Sasaki and Peeps (佐々木とピーちゃん)

- -

Huh. Quit your staring.

- Hey, Mister. -Huh.

How are you today?

Oh. I'm okay, thanks.

Hm.

- -Huh?

Aw, come on! Don't make a mess!

- -

- -

Um, Sasaki?

Huh.

Yeah? What's up?

I've got this approval form,

could you look over it for me?

Hm.

Huh!

You might think about rewording the top section.

That's what I was worried about.

The chief of that department can get fussy.

Explaining things a little more would help you out.

Oh, thank you for the advice.

Actually, why don't you let me take care of this one?

Huh.

You can go take the reins on something else.

Don't wanna stress yourself out too bad.

If we all focus on what we're best at,

then no one's working too hard.

Know what I mean?

What incredible insight!

Thank you again, Sasaki!

Yeah. I mean, I didn't, but sure.

Aww...

-look at that cutie! -Huh.

I didn't know you had a kitty-cat!

-Isn't she great? -

I don't know how I'd survive without my baby!

She gets me through the day.

I so get it!

I would just die to have my own ball of floof

-to cuddle up with! -

You think that's cute, check this!

Hm.

- What? -Huh?

That's amazing!

She's perfect!

I know!

I didn't know you were a cat person.

Um, I actually like dogs more, if I'm being honest.

Hey, Sasaki.

- -Could I ask you

to take care of this one?

It's the project with the school.

Yeah, sure!

This is a standard day in the office.

I work for an SME trading company, small enough

that you'd be hard pressed to have heard of us.

As for my salary, it's average at best

and overtime is a pipe dream,

so I've been scraping by ever since I started.

Huh.

How're you paying?

Oh, with my phone.

Hmm.

But I would never dream of quitting.

I'm too scared to look for a new job.

I saw the Employment Ice Age in the '90s and aughts,

so I know the terror

-of the outside world. -

- - Because of that,

I don't leave my bubble.

I'm grateful to have a consistent job

that needs doing and keeps me feeling useful.

If nothing else, I've got that.

There.

- -

- -

Sasaki! Do you have any plans for dinner tonight?

Uh, I'm strapped for cash this month.

Well, I'd love to treat you!

Oh, please. I can't let you do that.

So that's a no then?

Let's just call it a rain check until the next time, okay?

Right!

Go figure.

- - Welcome back.

Thank you.

- -

- -

Am I really doing this?

- -Hm?

- -

Whoa! How much?

Buying a pet will run me tens of thousands,

not to mention the deposit I'd have to pay my landlord.

The tragedy of living on low income.

I want cash.

Maybe then I could get a cat as cute as my coworker's.

No! A dog!

The king of all good boys, the golden retriever!

- Want me? -

Huh.

- Want me? -Huh?

- -Hm.

- -

Huh.

A Java sparrow?

- -No!

- -It's too cute!

Want me?

Well, here we are.

Let me think.

- - Hm.

Yeah, that'll do.

How'd you hold up, buddy?

I tried to keep you steady on the ride back home.

Those li'l hops are too much for me!

Cuteness overload!

I've been staring down my 40s and starting to feel sad.

It felt like a whim visiting that pet shop.

But I'm so glad I did!

This is just what the doctor ordered!

Pardon my reach.

I've got some fresh food and water.

And, there.

Welcome to your home!

Aah!

- - You're adorable!

Ah, I forgot.

I need to give you a name!

What's a good name for a bird?

You deserve one as precious as you are!

My name is Piercarlo, the Starsage,

and I seek refuge from a parallel world.

Hm?

Those were big words!

Huh, no worries.

I read online that some breeds of bird can talk.

Now, what to name him?

Maybe something based on those fluffy feathers.

No. I've gotta pick something

from those darling sounds he makes!

My name is Piercarlo.

He does not stop talking!

And did I hear wrong

or does he already have quite the name and title?

No, that would be absurd!

My name is Piercarlo!

Hmm.

Hm. Piercarlo?

That's me, the Starsage seeking quarter in your world.

Ah, right, well.

Pier?

Or Peeps?

I like that, it suits you!

Is he mad at me?

I feel like my bird just scowled at me.

Which is still cute!

Hold on, am I really talking to a bird?

Apparently, if they trust you,

a pet bird will be willing to walk along your hand

or so the guy at the shop said.

I was planning on giving him my hand to try it out,

but seems like we've gone a step further.

Is it normal for Java sparrows to chat with humans?

It might've been a fluke.

I should talk to him more to test it.

Hey, Peeps, anything you're in the mood to eat today?

Chateaubriand from the finest Kobe beef.

Huh? Why that?

The pet store clerk known as Yamada

called it the greatest food in the world.

There's no doubt.