The Truth About Cats
I spotted Clarissa at the library, reading.
Hey.
Hmm?
Captain? What brings you to the library on your day off?
Me? I've been researching the Aruk tribe.
You gave me that push, remember? So I've been digging into it beyond the Journey itself.
But what about your book? Cat, Fully Explained?
Ahaha! Still as diligent as ever.
Say, do you have some free time?
Our last camping trip ended kind of abruptly. I wanted to do it right this time. What do you say?
Today's dish is stew.
It's good with just veggies, but meat really brings out the flavor.
So I set up a few simple traps nearby!
Get ready to be amazed. One bite and you might polish off the whole thing.
You might even end up eating the bowl! Ahaha!
...
...Captain?
Are you intentionally stepping on every trap?
Is it some life-is-sacred thing? Gotta protect the wildlife?
...I seriously didn't see them.
Hey...
I invited you here because I genuinely wanted to treat you. You don't have to force yourself to act funny.
...I wasn't lying.
In the end, we didn't catch a single thing.
Ugh, seriously?
I really wanted to do something nice for once.
Tastes good though, right? I added Clarissa's secret ingredient!
You wanna know what I put in?
...
...You used actual ingredients, right?
...Ahaha.
Right?!
Meow!
Huh? It's the cat from the park. How did it even find this place?
Ahaha! Lucky timing. Want a bowl of stew?
*Purr* *Purr*
Oh? It thinks my lap is its home.
So now you open up, huh? You little rascal!
Clarissa, do you remember what you said before?
What I said before?
A cat's last days.
It's just an old belief?
That cats go off alone when they know the end is near?
I read that in a book.
They actually go somewhere they feel safe when they're sick.
They go somewhere safe to rest...
Daddy, are you awake?
...
I made stew. Let's eat together, Daddy.
...
...
You once said cats reminded you of your father.
If that's true... And this is just a guess, but...
...Maybe he thought being by my side made him feel safe?
Sorry if that was presumptuous.
Ahaha! No, not at all.
I'll admit, it's kind of surprising.
Hearing that what I thought was a fact turned out to be just an old belief...
I see.
It was to rest...
I made stew. Let's eat together, Daddy.
...
Then maybe my father will come back as a hunter too someday?
You've really improved your shooting.
But I still lost.
Then... I hope that's the case.
Yeah...
You'll get used to it soon. When you do, I'll give you an even bigger one.
...Really?! One as big as yours, Daddy?
Now that I think about it, it's been a while since I got in touch with my father.
I should check in on him.
Clarissa.
Hmm? What's up?
Ahaha! Did you just want to say my name?
Are you okay?
Am I okay...? Huh?
Tears...?
That's weird. Why am I suddenly crying?
All you said was that it was an old belief.
Nothing's changed. So why...?
Of course. You're my one and only star.
My daughter, Clarissa.
It's strange. I just can't stop crying.
Captain, do you know why this is happening?
I'm not sick or anything, right? The Journey is coming to an end.
I have to make it through.
I have to pass and go back.
To tell Daddy I made it...
...
Clarissa.
It's okay to cry.
...!
The sound of the fire crackling and the chirp of insects in the grass.
The forest gently welcomed the quiet sobs of a hunter girl who was now all grown up.