บท 91: I am not a Devil!

"Nana, we're here!" Homura led a group of girls into the pet store.

"Ah, welcome! You all came, Homura-kun." Nana greeted them, and Yugo beside her nodded to everyone. Homura returned the gesture.

The little one jumped off Homura's shoulder and ran over to Hachi, and the two cats played around and chatted.

"Yes, the game project is nearing its end, so I'm not as busy. I came here and brought them all with me." Homura explained briefly.

"Last time you saw Sagiri was on the tablet computer, right? She came with us this time!" Homura pulled Sagiri over and introduced her to Nana.

"Um, hello," Sagiri said softly.

"Well, hello there!" Nana smiled at Sagiri.

After a brief greeting, Homura looked around the store and turned to the girls.

"By the way, I think all of you like pets, right? Since we're here, why not take a look? Maybe you'll find one that you like and want to adopt." Homura pointed to the pets around them and suggested.

"What about you?" Eriri asked him.

"I like cats, but how can other cats compare to Haru?" Homura shrugged. "Also, you might have forgotten one thing. I can understand what cats are saying, so I can't really keep them as pets."

"Isn't it only Haru's that you can understand, or can you understand all cats?" Utaha asked.

Homura nodded to Utaha.

Nana envied him and said, "I really want to understand what cats are saying too!"

No wonder you weren't surprised when you found out, you have that desire after all!

Nanami was also surprised and said, "Like a Beast Speaker? No, it should be a Cat Speaker?"

Homura: "..."

'Why do I feel like this title is a bit lame?'

"It is what it is..." Homura said helplessly.

They all nodded in agreement after hearing Homura's words.

"So, do you want to take a look at the pets?" He then asked the girls again.

"Actually, I think having Haru-chan is enough. Haru-chan is the cutest after all!" Eriri agreed with Homura's statement.

Nanami and Mashiro nodded continuously, agreeing with Eriri's suggestion.

Finally, Utaha summarized, "It seems that the rest of us are not very interested. Even those who like cats only became interested after meeting Haru-chan."

"Yosh, we can all form Haru's fan club!" Homura laughed.

Eriri looked a little tempted as if she really wanted to start the "Haru Cat Fan Club"!

Homura sweated as he looked at her expression... but for now, let's put it on hold. Haru is sure to attract countless fans in the future!

"Oh, by the way, Nana, the scratching post at my home is getting worn out quickly. I'll buy two more later!" Homura remembered that his cat's scratching post was almost worn out by Haru.

"Huh? So fast?" Nana was surprised. It had only been two weeks, right?

'It must have to do with Haru's level,' Homura thought, but he used a different explanation.

Homura scratched his head helplessly and said, "It's probably because she exercises often. Today, a new neighbor moved in, and the little one wanted to claim the territory!"

"Okay, then just take it with you when you leave. I'll prepare it for you first."

Did she forget to mention the payment?

"Oh, by the way, pick the most suitable one for Haru no matter the price." Homura intentionally said.

Nana: "..."

She really wasn't planning on taking payment, but weren't Homura's words basically asking her to take payment?

"Homura-kun, how about I treat it as a gift for Hacchan's sister?" Nana suggested with a twinkle in her eye.

Homura: "..."

What's the point of fighting over two toys?

"I... okay." Homura compromised.

Nana nodded in satisfaction. It was just two toys, what's the big deal!

Utaha secretly chuckled at his reaction, as if she didn't expect him to compromise in this regard.

Actually, Homura really didn't want to push it back and forth. First, he himself was not fond of this kind of manner, and second, he did not want to create a rift with Nana.

She's such a beauty! Why not get closer to her if possible?

===

After bidding farewell to the Okami siblings, Homura and his group were on their way back.

This time, the little one was not clinging onto anyone, but running and jumping ahead of the group, frolicking around.

"It seems like Haru-chan is really happy after seeing her little brother!" Nanami said with a smile on her face as she watched the little one play.

Not only her, but everyone except for Mashiro had a smile on their faces as they watched Haru. Even Megumi was no exception!

"It seems like the little one has brought out a lot of expression from Megumi!" Homura noticed her expression and pointed it out, drawing the attention of the others.

"Really, Megumi's expression has become so varied!" Eriri exclaimed in amazement. "Haru-chan is truly extraordinary! It's like she's a mood-lifter, just looking at her makes you feel better."

"Um... is it really necessary to say that about me? I'm just an ordinary girl, isn't it normal to smile?" Megumi said with a smile.

Are you really just ordinary?

That was what everyone was thinking.

"In fact, it's not just me, right? Haru-chan's presence should bring changes to all of us," Megumi said from the bottom of her heart as she watched Haru play.

"That's why, I'm really lucky! I met Haru, this little one," Homura said with a smile and a sigh.

The other girls also had to admit that if Homura had not met Haru and her presence was not in their lives, it would have been such a pity!

"Huh?" Homura looked puzzled. "How did she get here?"

Almost home, Homura noticed that there was someone familiar standing in front of his house.

The others quickly saw the young girl too. Nanami asked in confusion, "Who is she? Do we all know her?"

"Nanami, that's Megumin, Jinno Megumi, Sagiri's classmate and class president," explained Mashiro. {TN: Changed her nickname from Megu-chan to Megumin}

Megumi also added, "If Nanami had come one day earlier, she would have met her."

Nanami nodded, realizing the situation.

"She's a bit narcissistic," Eriri joked.

Homura looked at Sagiri and asked, "What do you think she's here for?"

Sagiri's face wrinkled slightly. "She's probably here to return a book and borrow another one. After all, the books she borrowed from me were mostly missing crucial parts."

"..."

Homura gave a thumbs-up, "Well done! Megumin must be accepted into the house now."

"As expected, you two are devils, aren't you?!" Eriri teased.

Homura quickly shook his head. "I'm not a devil!"

"Neither am I!" Sagiri protested.

"Ah~! Sagiri-chan! Onii-san and Onee-san!" Jinno noticed the group and waved excitedly.

Sagiri hid behind Homura, and Jinno froze.