And another new morning has come.
　I get up with a big stretch and quickly get ready for breakfast.

"Good morning, Ranga! Good morning, Ranga! I'm off!　Hahaha!

　My father also woke up soon and ate the breakfast I prepared for him as usual, then quickly left.
　Why don't you wake up early once in a while and cook at least one meal for your son?
　I locked myself in the house and headed for school.
　Well, it's another day of hard work.

　And the class goes on without a hitch: ----
　The bell rang, and the morning class was over.
　It's not much of a class, but it's tiring to act like a normal kid.
　It's hard to find the right balance between too good and not good enough.
　I heard my stomach rumbling from exhaustion.

"Heh, you're hungry, Ranga?

　"Heh, are you hungry, Ranga?" Renton spoke from behind me.

"Yes, I am. It's lunchtime.
Me too. I haven't had anything to eat since last night.
...... Why is that? Didn't your parents get you anything?
Tsk, I pulled it out. It's for today's school lunch!

　Renton poked his finger at the menu on his desk, and today's date was marked as hamburger.

Normally it's just bread and soup, but today we're having our once-a-month feast!　And it's Claire's homemade hamburger steak!　You'll be punished if you don't come hungry!

　The school lunches here are basically simple, but once a month, the sisters prepare and serve an elaborate meal.
　On Ms. Claire's day, in particular, the food is very popular with the children and is a big hit.
　As she did so, the children in the lunchroom handed out trays to everyone.
　With a click, a tray was placed on Renton's desk.

"Oooohhh! A hamburger!

　Instantly, Renton's tension reaches a crescendo, and he stands up and starts shouting at the top of his lungs.
　Stop it, it's embarrassing. You'll make me blush too.
　In the meantime, a tray was placed on my desk.
　The main dish was a hamburger steak, the bread was buttered, and there was corn in the soup.
　Not only the hamburger steak, but also the usual bread and soup had been given an extra touch.
　It's not Renton, but it's something to get excited about.
　After serving the food to everyone, Ms. Claire joined her hands on the podium.

"And now, everyone, thank God for ----.
"Bon appétit!

　I join hands with her and bite into the bread.
　Mmm, the richness of the butter enhances the bread.
　The soup is also delicious. There's a big difference between having the ingredients and not having them.
　I eat the bread and soup alternately as if biting into them.

"Mogumogu...... Hey Ranga!　I'm not going to eat it.　If you don't eat it, can I have it?

　"Don't be silly.

"Don't be silly. I'm the kind of person who saves the fun for last.

　The spoon prevents that.
　I'm not one to begrudge a once-a-month feast.
　Renton clicks his tongue and pulls out his fork.
　After enjoying the bread and soup, I was about to start on the hamburger steak.

"Meow!

　I heard a cat purring at the window.
　It was the black cat that had been in the garden the other day. It was a black cat that had been in the garden the other day, and had taken up residence because everyone was feeding it.
　The moment I looked at it, it jumped.
　The next thing I knew, the hamburger had disappeared and was in the cat's mouth.
　When I realized what had happened, my expression turned angry.

"Bastard ......!

　But it was only for a moment, and a small amount of magic power leaked out impulsively.
　It's the kind of magic that makes even the children around me shiver and react.
　The cat jumped up, all the hair on its body standing on end.

"Meow!

　Oh, no.
　I'm not sure what to do.

Oh no, they took your hamburger steak, didn't they?
Who's going to let him get away with this? ......!

　I'm not the kind of person who gives up a once-a-month feast.
　I ran out of the classroom and ran towards the fleeing cat.

"Hey, Mr. Ranga!　You can't run in the hallway!
Excuse me!

　I'm not going to let it get away.

I'm not letting you go, you f*cking cat!
"Meow!



　The cat zigzagged down the hallway, occasionally looking back at me as I chased it.
　If I use my magic, I can catch it quickly, but if I use it in a place like this, I'll be in big trouble.
　d*mn it, I'll just have to catch it.

If I could just push him over the edge, ......!

　I'm going to narrow down the cat's range of movement as I run towards it.
　All right, all right,...... keep narrowing the distance,...... now!

　I pounced on it with all my might, but it jumped on my head and landed behind me in a triangle jump.
　I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but it's a good idea.
　I'm not sure what to make of this.

"Meow.

　The cat meows and starts running again.
　I click my tongue and chase after it again.

　I chased after it again.

　I was forced to struggle in the chase against the unusually agile cat, ducking, dodging, and running away again and again.
　The cat was headed for the schoolyard.
　If it goes outside, we can't handle it.
　I'll have to catch it on the stairs!
　I jumped down the stairs with both hands outstretched to catch the cat running down the stairs.
　But no. My hands cut through the air and the cat darted out.

d*mn it!

　Far beyond my crawl, on the wall, the cat has started to eat a hamburger.
　What a humiliation, I haven't been humiliated like this since the last time I was eaten at the Demon Lord's castle dinner, when he ate the last of the fried death fish I had left.

Oh no, he's getting away.

　I noticed that Renton was behind me.
　He looked at me with a half-amused, half-disappointed look on his face and smirked.

I came after him because he looked interesting, but I'm sorry. I've already eaten my hamburger, so I can't help you.
"......, give me a hand here, Renton. I'm going to give that cat a good beating.
Hey, hey, hey, hey. I've had it with that cat too. Let's work together and make him pay!
Thanks.

　I shook Renton's hand tightly.

　"Meow.

"Meow.

　The next day.
　The next day, the cat who was basking in the sun purred carefree.
　It was scratching its face with its paws, purring and looking sleepy.
　Suddenly, he noticed something and turned his head toward a tree standing in the corner of the school building.
　Under the tree was a small piece of meat.

"Nya......?

　The cat stood up and approached the lump of meat, wagging its tail in curiosity.
　The cat circled around it as if on alert, but did not take its gaze off the meat for even a moment.

Heh heh ...... you're getting close.

　On top of the tree is Renton, holding a large woven basket in his hand and smiling wryly.
　Yes, the plan is to use the meat as bait for Renton to jump down and capture him.
　The woven basket has a small gap in order to make it easier to hold, but it doesn't matter once he has it down.
　The cat drew a circle and gradually approached.
　Renton watches for the right moment to jump down.
　Slowly, the cat approached ---- and took the meat in its mouth.

"Now!

　Renton is about to jump, but the cat, as if it had already noticed, jumps out quickly.
　Straight up, in a straight line, in the direction of ---- me, ・・・・・・.

"Meow!
I've been waiting for you!　You cat bastard!

　The cat froze in surprise, and I easily held it.
　The capture is complete.

Hey, you did it, Ranga.
Thanks, Renton.

　I clapped my hands together and purred.
　There was a gap in the woven basket Renton was holding, and I was waiting in that direction.
　I figured that this cat, with its keen eye, would aim for the gap and slip through.
　If I could catch her intact, so be it, a double trap.

NEEEEEEEE!

　The cat was writhing and flailing about.
　The cat is writhing and flailing about, but if you hold its arms and legs, it can't escape no matter how you move.

"Well, what do we do with it? Ranga. Are you going to turn it into a hamburger?
No, I'm not going to do that. He's learned his lesson now. I'm gonna let him go.
Nya! Meow! Meow!

　As if it understands my words, the cat flails wildly.
　It's as if it wants me to let it go.

"You're so naive, Ranga. Well, you're right, it's a cat. It's not like they can understand each other. Love thy neighbor, amen.


Oh, you can't be serious with a cat.
"Meow!

　The cat nodded, as if to say, "Yes, yes.
　It's glaring at me and wagging its tail like it wants to be put down.
　Don't worry, I'll get you down. I'll do it right now.
　I made the cat face me and stared into its eyes.

"And ----?

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.
　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

I'm not sure what to say.

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a fan of your work.
　Oops, I startled it too much.
　I put the unconscious, jerking cat down on the ground, and gave it a slight nudge.

"Nya...... nya...... nya...... nya！！！！

　The cat woke up and was in a daze for a while, but soon woke up and jumped up and ran outside the church.

You can go now. Don't steal people's meat again.

　I waved my hand sternly and Renton called out to me fearfully.

...... Are you feeling a little scared right now?
It's your imagination.

　I dodge Renton's question.
　Anyway, the cat won't misbehave again. I guess the matter is settled.