"What's his name?" Alfred asked his brother.
Matthew peered into the cat's gleaming eyes, wondering how to answer. The cat surveyed his surroundings in wonder, looking at Arthur the longest. It would appear that Francis did this without Arthur's permission, for the Englishman was staring at his husband sourly. But too afraid to hurt his son's feelings, Arthur kept his mouth shut, thinking of all the extra chores Francis would have to do in order to repent.
Meanwhile, Alfred gave the cat a pet, just how Matthew taught him.
"Kiku shows me this cartoon character that's hip in Japan. He looks kinda like this cat, 'cept he's a polar bear. I think his name is Kumajirou."
"That's a mouthful, Alfred. How did you manage to remember that name?" asked Papa.
"Kiku's been talking about it forever."
Kumajirou. Even though it was a Japanese name, Matthew noticed that the cat's ears perked up when Alfred said it. Matthew tried it out on his own lips.
"Kuma..jirou."
Once more, the cat's ears twitched and it turned its black eyes toward Matthew. It was settled then.
"I want to call him Kumajirou."
Arthur blinked at the rare conviction coming from his shy son.
"Are you sure, luv? That's a very hard name to remember."
"You can call him Kuma if you want. But I really want to name him Kumajirou."
"Meow," the kitten coos.
Alfred turned to his brother.
"What did he say?"
Matthew frowned, "I don't speak cat."
Francis grinned and gave his younger son a playful wink, placing a hand on his head. Matthew braced himself for more teasing.
"Aren't you a little chat, mon cher? Why don't you meow at Kuma?"
Arthur blushed and rushed out the door.
"Wait! Let me get the camera first. Then meow at the cat."
After a few newly made home movies, Matthew finally got time with Kumajirou alone. He was lying down while letting his new cat curl up on his stomach. The cat's eyes were closed in slumber, his back moving up and down with his steady breathing.
"I'm glad I finally got you. I was waiting a long time, you know? Ever since I met you."
The cat continued to sleep.
"I wonder what you're dreaming about," Matthew allowed himself to close his eyes.
The next thing he knew, Matthew was walking on all fours, sniffing at the air curiously. He was now a cat. His claws felt iffy, so he sharpened them using the couch. Daddy came up with a harsh glare.
"Down!"
Matthew usually hated getting scolded at, but now that he was a cat, he couldn't care less. Alfred came up and petted his head.
"There there, Mattcat."
Francis set down a bowl of homemade cat food. He gave Mattcat a pet just like he did before Matthew's nap.
"There, now wake up."
Mattcat meowed an inquiry. Francis's pets became a little harder, until he was shaking him awake.
"Wake up now. You need to be tired enough for bedtime."
Matthew woke up to see his papa smiling down at him. Kumajirou was gone and Matthew wondered if he was interested in seeing the rest of the house. Cats were awfully curious creatures, if his dream was anything to go by.
