Chapter 2: Rising Action
Yumi couldn't believe what she was hearing. Mocha was talking to her, and not only that, but he had just told her about his past.
"Mocha, how did you know all that about your mother? And how are you even talking to me right now?" Yumi asked, her voice shaking with excitement and confusion.
Mocha let out a deep sigh. "I guess it's time I told you my story. You see, I was born in the garden of a certain house. My mother was a pedigree Scottish Fold, but she ran away from the house where she was kept before she was spayed. She then fell in love with the local boss cat, a black mixed breed, and that's how I came to be."
Yumi listened in awe as Mocha continued his tale.
"My mother died when I was just two months old, and I was left all alone, crying and mewling in the garden. I was so scared and lost, not knowing what to do or where to go. But then, Tomoko Hasegawa found me, and she took me in. She was an elderly woman, but she had a gentle heart and took care of me like her own child."
Mocha's voice was filled with warmth and gratitude as he recounted his memories of Tomoko.
"She lived alone and doted on me, devoting herself to hobbies like reading and knitting. However, she had a chronic illness and was looked after by a care manager, Ayase Tomoka."
Moka continued. "Ayase Tomoka was a kind woman who looked after Tomoko for over two years. We became close enough that we could talk about anything, even about Tomoko's ability to see the future."
Yumi's eyes widened in shock. "The ability to see the future?" she repeated, barely believing what she had heard.
Mocha nodded.
"Yes, Tomoko had the ability to see the future since she was a child. It was a special power that allowed her to see everything from events right in front of her to her own future. When she said, 'A customer is coming,' the postman would arrive shortly after, which often surprised both Moka and her care manager, Tomoka."
"Tomoko's ability to see the future was a blessing and a curse. She knew when she was going to die, and that's why she left me at the park. She knew that she didn't have much time left and that she wouldn't be able to take care of me. But she also knew that I would find a new owner, someone who would love and care for me as much as she did."
Mocha's words hit Yumi like a ton of bricks.
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. It was as if she was listening to a story that was too unreal to be true.
"Tomoko knew everything about her life in advance," Mocha continued. "She knew that she would marry an older man named Masahiro, that she would have an only son named Hiroki, and that Masahiro would die before her when she was 60 years old."
Yumi's mind was racing. She couldn't comprehend how someone could know so much about their future. She had always believed in the unpredictability of life, but Tomoko's story was challenging that belief.
"It's hard to imagine, isn't it?" Mocha said, sensing Yumi's confusion. "But it's true. Tomoko knew everything about her life, and she accepted it with grace and dignity.
However, knowing that her husband would die before her was a burden she carried every day.To be able to see the future meant having to live with the knowledge of future misfortunes in advance, and it was a heavy burden for Tomoko. But she lived strong. Her few emotional supports were her care manager, Chika, whom she spoke to, and her beloved cat Mocha (who Tomoko called Kuro), who was like a son to her.
Being able to see the future meant having to live knowing in advance of future misfortunes, which was a heavy burden for Tomoko. But she lived strong. Her few emotional supports were her care manager, Tomoka, whom she consulted, and her beloved cat, Mocha (whom Tomoko called Kuro), who was like a son to her.
Tomoko and Tomoka had built a close relationship over the years, and Tomoko relied on her care manager for not only physical care but also mental care. They would spend hours discussing everything from politics to literature, and Tomoko would frequently share her vision for the future with Tomoka.
However, as the days passed, Tomoko's health started to deteriorate.
She had always been a strong woman, but now she was becoming weaker and more fragile. Three years after she started keeping Mocha, when she was 85 years old, her illness progressed and her health condition rapidly deteriorated. One day, Tomoko asked her care manager, Tomoka, to call her son who lives far away. Tomoka was surprised, but Tomoko told her that she would probably die in about a week.
Tomoka was shocked by Tomoko's words, but she knew that Tomoko was a woman of great wisdom and foresight. She immediately called Tomoko's son, who lived in Tokyo, and informed him of his mother's condition.
Meanwhile, Mocha could sense that something was wrong with his beloved owner. He could feel the tension in the air and see the worry in Tomoka's eyes.
Tomoko stroked Mocha and said, "I'm sorry," and Mocha realized everything. He could sense that Tomoko was saying goodbye.
Tomoko's son, Hiroki, who knew about his mother's special power, told Tomoka over the phone, "I'll arrange things at work and come over tomorrow. Please tell Tomoko that I'll be by her side until the end."
Yumi felt a lump in her throat as she listened to Mocha's story. She couldn't imagine how difficult it must have been for Tomoko to let go of her beloved cat, but she knew that Mocha would always cherish the memories of their time together.
As Mocha finished his story, he looked up at Yumi with a sense of gratitude and love. Yumi smiled down at him and stroked his soft fur.
She couldn't imagine having to give up Mocha, who had become such a beloved member of her family. But she knew that Tomoko's situation was different.
The problem was what to do with the family cat, Mocha. Tomoko doesn't have much time left, and her son Hiroki can't take Mocha in because his wife is allergic to cats. Tomoka, the care manager, lives in an apartment building that doesn't allow pets, so she also couldn't take Mocha in.
Tomoko knew that she had to find Mocha a new home quickly.
"Tomoka, I want you to take Mocha to the nearby park and abandon him there," Tomoko said softly, her voice wavering.
Tomoka was taken aback. "What? I can't just abandon him in the park! He's an indoor cat, he won't survive out there," she protested.
Tomoko looked at Tomoka with a steady gaze. "I know it sounds cruel, but Mocha will be fine. He's a smart cat, and he'll find a new owner soon. He'll be much happier with someone who can take care of him properly."
Tomoka was still hesitant, but she could see the determination in Tomoko's eyes. She knew that Tomoko wouldn't change her mind.
With a heavy heart, Tomoka agreed to take Mocha to the park and abandon him. She picked up Mocha, who was purring contentedly in Tomoko's arms, and wrapped him in a warm blanket. She walked slowly towards the park, her eyes welling up with tears.
As they entered the park, Tomoka felt a sudden sense of calm wash over her. She knew that this was the right decision, despite how painful it was. Mocha had been a source of comfort and joy for Tomoko for so many years, but she knew that he needed a new home where he could be loved and cared for properly.
Tomoka walked to a secluded spot near a large oak tree and set Mocha down gently on the ground. She opened the blanket, revealing Mocha to the world. He looked around with curiosity, his bright green eyes taking in his surroundings.
Tomoka hid behind a nearby tree, watching as the woman approached Mocha. She was young and slender, with long, dark hair pulled back into a ponytail. She wore a red coat and blue jeans, and she had an easy, confident way of moving.
Tomoka held her breath as the woman bent down to pet Mocha. She stroked his soft, black fur, murmuring words of comfort and affection. Mocha purred contentedly in response, clearly enjoying the attention.
The woman looked around, as if searching for something. Then she scooped Mocha up into her arms and walked away, disappearing into the crowds of people walking through the park.
Tomoka watched as the woman walked away, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She knew that she had done the right thing, and that Mocha would be okay.
When Tomoka returned home and told Tomoko the whole story, Tomoko felt relieved. She had a vision of Mocha being abandoned in the park, quickly being found by a new owner, who would take her home and live happily ever after.
Tomoko closed her eyes, imagining Mocha in his new home, curled up on a soft couch, being petted and loved by his new owner. She smiled, feeling a sense of peace settle over her.
Tomoka sat by her side, holding her hand, tears streaming down her face. She couldn't believe that Tomoko was leaving her so soon.
"I'm sorry, Tomoka," Tomoko whispered, her voice barely audible.
"I know this is hard for you, but I had no other choice. There wasn't enough time to find a home for Mocha, and if I took her to an animal shelter, she would have been put down before I could find someone to take her. So I gave you those instructions, following the vision I had. I thought it would be what Mocha would be happy with."
Incidentally, Tomoko passed away peacefully one week later, just as she had predicted. However, this was unknown to Moka, who had already been taken in by Yumi at that time.