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Word spreads fast around the Defense Force just like how rumors spread in schools. Of course, the source of this information came from a certain loose lipped man but still, it’s not like the info was top secret. It was genuinely a good thing for Kafka to tell his friends in the Third Division about what happened to Narumi. Since it wasn’t even two days after Narumi turned back did another incident strike.
Ashiro had found it incredibly worrying that Hoshina was blatantly ignoring her texts. All of them were read but not a single one was responded to. So she did the only logical thing and went to check up on her friend.
The grown woman squealed in excitement upon being met with a cat-like Hoshina perched up on his work desk.
As much as she’d like to pet, play, and cuddle with him, she knows this must be brought to everyone’s attention. Since many members are off at different divisions, it was said through an online video call. It was quick and simple, she explained the situation and now begrudgingly, she couldn't care for the cutie since she had three mountains of paper work.
And what did Iharu’s smartass do? Of course nominate his father figure for the role of cat caretaker!
Once again, Kafka finds himself in another strange situation. He finds himself in Akari’s shared room with Hakua as a cat version of Hoshina plays around the room chasing small toy mice. At least Hoshina is active unlike Narumi. Kafka isn’t alone in this journey though, since he can’t really leave the First Division alone still, his pretty much daughter is with him.
Kikoru and Akari sit together on the floor, having Hoshi-cat chase a mouse on a stick which he seems to enjoy very much. “A whole lot more fun than that moron as a cat.” Kikoru cheekily grins to herself.
“Captain Narumi as a cat was totally cute!” Akari talks high pitched out of excitement, “I wish I could’ve pat him.”
“He was mean as hell, wouldn’t want him hurting you.” The blonde huffs in distaste for her moronic master. “Besides, he only liked him anyway.” She nudged her head towards Kafka as she spoke.
“It was shocking to say the least.” Kafka shrugs, watching as Hoshina does a literal backflip in the air before landing. “At least Hoshina isn’t all over me like Captain Narumi was.” He lets out a sheepish laugh, trying not to think about what happened after the captain turned back. Not that he didn’t enjoy it, it’s the fact he enjoyed it too much.
“Meow”
The man looks down at his feet and there now sits Hoshi-cat staring at him. When did he stop playing and get right there? “Hm? What’s wrong, buddy?” Kafka smiles, bending down a bit to pat the kitty on the head.
The cat leans into the touch before jumping up onto the man’s lap. If Kafka had to guess, he’d say Hoshi-cat seemed jealous at the mention of Captain Narumi. No way though… right?
“Pft- spoke too soon.” Kikoru teases with a shrug of her shoulders.
“Oh boy.” The man-kaiju keeps his eyes on the cat now in his arms as it kneads his legs like dough. The kitty does nothing but purr, but Kafka can see it since it’s broad daylight. This cat is glaring at him.
Now that he thinks about it and recalls what Narumi was telling him, Narumi recalled being a cat, able to tell certain things that had happened. Narumi remembered walking down the halls at Kafka’s side to go eat with Kikoru. Of course, Narumi didn’t do anything but sleep so there wasn't much for him to actually remember per se. But that’s the thing, he still remembered things.
Is Hoshina aware? It’s such a rare and weird phenomenon that Kafka would assume this was some kind of movie plot, but he writes it off to not think about, that stuff can stay for the lab team doing the tests. He also writes off the indication that Narumi, an aware Narumi in a cat body, chose Kafka.
Akari and Kikoru watch in awe as Hoshina circles twice in Kafka’s lap before deciding to jump onto the man’s shoulders and laying there. Tail dangling, and flipping around, on one side as his head rests on the other. “Comfortable?” Kafka snickers, scratching the vice-cat’s chin with his index finger.
“That’s so cute! Can I take a pic?” Akari practically has stars in her eyes as she speaks, already having her phone in hand.
“Go right ahead!”
One can only be cooped up in a room for so long. Being at the Third Division until Hoshina turns back means Kafka actually gets a bit of freedom so he takes his chance to walk around without that paranoid feeling of being watched. Obviously he has a buddy with him though, the vice-cat rests on his shoulders looking all around just as amused as Kafka.
This cat seems to like to ragebait him though, very Hoshina like in his opinion. Hoshi-cat flips his tail straight into Kafka’s eyes at the most random times, it hurts, burns, and stings. But how could he get mad at the adorable vice-captain on his shoulders? Just like what every cat owner will say, you gotta put up with the pain.
Kafka has come to the full conclusion that Hoshina is aware however. It’s very and painfully obvious. He may have never owned a cat before, but Mina had so many strays around her when they were kids he at least knows enough. So he knows damn well that cats barely ever respond to their names being called.
Not only that, but Hoshi-cat seems to not even be hiding it, from Kafka at least. Around others? Nearly fully cat-like. Kafka? It’s like the kitty gains a human brain as soon as they’re alone. Which of course, if Kafka’s theory truly is correct, then technically this cat does have a human brain.
But gosh is thinking about all these possibilities killing the man’s mental.
“Meow, meowww”
“Hm?” Kafka snaps out of his mind, “What’s wrong?” He gazes at the cat, seeing if Hoshina sees something. All the cat does is stare at him, glaring. He’d be a bit saddened at an animal looking like it hated him if he couldn’t see Hoshina’s blown pupils, those big reddish-purple eyes that the vice-captain has in human form do nothing but see through him.
The man-kaiju shakes his head with amusement, changing course to head for the track instead of the benches. “You act like you can read my mind.” Kafka snorts, “Can you tell I’m overthinking?”
“Meow!”
“Sheesh, watch the ears! I have good hearin’ ya know!!” He retaliates, booping the cat's nose. “I wonder how it happened though. Captain Narumi said he was asleep when he transformed. But you were awake, weren’t you?”
Hoshi-cat nods, rubbing his head against Kafka’s chin as some kind of reward.
“Once you turn back, you can hopefully give us some answers then.” Kafka sighs, “It’d be bad if more people got turned into animals randomly.” If that were to happen, it’d only be a matter of time until No. 9 found that out and weaponized it. It’s much easier to kill an animal than a soldier.
Kafka begins jogging around the track once he reaches it, sure it’s his day off because of this ordeal, but he’s gotten too used to pushing himself to his limits so he might as well get some steps in. Hoshina grips his claws into Kafka’s clothing, ensuring he stays right there on the man’s shoulders.
“Oh man, I'm hungry after that.” Kafka chuckles to himself, wiping away the sweat on his brow with the back of his hand.
“Meow meowww” Hoshina seems to agree.
“I thought about getting curry but since you’re a cat, I’ll get whatever has chicken on the menu.” The man smiles, giving the kitty chin scratches. Hoshi-cat still resides on Kafka’s shoulders, effectively claiming them as his home.
“Oh, Mr. Hibino!” Akari waves from down the hall, “Heading to get food?”
“Yup! You?”
“Yeah! Kikorun is already there~” Akari smiles, stepping to walk beside the man. One habit he’s noticed the three girls do specifically is they always walk right by his side, Akari, Kikoru and even Hakua make sure they’re right next to Kafka instead of walking in front or behind him. Kafka honestly finds it quite endearing.
With a grin, Kafka pats the girl on the shoulder, “Guess we should hurry then.”
“Absolutely! We better get there before Hakua does!” She laughs out loud thinking about her blue haired friend’s food hogging. Kafka joins her in the laughing as the two speed their walking, best to get there fast just in case!
Upon reaching the Third’s cafeteria they both get their food, and grab some unflavored chicken for Hoshi-cat, before taking seats next to Kikoru. “About time you both got here, sheesh.” The blonde speaks with her typical sass.
“Ah, sorry…!” Akari apologetically clasps her hands together.
“Eh! Don’t be so formal! It’s fine! I was just… joking…”
Kafka raises a brow at the blonde’s now flustered face. It seems Hoshina also noticed, if he had a human face he’d probably be smirking with his normal mischievous behavior.
“Ugh! Just dig in.” Kikoru huffs, stuffing her face in a hurry but also in a lady-like way. Gotta keep her good image after all. Akari and Kafka smile at that, digging in right away. Every now and then the man would pick off a piece of chicken to feed his shoulder companion, frankly, Hoshi-cat enjoyed the meal quite a bit.
After a bit of time Hakua finally showed up and joined them, and even more surprisingly, Mina joined them too! The woman had grabbed her meal and sat down right next to Kafka, whether or not it was due to the cat she wanted to pet or because of her best friend remains unknown to all.
“We’ll likely have to interrogate Hoshina, unfortunately.” Mina says before taking a bite of her food. “You’ll have to forgive me.” The kitty meows lightly as if already accepting the apology. Mina wants to squeal so badly at that, a cat actually responding? That’s so damn cute! But she’s a captain, she can’t be seen to be a “loser” like that… creature… in the First.
“I will say, I’m genuinely curious how it happened.” Kikoru leans an elbow on the table, propping her head on her hand. “Happening twice to two different people? It’s so random and weird.”
“Maybe there’s a connecting variable?” Hakua suggests. “We better think out of the box for this one!”
“Hm.” Mina stares at Hoshi-cat, deep in thought. “Kafka, you played all sorts of games growing up. Did any of a plot similar?”
The three girls raise a brow at the fact the Captain Ashiro just called Kafka by his first name. She’s never done that before, she may have nearly slipped, sure, but actually saying it?
“Uhhh, let me think.” Kafka is next to enter deep thought, he has played a ton of games over the years let alone read all sorts of fantasy books while in school. Surely one of them has some kind of plot point they can look into. “Usually it’s like a witch, a weird cursed drink or food, sometimes a spell or an effect from a monster.”
At that, Hakua snickers, “Well if he hasn’t come into contact with my sister, then we can rule the witch part out!” She bellies out a laugh. Akari and Kikoru snorts out matching chuckles at their friend’s words.
Mina blinks at her, wondering if she should laugh at that or not since she’s decently friendly with the Second Division Captain. “Well if it’s not that…” She calms herself, “Maybe he ate something? Drank something?”
They all look towards Hoshi-cat for any kind of sign. The kitty only purrs as he rubs his head against Kafka’s stubble, seemingly completely ignoring them.
“Maybe he isn’t as conscious as we thought…?” Kikoru half glares at the vice-captain, most of her wants to believe that he’s fully conscious but then again she isn’t one hundred percent sure.
Kafka wants to say something, but then again if Hoshina is being silent then there has to be a reason. “We should likely just wait until he turns back. Has an investigation been done of his office?” He asks his best friend next to him.
The woman gives a curt and confident nod, “Yes. The items that seemed to be out of place, and or near him when he was found, are all being investigated in the lab to see if anything is out of the ordinary.” She speaks as elegantly and proper as she always does.
“Guess it really is the waiting game.” Akari frowns out of worry.
Kikoru grows silent, just a few days ago when this happened to his moron of a master, she walked into Kafka’s room to see said moron in her father figure’s bed. She can only hope that doesn’t happen again, because lord does she not want to witness something else like that.
With dinner over, Kafka, paired with Hoshi-cat, follows the girls back to Akari and Hakua’s room since they have nowhere else to reside. Kikoru had gone with Mina in order to help figure out this cat transformation, if they can even figure it out. So now Kafka gets to hang with these two girls and a cat! Man he sure has been around a lot of women today.
As the man sits on the floor, giving the girls the lower bunk bed, he watches as Hoshina goes back and forth on the girls’ lap, seemingly unable to choose one to stay with. In the end, after gaining the attention of the girls for a bit, he jumps down and goes right back to Kafka.
“He really likes ya!” Hakua grins proudly, “Both him in human form and cat form chooses ya to be around!!”
“Ah! Hakua!! Don’t say such things!” Akari waves her hands frantically, “We mustn't speculate about our Vice-Captain…”
The kitty side eyes them curiously as he gets settled on Kafka’s lap. Of course, said man notices that look, a very human-like look that the girls don’t realize. He smirks, “The Vice-Captain likes me that much? Heh.”
“Most definitely.” Hakua nods to Akari’s dismay. “I think he misses ya a lot! He brings you up more than we do.”
Kafka watches as Hoshina digs his claws into the man’s clothing, it’s not deep enough to scratch him but it’s enough for Kafka to feel the claws slightly. The kitty is tense as hell, yet he doesn’t stop purring from Kafka’s touches.
For some reason, he feels a bit evil. “Seriously?” He raises a brow, “Sucks I can’t come see you guys, honestly. Narumi is always keeping me busy.”
The purring stops, those glaring eyes go straight to Kafka as the cat's nails dig into skin. If that isn’t jealousy, then Kafka doesn’t know what is.
“I bet! The First seems so busy. I know it’s hard for Kikorun to message me back sometimes.” The black haired girl gives a sheepish smile. “Guess we have our cat vice-captain to thank for us being able to see you two!” She giggles followed by Hakua’s laughter.
“Guess so!” Kafka grins down at the cat that full on stares at him. Honestly, if he didn’t know this was his friend turned into a cat, he’d be damn well freaked the hell out having an animal look at him like this. He winces a bit as Hoshina retracts his claws, the small pain of feeling the knifes exit is worse than feeling them enter.
“Right!” Hakua shoots up, “I forgot to bathe before bed. I’ll cya!”
Akari’s eyes shoot open, “Shit! I forgot too! Damn… I got so distracted by the kitty…”
Kafka waves the two off, now it’s just him and Hoshina.
“You mad?”
The cat ignores him, choosing to groom himself to pay attention to the man he sits on.
“I thought Captain Narumi was the jealous one out of the two of you?” Kafka can’t help but say with a laugh. Guess that pissed Hoshina off since the cat decides to leave him. “Aww! C’mon! Don’t leave nowwww.”
The man leans back on the wall, head lightly hitting it while he stares at the ceiling. “Here we are meant to be training to deal with No. 9.” He snorts at the absurdity, “And you two get turned into cats. This is so weird, what the hell?” He closes his eyes, basking in this random ass situation life has given him.
Suddenly, he feels heavy weight sit on him, well, straddle him. Kafka instantly jerked up with widened eyes.
“It is weird, huh?”
“EH?” Kafka goes to jump back, but at last, the wall, and now Hoshina who is very much human again, traps him. “You’re already human again?”
The younger man grins all cat-like, planting his hands on either side of Kafka’s head. He was already trapped, but now he can’t even look away! “We’re you seriously makin’ me jealous on purpose?”
He’s truly fucked himself over hasn’t he? He was just trying to poke some fun at the guy who teases him 24/7!! “Vice-Captain Hoshina uhh… Sorry…”
The younger of the two leans in slightly, noses merely inches from touching. “What Igarashi said wasn’t entirely a lie. I do miss ya a lot.”
It feels suffocating, all of the tension pooling in between them.
“But you don’t see me in the way I see you, do you?”
Kafka’s lips part to respond, but before he even gets the chance to think of what to say Hoshina gets up. He stands in front of the older man, reaching a hand out to help him up.
“Well, about time for you and Shinomiya to get back, yeah?”
Hoshina’s smiling. But Kafka can tell it’s fake.
Nothing was found. There was no certain reason, no variable that Hoshina or Narumi had in common. No kind of food, drink, or even some sort of drug was found. Hoshina testified that he was just sitting there on his phone about to respond to Ashiro, and then the next moment he was a cat. He claimed he couldn’t recall being a cat other than a few small details.
But Kafka knows that’s a lie. Call him oblivious or stupid, but he can’t wrap his head around Hoshina’s actions. It was random and kind of concerning. If he had to guess, he’d say the younger man fancied him. Seriously? No way someone like Hoshina would like him like that, Kafka may be a bit dumb when it comes to stuff like that but he’s not about to lie to himself.
The more and more he thinks about this week's events, he can’t get the absurdity out of his mind. First Narumi, then Hoshina. Both known for being the hottest in the entire Defense Force, let alone the strongest. What could possibly be the reason for them both to separately choose him out of everyone else?
Narumi seemed to like him in a way a teenager would have a crush, an inexperienced way of showing affection and gaining attention. Hoshina seemed to fancy the man for who knows why, merely getting jealous over him mentioning another man’s name.
Why Kafka of all people? He knows he’s average at best, sure he’s pretty damn book smart and knows decent street smarts but that’s truly as far as his “intelligence” goes besides his knowledge about kaiju and the Force. Too many questions with zero answers.
All Kafka truly knows is that apparently he has two guys that like him. One he got to cuddle with, the other left claw marks on his clothes.