"It's from Yamamayaa, which is the name of his species in the language of islands where he's from," Sakaki offered, looking down at the cat for a moment with a soft, faintly proud smile; Maya still seemed to regard Charlie with skepticism, but, since Charlie wasn't another cat, he had a feeling that he shouldn't have to worry, and backed up a little, until he could nudge against Sakaki's ankle and start purring.

Sakaki's cheeks immediately started to burn red with happiness.

"He actually followed me all the way from Okinawa to Tokyo," she added. "I'm just glad he found me before I returned here, or else he might have tried to follow me all the way here, too."

And, unable to handle it anymore, Sakaki swooped down to pick Maya up and hold him close, an arrangement he happily bounced right into.