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[TSSIM] Chapter 362: Cat Allergy
🕑 Added 2024-03-24 22:13:50 +0000 UTC"Since people's allergens keep changing, Rin actually isn't allergic to Haru. Anyway, I came up with a few theories..."
Homura began explaining to Nana about Rin's allergy condition.
"First, Rin's cat allergy is completely gone, which would be the best outcome for us."
"Second, different cat breeds carry different allergens. Maybe cats of Haru's lineage don't trigger Rin's allergies at all."
"Third, only my Haru is special, and Rin's allergy is actually still there."
Nana nodded at the first two theories, but the last one made her face darken.
"What on earth is the last one?!" Nana couldn't resist commenting.
"My Haru is special, and that's the one thing I won't back down on!" Homura declared proudly.
"Pffft..." Nana couldn't hold back her laughter before shaking her head. "Geez, you're just like a dumb dad... Anyway, Haru-chan will definitely be happy by your side, Homura-kun."
"I promise she'll be the happiest cat!" Homura nodded solemnly.
"Now you sound like some guy trying to marry off his daughter..." Nana shook her head with an amused expression before straightening up. "Alright, back on topic. So this time, you and that girl's friends want to figure out which reason it actually is for Rin-chan?"
"Yeah, but... we probably shouldn't be testing it in your shop..." Homura said apologetically.
"Don't say that." Nana shook her head. "It's not like it's easy to find random cats outside. And besides... you wouldn't wanna bother other pet shops either, right? So let's just do it here! As a fellow cat lover, of course, I gotta help her out!"
"You know what? Meeting you is my luck too." Homura suddenly said.
And just like that, they exchanged a glance and smiled—no more words were needed.
===
Before long, a group of twelve arrived.
Indeed, twelve.
Apparently, Elf had tagged along too, since she had never been to Nana's pet shop before.
"Homura-kun! We're here~!"
Honoka called out to Homura as soon as she stepped inside.
"Yeah, come on in, everyone!"
After introducing everyone, Homura got straight to the point.
"Rin, even though you haven't interacted with any cats yet, do you feel anything unusual in this pet shop?" Homura asked seriously.
"Not at all, nyaa!" Rin shook her head.
Shortly after saying this, looking excited, she started checking out the different small animals—though she made sure not to get too close.
"Okay, let's give it a try..." Homura nodded with a smile. "Perfect timing, since Haru's little brother is here too."
"Oh! I just remembered!" Honoka suddenly exclaimed. "Wasn't Nana-san the one who adopted Haru-chan's brother?"
"You just now figured that out...?" Homura's lips twitched.
"Haru's little brother, huh?" Eli nodded. "Well, that works out. We can confirm Homura-kun's theories."
"Rin-chan..." Hanayo looked at Rin with a bit of concern.
"...It's fine, nyaa~!" Rin patted her chest confidently. "If I'm okay being around Haru, then her little brother's definitely not a problem!"
"Come here, Hacchan~" Nana called out.
"Oh~! He does look just like Haru-chan, nyaa~! Just a tiny bit smaller~!" Rin exclaimed, her eyes lit up.
"If you feel even a little uncomfortable, make sure to step away from Hachi right away, okay?" Nana gave a final reminder before stepping back to watch.
Rin slowly crouched down in front of Hachi, while the little kitten curiously stared back at the person in front of him.
Hachi tilted his head before asking Haru.
"Meow? (Onee-chan, why does this person smell like you?)"
"Meow~! (Heh, it's because I'm super popular!)" Haru boasted, looking smug.
"Heh, this little..." Homura chuckled.
"Homura-kun..." Kotori hesitated for a moment before asking. "Was it just me, or did Haru-chan look kinda smug just now?"
Nico and Nozomi turned their gazes over as well, also noticing Haru's expression.
"It's not just 'kinda'—she's undoubtedly feeling smug." Homura shrugged.
"Why's Haru-chan feeling smug?" Nana asked curiously.
"Hachi just asked her why Rin has her scent, and this little one was all proud, telling her little brother that she's super popular." Homura explained with an amused expression.
""I see...""
All the girls couldn't help but smile and shake their heads.
"But you know... Haru's expressions are getting clearer, right? She's also getting smarter..." Umi sighed.
"Right? That's my Haru for ya!" Homura said proudly.
"Here we go again... As soon as someone praises Haru-chan, you get even prouder than she does..." Nana rolled her eyes.
At this, Homura just grinned and didn't say anything.
"Will Haru's expressions get even closer to a human's in the future?" Elf wondered.
No one had a definite answer, but even if that were the case, it wouldn't be a problem for them. In fact, maybe they were all looking forward to that day.
Back on Rin's side, at this moment, she began gently stroking Hachi's head.
Since Haru had told Hachi to behave, he didn't seem impatient, just curiously looking at the group of humans with curious eyes.
A while later, Homura called for them to stop.
"Rin, let's wait a bit. Some symptoms don't show up right away." Homura walked over to Rin, crouched down, and then patted Hachi's head. "Hachi, thanks for your help."
"Meow~! (No need to thank me! Getting petted by this person actually feels pretty nice!)" Hachi rubbed against Homura's palm before settling down next to Haru.
"You don't feel anything, right?" Homura turned to Rin.
"Rin feels..."
Rin paused, making the atmosphere suddenly tense.
"Rin feels... probably fine, nyaa!"
Everyone: "..."
""Don't pause like that in a situation like this!""
Everyone exclaimed in unison.
"Heehee..." Rin scratched the back of her head with a grin.
Five minutes later, Homura looked at Rin, who seemed completely normal.
"Looks like you're not allergic to Haru's kind of cat."
"Rin wanna try with other cats too!" Rin exclaimed excitedly.
Homura exchanged glances with the others before finally agreeing.
Honestly, even though Nana's place was a pet shop, there weren't that many pets, and only a few types of cats. As Rin carefully approached them, the short-haired cats didn't trigger any reaction.
Such a scene put everyone at ease.
However, when Rin touched a Persian cat, she barely got in two pats before sneezing!
""Rin-chan!""
""Rin!""
Everyone quickly surrounded Rin, and Nana promptly separated the Persian cat from her.
"Rin, you feeling okay?" Homura asked with a serious expression.
"Rin's fine... just feels a little itchy..." Rin replied while rubbing her nose.
"Nana, where's the bathroom?" Homura turned to ask. "Let Rin wash her nose, then rinse her face and hands."
"Follow me." Nana quickly took Rin's hand and led her away.
Seeing this, Homura turned to Hanayo.
"Hanayo, you should go too."
Hanayo nodded at Homura, then quickly ran after the two.
