Side Story - Black Cat Ayaka

RAW

Author's Notes:

Note: This story is unrelated to the main storyline.

This is a story inspired by the Halloween costume drawn by the talented Urua-sensei, who is in charge of the manga adaptation. It’s just for fun, and has no connection to the main plot.

Please be sure to check out Urua-sensei’s depiction of Black Cat Ayaka on X before reading!

(Although Halloween has already passed, I hope you’ll forgive me for that!)

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Haruto was diligently studying in Ryota’s room, as was his habit before bed. He was focused on his reference book, pen in hand, when suddenly he heard a soft "puff puff" sound.

It sounded almost like a soft cushion bumping against the wall, and Haruto paused his studies, turning his head toward the source of the sound.

The sound came again, "puff puff."

"...Could it be a knock?" Haruto wondered.

He guessed it was a knock and turned his body toward the door.

"...Come in," he called toward the door.

After a few seconds, the door slowly creaked open. Then, Ayaka’s figure appeared on the other side.

Upon seeing her, Haruto’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Ayaka entered the room, dressed in a black-themed outfit, with cute cat ears perched atop her head. Additionally, there was a tail sticking out from her waist.

"Ayaka? What’s going on...??"

"Haruto... trick or treat!"

"Eh? Ah, right, today’s Halloween," Haruto finally realized after hearing her words.

Today was October 31st — Halloween.

Nodding in understanding, Haruto noticed Ayaka smiled softly, with a slight blush.

"If you don’t give me candy, I’ll play a prank on you!"

Ayaka, dressed as a charming black cat, raised her paw-like hands with the cushions attached, and playfully threatened Haruto.

The "puff puff" sound earlier was likely the result of her knocking with the cushion-pawed hands.

As Haruto thought this, Ayaka moved closer and gave a small "meow~" sound.

"Haruto, if you don’t give me candy, I really will play a prank on you."

"Oh, candy, right. Candy..." Haruto mumbled as he glanced at his desk.

Completely forgetting it was Halloween, Haruto had not prepared any candy.

"Uhm, would this work?" Haruto asked, forcing a smile.

In his hand, he held a single piece of gum. However, it was not a sweet, fruity gum, but a spicy, wake-up gum.

Ayaka stared at the gum Haruto offered, and then smiled brightly.

"That’s not going to work."

"I figured as much."

"Does that mean there’s no candy?"

"Yes. None."

Haruto admitted honestly, and Ayaka grinned, clearly satisfied.

"Then, it’s decided. I’ll prank you."

"Really? What kind of prank?"

"Hehe, I’m going to interrupt your studying."

With that, Ayaka sat down on Haruto’s lap, facing him. She began playfully swatting at him with the cushion-padded paws, making cute "nyan-nyan" sounds.

Haruto couldn’t help but melt at the sight of Ayaka’s adorableness.

"By the way, do you know why people dress up for Halloween?" Haruto asked.

Ayaka, who had been playfully interacting with him, tilted her head in confusion.

"No, I don’t. Can you tell me?"

Haruto gently hugged her and began explaining.

"Halloween originally comes from an ancient Celtic festival. The Celts believed that on October 31st, the door to the world of the dead opened, and the spirits of ancestors would come to visit. It’s kind of like Japan’s Obon festival."

"Wow, I didn’t know that," Ayaka said, nodding thoughtfully.

Trying to resist the urge to reach out and touch the cat ears swaying on her head, Haruto continued.

"However, they also believed that evil spirits and demons would come through the door with their ancestors. So, the Celts would dress up like those evil spirits and demons to avoid being targeted by them. That’s where Halloween costumes come from."

"I see. So, that's why there are so many witches and ghosts as costumes," Ayaka said.

"Exactly. Halloween costumes are basically a form of camouflage," Haruto replied.

After saying that, he tightened his embrace around Ayaka, pulling her a bit closer.

"...Haruto?"

"Which means, if you’re dressed like this, your camouflage might be too cute and might attract the bad spirits instead," Haruto whispered mischievously into Ayaka's ear.

Ayaka shivered slightly and then looked up at him with slightly misty eyes.

"...Haruto, are you a bad spirit? Are you going to attack me?"

Ayaka’s response, with its alluring undertone, made Haruto’s heartbeat quicken.

"...If you keep being so mischievous, I might just attack you," he replied.

"I see..." Ayaka murmured, looking down as if to herself.

Then, she resumed her mischievous antics.

"Take this! Cat punch!"

Ayaka, like a real cat seeking attention, leaned against Haruto and continued to playfully swat at him with her paws.

Haruto, struggling to resist her cuteness, wondered if he should really carry out his playful threat after all.

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Thanks to gelden868 for finding the drawing here