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I looked up at Satoru and saw he was smiling, but again in that tearful way. “So you do want to come back, eh, Mr. Cat?” Right. Yeah. So open up. “So you’ll be my cat?” Okay. But sometimes let’s go out for a walk. And so I became Satoru’s cat.
“Nana can’t be classified as a tabby either. He’s just a mutt.” Well, excuuuse me. I glared at the back of Satoru’s head, and he went on:
Humans who think we don’t understand them are the stupid ones.
Distant relatives you hardly ever see are, to a child, like total strangers. Friends are much closer. Why don’t adults understand that?
“Some people really shouldn’t become parents. There’s no absolute guarantee when it comes to the love between a parent and their child.”
It’s about time you cut the strings and got over your father. Cats, you know, are independent from their parents six months after they’re born.
You have a good friend here. It’s all okay,
Which is why he tried his best to be the kind of child who wouldn’t require too much of their time and effort, the kind who wouldn’t get under their feet. Being a kid who never gave his parents any trouble would at least stop them being in a bad mood and keep things settled on the home front.
The sea is where you go to reminisce when you are far away from home.
Satoru’s company, as he recalled, was a subsidiary of that corporation.
No.....
Our silver van was like a magic carriage. Every time I got into it, it carried me to a place I’d never been before. At that moment, we were without doubt the greatest travelers in the world. And I was the world’s greatest traveling cat.
If you’re going to pick a fight with Satoru, then I—a cat with a strong sense of pride—am not going to just sit here and take it! If you don’t want that nose of yours cut to shreds, then apologize right this instant, you mangy mutt!
Help, this is too cute.
You’re the silly one. I’d never wander so far that I’d actually lose you. “Don’t leave me . . . Stay with me.”
It hit. It did.
For the rest of my life, I would remember all the shades of red Satoru mentioned that day.
This made me want to cry.
I liked them! They were much more beautiful than any you’d buy in a shop, and Satoru’s father and mother would be thrilled to be given them.
On our last journey, let’s see all kinds of amazing things. Let’s spend our time taking in as many wonderful sights as we can.
I’ll always remember those five years we had together.
“It’s not like I want to leave you. I love you, you silly cat!”
Come back! Come back! Come back! COME BACK! I’m your cat till the bitter end!
I’m your cat till the bitter end!
Satoru didn’t seem to get it. How important he was to me.
I saw a bright-red car driving down the road. The color of the berries on the mountain ash, the color you taught me.
I don’t think I’m being conceited if I say that I was the one who brought that warm red glow to his face, but what do you all think?
We all agree, my friend.
Satoru’s face looked like that of a child on the verge of tears. “Nana, you’re being foolish,” he said. “You came to say hello, didn’t you?” I am Satoru’s one and only cat. And Satoru is my one and only pal.
I am Satoru’s one and only cat. And Satoru is my one and only pal.
I sobbed so hard.
Satoru’s lips moved faintly. She thought she heard him say, “Thank you.” The ECG screen flat-lined.
My story will be over soon. But it’s not something to be sad about. As we count up the memories from one journey, we head off on another. Remembering those who went ahead. Remembering those who will follow after. And someday, we will meet all those people again, out beyond the horizon.
