Chapter 7 - The Hero Has Arrived!

The Ferris wheel’s shutting down...…?

Yes, seems like it’s having some issues.

We’re stopping it for an inspection.

But..… the inspection might take a while.

......I see.

Huh? Looks like the Ferris wheel’s under maintenance.

Wait, seriously?

Man, I was really looking forward to this…....

Ah.....

……We don’t really have a choice. Safety comes first.

But..… it’s the closing day, and we’re letting everyone down..… I feel awful.

Inuyama-san.......

Even so, I’m content.

This place was always about making people smile, no matter who they were, no matter where they were from.

And I really believe we made that dream a reality.

(This place....… It’s special to Inuyama-san. A place that’s given so many people so much joy...…)

(And yet, here we are...… On its final day, with nothing but sad faces all around like this..…)

(There has to be a way…....)

(Is there any way to turn this around....… and make everyone here smile—?)

Looks like there’s only one thing I can do.

Huh?

Inuyama-san. Everyone.

Could I have a moment?

I have a proposal.

Hey, hey! I wanna go on the Ferris wheel!

How long till it’s back!?

Hmm, I'm not sure...…

It's probably gonna take a while.

It's a shame, but how about another ride? That carousel over there has cat-shaped seats!

It looks super fun.

Nooo, I want the Ferris wheel!

Sis! This way, hurry!

Wha—?

Hehe, so this is the main attraction of the park, the Ferris wheel.

Oh, this thing is just begging for a fix of mischief.

Mhm. Now, where’s that switch…..?

........Oh! I bet it’s over there! Let’s go check it out!

Oh..… they ran off!

What...… just happened?

Those girls had, like, the cutest cat ears ever, don't you think........?

Hey—! You there!

I need to ask you something...…

Did you see a pair of cat sisters come this way?

Huh? By cat sisters, you mean…..?

Wow.....! A cape-wearing kitty!

That’s so awesome......!

I wonder what’s going on……

Lately, there’ve been some troublemaking cats causing chaos in the park.

I spotted them earlier, so I followed them, thinking they might be up to no good again…..

But it seems I have lost sight of them.

If you know anything, please tell me!

Umm..… they went that way!

And they were talking about pulling a prank!

What?! That’s serious business…...!

Thanks for the help, kid!

Hey, hey...… Is this, like, some kind of event?

Could be! That guy from earlier totally looked like a hero from a show!

Whoa, look!

The Ferris wheel stopped moving!

You’re right!

It was running just a minute ago.....… What happened?

Hey hey, does anyone know why it stopped?

I dunnooo!

Weird~..…

The control room’s open..… huh?

The Ferris wheel switch is missing!

Don’t tell me..… it’s those sisters again…..

Whaaat…..?!

The Ferris wheel isn’t moving 'cause of those kitties?! Mom…..!

Wow..... Wait, does this mean the Ferris wheel thing is all part of the act...?

(Waaah..…! Tsukasa-kun’s amazing!)

(He turned the Ferris wheel stopping into part of the show~☆)

(Not only that—)

Hmmm...… Where did the cat girls go?

—Oh my, were you calling for us?

Eh.....?

Heh heh heh.......

Looking for the Ferris wheel switch, are we?

It just so happens that.......my sister and I got it right here!

Want it back? Then catch us if you can~!

Not that we'd ever actually let you catch us, though.

Ah! Look, they're over there, big bro Kitty!

Hrrmm, you're right!

Thanks, everyone!

Stopping the Ferris wheel like this…... How unforgivable!

Today, I won’t let this slide!

This hero..... Nyantaro's gonna punish you!

HOLD ITTTTTTT!

Whoa, it’s the Cat Hero!

Go get ‘em, Nyantaro!

But the kitty sisters are cute too....…! Run, run, you two!

(And just like that..… the disappointed guests are all smiling now!)

Alright, gotcha cornered!

Now hurry and hand the switchー!

Sis, catch!

Wha—?!

Gah...…! Gotta hand it to them, their teamwork’s impressive...…

They slipped right past me!

Hey, guys. You know where those troublemakers ran off to?

They went that way, Nyantaro!

Huh?

Oh, I saw the younger one go deeper in!

Deeper in...… Must be under the Ferris wheel!

Got it—thanks, I'm on it!

Ugh, you're extra persistent today!

Of course I am!

I can't give up now, not when everyone’s looking forward to this Ferris wheel!

Nyantaro......!

Hey guys, why don’t we give Nyantaro some cheerleading?

Our voices will definitely give him strength!

Good idea!

Come on, everyone, let’s do this!

Ah… O-Okay!

Alright, on the count of three! One, two—!

You got this, Nyantaro!

You can do it!

Huff… Huff…...

They’re so fast!

Even with everyone helping, I still can’t catch them…....!

Is Nyantaro gonna be okay…....?

(If everything’s on schedule, the inspection should be wrapping up soon...…)

(Still not done yet? In that case, I'll go rally the crowd over there...…)

<Tsukasa-kun! Tsukasa-kun…!>

Miku?!

<Look over there, look!>

<By the notice board!>

Ah, that’s—!

(Inuyama-san is taking down the 'Under Inspection' notice..…! That means—)

(The Ferris wheel is back up and running…..!)

<They’re giving us the all-clear over here ☆>

Got it! Then let’s—

Alright, playtime’s over!

Next time, I’m taking it back for sure!

Here I go...… HOOOAAAAHHH!!!!

S-Such fighting spirit.....!

Sis, the switch…!

Oh no—! I lost my grip…..!

WHOOAAH!

I got it!

Yay! Nyantarou got it back!

Alright, now to press this switch…...

—Let’s get this thing moving!

Huh.....?

W-Whoa, the Ferris wheel is actually moving…..!

Does that mean we can ride it now.....!?

Awesome, this is so awesome!

Thank you, Nyantaro~!

Hah hah hah! No need to thank me!

It is my duty as a hero to protect the smiles of everyone here!

Take these memories with you...… and may your days ahead be filled with smiles.

And with that..… a huge thanks to all of you for being here today!