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Prologue

(1)

This story has something to do with cats.

So before the story begins, let’s talk about cats.

(2)

Cats are distrustful by nature and very curious.

Cats are the mortal enemies of mice, and at least part of the reason that humans love cats so much is because they are so good at catching mice.

When a cat shows its might, mice flee for their lives. That’s the best thing about cats.

A cat’s movements and postures are so graceful and are about seven-tenths arrogant.

And so some say that cats are elitist and conceited.

But there’s a pitiable aspect to cats. It’s not every cat that leads a happy life.

When a cat is sick, its heartless owner often abandons it.

And so some people are vagabonds, and some cats are vagabonds too.

Be it person or cat, a vagrant life is solitary and lonesome.

In the world outdoors, wind and rain are hard to avoid.

When the wind and rain comes, people and cats alike will feel even more lonely.

× × ×

The story is about to begin.

This story contains cats.

That’s Water Cat and Cat Shell.

Water Cat isn’t a cat.

And Cat Shell is not a shell.

They are both people, but they are both like cats.

Not fortunate cats, but vagrant cats.

(3)

The story will now begin.

As the story opens, rats are running amok.

And it’s no wonder, because around this place, there are truly very few cats.

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