Cat Taxi

Tsutomu is an introverted taxi driver unable to hold a conversation and never meets his driving quota. He was eating lunch at an empty park when he noticed a cat looking at him. Knowing he couldn't possibly take care of a cat, he turns back to his car. However, his curiosity got the best of him, and he decided to go back to see the cat. Inspecting its collar, he saw that it read “Mikogami”.

Tsutomu is so hooked on Mikogami that he always stops by the park and check on him. One day, while he is taking a nap in the car, Mikogami jumps on his stomach. Tsutomu wakes up surprised, and a customer gets in the backseat. With no time to kick Mikogami out, he puts her on the passenger seat and starts driving. However, Mikogami begins approaching the customer...

The drive with Mikogami went well, and Tsutomu's obsession with Mikogami is increasing every day; he also begins feeling good about his job. However, he runs into a problem with his current income; he can't afford proper cat food. In order to increase his income, he asks his co-worker Numajiri for advice. Since Numajiri always exceeds his quota, perhaps he can help Tsutomu with his issue.

To gain his family's trust back, Tsutomu rides along with Numajiri at work. His driving is rough but efficient; like a machine. However, Tsutomu hears from a rival taxi company driver that Numajiri is involved in some shady business and is working to save money for it. Later, Numajiri's best customer gets in the taxi; a man turns out to be the Chairman of the Board from Tsutomu’s previous job...

Since Tsutomu began accepting "cat taxi" appointments, he decides to bring Mikogami home with him. Trying to sneak Mikogami in, he runs into his daughter Ruri. To his surprise, she is willing to hide Mikogami in her room. The next day, with everyone gone, Tsutomu gives Mikogami a bath and leaves for work with her.

Tsutomu decides to tell his wife, Mariko, about Mikogami. Despite her being against it, because of Tsutomu and Ruri's words of assurance, she has no choice but to approve of it. Elated, Tsutomu gives Mikogami a small living area in his house and continues taking "cat taxi" fares; all the while concealing the “cat” part from his company.

Ever since Mikogami started living with them, Tsutomu has started to feel more comfortable with his family; even Mariko has started opening up to Mikogami. The Cat Taxi is also doing well, and Tsutomu has been improving his conversational skills with Mikogami’s help. While everything is going well, the one big worry is that Ruri’s teacher plans to come visit their home.

Tsutomu’s job and personal life are going so well that it is almost scary. While he is happy, he is also afraid that something bad may happen. When he stops by a convenience store for lunch, a boy with a big instrument case asks to take the taxi. However, his case fails to fit into the taxi and the boy begins to cry. Tsutomu, wanting to help the boy, comes up with a brilliant idea.

The Cat Taxi has four regular customers; everyone with a different occupation. They all love Mikogami and always make appointments with Tsutomu. They all have their own problems and issues, but the time with Mikogami serves as a type of therapy for them. Seeing this, Tsutomu feels a sense of joy as a taxi driver; something that he has never felt before.

Tsutomu and his family are on the way to a pet store to buy Mikogami’s goodies. Although everyone is happy, Mariko suddenly finds a notice in her mailbox from the apartment's management. They have found out that someone has a pet, and that proper action must be taken. Mariko’s guilt for having a pet in her apartment gets the best of her, and Tsutomu tries to make it up to her.

Tsutomu meets an old lady who knows Mikogami and her former owner. Despite Tsutomu, Mariko, and Ruri not wanting to let Mikogami go, they all believe returning Mikogami is the right thing to do. A police officer helps them search for her owner, but Tsutomu begins to feel conflicted as they get closer and closer to finding Mikogami’s owner.

Tsutomu is doing his job excellently and is even commended by his boss. Because of Mikogami, Tsutomu has some peace of mind about his family and his job. However, someone calls the taxi company directly, asking for “the taxi with a cat”. Tsutomu, who has been keeping Mikogami a secret from his job, may be in trouble!