⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️
This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~
- (T/N: I translated the pet name (咕噜) as Purr)
MC: Purr, shake hands!
In the sunlit bedroom, I looked at the snow-white kitten in front of me and eagerly extended my hand.
After gazing at me for a minute, Purr lazily lay down on the ground and licked his paws.
MC: No, no, no, I’m not telling you to get down. I’m saying shake hands… So for the next move, Purr, ring the bell!
I rang the bell in front of him again, but Purr didn’t seem to hear it and rolled over on the ground.
I helplessly and dotingly stroked his belly and comforted myself in my heart.
No matter how eager I am to “raising this child”, I can’t be in a hurry to achieve success.
This little slacker named “Purr” is my college roommate’s kitten.
Initially, my old roommate wanted to take him to an audition for a pet show, but I was given full responsibility because of a temporary emergency.
The show aims to display the love between pets and their owners, so I wanted to train Purr to perform some specific action to show our tacit understanding, but…
MC: Why are you still can’t learn these actions after so many days of training?
I was a little frustrated, I had already studied many “cat training” methods, but there was a minimal effect. Not much time left before the audition…
MC: Purr, let’s try harder. We can definitely do it, yeah?
I picked him up and brushed his head, but Purr yawned dramatically.
“Knock-knock-“
??: Hasn’t the class ended yet?
We were interrupted by a sudden knock at the door.
When I heard the sound, I saw that the door was already pushed open, and Lucien was leaning against the door and smiling at me.
I felt so happy as if I had finally seen a ray of light. I couldn’t wait to “complain” to him.
MC: Lucien-
After listening to my ‘tragic’ story, Lucien stifled his smile as he nodded his head.
Lucien: So, you feel like you’ve reached a bottleneck with Purr’s training. And hope that I can give you some advice?
MC: That’s right!
When he saw the hope rekindled in my eyes, Lucien smiled and sat down beside me.
Lucien: MC seems to have forgotten that I’m not very good with kittens either. What if I can’t give you any helpful advice?
His helpless tone reminded me of his cluelessness when dealing with stray kittens. I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
- (T/N: a reference to helpless date)
MC: [laugh] Then you should stay here with me so that I can be fully charged~
I let go of Purr and threw myself into Lucien’s arms, where he caught me with such familiarity and patted me on the back, silently comforting and encouraging me.
- (T/N: MC ‘recharging’ herself by hugging Lucien is a reference from ‘Arriving Within a Crowd’ MQ 🥺 )
After a long time, he suddenly spoke.
Lucien: Since this is a kitten’s training, is it perhaps also an act of teaching?
MC: So what Professor Lucien means is… Do you know the best way for me to learn about teaching?
Lucien tacitly curved the corners of his lips.
Lucien: MC, how many times did you give Purr a lesson today?
MC: About five or six times, but why do you ask?
Lucien: In my experience, student motivation levels vary from time to time…
Lucien: I wonder if it would be the same in kittens?
Lucien opened the notebook on the coffee table and took out a pen.
Lucien: For example, is there any difference in Purr’s cooperativeness during the morning, noon, and night time?
Lucien: If you rate its activeness on a scale of “1 – 10”, how many points would you give to each of these periods?
I was a bit confused by the series of questions, but I answered them one by one according to my fuzzy memory, and Lucien also cooperated by drawing something on the paper.
The sunlight fell and cast his downcast eyes, forming small shadows on his cheeks. He looks very focused. I was curious and leaned over at him.
MC: What are you drawing?
I rested my chin on his shoulder, Lucien’s shoulders sank, and his hand uncontrollably misdrew a stroke. He helplessly tapped my forehead with the pen.
Lucien: I’m trying to translate your answer into visual data.
I look at the axis under Lucien’s pen, the “X” axis is the time, and the “Y” axis is the activity.
And the answers I just gave were drawn as a single dot. Lucien’s lips are slightly pursed, and he connects the dots in clean, straight lines.
I blinked and understood something.
MC: Are you trying to use the graphic to analyze when is Purr at his most active period?
Lucien: Mmm. I thought it might be better to train Purr at his most active state.
Lucien: Strictly speaking, this table is not very rigorous, and the data is not precise, but it can give us some reference in urgent situations.
After thinking for a moment, I nodded in agreement.
MC: I see… So is there any way to motivate the kitten?
MC: For example, what would you do if a student gets sleepy in class?
Lucien was slightly stunned and slowly spoke.
Lucien: Frankly, my students are very attentive in class, and I seldom encounter anything like that.
MC:…
Seeing my momentary pause, he couldn’t hold back his chuckle.
Lucien: But when I was a student, teachers usually told fun facts to get the students’ attention.
MC: Fun facts? Like what?
He lifted his chin and seemed to be thinking hard about it.
Lucien: For example- “A day on Venus is equal to a year on Earth.
Lucien: Also, the rains on the Earth are water, but on some planets, the rains are diamonds due to the influence of methane in the atmosphere…
MC:?
As if noticing my expression, Lucien tilted his head and looked at me.
Lucien: What’s wrong?
MC: … I have a legitimate suspicion that your understanding of the word “fun” is inaccurate.
Lucien chuckled softly and pinched my puffy cheek.
Lucien: Anyway, whether it’s a fun fact or something else, essentially, it’s about doing something that will interest the other person and give them a short break.
Lucien: Once you’ve relaxed, you’ll be more motivated to study.
MC: So. Interesting things huh…
I mumbled thoughtfully. I suddenly thought of something and made a “raising hand” gesture.
MC: Professor Lucien, I have a proposal.
Lucien: Go ahead.
MC: After spending a few days with Purr, I learned a lot of details about him and some of his small quirks.
MC: For example, what kind of snacks he likes to eat, which parts he wants for petting-
MC: I can write them all down… Maybe it will help with the rest of the training?
Lucien raised his eyebrows, his lips curved up.
Lucien: Okay, I’ll leave it to you, teacher MC.
As if receiving some encouragement, I scribbled down the characteristics of Purr’s preferences on a piece of paper.
Lucien’s eyes flashed with a trace of surprise as he stroked Purr, who was sleeping peacefully on the ground.
Lucien: This little guy is lucky to have a little teacher who knows him so well.
Lucien: Thanks to MC, I think the rest of our training will go much smoother.
MC: ‘Our training’?
MC: Does Professor Lucien plan to train Purr with me?
Lucien: Aren’t you happy to welcome me in?
MC: Of course! I can’t be any happier~
The warmth of Lucien’s hand in my palm instantly filled my heart with energy and anticipation.
I happily picked the notebook up and waved it around.
MC: In that case, this notebook will serve as a training manual for us, two novice cat trainers.
With Lucien on board, Purr’s training became much more manageable and smoother than when I was on my own.
Purr also seems to like his new “teacher”, who is gentle and patient, and although he still occasionally cheats and slacks off, he is more cooperative.
Time flowed like water, and soon came the day of the audition.
Despite some fumbling movements in front of the judges, Purr’s silly gestures were very appealing in the bright, spacious room.
As Lucien and I breathed a sigh of relief, one of the judges suddenly gave a puzzled “Huh” and frowned at Purr’s paws.
Judge: Did your owner not cut your nails? It must be hard for this little guy…
My heart suddenly sank, and when I was about to check, there was a sudden barking sound next to me.
??: Woof! Woof!
A large dog jumped through the window with a ferocious look. Purr instantly arched his back uneasily, and his fur stood straight.
I quickly reached out to pick up Purr, but before I could pull the leash, Purr jumped off the table and ran out the door in a huff!
Lucien and I immediately went after him, but Purr was like a drop of water in the sea, instantly disappearing in the corridor full of people.
We rushed to the surveillance room to check the CCTV footage but discovered that the screen was crammed with heads. We could only vaguely see a white figure running to the left corridor.
Lucien: Don’t worry. The security here is very strict. If Puff ran out of the building, there would be staff who would see him.
Lucien held my hand reassuringly.
MC: But where is he going…
Thinking of Purr’s frightened appearance just now, my heart twisted up with anxiety.
Lucien looked around, suddenly discovered something, and pointed to the map on the wall beside him.
Lucien: Let’s think about where he’s most likely to go.
I looked in the direction of his finger and saw the map with the location of all the rooms on this floor.
Seeing my puzzlement, Lucien pointed to a conference room in the center of the map.
Lucien: While I was waiting outside for the interview, I saw that the pet auditions were taking place in the conference rooms on this floor-
Lucien: These places should be full of people and pets who come to compete. And Purr just got a scare…
MC: So he wouldn’t go to such a noisy place?
Lucien: Well, that’s likely to be the case.
Lucien nodded. I looked at the map and felt like I had caught a clue.
MC: Excluding these conference rooms, there is a studio at the end of the hallway on the right.
MC: When passing by, I vaguely heard music from inside…
Lucien: I remember you wrote in your notebook that Purr didn’t like to hear music?
MC: Well, the first time Purr arrived at my house, I played music in the living room, and he would run like hell to the bottom of the couch and refuse to come out.
Lucien: In that case, this room can also be excluded.
As our ideas became increasingly apparent, Lucien and I pondered where Purr would not go, according to our understanding of him.
After eliminating a few places in a row, we finally settled on an area in the upper left corner of the map.
Lucien: It’s not a large area, so that we can look for them one by one.
Lucien’s words are soft but reassuringly convincing.
Lucien: Don’t worry. I think Purr must be waiting for us in one of these places.
We arrived at a small conference room near the corner, and just as we reached the door, we heard familiar voices calling from inside.
MC: …Purr!
Purr:Meow!
I rushed into the room, crouched in front of the couch, and saw Purr cowering under it, looking at me warily.
Lucien: He is probably still scared… MC, did you bring his snacks?
When I met Lucien’s gaze, I immediately reacted and pulled out a cat snack from my bag and waved it at Purr.
MC: Purr, look here! It’s your favorite cat snack~
Purr: Meow-
Purr’s eyes lit up, and after two hesitant meows, he slowly took steps toward me.
When he finished half the cat snack and rubbed my hand against his ear, I picked him up joyfully.
MC: Good boy~!
I rubbed Purr’s cheek with mine and nudged his nose.
MC: Next time, don’t run around like that, okay?
I pretended to be stern, but Purr shook his head in a non-committal manner.
MC: What kind of reaction is this…
Lucien: All right, little ones.
Lucien interrupted our confrontation, came over to rub the top of my hair, and smoothed Purr’s fur, showing a helpless smile at the corner of his mouth.
Lucien: Can we talk about it at home instead?
As soon as we got home, Purr ran to the couch and lazed around under the sunset glow.
Finally relieved of the day’s tension and fatigue, I rubbed my eyes and beckoned at Purr, holding back my tiredness.
MC: Purr, come and groom first!
I skillfully picked him up and accidentally caught a glimpse of his paws. When he saw that my movements suddenly stopped, Lucien raised his eyebrows.
Lucien: What’s wrong?
MC: …Nothing, I just suddenly thought of what the judge said at the audition.
Lucien was startled, as if he recalled the scene, and sat next to us.
Lucien: Is it about the little guy’s long nails?
I nodded, feeling some inexplicable tightness in my chest.
MC: I didn’t even notice… It should be very uncomfortable for him.
MC: I seem to have been so concerned with training Purr these days that I neglected to take basic care of him.
I stroked Purr’s fur apologetically and picked up the nail clippers on the cupboard.
MC: Does it seem that I have not understood the program’s theme well enough and given it enough care?
Purr stretched out his paws as if trying to climb on me, and Lucien tapped him on the forehead.
Lucien: With how he’s clinging to you now, it doesn’t seem to be what you might think.
MC: Is that so…
I held Purr’s other paw, and Lucien expertly took him over so I could cut his fingernails.
MC: Purr, if you think I’ve been harsh on you these days, you can meow once.
MC: But if you think what I’m doing to you is good, meow twice.
I said as I clipped Purr’s nails, not expecting him to really respond to me.
I didn’t expect Purr to look straight at me, and after a long time, he tilted his head.
Purr: Meow~
Lucien: [Softly laughs]…
When I cast a sorrowful look, Lucien stifled his laugh and spoke consolingly.
Lucien: Sorry, I just think it’s cute when MC talks to Purr so seriously.
I grunted softly and poked Purr’s cheek with feigned displeasure.
MC: Purr- am I that mean?
Some memories of Purr’s “stern lecture” suddenly flashed through my mind, and I dropped my head a little sheepishly.
MC: Well… I do seem to be a little harsh sometimes. But deep down, I still love you and want to be nice to you…
Lucien: Indeed, I can attest to that.
Lucien picked up where I left off, patting Purr on the back.
Lucien: When I forgot to eat because I was too busy at work, MC would also “sternly lecture” me…
Lucien: But she does it because she wants me to take care of myself, so she expresses this concern more directly.
Lucien: Purr, I’ll tell you a secret- I actually like MC’s “lecture”.
Lucien: Because, just as she said, those “lectures” is how she expresses her feeling.
Lucien: So maybe you can think of them as another way for MC to show her love?
His gentle voice was like the warm sunlight coming in through the window and warmly reflected in my heart.
It turns out that those small daily things are well remembered in his heart with such a beautiful filter.
Just as my face was getting a little hot, Purr on Lucien’s arms meowed again.
Lucien: …This should be counted as two meows, right?
Lucien and I looked at each other, and smiles gradually emerged in our eyes.
MC: Well, it can count!
I happily stroked Purr’s head.
MC: Purr, thank you and Lucien for the consolation~
Lucien: Does it mean that my words are not sincere enough? I’m not just trying to console you.
Lucien tilted his head. His gaze even flowed with a hint of grievance.
Lucien: I sincerely believe that you have taken more than enough care of Purr.
Lucien: Otherwise, we wouldn’t have found Purr so quickly, and…
Lucien: A person who does not care about their pet will also have a limited understanding of them.
Lucien’s eyes flickered to the notebook on the nightstand.
When I saw the cat training manual we had perfected together, I was slightly moved and understood what Lucien meant.
-In this book, the little things we know about Purr are evidence of our care and concern for him.
Lucien: Not to mention regularly feeding the kitten and cleaning the cat litter every day…
Lucien: These seemingly trivial things can’t be done without heartfelt care.
Lucien turned to look at me sideways, the corners of his lips curled faintly as if to tell the sincerity of his heart.
Lucien: MC, you shouldn’t doubt your love for Purr.
Lucien: It is always traceable, hidden in every wordless detail.
I feel like there is a tender hand gently tugging at my heartstrings
My heart was slightly moved. I lowered my head to print a kiss on Lucien’s forehead, smiling while looking at him.
MC: How can Professor Lucien understand “love” so well?
Lucien’s expression was a little stunned, and his eyebrows curved into a beautiful arc.
Lucien: Because someone has been teaching me very patiently.
The evening sun falls inch by inch on our shoulders, like a warm and silent embrace.
The increasing warmth in my heart made me burrow deeper into his arms.
Lucien put Purr, who had already closed his eyes, into my arms and held us together in a big hug.
Lucien: Now that the dilemma has been answered, can we take a short rest, just like Purr?
When I was a little dazed, Lucien lowered his head, and his hand clasped the back of my head as he affectionately nuzzled the tip of my nose.
Lucien: The little one who was a bit sleepy a while ago can take a good rest now.