The rusty-spotted cat was a killer in the jungle. It possessed agile movements and a hunter’s patience, capable of acquiring food through superb skill.

Emergency Rations, having been out all night for a satisfying meal, returned to the small wooden cabin in the jungle before the sky had brightened. The rusty-spotted cat’s small, nimble body leaped effortlessly up the steps, one by one, before padding lightly into the room.

The cabin had been under construction for a long time, and humans had finally moved in. But for the past two days, the two humans seemed to have found some other amusement, staying inside all day without coming out. This directly resulted in a complete halt to any further construction; the cabin still had no door.

The rusty-spotted cat expertly found its little den in the corner of the cabin, but its large, round eyes were constantly fixed on the two people on the simple bed made of straw and canvas in the middle of the room.

Although Emergency Rations still retained its wild nature, it clearly didn’t dislike being in a safe environment, so it returned to the humans’ dwelling every day.

The bipeds were obviously still asleep, their even breathing indicating as much.

The rusty-spotted cat let out a small yawn and settled down comfortably. It had been a tiring night, and sleep would be very helpful for recovering its strength.

Just as it was about to drift off to dreamland, a slight commotion suddenly came from within the room, followed by low panting and dialogue that sounded like sleep-talking.

Emergency Rations heard one of them say its name. Its drooping ears perked up instantly, and with a kick of its hind legs, it sprang to their side. Perhaps it had been neglected for too long these past few days; it was desperate for attention.

But what answered it was a soft shriek and a quiet scolding.

Undeterred, Emergency Rations pressed forward, stubbornly trying to squeeze itself between the two of them.

The two humans must be playing some kind of fun game. Why else would they be so engrossed in it, doing nothing else?

They were playing a happy game without it, and it was going to express its dissatisfaction to them right now.

The tall one seemed a little helpless at its behavior, while the girl pinned beneath her let out a low laugh, as if a prank had succeeded. But that laughter soon turned into a more ambiguous tone, calling out the other human’s name as if begging for mercy.

Seeing that it was getting no recognition, Emergency Rations anxiously stuck out its tongue and licked the girl’s cheek.

Whatever the game was, it could play too!

But its diligence was quickly interrupted by a large, strong hand. The scruff of its neck was gripped tightly, and its four paws easily left the ground, leaving it to hang limply in the air with its soft tail.

“Meow meow meow~” It wanted to play too. They both looked so happy.

“Don’t lick the Young Lady.”

The tall one spoke, but unfortunately, it couldn’t understand. But not understanding didn’t stop Emergency Rations from trembling inwardly—although this tall one had saved it, there was something about her that was frightening.

“Mrow…”

The large hand gently placed it to one side, nudging its rear to shoo it away.

The rusty-spotted cat reluctantly moved a couple of steps. Once free from the human’s grasp, it spun around nimbly and lay on the floor, looking as if it had made up its mind to watch the two of them play their game.

“Emergency Rations!” The tall one’s voice grew stern, but the other human let out a delicate giggle.

“Let it watch. It doesn’t understand anyway.”

Emergency Rations tilted its head, its round, large eyes like two bright light bulbs in the darkness.

“Meow~”

It let out a cry, as if refuting the human called “Young Lady.”

“Young Lady…”

The tall one was in a difficult position, her body stiff and unmoving for a good while.

The Young Lady reached out and hooked an arm around her neck, cooing, “Don’t worry about it…”

The tall woman was quickly persuaded and once again threw herself into her diligent work. The rusty-spotted cat was finally subjected to complete and utter neglect.

“Meeeow~”

Before long, the room was filled with the two’s cheerful sounds. After watching for a while, Emergency Rations realized there was absolutely no chance of it joining in the fun. Frustrated and angry, it got up and headed for the door.

Daytime was its sleeping time. Since it couldn’t play along, it had to find a quieter, more comfortable place to rest.

By the time the rusty-spotted cat woke up again, it was already noon. Although daytime wasn’t its active period, having spent so much time with the two humans, it would occasionally wake up at this hour for a full meal.

It could hunt for itself, but it wasn’t averse to being fed by the humans. Fish was a particularly delicious food, a new favorite on its menu.

But today, the two humans still showed no intention of getting up to cook. Even the diligent tall one had turned into a lazybones who stayed in bed.

What a terrifying thing this happy game was! Only a cute little cat with a will as strong as its own could resist such a temptation.

Emergency Rations lazily licked its paws, finally deciding to go see if the two bipeds had starved to death yet.

There was a very distinct, special scent in the room, one that made the rusty-spotted cat want to meow.

It did let out a cry, but it clearly failed to attract the attention of the two busy humans—and the sound was drowned out anyway.

“Meow~”

Is there any food?

Emergency Rations stood under the table, its little head raised, looking expectantly at the two of them.

It knew this was where the humans ate. It often got food when the two of them sat here.

Although the two humans weren’t sitting on chairs like usual today, that didn’t mean much to the rusty-spotted cat.

“Meow~”

Any fish bones?

Emergency Rations wagged its tail, hoping to get some attention, but still received no response.

They hadn’t cooked in days, so why were they still so energetic? Their voices were so full of vigor that it couldn’t even hear its own.

The rusty-spotted cat decided to change its strategy. It flexed its hind legs, wiggled its bottom, and leaped onto a chair, then bounded onto the dining table.

“Meow meow~ Meeeow?”

Aren’t you going to eat… Whoa!

The shaking of the table almost made it fall off.

On the table were breadfruit, honey, jam, fresh water, and… a biped. The half-eaten food was pushed to the edge, teetering precariously, which made Emergency Rations anxious.

What was worse was that biped… Mrow, this was terrible!

The rusty-spotted cat heard her cry out the other person’s name in “pain,” and then she could make no more sounds.

The shaking of the table, like it had been hit by a tsunami, finally stopped, and the food was saved.

“Meow!”

Emergency Rations stared in shock at the human who looked as if she’d been fished out of water, her breathing faint, as if on the verge of death.

Was she starving? Or… or was she being bullied by the tall one?

The rusty-spotted cat turned its head to look at the tall one pressing down on the other, and it immediately made a judgment!

It had witnessed an act of bullying! The tall one was bullying the small one!

They had been getting along so well before, but now she was bullying her!

Emergency Rations hissed at the tall woman, its stomach rumbling like a drum.

“Are you hungry?”

The tall woman leaned down and asked in a soft, gentle voice. Emergency Rations immediately forgot its indignation and meowed repeatedly.

I’m hungry, I’m hungry, I want fish bones!

“Mmm…”

“We’ve only had breadfruit for days. I’ll go to the seaside today.”

“Mmm~ Don’t.”

The Young Lady was being coquettish, and the tall one immediately relented. “Then I’ll make some vegetable soup. It’s better to eat something hot.”

“Then hold me while you do it…”

The two spoke with such affection, not at all like they had been fighting.

Only then did Emergency Rations realize they weren’t talking to it at all. It was so angry it almost tumbled off the table.

Hopeless. These stupid bipeds were hopeless!

Neglecting their duties, not even eating—what could you expect from them?

The rusty-spotted cat flicked its tail, jumped off the table, and prepared to go back to sleep.

It was still a while until nightfall, and hunting at this hour was against its feline principles.

When Emergency Rations woke again, it was dusk. The stove, which had been cold for days, finally had smoke rising from it once more.

It leaped down from the tree in excitement, wanting to see if there were any fish bones to eat.

“Meeeow~” The tall one was tending the fire. Emergency Rations rubbed against her ankles, putting on a clingy and affectionate display.

Crying out like this was effective most of the time. It would get a fish bone with meat on it or a fish tail. If it was lucky, there might even be a small crab—humans would submit to its cuteness!

The tall one patted its head but didn’t give it any food.

Emergency Rations jumped anxiously, pawing at the tall woman’s calf, trying its best to act cute.

Fish bones, little crabs!

The human seemed helpless and gently pushed its bottom away.

“No fish bones for you today. I still have to boil water for the Young Lady. Go find your own food.”

So that was a no.

The rusty-spotted cat lowered its paws and looked up at her, a thoughtful expression on its face.

These two humans hadn’t gone looking for food in so many days; they must be out of it by now. This was the consequence of indulging in entertainment and neglecting production. It didn’t sympathize with them one bit!

Emergency Rations turned its head haughtily and walked away, its little rear end swaying.

It started to rain that night, but wind and rain could not stop a warrior. The diligent little cat obtained food with its own two hands… four paws. A laboring feline was the most beautiful of all.

Rainy days had their advantages. It could catch insects and small birds that couldn’t fly well in the rain, lizards that became sluggish from the lower temperature, and little gophers that crawled out of the soil for air.

The jungle was its treasure trove. Even without the humans’ handouts, it could fill its own belly!

Today, the rusty-spotted cat spent more time than usual. After eating its fill, it returned to the cabin with a small auklet in its mouth.

The sky was just beginning to lighten, but there was already movement inside the cabin. Emergency Rations scurried up the steps, already accustomed to the sounds from within.

Sigh. They had, after all, saved its life and fed it. A kind-hearted, grateful cat like itself couldn’t just stand by and watch these two stupid humans starve to death.

The rusty-spotted cat left the little auklet at the doorway, then returned to a nearby tree to rest.

It lazily licked its paws, then its fur, gazing at the cabin with a worried expression.

Hopefully, these two could pull back from the brink, realize the error of their ways, and see the light.