One day, Charo and Candy were walking to Margherita's place.
"So you came from far away, right? When are you going back?"
"I... don't know."
"Japan is very far, isn't it?"
"Yes. But I know, I will get back!"
"Oh. Well... good luck. That's all I can say, I guess."
The two were walking past a window display.
Candy saw a red star.
"Beautiful red star. Um, Charo... did you know that..."
"Yes?"
"Did you know that you can go back to where you want to... if you keep wearing a red star? It's a lucky charm."
"A red star? Really? I can go back to Japan?"
"Sure!"
"I didn't know that. Then, I will look for a red star."
Candy shrugged her shoulders.
Needless to say, red stars had nothing to do with going back to Japan.
She just made up a story and was playing a joke on Charo.
The two arrived at Rosa's restaurant, but Charo was already eager to leave.
"Hello, Margherita. This is Candy."
"Oh, I remember you. What a surprise! Welcome. Welcome, Candy."
"Nice to meet you."
"Um... Excuse me. I need to go now. Margherita, would you look after Candy, please?"
With that, Charo took off.
"What was that?"
"Maybe he's looking for something. Who knows?"
Charo had left to look for the red star.
He was willing to search all of Manhattan if he had to.
"あっ、あの赤いの！キラキラしてる。"
Charo ran into the street, but it was just red candy wrapper.
A car sped by.
"Be careful, you dog!"
Charo managed to jump aside but tumbled over.
When he got up, his right foreleg hurt.
He didn't seem to mind. Still he kept looking.
The next day, Candy was visiting Margherita's place again.
"Hello, Margherita."
"Oh, Candy. How are you?"
At that moment, Dread came running in.
He seemed upset.
"Hi, Dread. You look... terrible. Have you met Charo's girlfriend? This is
Candy. Candy, this is Dread."
"Girlfriend? Then, have you seen Charo?"
"Well... um..."
"What's the matter? Anything wrong?"
"Charo didn't come back last night."
"No! Are you sure? That's never happened before. Is he okay? I sure hope he's okay."
"Candy, you really don't know anything?"
"N...no."
"Think!"
"Don't yell at her. It's not her fault."
Just then, Charo showed up, limping toward them.
It was covered with cuts and scratches, too.
"Charo! Where have you been?"
"Dread... Margherita...."
"What happened to you?"
"Look at you. Are you all right?"
Margherita noticed that necklace with a red star swinging around Charo's neck.
"Charo, what's that?"
"I found it. See, Candy? The red star. You told me about it."
"I... I did?"
"I can go back to Japan if I wear this."
"Oh... that"
Candy seemed very uncomfortable.
She never thought that Charo would take her words seriously.
Margherita realized what was going on, and cut in.
"That's great, Charo! You keep it. And someday you'll be able to get back to Japan."
"Yes!"
"Charo, you must be hungry. Here, eat."
Charo started to eat his food.
Dread also noticed what seemed to have happened, but only gave Candy a sharp look.
Margherita quietly went close to Candy.
"I... I... I didn't mean to."
"Shh. It's okay. Just, don't tell him anything. He's tried so hard to find the red star. Don't take his hopes away from him now."
"Yes. I'm sorry."
Charo happily finished eating and fell asleep.
He must have been really tired.
The red star was shining brightly as if it were happy, too.
