Chapter 2 - Looking for Nyantaro

Nyantaro~! Where’d you run off to!?

<Hmm...... Nope, not here either....>

Yeah...... He always shows up when I go running..... I wonder what’s wrong....

<Maybe he already got his fill of sardines somewhere else?>

Maybe...… I just hope he found something to eat.

—Heeey, Tsukasa-senpai!

Akiyama? And..… Airi Momoi! It’s been a while!

Oh come on, why do I always get the full name drop?!

......Ugh, I’m basically programmed to react to that like a straight man¹ at this point.

Ahaha...... We’re going to that cat-themed carnival in Shibuya! It’s supposed to be super duper adorbs!

By the way, what was that about, Tsukasa-senpai? You were practically screaming.......

Oh, I was just looking for Nyantaro, actually.

Nyantaro?

A stray cat I ran into while I'm out running.

He was in a bit of trouble, so I helped him out, and we’ve been friends ever since.

Since then, I’ve been giving him sardines every day when we meet here, and we’ve been getting closer…....

But today, Nyantaro wasn’t at his usual spot. So, I started searching for him.

Oh, so that’s what’s going on…....

I mean, he’s a stray, right? It’s not that weird if he skips a day or two.

You know how cats are, they're really unpredictable.

True, but I can’t help but worry if he’s eating properly…....

I see..…

Yeah, as a fellow cat lover, I totally get it.

Mizuki, wanna help look for him before we head to the carnival? We’ve got time before it opens.

Yep! I’m down.

Really?! Thank you, both of you..…!

I’ve already checked this area. Next, we should look over there—

—Huh? Tsukasa?

Hm?

Nene, why are you.....?!

Uh..… I was just out for a run…..

Oh! Good morning, Kusanagi-san! What are the odds we’d meet here?

M-Momoi-san…? And Akiyama-san...…? What are you two doing with Tsukasa...…?

We’re all looking for a cat together!

His name is Nyantaro..… Nene, have you seen him anywhere?

……Nyantaro?

Okay..........

In that case, I’ll help look too. I was just about to take a break anyway.

By the way, does this cat have any distinct features? Like breed, fur color, anything?

You have my thanks, Nene..…! Luckily, he’s got a pretty distinct look!

Believe it or not..… he’s got a star on his back!

A star?

Exactly. There’s a fur pattern on the left side of his back that looks just like a star.

He’s got the typical orange tabby colors, too.

An orange tabby with a star on its back..…? Wait, don’t tell me—

Kusanagi-san, you know something?

Uh, it’s not so much that I know where he is, it’s more like—

…...He’s literally right there.

What!?

Meowww~

AAAHHHH! N-Nyantaro....!!

Wait, so this little guy is…...?

Whoa, you’re right! He's got a little star on his back!

Haha, talk about perfect timing!

You're late! I was getting so worried! I even brought more dried sardines for you—

Oh...… Nyantaro, you’ve made some friends?

Eh......?

Meow!

Haha, I see now.

So that’s why you’ve been sneaking out so much lately. You’ve been coming to see these kids, huh?

Um..… Excuse me, but..… who might you be?

Ah, I’m this little guy’s —Nyantaro’s owner, to be exact.

H.......

HE HAS AN OWNER......!?

Sooo, if we sum all that up…...

This kitty isn’t a stray, but actually someone’s pet…....

Wait, so you're saying, his name was actually Nyantaro this whole time!?

Yes. I'm Nyantaro's owner, Inuyama.

My, I never thought I’d meet someone who came up with the same name for him.

H-H-H-H-H........

HOW COULD THIS BEEEEEE—!!!

I-I’m so sorry, Inuyama-san! I had no idea he already had an owner, and yet I still named him, got all buddy-buddy with him, and even fed him dried sardines....…!

Truly, how could I ever atone for this...…!?!?!?

No, no, actually, I’m glad.

Now I finally know why Nyantaro’s been heading out so cheerfully lately.

Besides, from what I heard, you even helped him when he was stuck somewhere, didn’t you?

Nyantaro can be a bit skittish sometimes. I’m really glad you were there.

Thank you, Tenma-kun.

Ah, that’s right. If you don’t mind...… how about spending some time at my carnival?

I’ve heard that you’ve been looking after this little one….. So please, let me let me do something for you in return.

Huh? A carnival......

You’ve seen the traveling carnival that’s set up nearby, right?

Well...… I’m actually the owner.

No way..…!? We were actually planning to go there today!

In that case, this is perfect timing. I’d love to have you all as my guests.

It’s a bit on the small side, but I promise you won’t be bored.

Wait, are you sure? I mean, Tenma-kun helped out, but we didn’t really do anything…...

Of course. Just the fact that you cared about Nyantaro means a lot to me.

…...Thank you very much! In that case, we’d be honored to take you up on your offer!

Meow~

Oh—! Nyantaro’s rubbing up against Tenma-kun’s leg…...!

Haha, looks like he’s saying, "I wanna go with you too~!"

Meeeow~

Hah Hah Hah! Of course, you’re more than welcome! After all, you are my….... kindred spirit, after all.

Uh...… when exactly did you two become "kindred spirits"?

.......Fufu. Well then, let me show you the way.

Yessir, we'll be in your care!

(It's great they found Nyantaro~☆)

(And, and! Going to the carnival with everyone sounds like soooo much fun~♪)

(Ehehe, good for you, Tsukasa-kun!)