Alte Liebe Rostet Nicht

The Rat Repellent

When having seen this 'thing' the first time, it was easy to tell that Izumi had been somewhat shocked at the sight, though after a few more moments it turned into a not so pleased expression. What was he doing here of all things? The last one he needed to see or ever felt like seeing if he were completely honest. Not to mention he never expected this. He could only question and wonder why he had been here to begin with.

And it became even more annoying when hearing the thing say "Papa Papa!" ever so loudly while deciding to hug tightly onto Kuma–Kun with the brightest grin on its face. It just didn't sit right with him, this intruder having the nerve to show up. Not to mention that he got cozy with everyone else in Knights, including Leo. Ugh, is he going to have a rival here? No, that can't be it... Still, it did not sit right with him, at all.

A small creature listening to the name 'Nyeli', a chibi one. Round face, nubs as arms and legs, the simplest version of a body one could find in some drawings and shows aimed at kids, also known as 'anime'. Black, messy hair as well as cat ears and a cat tail. Big, round, brownish eyes and very simplistic clothes which were beyond messy, the dirt itself showing or collecting itself in a matter of seconds when running around. A wild cat, literally. A wild cat hanging around the likes of Knights. All because of Kuma–Kun.

And that cat was everywhere, literally. Before knowing it, sometimes he just peeked out of Ritsu's bag during training and watching. At least Izumi spotted him from the corner when glancing to the side for a moment. And at random times that cat just jumped out of the bag to dash over while yelling: 'Papa!', always interrupting the training sessions. Ugh, so annoying... And the sight... It was just—

"My my. Another 'bring your kid to work day'?" Arashi spoke up the moment she had spotted it as well, even laughing along. It was as if she was admiring an 'adorable sight', typical. Adorable, really? Was she serious?

"Haha, looks like Rittsu brought our mascot yet again!" Leo joked with a wide grin, seeming to be in a rather joyful mood when just seeing this cat, watching it nuzzle against Ritsu's leg and purring non stop.

"Ritsu–Senpai, didn't we talk about this?" Kasa–Kun intervened before this could boil over it seems, shaking his head. "As much as we all appreciate Nyeli here, you can't just—"

"I didn't." The one addressed interrupted while picking up this thing which continued to nuzzle in Kuma–Kun's embrace. "I was sure that I left him with Ann–Chan today. She must be worried sick..."

Ah, that's right, both of them may as well be that tiny thing's 'parents'. Even if the cat referred to the 'woman' as 'Sisnya'... A word sending shivers down Izumi's spine.

"Nyeli, we talked about this... No sneaking off when you're supposed to be with Ann–Chan." The soft voice scolded, though lightly. It didn't terrify the pet it seemed though, only looking up with curiosity while tilting its head even letting out a soft: "Nye?"

"We're a little busy here... Hey, mind if I go upstairs for a moment?"

"Aww, why? He's not hurting anybody~" Naru–Chan responded instead, her smile not fading as she had walked up herself to pat the small creature on its head which made it purr in response. "Why not let him watch for a little while? Maybe he can learn a few things."

"Yes yes! He can dance with us if he wants!" Leo dared to suggest, making Izumi growl in silence. What is this guy thinking!? "We have to prepare him for the big stage when we finally introduce him as our mascot!"

"Leo–San... Aren't you getting ahead of yourself here?" Kasa–Kun threw in. "I know he's cute but—"

"It's fine, it's fine! Didn't Rittsu tell us before that he wants to perform with us one day?"

"Yeah, I did." Kuma–Kun nodded, not even arguing against it. That thing, on stage with them!? They got to be joking.

"Then even more reason to let him join us. Right, Nyeli–Chan~?" Arashi chuckled, starting to scratch behind the cat's ears. The cat purred, even nuzzling itself against the woman with the utmost affection. It was always like this, day in and out. The cat had to appear everytime, from Kuma–Kun's bag and interfere in the training. And instead of scolding that thing they just pampered him for the most part! It is so unbearable to witness, he couldn't stand it. Why them? Izumi never knew what exactly overcame him in these moments but it was unbearable to watch. He hated it. He hated it so goddamn much. It was just so... So...

"Bring the rat repellent upstairs." He finally opened his mouth, throwing it in rather coldly. The rest of the group went silent from one moment to the next, even the purring stopped and they all turned right to Izumi, staring at him in disbelief.

"Rat repellent!? Izumi–Chan!" Arashi was the first one to speak up, nearly shouting. "Our little Nyeli has a name! Can you please use that!?"

"Are you seriously going to–"

"Yes, I am! What's your problem with him anyway!? What did he ever do to you!?"

"I just don't get how you can treat a disturbance like this! Let Kuma–Kun bring him back to that other thing!"

"Stop avoiding the topic at hand! I asked you something!"

"Something which isn't your goddamn business!" He hissed right back, catching himself almost getting a little defensive before suddenly suggesting: "If you won't do it, I will. Give the rat repellent here."

"I don't think so..." Ritsu responded rather bluntly before gesturing down to the cat in question. This one seemed to have started clinging onto its 'Papa's' arm, shivering lightly as its ears had dropped from one moment to the next. However, the eyes were still wide open, the life gone which Nyeli had shown before. It happened when Izumi spoke up about him. One of the few times the cat seemed like an empty vessel. The only thing keeping it together was Ritsu's presence most likely. "It'd be a bad idea Secchan."

"Someone has to do it, you know!"

The black haired male sighed. "Then I will do it... It would be a bad idea if you were to touch him I think."

"Now look at what you did! Great going Izumi–Chan!" Naru narrowed her eyes while glaring at Izumi, almost deadly, yet he only rolled his eyes at this. This woman will never understand. No one in this room will ever understand. And he had no intention of explaining it to them, ever. They didn't need to know. If Nyeli hates him, then so be it.

"Sena, you need to keep it down. Having Nyeli here isn't so bad." Leo tried to argue but Izumi was stubborn in his belief, with no intention of backing out from his words.

"Practice is practice, don't you get it? We don't need a cat here!"

"Well... While I agree that Nyeli's presence is distracting, it is not appropriate to refer to him as 'rat repellent' either..." Kasa–Kun would try to argue as well. "How about you apologize first?"

"Are you trying to tell me what to do?"

"What!? I just—"

"It's fine... I'll just bring Nyeli upstairs to Ann–Chan... It might be for the best..." And after those words Ritsu left the room with Nyeli in hand. Izumi couldn't help but watch them depart, his own glare right at them from behind. He knew that Arashi was glaring at him and would be ready to kill him for all those words but honestly, this cat had to know his place. It was the only way... It was the best way.

Izumi cannot stand this. Every single time he is forced to witness this, it was just... Too much. It was too much, yes. Too much of what? He would rather keep that to himself. It was not like him to talk down on a cat like that, they usually never did anything wrong. But... This was different. Very different. Nyeli is another case entirely. He knew that, he was more than aware. Why?

Well... Some things are better forgotten. He has no intention to open up about this to anyone, ever. Not back then, not now and not in any future. He will shove it aside, whatever it takes.

Besides... Nyeli seems to be more than happy with Ritsu and Ann, his 'fyamily'.