Each forest cat has their own taste.
They have their own favorite items as well.
Some liked sunny days.
Some liked rainy days. Some liked cloudy days.
Some liked tall trees. Some liked being on the ground.
It is natural that they should all be different.
However, there is one thing which every cat loves.
{\fad(300,1)\an1\3c&H1F1229&\4c&H232323&\blur3\bord0\shad0\t(350,700,\blur3,\blur0.2)\fnGeorgia\pos(60,290)\c&HFFFFFF&}The Evening of Foxtails
The Evening of Foxtails
How rare.
Foxtails in this forest?
Wow!
What are these?
They're so fluffy!
They're like tails!
Isn't it odd? For some reason or other, every cat seems to love these.
This is always the reaction upon seeing it for the first time.
Come now. Let us play, too.
But...
I can't make my claws retract, so I'll ruin them.
You are such a kind boy.
But you need not worry.
These foxtails are big and sturdy.
Here, why not give it a try?
Foxtails are rare plants in the forest.
Since foxtails grow in well-ventilated areas with plenty of sunlight,
the forest is not ideal for them.
Due to their rarity, the forest cats usually share them,
and occasionally fight over them, as foxtails are in high demand.
Until one particularly unusual cat appeared, that is.
His name was Moshamosha.
Moshamosha headed toward the human city.
Each year here, such crops grow in abundance,
are all reaped, and then grow again.
After seeing the harvest that year, Moshamosha returned to the forest.
Upon his return, he began improving the soil in one corner of the forest.
What has Moshamosha been doing these days?
He sure is a strange one.
It was a great deal of trial and error.
Moshamosha never gave up.
Each time, he would start from scratch.
The cats who had been observing out of curiosity
eventually got bored and stopped visiting.
Then, after many seasons had come and gone,
he finally succeeded in creating a field of foxtails.
Wow!
Foxtails!
There's so many!
Oh, wow!
So fluffy!
These ones are mine!
We're surrounded by foxtails. This is so much fun!
In honor of the one who had grown it, the field was dubbed the Moshamosha Square.
With the dragon's support, Moshamosha Square became a special place.
From then on, only cats who could properly grow foxtails...
would inherit both the square, as well as the name, of Moshamosha.
This is Moshamosha Square?
That's right.
Let me tell you one thing.
Entering here without permission is forbidden.
How come?
Because Moshamosha is growing foxtails.
Foxtails?
So we're not allowed to play here? Ever?
Well, there is one day that is an exception.
On that day, the owner of the square, Moshamosha,
will invite all the cats in the forest.
It's been a while, winged Uncle.
Moshamosha III.
Allow me to introduce him while I'm still alive.
This guy's going to become Moshamosha IV.
Nice to meet you.
I see.
He reminds me of Moshamosha I.
Moshamosha I, you say?
Moshamosha IV!
Are you about to begin your work for the year?
Yes, exactly!
You've got good intuition. Wanna be my apprentice?
It's good to see you, winged Uncle.
You look more like Moshamosha I every day.
Everyone in the forest is looking forward to it.
Best of luck!
Sure thing!
Good grief.
Even amateurs can tell it's almost time,
and yet my apprentices are...
You brats! Time for work!
H-Hey, Boss!
Yeah? What's up?!
I just said, it's time for work!
We'll begin growing foxtails today!
Y-Yes, sir!
Yes, sir!
Newbie, this is your first time, isn't it?
Y-Yes, sir!
Then, if there's anything you don't understand, ask right away.
Yes, sir!
Going for it when you have no idea what you're doing
is the worst possible thing to do.
Yes, sir!
I mean, every single cat is looking forward to foxtails, you know?
Yes, sir! I'll try not to make any mistakes!
And one more thing.
Yes, sir!
You're too loud.
Yes, sir!
It's good to have so much energy, though.
All right, shall we begin?
Yes, sir!
Yessir!
Listen up, newbie.
The bigger the foxtails, the better.
Everyone plays rough, after all.
Right.
So then, how do we make them grow big?
What matters is their roots.
Plants eat through their roots.
And the more their roots branch out,
the bigger what grows out of the ground will be, you follow me?
I-I see.
So first things first, we've got to get their roots to branch out.
And to do that, you need these!
I see! When the soil is soft, it's easier for the roots to branch out!
Exactly!
All right, you guys!
Show him an example!
Okay!
Got it!
So bumpy!
'Kay, next.
Sure thing!
Isn't it just flat again?
Try stepping on it.
So fluffy!
Now the foxtails' roots can grow freely!
Each of them is a little wet behind the ears,
but when they pair up and each use their spells, they're pretty good at this.
That's so mean, Boss!
It's true that we're not there yet, but still!
Newbie, what magic are you good at?
I'm good at earth magic, sir.
Okay, show me.
Yes, sir!
Wow!
Oh?
Did it work, though?
The ground's still really hard.
Everyone starts out that way.
Okay, now you watch.
Yes, it's showtime!
Here comes the headliner!
Wow!
It's like a lake.
A-Amazing!
So much fluffier than my senior apprentices!
Of course it is!
The boss's earth magic is the best under the sun!
Well done, Moshamosha IV!
That's right!
Quit playing around.
Now, the three of you, go plow half of the square!
What?!
Y-You mean half of this?!
I'll do the other half myself.
That's so mean!
Shut up and get to work!
I guess we gotta.
Jeez. Nowadays, the only thing these young'uns learn is how to slack off.
Hm?
Jeez. Nowadays, the only thing these young'uns learn is how to slack off.
Come on, do it right.
Hm?
What's up with the boss?
He's in an awfully good mood.
It's already been several days since we plowed.
We're still not allowed to sow the seeds?
Right, not until the boss determines that there's no magic residue in the soil.
Is it bad if there's magic residue?
Well, I've never seen it personally, but...
Apparently, if there's magic residue, the foxtails will turn into monsters!
Wh-What?! For real?!
Moshamosha I must have gone through a lot of failures.
But he learned the right way to do it and we reap the benefits of his knowledge.
Okay.
Time to sow!
Yes, sir!
Yessir!
These seeds are from last year's crop, you see.
Those are seeds?
There are tiny seeds under the fuzz.
Wow. How do we plant them?
With wind magic, maybe?
You idiot!
That'd waste the time we waited for the magic residue to go away!
Oh, that's right.
You run around and shake it like this!
This part's the worst.
It uses up the most stamina.
Now, run!
Yes, sir!
Yessir!
Let's go, brats! Put your backs into it! Run faster!
Yessir...
Make sure to cover all four corners.
The sun's gonna set if you dilly-dally!
Th-This is exhausting...
I can't run while I shake it.
Now I can see I don't have nearly enough magic or stamina.
Sowing is the most important job in growing foxtails.
Boss...
After we finish this part, they're just gonna grow on their own.
Come on, roll up your sleeves and show me what you're made of.
Yes, sir!
The sprouts are growing nicely.
Boss, shouldn't we pull out these weeds?
Oh, good on you to notice.
But apparently, it's better not to weed.
What?
Moshamosha I thought of the same thing.
But for some reason, weeding them won't let the foxtails get very big.
You can't pull all of them.
So the amount we have here is just right.
I see.
The amount we have here, huh?
Yup, yup.
Just like that, you watch and learn.
Boss.
There are at least ten of them.
Bro, what are they?
Those are clipper locusts.
They wanna eat our foxtails.
Hey, you bastards!
Don't you realize this is the Moshamosha Square?!
You've got some nerve, bastards!
Get ready for me to beat the crap outta you!
What are you doing?!
Strike first to win! Finish them off!
Darn it! To hell with it!
I'm gonna do it!
Newbie, don't get left behind!
Y-Yes, ma'am!
Dagnabbit!
Don't let any magic touch the ground!
Yes, sir!
Yessir!
Here I come!
H-How many did you guys get?
I beat one.
One for me, too.
I took down one as well.
Wait, does that mean the boss took care of all the rest?
Get on your feet already.
Go toss these somewhere far away!
What?
But they're still alive.
I'm sure they'll go away once they wake up.
You idiot.
They could come for the foxtails again.
Now go!
Can't we roll them away?
Then you'll get magic in the soil!
Oh, right...
Come on, carry them to the cave where the winged Uncle lives.
It's far from here, and they can't misbehave in that area.
I-I can't go on...
Hey, newbie!
Are you all right?
The two of us will carry them, so go rest!
I-I'm so sorry.
Knowledge, experience, magic, stamina.
Being able to succeed Moshamosha is nearly impossible.
He is such an incredible cat.
Wow! There's the foxtail in the sky!
Must be tomorrow, then.
It's that time of the year!
I can't wait.
Time for the festival at Moshamosha Square!
It's been a while!
Where do you live now?
Hey, that cat just now...
That was my little sister.
You wanna meet her?
Just look at that. So many cats every year.
Well, it's every cat from the forest.
Boss!
Winged Uncle is here, but...
Oh, that happens every year, too.
Everyone wants to say hi to Uncle.
He's not gonna be able to enjoy the foxtails like that.
All right.
Even the ones dying look good.
True. Oh.
Hey, Moshamosha!
This year's foxtails are awesome as ever!
My man!
Moshamosha IV!
See you later, Uncle.
Winged Uncle, welcome.
You have outdone yourself once again, Moshamosha IV.
Come with me, please.
This is the biggest one this year.
Each year at the festival, Moshamosha takes pride in the looks on their faces.
Lately, however, he has been worried about whom to appoint as the next Moshamosha.
But that moment has not yet come.
Now then, how should he train these as of yet unpolished apprentices?
{\fnGeorgia\b1\an2\pos(320,150)\3c&HA1A1A1&\shad0\bord0\blur3\t(400,1000,\blur3,\blur0)\t(900,1000,\bord0,\bord1.5)\t(1810,1970,\shad0\3c&HA1A1A1&\4c&HFFFFFF&,\shad3\3c&H443229&\4c&H1B1968&)\fad(400,1)}The Return of the Mother Cat
The Return of the Mother Cat
The cats began to discuss the festival with the winged Uncle as if it had been of tantamount importance.
I enjoyed that performance.
The food at the stalls was so good that I ate too much.
It was fun just to walk around the town with everyone.
As he listened, the other cats scattered in town started to join in, too.
When the timing was right, the winged Uncle slowly sat up.
"Now then, shall we head back to the forest?"
"Oh, right."
"We should get back before the sun comes up."
The dark of night is the best time for the forest cats.
Their excellent night vision allows them to run from any predators.
Dawn, on the other hand, is far more dangerous.
Even the faintest sunlight allows most carnivorous magical beasts to see clearly.
Most of the cats would return to the forest, but there were some who would not.
To be continued