I've looked around a few stores since then and bought all the ingredients I was missing.
　The rest are daily necessities.
　I split the foodstuffs between Kanade and I and walked around the city.

''What's going on with the other cat spirit race?''

　As I walked, I asked Kanade about such things.
　According to what the owner of the shop earlier said, other cat spirit clans are coming to this horizon.
　I asked if Kanade would know anything about it...

Well, I don't know.
Nothing?
Nothing. But why would you do that?
I'm not sure yet, but apparently there's a different cat spirit tribe in town than Kanade.
'Really?　Oooh, do you know me?　I'd like to meet him.
It's not definite, okay?　Just hearing a rumor like that...
....
'Kanade?　What's going on?

　Suddenly, Kanade looks a little far away and makes a melancholy face.
　It's an expression that is not like Kanade, who is always so cheerful.

''Hmm........just reminded me of my hometown.

　Are you homesick...?
　Kanade looks lonely.
　I didn't want to see her face like that...

Hey, Kanade. There you go.
Meow?
I got some snacks that look like fish. You wanna buy some?
Fish!
Excuse me, can I have one?

　Before I hear a reply, I buy the candy.
　And into Kanade's hands.

'Yes, here you go.'
Thank you very much, yes!

　Smiling, Kanade ate the pastry with a smile.
　The batter seemed to be crispy and made a crisp sound.

''Mmmmmm~''
You like it?
'Yeah!　It's not like fish at all... but it's sweet and crispy, and this is as good as it gets, nyahhhh...

　The smile returns to Kanade's face.
　After all, Kanade is better when he's smiling.

　Suddenly, I realized that Kanade was staring at me.

''........''
"Kanade?
Thanks, Rain.
Yeah?　What?
'Lane always makes me smile. I'm so grateful for that.
I didn't do much, but...
'No, it's not. I'm doing a great job.
Isn't that a funny word?
Well anyway, I just want to say thank you. So take it in stride, Rain.
If that's the case.
Thanks, Rain.

　Kanade smiled like a clear blue sky.

　In my mind, I, too, tell Kanade thank you.
　I can't tell you how many times that smile has helped me.
　When I was about to give up, Kanade's smile gave me strength.

　I'll keep on doing this........

You mean, Kanade?
Meow?

　When I take my eyes off him, Kanade is swallowed by the human wave.
　In the blink of an eye, Kanade's figure fades away.

"Nya, nyaaaaah!　Leinooooo!
Oh, hey!　Kanade!　I'm sorry, please get out of the way..........no.

　The canade disappeared in the distance.
　I just lost it.



----------



I can't find it.

　It's been what, half an hour or so since we got separated from Kanade?
　I walked around the city for a while, but there was no sign of Kanade.
　Either he has drifted very far, or he has passed us at an inopportune time.
　Either way, it is very bad luck that we cannot meet up with them even after this long.

　Well, even if we got lost, we will be able to join them when we get home.
　So I'm not that deeply worried about it, but........

I'm still in the middle of my shopping spree I guess........ When the time comes, I'll be on my own.

　I'm not sure I can carry a lot of stuff, but....
　Well, we'll figure it out.
　It's no use thinking about it too much.

''Well then, let's go buy some commodities.

　I gave up on meeting up with Kanade and headed to the store I always use.
　We were on our way there.

'Yeah?'

　In the middle of the crowd, I saw a cat's ear.
　There's no doubt about it, it's Kanade!

Kanade!

　I hurriedly jumped into the crowd and said sorry and moved forward.
　Then I grab the cat-eared girl's hand and...

Yeah?
...Huh?

　Grabbing my hand, the girl with the cat ears looks back at me.

　She's a very beautiful girl.
　She has a delicate face, like a princess in a fairy tale.
　And yet, there's something of Kanade about her.
　Since I get the impression that she's somewhat young, she's one or two years younger than Kanade?

　Her hair is short.
　Her eyes were big and charming.
　He was wearing a pants look that showed his navel and was a bit revealing.

'Who are you, brother?'
It's not Kanade?

　The girl was the second cat spirit race I had met.

'Kanade?　Did you just say Kanade, brother?　Are you by any chance an acquaintance of Kanade-chan?
'What?　Um, well ... yes.
'Really!　Oh well, well, well, I didn't know she had a human friend. I was really worried about her getting along when she left her home town, but... she's doing reasonably well, isn't she?
'Well...'

　Who is this guy ... who is he?
　From the way he talks, it seems like he's definitely an acquaintance of Kanade's...

　Or maybe it's family?
　You seem to know a lot about Kanade and....
　More than anything else, it's the face.
　It's not exactly like Kanade, but it looks a lot like him.

''Um........do you mind?''
Yes?　What is it?
Are you one of Kanade's family?　Your sister, maybe?
My goodness. You're a very flattering girl.

　Flattery?
　Why is that line flattering now?

'Excuse me for returning the question, but ... what about you?'
I'm the Rain Shroud. I'm with the Canadians.
Friends?
'Since Kanade is now an adventurer with me,'
Oh, I see. I see, I see, that boy is an adventurer... how is he doing?
'Yes. I have other friends, but we all get along well together. Kanade always has a smile on his face and that helps.
I see.

　The Cat Spirit Tribe girl nodded coyly, as if she was assessing something.

　Did I speak too much personal information?
　But since it's like Canade's family I guess it's not a problem.

'Um,'
'Oh, yes. What is it?
Can you tell me more about her if you want?
'Oh, yes. That's fine. But I'm in the middle of shopping now, so can I come back later?　I got separated from Kanade, too...
Is she near you?
'We were shopping together; we got separated about half an hour ago.
She's so dull in a weird way, you know. Most of the time, he was probably just thinking about food or something and not thinking much.
Hahaha ah, yeah. You can come over to my place if you want?　I'm not going to stand around and talk about it... and I'm sure Kanade will be back if we wait.
'Thank you. Now I'll have to take you up on your offer.
Okay. Well, come on then....

　As I was about to show him home, I remembered that I hadn't even asked him his name yet.

'By the way may I ask your name?'
Oh, dear. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be a jerk and my name is Suz. I'm Kanade-chan's...
Mother?

　Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice.
　When I turned around, I saw Kanade.......looking at me with a surprised look.

　.........What did you say?

'Oh my goodness, it's not Kanade. I heard you got separated, and I was worried about you.
Oh, don't worry about that. I'm not a kid anymore!　I mean, uh, what?　Why is your mother here...?

　Again, Kanade utters the word.
　The possibility of mishearing or auditory hallucination, would be infinitely unlikely.
　So that means.........

Um....Suzu, are you Kanade's mother...?
Yes, that's right. My daughter has always been a great help to me.

　Suz smiled and said something outrageous.