So, I was in Ikebukuro shopping for a sofa-bed for my new place. My new digs are located just minutes away from Seibu and Tobu, Japan's largest and second-largest department stores, respectively. Each one is about the size of an IKEA turned on its side, only they sell a lot more than furniture. Case in point: I was leaving Seibu's kitchenware floor when I saw something one usually does not expect to see in the Japanese equivalent of Nordstrom's. A pet store.

Well, you know the Japanese. They're only interested in tiny, cute pets. You see a lot of Chihuahuas and Welsh Corgis over here. Anyway, there was a large glass display case featuring various Kewpie dogs and cats, and on center-stage was this little guy.

The first successful kitten/mogwai hybrid.

Yes, folks, I can think of no better place for a kitten than a big aquarium in a crowded shopping mall at Christmastime. Can you?

Those eyes are gonna haunt me. I just know it.