The Fourth Class Is Modern Chinese (Continued)

What message should I send...?

Just like always, I hit a snag right at the start.

Having worried over something similar not long ago, I couldn't help feeling that I really hadn't made any progress at all.

Yet this was a completely different situation from the other day. Even if I built upon what I had learned last time, that didn't mean I could do the same thing again.

In the end, all I could do each time was keep stumbling, suffering through trial and error.

Anyway, nothing would begin unless I actually did something. Groaning to myself, I tentatively started typing a seasonal greeting, deleting and rewriting it... doing this and that, but I still couldn't fill the blank.

While I kept revising, Komachi returned to the living room in her loungewear. Kamakura followed behind her, meowing softly. Much like Kamakura's fur had changed from fluff to short hair, Komachi's indoor outfit had changed from a tracksuit to a breezy T-shirt dress and shorts.

Komachi went around to the kitchen, humming as she switched on the electric kettle. While waiting for the water to boil, she poured cat food into Kamakura's bowl with a rustle, then added instant coffee powder to a mug.

Then the kettle let out a sharp whistle, and the rich aroma of coffee filled the room.

Holding a mug in both hands, Komachi came over to the sofa where I was sprawled out and gradually squeezed her butt in, half-forcefully sitting down beside me.

"Hey, you're taking up space. Move over."

"Mm."

Still staring at my phone, I gave her a flat response and wriggled upright. I reached for the mug on the table while I was at it.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Well, this was as good a stopping point as any. I should take