We'll Prescribe You a Cat (We'll Prescribe You a Cat, #1)

by Syou Ishida

Kyoto’s street names were like a code. Even something as simple as an address had an obliqueness that seemed designed to keep outsiders away.

“I see,” said the doctor. Then he broke into another smile. “We’ll prescribe you a cat. Let’s keep an eye on your condition.”

‘A cat a day keeps the doctor away.’ Cats are more effective than any other medicine out there.”

There was something comforting about watching a cat going about on a little adventure.

Shuta felt exhausted all of a sudden. This clinic was unlike any other. His cries of pain and tears did not even earn a superficial show of sympathy. But maybe this was preferable to a hollow pretense of concern.

It seemed that having a pet disrupted the flow of one’s daily routine.

It was a ritual to use the weekly morning meeting as a stage for public shaming.

Employees have rights, too.” “That may be true, but…” As someone who had been treated as incompetent on a daily basis, Shuta felt like he had no rights at all.

When Bee closed her eyes, it looked like she was smiling. This in turn always coaxed a smile from Shuta. For a long time, he struggled to do something even that simple, but now, Bee brought a glow to his face every day. Before he could utter a word, she would gaze up at him with anticipation.

This must be what it meant to have an emotional connection. He enjoyed being around Bee. Every day, he was soothed by her cuteness. She was sure to bring him happiness for a long time to come.

“Hey, hey, hey. What is this?” “A cat. Works really well for insomnia,” said the doctor. “Here, I’ll write you a prescription, so please take it to reception. Now, take care.” “Is this a joke? Treat my insomnia with a cat? What’s that going to do? It’s not worth a fart in a windstorm!” “Please don’t fart. Even cats can’t stand bad odors. Don’t worry. Cats can solve most problems.

Hinako had been like this ever since she had joined their office. Regardless of whether someone was a superior or a subordinate, she showered them with praise for every little thing. From people’s appearance to job performance, even the contents of a convenience store bento or the canned juice they were drinking—all were subjects of her unwavering admiration. “She’s so high-spirited every day. It’s exhausting for everyone around her,” murmured Fukuda, the call center’s general manager,

Emiri was right. It does take energy to do something if you’re not used to it. But if it makes someone this happy, offering praise here and there is a small price to pay.

Megumi had heard from her mom friends that therapy and mental health care were becoming trendy among kids. Things that kids thought were cool included going to cram school, participating in extracurricular activities, having phones, and seeking advice from professionals instead of their parents or teachers. The older the kids became, the harder Megumi found it to connect with or understand them.

That’s great. It seems like the cat worked well. Cats can solve most problems. But to get a prescription for one, you have to first come to this clinic and open the door yourself.

“They say cats are capricious, but human beings are much more unpredictable.”

“Emotional support? That’s ridiculous. Cats don’t provide emotional support. They just sit there and do whatever they like.

But her mind tended to wander in that direction, and she’d catch herself drawing cat ears and paw pads with the stylus of her graphics tablet. And she noticed cats everywhere: TV commercials, the Internet, cat-themed merchandise. She hadn’t realized how this world was so full of cats until now. Her cat obsession had even led her to confuse a plastic bag stuck in some bushes outside the office for a white cat just the other day.

“Oh, by the way, if you’re going to take the cats in combination, please make sure to finish both completely. If you stop taking them halfway through, you’ll build a resistance to them, and they won’t be as effective.

“The amount of time you spent together probably matters, but less time doesn’t mean less love. Whether it’s a day or year, human or cat, and even if we may never see them again, there are those who are irreplaceable in our lives.”

When they were together, Abino hadn’t been able to utter any of this, even to herself, but she had so many things she wanted to say to Chitose. We were together for only a short time, but I was happy. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. Thank you for coming to me. I love you. I love you. Thank you. Good-bye. I love you. I love you.