Sakurai, Umi

"Fukumaru's in the hospital and in big trouble! This turn of events leaves Mr. Kanda in big trouble too, emotionally speaking. Both the man and the cat know what it's like to be lonely, and as the days pass in a whirl, the reason Mr. Kanda weeps from time to time gradually becomes clear . . ."--Amazon.com.

"In the pet shop he calls home, a chubby, homely cat whiles away the hours listening to coos of delight from potential pet parents... but he knows it's not him they're fussing over. Even as his price drops with each passing day, no one spares the kitty a glance. Having all but given up on life, the feline dejectedly awaits his first birthday, when he'll officially be past sell-by date. So when an older gentleman comes into the shop and wants to take him home, the kitten himself is most shocked of all!"--Amazon.