007 - ignore sad feelings, embrace cats

[tarotcards]

[ When was the last time that Souji was able to just sit down and enjoy himself? To have fun without having to worry about anything else? If he was really honest with himself, probably not since the divorce. After all, the divorce was what kick started all of these feelings of isolation and resentment. All of those ugly little feelings and thoughts that he tried to bury so deeply within him so he could just put up a smile and pretend that everything's all right. He knows that, in hindsight, he really should have talked to Yu about these things... To tell him about how lonely he felt and how disappointed he was with their mother, but he didn't want to burden him. He didn't want Yu to worry, while they were children and while they were teenagers. So even here now, while he's sitting on the floor with his brother, just inches away from him, he forgets about all of those feelings and worries. Instead, what does he do? ]

[ He sits on their living floor and plays with the ten new cats that they've stolen-- ahem, that they're caring for, holding one in his hands and having another in his lap. ]

We should convert the study into a room just for the cats.

[ ... Yeah. ]

Comments

[covenantal]

[ It's something he isn't sure if he should let himself dwell on.

For years he's worried after Souji, feeling a sick weight in his gut whenever he's thought about what his brother was going through, especially in comparison to his own relative stability. He was alone almost all the time, their father rarely there, but at least he knew. At least he was told that would be coming. But Souji... even if he tried to be cheerful about everything that went wrong with her mother, Yu at least knew it had to be hurting him.

After all, Yu knew how he'd feel in Souji's shoes.

But now they're here. Together for the first time in years, and even allowed to stay here (as long as their parents need them to). And at the very least, they'll both be 18 soon, in just a few months. Once that happens ... they can make the arrangements to do whatever they want, as long as their parents don't disapprove, right?

Recollé U is a good school.

So for now he's trying to do exactly the same thing as Souji. Forget all the awful things they went through and just be happy about being here with his brother - and these ten cats they borrowed.

Yu is lying on the floor, his knees bent, but his back flat against the carpet so that a cat can curl up on his chest. Said cat is purring loudly as he pets it. ]

I think so, too. Besides, their calming presence would help me focus.

[ will they study in the cat room anyway

probably ]

[tarotcards]

[ Recolle U is a good school and Souji has already been taking looks at it. It has the programs that he wants and if Yu chooses to attend it as well, then they'd be able to stay together. It worked out perfectly, so all they did was to obtain their parents' permission. Surely they'd approve, right? And wouldn't even dare to think about moving them while they're in university, right? Elementary, middle, and high school is one thing but this is university... Souji would hope that their parents would at least understand that and find other proxies to represent them at these cities (their father would, probably, but their mother? It's sad to say but he honestly doesn't really know...). ]

And keep us warm during the winter. It'd probably be a good idea to have a couple on us at all times even when we're not studying, right?

[ No studying will be done at all in that cat room or anywhere else in their dorm fro now on. ]

[covenantal]

[ Yu's been looking at it, too. He started looking them up online as soon as their dad told him he'd be moving to Recollé. There's programs there he's interested in, and he's hopeful he could get in. He and Souji both. They've always had similar grades. And then...

They wouldn't have to be split up anymore. Maybe not ever again. Just ... depending on their mom, of course.

Yu wonders if he could somehow talk her into it, if she decides she wants Souji to attend somewhere else. ]

That's true, [ he agrees solemnly. ] In fact, we might need a few more cats. I don't think this is enough.

[ their apartment will just be a place they drown in cats

forever. ]

[tarotcards]

[ Getting into Recolle U is definitely not an issue. After all, when you don't have any friends to socialize with, you tend to spend your time studying instead, but their mother... She always had certain expectations for him, normally expectations that he was suppose to follow and not question, so he should really call her and talk to her about this now (or whenever she has the time - he was never the one to choose whenever they could talk), but... he doesn't want to worry about that now. He doesn't even want to think that it might be a possibility that he wouldn't be able to attend Recolle U and move somewhere else, not when he just got reunited with Yu. He'll just... worry about this some other time... ]

Maybe ten more will do the trick?

[ Go big or go home. That's Souji's motto (that he adopted right now). One or two extra cats won't change anything so clearly they just need to double their numbers. ]

[covenantal]

Twenty.

[ Said in a complete deadpan. There is probably no realistic way to handle 30 cats, but like Souji is also thinking at the moment, go big or go home, right?

Cats will definitely fill the holes that perpetual loneliness and constant insecurity have left in their lives. ]

[tarotcards]

[ And this is why Yu is the best twin ever. ]

We're going to need a lot of tuna to round up that many. [ He says as he is already formulating a plan in his head. ] Are you ready to handle thirty cats, Yu?

[covenantal]

[ Yu sits up, cradling the cat he's got to his chest. She shifts and huffs but then settles again, wanting mostly to just sleep.

Either way, he nods, as serious as ever, but there's a light in his eyes. ]

I won't fail. This challenge... we'll take it on together.

[ A beat, and: ]

We should set up the study, first.

[tarotcards]

[ Souji continues to hold the little tabby in his arms close to him, but he simultaneously nods with Yu then looks off in the direction of their study. ]

We should, but we should also first consult Neko Atsume to see what kind of supplies we need. We can probably base our shopping list off its store, don't you think?

[ Neko Atsume is going to be Souji's go-to guide for all cat-related things. ]

[covenantal]

[ Yu gives this all due consideration, then looks down at the cat in his arms. ]

I just realized Neko Atsume doesn't have litter boxes in it.

[ Does he sound ... vaguely disapproving? ]

[tarotcards]

[ ... Outrageous. ]

... We should immediately contact its creators to let them know and to include it in the next update.

[covenantal]

[ n o d, and he pulls out his phone. ]

I'll email them right now. Is there anything else we might need to let them know?

[ and also: any other supplies they need that aren't in their favorite game. ]

[tarotcards]

[ Souji lowers his head, thinking deeply, thinking harder than he has ever thought before... and... ]

... We should be able to dress up the cats in costumes.

[ ... yeah ]

[covenantal]

[ Yu's eyes get just a little wide. ]

Can we buy some little hats? And scarves?

[tarotcards]

[ He nods, a small smile on his face. ]

And full body outfits. Dress up Cream-san as an actual peach.

[ How does that sound?? ]

[covenantal]

[ Well.

That prompts Yu to finally smile, small and warm. ]

What about Kohi-san?

[tarotcards]

We can dress her as a mug.

[ Finally, Souji wiggles one hand free from the little furball in his arms and points to the coffee table. ]

Can you get my notebook and pen?

[covenantal]

[ That produces a faint puff of a laugh. Yu nods, setting down the cat in his arms so he can get to his feet. She makes a discontented noise, but Yu pats her on the head as she darts off somewhere and he heads over to the table.

With the notebook and pen in hand, he returns to settle crosslegged on the floor. A different cat comes up to him, and he this one he picks up to tuck into his lap as he hands both items to Souji. ]

[tarotcards]

[ When Yu hands him the book and pen, Souji gently places down the cat from his arms and takes the two items. He continues to keep the one in his lap, letting it happily nap as he opens up his notepad and begins to start sketching something in it. Within a few seconds, he turns the book around and silently shows it to Yu. ]

[covenantal]

[ Just kinda scratching behind his cat's ears while Souji draws. There's a lot of loud purring while Yu waits patiently.

When Souji reveals his design, Yu just ... grins, and then holds up one hand in an OK symbol. More seriously: ]

And Cream-san's?

[tarotcards]

[ Souji flips the notebook back towards him and immediately starts sketching something in it. Few seconds later, he turns the notebook and... ]

[ A pause. ]

... Peaches are hard to draw.

[covenantal]

[ This time Yu just nods sagely and offers a thumbs up. ]

Looks perfect. Maybe we can petition for them to become the school mascots.

[tarotcards]

[ Souji immediately perks up at that idea. You can just see the !! above his head. ]

I can gather petitions from my classes starting tomorrow.

I can't see anyone objecting to the idea. After all, Kohi-san and Cream-san are wild and cats.

[covenantal]

They're definitely cats, [ Yu murmurs after a moment, looking over at the two cats in question. Cream-san is sleeping, and Kohi-san is just .... cleaning himself. Endlessly. ]

I think we could make them look wild.

[tarotcards]

[ Souji places a hand to his chin as he lowers his head to think. Hmmm. ]

... I can make some spiked collars.

[ ... to make them look wild, he means. ]