67 - The Freed S*aves Became Obsessed

The sixth district of Edenbar has just debuted its new cat cafe. Buying the entire building at this stage seemed premature, so I opted to rent for now. The shops are clustered cozily, and the place is easily accessible from the street — naturally, this convenience comes with a high rental price, but it's a trade-off I'm willing to make. Time isn't plentiful. Choosing a location tucked away would mean a slow accumulation of clientele. Truthfully, securing a prime spot is tough even with sufficient funds, but Bolt connected me with the building owner. I've been relying on Bolt quite a lot since arriving in Bestia. Once the lease was finalized, it was just a matter of furnishing the place and completing the interior design. "Welcome." "Oh my, the atmosphere here is wonderful. The cat people are in maid outfits. What type of establishment is this?" "This is a cat cafe where you can enjoy drinks while playing with cats." The first floor is a standard cat cafe. It’s a spacious area where the cat people can lounge around, and customers have plenty of room to sit and relax. An entry fee allows access. The drink menu is straightforward, featuring simple teas and coffees that anyone can make. Hiring staff and sourcing ingredients promptly aren’t easy tasks. Despite that, the prices are slightly above average cafe rates — there’s a need to profit from the beverages. Yet, beyond the drinks, there’s one crucial offering. "1 silver for warm milk...? Manager, why is this milk so expensive?" "Oh, that’s a drink meant for the cat people." "Are you suggesting I should pay to give milk to an employee?" "It's simply a way to quickly close the distance with the cat people. It's completely optional." The woman seemed hesitant. A cat person approached her, sprawled on the floor, licking her hand with affection. "Nyaang." "Oh, you must be hungry. Well, for just 1 silver... Please bring one warm milk." "I shall bring fresh milk right away." This is the kind of playful interaction you can expect on the first floor. The main attraction lies on the second floor. "Right there. Just there." "Is it cool enough here?" "Ah… this is amazing. I’ve never received a massage as refreshing as this." "I told you. The manager came up with a brilliant idea." Scent fills the space. Guests lie comfortably on beds. The cat people gently press along their backs. The second-floor massage area is linked to the first floor. Customers who've gained enough favor from the cat people can receive massages up there—pressing massages, naturally, come at an additional cost. The massages are priced extravagantly at 20 silver. It may seem like a dubious double-charging scheme, yet the popularity belies that assumption. Even a data snippet appearing visually appealing can spur spending desires. Imagine the allure of receiving a massage directly from adorable staff members? Such an opportunity is irresistible. There are regulars so eager to complete their ‘collection’ of massages from every cat person, it's become a bit of a thing. Moreover, friendly competition occasionally emerges among the patrons. "Lona is definitely the cutest." "What are you saying? Clearly, Nero is the best. Can’t you see the sleek and shiny black fur?" "Heh, you sound like you don’t know much about these things. After seeing Lona’s fluffy tail, do you still believe that?" "You’ve got no taste, apparently. Right, Nero?" "Nyaa~" The attendees, engaged in playful banter, let them talk while enjoying the treats they provided, lounging blissfully. With customer money feeding the staff and snacks revenue turning into pure profit, it almost feels like I’m minting money. Meanwhile, Seira approaches, surveying the store with disbelief. "I still can’t believe what I’m seeing." "Haha, if that’s a compliment; I’ll take it." "I meant them, not you. What on earth is it about these cat people that intrigues humans so?" Seira asks a fundamental question. Cats rank as the kings of aloofness in the animal world. The saying goes they’d have become extinct if not for their cuteness. People pour money into gaining a cat’s acknowledgement. A cat rubbing its face against someone can thrill them to pieces. "You don’t get it. It’s the intrinsic appeal of raising cats." Despite my explanation, Seira seemed unconvinced. A gap in understanding between humans and animorphic folks. Just then, Bolt entered through the door. "Hey, Karami. Everything you asked for is done." "Really? That was faster than I expected. You did it anonymously?" "Of course. No one will know you’re the manager." "Thank you." "I’m repeatedly amazed by your business acumen." As Bolt and I exchanged knowing remarks understood only between us, Seira regarded us suspiciously. "What scheme are you conducting now?" "It’s nothing much. Just…" I glanced across at the new shop under construction at the crossroads. "People love a little competition among themselves." *** Two weeks since the cat cafe's opening. The business has stabilized well. Now we’ve hired staff skilled in serving premium tea and coffee, and recruited a few more cat people. It was amusing to witness the face of a male customer, ecstatic over having completed his 'collection,' only to learn of the arrival of new cat people and watch his expression change in real-time. Yet, he once again frequented the cafe, engrossed in winning over the newcomers. I subtly advised the new arrivals to value their dignity as cats and not give in easily. They know how to handle the rest on their own. Visitors of all ages come consistently, proving the concept to be a solid business model. "Get the owner out here!" Until I heard a commotion outside one day. Outside the store stood a group of middle-aged women. "What brings you here?" "Are you the owner?" "In essence, yes. And you are?" "We’re an animal protection group!" There exists a timeless truth. Groups that go by names like ‘protection organizations’ are generally unhinged. A chill runs down my spine. “We know everything. We heard you’re kidnapping and mistreating cat people!” “Excuse me?” “Kidnapping those poor beings and using them as you please! Have you no conscience?” “…?” What is this about? Did I make another mistake somehow? If freeing beastkin slaves is considered abandonment, does bringing one in from the street count as kidnapping? I glanced at the store. The customers seemed baffled, while the cat people, showing no loyalty to the humans, laid sprawled on the floor, munching on treats. Does that behavior seem like someone who’s been kidnapped? ‘Oh, someone kidnap me too, please~’ If a lovely woman or a cute girl would kidnap me and provide food and shelter… Oh? “They seem perfectly fine.” “They’re too gentle to express their real feelings!” Of course, it’s a cat mom. I’ve been caught in a real predicament. Is this Rin’s misfortune at play? Perhaps it’s best to resolve this amicably without escalating matters. “Fine, I’ll concede on that point. …What do you want?” The moment I expressed interest in negotiation, the expressions on the women’s faces shifted entirely. Their previous rage seemed like sheer buildup, much like watching a WWE match. “Free those cats and let them live their lives!” “That would be considered abandonment, wouldn't it? You’d get in trouble.” “That’s not abandonment! It’s giving them freedom!” What? My thought process stumbled for a moment before realigning. Let’s break it down: as a rule, organizations’ default stance is spouting nonsense. They dress up absurdities convincingly, shoving them at the world relentlessly. Here lies the key point. Their absurd logic aligns with the peculiar norms of Bestia. In a world where freedom equates to abandonment, the beastkin protection group’s irrational mindset is oddly sensible by my standards. Minus multiplied by minus equals plus! “Of course. You are absolutely right. How can releasing them be abandonment? It’s an act of liberation, a truly good deed.” “Oh? Uh… yes, indeed. I didn’t expect you to understand.” What joy in finding someone who understands! I probably felt as Archimedes did when he exclaimed ‘Eureka!’ “So, you’ll release them?” “No. That can’t happen.” But right now, I can’t. I need to make a profit. “You won’t release them? Then at least hand over adoption or responsibility fees!” At last, these cat moms reveal their true intentions. After taking in the disheveled and dusty creatures, nurturing them to health and beauty, they now claim ownership? If they were so precious, shouldn’t they have taken care of them sooner? There’s no dealing with these people. “Persie, come over here.” Seated regally like a princess, Persie approached. She’s the most popular cat person in our establishment. Once a pitiful vagrant in the alleyways, her beauty shone like a princess after a good cleaning. “What’s the matter, Boss?” Ah, Boss. Such a pleasing sound. But that’s irrelevant right now. “These ladies wish to take you, Persie.” “What?” “They want you to return to where you were. We’ll let you go if that’s your wish.” “Dear, why don’t you come with us instead of being cooped up here, huh?” The existence of cat moms in this world is shocking, but the environment differs from Earth’s. What this means is. “No thanks. Why should I go with you?” “What?” Cats in this world can speak. Persie’s eyes narrowed sharply. “I remember your faces clearly. You often came to the alleys to take my friends. No one ever returns after going with you. Where do you take them?” “W-What are you talking about? You must be confusing us with someone else….” “Don’t try to deny it. Our noses can’t be fooled.” The cat moms flinched. Their pupils shifted uneasily to the side. Looking back, the cat people inside the cafe glowered at them. Numerous sets of cat eyes shone with an intimidating light. “Well, if you insist, I suppose I can let the cat people go. But know that I won’t be responsible for anything that happens afterward since they're no longer my employees.” “N-No. Never mind. It looks like our dear ones are doing well, so we’ll let it slide this time. Well then, goodbye.” The cat moms fled from the store. As they scampered off, they repeatedly stumbled and picked themselves up again. Misfortune at play, perhaps. Well, perspective varies, and I’ll choose to interpret it as luck. *** “Boss, we’ve got a problem!” Persie, who was just full of confidence yesterday, came rushing towards me in a panic. “What’s all this fuss about?” “O-Outside… there’s a...!” I went outside with the staff. Across the street, within view, stood a newly completed storefront where construction had been ongoing. [A Dog Cafe] “They knew we have a cat cafe here, and they open a dog cafe? This is a blatant provocation!” “Boss, aren’t you going to say something to them?” “Yes, meow! Go and give them a piece of your mind, meow!” “Haha… but I’m quite fainthearted, you see….” The cat people looked at me with utterly disappointed eyes, but there’s nothing I can do. That’s my store too. Is loving lolis a crime? 2024.09.26 19:10 Report More, please... 1 Gongmyongcham 2024.09.26 20:10 Report They say business is your specialty 0 cosineofx 2024.09.26 21:35 Report With a blank mind, having just returned, all I can say is Rin is still amazing 0 Aznyang 2024.09.29 00:23 Report Now they'll collude to raise prices lol 0 Saeba Ryo 2024.10.05 12:37 Report What on earth is this lol 0 aghaad 2024.10.21 13:08 Report WWE and cat moms LOL How much does this writer dwell in forums 0 Desk10 2024.11.07 00:18 Report Cat moms... I’m speechless 0 BuddhistMonkAttendingChurch 2024.11.11 09:54 Report As usual with WWE 0 Only logged-in members can post comments. 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