Chapter 35

Shibanomics

The sky above Moo66 was a brilliant shade of blue, and the day could not have been more perfect.

Long asphalt roads wound through the countryside, carrying the same timeless spirit as Route 66.

As usual, Usinomics started the morning with routine.

First came breakfast for Shamnomics.

The Siamese cat sat proudly near the entrance, already waiting.

“Good morning, Shamnomics.”

The cat answered with an enthusiastic meow and immediately rubbed against Usinomics’s legs.

Shamnomics had become a familiar part of life at Moo66.

Friendly.

Affectionate.

Always eager for attention.

After breakfast came the daily ritual of chasing a feather toy around the diner floor.

The cat sprinted between chairs and tables with surprising speed before collapsing dramatically onto the floor as if he had completed a heroic quest.

A notification appeared shortly afterward.

Fishing Event Available.

Usinomics smiled.

“Looks like we’re heading to the harbor today.”

⸻

The harbor was unusually quiet.

No crowds.

No lines.

No excited adventurers rushing between boats.

Only calm water and the distant sound of seagulls drifting through the morning air.

The fishing vessel sat waiting at the dock.

For once, it felt as though the entire ship belonged to Usinomics alone.

The captain leaned against a railing.

“Looks like you’ve got the boat all to yourself today.”

“That makes things easier.”

The captain laughed.

“Or lonelier.”

The engines rumbled to life.

Slowly, the vessel drifted away from shore.

The coastline shrank behind them as the ocean opened in every direction.

For a while, the only sounds were waves and fishing lines.

The event passed peacefully.

Fish were caught.

Rewards were earned.

The sea remained calm.

Eventually, the boat returned to the harbor, completing another successful trip.

As Usinomics stepped back onto the dock, a thought surfaced.

A thought that had quietly lingered for days.

“It’s probably time to bring home a dog.”

⸻

On the walk back toward town, Usinomics considered the possibilities.

Shamnomics was wonderful.

But Shamnomics was also impossibly affectionate.

The cat followed everywhere.

The cat demanded attention.

The cat insisted that every room was improved by his presence.

Maybe a more independent companion would create balance.

“A self-reliant dog might be nice.”

A slight breeze moved through the trees.

“Maybe a female dog.”

Usinomics thought for another moment.

“And if possible…”

A grin appeared.

“…one with Style Focus 100 and a cool appearance.”

⸻

The pet house stood near the edge of town.

Warm lights glowed through the windows.

Several dogs and cats looked up as Usinomics entered.

Some immediately approached.

Others observed quietly from a distance.

Usinomics walked from enclosure to enclosure, studying their personalities.

Friendly.

Affectionate.

Playful.

Energetic.

Then one profile caused an immediate reaction.

Lone Wolf.

Usinomics stared.

Then laughed.

A lot.

“A lone wolf?”

Another trait appeared beneath it.

Mischievous.

The laughter became even harder to stop.

“Lone Wolf and Mischievous?”

That combination sounded less like a pet and more like a rebellious teenager.

The dog was female.

A black Shiba Inu.

Her coat pattern was beautiful.

Dark fur framed by warm tan markings and bright white accents.

Confident.

Elegant.

Independent.

The price was simple.

Five hundred acorns.

Without thinking much further, Usinomics made the purchase.

⸻

The truth was that very little attention had been paid to her face.

The coat had won.

The overall appearance had won.

The confidence had won.

Everything about her silhouette looked impressive.

So the transaction was completed.

And the future changed.

⸻

By the time Usinomics returned to Moo66, the new arrival had already been delivered.

The black Shiba Inu stood patiently inside.

Curious.

Alert.

Watching everything.

A set of pet clothes was immediately prepared.

A rabbit hood.

A pink hoodie.

A white pleated skirt.

After getting dressed, the intimidating black Shiba transformed into something entirely different.

A rabbit.

Or at least a creature suspiciously close to one.

Usinomics crossed both arms and observed carefully.

“Hmm.”

A pause.

“Actually…”

Another pause.

“…that’s kind of adorable.”

⸻

Then came the moment.

The moment when the face was examined properly.

A dangerous mistake.

A rookie mistake.

The kind of mistake made by buyers who focus on appearance before details.

Usinomics leaned closer.

Closer.

Even closer.

And finally noticed the eyes.

Tiny.

Perfectly round.

Perfectly black.

So small they resembled sewing marks placed on a stuffed animal before the real eyes were attached.

Silence filled the room.

“…”

More silence.

“…that’s unexpected.”

⸻

For several seconds, Usinomics simply stared.

The dog stared back.

Expressionless.

Motionless.

Two tiny dots looking directly forward.

It was impossible not to laugh.

The intimidating lone wolf image disappeared instantly.

The black Shiba looked less like a fierce hunter and more like an unfinished plush toy.

Yet somehow…

That made her even more memorable.

⸻

Food was prepared.

The dog ate enthusiastically.

Training followed.

Only a little.

Basic commands.

Simple exercises.

Nothing complicated.

The response was immediate.

The moment training began, the dog’s tail started moving.

Then moving faster.

Then moving even faster.

Soon the entire dog appeared powered by excitement.

She raced in circles.

Investigated every corner.

Inspected every object.

Examined every possibility.

The Lone Wolf was apparently also an explorer.

⸻

Eventually, Usinomics decided to leave her alone for a while.

New environments could be overwhelming.

There would be plenty of time later.

For now, the best choice was patience.

⸻

Later that evening, Usinomics opened the pet handbook.

Another outfit had already been purchased.

A sailor uniform.

The rabbit costume was carefully removed.

The new outfit was fitted.

Blue.

White.

Red ribbon.

The transformation was immediate.

The lone wolf vanished.

The explorer appeared.

The black Shiba suddenly looked like the captain of her own adventure crew.

⸻

Shibanomics.

The name felt right.

Strong.

Memorable.

Perfectly suited to a black Shiba Inu with endless energy and mysterious dot-like eyes.

Across the room, Shamnomics watched curiously.

The Siamese cat tilted his head.

The newcomer wagged her tail.

Two completely different personalities.

One affectionate.

One independent.

One seeking attention.

One seeking adventure.

Yet somehow they already felt like family.

⸻

Outside, evening settled over Moo66.

Lights glowed softly against the darkening sky.

The roads grew quiet.

The rain had long since disappeared.

Near the doorway stood Shibanomics.

Watching.

Waiting.

Ready for tomorrow.

Usinomics smiled.

There would be new roads.

New discoveries.

New fishing trips.

New adventures.

And now, there would be a new companion walking beside them.

Perhaps training would be difficult.

Perhaps the mischievous personality would cause trouble.

Perhaps the lone wolf would ignore instructions entirely.

But that was part of the adventure.

After all, every great journey begins with an unexpected companion.

And for Moo66…

That companion was Shibanomics.

To Be Continued…