Mochi sits on the sunny stone wall, tail twitching. A blue butterfly darts past his nose. He leaps down with a soft thump and pads after it.
The butterfly lands on a green bush. Mochi crouches low, belly fur brushing the warm grass. He pounces—but the bush shakes and the butterfly floats away.
The butterfly flutters back to the stone wall. Mochi scrambles up the rough surface, claws scraping. He reaches out a paw—but the butterfly zips just out of reach.
The butterfly sails higher, then dives into a cluster of bright flowers. Mochi follows, nose bumping petals. A warm breeze carries the scent of home.
He pauses, ears perking. His favorite sunspot lies just behind the wall. Mochi pads toward it, leaving the garden behind.
Mochi curls up in his sunspot, purring like a tiny engine. The butterfly rests on a flower nearby, wings folding.
He watches it, tail wrapping around his paws. The garden is quiet now. Home feels perfect.
Night falls gently over the garden. Stars appear above the stone wall.