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Chapter Text

The day is slow at the pizza shop. Pururun and Sukashi are out making deliveries and will eventually be back soon.
Yattaro is deciding what to do for the day. Otama, the owner of the shop, is out running errands. He is bored out of his mind. He could go watch a movie.
There are a lot of movie theaters within walking distance of the pizzeria. He could go practice his sword skills.
But then again, no evil is happening right now, so what would be the point of doing that? He could go for a walk to pass the time.

After all, it's a bright and sunny day today. He goes to the back and grabs a pen and a piece of paper and writes a note saying that he'll be back soon.
He walks out the front door and begins to look for a good place to walk before he sees a cute cat in a pink sweater with a bow on her left ear and a cute little hat on her head.
Yattaro's eyes turn into hearts as the cat walks by. He calls out to the cat, and she turns to look at him. Yattaro approaches the cat and begins a conversation.
"Hello there, pretty kitten." He says. "Hi." The cat purrs. "Are you lost? Because heaven is a long way from here." The cat looks angry at Yattaro.

"You pervert!" She yells. He is smacked on the head, and she walks away, leaving him standing there confused and wondering what just happened.
"Was it something I said? Jeez, some people just have no class." He says to himself. He decides to return to the pizza parlor. The day passes and nightfall comes.
The pizza shop is still open. Pururun and Sukashi have not returned. He decides to take a nap on the ordering desk. He closes his eyes and soon falls asleep.
He wakes up refreshed but annoyed. "Yattaro, you're awake." It was Pururun.

"Ah, you're back. Sorry, I fell asleep for a bit."
"No harm, I hope."
"Where's Sukashi? Wasn't he with you earlier doing a delivery?"
"Ah, he went out to make one of his deliveries. I'm not sure how long he'll be."
"Another delivery? Jeez, he should just call it quits for the night."
"Yeah, I've been thinking the same thing. I'm going to go look for him."

"Okay, see you later."
"Bye, Yattaro." She left the shop, and now he is alone again. He decides to watch a movie. He flips on the TV and starts watching.
He watches a movie for a bit, and then the TV turns itself off. "What the? Hey, what's the big idea?" Yattaro says aloud.
He goes to investigate the problem and sees that the cord is loose and is hanging from the socket. He plugs it back in. He goes back to watching TV.
The rest of the night is spent watching TV. He goes to bed and hopes he dreams of pretty girls. He doesn't. Early in the morning, he goes and looks for Sukashi.

"Where is he? We're supposed to be a three-man team, not a downer duo." He says. After a while, he walks back to the shop and sees Pururun and Sukashi talking.
"Where were you, Sukashi?" He asks him.
"Oh, I was just out with some friends. You know, for fun. There's some crazy rumor going around that Edoropolis was full of zombies. There was nothing of the sort."
"Zombies? Please, leave that to George Romero, will ya?"
"Hey, I get the impression you two aren't fans of George Romero."
"I didn't say anything like that." Pururun speaks up. "I like a lot of the movies Mr. Romero makes. I think he's a brilliant director."
"You never told us you liked zombie movies."
"Who said I did? I just like going to the movies."
"One was recently imported into the country. I think it's called "Dances with Wolves" or something like that."
"That's a pretty cruddy title." Yattaro says.

"Yattaro, you say that about all movies imported from America."
"Hey, it's the truth."
"You don't even know what the movie's about."
"I have a pretty good idea what it's about, but I also bet you're wrong."
"Well, if I'm right, you have to give me a dollar."
"It's a deal." Yattaro and Sukashi shake on it, sealing the bet.
"Well, I guess we should go see this movie."

"Did you two forget that we're at work?" Pururun says.
"What difference does it make? We're all getting our day off tomorrow, aren't we? I say we go see this movie and then have some fun with our day off."
"That's correct. Master Wanko gave all of us time off."
"Well, he did give us the day off tomorrow."
"So, are you in?" Yattaro asks Pururun. She looks at him and then at Sukashi.
"Yeah, I guess we should go."
"Great! Nyankees, move out!" Yattaro shouts.
The three of them nearly ran out the door, remembering that they were still on the clock. "Oh, right. We can't leave yet." Yattaro says.
"We're still on the clock, right?" "I guess so." Sukashi goes to the back room and grabs something. "Here we go. A Hawaiian pie."
He says, putting the box down in front of the three of them. "Bleh! Hawaiian? Are you joking?" Yattaro says to Sukashi.
"No."
"Well, this looks like crud."
"Yattaro, how can you be so cruel? You're really pushing my buttons today."
"I'm just not a fan of Hawaiian pizza, that's all."

Sukashi looks at him, obviously thinking of a response, but decides against it. He eats his share of the pie and then puts his hat back on and sits silently.
"Yattaro, just eat the pizza, please."
"No."
"Why not?"
"I don't like Hawaiian food, that's all." Yattaro says.
"Your loss."
"By the way, Pururun, that's the first time in a long while since you said the word "please", and that's putting it lightly." Yattaro remarks.
"I'm saying "please" for the both of us, Yattaro."
"That's still putting it lightly. Seriously, I don't like Hawaiian food. End of discussion."
"Hmph." Sukashi and Pururun say this as they eat the pizza.

He grabs a few slices and throws them in the trashcan. The three of them spend the rest of their shift at the shop in silence.
Yattaro doesn't know what to do to pass the time. Business has just been slow lately. It's always slow during the summer, but this year it's been especially slow.
"Does anyone know where Otama is?" Yattaro shouts. "She's off today. Apparently, she has a cold." Sukashi says.

"Oh, really?" Yattaro says.
"Yeah."
"Wait a second, I just had a thought."
"What?"
"We are animaloids, right?"
"Yes."
"We are incapable of catching colds, right?"
"Yes."
"So how did Otama come down with a cold?"
"I don't know. That's not something we have ever been able to do before."
"Well, I guess there's only one thing to do."
"What?"
"Actually, I don't know." Yattaro laughs it off. He thinks for a second, then the idea hits him.
"Why don't we play Charades?" Pururun and Sukashi fall to the floor in a comedic fashion. "What does Charades have to do with colds?" They both say to Yattaro.
"I don't know. It just occurred to me." They both groan and then sigh. "Fine, let's play." The three of them play Rock Paper Scissors to decided who gets to go first.
Sukashi ends up winning. "I'm going to go all out." He thinks to himself. He then stands on top of a table and begins to move around.

"Get to the chopper!" He yells.
"Charades AND impressions? I like it." Yattaro says.
"Get to the chopper! NOW!"
"Is it Chuck Norris?" Pururun asks.
"No, it's Charlie Chaplain." Yattaro says. "I also thought it was Patrick Swayze." She says.
"Ah, he's so dreamy."
"What are your thoughts on Bill Murray?" Yattaro asks. "Shut up, Yattaro!"
"Guys, relax." Sukashi says to the both of them.
"Both of you were wrong anyway. It was Arnold Schwarzenegger."
"Oh yeah, I remember him. He's so hot." Pururun says. "What?!" Yattaro and Sukashi both say.
"I said, he's so handsome, like a Greek god, or something."
"I think we're getting off track here. Pururun, it's your turn."
"Okay."

She hops onto the table and clears her throat. "There is no Dana. There is only Zuul." She says. "Oh! I think I got this one! Kathleen Turner!" Yattaro shouts.
"No Yattaro, it's Jessica Lange."
"Oh."
"Both of you are wrong. It's Sigourney Weaver." She says. "Really?" Yattaro and Sukashi both say to her.
"Yeah, really."
"Well Yattaro, I guess it's your turn." He stands up and walks over to the table. He climbs on top of the table and begins to laugh.
"This one will surely stump the two of you!" "I hope you're right." He turns to Pururun and Sukashi. "Okay, here I go." He clears his throat.

"Be careful who you call your friends. I'd rather have four quarters than one hundred pennies."
"Can I get a hint?" Sukashi asks.
He puts on a Chicago accent and say the quote again. They both laugh. "Is it Al Capone?" Pururun asks. "It is!" He says. "Oh, you're killing me!" Sukashi says.
The three of them decide to end the game. By then, night had come, and it was time to close the shop for the day.
"Well, it's been fun, Yattaro. I think I'm going to wash up. Bye." Pururun says, leaving the shop. Yattaro and Sukashi look at each other for a few seconds.
"I heard Omitsu is currently in the tower." "I'll race you there." "Oh no you don't." Yattaro and Sukashi race out of the shop and rush to the tower.

"We both know she wouldn't want to be with someone as short as you!" Yattaro hears Sukashi shout as he runs. "Hey! I'm not that short! Don't make me feel bad."
He shouts back. "Why not? You're only 4 foot 4!" He laughs as he continues running.
"I'm almost five feet tall! That's not short!"
"I'm four foot eleven. Girls love tall guys."
"Ha ha, yeah right. Girls don't even care if a guy is tall as long as he's cute."
"Which is something you'll never achieve."
"Shut up, you're not even handsome."
"Ha ha, yeah right. You're just short." Yattaro feels his face beginning to redden with anger. "Hey! I'm a lot of things, but I'm not that short!" He shouts.

Sukashi reaches the tower first, and he kicks his butt off the tower. Sukashi knocks on the door, and out comes the tower's janitor. "What is it?" He asks.
"I'm here to see Omitsu." Sukashi says. "She's not here right now. She is with her father on vacation." He says. "Really?" He asks. "Well when will she be back?"
"I don't know. But her father did mention that they'd be back sometime soon." He says. "Gee, thanks." Sukashi says to the janitor. "Yeah, whatever." He replies.
Sukashi then jumps off the side of the tower and heads back to the shop. As he walks into the shop, Yattaro is there to greet him.
"Was she not there?"
"Nope, the janitor said she was with her dad on vacation."
"Really?"
"Yep, probably not coming back until next week at the earliest."
"You can close the shop by yourself, right?"
"Of course, I'm not a total idiot." He replies.

"See you in the morning, Yattaro." Yattaro leaves the shop and close the door behind him.
He heads to his home and calls it a night.

Chapter Text

Yattaro got up this morning and went to work. When he walked into the door, Sukashi and Pururun are having a conversation. "You're late today, Yattaro." says Pururun. "I know." says Yattaro. "I could barely sleep last night." "How come?" asks Sukashi. Yattaro doesn't answer. He grabs a large pizza box from the shelf and begins to walk out. "Wait, Yattaro. Where are you going?" asks Pururun. "Um, a personal delivery." says Yattaro.

"Are you lying to us?" Sukashi asks. "No." says Yattaro. "Okay, then. You be careful." says Pururun. Yattaro doesn't respond. He takes a deep breath, opens the door, and walks out. Pururun and Sukashi look at each other. "Good chance he's lying." Sukashi says. "It's not like he has a lot to lose." Pururun agrees. "I wonder if Yattaro has a girl." Sukashi thinks aloud. "Bleh! Like any girl would want him!" says Pururun. "Well, not that I know of." They both laugh. Meanwhile, Yattaro is out and about walking. He walks under a tree and steps back into the sunlight. He closes his eyes and bask in the rays for a moment. When he opens them, he sees the familiar surroundings of Edoropolis. He smiles. He stops walking and begins to walk in the other direction. A short time goes by, and Yattaro is back at the parlor with Sukashi and Pururun. "Sorry I took so long." He says. "Couldn't get away from the sun." "That's okay." says Sukashi.

"We're just going to have some tea to take the edge off. You can join us."
"Tea time? That's the first time I ever heard you mention that." says Yattaro. "We rarely have it, but when we do, it's here." Sukashi says. They all walk into the kitchen. Pururun gathers the materials to make the tea. "What kind of tea do you want?" She asks. Yattaro doesn't answer. He goes to the refrigerator and grabs an adult beverage. He opens it, takes a large gulp, and sets it down on the counter. "Why don't you want tea, Yattaro?" Pururun asks. "I don't know." He says. "You can tell us." She says. He sighs and sits down at the table. "To tell you the truth, I'm not much of a tea person."
The other Nyankees sat at the table and listen to Yattaro. "I don't know why, but I've been drinking a lot of coffee and other beverages lately." He says. "Is that why you been so, different, lately?" Sukashi asks. Yattaro doesn't reply. "I'm not judging you, but you should really limit yourself on the caffeine." he says. "It's bad for you."

"What are you talking about?"
"Your body could come crashing down on you and you could possibly end up in the hospital." Pururun says. Yattaro doesn't respond. "Yattaro, are you okay?" Sukashi asks. Yattaro looks up and smiles. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired, I guess." he says. "Yattaro, if there is anything you want to talk about, we're here for you." Sukashi says. Yattaro nods. "I know. I appreciate that."
Meanwhile, Pururun makes the tea. The tea is finally done. Yattaro grabs a cup and a saucer. "You want to tell us what's on your mind, Yattaro?" Sukashi asks. Yattaro doesn't answer. "Yattaro? What's wrong?" he asks again. Yattaro sighs. "Okay, I'll tell you." He says. "I'm having second thoughts." Yattaro looks down at his cup. Sukashi and Pururun are both caught off guard. "What kind of second thoughts?" asks Pururun. "I'm starting to lose interest in this gig." Yattaro looks up and smiles.
"What?!" They both yell. "What are you saying?! Say that again, Yattaro." Pururun says. "I know what I said." Yattaro gets up from the table. "I'll be back, I have to go to the bathroom."

He walks out. They sit there for a moment. Pururun clears her throat. "Well, he's not exactly making this situation easier." "I'll say." Sukashi adds. "What do we do?" asks Pururun. "We can't let him leave. If he does leave, there is a good chance we'll never see him again." "I guess we'll just have to convince him to stay." Sukashi says.

Meanwhile, Yattaro is in the bathroom. He splashes some water on his face. He sighs. His thoughts are all over the place. He wonders if what his gut is telling him is true. Is he still on the right path? Or, is he making the wrong choice by sticking around? He scratches his neck. "I can't take this anymore." He thinks. He steps back into the room. "Welcome back." Pururun and Sukashi say. Yattaro sits down. "I'm not sure what I'm doing anymore. My head is just filled with so many thoughts." "What kind of thoughts?" Sukashi asks. Yattaro looks at him. "I don't know. But they are there. I can't stop them." "It's normal to be thinking about this." Pururun says. Yattaro nods. "I need a little bit of time to myself." Yattaro sighs. "I know you two can't understand that." He stands up. He gets up leaves the room, taking the tea and saucer with him.

They sit there for a while. "He's just tired." Sukashi says. "A long day. He was doing a lot." Pururun nods.
Meanwhile, Yattaro walks outside. His head is filled with emotions he can't put into words. No one is here to listen. He sighs. He sits down in the grass. He puts his head in his hands. He closes his eyes. "What is wrong with me?" He asks himself. Yattaro looks up. There is a light breeze. He opens his eyes and then closes them. He breathes in the fresh air. He breathes out. Then, he stands and begins to pace. He paces back and forth along the grass. He opens his eyes. It was just a light breeze. He closes his eyes.
Yattaro sighs. He sits back down onto the grass. He covers his face with his arms. He thinks to himself for a bit. These types of emotions never really cross his head, at least not to this extent.

He is usually happy, mad, sad, or excited. But, this is different. He has never felt this way about his job before. After a bit, he stands. He stretches his arms. He yawns. He scratches his head. He looks up at the sun. He sighs. Yattaro returns to the parlor. He sits down at the table. The others are there, looking at him. "You were out for a while, Yattaro." Pururun says. She glances at Sukashi. "Yes. I stayed out there because I was thinking." He looks at his cup. He sighs. "Well, me and Pururun decided on seeing Dancing with Wolves today at the theater." Sukashi says. "Do you want to go with us?"
Yattaro thinks for a moment. He glances at Pururun. He nods. "Yeah. That would be great." Yattaro smiles. "I also asked Otama if she wanted to come with us as well. After all, it's our day off." Pururun says.
Yattaro stands. He stretches his arms. He yawns. "Are you ready, Yattaro?"
"Yes." He answers.
"Let's go."

The three of them walk outside. The three of them head to the theater. Sukashi told Otama to meet them there. They walk there. They enter the building. They see Otama in the lobby. "Ah, you made it." Yattaro says. Otama nods. The four of them walk up to the counter. A ticket agent smiles. "Hello, how may I help you?" "Yeah, four tickets to Dancing with Wolves." Sukashi says. "That'll be four thirty." The woman says.
Yattaro pulls out his wallet. He hands her a five dollar bill. She smiles at Yattaro. "Thanks. Enjoy the movie." She says. The four of them head to their seats. They sit.

Yattaro stretches his legs out in front of him. He leans back in his seat.
The lights dim. The movie begins. In the movie, Lieutenant John Dunbar, assigned to a remote western Civil War outpost, befriends wolves and Indians, making him an intolerable aberration in the military. The movie ends. The audience cheers. Yattaro, Otama, Pururun, and Sukashi clap.
The credits roll. "Well, that was great."
"That Kevin Costner fellow, what a guy!" Yattaro exclaims.
"Wasn't he great?" Otama asks.

"Yeah, it was a good movie." Pururun agrees. The four of them talk for a bit more as they leave the theater.
Yattaro, Otama, Pururun, and Sukashi walks to the park. Yattaro doesn't say much as they approach it. His mind is now back to being elsewhere. "I can't believe I'm doing this." He thinks to himself.
The four of them enter the park. The grass is bright green. Wildflowers sprout up every few feet. The sun is bright. The other three are chatting while Yattaro sits in silence.

"You're quiet today, Yattaro." Sukashi remarks.
"Yeah, you're right. I've been thinking." He looks up at the sky. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. "I still don't know if I should quit or not."
Otama walks over to Yattaro. She sits next to him. "Tell me what's on your mind."
Yattaro sighs. "Recently, I been having thoughts about quitting the pizza parlor and the Nyankees as a whole."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Is there something I should be doing that I'm not doing? I mean, the way things are going, I'm not sure I'll be around much longer."
"Don't say such nonsense, Yattaro!" Otama says. "You're a strong, independent cat. You've always been that way. You can't let fear overcome you! What would happen if you quit now? You have to go on! Don't give up!"
"Otama, do you remember the comet that almost wiped out Edoropolis?"
Otama nods. "I do. It was a scary day. You singlehandedly destroyed the comet and saved all of us."
"Yeah, but I was scared at the time. I was convinced I wouldn't make it out of there. I was so weak." Yattaro looks at the ground.
"I was so weak."
"You were brave that day, Yattaro!" Pururun exclaims.
"But fear has a way of creeping up on you." Yattaro looks up. "It's easy to fake an emotion, isn't it?"
Otama puts her hand on Yattaro. "You're a warrior at heart. You can do anything." He removes Otama's hand from his shoulder and smiles.
"I was scared to death that day. I didn't want to show you guys that I felt fear."
Sukashi pats Yattaro's back. "You're one of the most courageous people I've ever met. Don't ever forget it." Yattaro looks over at Sukashi.
"Bravery and courage comes with a price. That price is one's own life."
"That's not the price worth paying."
"What do you mean?"
"It's not."
The other three look at Yattaro as he looks at the sky. "Yattaro, what are you saying?" Otama asks.
"I'm saying there comes a time when you have to decide if this game of cat and mouse is worth playing. When you have to decide if it's worth the price you're paying."
Otama gets up from the bench and slaps Yattaro in the face. "This isn't like you at all, Yattaro! What's going on?"
Yattaro grabs his cheek. "Otama, my mind is a battlefield. I'm not always sure who's attacking what. I'm so sorry."
"Yattaro!" Otama says. "Otama, please settle down." Pururun says.
She sits back down. "I'm sorry. This just isn't Yattaro at all." He turns his face away from Otama. He wipes his eyes.
"Yattaro!" Otama says. She puts her arms on Yattaro's shoulders and looks into his eyes. "Otama..." He says.
"I know you're a warrior at heart. I know you've always been one. You're not a coward! You're just..."
Yattaro looks at the ground.

"Just what?"
"You're just not yourself now. What happened to the brave, cocky, and cool person we used to know?"
Yattaro shrugs. "I don't know. I'm not sure anymore."
"You still have it in you."
"I don't know if I do."
"Yattaro..."
"I know." He sighs.

"I'm sorry. I just don't know anymore." He stands up. "I have to go. I'm sorry."
"Yattaro, wait!"
"Pururun, Sukashi, Otama, take care." Yattaro leaves the park. He walks away.
He walks along until he sees a sign that says Edoropolis. He enters the city. "Yattaro!" The girls cry out.
"This is the choice he makes. Pity." Sukashi remarks.
Is this really the end for Yattaro as leader of the Pizza Cats? Only time will tell.

Chapter Text

Yattaro is the leader of the Pizza Cats. Or at least, he was. He has left behind people he knew well. Sukashi, Pururun, Otama, all gone in his head. Yattaro is now far away from them. He looks on into the city to find something to do. He looks around for a bit. Meanwhile, Pururun and Otama are in disarray of Yattaro's choice of leaving. Finally, Pururun decides she will go after Yattaro. "We have to get him back." she says.
"I know." Otama replies. The two of them nearly run off before Sukashi speaks up. "Otama, Pururun, it's too late." he says. "Yattaro has made up his mind."
"It can't end like this!" Pururun exclaims. "It just can't! We need Yattaro!" Otama cries.
"If he's not in his right mind anymore, then it would be a waste of time. Let him go." Sukashi says. Pururun's eyes gets watery and red. She wipes the tears away. Her lower lip quivers. "I just don't understand." she says.
"We're wasting time. Yattaro won't change his mind. Let's go."
"No! We can't do that! We have to get him back!" Otama cries. "Otama!" Sukashi shouts. "He made up his mind! We can't do anything about it, even with enough convincing!"
"We have to do something at least!" Otama cries. Her eyes burn.
This leaves Pururun and Otama at a loss for what to do. "There's nothing we can do! Our only choice now is to leave!" Sukashi exclaims. He sighs and walks away. "Let's go."
Otama sniffs. She wipes her nose. She stares at the ground. She walks away, dragging her feet. Pururun follows behind. She looks back once, tears stream down her face.
They leave the park.

"Where to now?" Otama asks.
"We have to go and alert Master Wanko on what happened to Yattaro." Sukashi says. "We still have a lot to do, and not a lot of time in which to do it."
Otama sighs and nods. She follows Sukashi. Pururun follows Otama. After a while, they make it back to the pizza parlor.
Upon entering, Sukashi turns on the lights. He looks at Otama. "Otama, set up a video conference with Master Wanko right away."
Otama nods.
A few minutes later, Master Wanko appears on the screen. He is a large dog.

"What is this I hear about Yattaro? Is he alright?" he asks.
"He quit working." Sukashi says.
"Quit? What do you mean?"
"Recently, he's been feeling down on himself and none of us know why. While we were at the park, he decided that he was going on his own."
"But that's terrible! He could get into trouble!"
"He's already in trouble. He's under a lot of stress."
"Stress? What do you mean?"
"We're not really sure, but we might have an idea on what's been causing those thoughts in his head."
"Well, let me hear your idea."
Sukashi clears his throat. "Well, we believe it's been a lack of evil-doing and general slow foot traffic in the parlor." Master Wanko rubs his chin.
"Anything else?" he asks.
Sukashi thinks for a moment.
"He did look like he's been sleeping less."
"Hm. That could be because he's been working so hard."
"Master Wanko, with all due respect, but do you think he could've been doing it for a whole different reason?"

Master Wanko raises an eyebrow. "Well, since it's you asking, I guess it's possible. What do you think's been bothering Yattaro?"
Sukashi clears his throat.
"I believe it's been stress that's been causing discomfort for him."
Master Wanko's pupils appear small.

"Hmm. And what do you think has been causing this stress?"
"I guess we all kind of went overboard over the past few weeks, just trying to get more customers."
"Well, that makes sense. We have had to do a bit of that as well."
"We all believe it was a honest mistake."
"Do you really believe that?"
Otama clears her throat.

"Yes, Master Wanko."
"Well, since we're still on the topic of Yattaro, I was reviewing the security video from a few nights ago and saw something interesting."
Sukashi looks at Otama.
"Go on."
Master Wanko pulls up a video of Yattaro sleeping on the counter. He also appears to be drooling in the video. Sukashi peers at the screen.
"He's just drooling."
"As you can see, he's been sleeping a lot more than usual."
"It looks like he's been drooling a lot more than usual." Otama sighs.
"Sukashi, don't you still wet the bed?" Pururun asks.
"What?!" Sukashi exclaims. "That stopped a while ago!" He stops and looks at Otama and Pururun for a few seconds.
"Fine, I admit it. I still wet the bed. My doctor still hasn't given me the medication to prevent that." Sukashi laughs at himself. Otama sighs.
Sukashi looks back at the monitor.

"We all know that Yattaro never sleeps on the job unless he's trying to pull a prank or something."
"Well, it looks like he's been doing that a lot."
"Has anyone went to Yattaro's home before?"
Otama shakes her head.
"No, I don't think so. Why?"
"Maybe all of this stems from a problem he has at home."
Pururun thinks for a moment.
"I went there before."
"You have?" The three of them say.

"Yes. He invited me over one night to watch a movie."
"Was it a date movie?" Otama asks.
"No. Just some random movie." Pururun says.
"I see."
"Now that I think about it, his bed was extremely stiff."
"Pururun, what are you getting at?"
"I dunno. But Yattaro's bed is pretty bad."
"So?"
"So, I think he could've been back pain that got him uncomfortable."
"Back pain?"
"Yeah, like a herniated disc. I saw it on a commercial once. You know, like a pinched nerve."
Otama and Sukashi look at each other.

"What I'm trying to say is that his bed could be a reason behind his sudden shift in emotions."
Everyone except Pururun falls to the floor in a comedic fashion.
"How foolish, Pururun!" Master Wanko exclaims. "How can an object like that lead to him leaving?"
"I guess it's possible, Master Wanko."
"I'm still at least going to write it down on this list of possibilities."
"Please, do that."
Master Wanko writes it down.

"Anything else? Anything at all?"
Otama and Sukashi look at each other.
"Nothing else. Sorry."
"Okay. Well, we still have to what we do, so to speak."
"Right. Anyway, I have to go now. Keep me updated on what happens, got it?" Master Wanko asks.
"Of course. See ya." Otama nods.
"See ya."
Otama and Sukashi leave. Pururun looks at Master Wanko. She nods at him and hangs up.

Pururun, Otama, and Sukashi walk into the main room and sits on a chair.
"Well, that was an interesting conversation."
"So, you think his bed is the reason he's been acting like this?" Sukashi asks.
"Still sounds far-fetched if you ask me." Pururun says.
"But think about it this way. The longer Yattaro sleeps on a bad mattress, the more he'll be in pain." Otama says.

"That's a given. I still think it's pretty far-fetched." Pururun sighs.
"For now, it's only mere speculation." Sukashi says. "We'll have to keep an eye on Yattaro from afar and see how he's doing."
"I'm on board with that." Otama says.
"I am too!" Pururun exclaims.
Sukashi nods.

"It's settled then. We'll keep an eye on Yattaro."
"I suppose we'd better."
Otama and Sukashi leave. Pururun is now alone. She leans back in the chair and closes her eyes. She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.
She thinks about Yattaro and his actions.

"Yattaro, what is going on with you?" she says to herself. "I don't understand you. You're not the same person that was with us a few days ago. Something has happened. I can feel it." She clenches her fists and hopes that her hands don't tremble. Yattaro is acting weird. She hoped that he changes his mind and comes back. "You can't do this! You have to come back! Don't you understand that?" She says to herself.
Her fists starts trembling. "I can't do anything! You have to come back! We need you!" She begins to cry as her fists trembles more. "Yattaro! Come back, please!"

Meanwhile, night had fallen and Yattaro is sitting in his bedroom.
He's trying to think. He doesn't want to think. Thinking is like a weight on his mind. He doesn't want this weight on his mind. The moon is shining brightly and the skies are clear. The moonlight shines through one of his windows. There's a cool breeze. Yattaro gets up and dims the lights in his room. He stretches his arms high above his head and lets out a yawn. In the corner of his room, his sword lies, perked up. He picks it up and twirls it in his hand. He tosses it up in the air and catches it. He does this a few times. He stops and sits on the edge of his bed. His mind is still racing. "Am I making the right choice here?" He asks himself. "I just hope they do fine without me." He says. "Maybe they'll even win another battle." He chuckles to himself. He picks up his sword and looks at it.

"Well, there is only one thing left to do." He puts the sword against his neck, but moves it a few inches away. He closes his eyes. "Take care everyone. Teyandee." Without a second thought, he slashes the sword. The bell around his neck had finally come off. He opens his eyes and stares at the pendant. It's the mark of Yattaro. The mark of a warrior. He drops the sword and holds his pendant. He stands up and walks over to his dresser. He puts it away and goes back to his bed and lays down. He pulls his covers up to his chin. He falls asleep.