Midday arrived with a warm sun that made the leaves of the trees around the village shine. After the morning exploring and all those hungry looks, I decided it was time to contribute a little more. Lira walked beside me, her hand in mine, her tail brushing my hip as always, marking me so no one would forget who her master was.
"What do we help with now?" I asked, looking at the cabins that needed repairs.
Lira smiled, her ears twitching happily.
"Whatever is needed. Mira said there are roofs to fix and water to fetch from the northern well. Let's go."
We first went to a cabin whose main beam had broken. Several villagers were already there, trying to lift a new one with ropes. When they saw me, they dropped what they were doing and approached with smiles loaded with something more than gratitude.
"Kai! Will you help us?" asked one with white ears and soft fur, pressing her body against my arm as she handed me a rope. Her name was Sira, and her tail briefly wrapped around my wrist, brushing my skin with soft fur.
I lifted the beam alone, placing it in position without effort. The girls gasped, purring low, their tails whipping excitedly. One of them, with generous curves and silver-gray ears, came too close to "wipe the sweat" from my forehead with her hand, letting her fingers slide down my neck to my chest. It was Nia, the young one with gray ears who had flirted before.
"You're so strong..." Nia murmured, biting her lip as her purr vibrated against my skin.
Lira growled softly and pressed against my back, rubbing her cheek against my shoulder and pushing Nia away with her body.
"Yes, he is. And he's busy."
Then we fetched water. The full buckets were heavy for them, but I carried four at once, one in each hand and two hanging from my arm. The villagers followed me with their eyes, some offering to "help" wipe my sweat with their hands. Sira dared to run a damp cloth over my neck, going down to the open chest of my shirt, her fingers brushing my muscles with deliberate slowness.
"Your skin is so hot..." Sira whispered, purring loudly as her tail wrapped around my leg.
Lira hissed and pushed her away firmly, rubbing against me to leave her scent everywhere.
"Hands off! He already has someone to cool him down."
The work took us until the afternoon, with constant brushes, purrs, and looks that promised more if Lira wasn't always watching.
When we finished, Mira invited us to her large cabin, the center of the village. Inside, several elders with silver ears were sitting in a circle, weaving baskets. The air smelled of dried herbs and soft smoke.
"Sit down," Mira said, pointing to furs on the floor. "You've worked well today. It's time for you to learn more about us."
Lira sat beside me, her tail wrapping possessively around my leg. The elders began to speak, their voices hoarse from the years.
"This village is ancient," one began, her eyes bright. "Part of what was once the great feline kingdom. Centuries ago, we were powerful, with strong men guiding us. But the feline goddess punished our arrogance... men became rare, weak. The kingdom collapsed, and we hid in forests like this one."
Mira nodded, her curves standing out under the fireplace light. She sat closer to me than necessary, her tail brushing my knee "accidentally."
"The feline goddess, Nyara, gave us instincts to survive. Purrs that heal, sensitive tails that bind, heat that attracts. But without worthy men, everything weakens."
An elder chuckled softly.
"There are legends of the isekai blessing. Men from other worlds who arrive wounded, like you. They become kings. One unified three clans generations ago. Another made beasts flee just with his scent... and made all the cat girls purr just by seeing him."
The others nodded, looking at me with bright eyes.
"The current cat men are... small. Weak. They couldn't lift a log like you. Nor make a dozen purr just by walking," one said, laughing. "You're perfect. Like in the stories."
Lira tensed beside me, her ears flattened. Her tail tightened more around my leg, and I felt her nails digging slightly into my thigh as she pressed closer to me, rubbing her body against my arm to claim me.
"He's mine," she murmured low, but loud enough for everyone to hear.
The elders laughed softly.
"Calm down, little one. We're only telling truths."
Mira looked at me directly, her green eyes shining. Her hand brushed my knee as she "adjusted" on the fur.
"That's why the hot springs tonight are important. It's tradition to honor the strong man. So his power grows... and ours with him."
The sun was starting to set when we left the cabin. Lira didn't let go of me, her jealousy vibrating with every step.
"They talk too much about other men," she growled, but her tail brushed my hand affectionately.
I smiled, squeezing her waist.
"You're the first. Always."
At dusk, Mira appeared again, insistent.
"The baths are ready. Come. It's tradition to honor the strong man. You can't refuse it."
Lira looked at me, her ears trembling between jealousy and curiosity.
Night was falling, and the steam from the baths could already be seen in the distance.