Prologue

The day had begun normally and proceeded normally. I had only wished it ended as such, but apparently that was wishful thinking.

How I found myself in this situation, I'd never quite figure out. What am I, some kind of protagonist? Sorry, but that role doesn't quite fit me. I was suited for a background character at best. I had only wanted to be left alone in peace, but as said protagonist, my desire for a stagnant timeline was the least of my apparent necessities. Hey, I never asked for any of this. Then again, I never ask for anything and something still happens...other than my undisturbed lonesome, that is.

It had all started when my undeniably cute little sister, Komachi, bursted through the door to my room panting. Was a trip up the stairs that tiring? She clearly ran, but still.

Her eyes instantly locked onto mine which were currently preoccupied with admiring the ceiling above my bed in mindless thought. Geez, by the look of them it simply had to be dire y'knooow~?

I had gone straight up stairs to my room after school and plopped myself onto my bed still in uniform. I was tired, that's the end of it. I think I napped but I couldn't remember clearly. Moreover, Zaimokuza had decided to visit the Service Club earlier that day, and his presence alone could tire anyone out. Seriously, when will his condition get any better?

Regardless though, her sudden entrance still startled me a little bit and I couldn't help but ask what was wrong. You know, because I'm a good onii-chan.

"Kamakura ran away!"

My eyes widened in surprise. What evil forces could've clouded the Hikigaya household guardian to do such a thing?! I Instinctively hopped off my bed and ran down the stairs, Komachi following behind me in the same hurried manner. I would probably never admit it but I cared about that cat. He was good for teasing and in turn making me forget about the problems of my life for a few glorious moments…and I guess he's therapeutic sometimes? Our eyes met once again and I hurriedly asked her;

"Where did he go?"

"To the left!"

She pointed out the front entrance to our home. Why it was open, I didn't know then, but I couldn't ask as I saw his small figure round the corner out our compound in the aforementioned direction Komachi told me. I placed my hand on her shoulder.

"Stay here!"

Before she could respond, I started running after our home's guardian, closing the front door with a loud shut behind me, drowning out any calls of protest she had. Woah, I feel so heroic right now. I rounded the same corner and saw him way ahead of me on the sidewalk. It was at this moment I had realized I had forgotten to put on my shoes. I didn't have time for decency! Any more moments delayed and I would never catch up to the runaway!

Steeling myself I began to run after him without question, small pieces of gravel sticking themselves to the bottom of my socks over the course of the chase. I ignored it as they grounded into my feet with every step, becoming more intense as I pursued. I never lost sight of him, but we were very much out of the neighborhood by now. Kamakura, quit running or else I'll never brush your fur ever again!

I looked like a shoeless madman chasing after some cat through the streets judging by the stares of bewildered bystanders. Except, y'know, I kinda was but I had a damn good reason!

I lost track of time as my mind was only focused on catching Kamakura. I hadn't sprinted this long since the school marathon! Hell, it was probably longer than that at this point. Despite my above-average stamina, my need for air became more audible as time passed, but I was relentless to catch the four-legged fiend. Seemed I forgot to pace myself as I continued this ordeal. Suddenly, I saw him round another corner into an alley. I stopped abruptly at the intersection, spotting a wall several feet in front of me. It appeared he had reached an indefinite dead end. Nowhere to go now, you tactful bastard.

Catching my breath, I looked behind me before entering the enclosure. Huh? When had the sky turned orange? I subconsciously lifted my wrist to check the time only to see that I didn't have it on me. I quickly patted myself down upon that realization. It didn't appear I had my phone on me either. Must've left them back home on my nightstand...

I briefly face-palmed at my own simple mindedness. Being heroic requires thinking ahead of time, huh. I had no way of contacting Komachi of my situation nor telling the current time. Still, I had to at least return with him before nightfall. I refocused on the dark, empty alley in front of me, the upper body of my shadow mixing in along with it. I wiped the sweat on my forehead with my sleeve, seemingly relieving the ominous feeling I was getting as I slowly proceeded. Though, that was just for a moment. The just barely audible sound of my bare footsteps on the concrete seemed to echo off the stone walls.

"Kamakura?"

I listened for his rather distinct "meow" but nothing came from the darkness. Why would I ever expect a response from a cat? The only time he ever responds to me is when I brush his fur or fill his food bowl.

The previous, ominous feeling suddenly came back to me in a wave. Wasn't the street behind me full of people just now? It was strangely quiet, but I moved forward regardless. I squinted my eyes in hopes I could see something from the setting sun behind me amidst the other buildings that just barely illuminated the alley. To no avail. It was no use in the first place.

"Meow~"

I whipped my entire body around to the source of the call. My eyes naturally trailed down. When had Kamakura gotten behind me? I looked at the small figure before me. Wait, that isn't Kamakura. It was a pure black cat. I felt a shiver run down my spine. Didn't some Western cultures dictate that spotting a black cat was bad omen? I couldn't help but feel something bad really was going to inevitably happen despite it being a mere belief. In any case, that explains that ominous aura I was perceiving just now. Kamakura, now would be a good time to show off your unmatched guardian skills!

The feral black cat took a few steps forward and stopped at the shadow line casted off by the building. Heh, I don't suppose you've seen a white and gray cat with green eyes pass by here, have you? The cat tilted its head at me as if it had heard my internal musing, swaying its tail in the air in a curious manner. It was likely a stray judging from the lack of a collar. I briefly shook my head; I didn't have time for this. Any later and Komachi would start to get worried about me.

I turned around again only to be met with another cat, albeit pure white. My eyes widened in surprise and I took a single step back. This one lacked a collar too. Looking behind me again the black cat was still there not having moved an inch, its yellow eyes observing my every action. I turned back to the opposite variant, its blue eyes appearing to do the same. It seemed to be the same distance as the other cat behind me. Is there some kind of ritual going on here? Am I getting progressively mugged here? More importantly, I'm receiving some strange Yin and Yang vibes here. I'm sure Yukinoshita would be having the time of her life right now, exclude this daunting atmosphere. Even one cat would be able to make her heart flutter, I'm sure. Geez, that woman should just get a cat already. That book she once kept on reading with the black cat on the front cover would be helpful with the predator behind me in particular. Maybe I should ask to borrow it from her one day. Then again it might just be a picture collage of felines. Which in that case let me borrow it anyway.

While I was a bit lost in thought, the yin-yang cats incarnate approached me with a subtle grace and started to slowly encircle me similar to how sharks would boats. My mind couldn't seem to grasp at what was happening. Their tails became stiff and grazed the entirety of my lower legs as they conducted their…thing, whatever it was. This has got to be some kind of ritual— no, trap!

…Yet I wouldn't move.

Their presence released an aura that simply begged their innocence, something anyone would deem untrustworthy instantly. They had been looking up at me since they started, the blue and yellow orbs of their big eyes never failing to meet mine as they passed by each round. They had done it several times by now, and around eight times I felt my eyes get extremely heavy.

Suddenly my shoulders felt so relaxed… Ah, what is this absolutely serene sensation? I didn't know whether to consider it overwhelming or intoxicating. Getting drowsier by the second, I felt my knees meet the ground, but I couldn't even feel the usual subtle pain upon making impact with the bits of gravel. I struggled to keep my eyes open. I felt so drowsy it was like I couldn't even move my fingers anymore. The cats that had been circling me earlier seemingly disappeared without a trace, as if they'd just become one with the air I breathed. I convinced myself I was in trouble, yet neither my mind nor body felt that I was in the slightest danger aside from this false sense of serenity. My entire form eventually collapsed to the ground, almost completely unable to move. Before I knew I was going to go out, I saw a small figure approach me in the looming darkness from the depths of the alley. I could hear myself choke out one last thing before my eyelids finally gave in.

"Kama…kura…"