Should she become Sol's dog?

Nekomata pondered the thought.

Yes, according to Sol, she was already almost like a dog.

Obedient, understanding, helping her master by doing backflips to draw attention.

But she was a cat!

Still, this request wasn't too excessive. At least he hadn't asked for her body, nor had any of those movie-like scenarios happened.

From that point of view, Sol still had some sense of boundaries.

But the truth was—though Sol had given her a choice, there was really only one path she could take.

As long as those photos were in his hands, she'd never sleep easy.

Sol might seem upright today, but tomorrow? Who could say.

Life wasn't easy, and Nekomata sighed.

Now the cat was under someone else's roof—she had no choice but to bow her head.

Nekomata let out another sigh and said solemnly, "Since that's the case, I only have one choice."

She stared at Sol, speaking earnestly. "I will swear loyalty to you!"

Sorry, Boss Nicole. From today on, I'll be walking the road of betrayal, putting a green hat on you with my own hands.

One after another, day after day—it was always the same.

"Good. That's the obedient kitty I know."

Sol stroked her head and smiled in satisfaction.

Though letting Nekomata continue as a spy for others would've made things more challenging—and perhaps more rewarding—

It was far easier to win her over. No need to make things harder for himself.

Baal, watching from the side, could only shake his head. Sol's power was growing again. He wondered when he'd finally see this scoundrel get what he deserved.

At that moment, Nekomata looked up cautiously and asked, "Sol, didn't Boss Nicole keep you at her place tonight?"

She clearly remembered Nicole had promised that Sol wouldn't be coming back tonight.

Yet here he was in the middle of the night, setting up such a cunning trap for her.

"She did," Sol said with a smug grin, straightening his back. "But she couldn't keep me. She's probably asleep by now—completely exhausted."

"..."

Nekomata nodded silently, feeling oddly touched.

She hadn't expected Boss Nicole to be so exhausted for her sake.

But alas, evil triumphed over good—Nicole wasn't Sol's match. And now, she herself had become Sol's accomplice, adding another brick to Nicole's green-hat empire. Truly pitiful.

Her thoughts drifted to those photos again. If not for that strangely delicious thing, she wouldn't have fallen into Sol's hands at all.

Nekomata looked at him with curious, flickering eyes. "Sol, what exactly was that thing you gave me earlier?"

She was extremely curious—what kind of food could have such a powerful allure for a Cat Thiren like her?

She should've been asleep in her own room, yet the smell had lured her to Sol's door, half-dazed.

Then came the photo incident, followed by video blackmail.

Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.

Still, it had been so delicious. After just a bite, she couldn't forget it—and even felt her body grow slightly stronger.

She had to know—what was that amazing thing?

"[Super Cat Treat]," Sol replied casually, taking out the same item from his system storage.

It was still a thirty-centimeter-long stick; the fragment she'd eaten earlier barely counted as a scratch.

At that dosage, this one stick could last Nekomata an entire year.

"Super Cat Treat~~ meow!"

The moment it appeared, Nekomata felt the air itself turn sweet. Her eyes widened, sparkling with desire.

The rich aroma was like an invisible hand teasing her nose.

Had she not regained her senses, she might've leapt forward and sunk her teeth right into it.

"Here. As a reward for joining me, you can have another bite."

Sol broke off a small piece, keeping the rest stored away.

"Meow, then I won't hold back!"

Nekomata carefully took the fragment and began licking it with delight.

"Good girl, take your time. Don't rush," Sol said softly, patting her head. "Work with me from now on, and you'll get plenty of rewards."

"..."

Nekomata froze mid-lick, her body trembling slightly.

The [Super Cat Treat] was delicious—but it was a treat earned through betrayal. Boss Nicole, I'm sorry.

Two small tears slid down from the corners of her mouth.

I'm sorry, Boss Nicole. I'll eat more. I can't let your sacrifice go to waste.

Before long, the [Super Cat Treat] was gone, yet Nekomata didn't leave.

Under Sol's persistent invitation, she reluctantly stayed behind—serving as his second pillow alongside Baal.

One in each arm: Baal soft and cool, the cat warm and snug. Sol slept quite soundly.

Nothing happened—he just held them.

Nekomata's tears soaked her fur. How foolish I am…

She'd actually believed Sol wouldn't make a move on her.

Today she was a pillow. Tomorrow? Who knew.

Morning came.

Sol awoke under the sunlight.

Beneath his blanket, Nekomata was curled into a tiny ball, purring softly—adorably peaceful.

"Wake up. It's getting late—you need to get up and make breakfast."

Sol gave her small butt a pat.

"Let meow sleep a little longer~"

Nekomata murmured dreamily.

She was so comfortable—as if she'd returned to her mother's arms. She didn't want to wake up.

Sol looked at her sleepy face, his heart softening. "Alright, sleep a bit more. But once I'm done washing up, no more napping."

Indeed, cats were cutest when asleep. Even Nekomata, who was normally so sly, looked like a newborn kitten.

Even if she weren't his informant, she'd make a great pillow.

With a sigh of admiration, Sol got up to wash his face and brush his teeth.

The sound of running water filled the room.

Still wanting to sleep longer, Nekomata's awareness slowly returned with the sound.

When it faded, she opened her eyes to see Sol looking a little displeased.

"Stop sleeping. If Nicole comes to check the rooms and sees you here, you'll be promoted straight to mistress."

Sol tapped her head impatiently.

He had just finished washing up and pulled a card—only a plain white "Ring-Handled Blade."

Apparently, the legend of the lucky cat didn't hold up—or maybe Nekomata just wasn't that kind of cat.

"Meow!"

Now fully awake, Nekomata jolted upright.

Just hearing Sol mention Nicole made her fur stand on end.

Even if nothing had happened between them, Nicole wouldn't believe it if she saw them sharing a bed.

Nekomata jumped down in a panic and ran to her own room to change.

A few minutes later—

Sol, Nekomata, and Baal headed next door to the Cunning Hares' hideout.

Nicole, despite her exhaustion from last night, was already sitting on the couch waiting for them.

The moment she saw Nekomata safe and even refreshed, she felt a pang of guilt.

She had promised Nekomata that she'd keep Sol for the night.

But Sol had been too much for her to handle.

At least Nekomata looked fine—bright-eyed and unharmed.

Nicole smiled warmly and asked, "Nekomata, did you sleep well last night?"

"Ah-haha… y-yeah, I guess!"

Nekomata's gaze darted aside, awkward and flustered.

Though much had happened, the ever-alert Thiren cat had still managed to sleep soundly.

But now, facing Sol's official girlfriend right after waking up beside him—she was itching all over with guilt.

Yesterday, she'd been the one helping catch cheaters. Today, she was the one caught.

Life was truly unpredictable.

Nicole, oblivious, patted her shoulder gently. "That's good. I told you Sol wouldn't do anything to you."

"Yeah, Sol didn't do anything."

Nekomata stole a glance at Sol and forced a smile.

Aside from taking those incriminating photos, feeding her a [Super Cat Treat], sleeping in the same bed, and accepting her as his dog…

None of that really counted as something, right?