Chapter 16 – A Modest Party

____________________「Fufu, evening came so quickly, huh~」

「Nya~o…」

The main street of the commercial district glowed orange, and Aria was walking along the bustling road with Tama resting atop her breast. Due to adventurers bringing in a higher quantity of materials, Aria had plenty of time to assault Tama’s belly and paws with her relentless tickling.

「For dinner… I don’t think we’ll go to a restaurant. There’ll probably just be more men trying to hit on me. Let’s just buy something and go back. Since elemental cats are omnivores, it’ll be fine if I get you a portion too, right Tama?」

「Nyan!」

Even as exhausted as he was, Tama perked up at the proposal. Ever since he reincarnated he worried about whether or not he’d have the chance to eat human food again.

「O~i, Aria! How about a meat skewer? Fresh off the grill!」

「No no, I recommend trying one of my spare ribs! If it’s for you, Aria, I can throw in a freebie. Sounds good, eh?」

Browsing as she went along, street vendors all vied for her attention when she passed. Some were even ignoring customers right in front of them… Just goes to show how popular Aria was.

「Uwaa~ They look delicious. Alright, please get me five meat skewers and two spare ribs.」

「Sure thing~」

「Come by anytime!」

The vendors happily stuffed their bags with Aria’s order. In fact, they gave her more than double what she ordered, literally stuffing the bags and leaving Tama to wonder just how desperate these men were.

「So much… Thanks as always!」

「Whaaat, don’t worry about it.」

「Yeah yeah, Aria’s one of our regulars. By the by… That’s an adorable kitten tagging along today, ain’t it?」

Enjoying Aria’s smiling gratitude with sloppy grins of their own, one of them brought up the topic of Tama. He was looking in the cat’s direction, but it was clear his eyes were set on the pillows upon which he rested.

Trash, want me to make you feel like the last guy who tried something?

But just before he could finalize his plan and take the leap, Aria stirred.

「This isn’t good. I can’t hug Tama with both my hands occupied… Ah, I got it! Tama, please be a good boy until we’re back home, okay?」

Briefly freeing up one of her hands, Aria lifted Tama and—

Pop!

She stowed Tama away somewhere safe.

Uh… Whuh…?!

Both the men and Tama were shaking.

It was a valley—no, a crevasse. With the exception of his head, Tama’s entire body was comfortably snug between Aria’s breasts. He could do nothing but shiver, eventually calming down and surrendering to his cozy cage, and overwhelmed by the sight themselves the street vendors gulped loudly without another word.

「Well then, it’s about time to excuse myself, isn’t it?」

Curious about their faces but not willing to ask, Aria placed a few coins on the vendors’ stalls and took her leave.

「Hey, skewers…」

「What up, spare ribs?」

「I… I wish I was born as a cat…」

「Me too…」

◆

Ah~ that was heaven on earth…

After getting back to the inn, Tama regained consciousness when he was finally released from Aria’s inescapable cleavage. Her chest’s pillowy softness yet bouncy elasticity rubbed and teased every inch of his body whenever Aria took a step. On top of that, she hadn’t yet washed off the sweat of her trip to the dungeon, strengthening her natural scent and bringing Tama to total submission.

「Tama, come here. Let’s eat together.」

「Nya~n!」

Setting up the table in the room, Aria laid out the meat she bought in town. When the smell hit Tama’s nose his stomach rumbled hungrily, and he leaped onto the tabletop in a single bound.

Aria presented one of the meat skewers with an “ah~”, and Tama didn’t hesitate to chomp and chow down. Milk was the only thing he’d had all day.

The charcoal-grilled meat covered his tongue, and its savory juices rolled down his chin.

I can’t get enough of this!

So deeply moved by his first real food since he was born, Tama inhaled the meat like it was going out of style.

「Fufu, such a big appetite… Eat lots so you can grow big quick for me, okay…?」

Aria was looking at Tama with lustful eyes not unlike those of the men who looked at her, but the kitten was too absorbed in his meat to notice.

「Saving me in the dungeon, finding out you’re an elemental cat… Today was a great day. So, I think it’s fine to celebrate today with a drink, don’t you?」

While Tama was tearing into a spare rib, Aria left him alone for a moment to retrieve a bottle from the corner of the room. Seemed to be a fruit wine, judging by the label.

On that note, the age of majority in this country was 14 for men and 12 for women. Aria was probably somewhere around 15 or 16, so naturally she was of age to drink alcohol.

Hm, Master, a young lady like you shouldn’t be drinking alone… Actually, no, it’s probably better for her to be getting drunk in the safety of her room than outside where some weird men could take advantage of her.

Tama worried about how she could end up getting herself in trouble as he watched droplets of wine escape his master’s lips and smoothly roll down along her bounteous breasts.