Chapter 0 Prologue: Work, Life, and Sage
読者の皆様へ
この物語は英語で作成しています。日本語に翻訳しましたが、誤りがあるかもしれません。日本語版については、ぜひ私のシリーズをご覧ください。
Hello readers, I am creating this story in english. I have translated to Japanese but there may be errors, please check out my series for the Japanese version
Work was so hard today.
My boss yelled at me for hours, blaming his mistake on me in front of the entire board. I had no choice but to take it. Standing up to him would’ve only made things worse for me.
I ended up working overtime, so now I’m just getting home—exhausted, as usual.
It’s not uncommon for me to be stuck at work for long hours, getting mistreated. But what else can I do? I’m the only one in this house working. My husband stopped working years ago, not long after we got married. He struggled so much with his job back then, and I couldn’t stand to see him so unhappy, so I promised to take care of everything.
That promise, however, has left me carrying the entire burden. Working long hours has taken a toll on me and our marriage. We barely talk anymore. My days revolve around work, and when I get home, I’m too tired to do much of anything.
We’re both nearing forty, yet we never had kids. It’s a sad thought sometimes, but I’ve always been more than happy with Sage.
Sage, my sweet kitty, has been with me for the past fifteen years. She was a gift from my husband when we got married, and she’s been my companion ever since. I love her like my own daughter. Now, when I head home after work, it’s not my husband I look forward to seeing anymore—it’s Sage.
“I’m home,” I called out quietly as I opened the door.
“You’re late. Make me food,” my husband yelled without even looking at me.
He was lounging in front of the TV, the loud sounds of laughter and music blaring from the screen as I walked to the kitchen.
“I’m going to feed Sage and take a bath. Can you finish cooking the food?”
“Whatever,” he waved his hand dismissively, eyes glued to the TV.
I’ll take that as a yes.
I grabbed Sage’s food and snuck out of the kitchen.
“Sage, I have your dinner,” I called as I entered our bedroom.
“Meow,” came the soft reply as her fluffy head peeked out from under the bed.
“Oh my god, Sage, you’re as cute as always.” I squealed, picking her up and pressing my face against hers.
“Meow meow,” she purred in response.
“Yes, yes, I’ve got your food right here, sweetie,” I replied, setting her down to eat.
After giving Sage some love and her food, I headed to the bathroom to take a long, much-needed bath.
The warm water felt like a healing balm, washing away the stress from the day.
“Ahhh, I’d live in here if I could,” I sighed, letting the water soothe my tired body.
I spent as much time in the tub as I could, enjoying it to the fullest.
That is, until I heard Sage meowing frantically.
“Sage?” I called out worriedly. I splashed out of the bath and quickly grabbed a towel while running to the bedroom.
I couldn’t see Sage, but what I did see and smell was a huge trail of smoke coming from what must be the kitchen.
“A fire?!” I yelled, shocked and confused. I ran to the kitchen, only to be met by a wave of flames overtaking the house. I tried to see if there was a way out, but there wasn’t. I looked over to the TV area and couldn’t see my husband.
Maybe he escaped when it first broke out?
What a jerk, couldn’t even be bothered to save his wife?
I ran back into the room.
“Sage? Sage, where are you? We need to get out of here quickly!” I yelled frantically, searching for her. I found her under the bed, hidden as far back as she could, looking terrified.
“Please, Sage, we need to go now.” I pleaded with her as I reached my arms as far back as they could go.
I finally got ahold of her, and despite her fear clawing into my skin, I didn’t mind—anything for Sage.
I looked around, trying to figure out our escape.
There was nowhere to run now.
“No… no. I need to save Sage. I can’t let her die like this. Please!” I cried out.
I ran to the bathroom, closing the door, knowing there was nothing left I could do but try to prolong the inevitable.
I jumped into the tub full of water, which Sage did not like.
“MROW!” she screamed, sinking her claws into me further.
“Ah, it’s okay, Sage, it’s okay. I’m here. I’ll protect you as long as I can.” I held her tightly against my body to shield her from the flames as they overtook the bathroom.
“I love you, Sage. You were the only thing that brought me true happiness. I’m sorry I couldn’t give you more,” I weakly said in our last moments.
You Poor Creatures.
What was that? A loud voice? Where am I? I can’t see or feel anything. Where is Sage?
The love you show has moved me. I will save you.
You’ll save me? Wait, please save Sage, not me!
Don’t worry, I will save you both. In this next life, please live happily.
Sage is safe, thank goodness. If I truly get to see her again, I promise to live as happily as I can with her…
The next thing I know, I feel a warm, soft fur surrounding me.
What is this? I can feel my body move.
I slowly open my eyes and, to my surprise, I see a giant cat-like beast sleeping in front of me.
It had magnificent fur, a beautiful dark green shade, and uniquely shaped wooden horns that reminded me of a tree. The creature had cat ears that resembled leaves and a long tail.
What is this?! I think, shocked, at a loss for words.
As if awakening to my loud thoughts, the beast opens its eyes.
Oh no, what do I do? I’m going to die! Wait, didn’t I just… die?
“Mother!” the beast yells out.
W-what? The creature can… talk?
“What's going on?” I say, confused.
Wait. Sage? My… cat? My cat can talk?!
I was too shocked to speak, my mind racing.
I furrowed my brow, trying to make sense of it all. Sage and I… we were caught in a fire. Didn’t we die? How is Sage this giant creature now?
That voice we heard as the flames overtook us… Was that a goddess? Did she really save us? Were we reborn?
I looked down at my body and hands—much smaller than I remember. This definitely isn’t the body I once knew. I glanced back at Sage. There’s no other explanation. Either I’m dreaming, or we were truly given a second chance by the goddess.
The reality of the situation slowly settled in. This is a new life for both of us, and I had promised the goddess we would live happily. I’ll take this chance to build a better life than the one I had before.
I pressed my face into Sage’s large body, her size so immense that it was hard to get close to her face.
“Sage, I’m so glad you’re safe,” I said, my voice trembling with emotion.
“Let’s build a new, happy life together. Let’s create a world where everyone can find happiness.”
Sage purred loudly, the vibrations shaking through my body, her agreement clear.
Our new life begins now.
