."
Blake walked over and greeted her.
"Good afternoon."
Ruri glanced up at him, only to notice the way he was studying her. A faint blush crept onto her cheeks, and she quickly crossed her arms over her chest."Staring at people like that is rude."
"Sorry. It's my first time seeing you in this 'form,' so I got curious." Blake shrugged. "This is based on that anime character, right? The 'Queen of Night Demons'?"
"Huh?"
Ruri's eyes lit up instantly, her voice turning hopeful."You know about her too?"
Blake nodded. "Watched it as a kid. Pretty sure it was a lighthearted kids' show."
"It's not a comedy!"
Ruri immediately shot back, pressing a hand to her forehead in dramatic fashion."The story has real depth. Only ignorant fools would mistake it for something childish!"
"Sure, sure." Blake didn't bother arguing. Then he noticed something. "Wait… why did your eye color change?"
Their eyes met.
Ruri's face heated up instantly, her long lashes trembling slightly.
"Hmph… for a mere mortal like you to gaze upon my Eyes of the Night… you risk being cursed—w-wait!"
She suddenly stepped back, flustered.
"You're too close, idiot Blake! Don't stand so near me!"
"Sorry." Blake took half a step back. "I just noticed something in your eyes."
"Huh?"
"Want me to take a picture so you can see?"
"O-okay…"
Blake pulled out his phone and snapped a photo, then handed it over.
"Ugh…"
Looking at the picture, Ruri clenched her small fists."Cheap colored contacts really are garbage."
So that's why her eye color changed—she was wearing contacts.
Just then, the subway pulled in with a rush of wind, and the two lined up to board.
…
Half an hour later.
Following Ruri's lead, Blake stepped out of the station behind the long-haired girl.
"This place… isn't this Mount Takao?"
He glanced around, a vague sense of familiarity surfacing."I think I came here as a kid, but it's been so long I barely remember."
Mount Takao was a popular day-trip spot on the outskirts of Tokyo. It wasn't especially tall, but the scenery was great, and visitors came year-round.
And everyone knew—if you lived somewhere surrounded by mountains and nature in the city, you were probably loaded. No wonder the reward was so high.
"The person who posted the notice lives in an apartment at the foot of the mountain."
Ruri pressed her lips together and looked over at him."She said she brought the cat up the mountain yesterday, and it disappeared in the blink of an eye. So it's most likely still up there."
Blake nodded and pulled out his phone.
"Same as before… I'll call again and confirm it hasn't been found."
"I'm counting on you, Blake."
…
A moment later.
Blake lowered his phone. "Still missing."
Ruri had been tiptoeing nearby, secretly listening in. The moment she heard that, her mood visibly brightened.
"Then let's get started!"
After earning 100,000 yen from their last job on Friday and bringing home gifts, her whole family had been thrilled. Now, Kuroneko was even more eager to make money.
"Let's head up the mountain first. I brought the cat food and treats in my bag," Blake said. "We'll look for stray cats along the way and ask for help."
There were several ways up Mount Takao—cable cars, chairlifts, gentle hiking paths—but since they needed to find stray cats, they chose the trail.
"Haah… haah…"
They hadn't been walking long before the sound of labored breathing came from beside him.
Blake turned to look at the girl, her lips slightly parted as she caught her breath.
"Want to take a break?"
Clearly, Kuroneko's stamina was terrible. No way she could pass a 1,000-meter run.
"I'm fine."
Ruri pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady her breathing."We need to find a stray cat as soon as possible, finish the job, and get home early. If I'm too late, my mom will worry."
"Alright, let's keep going."
…
By the time they struggled their way halfway up the mountain, Kuroneko's breathing had become even more ragged. Sweat dotted her forehead.
But finally, their effort paid off.
At a rest area, they spotted a black-and-white cow-patterned cat dozing off.
"…Found one!"
Ruri's eyes lit up as she hurried forward.
"Meow?!"
The cat instantly became alert, springing to its feet and preparing to dart into the woods.
"Meow, meow, meow~!"
Throwing embarrassment aside, Ruri quickly opened her mouth and started meowing.
"....."