Tenma Sumeragi/The Adventure for Sardines

Getting Into Character: Mike

Backstage Stories

Part 1

Tenma	Mike is Tama's brother, right. Communication between fellow cats is ——
Izumi	That's right. When cats gather, they seem to be having conversations......
Itaru	I'm back. ......Hm? Are you discussing how to prepare for the role?
Tenma	Yeah. I've played lots of roles up until now, but this is my first time playing a cat.
Itaru	I see. Then you should try playing 'Meowcadia' too, Tenma.
Tenma	'Meowcadia'? What's that?
Itaru	It's a cat raising game. You take care of your own cat, talk to it, and go to your friend cats' places to play.
Izumi	Now that you mention it, I feel like I've heard about that game from Muku-kun, too.
Itaru	Yeah, because I recommended it to Muku as well. He said they were cute and got into it immediately. That way of getting into things might mean he's got potential as a gamer.
Izumi	Muku-kun's getting more and more poisoned by Itaru-san......
Tenma	A game, huh. Worthless.
Itaru	At least try it out before you say that. You might get surprisingly invested in it?
Tenma	I'm busy, so I'm not the type to get into that sort of thing.
	I've finished the script check, so I suppose I'll sleep soon......Oh, yet another LIME message......What on earth is it.
Kazunari	Look, Tenten! Doesn't this kitty stamp look just like Mike!? It's super cute!
Tenma	Say, how many is he going to send! Yeah, yeah, I get it, I get it; I'll just answer him somehow —— Honestly. ......But did he download this stamp to match with our play this time? Speaking of which, that app Itaru-san mentioned back then was......Meowcadia, I think? ......Well, it'll serve as a time waster. I'll try installing it.
	—— The setting for 'My Cat'? The name......Mike should do.
Yuki	......Hmm, so you're playing it too. And the name's even Mike.
Tenma	*jumps away* !? Don't call out so suddenly from behind! And don't peek!
Yuki	You were mumbling away on your own, so I wondered what you were doing. Why don't you hurry and save your settings? Don't you know how to choose an avatar?
Tenma	S-Shut up! Don't look! Say, how do you know? Are you playing too?
Yuki	I guess. The avatars and items are pretty cute.
Tenma	Hmm......I'm just playing it to kill time.
Yuki	Yeah, yeah, I wasn't really asking. Work hard.
Muku	Tenma-kun, good morning!
Tenma	Yeah, good morning.
Muku	I heard from Yuki-kun that you've started Meowcadia too! Have you already given him breakfast this morning?
Tenma	No, not yet. Speaking of which, did you have to feed the cats in that game?
Muku	That's right, I was just about to feed them now. Ah, umm, can I send you a......friend cat request?
Tenma	I guess......How do you do it? —— Ahh, you press here. I see.
	......That's right, it's almost time to feed Mike. I'll feed Mike first......Oh, a new item. Next I might go visit Muku's cat. It can't be helped, so I'll go to Yuki's too ——
Igawa	Tenma-kun, good work! Then I'll see you tomorrow!
Tenma	Yeah. Sigh, taking photos over such a long distance really is tiring. I haven't able to open the app at all since this morning —— !? W-What? There's a skull and crossbones mark over Mike's head?
	Itaru-san! It's a disaster!!
Itaru	Hmm? What?
Tenma	Mike is......!
Itaru	......Ahh......
Tenma	O-Oi......Can't you do something!?
Itaru	It's too late already. ......I can't help.
Tenma	That's......N-No way......!
Itaru	It's a shame, but ——
Muku	I'm back. Wait, Tenma-kun? What's wrong!?
Tenma	Muku, my Mike is......!
Muku	Eh!? What happened to Mike-kun —— ......Ah, it's got a skull and crossbones over its head. It's okay, Tenma-kun. This means the cat is dirty, so you can put it in the bath.
Tenma	Eh? T-The bath? What......That surprised me......
Muku	Here, now it's all clean! He'll perk up soon.
Itaru	Huh? You told him already? Boring.
Tenma	~~ngh! You're really a horrible adult!

Krhs