The taxi driver was burning with curiosity, but he was a professional, through and through…
'Should I strike up a conversation? Well, they say you shouldn't chat while driving—it breaks your concentration. But what kind of taxi driver would I be if I don't make small talk?'
A good chat could liven up the atmosphere in the car and keep the journey from feeling dull. It also gave both parties a chance to share interesting stories or useful tidbits.
"I'm guessing you folks are headed to the zoo to see the panda?"
Masao wasn't the least bit surprised the driver had guessed their destination. Pandas were wildly popular in Japan; they were the main draw for most zoo visitors.
"Is it always this busy at the zoo because of the panda?" Masao asked.
The driver nodded, his eyes on the road. "Ever since that panda arrived, it's been a madhouse. Weekends are a nightmare—a solid wall of people. The zoo had to implement a strict viewing time. You get a minute, maybe two, then you have to move on. If they didn't, the first people in line would just plant themselves there all day."
In the backseat, Yukinoshita gave a soft, understanding nod.
It made perfect sense. Everyone in the back is impatient with the people in the front, until it's their turn, and then they never want to leave.
"Take today, for instance," the driver continued. "It's packed. The main road to the zoo is like a parking lot with traffic."
"Traffic?" Yukinoshita's brow furrowed with immediate concern for their carefully laid plans.
"How bad is the delay?" Masao leaned forward. "What's the estimated time?"
"To get there on the main road? You'd need a solid two hours, at least."
"Two hours?!" Yukinoshita was aghast. They wouldn't arrive until noon. And then they'd have to fight the crowds. Would they even get a chance to see the panda before the exhibit closed?
Seeing the disappointment cloud his passengers' faces, the driver allowed a sly, confident grin to spread across his own.
"Two hours is for drivers who don't know any better," he declared, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "But I know a shortcut. A back route. No traffic. We'll be there in twenty minutes."
In that moment, the driver wasn't just a driver; he was a savior, and he knew it.
"Sir, you're a genius!" Masao exclaimed, his relief evident.
The driver chuckled. "It's all part of the service. You picked my cab, you get the best. Now, hold on tight."
He was a master of his craft, navigating the vehicle with a blend of speed and impeccable control.
He wove through a series of narrow backstreets, alleys so tight the mirrors nearly brushed the walls, before gliding to a smooth halt in front of a discreet gate.
"Here we are. Gate Three. It's the zoo's best-kept secret—the closest entrance to the panda exhibit. Have a wonderful time."
Masao thrust a thumbs-up toward the front seat. "You're the best! We love you!"
The driver roared with laughter.
"Sorry, kid, I don't swing that way. Now, if it was the young lady saying that, I might blush! See you!" And with a wave, he pulled away.
Watching the taxi disappear, Masao pouted.
Yukinoshita brought a hand to her mouth, failing to stifle a giggle. "So, Masao-kun, you have a taste for older gentlemen. How tragic that your affections were so bluntly rejected."
"That's not it!" Masao retorted, his cheeks flushing. "I was just expressing gratitude! He saved us from a two-hour traffic jam! You have to admit, a driver that resourceful is seriously cool."
Yukinoshita considered this, then nodded gracefully. "Now that you mention it, he did possess a certain... roguish charm."
Hearing her praise another man—a taxi driver, no less—Masao felt an irrational but sharp sting of jealousy.
"Well," he said, puffing out his chest just a fraction, "I still think he was only, like, ninety percent as cool as I am."
Yukinoshita could only shake her head in resignation.
'Honestly. Men.'
"Let's go," she said, turning toward the gate. "We need to get inside while the crowds are still manageable."
Masao felt a bizarre, fleeting urge to whine, "Oh, come on, just call me cool once!" He immediately cringed at the thought and hurried after her.
"So, what's the plan? Straight to the pandas?" he asked.
"Naturally," Yukinoshita replied without hesitation. "We secure a prime viewing position while we can. Perhaps we can even manage to linger a little longer than the allotted time."
"And after the panda?"
"Hmm..."
Yukinoshita brought a finger to her chin, her expression thoughtful before brightening with a spark of genius.
"We get back in line," she declared, "and see the panda again."
Masao stared, speechless.
"You're really single-minded about these pandas huh, Yukinoshita. What about the red pandas? The tanuki? The owls? And let's not forget tigers, lions, leopards... they're all technically part of the cat family, you know."
With every new "cat" he listed, Yukinoshita's eyes grew wider and brighter, a visible tremor of excitement running through her slight frame.
Suddenly electrified by a new purpose, she snatched Jahy's hand and strode forward with fierce determination. She glanced back over her shoulder at the lagging Masao.
"Masao-kun, stop dawdling! Hurry up! We have a very demanding day today."
It was clear now: anything even remotely connected to the concept of "cat" was a siren call for Yukinoshita.
Looking at her resolute back, Masao knew with certainty that their day would not end until they had laid eyes upon every last feline and feline-adjacent creature in the entire zoo.
"Right behind you!" he called out, scrambling to catch up.
—
Meanwhile, at the zoo's main entrance...
Four eye-catching figures emerged from the crowd.
Fujiwara Chika threw her arms out wide, tilted her head back, and took a deep, energizing breath.
"Woo! The zoo! Alright, everyone! Today, I am going to play with every single adorable animal in this entire place!"
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