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“It snowed for several days in a row.
When it finally let up, I sidled over to the side of the warehouse where I had a clear view of the hospital’s front entrance.
It was the first sunny day in a while, yet Satoru didn’t appear on the terrace.
When the sun began to set, Noriko oulled up in the silver van. Her face looked pale, her hair dishevelled.
I pattered up to her, but she said simply, ‘Sorry, Nana. You’ll have to wait,� and walked swiftly inside.
…â¶Ä�.
Noriko elbowed her way through them to Sat’s side.
‘Satoru, it’s Nana!�
Satoru’s closed eyelids quivered. As if fighting against gravity, they slowly lifted.
Unable to move his head, his eyes searched from side to side.
Noriko clasped Satoru’s hand and placed it gently on top of Nana’s small head.
Satoru’s lips moved faintly. She thought she heard him say, ‘Thank you.�
The ECG screen flat-lined.
Nana nuzzled the top of his head up and down against Satoru’s lifeless hand.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“However, I’m a grown-up cat and I restrained myself, so, everyone, feel free to shower me with praise.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“was in the hospital to see him off. But he’s still here, in my heart, so I don’t need a ceremony to remember him. Later, several people I”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“When he was at home, he spent more time reading books than watching TV. He’d even been known to shed the occasional tear as he turned the pages. If he ever caught me watching him during one of these moments, he would look embarrassed and say, ‘Stop staring.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“When Noriko went on the occasional visit, she had found him big-hearted and self-assured, as children who know how fiercely they are loved often are.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“There are so many things in life that are beyond our control.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“Kosuke had a habit of swallowing whatever he wanted to say. Repeated patterns of childhood behavior have long-term consequences. All Kosuke ever did was mumble ineffectually about the ridiculous things his father said in that high-handed tone of his.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“Humans who think we don't understand them are the stupid ones.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“Nana, you said his name is?â€� “Yeah. Because his tail’s hooked into the shape of a seven.â€� I didn’t think we needed to explain the origin of my name to every passing stranger, but Satoru was always so conscientious when it came to things like that.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“You thought I might be able to help you, didn’t you?â€� I guess so, Sherlock. Then the man started sniffing and snuffling. Why was he crying? “I’m proud of you, remembering me like that.â€� Cats don’t cry like humans do. But—somehow—I sort of understood why he was weeping.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“If things aren’t good, I have no problem saying so. Because cats are creatures that can say no.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“The least they could do would be to stuff those toys with white meat. But could I take this complaint to the pet-toymakers? Stop worrying about what the owners think and pay some attention to your real clients. Your real clients are folk like me.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“Purple and yellow flowers in bloom as far as the can see.
The earthy, warm colours of Hokkaido in autumn.
There I am, chasing a honeybee.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“Because it was a very special thing â€� to have your own cat in your own home.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“After you passed away, the people who miss you all became connected.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“I kind of understand why,â€� Yoshimine said. “He wanted to say farewell with everybody still smiling.â€� Bingo! Satoru loved all of you guys. That’s why he wanted to take your smiles with him. Simple enough, I think.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“I am an exceptionally wise cat, but there’s no way I’m going to be part of that drama, burdened with all those depressing human relationships as they fondle me. It’s more than I want to take on.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“Just try it â€� try pulling me out by force from this basket and I swear I’ll scratch so many lines on your face you’ll be able to play checkers on it for the next three months.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“Some people really shouldn’t become parents. There’s no absolute guarantee when it comes to the love between a parent and their child.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“Because it was only natural to feel sad.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“Noriko gulped again, her throat pulsing like a frog’s. Now who was it, when they first met me, who freaked out about my throat making a funny sound? Hm? That’s a pretty funny sound you’re making yourself, if you don’t mind me saying.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“The two of them sat down on the grass beside the box and gazed at the little kitten curled up in it, sleeping soundly. How could any child not want to take this tiny, soft little creature home?”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“If that didn’t deserve a bite, I don’t know what did. However, I’m a grownup cat, and I restrained myself. So, everyone, feel free to shower me with praise.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“It often seems to me that humans are such worriers â€� to think of preparing a place for people to sleep when they are dead. If you have to consider what’s going to happen after you die, life becomes doubly troublesome.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“Countryside snow that piles up to the eves, vs city snow that melts away in a few days, it made me wonder, honestly, how they could both go by the same name.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“How could I ever leave him having experienced that kind of love? I will never, ever, leave him.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“If drinking isn’t fun, then why do it?”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“As instructed, I waited like a good boy. Of course I did. I’m a wise cat. I know what to do in any and all situations.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“Whenever there’s anything major happening in our family we need to inform both our dog and cat—this proposal by Chikako had become a firm family rule.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles

“What was Nana like when he was little?â€� “I found him when he was a grown cat, so I don’t know what sort of kitten he was. I wish I could have known him then. I’m sure he was adorable.â€� You’re right there. My level of cuteness when I was a kitten was such that passersby vied for the privilege of leaving me a little something to eat.”
― Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles