My Roommate is a Cat (同居人はひざ、時々、頭のうえ。)

The False Accusation Trap

Books are fantastic.

As long as I have books, I don't need anything else.

This is my own world.

A world all my own,

where it's always quiet and I'm free to—

Hey! I brought stew!

Good morning!

I came to see Haru-chan before I head to the office!

It was supposed to be a world all my own...

so why is this happening?!

It's an honor to see you again today!

What a scary face!

You just look mean all the time, huh?

That's not true!

Haru-chan is always adorable!

Good for you, Haru.

Haru-chan is my angel!

By the way...

Have you two been friends for a long time?

Yeah! I'm Subaru's best bud, Yasaka Hiroto!

I've known him for ten years now.

It's more like I'm stuck with him.

That sounds nice.

Oh, I'm Kawase of Koguma Publishing.

Ah, how very polite of you.

By the way, Mikazuki-kun, there's something I feel I should let you know about.

It happened yesterday evening...

Koguma Publishing

I was about to eat a doughnut my colleague had given me when...

Yes! It hit me like a divine revelation!

Haru-chan doesn't have a collar yet!

Huh?

My Roommate is a Cat

For You

Why do I have to go out?

Damn Kawase-san!

She needs to have a collar right now!

It'll help if she happens to get lost!

You don't want someone to mistake her for a stray and take her home!

Or, even worse, to a shelter!

Go buy her a collar, right this instant! Understood?!

R-Right...

He said all that, then went straight to the office!

Also...

Why are you going with me, Hiroto?

I have to go to the station to get back to my place, anyway.

Let's see... It should be around here...

There it is!

That store is...

Welco—

Oh, Subaru-san!

She called you by name?

Good morning! What brings you here today?

H-Haru... needs a collar...

Oh! So your kitty's name is Haru-chan now!

That's very cute!

Aw, thanks for always helping Subaru out!

He's never had a pet before.

Could you teach him all he needs to know?

Yes, of course! Leave it to me!

That's reassuring! Right, Subaru?

No, not at all...

Oh, I'm his best friend of ten years.

He's a little shy, but I hope you'll put up with him.

It makes things more annoying,

but Hiroto is a lifesaver at times like these.

Well, I'll be taking off.

Huh?!

Hey! Why—

I told you, I have to clean up my apartment.

Good luck!

Don't leave me!

Well, right this way.

R-Right...

Cat Collar

Cat Collar

I'd you'd like a cat collar, you can find them here.

Huh...

These days, there are even collars that unfasten when pulled too hard.

That prevents accidental strangulation when the collar gets caught on things.

I see...

You can put your contact information on the back, too.

Huh...

But...

Many cats don't like to wear collars.

The stress of having one forced onto them can make them sick.

They're all cats, but each one is unique.

What matters most is how it feels to Haru-chan.

So please be careful not to overlook that.

This doesn't sound as easy as I had thought...

By the way, is Haru-chan a girl?

Huh? Oh, yeah... I think.

Oh, then you'll want a cute design!

What type... I mean, what color is she?

Uh... black, with a white triangle over her eyes and mouth.

Oh, so she's a tuxedo cat!

I have a tuxie at home, too! He's a boy!

Why is she enjoying this so much?

Excuse me.

I'll be right there!

Excuse me for a moment.

Please go ahead and choose the perfect collar for Haru-chan.

Th-Thanks...

Cat Collar

Cat Collar

Cat Collar

Cat Collar

Does it really matter which one I get?

It's just for the self-gratification of whoever chooses it, anyway.

Oh, look at that! I knew it!

This blue sweater looks lovely!

Mom, you're actually enjoying this...

Well, I knew it would look good on you!

Thank you very much.

Er...

I-I'll take this one.

Oh! That's a very cute choice!

I hope Haru-chan likes it!

Uh... Yeah.

I'll wrap it up for you.

I'll never get used to this.

Do you have a cat, too?

Y-Yes!

S-Someone I don't know is talking to me!

M-Mine isn't as calm as this one...

Huh?

I'm talking like normal...

Well, this one is quite an old man now.

But when he has to visit the vet, it's chaos!

No matter how old they get, there are things they'll always hate.

Is he... sick?

What?

Oh, no! I meant his regular check-ups.

You take yours, too, don't you?

Check-ups?

No, I only recently started keeping mine, so not yet...

What?!

You haven't taken her to vet's office yet?!

Stray cats can carry diseases!

They need to be examined!

You should take her right away!

R-Really?

The animal hospital we're affiliated with is close by.

Health Check Campaign Midori Animal Hospital

I'll refer you.

Do you have a carrier?

You'll need one for vet visits.

For average cats, I recommend one like this.

I'll put the collar right in here for you.

Thank you very much!

Th-Thanks for everything...

Midori Animal Hospital

Mikazuki-san, we're ready for Mikazuki Haru-chan.

Well, now! This says she was a stray until recently,

but she's quite a plump one!

R-Right...

D-Doctor, this is a first exam.

Let's see, now...

Just hold her still, and I'll have a look.

She's certainly energetic!

Looks like she's getting proper nutrition.

Um... Doctor, is she... too fat?

No, she's still okay right now.

I'd just say she's a bit pudgy.

You can't help wanting to give snacks to a cutie like this, right?

Huh? W-Well...

Obesity is dangerous because it puts stress on the heart and respiratory system.

It can be fatal, so just be careful.

Fatal?!

But...

To be honest, I'm more worried about you!

You're skin and bones!

You'd better eat well, or you'll keel over!

P-Please don't be rude, Doctor!

Why am I the one being examined in an animal hospital?!

Also, I've never given her any snacks!

Yeah, he got too fat.

You know, he was a stray...

I guess he still has that feeling of urgency.

He eats all of his food at once.

All at once...