beyondskyfall

Will Sprout | HERO CHRONICLE | Chapter 1: First Step Towards Becoming a Hero

Kitten: Meow, mrow

Ren: Oh wow...

Will: How cute! I’m glad it’s eating the food you brought.

Ren: Me too. I saw in a book that adding milk to it makes it soft so kittens can eat it!

Will: You’re so nice, Ren, taking the time to look that up. Look, Akira, isn’t it cute?

Akira: Yeah, it’s cute and all... but if it’s out here in a box like this, doesn’t that mean it was abandoned?

Will: Probably... Has it been like this since you found it, Ren?

Ren: Yeah, at first the box had a lid on it, too... I noticed it because I could hear it crying.

Akira: Who the heck would do something like this...

Shop Owner: Hey, you kids! What’re you doin’ over there?

Akira & Ren: Huh?!

Shop Owner: Don’t go feedin’ strays right by my shop! Then it’ll never leave.

Will: S-Sorry about that! It’s just... this little guy was crying because it was so hungry...

Shop Owner: Are you gonna come feed it every day, then?

Ren: If it doesn’t get food, then it’ll...

Shop Owner: What a thorn in my side.

Will & Ren: Ngh...

Akira: Hey gramps, did you know it was here?

Shop Owner: ...Yeah. But it’s a black cat. They’re nothin’ but bad luck.

Will: So you just ignored it?!

Shop Owner: So what? If you’re gonna lay the blame on someone, lay it on the piece of work that abandoned it here. I’ve got nothin’ to do with this.

Will: ......

Ren: Poor kitty...

Akira: Let’s bring it home with us, Ren. You’ve always wanted a pet cat, right?

Ren: I want to, but I have to ask my mom and dad first.

Will: I’ll ask my parents, too. If yours say no, I’ll try asking if it can stay with us instead.

———

Will: (...They told me no.)

(I figured that’d probably be the case, but still...)

———

Will: ......

(Huh? Is that thunder...?)

(Whoa, the sky is pitch black over there. It was clear just a minute ago...)

(...It looks like it’s raining over where the kitten is.)

(Its box is wide open, too...)

———

Will: Huff... Huff...

(Wow, it’s really coming down... An umbrella would be completely useless in this downpour.)

(Where’s the kitten...?)

(...Huh? It’s not in the box?!)

(Where did it go? Did it run into the street...?!)

Shop Owner: Aren’t you the kid from before...?

Will: Mister! The kitten... The kitten disappeared!

I came to check on it since I was worried about it being caught in the rain... What should I do? It’s completely defenseless...

Shop Owner: If it’s the black cat you’re looking for, then...

Kitten: Mrow!

Will: ...Huh?

———

Will: You brought it inside... thank goodness...

Shop Owner: It’s not like any more customers are comin’ today thanks to the rain, so I brought it inside. Cleaning up after it is gonna be a pain.

Will: Um... I asked my mom if I could keep it, but she said no.

I get sick and fall asleep easily, so she said I can’t be responsible for an animal...

Shop Owner: That’s too bad...

Will: Achoo!

Shop Owner: H-Hey now, you should dry off before you get sick. Jeez, hold on a minute—

Will: Mmm, toasty... Thank you for letting me borrow a towel and for making me milk tea.

Shop Owner: I can’t have you passing out here, now can I?

If you’re sickly like you say, you should think a little more before you act. Your parents are gonna be worried sick.

Will: But I was worried about the kitty...

...Someday, I wanna be a Hero.

Shop Owner: A Hero?

Will: You might think it’s impossible for a sickly kid like me... But I’ve made up my mind.

I’ve only just admitted that dream to Ren and Akira too - the boys that were with me earlier. They fully support me; they never told me it’s impossible.

That’s why I just couldn’t turn a blind eye when I thought the kitten might need saving.

Shop Owner: ......

Kitten: Meow, mrow~

Will: Hehe, it’s completely let its guard down around you, Mister. It looks right at home there on your lap. ♪

Shop Owner: If I leave it alone for even a second it starts whining at me. It gets on my nerves, so I just let it stay.

...If it’s already this attached to me, maybe I should just keep it and take care of it myself.

Will: Really?

Shop Owner: Besides, I don’t need kids loiterin’ around the shop every time somethin’ happens.

Kids like you... and your little friends over there.

Will: ...?

Akira? Ren?!

Shop Owner: Looks like you were all thinkin’ the same thing...

Good grief, they’re soaked to the bone, too... Watch the cat for me, will ya?

Will: Sure...

Shop Owner: Hey, you kids!!

Will: Hehe, he ended up being a good person.

You’re pretty lucky to get picked up by someone like him. Enjoy your new life, okay? ♪

Kitten: Mro~w ♪

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