On first day of the week, Erwin saw a little cat curled up on the side of the street. It was so small and he didn’t see any bigger cats or possibility its parents around, that he was afraid that the cat wouldn’t make it tonight. He was going to take it back to his small home, but the little cat had a lot of strength than he thought. The cat hissed and clawed at his hand as if it was a lot bigger cat. Not afraid with the human that obviously way more big than the little fellow. Chuckling, the blond backed off and didn’t want to bother the cat any longer. Maybe he should bring some food for the cat in case it’s still there tomorrow, he thought as he made his way back home.
On the second day, Erwin brought food as he planned yesterday. The cat was still on the same place when he was on the way back home, curling up and hiding under the bushes. This time, instead of approaching the cat, the blond decided to leave a few biscuits that he placed on top of a clean handkerchief. The cat was hesitating, but eventually walking closer to sniff the food. Satisfied, Erwin decided to walk away again tonight.
On fourth day, Erwin did the same thing again like yesterday and the day before. The cat gave a sign of distrusts, though for the first time, Erwin finally heard the sound of mewl came from the little black cat. As if it wanted to thank the human. The blond chuckled. Tonight, he decided to watch the cat longer than usual, as it finished his food and then walked away again. Tomorrow, I will come again, he said to the cat. And the little thing just mewled as a respond.
On fifth day, Erwin saw the cat was approached by a few of female workers. He didn’t approach it as well, instead he intended to just walk away tonight because the cat seemed to have a plenty of food already. But halfway, he heard a loud mewl. And when he turned to his back, he saw the cat ran to him, as if ordering him to stop walking. When they met, the nameless cat simply purred and walked in circle around the big human’s leg. He just had no idea what happened, but Erwin was happy to see the cat finally be friendly to him like this.
Erwin didn’t work at Weekend. And for two days, he stuck with his big family’s vacation outside the town so he didn’t have a chance to spend time for himself. Or even the time for that little black cat. Along the short trip, all Erwin could think about was the cat’s safety. Would the cat be okay? Will anyone give it some food? If it’s raining, I hope it can find a shelter so it won’t catch a cold.
Maybe I should really bring him home when I meet it again.
What should I name the cat?
Erwin didn’t find the cat for a few weeks. He didn’t find the cat on its usual spots at all. He wanted to call the cat—but then realized that he didn’t even know its name or the fact that it had a name at all.
Ah. Maybe it finally found a nice, warm home. Maybe someone picked it up after all. Maybe the cat trusted this person a lot than Erwin, that it’s willing to follow whoever it is.
But what if the cat didn’t find a home, instead it was brought to a shelter? What if a bunch of kids played with the cat and accidentally injured it? What if it became a shooting target by a irresponsible person with an air gun?
What if it…died?
The thought was too deep, enough to make him feel guilty, that he couldn’t concentrate with his work.
Even so, it was just a stray cat. Erwin didn’t have a serious thought about bringing it home and taking care of it in the first place. Why should he worry?
But I decided to take care of it when he was back from the family trip…. He didn’t realize it, but he got attached too much with the cat. It became a very important thing of his life.
And now he wouldn’t see the cat again because he had chosen the wrong decision.
I’m sorry.
Few more weeks past ever since, Erwin still walked on the same route every day. Often, he would glance over the bushes where the cat usually hid itself from people. He swore he could hear a soft meow when he looked at it, blaming himself for not taking the action sooner—wait. No. He actually heard it.
"Meow."
Erwin froze, looked down to his feet to find the familiar black cat—still as little as he knew—sitting while facing up to see the big human. It still had the beautiful black fur, along with some white spot on the chest and neck resembled a cravat, and a pair of icy grey eyes. They just stared into each other for a while, until Erwin broke into laugh and crouched down to see the cat closer. One hand scratched on its head, he could heard a soft purr from the little fellow.
"Where have you been? I thought you were…" he didn’t continue, instead picking him up—now he knew that it was a male—holding the cat with both of his arms. "I will take you to my home. I promise I will take good care of you—"
A name, he needed a name. So whenever he lost the cat, Erwin could always call him.
"—Levi.”
And the cat simply mewled to Erwin, looking really excited with the name he just got.
He found his home.