“Shelter cats, huh?” Koga wondered how a shelter was different from the pound. Weary of the bustle of the pet shop, he agreed to visit the shelter as Emiri suggested.
City Cat Rescue Center, operated by an animal welfare organization, was located in a quiet area a short distance from the city center. Although it was housed in a nondescript building that reminded one of a big-box store, the atmosphere was not as bleak as he had imagined. It was spacious and bright inside. Animal enclosures lined the walls with cats on view for visitors.
“There are so many cats here. Were they all abandoned?”
“They’re here for various reasons. Some were rescued; others were abandoned by their owners.”
“Abandoned, huh? People can do terrible things.”
While Emiri and Natsue crouched down to examine each cat, Koga wandered around the shelter. There were many cats, and not just in the visitors’ area. Some were in cages with tags that said they were under treatment or not available for adoption. Unlike the sleek-furred, bright-eyed cats he’d seen earlier, these bore scars on their faces, had uneven fur, and exhibited other signs of hardship.
When he returned, Emiri and Natsue were taking another look at the first enclosure.
“These are all adult cats. You’re okay with that?” he asked.
“Kittens are cute, but they come with their own challenges. I’m a bit worried because we’ve never had a cat or a dog before.”
“But can adult cats form bonds with their new owners?”
“They can,” said a voice from behind them.
Koga turned around.
“Hey! What are you doing here?”
It was the peculiar doctor from the clinic, sporting that same thin smile that Koga knew all too well. But instead of his white lab coat, he was wearing Wellington boots. In his arms was a dark-colored cat.
“Do you work here? Oh, I see. You’re also a vet. That’s why you have a cat.”
“Huh?” The man tilted his head. It was the same playful gesture he’d displayed at the clinic. “I’m Kajiwara, the deputy director of this shelter. Regarding your question, all our cats up for adoption are super friendly. With time and care, they’ll warm up to you. Have you ever had a cat before?”
Nudging Koga aside, Emiri responded. “No. We recently took care of a cat for a short while. She was so ridiculously cute. It made us want to get our own.”
“I see. That’s fate for you. Our adoption requirements are relatively lenient. Many shelters won’t allow pets to be adopted by people who live alone or families without prior experience with pets, but our policy is about opening more doors to adoption.”
Emiri seemed smitten by Kajiwara’s friendly smile. Koga stared at the man. He’s definitely that doctor. His appearance, the way he talks, his friendly but somewhat distant smile—all exactly the same.
The cat in Kajiwara’s arms squirmed and turned its face toward them. Its eyes were light green, similar to Margot’s. There was a large black patch on one side of its nose, and on the other side there was a patch with an irregular pattern of stripes. Its coat was somewhat speckled.
“Is that a tortoiseshell cat?” Koga asked.
“Since there’s a lot of white in her coat, I’d say she’s more of a calico. There might be some tabby mixed in there, too. She’s female, about three years old.”
“Is she up for adoption?”
“Yes. She’s well-behaved, but as you can see, her facial markings aren’t very appealing, so she’s not popular. Right, my dear?” Kajiwara spoke kindly to the cat.
The cat lifted her nose and leaned her face toward him. Koga, Emiri, and Natsue were all staring at the cat. There were many felines at the facility that were more beautiful and charming, but for some reason, they were all captivated by the one in Kajiwara’s arms.
“Has she already been given a name?” Emiri asked.
“The cats here have numbers as names, which I guess is a bit boring. This one’s in the sixth cage, so we call her Six. After adoption, the owner is welcome to give the cat a new name. How about it? Want to hold her for a bit?”
“May I?”
“Here.” Kajiwara handed Emiri the cat. She held the cat awkwardly and flashed a troubled smile at her parents.
“Oh wow, she’s so warm.”
The cat lifted its nose again. Emiri broke into a wide grin as she watched the cat sniff the air.
“Since she has so many patches and is in the sixth enclosure, let’s call her Six-Patch,” said Koga.
Emiri frowned. “Dad, that’s not fair. You can’t decide on her name on your own.”
“Huh? Well, I didn’t mean to—”
“I wanted to give her a cuter name, like Mocha or Berry,” said Emiri.
“Then name her Mocha or Berry.”
“But now I can only see her as Six-Patch. Right, Mom?”
“You’re right. She looks like a Six-Patch.” Natsue leaned in toward the cat and laughed. The cat glanced nervously between them.
“If you’re interested in this little one, you can take her for a trial stay for a few days to confirm compatibility. There are a few simple documents you need to review,” said Kajiwara, gesturing toward the reception desk.
