Go to the park
The shadows on the ground grow longer and longer as the sun slowly sets in the west. Mai and I arrive at the park Reina Nanami mentioned and split up to search carefully.
[player]Did you find her?
[Mai Aihara]No...
There are many cats here like Reina said, but we don't see Tubby among them.
After searching for a while, we are both so tired and sweaty that we have to sit on a park bench to rest for a while.
[player]I think we should take a look back at the shrine. Should we go now?
[Mai Aihara]It's getting late, and it's been a tiring day for you, Master. You should go home and get some rest. I'll go back to the shrine by myself to look for Tubby.
[player]...Alright. If Tubby has returned to the shrine, then it isn't really necessary for me to come with you.
[player]I'll go home first then. Call me if Tubby hasn't returned to the shrine.
[Mai Aihara]Thank you, Master... Oh right, Master, please take this.
Mai Aihara handed a bag to me. After receiving it, I took a look inside and saw the "Wanjirou" hat I saw earlier in the shop.
[player]Huh, w... what's this for?
[Mai Aihara]Master, you said you liked this hat.
I remember going along with her and expressing some affection for the hat because Mai said it looked good on me. I didn't expect her to take such a trivial matter to heart and buy me this hat as a gift. I would be lying if I said I wasn't happy, but...
[player]Mai... why are you giving me a gift all of a sudden?
[Mai Aihara]I've caused you a lot of trouble when you helped me taking care of the courtyard and search for Tubby today. This is a... thank-you gift.
Mai's comment makes me think she is too concerned about needing to repay others for their help. Suddenly, the hat feels heavy in my hands.
[Mai Aihara]...Master, why aren't you saying anything? D-do you not like it?
[player]No, I like it a lot. Thank you.
[player]It's just, I did something a friend would do. To receive such a formal gift in return for a little favor feels a little...
[Mai Aihara]S-sorry! Did I make things difficult for you?
[Mai Aihara]I just think... you are so kind and gentle to me. I just want to respond to your kindness.
[player]Mai, do you think we're friends?
[Mai Aihara]F-friends... Can I be friends with you?
[player]Of course. It's because I see you as a friend that I helped you with the garden and helped you search for Tubby. I didn't do this to be repaid. I just want you to be happy.
[Mai Aihara]Then I'm the same... It's not entirely because you helped me that I got you this gift. I... When I see something you like, I also want to buy it for you and make you happy.
[player]In that case, just make me some tea you and it would be the best gift already. Of course, it would be even nicer if you could make me a home-cooked meal. I think we'll be closer friends like that.
[Mai Aihara]Eh? M-master, do you want us to... become closer?
[player]Of course! We're friends, right?
[Mai Aihara]O-okay! I... I'll remember that.
Mai bows her head shyly, and I hear her whisper, "become closer" to herself.
I once heard Ichihime say that Mai had been very lonely and isolated for a long time because of her strict family education. Perhaps that's why she cherishes Tubby and the friends around her so much. However, it also makes her too polite sometimes.
Like I said earlier, I hope that we'll become a little closer after today's events.
[player]Thank you for the hat. It's become dark after all that talking. I'll walk with you back to the shrine.
[Mai Aihara]Thank you... Master.
Excellent, she didn't try to say no politely. We've made some progress.
[???]Nyaa!
[???]Nyaa!
As we prepared to get up, we heard the sound of a cat from behind the bench.
[Tubby]Nyaa—
[Mai Aihara]Tubby! M-master! It's Tubby!
[player]Geez... So you've finally decided to show your face? Where have you been all day? Hmm...? What's this on its back?
There is a yellow little chick sitting on Tubby's back. It's as bright as a hydrangea.
[Mai Aihara]Is this... Tubby's friend?
[player]Maybe that's why he ran out for so long. He made a new friend and was having too much fun outside.
The little chick doesn't seem afraid of us and continues to groom Tubby's fur with its beak. The two animals look like they are getting along so well.
[Mai Aihara]...Tubby.
[Mai Aihara]You can go outside and play with your friends, but you need to tell me first! We're family, so don't make me worry. Do you understand, Tubby?
[Mai Aihara]Master, did I show Tubby my authority as her owner?
[player]You've done very well for now, Mai.
[Mai Aihara]Hehe...
But judging from Tubby's relaxed demeanor, he probably doesn't take it to heart. Tubby flips over, revealing his tummy, in a show of friendliness to Mai. The yellow chick also jumps over and rubs itself against her clogs endearingly.
[player]You naive cat, do you think you can get away with it just by being cute to your owner?
[Mai Aihara]Tubby's tummy is so soft... it's so cute...
Hmm... Well, I guess he can. Even I couldn't resist the urge to touch it.
[player]What about this yellow chick? Since they get along so well, should we bring this little guy back with us?
[Mai Aihara]That's what I'm thinking too. It wouldn't be nice to separate them since they get along so well together.
[Mai Aihara]Master, let's go back. I... I want to cook you dinner.
[player]Yay! I'm in for a treat!
And so, our adventure to find Tubby has ended perfectly.
[Mai Aihara]...Master, can we go to that clothing shop again together sometime?
[Mai Aihara]I... I want to become closer to you, Master...
[player]... Sure! Let's go out and have some fun another time.
I hope we can become as close as the two animals in front of us...
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