Story guide

Hachiware reads a book about ancient Egypt while Chiikawa peers at the pages beside them. After a page about pyramids, they reach an illustration of a Sphinx and look closely at the combination of a yellow-brown body and a human face, excitedly realizing that the Sphinx seems related to cats. Chiikawa takes the open book and reads further, mentally placing the reclining Sphinx beside Hachiware lying prone in the same direction. As Chiikawa grows more certain they look alike, Hachiware actually brings their front paws together and lies down on the floor to copy the illustration. The short piece moves naturally from reading to imitation.

Cultural and language noteThe Sphinx is an ancient Egyptian monument known for a human head and a lion's body. Here, its resemblance to a cat lying prone becomes the basis of play.

Story guide

Chiikawa and Hachiware look up at a large Sphinx lying before them. Hachiware is delighted that the form they had just learned about in a book is actually here, and the two approach while repeating the Sphinx's name. Hachiware suggests trying to speak to them, but Chiikawa is unsure how to approach them. The Sphinx then raises their upper body and walks right up to them. Hachiware takes this as a response, and they watch beside Chiikawa. At the end, the Sphinx brings their front paws together and raises their hips in an unusual pose, while the two small figures observe the change at their feet.

Cultural and language noteA typical Sphinx statue is known for lying down with its front paws extended. Here, the statue moves and unexpectedly raises the statue's hips like a cat.

Story guide

Hachiware plays a sushi chef behind a small sushi counter and hands a green teacup to Chiikawa, who is playing the customer. Chiikawa relaxes over the warm tea and then receives a pink piece of sushi shaped by Hachiware. The topping bears round marks like it was pressed with paw pads, but Chiikawa does not mind, eats it in one bite, and gives a satisfied sound. Immediately afterward, they bring the teacup to their mouth too quickly, choke on the heat, and cough with tears in their eyes. Hachiware realizes the tea may have been too hot and apologizes while watching Chiikawa suffer. The enjoyable shop game ends with a small mistake over the drink's temperature.

Cultural and language noteSushi restaurants often serve hot green tea with a meal. The sushi counter, teacup, and chef-and-customer exchange recreate the restaurant format on a small scale.

Story guide

Hachiware sits on a stump in a grassy area, singing while playing a small stringed instrument as Chiikawa listens nearby. The lyrics begin with Hachiware wondering aloud whether morning has already come, then move through spreading butter on toasted bread, the damp air leaving things half-dry after the rain stops, realizing that some strange footprints are their own from the night before, and the soil holding an unusual amount of water. Midway through, Hachiware's face fills the frame as the word “half-dry” is drawn out in song. Chiikawa listens intently, letting out brief sounds, and the scene ends when Hachiware sings that it is sharply chilled.

Cultural and language noteThe humor rests on trying to alter the physical feeling of the season by imagining scenery from the wrong season. The breakfast scene in the song contrasts with the dry summer field.

Story guide

A sushi assortment nearly falls onto Hachiware while they are lying down. Hachiware jumps up and catches it, then proudly carries the intact sushi over to Chiikawa. Chiikawa is tearfully delighted, but when Hachiware turns while holding the plate, the contents collapse and the nigiri and toppings become mixed together. Hachiware is discouraged, yet the two move the broken sushi into a bowl in their cave and sit down with chopsticks. Hachiware decides that if it is mixed, they can pour hot water over it, then adds hot water from a teapot to the steaming bowl. The ending turns a failed presentation into another way of eating it.

Cultural and language noteOchazuke is made by pouring hot tea or hot water over rice, allowing broken toppings to be eaten together. Moving sushi toppings and rice into a bowl leads to an improvised dish here.

Story guide

While eating in a cave, Chiikawa notices a long blue-handled tool leaning against the rock wall. Its tip divides into two prongs, with several projections along the inner sides. Hachiware stops eating and carries the tool over to show Chiikawa. Explaining that they saved money to buy it in case a scary opponent comes by from time to time, Hachiware makes Chiikawa's eyes light up. Pleased by the reaction, Hachiware decides to demonstrate it, grips the handle with both hands, and swings it hard sideways with a cry. The scene ends as the tip passes close to the floor with force.

Story guide

Usagi runs forcefully past Chiikawa while crying out loudly. They stop once and strike a light pose with one leg and one arm raised. Watching together with Hachiware, Chiikawa and Hachiware both smile. Usagi then runs back toward them with another string of cries, and the two look at each other. When Usagi becomes quiet a short distance away, they wonder whether Usagi was looking at them. At the end, Usagi turns around and blasts them again with a loud voice from close range, leaving Hachiware startled at the volume.