Kitty Paddle
A/N: Short fluff involving a tall girl and her feline friend. Azuamnga Daioh belongs to Kiyohiko Azuma and TV Tokyo. No copyright infringement intended.
"Morning, Miss Sakaki," greeted Chiyo on this fine Sunday morning.
"Good morning, Chiyo-chan," greeted the tall girl. "How was college?"
Sakaki was happy to enter Chiyo's house. She had made it through her first grueling year of vet college and was happy to take a vacation that coincided with her friend's vacation. "It's tough," was simply her answer.
"Oh, I see." Chiyo understood it. Her own time at school was just as hectic. "I see that you brought Maya over."
She nodded. "I think I need to take him around." Then a bark was heard.
"Oh, it's you, Mr. Tadakichi," Chiyo said as the huge Saint Bernard walked in, wagging his tail. "Miss Sakaki, let's go to the backyard. I have tea and cake."
"Oh, thank you. You're too kind..." Sakaki felt the welcome was too much. She doesn't want to impose on her friends.
Chiyo just smiled. "I insist. This is a fine summer day and I never expected you to drop by." She held Sakaki's hand and led her to the backyard.
Outside the two girls had their snacks, sheltered in the trees and enjoying the summer afternoon sun while their pets frolicked out in the grass. They talked about their studies, their daily lives and how they missed each other.
"Osaka said she's doing well," Chiyo said as she stirred her tea. "I hope she's alright." She was concerned with the airheaded girl from the Kansai, especially her tendencies to zone out.
"I think she's had it fine," Sakaki assured. "She just needs to get it together." The last phrase was Ayumu Kasuga's mantra, chanting in order to help her focus. They both smiled at that. They have every confidence that Osaka will make it on her road to being a teacher.
Maya and Mr. Tadakichi approached them. Sakaki and Chiyo had surprised and upset looks as they saw their pets covered in dirt.
"Mr. Tadakichi!" Chiyo exclaimed.
"Maya!" Sakaki called out.
The two pets' only response was to shake the dirt off the body and stare respectively.
"Oh dear..." the girls sighed in resigned unison.
At the bathroom, the two girls gave their pets a cleaning up. Sakaki helped Chiyo out with Mr. Tadakichi due to his size. Cleaning was hard but still a breeze.
Then Maya's turn came up. "Maya," Sakaki cooed. "It's time for your bath." She laid her hands down and Maya got on, being lifted up. Then he jumped into the tub full of water. What came next was nothing short of adorable.
Maya was a wildcat from the swamps of Iriomote island. He is at home in the water unlike most cats so Maya swam contently in the tub. The tall girl was mesmerized as Maya moved about like a toy motorboat, doing a series of maneuvers, darting to and fro, making tight turns, gracefully rippling across the water.
Sakaki had the happiest smile in the world as her eager eyes looked on the cute and vigorous stunts of her pet.
"Oh, she's so cute!" Chiyo chimed.
"Kitty... paddle," the tall girl squeed as Maya made another spurt through the water. Her body shook with cuteness as all cute thoughts emerged in her head.
Mr. Tadakichi looked on, not sure why a cat can swim.
A/N: You rike it?