Catgirls and Dungeons

Eris, I’m actually from another world called Earth. In my previous life, I was a simp who died trying to save a girl from being hit by a truck, and now I’ve reincarnated into the body of a catgirl!

…Yeah…

Like hell I can tell her that! That would make me sound insane and just confuse her for no reason. I don’t want to seem weird in front of her. Besides, the fact that I was a man would make things super awkward between us.

Now that I’m here, everything that happened on Earth doesn’t matter anymore. I’m not a salaryman slaving away at a corporate job, indulging in gacha games. I’m a catgirl in a fantasy world, starting over! I have to let go of my past and embrace this new life.

So, the best strategy here is…

Memory loss!

—————————————

“No way…” Eris gasps. She’s now sitting beside me on the bed, holding my hands gently. “You really can’t remember anything? Your family? Your home? Nothing at all?”

Her hand is soft, warm, though there are a few calluses—probably from wielding a sword.

“No…” I shake my head slowly. “Whenever I try to remember, I get this terrible headache… like a black fog is covering all my precious memories…”

Well, that’s a lie, but a harmless one.

“That’s awful!” Eris gasps again, her voice wavering as she quickly wipes a tear away with the back of her hand. “I can’t even imagine waking up one day and not remembering my parents or my siblings… Just the thought of it is… heartbreaking.”

“It—it’s okay, though,” I say, trying to comfort her. “Since I don’t remember anything, there’s nothing for me to feel sad about.”

“Well, I guess that’s true, but still…”

“Thank you for your concern, Eris,” I say gently, cutting in before she can worry more. “I’m actually fine. And I’m really glad it was you who found me. If it had been someone else… someone with bad intentions… who knows what might’ve happened to me by now.”

“No, don’t mention it,” Eris replies softly, her expression easing as she looks down for a moment, then back at me. “But… your name… you’ve forgotten that too?”

“Y-yeah…” My voice drops to a whisper. “I can’t even guess what the first letter might be… eh?”

Suddenly, as I think about my name, a mysterious female voice echoes inside my head, whispering a single, beautiful word.

I utter the word aloud almost instinctively, catching Eris off guard.

“Felicia…”

“Felicia? Wow! That’s a beautiful name! So you do remember something!” Eris exclaims, smiling brightly.

But I’m still in shock…

What the heck was that?

The moment I heard that voice, that name, my heart suddenly throbbed, and there was a poignant feeling deep within my soul that I couldn’t possibly explain.

Felicia… was it the catgirl’s name? The original owner of this body?

Honestly, I’m not sure…

But… nonetheless, it’s truly a nice name. And since Eris already thinks that it’s my name, let’s just go with that.

“Felicia…” I murmur once more, feeling a strange connection to it.

“WAIT!” Eris suddenly gasps, as if she’s remembered something important. She quickly moves toward the corner of the room, where a huge wooden chest, secured by a massive chain and padlock, lies. “Your stuff! Maybe if you see it, you’ll remember!”

“Huh? My stuff?” I tilt my head in confusion, following her with my eyes as she moves.

“Yeah, the dress you were wearing and your jewelry!” Eris exclaims, rushing to unlock the chest.

Now that I think about it, I didn’t arrive in this world naked, did I? Eris must have changed my clothes after rescuing me from the dungeon and stored my old belongings.

I watch intently as Eris opens the chest with a key, pulling out a striking black dress.

Holy…

I’m stunned.

It’s… beautiful!

The fabric, luxurious velvet, catches the dim light, highlighting its elegant design. The dress features a high, ruffled collar and long sleeves ending in lace cuffs. Its bodice is adorned with silver thread forming vine-like patterns that cascade down the asymmetrical skirt—shorter in the front and trailing at the back.

And not only that, I remember it now.

I recognize this dress!

It was the outfit the catgirl wore! It was MY dress!

“Oh!” Eris gasps. “Your face looks like you’ve remembered something!”

As I receive the dress, my hands tremble uncontrollably.

I don’t know why, but my heart is beating faster and faster as my fingers trace across the fabric.

“I-I still can’t remember…” I mutter. “But… I do recognize it. It must be something I hold dear…”

“Oh! Wait a minute, there’s your jewelry as well!” Eris says, digging further into the chest and pulling out a small wooden box.

“Here, your earrings and necklace…”

I receive the box.

Quickly, I open it.

But as I see what’s inside, my heart throbs once more.

Tears start rolling down my face for no reason.