Story Reader / Event Story / Stellar Narratives / Story
Constellia, a city born from humanity's grand ideals and boundless desires, is wrapped in the warmth of ordinary joy tonight. It sways to the simple rhythms of daily life, filled with lovers whispering to each other... and meow meow meow meow.
Hey, you there, meow meow! If you're not buying anything, don't just stand around meow meow! You're scaring off my customers, meow!
Grrrrr—
Across from the cat stall, the Construct narrows his eyes under his hood. He rubs his cheek with a rough hand, and the tension in his body makes the motion feel less like soothing pain and more like a wild dog baring its teeth.
Meow, why are you being so mean? Bad dog! Bad dog!
The cat vendor fluffs up instantly, clearly agitated. On the other side, Camu's scowl deepens, his fierce gaze sharp enough to cut. One more second and a fight could break out.
The moment Camu sees you, his scowl softens. His face still looks tense, but the sharp edge in his eyes fades.
When did you get here? Came to laugh at me, didn't you—tch—
Suddenly, pain shoots through him. Camu winces and turns his head, brows pulling tight again as he rubs at his left cheek hard.
Just running a calibration! Thanks to that stupid sensitivity test, now the piezo sensor on the left side of my mouth is freaking out.
Even light pressure reads as sharp pain now. Damn it, who came up with such a stupid test...
And the more I touch it, the longer it takes to reset. That rookie maintenance engineer told me to just go do something else and distract myself.
Camu gives a quiet grunt of agreement, but stays put in front of the stall.
The stall is full of mechanical cats and dogs waiting to be picked up. The display trays are covered in crystals and flashy accessories.
Noticing your hesitation, the cat swishes its tail and smacks the "Volunteer" sign repeatedly, making a loud tapping sound.
Volunteer for just one night and you can pick any souvenir to take home, meow meow.
It's not like... I can't. Hey, [player name], I'm staying. You sticking around with me or not?
People come and go, picking up their new pets. Camu does his best to help, but with the pain in his face, it's clear he's not exactly looking friendly.
While turning to grab a power pack for a customer, you catch him rubbing his cheek again, irritated.
Yeah, yeah, I got it!
You finish helping someone adopt a pet, then glance back, only to see Camu pounding his own cheek with his fist, looking furious and in pain.
Nngh... Fine, fine, fine!
Grumbling, he tries to act tough, but the way he keeps rubbing at his cheek almost looks like he's trying to punch it.
Grrrrr—
Camu hesitates, then surprisingly crouches a little and turns his left cheek toward you. Surprised he agreed, you pause, then slowly reach out to him.
His eyes lower as his breath, warm and lifelike, brushes against your cool fingertips. A shiver runs through you, tiny sparks trailing across your skin and rushing straight to your heart.
You can't even tell if it's your heartbeat or some hum of machinery, but it roars in your ears.
You pause for a beat, then gently place your hand on his cheek and start massaging it with light pressure.
...
How is it any different if you do it instead of me?
Camu turns away with a grunt, but there's no real fight in him. He doesn't even try to shake off your hand.
...Such a pain.
...Fine, I won't!
As more adopters come by to pick up their pets, the mechanical cats and dogs gradually leave the stall. The feline vendor dozes off without a care. All that's left now are a few scattered accessories, tucked among sparkly stones.
Hmm... it's fine. You go take a look around nearby. I'll... I'll pick something out.
A little while later, the lights at the stall grow dim. The vendor has clearly closed for the night. Under the soft moonlight, Camu slowly walks over. His expression is serious and earnest. From his tactical pocket, he pulls out a small gift he must've been holding onto for a while.
[player name], this is for you.
He opens the box carefully. Inside, a delicate earring glimmers softly.
The design is simple and clean, just like Camu's usual taste. But this time, the earring is set with a cat's eye gem—vivid, translucent, and unmistakably the most dazzling one from the entire stall.
Yeah... I thought it looked like your eyes.
You've never really thought about your own eyes—not in all the dangerous, fast-paced days you've lived through.
Tonight, it's like every star in Constellia has found its way into Camu's gaze, more brilliant than any gem. Maybe that's how your eyes look to him too.
The thought stirs something deep in you. So this is why he stayed at the stall all night, enduring that aching pain.
He looks a little caught off guard by the question. After hesitating, he turns his face away from you and answers in his usual gruff tone.
...A bit. Maybe just rub it again...
He moves quickly, and his hood slips slightly off his head. Watching him turn his right face toward you, you can't help but laugh. Instead of reaching for his face, you raise your hand and ruffle his messy hair, then gently fix his hood.
Oh... was it? I can't really tell. Doesn't hurt anymore, I guess. Dumb calibration. Such a pain. Whatever.
Camu straightens up and walks ahead, all casual on the outside. But you know he's putting every ounce of his Construct-grade control into keeping his expression calm. You shake your head, then follow him toward where the lights shine the brightest.
All the little animals have been taken home. The prettiest cat eye gem is already gone. Now, the trays sit empty, with only a few leftover crystals huddled together like they're whispering secrets.
The cat vendor is still lying there, belly up and snoozing without a care. The soft murmurs of couples float by in the background, but Evil Chinchilla just rolls over lazily and keeps right on sleeping.
Hmph. Humans are the worst. Bad dogs, bad dogs... meow...
