The Other Side Of The Lake

I prepare up a cup noodles and put it on a proper plate. Obviously I can't serve it in these cheapo plastics. I feel bad though. She worked hard to make those dangos. I can tell just by tasting them. But it's the best I can offer. We don't have many food in the house except for these.

"Here you go."

"It's great.", She starts slurping it all up. "Wow, I have never tasted anything like these before."

Uhm... Is her taste buds not working?

"You want some more?", I ask.

"Umm... I mean .."

"Wait just a few minutes. I'll be right back with some more."

"That's so kind of you!!",

I smile at her.

She seems to enjoy it. Just like Saburo. Speak of the devil. Here she comes miawing at me.

"Hey, there Sabu-san."

She probably smelled the noodles. Honestly, what's with these two. How do they like this stuff?

"Here you go!", I put the bowl on the table.

"Miauu", Saburomaru says.

"Hey kitty!", She says.

"Miaw"

"Oh, I see! Want to share some?"

"Miaau mauu"

"Um? You can talk miaw language?", I ask.

"Yeah. Pretty much.", Looking at Saburomaru, "Say aa kitty."

Saburomaru actually eats it. It's quite surprising. I've never seen someone talk to a cat before. On top of that a cat eating with chopsticks.

"Oye Alto!! You home?", Sounds like Yato, "I'm coming in!"

"Yeah, over here."

"Hey there!", Looking at her, "Who's that?"

"I'm.. no one."

"Wha?"

"She doesn't like saying her name to strangers.", I say.

"What are you? 8?", Yato says.

"I asked the same thing."

"Hey!! I'm older than you, you know.", She pouts.

"She is actually 14.", I say.

"Alto!!!", She is at the brink of tears.

"What?"

She pouts and looks away.

"So what do you call her?", Yato asks.

"Nothing.", I say.

"How about Tabetei?"

"Why that?"

"She likes eating. Just look at her, slurping up the whole bowl."

"Hey, you ok with Tabetei?", I ask.

"Sure.", She keeps eating.

"Are you even listening?", I ask.

"Mmhmm" she keeps eating.

"Boy that looks tasty. Can I have some too?", Yato asks.

"Uh, sure"

I prepare some for Yato as well. "Bon appetit.", I say.

"Oh, I forgot. Could you help me with my studies?", Yato asks.

"Uh, sure.", I say.

"You know I'm not good at culture. Could you maybe teach me about stuffs from yesterday?"

"What? Bakeneko?", I ask.

"Did you say Bakeneko?", Tabetei's eyes light up.

"Yeah. You know about these stuffs?"

"I Know?! They live in the jungle."

"Huh?"

"Although, I never could go there."

"You mean other side of the lake?", Yato asks.

"Miaw.", Saburomaru says.

"You know how to get there?", She looks at Saburomaru.

"Mauuuu mau."

"Take me there!!!", She insists.

"Ah what is happening? I can't understand a shit.", I say.

"Don't worry. We are just getting ready for our summer trip.", Yato slaps my neck, "go get all the food you can get!!"

"What!!! Where??", I ask.

"Other side of the lake. Go get your bags packed!"

"What lake?!", I ask.

"Just go!!!", He pushes me.

I pack up some clothes, get some cup noodles and snacks. Some fire starters, hot water pot. Water bottles.

"I'm back!", Yato says.

"Geez! You look like you are going to war!", I say.

"Don't mind the get up. It's gonna come in handy!"

"I'm back too.", Tabetei says.

"See, you should be more like her. Just some clothes is enough.", I say.

"Let's go now.", He completely ignores me.

"Miaww.", Says Saburomaru.

"She says to follow her.", Tabetei says.

"Uh... Ok.", I say.

"This is gonna be epic!", Yato says.