Rosa and Margherita had been busy preparing for their new restaurant.
And at last, the day came for them to leave New York.
Charo went to see them off.
"Margherita!"
"Charo! We were just about to leave. Thank you for coming."
"You're welcome."
"Oh, Charo, I sure will miss you! Candy is gone to Chicago. Dread is not around to look after you anymore. Are you really going to be all right?"
"Of course. Please don't worry."
"Charo, you are definitely one of the toughest dogs that I have ever met."
"Tough? Thank you!"
"Now, promise me that you'll keep away from trouble. If you ever find food, save some for emergencies."
"Yes."
Margherita smiled and kissed Charo again and again.
For Margherita, Choro was like her own child. It was such a difficult farewell.
"Margherita!"
Rosa had finished loading the luggage into the taxi, ready to leave and was calling for Margherita.
"I'm off. I'd better get going. Oh, I never imagined that such a day would come. Take care of yourself, okay? I'm sure you'll get back to Japan somehow. I know you will."
"Yes. And please take care of yourself, too, Margherita. Thank you... Thank you very much... for everything."
"Margherita, where are you? It's time to go now, Margherita. Can you hear me?"
"I've really got to go. Goodbye, Charo... and, good luck!"
"Goodbye, Margherita."
As soon as Margherita hopped in, the taxi drove off.
Charo stayed there for a while, as if to wait for something that would never come back.
Charo was on his own again.
He tried to stay strong. But things were not easy.
He would walk around for food, not being able to find anything for days.
"あっ、オレンジが落ちてる！やったー！"
"Hey, you a dog! What are you doing? Go away! Shoo!"
"あ、クッキーの包み紙だ。ちょっと残ってないかな。あー、ゴミばっかりだ。"
♪The Light Within
All alone, so far from home
Everything is gone
Hopeless days, helpless nights
Never seem to end
Walk no more, close your eyes
Light still shines within
Charo was so hungry, he couldn't move any more.
He lay down in an alley.
The vision of the snowy day came back to him. The day when he was left in the park, almost dying.
"ぼく...このまま死んじゃうのかな...。ショウタ、ごめんね。"
There seemed to be a parade taking place.
Charo was able to hear the faint but happy sound of a marching band from far, far away.
He saw some white confetti dancing in the wind. It looked just like snow.
Suddenly, he realized that somebody was looking at him.
Short hair... a boy? Shota?
"かわいそうに。このままだと死んじゃう。"
With that, the blurry shadow left.
Charo lost his final hope and shut his eyes.
But just when he was about to lose consciousness, a good smell tickled his nose.
It was something he knew well.
He slowly opened his eyes again, and... a sausage.
"Here! Eat! It's yours."
It was a young girl with short hair.
She was Tomoko whom Charo had met at Margherita's restaurant.
And this was the second time Charo was saved from the brink of death.
