09 I Really Do Like Dogs

A ten-minute bus ride from Cafe 『Mireille』 along the coastal road.

I got off at the stop and walked for another five minutes before finding another cafe.

“Is this Onee-san’s house?”

“Part of it, to be precise. I run the shop on the grounds of my residence.”

The sign hanging on the large white building read: 【Dog CAFE Chitto】.

“Dog Cafe... Chitto?”

“Waaaaah!”

Just as I tilted my head in confusion, a strange voice drifted from the back of the shop. This was immediately followed by the rhythmic woof-woof of barking dogs.

“Wait, wait, slower! Ow!”

“Naruse-sa—Chito-chan?”

“Eh!?”

Two puppies came flying out from behind the shop. And trailing behind, being dragged along by said puppies, was Naruse Chito. She was wearing a black apron over her school blouse.

“Hey, don’t stop so suddenly!”

The puppies, who had come charging out with such momentum, came to a dead halt in perfect unison. Chito, likely trying to avoid collapsing on top of them, ended up falling flat on her rear. Since she was still in her school skirt, I got a very clear view of her white panties.

“Chito-chan, how unladylike.”

“Eh? Wao!”

Chito turned beet-red and scrambled to press her skirt down.

Well, at least she has some sense of shame. I’m glad. After that display on the stairs where she used her chest as a weapon, I was starting to suspect she was some kind of sad monster devoid of all bashfulness.

“Tochika-kun? Why are you here?”

“Chito, I’m the one who brought him,” Sawa-san replied.

“Onee? Why did Onee bring Tochika-kun here?”

Chito’s large eyes widened even further.

“More importantly, Chito-chan, are you okay?”

“Wa, sorry. Thanks.”

I pulled the surprisingly light Chito back to her feet and faced her properly.

“You two certainly get along. Chito, the truth is, this young man and I have been friends for a while now.”

“Eeeh! Really!?”

Chito looked shocked, but honestly, I was pretty surprised myself. I never thought this beautiful Onee-san would consider me a friend. I figured she just saw me as some sweets-addicted brat she happened to run into occasionally.

“Tochika-kun, Onee might look big and scary, but she’s not a bad person. She works hard as the manager of this cafe, you know!”

“I don’t think she’s a bad person, but... manager?”

“Well, that’s the official story. I don’t actually do much work. I’m usually slacking off at cafes,” Sawa-san admitted.

“You’re a cafe manager who slacks off at other cafes?”

“It’s better for business than slacking at a family restaurant or karaoke box, don’t you think?”

With a chuckle, Onee-san placed a hand on Chito’s head.

“Young man, I was thinking you could have tea with Chito at our shop, but it looks like my little sister is about to head out. What will it be? Coming inside with me, or going with Chito?”

“I’ve talked with Onee-san plenty for today, so I think I’ll borrow the little sister.”

“That works. Well then, I suppose I should go do at least a little bit of work.”

Onee-san gave another light laugh and pushed through the shop door. Inside, I could see staff members, several dogs, and a few customers. Onee-san moved through the space, greeting the staff, customers, and dogs with equal grace.

Yeah, this is her workplace. I shouldn't get in her way.

“Whew... that was tense. Onee-san is my absolute ideal, but she makes me so nervous. At the cafe, I think the sugar rush from the sweets just kept me functional. Just walking here with her, my heart stopped at least five times.”

“Aren’t you repeating the cycle of death and rebirth a bit too much?”

Chito-chan gave me a flat, exasperated look. I suppose it’s natural to be fed up when a classmate tells you your own sister is their "absolute ideal."

“Oh, right, right! Tochika-kun, look, look! Isn’t she cute?”

“Eh? Ah, I guess you are pretty cute, Chito-chan.”

“Wa—not me! I mean, I’m happy, but! Say it again... no, say it a hundred million times!”

“Greedy, aren't you? So, what you meant was—ah, these puppies.”

“That’s right~”

Chito-chan pouted visibly.

“But seriously, aren't they adorable?”

She crouched down and began vigorously rubbing the two puppies.

“This one is Row-kun, and this one is Rin-chan.”

Row was the one who looked lean and sharp despite his small size, like a hunting dog. Rin was equally small but had fluffy fur and a gentle face.

“We just welcomed them to the shop recently. I’m the one in charge of taking care of them. Seriously, they're too cute! I love them!”

Chito laughed happily as she stroked the dogs. They certainly were cute. Even I, someone with very little interest in animals, thought these tiny dogs were charming.

“............Huh?”

But right now, watching Chito-chan show such innocent, straightforward affection for those dogs... I couldn't help but find her adorable. It was a feeling similar to the one I got when looking at a beautifully decorated cake or a parfait.

She looks sweet and delicious...?

Wait, isn’t that a slightly more complicated emotion than just thinking something is "cute"...?

“Is something wrong, Tochika-kun? Do you maybe... not like dogs?”

“Ah, no, it’s not that I dislike them.”

I had started overthinking things again. It’s only natural that a dog’s cuteness and Chito-chan’s cuteness would be different.

“Then you can come into our shop too.”

“The shop... the 'Dog Cafe' thing, right?”

“Yup! Basically, it's a place where you can interact with the dogs who live there. You see cat cafes everywhere, right?”

“I’ve seen people playing with cats in shops on TV and stuff. So a dog cafe is just the dog version... Is it different from a place where you bring your own dog?”

“A place where you go in with your own pet to eat or have tea is a dog-friendly cafe. Our place is a dog cafe. We get normal dog lovers, people who love dogs but can't own one, or people who plan to get a dog but want to practice taking care of one first.”

“It looked pretty busy. Well, there are a lot of dog lovers out there.”

“Don’t you have a pet, Tochika-kun?”

“My apartment bans pets... though maybe cats are okay? I’ve never seen a dog there.”

“I see. There are plenty of pet-friendly apartments these days, but I guess it can't be helped. Should I become a pet at your house then, Tochika-kun?”

“Um, Chito-chan?”

“I’m kidding. No matter how small I am, it’s not like you can keep me in the hallway.”

“It’s not a size issue.”

Living with a classmate at my place? What kind of rom-com plot is this?

“Chito-chan, you had a dog plushie on your backpack earlier. You really like dogs, huh?”

“I love 'em~ See, even my hair tie is a dog.”

“...A dog? That’s a bear, isn't it?”

I’d been curious about those noticeable bear-shaped hair ties she used for her twin tails. They were cute and they suited her, so I hadn't pointed it out until now.

“Ahaha, this is a doggy! What are you talking about, Tochika-kun?”

“...Right.”

Chito-chan, has someone tricked you? Are you okay? For no particular reason, Nonoa-san’s face flickered through my mind.

“I really do love dogs. We used to have one at home, so I’m used to—Waaah! We're not going yet! I'm talking to Tochika-kun!”

“Used to what?”

Row and Rin were trying to bolt. The petite Chito-chan was clearly losing the power struggle against the puppies; it looked like she was giving everything she had just to hold onto the leads.

“Should I take Row? I’ll make sure he doesn't get away.”

“Waah, thanks, Tochika-kun! Honestly, I was at my limit!”

I carefully took the lead Chito-chan handed over. This Row character seemed like the more energetic of the two. Even if he was small, I could easily get dragged away if I let my guard down.

“Oh, this is actually my first time holding a dog lead.”

“They pull pretty hard, so make sure you don't relax!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

That said, I was a boy of average height. As long as I gripped the lead firmly, there was no way I’d lose to a puppy’s strength—Whoa, he's strong!

“You can’t underestimate a puppy. Chito-chan, isn't it tough walking two of them by yourself?”

“My job is actually the easy part. I haven't even started serving customers yet. I’m just an apprentice part-timer.”

“Apprentice...”

I looked toward the shop building. For a modern cafe, it was a sturdy, unpretentious white building. It had a large garden surrounded by a solid fence where dogs could run around. It felt less like a cafe and more like a miniature ranch.

“This is Onee-san’s shop, right?”

“A long time ago, Papa used to run some kind of shop here but quit. He leased it to someone who ran a restaurant, but that shop closed too. Then, a few years ago, Onee started the dog cafe.”

“That’s a complicated history.”

In short, it had always been a Naruse family property. It seemed Onee-san and Chito-chan came from a wealthy background.

“Dog cafes are the best~ Just having the shop at my house makes me happy.”

“............”

Yeah, Chito-chan had a "happy aura" that suggested a good upbringing. I wanted her to stay happy as she grew up—wait, we're the same age.

“By the way, we're going for a walk, right?”

“Ah, right! Row-kun is the 'dash' type, while Rin-chan is the 'my-pace' type. Their walking styles are totally different. Tochika-kun, would you like to walk with us?”

“Even walks have factions? Fine by me, but is it okay to let him dash?”

“It would be a huge help if you could keep up with him. Row-kun is seriously fast, so be careful.”

“I’m not that fast on my feet, but when it comes to stamina—Whoa, he's fast!”

“Waaaaah, Tochika-kun!”

Row suddenly bolted, and I found myself desperately keeping up while gripping the lead. His legs are so short, why is he this fast!? I was being dragged back toward the road I’d just taken the bus on with Onee-san.

“Wait, wait, Row! If you dash like that, you'll scare people!”

That said, the coastal road at dusk was fairly empty. The few people out for a stroll were watching Row and me with smiles on their faces. Hey, this is actually pretty hard work!

Row let out a bark and then dove down the slope leading toward the beach.

“I said wait! Hey, Chito-chan!”

I stole a glance behind me, but Chito-chan and Rin were nowhere to be seen. Crap, I’d left them behind. But Row was frolicking around so much there was no way I could turn back. He barked as he ran in circles across the sand—

“H-Hey, Tochika-kun...”

“Ah.”

It felt like a long time because of the effort, but in reality, it was probably only five minutes. Chito-chan arrived at the beach with Rin in tow. Unlike my situation, it looked like Chito-chan was the one dragging Rin along.

“Seriously, this girl... one second she’s walking normally, then she suddenly loses all motivation and stops. She’s tiny but she won’t budge at all. It’s so much work!”

“I see. Good job...”

“Wait, Tochika-kun, you're a mess! Why are you so beat up?”

“Ah, well. I got jerked around by Row and wiped out about twice.”

I brushed the sand off my school blazer and trousers. Once we hit the beach, Row had gone into full-throttle mode; he had enough power to fight a bear. Is this guy a hunting dog or something?

“Ah, but you look like a warrior who just finished a battle. Being a mess kind of looks cool on you?”

“No, no, you're giving me way too much credit.”

I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. Chito-chan, have you started idolizing me?

“More importantly, I’m fine, but how about you, Chito-chan?”

“I only fell once, so I’m okay.”

“Is that the kind of thing you're 'really okay' with?”

For someone as small as Chito-chan, a single fall probably did significant damage.

“I’m good at falling. Ah, should we swap? Row-kun is the harder one, right?”

“Eh? But Row is still full of energy. If he drags you around...”

“Ahaha, no matter how small I am, I can lead him properly if I put my mind to it. Onee says you can't just spoil dogs; you have to discipline them properly—Aaaaaah!”

“Ah.”

As soon as I took Rin’s lead and handed Row’s lead to Chito-chan. As if he had been waiting for that exact moment, Row bolted.

“H-He's fast! I've always wanted to say that line!”

“How are you being so carefree!?”

Chito-chan’s voice grew rapidly distant. Row ran toward the water’s edge as if the sea were calling him, and Chito-chan was dragged along without any means of resistance, looking like a paper balloon caught in a gale. Row made a straight charge toward the ocean—

But he didn't go in.

“Ky-ah!?”

Row performed a U-turn at the water's edge as if ignoring the laws of inertia. Chito-chan, unable to stop her momentum, ended up plunging into the water from the shoreline as if she had jumped in on purpose.

“Waaah, Row-kun!”

Chito-chan let go of the lead, and Row ran along the beach parallel to the waves. But Chito-chan wasn't in any position to chase him; she had splashed into the sea and, unfortunately, took a relatively high wave right to the face.

“Wh-hyyyy!?”

She was literally being swept away by the sea in one fluid motion.

—If I hadn't been here.

“Pwah!”

Chito-chan let out a strange noise. I firmly grabbed her small body as she was about to be carried off by the tide, bracing myself against the receding wave.

“Chito-chan, don't let go.”

“U-Eh, ah, yeah.”

I carried Chito-chan’s small frame back to the sand, making sure to move far away from the water’s edge just in case.

“Are you okay, Chito-chan?”

“Ah, yeah, ah, thanks... You were there before I even knew it, Tochika-kun...”

“I guess I can do it when I have to. Even I thought that was a pretty cool burst of speed.”

I had started running without hesitation the moment before Row made his U-turn. Since I knew Chito-chan was prone to disasters, my body must have been on standby to move at any second.

“If you're okay, Chito-chan, I’ll go catch Row.”

“I don't think he'll run too far... Sorry, please.”

“Yeah.”

I nodded, ran over to where Row was still frolicking, and managed to grab the lead. When I looked back, Chito-chan was sitting slumped next to Rin, whom I had let go of earlier.

“You're soaking wet, Chito-chan.”

“...You are too, Tochika-kun. Sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad you're safe. A towel... I don't have one.”

Chito-chan was empty-handed since she’d gone home once, but I had my school bag with me. Though I’d tossed it onto the sand earlier.

“Ah.”

“Hmm? Tochika-kun?”

“No... Ah, right.”

I hadn't just tossed my bag; I’d taken off my school blazer too. I picked up the blazer, shook off the sand, and draped it over Chito-chan’s soaking shoulders.

“Wa, Tochika-kun, even your jacket will get wet.”

“You should wear it. Your blouse is translucent; I could see your pink bra.”

“Y-You don't have to say it! Why were you so cool a second ago and now you're being so Non-Deli!?”

“Well, it’s a good thing you were wearing the apron. If you weren't, I would've seen everything down to your chest, you know?”

“I said, don't explain it in detail! But thanks for the jacket! Sorry for getting it wet!”

“School uniforms can just be dried.”

The sea had been shallow here, but she’d been swept away so suddenly. If I hadn't stepped in without worrying about the details, who knows what would have happened? The reason I’d taken my jacket off was because it would have been in the way if I’d had to swim—my body had moved reflexively. My father’s teachings must be ingrained in my bones.

“Um... what should I do?”

“Hmm? About what?”

“As thanks... would it make you happy if I took off the apron and showed you my translucent bra!?”

“Hmm, I’d want to see Onee-san’s translucent bra.”

“...I get it. I’ll make Onee’s bra translucent.”

“Stop, stop! I was joking!”

She looked like she might actually do it!

I’d just taken a dog for a walk; why was it so full of trouble?

“Achoo!”

“...Let’s get back to the shop.”

I couldn't leave Chito-chan alone. I’d have to escort her back as carefully as if I were carrying a box full of delicate cakes.