Yellow Has Nothing to Do
Yellow Cat Story 40 begins with an unusually quiet Yellow. Black is nowhere nearby, there is no argument waiting at the wall, and even the Lipstick Lady has not returned from her trip.
At first, this sounds like freedom.
But Yellow quickly discovers that freedom without attention can be surprisingly boring. There is no one to question him, no one to chase him, and no mysterious appointment to exaggerate.
He lies down and complains that the neighborhood has become completely lifeless.
Two People Disappear at the Same Time
Yellow then mentions another strange detail.
The Lipstick Lady has been away for several days—and her boyfriend has also disappeared since exactly the same day.
Yellow says this as though he is reporting two unrelated tragedies.
Perhaps she is suffering alone somewhere. Perhaps the boyfriend is also going through a difficult time. Yellow feels sorry for both of them and wonders why life has become so cruel.
Boss listens carefully, already understanding the situation long before Yellow does.
Boss Connects the Dots
Boss finally offers a simple explanation:
“Yellow… I think they’re suffering together.”
Yellow remains still.
At first, he hears only the word “suffering.” That sounds reasonable. Two unfortunate people, both missing, both having a difficult time.
Then his ears move.
The same day.
The same absence.
The same trip.
The facts begin lining up in Yellow’s head, slowly and painfully.
The Delayed Realization
A long silence follows.
Then, somewhere inside Yellow’s mind:
“DING…”
The truth finally arrives.
The Lipstick Lady is probably not suffering alone. Her boyfriend is probably not missing for a separate reason. They may be away together, enjoying the same trip Yellow has spent days imagining as a romantic tragedy.
Yellow lowers his head.
For almost a full minute, he had been worrying about two people who were likely having a much better time than he was.
Boss says nothing more.
The explanation has already done enough damage.