Harry went to class as always, but today felt a bit different. The presence of Nekomusume in the classroom was like a beacon of hope in his otherwise lonely days. He had been at the school for almost six months now, and despite his best efforts, making friends hadn't been easy for him. The whispers, the glances, the occasional avoidance, he was used to it by now. But today was different. Nekomusume, the most popular girl in class, had chosen to sit next to him.
As he looked over at her, he noticed she was already engaged in a lively conversation with a group of her friends. Her laughter was infectious, and her words seemed to get the attention of everyone around her. But then, something unexpected happened. She turned her head slightly, and her gaze caught his. Their eyes met for a brief moment and in that instant.
"Hey, Harry," she called, leaning in closer to him. "You seem a bit quiet today. What's going on?"
Harry felt his heart race. Why was she talking to him? He had always kept to himself, blending into the background, hoping not to draw attention. But here she was, the most popular girl in class, initiating a conversation with him. He swallowed hard, trying to compose himself.
"I'm just... I'm fine, thank you," he managed to say, though his voice trembled slightly.
But Nekomusume didn't seem to notice his nervousness. She smiled at him and patted him on the back. "You know, it's okay to take a break sometimes. Everyone needs a friend to talk to."
Harry's cheeks flushed. He wasn't used to such kindness, especially not from someone like her. He wanted to say something, but the words caught in his throat. Instead, he nodded silently.
The rest of the class watched them with a mix of surprise and curiosity. Nekomusume's sudden interest in Harry was something none of them had anticipated. Some whispered among themselves, wondering if he had done something to catch her attention. Others simply gawked, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Unfazed by the attention, Nekomusume continued their conversation. "You know, Harry, being popular isn't all it's made out to be. Sometimes, it can be really exhausting. I just want to talk to someone who doesn't care about popularity and that stuff."
Her words struck a chord within Harry. He had always felt like an outsider, someone who didn't fit into the social hierarchy of the school. To hear someone like Nekomusume say that made him feel... think. Like he wasn't alone in feeling that way.
"Thank you," he said, his voice steadier this time.
She smiled again, and that smile warmed him from the inside out. "For what?" asked obliviously.
Harry chuckled because she was doing so much for him without knowing. She is, after all, his first friend. It was almost too good to be true. But as he looked into her eyes, he saw sincerity, not mockery or hidden agendas.
However, a small voice in the back of his mind teased him about the potential consequences. If Nekomusume were to be seen talking to him, the social dynamics of the class could shift dramatically. Her popularity might take a hit, especially if the other students saw her associating with someone like him, a freaky boy who's always been odd and not exactly fitting in with the mainstream crowd.
Determined to protect her from any negative repercussions, Harry quickly interjected. "Nekomusume, I really appreciate it. But you shouldn't talk to me at school. Your popularity might suffer because of this."
She tilted her head slightly, with mild confusion. "Why? I thought we could be friends. What's the big deal?"
Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's just that... people might start talking. They might think less of you if you're seen hanging around with someone like me."
Nekomusume's eyes narrowed as she studied him. "You think I care about what others think of me?"
Her question caught him off guard. Harry opened his mouth to respond but found himself at a loss for words. He hadn't considered that maybe Nekomusume didn't care about maintaining her popularity as much as he thought she did.
"Exactly," she said, her tone firm but not unkind. "I don't care about their opinions. If they can't accept me for who I am, then I don't need their friendship. You, on the other hand, seem like someone who understands that being yourself is more important than fitting in."
Harry's face softened, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He had always admired her strength and confidence, even from a distance. He remembered the stories his father told him from his school, and he had no doubt that she would be chosen to Gryffindor, the best house there is, as his father likes to say. To have her acknowledge him in such a way was something he had never dared to hope for.
"You're right," he said in a low voice due to his insecurity. "I just don't want to bring you any trouble."
Nekomusume chuckled lightly. "Don't worry about that. I can handle myself. And besides, having a friend like you might actually make things more interesting. Just don't get abducted by cats again." She said teasingly before walking back to her seat.
The classroom suddenly became quiet as the door opened when the professor entered.
The classes happened without any problems or any bullying. It was, from Harry's perspective, an amazing school day.
As the last bell rang, all the students packed up their things. Nekomusume turned to Harry with a playful grin. "So, are we going to walk home together again?"
Harry hesitated for a moment, then nodded. But for the first time in six months, he felt a glimmer of hope, a spark of belonging to this place.
Harry and Nekomusume walked home together, with the sun casting a warm glow over the streets. They chatted casually, discussing school and their interests. Nekomusume was quite interested in how he was able to teleport that other day, but Harry could not answer her as he did not know exactly how it happened.
As they rounded a corner, Harry noticed something on the ground ahead of them. It was a figure lying on the sidewalk, seemingly unconscious. He slowed his pace, his eyes narrowing as he tried to make out who or what it was. Nekomusume, sensing his pause, looked over to see what had caught his attention.
"What's wrong, Harry?" she asked with slight concern.
Before he could answer, they both saw it move. The figure stirred, moaning softly. Harry's heart raced as he realized it was a yokai, the hairy, mischievous yokai who he met a few weeks ago.
"Chinpo?" Harry whispered, recognizing his distinctive features.
Nekomusume tilted her head, her golden eyes showing her curiosity. "What's a Chinpo?"
Without waiting for an answer, Harry approached the figure cautiously. Chinpo's fur was disheveled, and his clothes were torn. He looked exhausted and injured, lying motionless on the ground.
"Chinpo, are you okay?" Harry asked, crouching down beside him.
Chinpo groaned, his eyes fluttering open. For a moment, he looked disoriented, but then his gaze focused on Harry.
"Hey, Harry," Chinpo mumbled in a weak voice. "Where... where am I?"
"You're in trouble, aren't you?" Harry asked, but Chinpo's eyes closed before answering.
Harry decided to take him to his house. Nekomusume, though initially hesitant, agreed to help carry him. The trio made their way slowly down the street, drawing a few curious glances from passersby, but Harry didn't mind. His main concern was getting Chinpo to safety.
Once they reached Harry's house, Harry carried Chinpo inside, laying him down on the mattress he uses as a bed. Nekomusume fetched some water and a blanket, tending to the injured yokai.
After a while, Chipo woke up. He looked around and found Harry and Nekomusume sitting close.
"Thanks," Chinpo said, his voice still weak. "I don't know how I ended up there."
Harry motioned for Nekomusume to stay and then leaned in closer to Chinpo. "What happened? You look like you went through a rough time."
Chinpo hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I was working with some humans in a construction site," he said. "It was a weird job, but I needed the money. Anyway, yesterday, a woman showed up. She seemed nice at first, but then she kidnapped all of us workers. Took us to this underground cell. I managed to escape last night, but I don't know how the others are."
His voice dropped to a whisper. "I hope no one saw you take me. If they did, they'll probably come after you." Then, he remained in silence for a brief moment before speaking again. "I have to go now. There's something I need to do."
Before Harry could say anything, Chinpo pushed himself up and stumbled toward the door. Nekomusume moved to block his path, her eyes narrowing in concern.
"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked. "You look like you need help."
Chinpo shook his head. "I'm fine. The help I need is more than what you can offer me, but thank you. I just need to get back and find someone. Don't worry about me."
Reluctantly, Nekomusume stepped aside, and Chinpo bolted out the door. Harry watched him go with some uneasiness.
"Shouldn't we do something?" Nekomusume asked, turning to Harry.
Harry stood there, narrowed his eyes, and then decided to run and look for his father to ask him to help Chinpo. He found his father talking with Sunakake-Babaa.
"It's quite dangerous," Sunakake-Babaa said to James, who was eating a small portion of a cookie.
"Only in full moons. And that can be solved by finding a secure place for his transformation."
"Dad!" called Harry. "I need your help." He then proceeded to tell his father the entire story. His father listened with a calm demeanor.
When Harry finished, his father looked at him with a sad face that looked like disappointment and resignation. "You need to calm down, Harry," he said. "We can't just rush into this. It's too dangerous. The humans might be involved, and we don't know what this woman is capable of."
Harry's shoulders slumped. He wanted to argue, to insist that something had to be done, but he knew he might be right. He had been lucky to survive Tantanbō and Neko-Sennin, and now going straight forward to something dangerous was a bad idea. Still, the thought of leaving Chinpo to face whatever was happening alone weighed heavily on his mind.
"We'll keep an eye out," James continued. "If anything else comes up, we'll handle it then. For now, just focus on your school and staying safe."
Harry nodded, though he wasn't entirely convinced. As he left his father's to continue talking with Sunakake-Babaa, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a much larger problem.
The next day, Harry set off for school as usual. As he walked down the familiar path, he noticed Chinpo ahead, walking alone on the sidewalk. Chinpo looked like himself again, but there was something different about his demeanor; he seemed nervous.
Harry rushed his pace, wanting to catch up with the yokai. "Chinpo," he called out, jogging to keep up. "Wait," but as he went closer, a shadowy figure emerged from the alleyway. It was the figure of a woman dressed in a strange way, with her face and head covered. She was holding a large net, and without warning, she swung it, trapping Chinpo inside.
Harry's heart pounded as he saw his friend captured. "Let him go!" he shouted angrily. But the woman ignored him, dragging the struggling Chinpo toward a nearby construction site.
Nekomusume, who had been walking to school, heard Harry's yell. She turned and spotted the commotion, her sharp eyes catching the woman's actions. "Harry!" she screamed, running toward him. But Harry, fearing for his friend's safety, turned on his heels and bolted in the opposite direction, away from the woman and the construction site.
Nekomusume followed her instinct and ran after Harry. "Harry, stop!" she yelled, her voice echoing through the streets. But he kept running, his mind racing with worry for Chinpo.
Once out of sight from Nekomusume, Harry stopped and peered around a corner. The woman had entered a dark, gaping hole in the construction site, Chinpo still in her net. Harry hesitated, but his fear for Chinpo's safety was greater than his own fears. Without thinking, he followed the woman into the hole.
Inside, the air was cold and damp, and the walls were lined with the faint glow of flickering lights. Harry's eye adjusted to the dim light as he crept forward, listening intently for any sign of his friend. The sounds of muffled sobs reached him and guided him.
As he turned a corner, he saw the woman standing in front of a cell. Chinpo was curled up in the corner, and his once vibrant spirit wasn't there. The woman turned around, her face hidden under a dark hood. Without warning, she lunged at Harry, ensnaring him in another net.
Chinpo's eyes widened. "Harry!" he cried out, struggling against the net that bound him.
Before Harry could react, the woman tossed him into another cell, the door slamming shut behind him. The two friends were now trapped together, their captor's intentions unknown but clearly menacing.
Meanwhile, Nekomusume had found her way into the construction site, determined to rescue Harry. She ducked and weaved through the shadows, her agility allowing her to reach the hole where Harry had vanished. She peered inside, her golden eyes scanning the dark tunnel.
"Harry?" she whispered, and her voice echoed. When there was no response, she hesitated, fear gripping her heart. She had no idea what awaited her inside, but she took a deep breath and descended into the dark hole.
Inside the underground labyrinth, Nekomusume's feline senses guided her through the maze of tunnels. She heard the faint sounds of movement and muted cries, leading her to the cell where Harry, Chinpo, and the construction workers were being held. She pressed against the bars, her golden eyes narrowing as she took in the scene before her.
Harry was slumped on the floor, his face hidden in his hands, while Chinpo sat beside him.
Nekomusume's heart raced as she realized she had to act fast. She carefully searched the room, looking for any weakness in the cell or an opportunity to free her friends. Her sharp mind worked quickly, but as she moved, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched.
"Looks like we have more company," the woman, still hidden under her hood, mocked with a cold and menacing voice.
Suddenly, the woman appeared behind Nekomusume, her net ready to ensnare her as well. Nekomusume dodged just in time, her agility allowing her to escape the trap. She turned to face the woman with a frown and determination.
"You won't get away with this," Nekomusume declared. "Let them go!"
The woman laughed, a cold, harsh sound that echoed through the place. "You're too late, little human," she sneered. "This is just the beginning."
But before the woman could attack her, Nekomusume grabbed some dirt and threw it to her eyes before running to escape the place. She raced through the tunnels, her heart pounding as the sounds of pursuit echoed behind her. She emerged from the construction site, but she kept running, understanding that this was too much for her to handle alone. Without overthinking, she ran to Harry's home.
Nekomusume arrived at Harry's house and knocked on the door, her hands trembling slightly. When the door opened, it was Sunakake-Babaa who answered, and she looked surprised to see her there, as she should be at school.
"Is Mr Potter here? Something terrible has happened," Nekomusume stated urgently. "Harry and Chinpo have been captured by a woman inside the construction site."
James, who was inside a teacup, stood up right away. Sunakake-Babaa guided her inside.
"I knew that Harry would do something like that," said James, shaking his head. Then turned to Nekomusume, "Please, tell us what happened?"
Nekomusume explained everything she had seen as fast as she could in a desperate attempt for them to act quickly. As she recounted the details, Sunakake-Babaa's expression shifted from annoyance to seriousness.
"We need to find Harry and Chinpo," Nekomusume concluded. "They need our help."
James nodded, his mind already racing with worry. "We don't have time to waste," he said firmly. Sunakake-Babaa stood up and, together with James, followed Nekomusume, who guided them to the construction site.
Once inside the construction site, Nekomusume led the group to the tunnel where she had last seen Harry and Chinpo. The air was thick with tension, the faint echo of voices and movement echoing through the dark passageways.
As they approached the cell where Harry and Chinpo were being held, Nekomusume hesitated for a moment before pressing against the cold, rusty bars. She peered inside, her golden eyes scanning the dimly lit room. To her relief, Harry and Chinpo were still there, though their captors were nowhere to be seen.
"Harry, Chinpo, can you hear me?" she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur.
There was no response. Her heart sank as she realized they might still be unconscious or worse. Without wasting any more time, Nekomusume turned to Sunakake-Babaa and James.
"We need to free them," she stated firmly.
Sunakake-Babaa was about to use the sand around to break the cell when, suddenly, the air around them erupted into chaos. The woman who had captured Harry and Chinpo reappeared, this time accompanied by several others. All of them looked similar, their faces hidden, and each held a net ready to ensnare their prey.
Nekomusume barely had time to react as the woman lunged at her. She dodged, but the others were already upon them.
The group of women, now joined by several men wearing hakama and with similar hoods as the women, hiding their faces, attacked swiftly and ruthlessly. The men moved with a surprising level of coordination, their nets sweeping through the air in a blur of motion. Sunakake-Babaa were forced to dodge and avoid the nets, but the sheer numbers of their attackers were daunting.
Nekomusume moved around the advancing enemies, her movements fluid and precise. She knew she had to buy time to find a way to free Harry and the others before things escalated further.
The battle raged on, the sound of struggling bodies and the metallic clink of nets against bars filling the air. Then, in a flash of golden light, Sunakake-Babaa unleashed her power. The sand around her erupted, swirling into a dense, tornado-like vortex. The attackers, caught off guard by the unexpected assault, were momentarily disoriented.
The attack of Sunakake-Babaa made tore the hoods away, revealing the true nature of their enemies, showing their furry faces with sharp, fox-like features, slit pupils, and pointed ears. The captors, male and female, were fox spirits, their eyes frowning with fury.
The fox spirits, angered by the sudden revelation of their true identities, attacked more viciously. One of the foxes decided to attack the closer enemy, Nekomusume. Using his fox tail, he moves it against the floor, making a strong wind toward her.
Nekomusume's eyes widened as the wind force rushed toward her. She had no time to dodge. The wind hit her with full force, sending her flying across the tunnel and crashing into the other side. Her head hurt, but she still stood up, and only then realized that behind her was a Japanese castle. She didn't think anything of it, as her priority was saving Harry, but the blow angered her, and her features began to change dramatically. Her nails extended into sharp claws, her eyes turned into a piercing yellow with slit pupils, and her mouth stretched into a wide, menacing maw filled with sharp, dagger-like teeth. She let out a feline hiss, her body low to the ground, in a mix of rage and primal instinct.
The fox spirits, seeing this transformation, let out yells of fear and alarm.
Just as the fight seemed to reach its boiling point, a commanding voice echoed through the tunnel. "Stop right there!" The voice was powerful, filled with authority and arrogance that silenced everyone instantly.
The group turned to see a stunning figure emerging from the Japanese castle. She was a beautiful woman with pale skin, her short, almost black hair with hints of brown, and she wore an elegant purple yukata adorned with intricate patterns. Her most striking features, however, were the fox ears and fox tail that rested gracefully on her head and swayed behind her.
The fox spirits immediately knelt down, their fear turning into reverence. "Tenko-sama!" they chorused, their voices filled with awe and respect.
The woman, clearly their leader, raised her hand. "Rise, my children. Take care of the others. I'll fight the hanyō," said the woman with superiority and disdain.
When Nekomusume heard the fox leader refer to her as a 'hanyō,' she flinched visibly, her golden eyes narrowing with a mix of anger and pain. The word was like a slap to her pride. She had always struggled with her dual nature, and to be labeled as a "Half-yōkai" is one of her most painful memories. But she knew she couldn't let her emotions get the best of her. She had to focus on freeing Harry and Chinpo, and that meant standing her ground against their leader, Tenko.
Meanwhile, James stood up from Sunakake-Babaa's hair and tried to end the fight. "Tenko-sama, we don't want to fight. All we want is to free the hostages," he said, his tone respectful. "Please, let's resolve this without any more violence."
Tenko's golden eyes narrowed as she looked down at him. "Shut up, wizard," she said coldly. "I won't tolerate your interference. You and your kind have already caused enough trouble."
Before James could respond, the fox spirits surrounding them lunged forward, their nets and weapons flying through the air. Sunakake-Babaa and James were forced to defend themselves, their movements quick and precise. James was directing Sunakake-Babaa, letting her know when someone was attacking from behind. Sunakake-baba used her sand powers to match the overwhelming numbers of fox spirits. But they couldn't win, as they were only defending themselves.
Meanwhile, Tenko-sama turned her attention to Nekomusume, her golden eyes gleaming with a dangerous intensity. "You dare to dirt my castle with your presence, little hanyō?" she sneered, her voice laced with disdain. "I will not allow you to defile my castle with your presence anymore."
Nekomusume dodged her attack with the grace and agility of a cat. She landed gracefully a few feet away, her golden eyes never leaving Tenko. "You're the one who's defiling your own castle with your arrogance," she countered, her voice firm. "If you truly believe you are superior, then prove it. If you can't defeat me, then your castle is already dirtied."
Tenko's lips curled into a smirk. "You presume too much, hanyō. I will crush you and your human allies and restore honor to my castle."
In an instant, Tenko was already upon Nekomusume, her movements quick and precise. Her fingers flew like a blur, and before Nekomusume could react, she felt a sharp, constricting pain around her. Magical strings, thin and glowing, had wrapped themselves around her, binding her arms and legs.
Nekomusume struggled, her golden eyes wide with a mix of anger and disbelief. "Let me go," she hissed, her voice desperate. But her words were lost as Tenko tightened the grip of the strings, the magic burning into her skin.
Tenko stood above her, her golden eyes gleaming with a cruel satisfaction. "Pathetic," she mocked, her voice dripping with disdain. "You thought you could defeat me? You are nothing more than a weak hanyō, a creature of mixed blood. Your attempts to rise against me are futile." Her laughter echoed through the chamber, cold and harsh.
Nekomusume's chest rose and fell with effort, her body strained under the pressure of the magical restraints. But despite the pain, she refused to back down. With all her strength, she pushed back against the strings, her muscles bulging with effort. Tenko, confident in her power, only tightened her grip further.
The strings dug deeper into Nekomusume's flesh, drawing blood and causing her to cry out in pain.
But Nekomusume did not give up. She focused all her remaining strength, her nails extending slightly, and with a swift, precise motion, she slashed through the magical strings. The sound of the crack of the magical energy filled the air as the strings snapped, releasing Nekomusume from their grip.
Nekomusume wasted no time. With incredible speed, she leaped forward like a predator. Her nails tore through Tenko's delicate kimono, the fabric ripping apart with a forceful tear.
Tenko stumbled back, her expression one of shock and anger. She fumbled to regain her balance. Nekomusume, seizing the opportunity, grabbed her by the tail with a firm grip. With a burst of strength born from desperation, she threw Tenko into the air and tossed her across the place, the force of the throw causing the walls to tremble.
The fox spirits, who were fighting against James and Sunakake-Babaa, stopped moving. They watched in stunned silence as their leader, Tenko-sama, was thrown lying on the ground.
Tenko rose to her feet, her golden eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and humiliation.
The fox spirits, realizing the gravity of the situation, started to move to aid their leader.
Tenko, still seething with anger, turned her attention to her subordinates. "Do not get closer," she barked, her voice cold and authoritative. "I will not tolerate any disgraceful actions. Leave me be."
The fox spirits stopped and bowed their heads. They understood that Tenko's pride was more important than anything.
With her regained composure, Tenko turned back to Nekomusume, her golden eyes narrowing as she looked down at her with a mixture of anger and disdain. "I have lost this match," she declared, but her eyes were still frowning.
Tenko turned to see Nekomusume as if she was not worthy of her presence. "Remember! I did not lose against a human but to you. Leave now."
With that, Tenko turned to her castle. "In respect of my pride, I bid you farewell. Take the humans from the cells and be gone."
The fox spirits, understanding their queen's command, bowed and quickly retreated into the shadows of the construction site, following Tenko back into the castle. The doors of the castle slammed shut behind them, leaving the group in a tense silence.
But before anyone could react, the ground began to shake violently. The earth trembled, the walls of the chamber cracked, and the structure started to collapse around them.
Nekomusume, James, and Sunakake-Babaa exchanged worried glances, their minds focused on the urgency of the situation. They knew they had no time to waste; the collapsing structure could bury them all if they didn't act quickly.
With a nod of understanding, they rushed toward the cells. Once they were able to open the cells, Harry and Chinpo were with them. Nekomusume led the way, her sharp senses guiding them through the labyrinth of tunnels. Meanwhile, Sunakake-Babaa used her sand abilities to help stabilize the structure, buying them a few precious moments.
As they exited the collapsing chamber, they left themselves a breath in the open area. Then, the construction crew leader, who had been held captive in one of the cells, got closer to Nekomusume and Sunakake-Babaa. "Thank you," he said, his voice weak. "You've saved us all."
The construction site was now a ruin; the castle was nowhere to be seen.
Harry, still weak, was sitting next to a wall, his father already on his head. Sunakake-Babaa checked on him and said that he was going to be alright.
/
The days passed, and things began returning to normal. The construction site returned with the activity of work once more. Harry, Nekomusume, James, and Sunakake-Babaa walked through the familiar streets in the weekend afternoon sun. The distant sound of hammers and machinery echoed through the air.
Near the construction site, the crew leader spotted them and waved eagerly. "Wait a moment," James said, from Harry's hair.
The man jogged toward them, his expression filled with gratitude. "I never thought I would see you again." The man then bowed with respect to them, "Thank you again for everything. If it weren't for you, I don't know what would've happened to us."
Sunakake-Babaa crossed her arms. "You're fortunate those fox spirits didn't decide to keep meddling."
The leader nodded solemnly. "I think all that trouble started because of an accident during the move. There was an old shrine with a Shimenawa on it, and it fell out of the box we were transporting. We didn't realize how important it was until everything went wrong."
James rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "That does make sense."
"We've learned our lesson," the leader continued. "We rebuilt the shrine properly and hired someone to ensure it's well-maintained. The place is going to become a museum, you know. And the owner wanted to keep the shrine, too." He gestured proudly toward the new shrine standing elegantly near the site, the fresh Shimenawa gleaming in the afternoon light.
Harry admired the shrine. "It looks really nice," he said softly.
The leader smiled. "We hope it brings peace and good fortune to the museum."
With final words of thanks, the group resumed their walk home, the atmosphere lighter. As they walked side by side, then Harry glanced at Nekomusume.
"Hey, Nekomusume," he began hesitantly. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure," she replied without thinking.
"What does 'hanyō' mean?" he asked, recalling Tenko's words.
Nekomusume's cheerful expression faltered, but James spoke up before she could answer. "It's a word used for someone who has both human and yōkai heritage," he explained gently. "Some people use it in a derogatory way."
Nekomusume looked away while Harry started to ponder about it. "Does that mean that I am a hanyō, too?"
Nekomusume blinked, clearly surprised. "What do you mean?"
"My dad's a pureblood wizard, and my mum was Muggle-born. Back in Britain, that makes me a half-blood. I guess that's just another word to explain the same thing."
Nekomusume stared at him, her golden eyes wide with astonishment. "Really?"
Harry nodded. "They also think that I less because of it... well, it's another reason to think that way," Harry said with an attempt to joke.
"Is that supposed to be funny?" Nekomusume shook her head. "You're really strange, Harry," she said with a lighter tone.
Harry grinned. "Takes one to know one."
Their laughter echoed through the quiet streets as they continued walking.