21st Century Necromancer

"Mr. Chen Yu, what would you like to eat tonight?" After work, Jounouchi Hiromi was walking arm in arm with Chen Yu on their way home.

Even though she knew Chen Yu could use the Necromantic Space to instantly teleport home, Jounouchi Hiromi still preferred the normal way of commuting without resorting to such conveniences.

"Hiromi, do you remember the little shop we went to last time when we got off work late?" Chen Yu didn't seem to feel like going home for dinner today. He recalled the little shop they had visited after working overtime late into the night. He thought the food there tasted quite good, so he felt like going there again.

Hearing Chen Yu say this, Jounouchi Hiromi also remembered that somewhat special little shop with its unique practice of letting customers order anything they wanted. She was quite impressed and thought she'd like to try the chef's cooking again. So she nodded and said, "I remember, the chef was skilled. Shall we go there again tonight? But last time we went, it was very late. Are they open now?"

"Let's go have a look, and if it's not open, we can either go home or find somewhere else to eat. Anyway, it's still early," Chen Yu said with a smile, leading Jounouchi Hiromi toward the little shop they had been to last time.

It was the same narrow alley as before, and maybe because it wasn't dark yet, the shop hadn't started business. The owner that they had met the last time was squatting at the doorway, setting out a small dish of food in front of a very cute looking calico cat.

"Boss, haven't you started business for today?" Chen Yu and Jounouchi Hiromi approached the owner and asked out of curiosity. While greeting the owner, Chen Yu also glanced at the calico cat. The cat seemed to sense something, looked up at Chen Yu, then lowered its head again to continue eating the cat food in front of it.

"Sorry, our business hours are from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m., so we haven't opened yet," the owner said apologetically as he stood up when he saw Chen Yu and Jounouchi Hiromi approaching.

Hearing the owner say that, Chen Yu and Jounouchi Hiromi couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed. It was disheartening to be excited to come here only to encounter such a situation.

Chen Yu had anticipated this might happen, so he wasn't too bothered. Despite his disappointment, he politely nodded to the owner, ready to leave. But then, looking at the calico cat beside the owner and having already stepped out, he suddenly asked, "Boss, is that cat yours?"

"No, she's a customer!" the owner replied, a warm smile spreading across his face.

The kind-hearted owner, the alley bathed in the sunset, and a calico cat enjoying its meal—all this painted a harmonious and beautiful picture that warmed the heart.

Standing beside him, Jounouchi Hiromi watched the scene and jokingly said, "Boss, that's not fair. You treat the cat as a guest, but what about us? We're guests too, aren't you going to treat us?"

Her comment made the owner a bit embarrassed. Although it was said in jest, it indeed made the owner's actions seem a little unjust.

However, the boss quickly regained his smile and thought for a moment before speaking, "Actually, there is a reason for this. If you don't mind, please come in and have a seat. Even though we're not yet open for business, the pork miso soup is ready. You can have some while we talk."

When they heard the boss say this, Yu Chen and Hiromi Jounouchi felt somewhat embarrassed; it seemed as though they had been pressing the boss with their words. But seeing how sincere the boss's invitation was, and feeling quite hungry, they went into the restaurant together.

As he stepped inside, Yu Chen still glanced at the calico cat by the door and then picked it up and brought it inside, placing it on the counter.

A normal cat would have probably run away the moment Yu Chen tried to hold it, but strangely, the calico cat let itself be picked up and placed on the counter, calmly sitting there without running off. It just meowed towards the door, clearly still concerned about its dinner.

Naturally, Yu Chen brought in the cat's unfinished meal and set it down in front of the little cat again.

After patting the kitten's head, Yu Chen then turned to the boss and asked, "Boss, is there a story behind this cat?"

"Yes, there is a story." The boss brought out two servings of pork miso set meals and placed them in front of Yu Chen and Hiromi Jounouchi before he began to tell the tale, "You two might have heard of the enka singer Chidori Miyuki who suddenly became famous but then unfortunately passed away due to illness some time ago?" Stay tuned for updates on My Virtual Library Empire

"Chidori Miyuki? Boss, do you also enjoy her songs? That song, 'Stray Cat,' is confirmed for the Kouhaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Song Battle), she had such a lovely voice! There is a special feeling in her songs, as if she really was a stray cat!" Hiromi Jounouchi evidently knew the singer the boss mentioned, and her expression became excited, "Her passing is such a pity.

Many people said she could have become a superstar."

Seeing that Hiromi Jounouchi knew the person he was talking about, the boss nodded and continued, "That kid used to come here often and loved cat food. Back then, she was an enka singer who couldn't sell her records. Later, one of my regulars who was a lyricist wrote 'Stray Cat' for her. Only after that song did she become famous, but it's a pity that she's gone..."

As he spoke, the boss unconsciously lit a cigarette and offered one to Yu Chen, who refused. The boss then continued, "The girl had been here a month before she died, ordered a bowl of cat food but left without finishing it."

"Is this cat one that Miss Chidori kept?" The story was sad and influenced Hiromi Jounouchi's emotions. She associated the cat with the departed Chidori Miyuki, especially since the boss mentioned the cat had a story.

However, Yu Chen shook his head at the side and, looking meaningfully at the calico cat, which had finished its meal and was now licking its paws cleaning its face, said to the boss, "You mean to say that this cat is Miss Chidori Miyuki, right?"

"Yes." The boss nodded, snuffed out his cigarette, and petted the calico cat sitting quietly on the counter. He then continued with a smile, "On the morning of Miyuki-chan's funeral, right around the time she usually came to the shop, this little guy showed up at the door. I called out 'Miyuki-chan,' and it responded to me very obediently."

Hearing what the boss said, and connecting it with Yu Chen's judgement, Hiromi Jounouchi finally realized that this cat might truly be Miss Chidori Miyuki herself.