Another World Fluffy Cafe

Chapter 14: Lined Up to Greet Us

Just like on the way there, the return trip went smoothly, except for one difference.

“Nyao!”

“Mya!”

“Unyanya!”

“Hey, you guys! Stick closer so you don’t fall off!”

(Ahh, this must be heaven. I’m going to die from all this fluff…)

That’s right. Although Taichi had tamed the Forest Cats, he hadn’t given much thought to the journey back.

(We’ve suddenly become one big family.)

You might think, with more companions, they could just travel comfortably by carriage… But Taichi had already told Himeri, who works part-time at the Fluffy Café, that they would be back in about 25 days.

If they took a carriage, it would take nearly a month one way. Obviously, they couldn’t spend that much time, so everyone, including Taichi, is now riding on Luke’s back, racing down the night road.

“Myafu~”

“Nyan.”

Since the Forest Cats are magical creatures, they don’t seem to mind Luke’s speed too much. However, because they’re small, Ume keeps an eye on them to ensure they don’t fall off.

And so, Taichi found himself buried in an absolutely delightful sea of fluff for the journey.

As it was a night journey, Taichi and the others returned to the Fluffy Café just before sunrise.

“Ugh, I’m really tired…”

“You’re so weak!”

“Can’t help it… I’m delicate, after all.”

Laughing, Taichi took out the key to the café.

This world’s home and his “Fluffy Café” are a warm, two-story wooden building, with vines climbing up parts of it, giving it a lovely fantasy charm. The large windows allow people to see inside, and Taichi hopes that someone passing by might stop and peek in. Behind the house is a bath Taichi created using his [Creation (Physical)] skill, along with a space big enough for small animals to run around.

As Taichi inserted the key into the door, he heard noises from inside.

“Yay! I can feel Taichi’s presence!”

“Is it morning already?”

“Welcome back!”

“Mii~!”

It was the voices of Cerberus and the Berry Rabbits, who had been left in charge of the café. They had woken up, sensing that Taichi and the others had returned.

(They’re way too cute welcoming us home like this…)

Taichi’s heart was pounding as he opened the door, and there they were, sitting neatly in front of the door, waiting for him.

“Taichi!”

“Mimi!”

“Whoa!”

As soon as the door opened, everyone jumped at Taichi. They had been such good kids while staying behind, but they couldn’t help missing Taichi during his absence.

Though knocked over, Taichi managed to catch everyone and pet their heads and bodies.

“I’m home, everyone. Was everything okay while I was away?”

“Haha, Himeri gave us food!”

“It was delicious!”

“We slept with the Berry Rabbits at night.”

“Good, good. I brought back some meat as a souvenir, so I’ll serve it later.”

“Yay!!”

The one reporting energetically to Taichi was the jet-black Cerberus. Pino, who loves to play, Cloro, who always speaks her mind, and Noll, the shy one—three heads and one body. Cerberus is normally around three meters tall, but in the Fluffy Café, he shrinks down to about 30 centimeters.

Next, the Berry Rabbits, the café’s cuddle ambassadors, are cute magical creatures with strawberries on their heads. They come in various colors like white, brown, and spotted, and many customers enjoy finding their favorite.

Once Taichi finished greeting Cerberus and the others, Luke and the Forest Cats also came inside the café.

“Welcome back!”

“Mii!”

“Yeah, we’re back. Everything okay while we were gone?”

“Of course!”

“We played with the customers!”

“With everyone here, it wasn’t too lonely.”

“That’s great.”

Even the magical creatures had started reporting their activities.

(They’ve done a great job explaining things to Luke while we were away. Impressive.)

Once Luke and Cerberus had finished their conversation, Taichi called over Ume and the Forest Cats.

“These are the Forest Cats who joined our family. They’re all good kids, so be nice to them.”

“I’m Ume, the boss of the group. These little ones don’t speak much, but they’re smart and will listen to what you say.”

“Nyan!”

Ume, the leader, greeted them on behalf of the group, and the Forest Cats bowed in unison. They seem to have picked up some good manners.

“We’re three heads, but one body!”

“The mood makers of the Fluffy Café!”

“We’re Cerberus!”

“Mii!”

Cerberus represented the Fluffy Café crew and greeted the newcomers. They all rubbed noses, and it seemed like they would get along well right away.

“That leaves one remaining issue… Installing a cat tower in the café.”

“That’s the stair-like thing, right?”

“Yep.”

Ever since seeing the cat tower at the Forest Cat inn, Ume had been itching to climb it. But since it was someone else’s home, she had been waiting patiently until they returned to the Fluffy Café, which would now be her new home.

“Rebuilding one is easy, so feel free to make any requests for improvements whenever you like.”

“Thank you.”

Today is a business day for the café, so Himeri, the part-timer, should arrive soon.

(If I sleep now, I’ll definitely oversleep…)

“Alright, let’s make some cat toys and that cat tower before Himeri gets here!”