Cat-uation

Cat-uation is the second chapter of the third season of The Two Cats, and twenty-eighth chapter overall. It was published on November 14, 2021.

Graduation
The chapter starts at Expi and Mariko's graduation ceremony at the end of the 2018-2019 school year. The principal is making a speech about the graduating senior class, how they would go on to do great things and also topics like the importance of education, with the school band also playing songs before, after, and in between parts of his speech. Each of the students are rewarded with their diploma, and after the principal's closing statements, the ceremony ends with the class throwing their graduation caps in the air.

Expi and Mariko's families hold a graduation party for both of them at the park. Expi talks to Mariko, stating how surreal it feels to be graduating after thinking it was so far away growing up, to which Mariko agrees. Expi then asks about Mariko's plans after high school, but Mariko doesn't seem to have any - stating that she can't afford college. She says she may get a job and try saving up for college that way, but Expi makes a remark, but brushes it off when Mariko asks her to repeat it.

Mariko's Future
The next morning, after buying a few things at a convenience store, a military recruiter calls out to her, and talks about the possibility of joining the military. Mariko is somewhat hesitant, not wanting to get involved with violent conflicts, but the recruiter talks to her about there being non-violent positions available - particularly the Paitocan Guard. He continues to discuss the benefits of joining, and states that the opportunity is available for everyone, even after Mariko brings up her heritage and how it makes some feel uncomfortable.

After Expi and Mariko begin hanging out, Mariko brings up joining the Paitocan Guard. Expi's mood sinks, and she is brought up with sadness and worry. Mariko assures her that the Paitocan Guard is a non-violent position, but even then, Expi expresses that she felt like she would stay around, and now Mariko would be travelling around the country. Mariko, however, keeps up her positive attitude, but reveals she is leaving June 4, which isn't too far away. Expi decides to go home - claiming her mother wanted to see her - confusing Mariko as Expi heads back home.

Farewell, Mariko?
It's revealed that Expi's mother had never actually messaged her, but rather Expi was hit with a flurry of negative emotions. She didn't like the idea of Mariko joining the military, feeling worried about what would happen if the military did need her involved with a conflict, which is also aided with how sudden this news came. She also feels some concern about their relationship after what her brother had gone through in the past couple years. However, Expi chooses not to bring up any of this to Mariko, and supports her decision despite all her concerns and feelings. They continue hanging out for the next few days, but Expi is still thinking about all this, and remains concerned about what would happen from that point onwards.

June 4 inevitably comes, and Mariko is about to leave. Expi planned to stop by later that day before she left, at least so she could say goodbye, but she spends most of it in her room and on her laptop, feeling like garbage. This gets the attention of her mother, who decides to talk to her about what is wrong. Expi remarks about how she is sad about Mariko leaving, and how Mariko was more than just a friend to her, especially considering what had happened in the few months prior to meeting her - thinking of her as a 'bright spot' in her life. She then talks about long-distance relationships and how they didn't seem to work out, but her mother reassures her - mentioning how her aunt and uncle remained in contact while the latter was in the military just by letters and occassional phone calls, compared to the communication options Expi and Mariko have now. She also states that even if something happened between them, ultimately it would be up to them to agree that things wouldn't work out, and that Expi would eventually find an animal she loved - and that her mother and sister would be there to support her. Expi thanks her, apologizing for feeling so down in the past few days.

Expi is then reminded that she still needs to say goodbye to Mariko, and realizes that she is about to leave. Expi proceeds to hastily run out the door, through New Yolk City to Mariko's neighborhood to see her for the last time for a while.

Characters

 * Expi
 * Mariko
 * Teresa Feliton
 * Aunt Sheryl
 * Unnamed Paitocan Military Recruiter
 * Unnamed Principal

Trivia

 * This chapter was originally going to be the first of Season 3, but that was given to Bad Luck Bo instead to coincide with the Halloween season.
 * The end of the chapter ties into the start of The Beginning, with Mariko leaving to go to the Paitocan Guard.