Chapter 4

[May 14, 20XX]

A serious disagreement arose between me and the male creature providing me shelter—I began questioning the wisdom of accepting protection from such a barbaric species.

The incident unfolded as follows: Shortly after waking from hibernation today, I was forcibly pressed into a basin filled with mineral-processed granules called “cat litter” and ordered to relieve myself in front of my shelter provider.

This humiliating command enraged me—though I have yet to systematically study the behavioral patterns of my shelter provider’s species, it is certain that despite their low level of civilization, this species has already developed a concept of “privacy.” From the time we returned to the nest yesterday until now, my shelter provider entered the room called the “toilet” three times, each time closing the door to block my view.

What kind of mentality drives a species that understands the need to protect its own privacy to so viciously trample upon the privacy rights of another species?

Is it to assert and emphasize their dominance over weaker species?

I cannot comprehend it.

I am unsure how the species I am mimicking—”cats”—would react in such a situation, nor do I intend to reveal my true identity to him. Thus, I chose the most peaceful method to express my dissent:

Standing motionless in silent opposition.

Soon, the dominant relented, releasing me and allowing me to freely leave the mineral granules.

This conflict made me acutely aware of how difficult coexistence with a backward species could be. Even if I succeeded in making him back down this time, what about the next?

Perhaps I truly should consider leaving this place.

The dominant clearly did not notice my wavering—perhaps in his view, everything he had just done was justified and reasonable. He sat down on the sofa—the “sofa” I had slept on—facing a cabinet with a “TV” on it. The object in his hand was a “phone.” These terms were all used by him yesterday, and I have already accurately matched them to their corresponding objects and functions. He took out his phone and began communicating.

“Brother Zhao,” I heard him say, “The cat I picked up refuses to use the litter box… It can eat cat food, had quite a bit yesterday… Yeah, alright, I’ll keep observing.”

He put away his phone and looked at me.

I walked away.

[May 15, 20XX]

Once again, I was ordered to relieve myself in front of him.

Just like yesterday, I firmly refused.

He doesn’t seem to have given up yet.

To avoid falling into his hands and to prevent any extreme reactions, I chose to spend the day hiding beneath the sofa.

[May 16, 20XX]

I can no longer endure this!

Three consecutive days of such humiliation!

I must leave this place!

He was on the phone again—”Brother Zhao, I’m really at my wits’ end. It still won’t poop… No, I’ve checked every corner of the house, it hasn’t relieved itself anywhere—could it really be constipated?… Alright, I’ll bring it over for you to check.”—There might be an opportunity here.

The dominant’s nest is separated from the outside world by a heavy metal door, which my mimetic abilities alone cannot open. I cannot expose myself, so I must seize the moment he opens the door to escape.

This isn’t particularly difficult—the mimetic form possesses strong explosive power, allowing me to flee before he can react.

The dominant approached me: “Little guy, let’s go out for a bit, okay?”

I deliberately feigned obedience, staying close to his legs.

“Good~” He bent down to pat my head, then walked toward the metal door.

He opened it—

The moment the door opened, I dashed out!

The dominant’s startled cry was left far behind me!

I escaped!

[May 17, 20XX]

This low-rise building contains twenty-two nests arranged in a regular pattern. The one on the ground floor is inhabited by an extremely hostile creature. Every time I approach that nest, it emits threatening growls.

Its barks alert the dominants.

I cannot pass its blockade to reach the exit on the ground floor.

I need food.

[May 18, 20XX]

I must revise my earlier judgment.

Not every dominant is friendly toward weaker species.

Today, a vicious male dominant attacked me. I dodged.

I need food.

[May 19, 20XX]

Though reluctant to admit it, I am truly regretting my rash decision.

My shelter provider clearly still cares for me: I found food and fresh water placed outside his nest.

This discovery prompted me to reevaluate the events of the past few days. My temporary shelter provider is not one of those cruel dominants. The cultural gap between us is simply too vast—perhaps this gap led me to misunderstand him.

[May 20, 20XX]

The shelter provider replenished the food and changed the water.

I accepted his kindness.

[May 21, 20XX]

After eating today, I did not hide again. Instead, I waited outside the nest for the shelter provider to open the door.

This was a carefully considered decision—the outside world is undoubtedly more complex and dangerous than this low-rise building with its twenty-two nests. If I cannot even handle these twenty-two nests, I would face far greater difficulties outside.

Upon seeing me again, the shelter provider seemed pleasantly surprised, evident from his tone: “Have you been hiding in the hallway these past few days? There’s a big dog on the first floor—did it scare you?”

I felt somewhat uneasy but decided to express gratitude for his concern: “Thank you…”

“Come inside—you’re all dirty, did you brush against the motorcycle in the hallway?”

Returning to the shelter provider’s nest, I was resolved to make certain compromises: To gain something, one must give something in return. For now, ensuring my own safety until the rescue ship arrives is my top priority.

I had prepared myself to sacrifice some dignity, but my shelter provider proved more considerate than I expected.

When I saw that the small basin for cat litter had been replaced with an enclosed plastic box, I admit—I was deeply moved.

“I looked it up online—some cats are very particular about privacy. Here, I got you a new litter box. Happy now?”

The shelter provider looked at me—even if I still struggle to read his facial expressions, I could tell he was expectant.

I pushed open the box’s flap and stepped inside. The interior was spacious, lined with thick granules at the bottom. After hesitating briefly, I relieved myself for the first time on this planet.

The mimetic form thoroughly simulates the biological instincts of the mimicked species: Before I could react, I had already instinctively used my forelimbs to dig and bury the waste.

This embarrassed me.

But my shelter provider was delighted. He happily called Brother Zhao again: “Brother Zhao! My cat came back!… Yeah! It uses the litter box now, and even buries it!”

His attitude gave me a peculiar sense of comfort.