Together with Candy and old Ike, Charo had arrived at the estate of Mr. Gregory Spencer.
They were been greeted by Sir Joseph, the big white beautiful shepherd who seemed to rule this place.
"Ike, please think of our house as your own. We truly hope that you enjoy your stay."
"Thank you very much. Oh, may I ask you a favor? I would like the young ones to enjoy the wonderful view from your estate. Would that be possible?"
"Of course. That should be fine. Frank."
With Sir Joseph's call, a very sharp-looking collie came over.
"This is my good friend, Frank. He works for me. Very reliable.
Frank, would you guide our guests to the rooftop terrace? The early evening view should serve as a perfect welcome."
"Certainly, Sir."
With a right bow, Frank excused himself leading Candy and Charo into the mansion up to the terrace.
"A beautiful view, isn't it?"
"Very."
"あの... where is Chinatown?"
"Chinatown? That would be downtown ... in that direction. You see those tall buildings, standing out over the top of the trees? Chinatown is just behind them."
"Very far."
"Yes, and I would surely not recommend dogs to go there anyway. It's a complete cat territory."
"Cat ... territory?"
"The cats rule the area."
"Is there a top cat, too?"
"Well, yes. I've just heard that a newcomer from Chinatown has made it to the top recently. A female cat called Louisa."
"Louisa!"
"Do you know her?"
"No. I don't think so."
Charo was excited to hear Louisa's name on the very first day they arrived.
Could it be the same Louisa that Margherita was talking about?
Later on, Charo went into the garden to think how he could meet her.
Walking around he got to the kitchen door where a van was parked.
Two men were busily working.
"We'd better carry the empty boxes quick. We don't want to get caught in the
traffic."
"What time do we have to be back in Chinatown?"
"Oh, around seven."
Charo was listening carefully.
(Chinatown? この車、チャイナタウンに行くんだ！)
He secretly jumped into the van and Charo was right.
After a while, they were indeed moving through the streets of Chinatown.
The van made a stop.
The two men got out and so did Charo.
He was excited to think that Louisa lived nearby.
But then ... where?
"はぁ、ルイーザどこに住んでるんだろう？"
Charo was at a loss, but he was not alone.
There was a big fat cat looking at him from the top of the roof.
He gave a long meow.
And all of a sudden, Charo was surrounded by cats, cats, cats.
"Meow. Hey, little pup, where ya goin?"
"Could you be lost? Oh, no, poor thing."
"This is cat town. You hear that? You're not supposed to be here."
"I am here to see a cat named Louisa."
"Ooooh! Louisa."
"Do you know her?"
"Even if I do, I'm not telling you."
"Get 'im, boys!"
Just then, hearing the noise and the commotion, a shop owner came out.
"Shoo, animals! Get away!"
The cats ran away.
Charo dashed into an alley and entered another street.
He kept on walking under the beautiful illumination.
"困ったなぁ。広すぎてどこがどこだかわかんないや。"
He noticed that several cats were staring at him again.
He was becoming very nervous, when...
"Cats are just curious. There's no need to be afraid."
It was a beautiful cat with dark greenish black fur, soft and fluffy.
She wore a golden collar.
The eyes that looked into Charo's were the color of gold, too, with a clarity that was almost hard to believe.
Her mysterious aura was breathtaking.
