My Neighbor Is A Cat Boy!!

13

PoV: Tobias

  Bean was eating the dried fish all morning. He eventually finished the bag without the teacher caring at all.

"Bean," Suzuki walked up to his desk as we were about to change classes to gym, "Let's be partners for the stretches in gym."

"Eh?" I looked over that them as I heard the most ridiculous question anyone could ask him.

"Why? I wanna lay in sun instead," Bean's response was the one he always had when ever the Coach asked him to participate in gym.

"But... all you do is lounge during gym class, "Aren't you worried about failing? That could hurt your chances with colleges-"

"Why would I care about some college?" That was the first time I had ever heard Bean mention anything in his future.

"W-well to get your dream job," Suzuki was starting to struggle to get his attention.

"Eh? So you need it to go to get any job?" Bean looked annoyed by now. The edge of his tail was flickering.

"Not any job, but the ones that pay well. You want to live in a house on your own don't you?" She continued her efforts.

"I already do."

"Eh..." she stared at him, "There's no way. You're parents are just over seas like Miller's."

"I don't have those."

"I'm sorry to hear that... I was being insensitive..." Suzuki's happy mood shut down.

"Why are you sorry?"

"We'll because you don't have your parents," Bean seriously? How do you not understand what she ment?

"I didn't know them. You don't have to be sorry for strangers," Bean got up and grabbed his bag, "I have gym class now. Bye."

"Bean wait..." Suzuki attempted to grab his hand but failed.

  Bean had already left the room. I heard her sigh as we became the only two left in the classroom. She looked absolutely heartbroken. It annoyed me to see her this way. I startled her as I quickly sat up.

"He doesn't like talking about his past much. He doesn't care who his parents were. His favorite fish are salmon, tuna, and mackerel. He likes mackerel with a fried egg on top in the morning. He is allergic to all the foods normal cats are," I began blurting out only the surface of what I knew about Bean, "He'll always give you something in return for a favor if he likes you. It's easiest to bribe him with food. He doesn't like stranger's touching him. He'll lean on you when he's ready."

"Is food the only way? I don't want him to like me because of a snack..." Suzuki sighed again.

"Mm..." I thought for a moment. Bean was always sneaking into my house just to sleep, "A comfortable place to nap... I think..."

"Thank you. I'll bring him a bento box as a surprise tomorrow, if you don't mind me joining you," she was asking me for permission, "I can make some for you too if you want."

"No, it fine. Just make enough for Bean. A normal portion is enough for him. Just be sure you research cat's allergies before you make anything," I grabbed my bag as I got up to go.

"Thank you!" Suzuki hugged me before running out ahead of me.

"Why... why did she hug me?" She had wrinkled my uniform and gave me no warning before.

---

  Gym class was no different. Bean got lectured for trying to nap again. We had pole jumping as our activity today. The bar was set about three feet off the ground and we all had to jump over it backwards and land on the mat. Bean had no interest at all.

"Miller, you're turn," Coach called me.

"Miller is going."

"I wanna see, he's so athletic."

  Who says I'm athletic? I sighed as I stepped up to the starting line. I took a running start and jumped over the low bar. I landed safely on the mat. The girls were staring again. I forgot the kind if attention I get when I'm not alone with Bean and Luka.

"Bean! It's your turn, participate or fail the assignment," Coach snapped at him.

"Fine," he got up reluctantly and stretched. He stood at the starting line and looked at the coach, "I just have to jump and I pass?"

"Yeah, if you make the jump you pass," he replied.

  He was fast. This was the first time I'd ever seen him participate with his full energy. He jumped higher than any of us could! Bean landed on his feet on the mat. And walked off.

"EHHH?!" The entire class was freaking out. They all ran up to Bean and swarmed him with compliments.

He jumped so high... What am I saying he's a cat, of course he could do that. I guess I don't need to worry about him failing gym. I looked towards the Coach who was frozen in utter shock. He had dropped his clipboard and whistle. Well considering Bean's usual behavior anyone would react that way.

"Bean that was amazing!"

"Can you do it again?"

"I wanna sleep..." I could hear Bean's whining in a the commotion.

"Hey, come on. You guys know he doesn't like being crowded," I pulled Bean out of the crowd and he climbed onto my back, "What are you doing?"

"I'm staying out of their reach," he didn't move or let go. I eventually gave in and went through the rest of gym with Bean on my back. At least he isn't heavy, otherwise this would have been torture.

"Look at that, they're cute together," it was unfortunate that Bean was drawing more attention to me that usual.

"Doesn't it kinda seem like their siblings?"

"Eh, but they aren't related at all."

"I think they're cute together."

"Its adorable."

  It's only for today, then it'll go away-  I felt Bean's grip loosen. He suddenly started to slip.

"Bean, you need to hold on yoursel- ah!" He was asleep. I caught him just before he fell. I pulled him up into my arms and sat down, "You idiot, why'd you choose now to fall asleep?"

"...warm..." he was purring?!

"Oye! You can't just sleep on me! Wake up!" This brat us using me as his bed again!

"How cute, I didn't know he purred!" Susuki ran up to us

"It's cute until he does it everyday," I sighed.

"I could take him. The coach is still in shock and I don't mind sitting out this once. I know you like your grades to be consistent. I wouldn't want you to be negatively affected so," She took a seat besides me and crossed her legs the way mine were.

"You sure? He probrably won't move for a while," I looked down, Bean's persistent purring was becoming quieter as he slept. He would be in a deeper sleep soon.

"Yes!" She was completely determined.

"Here," I laid Bean in her lap and stretched so I could go back to class.

  Susuki had a bright smile on her face as she looked down at Bean. It reminded me of a mother holding their napping toddler. It sent an uneasy chill up my spine.

It's fine, I'm sure he'll be fine. Susuki is a great person, they'll be good friends but...

  Bean is so stubborn, he'll take forever to warm up to her.

~~~

9/17/2021