This Way! That Way! Zookeeper Day - 4: Schubert The Unshakable Shoebill

Odaiba Animal Land

Shoebill Habitat

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

1

Minori

Sh-Shiho...

2

Minori

He's eating it!
He's really eating the fish you gave him!

Sound Effect: Play

3

Shiho

Y-Yeah... He is...

4

Nakazawa

Excellent job!
Schubert seems to be really enjoying it!

5

Shiho

I couldn't really tell since his expression hasn't changed much...

6

Shiho

Still, this is...kinda fun.

7

Minori

Shiho...

8

Minori

Oh, I wanna feed him now!

9

Shiho

It was already your turn next anyway, Minori.

10

Nakazawa

Then, Ms. Hanasato, please bring him this nice trout.

11

Minori

Okay, thank you!
Here we go!

12

Schubert

...

13

Minori

Alright, Schubert!
I hope you're ready for seconds!

14

Minori

Here you are!

15

Schubert

...

16

Minori

Huh...?
Did he not notice my fish?

17

Minori

Here!!
I have another fish for you! Bon appetit!

18

Schubert

...
...

19

Schubert

...

20

Minori

Huuuh?

21

Shiho

Does this mean...?

22

Nakazawa

He may be full after that fish you gave him, Ms. Hinomori.

23

Minori

Whaaat?!

24

Shiho

I could try giving him another one.
If he is full, he shouldn't react—

25

Schubert

*Nom*

Sound Effect: Play

26

Shiho

Oh, he ate it.

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

27

Minori

Whyyyyy?!

28

Minori

B-But I have a yummy fish for you right here! Why don't you want it?!

29

Schubert

...

30

Shiho

He's completely ignoring you.

31

Nakazawa

That's strange...
He usually has a fairly big appetite...

32

Minori

Wh...

33

Minori

Whyyy?!

A few minutes later

Chipmunk Habitat

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

34

Nakazawa

Alright, we're all done feeding the animals in the Grassland Area! Thank you for your hard work!

35

Minori

Thank you!

36

Minori

Phew. I'm so glad the chipmunks ate all the nuts and berries I gave them after Schubert gave me the cold shoulder.

37

Minori

Wasn't it so cute how they nibbled away at them, Shiho?!

38

Shiho

...

39

Minori

Shiho?
Shiho, you there...?

40

Shiho

Oh, sorry... I didn't mean to space out...

41

Shiho

I couldn't help but wonder a few things when that chipmunk hopped onto my hands to eat those nuts and berries...

42

Shiho

For example, do they know that they're a human's hands instead of a branch or something...?

43

Shiho

And, I kept wondering how such tiny and adorable creatures are able to survive out in the wild...

44

Minori

I-In any case, Shiho, I'm glad to hear that you've been enjoying everything!

45

Minori

So, uhh...
We have to start cleaning next, right?

46

Nakazawa

That's right. This is where a zookeeper's stamina and mettle are really put to the test!

47

Shiho

We'll each be cleaning the habitats for the chipmunks and Schubert, yes? Would you mind telling us more about what that actually involves...?

48

Nakazawa

It's mostly fairly simple.
You'll just need to go in with floor brushes and scrub down everything from top to bottom.

49

Minori

Oh, that's basically what we do for the rabbit cage!

50

Minori

Then, let's go!
Shiho, you said you'll take the chipmunks and...

51

Minori

I have to go back to where Schubert is...

52

Shiho

You don't sound very happy about that.

53

Minori

Because Schubert doesn't seem to like me at all!

54

Minori

He ate the fish you gave him, but he didn't eat any of the ones I offered him...

55

Shiho

Don't worry about it. He just happened to not be hungry.

56

Minori

You really think so?!
But! But...!

57

Shiho

Also, even if he doesn't like you now, I'm sure you'll figure something out.

58

Shiho

After all, you're really good at making new friends.

59

Minori

I am...?

60

Shiho

I mean, you usually just keep trying and trying, no matter how cold-shouldered you get.

61

Shiho

We're here together now because of that.

62

Minori

Shiho...

63

Shiho

So, um... Why don't you see how things go when you're cleaning and try to get close to him?

64

Minori

Okay!!

65

Minori

Yeah.
I have to keep believing that we can be friends, or else he'll just keep ignoring me.

66

Minori

Also, I may be a member of the Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy animal caretaker committee right now, but my true identity is Minori Hanasato of MORE MORE JUMP!

67

Minori

I'm an idol!
My job is to connect with others and spread hope to them.

68

Minori

So, I'm gonna try my best!
I'm gonna inspire Schubert to believe in me!

69

Shiho

Your reasoning's kinda weird, but I think you've got the right idea.

70

Nakazawa

Hehe. You both sound ready now, so let's start cleaning.

71

Nakazawa

After I give you two a brief rundown of what to do, I'll be working in a different section nearby. Please come get me if you need any help.

72

Minori

Understood!

73

Shiho

Let's start.

Next Chapter: An Unexpected Visitor