#a late submission so we're going to have a double update (hopefully)

[tsukikoayanosuke]

From a Cat's Meow, I Laugh - 12 Days of Ruikasa (2023)

Day 3-4: Cat

There has been a new occurrence happening in the Kingdom of Horos involving its new residents.

Rui knew he was different. None of the people, as explained by Tsukasa himself, came out from the ocean like he was. It seemed to be unnatural because Tsukasa warned him from telling this to others. "It's like having magic," he said, "ordinary humans, like me, don't have magic." Does that mean Rui isn't a human? It had become a conundrum for Rui. He looks like an ordinary human, but at the same time, he feels...detached. He is here...but not here at the same time. But even so, the people in the Kingdom of Horos, whether they're servants of the castle or regular citizens, are very kind and accepting.

So, no. Rui doesn't have a problem with the people.

It was with the little creatures that littered in various corners of the kingdom.

These furry little creatures with adorable paws and big eyes and meows all the time.

"Hey there, little fella," Tsukasa crouched down to the cat. This time it was a white cat with a pink bow, presumably given by someone. The prince patted the cat and she leaned toward the touch.

As usual, the strange occurrence happened to Rui. It seemed that the local cats never wanted to get away from him. At least it was only two this time, with one black lying on his back and playing with the tip of his braided hair.

"Why do they keep following us?" Rui asked. It's not that he minded the attention from these adorable beings, but this was his and Tsukasa's free time. Tsukasa had been huddled up with lessons and headaches these days and Rui just managed to get him out. They were just going to get some sandwiches at Rui's now-favorite cafe when Rui's usual entourage came by.

"Maybe they like your smell," Tsukasa said with a giggle at the end. "You did come from the sea."

Rui pouted. "I don't smell like seawater anymore."

Tsukasa shrugged as he got up and sat back on his chair. The white cat bumped her head onto his legs. "Cats have sensitive noses. Maybe the salt still lingers on you."

Rui smelt his arm, frowning. "It does not."

"There's nothing bad in becoming a cat-magnet, Rui." Tsukasa smiled, leaning forward, elbow on the table and chin in his palm. "It suited you. Cats love fish."

Rui pouted again. "But I'm not a fish."

Tsukasa just giggled. He was still smiling at him with this soft gaze that reminded Rui of the aurora in the night sky; mesmerizing. Rui still didn't understand these feelings he had been experiencing whether he was with Tsukasa, but he knew it was a pleasant feeling.

Something tugged his hair. "Ow!" Glancing back, he could see the black cat trying to climb using his braid. Well, it wasn't the first time a cat tried that. When the cat reached the back of Rui's chair, he stretched his paws so they rested on his shoulder. He meowed.

Tsukasa giggled again. "Looks like he likes you."

He meowed again and rubbed his head onto Rui's cheek. He had to admit. It was adorable.

A waitress came out with their order. "Enjoy, gentlemen," she said as she placed their plate; a chocolate & cherry french toast for Rui and banh mi (with five-spice crispy pork belly, pickled carrot, chili, coriander, and cucumber) for Tsukasa. She bowed, out of respect for the fact the prince was dining in their cafe and left.

Rui looked at Tsukasa's order with a scrunched nose. "How do you eat that?"

Tsukasa frowned. "Just...eat it?"

"With those?"

Tsukasa looked at his sandwich, blinking confusedly before finally connecting the dot. "It's just a couple of vegetables."

Rui held himself from sticking out his tongue, but Tsukasa seemed to already know his antics. "Be grateful there's no law that requires you to eat your greens."

Rui nodded in satisfaction. "As it should be."

Tsukasa raised an eyebrow but then rolled his eyes fondly. It was hopeless to force Rui to eat vegetables. Fruits and seafood have enough nutrients, thank you very much.

The black cat tried to swat the piece of sandwich that Rui had on his fork, meowing to have his piece. Rui smiled at the cat. "This is mine. You can't eat chocolate."

He meowed again as if he was protesting that life isn't fair.

Just then, another cat jumped onto their table. This time it was a ginger one. It eyed Tsukasa's sandwich intensely, tail hitting the table. Tsukasa seemed to notice this as well as he stopped cutting his sandwich.

"No..." he warned the cat.

But the ginger one didn't heed his warning. It leaned closer, bright yellow eyes still focusing on Tsukasa and licking its tongue.

"No..." Tsukasa warned again.

But as fast as lightning, the cat snatched a piece. "Hey!" It ran away before Tsukasa could grab it. Once it ran far enough, it settled down to enjoy its meal.

Rui couldn't help but laugh. To think a cat became one of the few citizens who would dare to take anything from their prince. "You wouldn't punish a cat, would you?"

Tsukasa huffed. "He's lucky that he's cute."

Rui laughed again. It was moments like this when he felt connected. Whenever he was with Tsukasa, where he could laugh, was when he felt the most human.