Cross-Checking
Meow!
Meow!
Meoooow!
Smile, what are you doing?
Attempting communication using feline vocal analysis.
The intent is to offer leniency for attacking its owner and escaping right after booting up.
Smile, I don't think it'll come back just because of that.
...Agreed.
Right after booting up, Smile Cat went berserk for an unknown reason.
And vanished before we could do anything.
We couldn't just leave a weaponized robo-cat roaming around.
So we've been out searching for it every day since.
But, we had no luck. And now... it's already time for the New Year's Festival.
Hurry up! The fireworks are about to start!
W-wait for me!
Oh right... it's the New Year's festival already.
Want to go check out the fireworks?
...Not necessary.
Fireworks are just a process of oxidation through chemical reaction.
There's nothing particularly exciting about them.
But it's not like we have anything better to do?
Maybe Smile Cat will show up to see the fireworks too.
Probability is low... but...
If that's your suggestion, I'll go.
We followed the crowd to the plaza.
Right after NOA’s New Year’s festival kicked off with its iconic rocket launch, the fireworks began.
Bursts of color lit up the night sky, painting it in every shade imaginable.
Whoa! That's the 17-tier spiral burst!
It's so pretty! Fireworks really are art!
The place was filled with friends and families who came from far and near to enjoy the show.
Seeing all those people suddenly gave me an idea.
Just as I was going to speak to Smile about it, I spotted a familiar figure at the alley entrance across the street.
Smile, over there.
Hmm? Is there anything special...
Wait!
Smile, who looked downcast, followed my gaze and became surprised.
We rushed toward the alley.
Lying there was Smile Cat, its body torn here and there.
H-how did it come here...?
Hold on.
I stopped her and observed Smile Cat.
Smile Cat was looking at the other side of the alley—
And there we found a group of curious kittens come out together, as if they were drawn toward the fireworks in the sky.
So that's what it was. It was lonely.
Captain...?
No matter how good the food is, no matter how pretty the view, it all feels empty when you're by yourself.
And that goes harder for freshly manufactured artificial lifeforms who have no families.
The fear and loneliness was too much, so it just didn’t know what to do.
I gently picked Smile Cat up.
And I told Smile what came to my mind a moment ago.
Let's make it a friend.
So it never has to be alone in this world.
Someone who can understand Smile Cat, and Smile Cat can relate to.
That's exactly what it's been missing all along.
KA-BOOM!
And as if in agreement, a firework rocket exploded above Smile, sending out dazzling colors in all directions.