Lucky Black Cat
Okay, you can just let him down around here. Keep going, keep going…
So lemme get this straight. You were tryna catch a bee to use as an ingredient, and this guy managed to walk into your trap instead? What a mess…
I’m glad you’re here to help us, Daniel-san. Ah, okay, stop!
Hello? Nagi-kun? Are you okay? Can you hear me? Are you awake?
……
Is he okay? He’s alive, right? Oh no, if our guidance ends here, then…!
It’s okay, calm down. He’s still breathing. I think he just passed out.
R-Really…? What a relief…!
Let’s take him to the sofa for now…
I’ll go wet my handkerchief for him!
My word. There is no need to make this much of a fuss.
But you caught a human, not a bee! This isn’t what I signed up for!
I do recall it being a bee at first… Well, a human is an adequate substitute for the recipe as well.
Huhh?
Oh, I remember you from that one day.
Hmmm? I do not recall meeting a dashing man such as yourself.
Huh? Aw, gosh, was that a compliment?
Maybe you just didn’t get a good look at him because you were thinking about green peas at the time.
The name’s Iwabuchi Daniel Hiroshi. You got a good eye for beauty, my man. I could put in a good word for you to our CEO, if you want.
Ah, I’m sorry for not introducing myself sooner. I’m
My name is Yowa Netaro. I am always happy to add new humans to my circle of acquaintances. ♪
I quite like the countenance I have on now, but yours is similarly splendid.
(…Countenance?)
Ah, Nagi-san’s waking up!
Urg…
Where am I…? Who am I…?
(Did he lose his memory?!)
I’m joking. Sorry. Who are you?
I am a seller of pork buns. I captured you in order to utilize you as an ingredient in my new recipe.
I…see.
I totally understand if you’re a little confused. I can try to explain it from the top…
Are you okay, by the way?
Huh?
(Is he talking about the trap?)
I’m alright. Nobody got caught in the…trap thing that was set up in here.
But I guess we did manage to fish you out with it.
Seriously?
Oh, okay. That’s good to hear. I don’t want to get other people caught up in my misfortune. Oh, also…
(Hm…? He’s holding something in his fist…)
*buzzing*
Woah, a bee!
It looked like it was trying to leave, so I just caught it. Okay, it’s flying away. Good to see.
All is well that ends well!
In what way…? Anyway, y’already know this guy, right?
Ah, yes. It’s nice to see you again, Nagi-kun. We haven’t seen each other since you helped out with Renga-kun’s garden.
Yeah. It’s nice to see you too. HAMA NICE TRIP.
You haven’t changed one bit. HAMA NICE TRIP too!
Excuse me, I brought a damp handkerchief for you. Here, you can use it.
Oh, thank you very m— Huh? Woah, are you an angel? Like, with wings and everything?
Eheheh, no, I don’t have any of those.
How’d you get caught in the trap anyway? Did you come here to deliver some flowers?
I have zero recollection of ordering flowers.
Ah, do you own this restaurant…? I apologize for the trouble.
Aha! The trapped human is apologizing to his trapper! Perhaps I should take advantage of this and sue you for damages.
Ges!
You can. I’ll spend the rest of my life paying it off.
Wait, no, you don’t need to do that. So if you didn’t have a delivery to make, what brought you here?
…It all started with a single, simple ball of chocolate.
A kid gave it to me as I was making a delivery. I sat on a bench, ready to eat it, but it slipped out of my hand, and I dropped it on the ground. “It won’t be good if a stray dog or cat eats it, and I can’t just leave it there,” I thought. I went to pick it up, but the bench I was sitting on was freshly painted, so I was a little stuck to it. But don’t worry. I definitely plan to go back and repaint it later. For the time being, I made sure to apologize for ruining it and picked up the chocolate. I also had plans to go grocery shopping, but I decided to wash my clothes first, since they had paint all over them. I went to the park bathroom to use the sink, but there was no soap, so I decided to just use water, but the water wouldn’t come out. The supermarket was about to have their sale, so I decided to give up on my clothes and just go, but then a hoard of crows attacked me. I must have done something to anger them by accident. I ran away from them, and that’s how I found myself here.
(All of that flew right over my head, but it sounds like he went through a lot…!)
What a series of events…
Ahaha! You are a funny one, indeed!
Heeheehee!
So he’s like one of those clumsy heroine types.
Cheer up…! Everyone has unlucky days.
But I always…
Hm?
It’s nothing. Sorry.
Did your clothes get dirty? I feel like the paint on my clothes must have gotten on you while you got me down from the trap.
Oh, I’m not sure. Do I look clean?
All good. How ’bout me?
No paint. And me?
Netaro-san, why would you have any paint on you when you didn’t even touch him…?
Okay. That’s good. I can clean your handkerchief and give it back to you after, Mr. Angel.
Ah, uh, alright!
Okay, bye.
*phone ringing*
<Hello! You’ve reached Flower Laundry!>
Sorry for not calling you earlier. I’ll make sure to drive safely and get home in about 50 minutes.
<Geez! What kind of exshtra-long detour were you taking?! I wash worried about you!>
Ah, speaking of detours… I’ll buy some bags for our burnable garbage on the way home. We need them for garbage day tomorrow. I’ll buy some snacks for us too. Special treat.
<Well, if you’re buying shnacksh, then I guessh I can forgive you for being a bit late.>
That’s good. Okay, I’ll try and be back soon.
……
Yo.
*gasp*
You sure you just wanna let him leave?
Dang it! He left so casually that I totally forgot… Nagi-kun, hold on!
*motorcycle engine revving*
Wait, don’t leave yet!
What’s wrong?
…Wait, you shouldn’t stand in front like that. It’s dangerous. Move to the side.
I’m sorry! Um, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something.
Really?
I was wondering if you wanted to be a member of the Night Team.
Why?
I remembered how diligent you were when you taught Renga-kun how to take care of his garden.
You really have an eye for small details, and you put a lot of thought into your work. You’d be great at working with tourists.
……
So I want you to become a member of the Night Team… And I actually want you to be the leader too.
……
Huh?
Uh, like I said, I want you to be the leader…
What?
The leader…
Who?
You.
……
Does that mean I get to live with other people, travel with other people, and work with other people?
Yes.
Me?
Yes.
……
……
(I-Is he blushing…?)
*gasp*
(And how he’s looking around suspiciously…)
(He seems to be interested, at least, but…I’m not sure how to interpret his reaction…)
Um, so what do you think? We’d really love to have you on board.
……
I’m worried.
Y-Yes, that makes sense! I totally understand!
So, um, you can just test the waters for a bit first! Just to get an idea of what it’s like…!
……
……
Meooow.
Ah, a cat.
…Cute.
We’re standing still right now, so it doesn’t count if a black cat crosses our path, right?
Ahaha, I’ve thought about that before too. A black cat crossing your path is bad luck in this country, but it’s seen as good luck in other places.
I see. Then the black cat community can be at ease.
Okay.
If I can just try it out for now…I’ll do it.