My brother is a cat

By ArokuRaita

Disclaimer: Zettai BL ni naru sekai vs. Zettai BL ni naritakunai otoko belongs to Konkichi and this fanfic was written nonprofit.

2. Ayato transforms

That Saturday night, mom called to let us know that she and dad would spend all Saturday night and Sunday in the place they were, so big brother and I would have to be alone during the weekend, but that there was food in the kitchen. I told her that my brother came back without me noticing and that he didn't tell me where he was all day.

"Son, you're always so worried about him! He's a responsible adult, let him be"

Why do everyone think he's quiet and responsible? Does anybody see, apart from me, that he's lazy and inconsiderate?

I sent my brother a message to tell him about mom and dad and went to bed. That night I had trouble to sleep, because I was angry.

When I opened my eyes, Miiko was in my bed, looking at me.

"Master Ayato, I need to tell you something…"

WHAT? Our pet is talking to me?!

When I jumped up, I noticed that I was in four legs. Freaking out, I ran all over the room, with Miiko behind me.

"Please calm down, master Ayato!"

Our pet started to meow really loud, until my room's door opened up. I flew off because I was feeling trapped.

"Eh? Who's this cat? Wait, where's my younger brother?"

The older brother was startled in front of Ayato's room and looked at Mii -chan, who shook off his head. When both of them went to the living room, the new cat had thrown away all the sofa cushions, the TV remote control and even turned the garbage can.

The young man tidied everything up, prepared himself a fast breakfast and sat in the sofa as if nothing had happened. Then he took one of Mii-chan's toys and swung it carefreely. His pet didn't pay attention, but the new cat did. He stopped and watched him from afar.

This cat was small, white with black spots and a little spot near his snout. However, he wasn't cute, because he seemed permanently angry.

He got closer quietly and jumped on the sofa, but instead of attacking the toy, he bit the guy's hand.

"Ah! That hurt!" he shouted. The cat ran away to the other side of the room and looked at him with sour eyes.

"Maybe you're just hungry. Mii-chan, can I give him a bit of your food?" Mii-chan didn't protest.

After filling the plates with food and water, the young man waited for the new cat to eat his food. And he did, after noticing that the human was at a prudent distance. When he finished eating, the human got close again, but the small animal bristled and hissed furiously.

"Why do you hate me so much? I'm feeding you, ungrateful cat. If you act that way, it won't make me want to take care of you or play with you"

In response, the cat bit his ankle and then ran to hide under the sofa. Sighing, the man returned to the couch, but sat cross-legged on the cushions, so as not to tempt his luck.

OK, I understand my big brother irritates me a lot. But I'm sure he doesn't know I'm a cat! Besides, I felt a bit guilty for attacking him twice, although he just wanted to play and even feed me.

I was thinking about these things in the darkness under the couch, when I heard his voice and some pats on the cushion.

"Hey, cat, do you really want to stay down there? It must be dirty. Why don't you come here? I promise not to bother you"

I didn't like the idea. He loves cats, so maybe will end up calling me names and touching me. I don't want him to touch me! But on the other side, we rarely talk and he usually avoids me all the time… I'd like to know how it feels to share a moment with him.

So I came out of my hideout, dusted myself off (he was right, it was dirty down there), and climbed onto the couch, very far from my brother. He looked at me and smiled. That took me by surprise, because I don't usually see him smile, so I looked away.

"You are very serious and gruff, huh? Relax, I'm not going to treat you like Mii-chan. You remind me a little of my little brother..."

I accidentally moved my ears towards him.

"Do you want me to talk about him? Well... He's in high school, he has several friends and usually gets very mad at me. Sometimes I think he hates me"

I stared at him. His face was expressionless, or so it seemed to me at first. Did he really believe that? I mean, I dislike him, but to hate him is too much.

"It still surprises me, because he always asks me where I've been, what I've been doing and things like that. It's like he cares a lot about me"

Hey, it isn't a lot!

"That is why it's very strange that he isn't here. He usually tells me when he's going out. I hope nothing has happened to him. I know we're not very close, but he's still my little brother…"

I turned my head to get a good look at him. This time he was watching TV, but I noticed concern on his face. I started to get a little closer to him, until he looked at me and said:

"I think I'll go out for a walk to see if he's around. If not, I'll see if I can contact his friends… You already have food and water. I'll be right back, okay?"

Before he could move, I jumped on him and dug my nails into his thighs.

"Ouch! Wait… I need to get up!" He grabbed me and tried to get me off him, but my claws were hooked on his pants. I didn't give an inch.

"OK, I'm not going anywhere. But you'll have to stay here and accept that I'll pet you"

I'm OK, as long as it's not invasive.

"Are you getting used to this, master Ayato?" Mii-chan asked me with his eyes.

"Maybe" I replied.

The cat sat on the young man's lap for a long time. He tried to go to the bathroom twice and the little animal didn't let him. At the third time, he had to go with him in his arms; the cat jumped down at the door and waited outside, meowing tirelessly. When the older brother came out of the bathroom, the cat climbed through his legs and torso, ignoring the human's complaints.

However, he was quieter than in the morning. He already accepted being petted on his head and back, and sometimes even purred a little. Beneath his aggressiveness, he was affectionate and hated being alone.

The human couldn't help but say, with an irritating high-pitched voice:

"How are you, angry kitten? Wanna pway?"

The cat put a paw over his lips, immediately shutting him up.

After having lunch and talking to his parents on the phone, the young man kept watching TV until the doorbell rang. After opening the door (with the cat in his arms), he found Yanagi, one of his younger brother's friends.

"Eh, Yanagi-kun? How are you? Did something happen?"

The high-schooler turned completely red and began to stutter.

"H-hi! I, erm… Is Ayato here?"

"No, he left early. Wasn't he with you?"

"No, I haven't seen him... W-well, I came because yesterday I forgot something in his room... A notebook"

"Please come in. If you wait for me here, I'll go get it"

"Thank you very much, s-sorry for the trouble!"

As the boy bowed, the young man smiled. Apparently he had an idea.

"Can you take care of this kitten while I'm upstairs? He's a friend of Mii-chan. Be careful, he's a bit gruff"

After that, he put the cat down, who seemed a bit confused.

"Sure, no problem! He looks very nice... The cat we saw yesterday was nice, too"

"Really? Well, I'll go for the notebook"

While the older brother went to the second floor, the cat sat down and Yanagi squatted to get a better look at him. Actually, this one was much more beautiful and distinguished than the one he had seen on Saturday. That one was docile and calm, but this one had a shiny coat, was well fed, and his gaze was dignified.

"How beautiful you are! Can I pet you?" Yanagi reached out his hand, but kept it at a safe distance from the cat, who approached him, purring.

When Ayato's older brother came down with the notebook, he saw that Yanagi had completely tamed the beast. He was holding him in his arms and stroking his head gently.

"Wow, you really have a gift with animals" said the older one, smiling.

The boy stuttered again.

"Ah, i-it's nothing, this cat is very nice!"

The cat looked at Yanagi and then at his brother, who seemed very pleased.

"It's quite hot. Do you want to drink something, Yanagi-kun?"

"No, don't worry, I don't want to bother you..."

"It isn't a bother, really"

Ayato's friend gave up at the young man's insistence and nodded. His eyes met the cat's and a chill ran down his spine: his gaze was cold.

Suddenly I started to feel very irritated and didn't understand why. Yanagi is one of my best friends! I shouldn't have looked at him like that... Maybe it's because he was blushing too much at my stupid brother. What did he see in him? Was he in love with him?

And why did my brother smile so much at him? He didn't even look at me while I was a human, but with Yanagi he's acting charmingly. He even served him a glass of juice! And he's talking to him! Did he really prefer to spend more time with Yanagi than with me, who am his brother?

Mii-chan looked at me from the ground and I think he noticed my irritation, because he asked me to be patient.

At one point, Yanagi left me in the chair next to him and took the glass with both hands. Somehow, I noticed that he was a little scared of me. That made me even angrier.

"Hey, Yanagi-kun, since you get along so well with cats, wouldn't you like to take that little one over to your house? I think you'd have a great time together"

Now he wants to get rid of me?!

"No, I can't, my older sister is at home and I think she could be mad at me..."

"Is she really that scary?

"Oh yeah, a lot! I always tell Ayato that he's very lucky to have an older brother"

My brother kept smiling. He had his elbows on the table, his head resting on his hands, and looked at my friend with attention.

"I doubt that Ayato would agree. I spend very little time with him. It is as if we were only children"

"That can't be as bad as having my older sister. I'm sure she could rip my limbs off if I make her angry"

"How scary"

After a pause, Yanagi said:

"Wouldn't you be interested in being her boyfriend? So she would spend less time with us..."

What is this fool talking about?! I'm going to bite him if he says stupid things like that again!

My brother laughed.

"No, thanks. I prefer calm and lovely girls that don't stand out, just like me"

Yanagi was silent, blushed a lot and lowered his eyes.

"I-I think you stand out a lot..."

One moment I was in my chair, and the next, I had my teeth buried in one of my friend's hands. I backed off before he hit me, though he didn't do it. His face had a pained expression.

"Ouch! I think your cat got mad at me..."

My brother jumped out of the chair and took Yanagi's hand. It had my teeth' marks, but nothing else. It wasn't that bad either. However, Yanagi looked like he was going to faint.

"Are you okay, Yanagi-kun? I'm going to get the first-aid kit!"

"N-no, it's not necessary, he didn't bite me that hard…"

"But your face is so red! Do you have a fever? Cat allergy?"

My stupid brother was still holding his hand. Yanagi released himself as best he could.

"N-Noo, it's nothing, it's just... I'm sorry, I feel really bad for worrying you!"

He got up and bowed. My brother seemed determined to make him stay longer.

"At least, let me disinfect your hand!"

"Is okay, I have alcohol gel, thank you very much! Please excuse me!"

He picked up his notebook and headed for the door. My brother opened it.

"Sorry, Yanagi-kun, I didn't think the cat would do that to you"

"No, it was my fault, you already warned me that he was gruff… Thank you very much for everything. Sorry for the inconvenience"

When my brother closed the door, he looked dejected. I think I really made a big mistake. I shouldn't have come between them; moreover, I should support them, right? However, that idea made me feel bad.

"Why did you do that? Yanagi-kun is a good guy! I'm sure he would have taken care of you much better than me" he told me.

After washing the glass, he lied on the sofa. A while later I went to see him and he had fallen asleep. I licked his hand and curled up next to him, feeling miserable.

Both human and cat woke up when the doorbell rang again. Could it be Yanagi-kun?

The young man noticed something warm and fluffy by his side. It was the white and black spotter cat, who was looking at him and seemed a bit sad. When the human got up, his companion didn't move.

"Yes?" the college student said after opening the front door. It was Toujou-kun.

"¡Hello, big brother! I'm sorry to bother you. Is Ayato at home?"

"No, I thought he was with you. What do you want?" His voice was cold and biting, but the high schooler didn't noticed (or didn't care).

"Yesterday, when I came to see Ayato, I forgot something in his room. Can I go in to get it?"

"Come in, I'll go. What did you forgot?"

"A pencil case"

"I'll bring it right away. Wait here"

When Ayato's older brother went upstairs, Toujou saw the cat watching at him from the couch. Without a doubt, he knew who he was.

First it was big brother and now Ayato, eh? What's wrong with these brothers? Anyway, Ayato looks really cute as a cat…

"Hey, kitty! How are you?" the boy said while slowly approaching. The cat looked nervous, but stood upright.

"You know? You remind me a lot of a friend of mine... That person always looks at me cautiously when I approach him, just like you, and has a mole identical to yours"

The little animal backed away. Toujou stopped and smiled.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you. You are very cute and cuddly, did you know that?"

As if he understood, the cat hissed.

"OK, you're neither cute nor cuddly, sorry! Can I pet you?"

After a few moments of hesitation, the cat walked towards him. Toujou stroked his head gently. It seemed like he was taming him without difficulty...

"I see that you're quite affectionate, aren't you, Ayato?"

The cat widened his eyes and fled under the sofa after scratching his best friend's hand. Toujou screamed.

The older brother ran down the stairs with the pencil case.

"Wait, Toujou-kun! I'm going to get the first-aid kit!"

"Don't worry, it's just a scratch…"

"Of course I do, I can see blood from here!"

When the young man returned, he handed the disinfectant and some gauze to his brother's friend.

"Need help?"

"No, thanks, I can do it alone. I'll be fine with just a band-aid"

The older brother folded his arms.

"I should have warned you that this cat is aggressive. However, what did you do to make him scratch you like that?"

"Nothing, I was just petting him..."

"And?"

"It's ridiculous, but... I called him 'Ayato'"

There was a pause.

"Yeah, it's ridiculous. Are you sure you didn't touch his belly or other places?"

"Wha-? Obviously I didn't do any of that! "

Both guys kept silent.

"Well, Toujou-kun, here is your pencil case"

"Thank you. If you see Ayato, can you tell him to call me?"

"Yeah, I'll tell him. Now go home and rest"

When Toujou left, the young man sat on the sofa and leaned his elbows on his knees. He looked really tired. The cat poked its head out from below and looked at him, expectantly.

"You're a really difficult pet, aren't you?"

And after a pause:

"I'm going to read for a while. Stay here and behave"

I stayed under the sofa because I didn't want to see anything or anyone. I bit and scratched my best friends, and even my brother, who neither speaks his mind nor argues, was upset with me. What is my problem?

"Master Ayato, you're like a real cat!" Mii-chan told me from a chair. "Unlike your older brother: he didn't want to bite or scratch and he preferred to put up with almost anything rather than assert his rights. Congratulations!"

"My big brother? I don't get you, Miiko"

"Eh? Don't you remember the cat from yesterday? That was your big brother. I thought you would have found out by now"

I was unable to think, until I remembered all the time I had that skinny cat in my arms, all the things I said in front of him…

He was my stupid brother?! Why didn't he tell me? I'll kill him!

I started to walk towards the stairs, but stopped. I was still sad. Also, when my brother told me to stay here and behave, I felt like he didn't really want to see me again...

I looked at Miiko and he nodded.

"The master is not at all happy with your attitude, master Ayato. But it's not that he doesn't want to see you again, he would never say something like that to you. Let him rest for a while"

"But... what do I do in the meantime?"

"You can reflect on what you've done"

"Wait, can cats reflect?!"

Mii-chan looked clearly offended.

"Of course, we're the most intelligent species in the world. We can reflect if we want, but we don't need to. Why should we, if humans are just slaves who'll love us no matter what?"

That said, he started cleaning himself up and forgot about me.

I went upstairs thinking about what I had done. I bit Yanagi and scratched Toujou, why? In Yanagi's case, it seemed like he wanted to take my brother away from me. Besides, big brother gave him all the attention that he denied me, it's natural for me to get angry. And Toujou had a condescending attitude, like he felt superior to me and I couldn't do anything to him just because I'm a cat. Argh! I remember them and want to attack them again.

But my brother is upset and has never shown it to me before. Is it because he sees me as a cat rather than a person? No, he hardly spoke to me like he does to Miiko.

I stopped in front of my brother's room. The door was closed; I tried to push it, to no avail. So I meowed pitifully. After a few minutes, it opened a bit.

"Yeah, I heard you! What do you want?"

I jumped up onto his bed and sat right in the middle. He sighed.

"If you're going to stay with me, I have to bring your pajamas"

While I was wondering what he meant by that, he came back with my clothes, left them beside me and lay down on the bed, close to the wall. He looked uncomfortable, so I gave him space and meowed for him to come closer.

"You're so demanding! And gruff! Do you get why I usually avoided you?"

Anyway, he approached me. I snuggled into his side and purred. I just wanted him to pay attention to me, was it such a bad thing? Then, we fell asleep.

When I opened my eyes, I was a little cold and was about to fall out of the bed. My brother had his back to me and seemed to be sound asleep. I looked at myself and I understood why he brought my pajamas. He really knew I had turned into a cat! Maybe it was better that he didn't tell me, I would have reacted the same as with Toujou.

After putting my pajamas on, I went to get my smartphone and I had a message from Mom, saying that they'd be arriving in a couple of hours. I thought about staying in my room, but went back to my brother's: I doubt he'll allow me to sleep next to him again. Besides, after so many years of being left behind, I deserve to be spoiled.

THE END