Cat Confession

-Katsuya-

I stared at the sky. “I killed someone.” Sakura-san whipped her head around.

“What?!” she asked. I lifted my chin.

“It was an accident,” I said. She didn’t speak at first. My stomach dropped. I knew this would happen. Too late to turn back.

“What happened?” Sakura-san asked. I took a breath.

“I loved her,” I said. “I… I…” Sakura rubbed my back.

“Take your time,” she said. I breathed in.

“Thank you,” I said. I dropped my shoulders. I looked up at the sky.

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Okichi. I loved her. She was the only one nice to me. Everyone else ignored me. I remember her face. I thought she was an angel. Her smile melted my heart. She used to give me sweets. I remembered the first time she gave me a treat.

“Here,” she said. I looked up at her. It was Botan Rice candy. I remember that so well. I took the candy and Okichi sat next to me. We didn’t say anything.

She stayed by me. I didn’t know why, but I was happy.

It wasn’t my fault. I didn’t mean to. I thought she was dead. I thought she was dead!

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Tears welled up in my eyes. Sakura-san rubbed my back.

“It’s not my fault. It’s not my fault!” I wailed.

“Shhh. Shhh. Shhh,” Sakura-san whispered. I looked down at the ground. Was I trembling?

“I thought she was dead,” I said. “I thought she was dead. Oh god.”

“What did you do?” Sakura-san asked. I lifted my head. I drew in a breath and told her the whole story. I couldn’t stop myself. It kept flowing out. I looked at her when I was finished. Sakura-san stared at me, looking pale. I knew this would happen. Still, I couldn’t turn back. Now that Sakura-san knew neither could she.