Today's Fortune Cat

*Splash. Splash.* Rain poured from a hole in the sky. Standing under the eaves of the convenience store, I stared blankly into the void. "Hah... My life is leaking just like this rain." My name is Haru Seo. A 5-year veteran assistant manager in the marketing team. Today, my duties included watering the CEO's plants, picking out the Department Head's lunch menu, and patching up the youngest team member's mental breakdown. Meanwhile, my own mental state was as soggy as wet newspaper. "I want to go home..." I opened a taxi app, but all I saw was 'No vehicles available'. That's when it happened. "Myaaa-" A faint cry cut through the sound of the rain. It came from the recycling area. Normally, I would have walked past, but perhaps because it sounded as pathetic as my own situation... I ran into the rain. "Oh my..." Curled up behind a ramen box wasn't a fist-sized kitten. "...A chonk?" A massive calico cat was loafing there, soaked to the bone. Bloated like over-proofed dough, the creature yawned widely even as it saw me. "What's with you? What are you doing here?" "Meow." [Human, you have arrived.] ...I think I just heard something crazy. I crouched down to look at it. "Do you have nowhere to go either?" Instead of answering, the cat placed a front paw on my wet sneaker. Hefty. Is it big-boned or just fat? It was pitiful to see it shivering in the cold rain. "Haa... I must be crazy." I took off my cardigan and wrapped it around the cat. It allowed me to hold it quietly. It was heavy and warm. That warmth was oddly comforting. * * * By the time we got home, we were both like drowned rats. My cramped studio apartment felt packed with just this one giant cat. As I dried its fur with a towel, it suddenly stared intently at my phone. "Why? Is there something interesting..." *Tap.* The cat hit my phone with its front paw. The screen lit up, the store app launched, and something downloaded in an instant. [Destiny Pioneering System - Installing 'Today's Fortune Cat'...] [Installation Complete.] "W-What? A virus?" The touch screen was unresponsive. An illustration that looked exactly like the chubby cat in front of me appeared on the screen. *Buzz- Buzz-* [Welcome, Butler No. 1.] [Pay the fortune fee to check your first fortune.] "Fortune fee...?" At that moment, the cat on my lap cried out, "Nyaang!" The screen changed. [Today's Fortune: Running low on Churu.] "...Excuse me?" [Interpretation: If you do not buy 'Tuna Flavor Churu' from the convenience store right now, I will draw a map on your duvet tonight.] Don't tell me... did he send this? The cat was looking down at me arrogantly from my pillow. A look that said, 'Why aren't you running yet, Human?' "Hey... did you do this?" "Myaa~" The cat swished its tail. The vibration went off again. [Warning: Time limit 10 minutes. Hurry up or enjoy doing laundry.] "Crazy!!" I grabbed my wallet and dashed out again. The rain was still pouring, but I had to protect my precious microfiber duvet. As I sprinted toward the convenience store, I had a thought. It felt like a very strange and heavy lump had attached itself to my life. [Fortune Update: Caution - Falling hazard while running.] The moment I checked the notification, I slipped. "Uwaaak!" *Splat.* I sprawled out spread-eagled on the asphalt. Embarrassment and pain washed over me simultaneously. When I lifted my head, I saw a pair of polished brown Chelsea boots. A handsome man holding an umbrella was looking down at me. "Are you okay?" My god. Even his voice is good. But there's no time to admire him. I jumped up and shouted. "I-I'm fine! Churu! I have to buy Churu!" Without hearing the handsome man's reply, I dashed for the convenience store again. I heard him say something from behind, but only one thing mattered right now. Not offending Myoreusin*. *(TN: Myoreusin is a compound of 'Myo'(Cat) and 'Eoreusin'(Elder), implying a respectful title like 'Master Cat'.) *Ding-dong-* [Mission: First encounter with Handsome Man, Score -50 points.] [Advice: Wash your face next time you go out.] In my pocket as I ran, the phone buzzed mockingly. Ah, I guess this life is ruined. - End of Episode 1 -