Catgirls and Dungeons

Despite this being a medieval-like fantasy world, the service here feels surprisingly modern. On every table, there’s a small vase filled with fresh white and blue flowers. It’s beautiful, though I don’t know much about flowers, so I have no idea what kind they are. Next to the vase, a neatly folded menu sits, waiting to be read.

So I reach for the menu and have a quick look. It’s not in English, nor in any language I recognize, but somehow, just like with Eris’s ID card, I can perfectly understand everything written on the page.

“Eris, this dinner combo sounds good! Three big grilled pork skewers, green salad, and mashed potatoes! What do you think?” I ask, expecting her to agree.

But… there’s no response.

“Erm… Eris?”

I glace up to look at her, and… oh.

She’s not even paying attention to the menu.

Instead, her gaze is locked on the flower vase sitting in the middle of the table. Her eyes narrow, staring at it, no blinking. It’s like the flower vase has somehow become Eris’ arch enemy.

I blink, confused.

What the heck is going on?

Suddenly, without warning, she snaps out of her trance, grabs the flower vase, and swiftly shoves it under the table, out of sight.

I sit there for a moment, unsure how to react.

“Eris, you don’t like flowers?” I ask, trying to understand what just happened.

“Nah, it’s not that,” Eris laughs, a light chuckle escaping her lips as she shakes her head. “It’s just… sometimes I get this really strong urge to knock things off the table. Apparently, some of us cat Furrens have that issue. It runs in my family blood.”

OOOOOOOHHHH!

My mind reels.

So that’s what it was!

I chuckle softly, realizing what just happened.

As a catgirl, Eris has cat-like tendencies too! Some cats really love knocking stuff off the table!

That’s freaking annoying, but really cute!

I’m about to say that to Eris, that I find it cute.

But then—

OHHHH SHIIIIIIITTTT…

My eyes accidentally wander to the wooden mug on the table, and without thinking, I feel a sudden, irresistible pull.

Pushh meeee….

The wooden mug says.

Push me over pleaseee!

And then, before I can stop myself, my arm swings out, pushing the mug off the edge of the table!

It crashes loudly onto the ground, making everyone in the room freeze and turn to look at me with judgmental eyes.

Huh???

OH NOO!!!

My heart skips a beat.

I immediately hide my face behind the menu, cringing in embarrassment.

AAAAAAAAA!

I’m screaming inside.

Lucky that the mug didn’t have any water in it yet, so I didn’t make any mess.

Still, I feel so embarrassed! My whole body’s hot with shame right now.

Eris chuckles, clearly amused by the situation. “Felicia, you’re just like me!”

Damn it!

This is bad.

Does this mean… I’ll never be able to drink from a mug again?

How am I supposed to drink anything now?

“E-Eris…” I mutter, feeling a bit desperate. “H-how do you stop yourself from knocking things over? Please, teach me!”

“Well,” she says thoughtfully, “it takes a lot of practice. But for beginners, the best way is to just… not look at the thing.”

“Oh, that makes sense!” I nod quickly, taking notes in my head.

“So…” Eris leans in slightly, and for some reason, she’s now looking directly into my eyes with a soft smile. “If you don’t have anything else to look at, you can always look at me

.”

As she says that, the world brightens!

Time stops…

BADUMP!

BADUMP!

OOOOOH MY FREAKING GOD!

My cheeks heat up instantly, and before I know it, my face is already burning!

Without thinking, I quickly duck behind the menu, desperately trying to hide, my heart racing uncontrollably.

ERIS!!!

YOU IDIOT!!!

YOU CAN’T JUST SAY THAT!!!

I want to scream, but the words get stuck in my throat.

I can’t let her see how flustered I am. I can’t!!!

Just what the heck is happening to me right now?

IS this the side effect of becoming a girl?

That my heart is now so sensitive to stuffs like this???

Lucky for me, Eris doesn’t seem to notice.

“Oh, the waitress is here. Felicia, what would you like to eat?” She asks.

I peek out from behind the menu, but the words catch in my mouth. “Y-you go first! I need a little more time to think!” I stammer, retreating again, feeling my face still burning.

“Alright,” Eris replies. “Then, Lilly, I’ll have the usual, please,” she says to the waitress.

“Okay!” the waitress named Lilly replies. Her voice is cute, very light and sweet, but I can’t even bring myself to look at her right now.

I squeeze the menu tighter, still hiding behind it.

“P-please give me 5 more minutes!” I mumble.

But in the end, it takes me a full 10 minutes to fully gather myself.