"So, what exactly happened to you on the island, meow?"
After they returned to the ship, everyone was startled to see how close Shirahoshi and Jinx Meow had become. Even the two Research Cats in the laboratory came running out, curiously studying the mermaid and cat, who could practically be said to have undergone a "complete transformation."
Hua Mei Meow even slipped over to Xie Wen and quietly asked him what had happened.
After all, anything that could change that little lunatic Jinx Meow's attitude was simply miraculous! If she could find out the reason, perhaps she could use it to keep that incorrigible little troublemaker in line...
Xie Wen more or less guessed what she was thinking, but Scarlet Tiger-sama's hopes would probably come to nothing.
He gave Hua Mei Meow a regretful look for her to interpret herself, then faithfully described Shirahoshi and Jinx Meow's "interactions" on the island.
Sure enough, after hearing Xie Wen's account, Scarlet Tiger-sama not only drooped her ears in disappointment but also looked as though she had a headache...
"Shirahoshi isn't going to become a troublemaker too under Jinx's influence, is she?"
Like Xie Wen, Hua Mei Meow seemed to envision a Shirahoshi shouting, "Rampaging Explosives are a girl's best friend!" But unlike Xie Wen, who was happy to see Shirahoshi change, Hua Mei Meow had a slightly different opinion-
"There are already enough troublemakers on this ship, meow!"
Scarlet Tiger-sama looked at Xie Wen resentfully. "Admiral, when can you summon another more reliable Palico, meow? Even one who doesn't make trouble, like Seijūrō or Purah, would be fine, meow."
(ω)
"Ahem... I'd like to, too, but this thing... it's out of my control!"
Xie Wen shrugged, indicating that he refused to take the blame.
Besides, cats naturally tended to do as they