During lunch, Akio excitedly reported to Kiri.

Touya is such a hard worker.

So it would seem.

Yesterday, we all slept together.

How nice. Next time, why dont you let me join you all in the futon?

That would be pretty crampedTouya thought, but Natsuki and Akio happily cheered.

Yaaay, of course.

Promise, Kiri-sama?

Even though they werent related by blood, the children really were attached to Kiri, and seemed to love him dearly. The more he watched them, the more he wondered about their relationship.

Touya, why dont we go out today?

After lunch, Touya thought he would dust the windows next, but Kiri called out to him.

You should learn more about the Country of Cats. Ill show you around the area.

Faster than Touya could reply, Natsuki and Akio raised their cheerful voices.

Yaaay!

Even faster than that, they put on their sweaters, straightened their bow-ties, and brushed their fingers through their hair.

All right, lets go.

They said, looking up at Kiri.

Sorry. Can you two keep an eye on the house? I need to speak with Touya alone.