[Weekly Short-Short Note] 80-90% 7-5-3 ~A Cat's Misunderstanding~
There is an 80-90% chance that something is going to happen today.
I woke up with that uneasy feeling.
The morning sun shining through the gaps in the shoji screen was unusually dazzling.
The Komiyama household was noisy from the morning.
It seems they are going to celebrate something called 'Shichi-Go-San'.
Seven, five, three.
...Seven hundred fifty-three.
I gasped in surprise.
Could it be...?
I don't want to believe it, but are they planning to celebrate my 753rd birthday!?
I am a cat.
No, to be precise, I am a yokai in cat's clothing.
I am ten meters long, heavier than an elephant, and have a bifurcated tail.
Even so, I am currently curled up on a cushion in the Komiyama house,
being called 'Kuro' and eating cat food.
I have been protecting this house for 150 years.
I have cherished the boys of the Komiyama family through the generations as my pets.
To me, they are not humans to be protected.
The human-type animals I keep—that is the correct perception.
That said, it is my duty as their 'owner' to work behind the scenes
to ensure that evil spirits and specters do not approach the house.
However, today's situation is not peaceful.
Why do they know my age?
Why did they choose a number like 753?
And on top of that, they say they are going to visit a shrine today.
A shrine—in other words, the territory of the gods.
But this entire region remains peaceful thanks to my protection.
In a sense, I am the bodyguard of this land.
Is this a conspiracy?
Are the boys of the Komiyama family colluding to deify me?
No, they couldn't possibly have that kind of wisdom. But...
I bristled my fur.
...Very well. I shall uncover the truth.
In the early afternoon, little Makoto was crying while being dressed in a hakama.
It seems the kimono sash was tight.
Seeing that, his mother laughed and his father aimed his camera.
Could it be... a sacrificial ritual?
I watched intently from under the veranda.
His parents have innocent smiles on their faces, but
there might be a dark scheme hidden behind them.
'Are you coming too, Kuro?' Makoto asked.
—Of course. As your master, I shall protect you from evil gods.
Now, I shall reveal the truth of the shrine.
The shrine grounds were wrapped in autumn leaves, and the vermilion torii gate was shining.
However, I saw something else with my own eyes.
The spirits of foxes, the shadows of kappa, and the presence of a fierce god sitting atop a stone lantern.
The spirits that are usually hidden were all gathered together today.
It was as if it were my own birthday festival.
"I knew it..."
At that moment, I was convinced.
--Today, the 753rd Great Rite is being held.
A magnificent ceremony to promote me to a god.
...But if that is the case, why has no one consulted me?
Humans really have no manners at all.
"What are you so excited about, Sensei?"
A familiar voice spoke.
Appearing from behind a tree, rubbing his hands together, was the local guardian deity.
"Sensei? Is that you, Ubusuna? What is the meaning of this?"
"What do you mean, 'what'?"
"Don't play dumb. You are holding a celebration for my 753rd birthday today, aren't you?"
"Huh?"
The guardian deity was silent for a moment,
and then he let out a grand sigh.
"No, we hold Shichi-Go-San every year, but..."
"What? But this is the first time for the Komiyama family."
"...Sensei, Shichi-Go-San is a ceremony to celebrate the growth of children in a family. Seven, five, and three years old. It has nothing to do with a 753-year-old cat yokai."
"What did you say?"
"In the first place, are you really 753 years old, Sensei?"
"Hmm, to be honest, I'm not entirely sure. When I was born, there were the Mongol invasions, and the shogunate was in a state of chaos... So, I thought it was 753 years old, nine times out of ten."
"Nine times out of ten? No, ten times out of ten, it's a misunderstanding."
"...Hmm."
I slowly flicked my tail.
The air in the shrine grounds grew tense.
"In other words, you have no intention of celebrating my 753rd year?"
"I do not."
"To not understand the mystery of the prime numbers seven, five, and three lining up... what a regrettable race you are."
"This isn't about arithmetic progressions or anything like that!"
Dusk.
When I returned to the Komiyama house, young Makoto was waving a Chitose Ame candy.
"I'll give one to Kuro, too!"
I gave it a lick.
It was terribly sweet. It tasted like sugar.
"...Hmm. Well, it's not a bad way to celebrate."
Makoto laughed, and I let out a small purr.
The wind rustled in the corner of the garden.
It seems the evil spirits have been kept at bay again today.
I thought to myself while stretching.
--Eight or nine times out of ten, it was a misunderstanding.
But perhaps the day will come when that child reaches seven hundred and fifty-three years old, just like me.
When that time comes, I shall celebrate it grandly.
Until then, I will let this house keep me as a pet.
[End]
I participated in this project. Thank you very much.
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