Do You Have Any Opinion on Mechanical Cat Ears? (CAT EARS)
Escaping System 1234 felt utterly mortified, his tail practically drilling through the main system space in embarrassment. As he fled, his mind kept wailing "Meooowww"—
This was so humiliating!
He wouldn't see System 2333 for three whole days, meow!
...Still such a coward at heart.
Originally planning to tearfully recharge—during which cat-balls would hibernate, oblivious to the outside world while quietly processing their shame—1234 was unexpectedly intercepted by the main system's summons before reaching the charging room, its voice resonating directly in his mind.
【System 1234, report to the main conference room immediately.】
1234: "!!!"
Could the main system be entrusting him with another critical mission? He'd absolutely exceed expectations, work diligently, and strive to replace 1001 as the top-ranked sphere under the main system's command!
The vacant conference room stood empty of other systems today. On the elevated central platform, the main system awaited—its metallic head encased within two rotating rings, the perpetually circling halos lending an inscrutable majesty to its somewhat flattened visage.
Facing the main system directly always unnerves 1234 slightly. His mechanical cat ears instinctively flattened backward before he forcibly straightened them and steeling himself to float into the room.
【System 1234, you've arrived.】
The main system's synthetic voice stated impassively.
"Y-yes sir!"
1234 hastily raised his tail in salute, standing at attention.
He truly revered the main system—its formidable power governing the infinite realm, its imposing presence making it one of only two entities he respected here (the other being the hopelessly blunt System 2333).
That was the annual star system! His aspiration!
Yet beneath this reverence lurked persistent dread, especially when confronting that metallic cranium because frankly...
It was hideous.
Like an underdeveloped watermelon.
1234 discreetly checked his battery level, deeming it sufficient for the mission briefing—until the main system's opening words seemingly drained his power reserves instantly, leaving his entire frame ice-cold.
Dispensing with pleasantries, the massive rotating rings pronounced with absolute authority:
"System 1234, as my most trusted operative, your vital assignment is—"
"Surveillance on System 2333."
With the rat still uncaught from last time, the main system had deliberated extensively. Among all systems who dared not defy it, only this insubordinate, troublemaking 2333—likely the one who'd eavesdropped on host meetings in the sewars—stood out.
Pity there was no concrete evidence.
System 2333: "???"
Hello? He'd listened openly from Ji Yiwei's pocket without even hiding from the main system!
Reviewing 2333's illustrious record (including three consecutive years of imprisonment in main system space) and his habitual irreverence, the main system grew increasingly convinced of his guilt. To obtain proof, it required an obedient feline-eared minion for surveillance duty.
1234 was quite foolish, yet utterly loyal. Whenever it received an assigned task, it would be overwhelmed with gratitude.
Dazed and confused, 1234 didn't even know how it left the main conference room. After the primary system issued its command, it was dismissed.
As it floated toward the door, it tripped over the doorframe, its electronic screen hitting the ground as it sprawled out.
But it didn't get up immediately. Instead, it slowly curled its tail around itself.
1234's loyalty to the primary system was unshakable, of course. It was just... just thinking about the words it hadn't managed to say earlier in front of Number 2333.
"I've wanted to be friends with you ever since then!"
Suddenly, it felt...
...that maybe it would never be able to be friends with 2333.
Dejected, 1234 floated forward, only to run into 1314 and 1414 the moment it turned the corner from the conference room.
The two subordinate orbs were tangled together in an inseparable mess with even their tails knotted.
1414 clung tightly to 1314, and upon seeing 1234 emerge, its screen brightened as it immediately began meowing accusations.
"Big bro! 1314 might be betraying us! I just saw him with the enemy orb, 2333!"
1314, helplessly restrained, faced 1234.
"Big bro, you know my loyalty... 1414, can't you be reasonable? Big bro already saw me with 2333."
1414 shook its head so violently its cat ears nearly flew off.
"I won't listen, I won't listen! I'm dragging you down and becoming the top orb under big bro!"
1314's screen filled with shock.
Your ulterior motive is completely exposed!
Watching them bicker and tussle, 1234 suddenly laughed.
Wrapping its tail around both orbs, it made up its mind.
...Because it was the big brother, after all.
1414, abruptly embraced, was a little dazed. But 1314 seemed to sense something as its ear tips twitched.
"Big bro..."
Meanwhile, System 2333 was with Ji Yiwei.
After analyzing the upcoming mission world together, System 2333 couldn't resist Ji Yiwei's coaxing and perched on his shoulder to watch him sketch house designs.
"For building in the Gobi Desert, we can use some new materials—assemble them like building blocks, then fill in the interior..."
Ji Yiwei's sketches were a bit crooked. System 2333 sighed—indeed, no one was perfect.
When it came to artistic and architectural design, Ji Yiwei was utterly hopeless. Unable to bear it any longer, System 2333 took the pen with its tail and began drawing according to Ji Yiwei's instructions.
Ji Yiwei designed several house layouts, but System 2333 settled on one similar to their current coastal villa.
Ji Yiwei smiled.
San-san always managed to sweetly surprise him in the most unexpected ways.
After finishing the sketches, System 2333 split open slightly in the middle and yawned.
It had been working during the day, spent last night in the elevator shaft, and was scheduled to work again tonight—it was unusually busy. Though it could recharge with a battery, the lack of proper rest was still exhausting.
"San-san."
"Hmm?"
"I'm a little sleepy. San-san, take a nap with me." Ji Yiwei suddenly suggested.
System 2333 glanced at the clock on the wall—it was only 8:00 AM. This was less of an afternoon nap and more of a second morning snooze. But he quickly understood something, his vertical-line eyes blinking on the screen as a sudden warmth spread from the tips of his mechanical cat ears all the way to his round belly.
"Okay!" he agreed with overflowing joy.
Nestled against Ji Yiwei's neck, this spot felt like the safest place in the world to System 2333.
Here, he could sleep soundly without worrying about the Main System or the storms outside.
No external tempest could reach him—not with Ji Yiwei shielding him.
"Hey, you know what..."
A sudden urge to confide bubbled up. He wanted to tell Ji Yiwei everything—the Main System's tedious speeches, that bizarrely tall elevator shaft, the adorably flustered System 1234... But he couldn't.
He couldn't.
His vertical-line eyes drifted to the edge of the screen, stealing a glance at the glass-domed trinket on the desk. Inside it, a cat-eared orb cuddled with its host, while an eternally blooming peach branch arched above them.
When Ji Yiwei retired, he'd probably wail louder than System 4399 ever did.
Because right now, everything was too perfect.
"...Never mind."
He finally murmured before nuzzling deeper into Ji Yiwei's neck.
"Mm. If Three-Three says it's nothing, then it's nothing."
Ji Yiwei replied, as always.
After what was nominally "work" but functionally a nap, System 2333 clamped his late-night cafeteria snack between his teeth while ruthlessly herding System 1314 to their task.
He produced a custom shell he'd prepared for 1314—no need to ask why he had spares; he'd simply ordered one for every friend in advance.
"I already have mine, and I assume we're sourcing from the same place—4399." 1314 remained despondent, weighed down by shattered dreams. "It can withstand inspector scans but not the Main System's... should be fine."
En route, 2333 asked:
"When did you first learn about that elevator shaft?"
"I mostly follow my host's lead," 1314 explained. "Remember Zhou Yueluo, 4399's former host? My host Zhou Yuechu is her younger sister. After Yueluo retired, 4399 refused new hosts and just asked me to watch over Yuechu."
"Naturally, I'd do my utmost for my own host."
Though no extra payment was needed, 4399 had still crafted 1314 this shell—complete with camouflage cloth and battery pack for nighttime mobility. Since 1314 insisted on maintaining his reclusive master persona, 4399 kept this arrangement discreet, never informing 2333.
"Oh, not sure if 1001 mentioned it, but you've probably deduced it yourself—the hosts have a pl—"
Before he could finish, 2333 crossed his twin tails into an X.
"I'll wait for Little One to tell me."
System 1314 could only helplessly agree with a "Fine." When he was escorted to the elevator shaft, he was shocked to see System 2333 patting his round belly, preparing to leave!
He barely took a few steps in pursuit when System 4399's metallic tail ruthlessly clamped down on him.
"Still trying to run... Someone has to stay and help me work..."
System 4399 murmured ominously.
From afar, System 2333's mechanical cat ears twitched as if he could still hear 1314's pitiful meows.
"2333! You're just finding a scapegoat!"
Hearing this, System 2333 floated away even more shamelessly.
There was no way he was staying—he had other plans tonight. Ji Yiwei had already drawn up the house design for him!
In the vast charging room, rows of cat-balls were neatly docked at charging stations, powering up and resting.
The inspector robot had just finished counting them, confirming none were missing, and was about to log the inventory when its display-screen head suddenly bowed.
"Main System."
The Main System had unexpectedly arrived at the charging room tonight.
This time, the Main System made a grand entrance—not only accompanied by six inspectors but also over a dozen offensive robots. As the robotic inspectors followed behind, the Main System moved among the charging cat-balls before coming to an abrupt halt.
On one of the charging stations, System 2333 was powered down, recharging.
The Main System fixed its gaze on this cat-ball, and blinding white light suddenly shot from its sunken eye sockets—
It was scanning this cat-ball.
Author's Note:
Main System: Bet you didn't see that coming?
Translator:
Oh nooo!!! Danger! Danger!!!!
•───────•°•❀•°•───────•
The completed novel is now available in my Ko-fi page.
If you appreciate what I do, please consider supporting me on kofi. Thank you!
•───────•°•❀•°•───────•