Cathy and the other strays are back in class talking about their spring break. Some of their classmates tease Cathy and Bob about almost openly flirting in front of Amber. Amber gets in on it to show she has no hard feelings about Cathy and Bob possibly getting together.
Ms. Jones walks into the classroom when the bell rings and says “Okay everyone, I would like to hear how your spring break went.”
Amber says “Well Cathy’s human friend did visit.”
Ms. Jones says as she is writing the day’s lesson on the board “and what did she think of our community?”
Cathy says “she felt like she understood why I left home.”
Ms. Jones says “that’s great, she sounds like she is a very empathetic person” as she keeps writing.
Taffy says “We even wonder if she could do a semester at this school.”
Ms. Jones flinches at those words and screws up her writing. She turns to the class and says “Out of the question!”
Some of the students say “What? Why? How come?”
Ms. Jones settles the class down and says “We did have human student attend this school once and it cause utter chaos in the student body.” The students look at her confused. Ms. Jones says “They were a stepchild of a blended family, which was rare to begin with. Many of the student body here are 2nd and 3rd generation and we have few 4th generation in preschool now. A lot of the students here have never left this community and haven’t seen many humans up close. They didn’t know how to react to having a human around them and the human student couldn’t really interact with the other students in a way to build bonds like we do, like brushing each other’s tails. The students kept looking at their ears. The human student even tried wearing fake ears and that didn’t go over too well with the other students. The staff decided to help the human student be home schooled to settle the other students back down. The family divorced soon after and they left. It’s a hard life here for humans who are used to being the dominant group and set in their ways.”
Amber says “well Jessica was able to handed Tammy’s curiosity over her ears and understood she was the outsider here.”
Ms. Jones says “a hundred students is a whole lot different from one student. She may have spent the day here, but you are asking her to be here for months on end.”
Cathy does agree with that last point Jessica is nice and understanding, but could she put up with the stares for months on end. Cathy says “I think Ms. Jones has a point. I know her well. But I don’t know how she would handle it here.”
Cathy joins the strays for lunch. Taffy has started splitting her time between the group of Inus and the strays. Tammy has also been helping introduce the strays to the various social groups and showing others how to get accepted to the groups. Cathy hadn’t realized that Tammy was so popular and that the punch was seen as an attack on one of the more popular students. Once word got out why Cathy punched Tammy, Tammy lost a lot of her popularity. Tammy has had to work to get it back and is even using it to help get the strays connected with the other groups.
Meanwhile, Ms. Jones walks into the faculty lounge and takes a seat. She lets out a sign and shakes her head. One of the other teachers says to her “rough class today?”
Ms. Jones looks at the teacher and says “one of my students had their human friend visit them here over spring break.”
The teacher says “That must have been interesting to say the least.”
Ms. Jones says “It’s worse than that, they wanted her to attend a semester here.”
Almost all the teachers in the lounge turn to her with shock on their faces. Another teacher says “Are they nuts! We had to help the counsellors out when that last human student was here!”
Ms. Jones says “I know! I was there! I told them about the last human student. My students said that the human friend handled being here well and that they even encountered another student and let her check her ears out without any problems.”
A teacher says “Still, Ms. Kayla would veto the idea in a second.” They turn to Ms. Kayla who has been sitting there the whole time reading a document without looking at them.
Ms. Kayla takes a sip of her drink then says without turning to them “I might actually agree to it.”
Half the teachers say “What!”
Ms. Kayla turns to the teachers and says “The last human student didn’t try to fit in and were stuck in their ways. This one sounds different. They sound open. I have also been hearing that the tourist district is getting a little short staffed and there is pressure from the outside for us to stop being so isolationist when it comes to humans in our communities. So it might help to have a human at this school to help the students adjust to seeing them and show we are open to having humans among us. The student could have been a good trial run for them.” Ms. Kayla then says to Ms. Jones “Can you see if you can get the student’s friend’s contact information so I can look into this further?”
Ms. Jones says “I’ll ask Cathy for the information on her friend.”
Cathy is still surprised by Ms. Jones asking for Jessica’s information when she gets home. She calls up Bob after her homework to talk to him about it.
They talk for almost an hour when Bob says “Hang on, I think my guardians are calling me. I’ll call you back.”
No sooner than Cathy hangs up from Bob does Sarah knocks on her bedroom door. Sarah says to Cathy “I know it’s short notice, but we need you to watch May for the night. Sam and I must go to an emergency town meeting.”
Cathy says “Can I come and just sit with May?”
Sarah says “It’s a late meeting and you probably wouldn’t understand why this meeting was called.”
Cathy says “Okay.”
Sarah says “Thank you” and starts to leave. Sarah quickly turns around and says “Oh, and Bob isn’t allowed to come over and we will know if he does.”
Cathy is stunned by those words but agrees with them.
Cathy’s phone starts to ring again, and Cathy can see it’s Bob again. Cathy answers the phone. Bob says “Sorry, they wanted to tell me they were going to some meeting.”
Cathy says “Sarah just asked me to watch May for them so she and Sam could go to a meeting.”
Bob says “I could help you if you need me to.”
Cathy says “Sarah said you couldn’t come over and that she would know if you did.”
Bob says “There is more than one way to help you with May.”
Cathy gets another call and checks it out. It’s Taffy calling her. Cathy has a feeling it’s about the same thing.
Sarah and Sam quickly enter a meeting hall and find some seats together. The room was almost full by the time they had got there. The town council sits before everyone behind a long desk. The town council is made up of five people.
The leader of the council says “We apologize for the late emergency meeting and thank you for coming at such short notice, but we want everyone know before we speak about it at our regular meeting in a few days.”
Another member says “We have just received a request from a human owned company to build a new store in town.” Some in the audience grumble about it being a human company.
Someone in attendance holds up their hand and is called on soon afterwards. They say “what kind of store?”
One of the members says “one of those super centers.”
The crowd grumbles and some even says “They’ll hurt my business.”
The council quickly gets the audience to settle down and one says “We are well aware of the impact on local business along with the effects the last human company that tried to do business in our community. So what we need is for everyone to go home and think of ways that you can push back so we can turn them down. We’ll open the floor to ideas now.”
Cathy is playing video games with May against Bob, Taffy and Amber online. Cathy hears the front door open and tells everyone she has to go and ends the game. Cathy then tells May to head to her room as Sam and Sarah walk in.
Sam and Sarah just sit on the couch and look completely wiped out. Cathy says “So what was the emergency meeting about.”
Sam says “Some human company wants to open up one of those super centers in our town and we have be brainstorming with everyone to come up with a way for the town council to veto it.”
Cathy says “not to sound dumb, but what wrong with them wanting to open something like that here?”
Sarah says “You’re not dumb to ask that. The answer is that we hand another human owned company try this before and it was a disaster.”
Sam says “They came in with the lure of job opportunities. But we knew there was going to be a problem right from the groundbreaking.”
Sarah says “They wore fake Kemonomimi ears and talked about being part of our family now. We knew right then and there that this was a PR stunt.” Cathy flinches at those words after learning why Kemonomimis don’t like people wearing fake ears or being used for PR purposes. Sarah continues “and once the store opened, we found out they only carried stuff from name brands or made by humans and nothing local.”
Sam says “A lot of human companies try to make products for us, but they go by research and focus groups. They look for the cheapest way to mass market something for us and many don’t take into account how much we vary. So we tend to like small Kemonomimi owned businesses because they know us better and can cater to us.”
Sarah says “They did hire us, but the pay was low, and they just copied one of their stores from another town. Even the bathrooms were not built for us.”
Sam says “When we tried to approach them about making some changes, they said they need corporate approval. We knew then nothing was going to change.”
Cathy says “why not see if you could move up the corporate latter?”
Sarah says “A lot of time we feel they only move us up for PR reasons and to say they are open minded and divers. But we don’t like being show pieces.”
Sam says “So many of workers quit soon after learning that owners were only going to listen to their company shareholders.”
Sarah says “They were so short staffed that they decided to bring in outside workers. Human workers no less.”
Sam says “that created a lot of tension between us and the company. We outright boycotted the store. They had to close soon afterwards because corporate said they weren’t making enough money to make back their investment.”
Sarah says “The town council has made an ordinance that says outside companies have to share their plans in public town meeting and if those in attendance aren’t impressed, then they can’t move forward with the plans.”
Cathy says “So you have to show this new company that they aren’t prepared for this community?”
Sarah says “Yes.”
Cathy says “Then do what Ms. Kayla did to me on my first day of school and ask them questions only Kemonomimis known the answers to.” Sarah and Sam look at Cathy. Cathy says “Like, How do you clean your ears by yourself? Or what’s the importance of brushing another’s tails? If they can’t answer those questions, then they don’t know us well enough to come in and that they should know these things before even approaching us in the first place.”
Sarah and Sam look at each other. Sam says “She may be on to something there.”
Cathy enters the meeting hall along with Sam, Sarah and May. She can see Bob, Amber and Taffy with their co-parents as she finds her own seat. They all nod to each other to signal everything is a go.
Soon the council takes their seats and starts the meeting. After the general meeting procedures, the leader of the council says “We have a request for a new store to be built in town. We will open the floor to the developers now.”
A man in a business suit steps up and Cathy can see he is already going to make a bad impression because he is wearing fake ears, expensive ones, but even she can tell they are fake. The man goes about talking about how it will bring jobs and befit the town. He even says he wants them to see them as a part of this town and part of their family.
The leader of the council says “We will now open it to the floor.”
Sarah’s hand is the first in the air along with the others that are in on the plan. The council calls on Sarah. Sarah says “How do we clean our ears by ourselves and why is important for us to do it?” The guy and even the council look confused for a second. Sarah says before he is able to get a word out “You don’t know do you!”
One of Bob’s host parents stands up and says “What’s the importance of us brushing each other’s tails?” The guy looks confused. Bob’s host parent says before the guy can answer “You don’t know do you!”
Someone then yells “Do you even know how offensive it is for you to be wearing those fake ass ears here!” Soon everyone is throwing questions at the guy in a volley to the point of overwhelming him.
The leader of the council quickly works to reestablish order in the meeting. They even have to stand up behind their desk to get control. Once everyone has settled back down, leader of the council say to the man “I think we have our answer. It seems to me you know very little about us, yet you want to be a part of our community.” The guy is about to speak, but the leader cuts him off by saying “This is not something you can learn as you go. You will be asking us to let you blindly step on our toes and ignore our ways as you try to make yourself feel welcomed. We can’t accept this project on the basis that you will learn about us as you go along. Come back when you have actually learned about us.”
The man looks defeated. He takes off his fake ears and walks out of the meeting while everyone just stares at him.
The leader sits back down in their chair once the man has left. Everyone starts cheering and even the council members look relieved.
The leader says “Okay, who came up with the idea of challenging his knowledge of us and our ways?”
One of Taffy’s host parents says “The strays did!”
Taffy says “It was Cathy’s idea.”
The council looks at Cathy. Cathy says “I remembered how I felt like I didn’t know anything about my own kind and needed to learn a lot about my kind when Ms. Kayla asked me those kinds of questions and didn’t give me even a second to think about the answer. I figure that if we could show them that they don’t know us, you would be in a better position to tell them no and teach them to learn about us before coming here.”
The leader says “Well, you gave us a great reason when we have to settle everyone down and someone even calling him out for his rudeness and offensive behavior.”
Cathy can see Ms. Kayla smiling at her.
Cathy is back in class the next day. Everyone has heard what she and the others did. Ms. Jones walks into class and says while writing the day’s lesson on the board “Okay, besides inflating Cathy’s ego anymore. How many of you have found a summer job yet?” There is an awkward pause. Ms. Jones says “You need a job if you want to be a part of this community.”
Amber says “The shops say they all have people already.”
Ms. Jones says “have you tried the tourist district?” A few of the students look away.
Taffy says “I really didn’t want to work where we a gawked at by…outsiders.”
Ms. Jones says “The tourist district is one of the few places in town that makes up a lot of extra income for the town. We don’t have any major exports or factories in town. The small businesses do help, but tourist dollar’s is what pays for a lot of town’s maintenance here.”
Cathy decides to ask Sarah and Sam for help with her job hunting. Cathy even wonders if Sarah even has a job. Sarah has acted like a stay-at-home mom the whole time she has been living with them.
Cathy asks Sarah “Hey, um, I’ve been asked to find a summer job. I was wonder if you knew of any?”
Sarah says “I don’t think they have any opening at my workplace and you need a degree to work at Sam’s level.”
Cathy says “Wait, you have a job?”
Sarah says “Part time, they know I take care of strays and have May to take care of as well. The community also helps us if the bills get tight. Have you tried the tourist district?”
Cathy says “Ms. Jones also suggested that.”
Sarah says “Try it then. It won’t hurt to look.”
Cathy checks with all the stores in the shopping district. She even goes to the shop where she got her new clothes from when she first got there. The clerk tells her “Sorry a lot of students have already asked. Have you tried the tourist district?” Cathy looks defeated. The clerk then gives Cathy a piece of paper with an address on it and says “Try here. John is always looking for people.” Cathy can see the address is in the tourist district.
Cathy goes to the address the next day. She decided to wear her passing hat and tail bag so she could move without people looking at her. She sees that the address is for a small tourist shop when she gets there. She finds an Inus man running the shop when she enters it. The man says “Hello, I’m John. How can I help you?” Cathy reaches for her hat to remove it when John says “You don’t need to take that off. I can tell a passing hat when I see one.”
Cathy says “I was told you may have a job opening.” Just then the bell rings to signal someone coming in. Cathy can see it’s a human family.
John says to Cathy “Excuse me real quick.” He then goes to help the people out. Cathy can see he is being nice and helpful, even thanking the people when they comment on his ears and tail. Some of the family look at Cathy and Cathy just smiles back and pretends to shop. John makes a sale and returns to Cathy once the family has left. He says to Cathy “So when can you start?”
Cathy says “What?”
John says “You’re a stray right.” Cathy nods. John says “You’re more accustomed to seeing humans than most students. So you don’t have any awkward reaction to seeing them. We need people like you during the summer the most.” Cathy is not sure how to react. John says “Why don’t you walk around as you are and see what this area is all about. My offer still stands.” Cathy nods and leaves the store.
Cathy realizes she didn’t spend much time in the tourist district when she first got here. She wanted to get away from humans as fast as possible when she got there. Now that she can pass as one, she sees the area in a new light. They are fascinated by Kemonomimis, from their looks to their lives. There are shops for them to buy Kemonomimi items and books on them. Cathy can see people taking photos with Kemonomimis of different types and trying to guess their type.
Cathy then sees a Kitsune woman in a Miko outfit posing and getting her photo taken. Cathy almost wants to chuckle when she realizes who the woman is. She knows for a fact that the Kitsune woman isn’t Asian let alone Japanese, but her eye makeup and how she acts would fool almost anyone who doesn’t know the real deal. Cathy watches her for a few moments. Cathy thinks they even make eye contact for a moment. The woman does seem to have handlers nearby to keep her safe and she even talks to one of them between photo ops. The woman finally has to leave to get some rest.
Cathy is about to walk away when a Nekos male walks up to her and says “Are you Cathy by any chance?”
Cathy says “Yes.”
The Man says “Will you come with me please?” and motions her to follow.
Cathy says “Am I in trouble?”
The Man says with a smile “No, Ms. Brown just wants to speak to you that’s all.” The last name confirms Cathy’s suspicions earlier.
Cathy is lead behind some buildings to a trailer. The man knocks on the door. Cathy hears a woman’s voice from inside say “Yes?”
The man says through the door “You were right. It was her.”
The Woman says through the door “Send her in.” The man opens the door and motions Cathy to go in. Cathy walks in with some fear about who she is about to meet. The man closes the door after Cathy.
Cathy stands at the door waiting. Ms. Brown is touching up her makeup and says without looking at Cathy “So you’re the girl who punched my daughter.”
Cathy says “uh, Sorry about that…I…”
Ms. Brown says “She deserved to get punched. We raised her better than that” without stopping her touch up. Cathy is not sure why she feels better, but she does, Ms. Brown says “The fact that your first action was to apologize for that says to me your parents raised you well.” Cathy feels even better now.
Cathy says “Is that all you wanted?”
Ms. Brown says “I wanted to meet one Tammy’s more elusive friends.” Cathy feels she and Tammy aren’t friends, but Cathy also wouldn’t say they are enemies or rivals. They are more neutral to each other if not at least on friendly terms. Ms. Brown then says “I also wanted to thank you.”
Cathy says “Thank me?” Cathy isn’t sure why she would be being thanked or if it is a half-hearted thank you or worse.
Ms. Brown says “Tammy told me you had a human friend come and visit and that she was able to check out her ears.”
Cathy says “That was my friends doing not me.”
Ms. Brown says “Since I can’t thank her, I can thank you instead.”
Cathy says “Why thank us for that?”
Ms. Brown says “I was planning to start training Tammy to take my place here. I can only play shrine maiden for so long. Tammy will have to get use to seeing humans, if she is to replace me like I did my mother. Having a human willing to let her touch their ears helped her get over some of the curiosity she has had about them is a big help.” Cathy realizes that Tammy and her mother are what most people would think Kitsunes from Japanese folklore would like.
Cathy says “Jessica is just open minded and friendly. It’s why she is my best friend.”
Ms. Brown says “Even though she is not one of us.”
Cathy says “She tried her hardest to treat me like everyone else even though I had cat ears and tail. She was there for me when others would tease me about my ears and tail. She wants to understand what it is like to be me.”
Ms. Brown says “She sounds like an ally to us. Keep her close.” There is a knock on the door behind Cathy. Ms. Brown says “Well I have to get ready to get back out there. It was nice meeting you.”
Cathy leaves with a smile and heads back to John’s shop to accept his offer.
Cathy let’s the other strays known why the tourist district is quick to hire them and soon even Taffy has a summer job waiting for her.
The students are gathered in the main auditorium at the start of the last day of school. Cathy and the other strays wonder if this is a last-minute thing. Cathy then sees someone she hasn’t seen in a while waiting near the stage. Heather stands next to Ms. Kayla at the edge of the stage. Ms. Kayla goes to the podium. She says to the students “Good morning, everyone.”
All the students echo back “Good morning Ms. Kayla.”
Ms. Kayla says “We have a special guest today that wishes to speak with you. I want you all to listen to her and heed her words.”
Ms. Kayla steps aside and lets Heather step up to the podium. Heather says “Greetings, I am Heather Smith. Many of you are excited about the summer season that is about to start. But it is the start of another season, Stray season. A lot of young first Gen Kemonomimis get the courage to run away after school is out and some will head here. Our streets are known to be safe because we work to keep them safe by keeping strays off the streets and out of danger. Our streets are dangerous to a young homeless Kemonomimi who doesn’t have someone to watch over them. There are people who will take advantage of them because they will have no one to turn to. Right now, your teachers and administrators are handing out my card. Call me if you see a new young Kemonomimi in town that you think looks to be a stray, but don’t approach them. Let us handle them. You will know them when you see them. Together we will keep our kind safe and welcome new members to our community.”
Cathy wonders if Heather does this every year. She takes the card and puts the number in her phone along with the other strays.
