Kittens
Cast:
Cure Melody, Houjou Hibiki - age 17
Cure Rhythm, Minamino Kanade - age 17
Cure Beat, Kurokawa Ellen - age 17
Hanamin, Yukine Hanako - Ellen's best friend - age 17
Morioka Takayuki - in a band with Ellen and Hanako - age 23
January, 2014
"Ah! Cat paws are the best!"
Hummy has had kittens. Now that they are old enough, Ellen has invited her friends to play with them. Kanade is ecstatic. She could enjoy herself all day just touching cat paws.
"Look at you! All black-haired and beautiful! You're just like your Mama's owner, aren't you?"
Hanamin has latched onto a particular kitten, one with short, black hair all over, and the beginnings of a white mane gathered up at its neck. Not at all bothered by being handled, or even being held up at eye level, the kitten amiably licks her on the nose.
"Haha! That tickles!"
"You know... I like cats, but I don't think I can match their enthusiasm." Hibiki says, as she dangles a large fake feather above two other kittens.
"You don't have to fall in love with them," Ellen responds. "Though if you do know anyone who might like to adopt a kitten, I'm going to have to give most of them away soon."
"You're giving them away?" Kanade asks, shocked.
"I have to! I can't raise and keep another half-dozen cats, and what if Hummy has more kittens? I'm a cat person, but I'm not going to be one of those cat ladies!"
"Oh, I'll take this one," Hanamin says, still playing with the same kitten. "I will love her, and snuggle her, and call her Siren!"
Ellen blushes, but still responds. "Okay, she's yours."
"Can I have this one?" Kanade asks, as she gently holds the paws of a little white fluff-ball.
"All yours, Kanade."
Hibiki thinks for a moment. "Have you asked Ako? She likes cats."
"She has that bird, remember?"
Hibiki scowls. "Oh. Right. That bird."
Kanade sighs. "You shouldn't hold a grudge, Hibiki. It's just an animal."
"It pooped in my hair!"
This is a topic that Hibiki and Kanade have covered many times before, but like any can of worms, once opened it can only be played out until its conclusion.
On the other side of the room, Takayuki, the third member of Ellen and Hanamin's band, silently observes a tiny gray kitten that is trying to climb inside his trumpet.