Seraphim is a Bystander

School Trip Day 1: The Cat and a Name
 

After getting permission from the shinshi to walk around the shrine grounds with the cat, I rejoined the rest of ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) my group.
They were admiring the impressive wooden shrine building, but as soon as they noticed the cat still perched on my shoulder, they all looked surprised.
“Huh? Aoi-kun? You couldn’t find a shinshi?”
“Well, about that…”

I explained everything the shinshi had told me.
I didn’t bother mentioning the familiar’s odd behavior—there was no point in confusing everyone further.
When I told them I was allowed to bring the cat along and that it would be accompanying us, they looked both bewildered and a bit pleased.
“I don’t really get it, but if a divine familiar said so, I guess it’s okay?”
“Hmm… maybe there’s something special about this kitty?”

Even as everyone stared, the cat refused to leave my shoulder and began dozing off without a care in the world.
…What a laid-back cat.
As I stared, dumbfounded by the cat’s brazenness, Ken reached out to pet it and said:
“I dunno what’s going on, but if it’s gonna tag along, shouldn’t we give it a name?”
“Ah… yeah, you’re right.”

Ken’s hand was promptly swatted away by the cat, who opened just one eye in mild annoyance.
Still, he had a point. If we were going to be traveling together, it’d be inconvenient not to have a name.
But what kind of name would be good…?
“Do you already have a name?”
“Fufu, Aoi-kun? I don’t think a cat can answer that.”

“Nya.”
As I spoke to the cat on my shoulder, Runa-chan giggled at me.
The cat also gave me a look that clearly said, "What’s this guy talking about?"
“Um… usually people name pets based on their appearance, right?”

“Based on looks, huh… Sorry, let me take a closer look.”
Hearing Rei-kun mumble that, I gave a quick apology to the cat and gently picked it up.
Unlike when we’d tried to catch it earlier, the cat allowed me to hold it surprisingly calmly.
“…You’re way too clean to be a stray.”

“Nyaa!”
“This thing’s kinda full of itself, huh?”
“But it’s sooo cute~!”
The cat sprawled confidently in my arms.
Ken, still bitter over the cat punch earlier, looked sulky, while Saotome-san and Tsubaki-san were completely smitten.

I took another moment to observe the cat’s appearance.
Its slender body and pristine white fur were striking, and its golden eyes gave it an air of elegance.
“How about ‘Shiro-chan’ since it’s so white?!”
“Funya!”

Runa-chan enthusiastically suggested a name, but the cat clearly wasn’t impressed—it turned away in protest.
With Runa-chan slumping in disappointment, I started thinking of names too.
Hmm… I bet this cat wouldn’t like anything too obvious.
White and gold… White and gold…
Oh yeah—didn’t the yuzu flowers in Grandpa’s garden look like that?
More yellow than gold, but close enough.
“How about Yuzu? Yuzu flowers have colors like yours, and they’re really pretty.”

“…Nya.”
The cat gave a short meow, as if to say, “Fine, I guess.”
Looks like it accepted the name.
When I adjusted my grip and began petting it, it immediately started purring.
“Yuzu-chan, huh? That’s a great name. Sounds like it likes it too!”

“Yeah. It seems picky, so I’m glad it approved.”
Honestly, I’m not great at naming things—especially techniques—so this might’ve been the best I could come up with.
I remember reading that yuzu flowers mean “a pure person” in flower language.
That kind of noble image fits this cat perfectly.
“Nice to meet you, Yuzu…”

Ken whispered that as he cautiously extended a hand toward the now-purring cat in my arms.
“Nya.”
“Guh…! Does this thing hate me or what?”

Yuzu immediately swatted Ken’s hand with another cat punch.
Ken looked a little dejected, but Yuzu didn’t care at all and happily resumed purring in my arms.
…Yeah, with how bold and sharp this one is, I think ‘Yuzu’ fits just fine.