Me: I literally live in a one-room apartment.
Manager: He will adapt.
Employee already taking photos of me with cat.
Me: Why is everyone acting like I’ve been drafted into military service.
Old lady in corner sipping tea: The orange one chooses only once every ten years.
Me: EXCUSE ME?
Employee whispering: Last chosen customer moved to Hokkaido and opened bakery.
Me: I DON’T WANT A DESTINY CAT.
orange cat wakes up, slaps adoption papers with paw.
Manager: He has signed.
Me: THAT IS NOT LEGALLY BINDING.
cat suddenly bites random French tourist walking past window.
Entire café nodding approvingly.
Employee: Ah yes… spirit still strong.
French tourist outside: WHAT THE HELL.
Manager handing me tiny bell collar.
Manager: His name is Chairman Meow.
Me: absolutely not.
cat immediately ignores everyone else and follows me to exit.
door sensor opens automatically.
Employee softly: It has begun.
Me standing outside holding giant orange cat, coffee never arrived, somehow now legally emotionally responsible for retired yakuza Garfield.
Me: entering Japanese cat café.
employee stops me immediately.
Employee: One rule.
Me: Okay.
Employee: Orange cat bites people from France.
Me: I’m not French.
Employee: Good.
I sit down, cats everywhere, peaceful, adorable, therapeutic.
then gigantic orange cat jumps onto table, built like retired wrestler.
Cat staring at me aggressively.
Employee watching nervously from distance.
Me: I thought he only hated French people.
Employee: He improvises.
cat slowly pushes my drink off table while maintaining eye contact.
Me: THIS IS TARGETED.
small child nearby points at cat.
Child: That one evil.
Employee: No no, He just passionate.
cat suddenly climbs onto my lap, starts purring violently.
Me: …wait he likes me?
Employee shocked.
Employee: Impossible.
another worker comes over, then another, entire staff now observing me like chosen prophet.
Manager arrives.
Manager: He has never trusted customer before.
Me: What does that mean.
Manager bows slightly.
Manager: You must take him.
Me: TAKE HIM WHERE.
orange cat already asleep on me.
Employee quietly bringing adoption papers.
Me: I CAME HERE FOR COFFEE.