14 Side Story / If the Spirit Form (Part One)

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*
It’s hard to imagine that Rin Ito’s spirit form would be an incredibly cool little black cat.
Although you haven’t been a guide for long and are still unfamiliar with sentinels and manifested spirit forms—
the contrast is just too striking.
You glanced down at the small black cat in your arms, its big eyes blinking and meowing softly, then looked over at Rin Ito standing nearby with a scowl.
Hmm...
The black cat’s fur was a bit long and, being a spirit form, it didn’t shed. Its coat felt wonderfully soft to the touch. On its beautiful little feline face were emerald-like, slightly moist eyes that fixed on you wholeheartedly. It would even let out a gentle meow and lift its soft front paws to tug at your shirt hem.
At first, you were just curious why the spirit form looked so lifelike. When Rin Ito’s dignified and adorable little black cat sat there, tilting its head, you couldn’t help but reach out.
The sensation was almost indistinguishable from petting a real animal. The more you stroked, the more you liked it, your heart melting from cuteness, until you simply scooped it up.
The kitten cooperated, raising its front paws to rest on your neck, its soft paw pads pressing against your skin. Cradling it like a child, you gently stroked its fluffy back—you were truly a devoted cat servant.
As you held it, you suddenly wondered if you should ask Rin Ito first.
But seeing his calm expression, it seemed there was no problem... right?
You looked up; he appeared to be browsing soccer news on a device, looking busy.
His tall, slender figure bore visibly refined lines from constant training, and the bulging muscles in his arms flexed as he raised his hand...
Meanwhile, the cat in your arms was fragile and warm, and you could almost feel the fine spine beneath your fingertips.
Cats were definitely adorable. Rin Ito looked so big—
You instinctively rubbed the kitten’s back and gave its fluffy, beautiful tail a vigorous stroke from tip to base.
“Meow!”
The cat instantly stiffened, stretching its front paws forward. Simultaneously, you heard the sound of an electronic device dropping nearby.
Ah, it was the tablet Rin Ito had been holding.
“...Is the tablet okay?”
“It’s fine.”
He lowered his head to pick it up, the screen unharmed.
“That’s good.”
You breathed a sigh of relief, and the little black cat slipped from your arms, jumping to its owner’s side and vanishing.
Rin Ito reabsorbed his spirit form, then after a three-second pause, dared to look up at you.
“...Let’s postpone the guidance until next time.”

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His voice was a little hoarse, and his suddenly cold, stiff demeanor left you puzzled.
Rin Ito quickly left, but you still felt reluctant.
The soft impression of the little black cat lingered in your palm as you spread your fingers and clenched your hand, savoring the feeling.
*
The Blue Prison Project steadily progressed, and you encountered many sentinels’ spirit forms there.
It was like a zoo!
There were eagles, cheetahs, golden retrievers... all kinds. But what you couldn’t forget was the little black cat you first saw.
Could it be some kind of fledgling bird complex? Did you have a peculiar reaction to the first spirit form you met?
You occasionally petted one or two again, but because Rin Ito’s face always looked reluctant, chances were few.
So you began setting your sights on Sai Ito, Rin’s older brother. Although your first experiences with him as a guide weren’t very pleasant, and you hadn’t yet seen his spirit form.
...But now you were really curious! Since they were brothers, would his spirit form be an equally cute cat? Maybe even pink!
You suppressed your inner scream.
It didn’t matter; you would separate the spirit form from the sentinel himself. Perhaps the grumpier the person, the cuter their spirit form. That’s how you convinced yourself.
Finally, after the U20 tournament ended, Blue Prison had a break.
Everyone was packing up to go home when Rin Ito squeezed in front of you, opened his mouth, then closed it again before finally saying:
“Which do you prefer: rabbits or cats?”
“Ah... cats, I guess. Why?”
“Do you have time to come to my place today? My... spirit form is kind of missing you.”
“...?”
You looked at him suspiciously; his words didn’t quite match his expression. His beautiful lashes fluttered briefly, and a faint blush rose on his lower eyelids.
But in the end, you couldn’t resist the temptation of the cat.
“Sure, I can come right now!”
*
You should have guessed—his older brother was home too.
But that was fine; you had long coveted his spirit form, though you still didn’t know what it was.
Carrying the little black cat, you entered the Ito household, where Sai Ito was drinking water in the living room.
“...Hi?” you greeted hesitantly.
The black cat in your arms yawned, resting its head on your arm. Beneath its paw pads, a silver glow flickered faintly. The little creature squinted, its dark green vertical pupils glinting challengingly at Sai Ito—though none of this was visible to you.

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Sai Ito’s expression was as usual, his indifferent gaze sweeping over Rin Ito, who had just closed the door behind you, before settling on you.
“A cat was enough to lure you here?”
His tone was flat. As you prepared to retort, he released his spirit form, holding it by the ears and presenting it to you.
“Take it.”
...A rabbit?
So, this was Sai Ito’s spirit form?
An innocent snow-white rabbit kicked its legs in midair, then, unable to escape, looked at you with pleading green eyes.
Before you could be stunned by the revelation, you quickly put down the cat and reached out:
“Why are you grabbing its ears? That hurts!”
Sai Ito said nothing and relaxed his grip. The rabbit immediately took the little cat’s previous spot, its fragile ears twitching a few times.
“Meow, meow meow!”
The little black cat furiously clawed at your pant leg, then leapt onto the kitchen counter, yelling at Sai Ito and raising its paw in warning.
Sai Ito remained unfazed. “The cat needs a nail trim.”
“Ah, has the little black cat’s nails grown?”
You had checked its paw pads before; the nails were short. Maybe spirit forms didn’t have these issues.
You leaned closer, and the cat’s meowing intensified. Sitting elegantly, it licked its paws, then willingly flipped over to show you its paw pads.
Clearly, no issue at all...
Sai Ito didn’t bother to argue; the little black cat had many expressions.
“I’m going upstairs.”
He set down his glass and went upstairs, the wooden stairs echoing with each step.
Was he leaving the rabbit with you to play with as you pleased?
You were delighted, gently bouncing the white rabbit in your arms. It was plump... no, adorable. You patted its fluffy, solid rear, and immediately a loud crash came from upstairs.
...It sounded like Sai Ito had taken a tumble.
“Don’t mind him,” Rin Ito said with a dark expression. “Didn’t you say you liked cats?”