15　How to grow up to be able to honestly say you love someone

We had been running along the coastal road for about ten minutes—

Even Row and Rin finally started to slow their pace. The two puppies trotted down toward the sandy beach, and I followed after them.

"Ha... ha... wheeze... huff... huff... haaaaaahhh..."

Chito-chan, of course, was still clutching their leashes with everything she had, but the only thing coming out of her mouth now was the sound of ragged, desperate breathing.

Is she gonna be okay? Her heart’s not about to explode, is it?

"S-Sorry... I’m... at my limit... Ro... Rin... lead... love..."

"............"

I felt like I heard something else slip in there during the confusion, but it seemed she was finally swallowing her pride and handing the leads over to me.

I didn't mind that "dogs-first" attitude of hers.

I took Row and Rin’s leashes from Chito-chan and managed to restrain the two of them, though they clearly still wanted to run.

"Man, these guys have too much energy."

Even a dog should be exhausted after running that distance. I’m usually pretty good with long-distance stuff, but even my legs were feeling like jelly.

After I put in the effort to calm Row and Rin down, Chito-chan finally caught her breath.

"Phew... If it stays like this, I’m gonna be stuck as an apprentice forever..."

"Do the Onee-san and the other staff members actually have a handle on these energetic little monsters?"

"Sawa-onee takes them on her morning walks, but Row-kun and Rin-chan don't usually run that much with her."

"So your sister keeps them on a tight rein, then? Chito-chan, are they just looking down on you?"

"Maybe it’s 'cause I’m smaller than Onee..."

"From a puppy's perspective, I don't think there's much of a difference between your sister and you."

In all honesty, Row and Rin probably viewed Chito-chan as their subordinate. I remember reading somewhere that animals establish a hierarchy within their pack.

"Dogs aren't just for petting; you have to discipline them properly. That’s our responsibility."

"Well, it looks like you've got your work cut out for you."

Row and Rin started circling around Chito-chan again, looking like they were ready for another sprint. They were definitely making light of her.

"Row-kun and Rin-chan haven't made their 'cafe debut' yet, right?"

"Oh, is that right?"

I guess that explained why she was out walking them during business hours.

"Row is a total brat, and Rin is just moody and does whatever she wants."

"There’s that, but they’re both also a little shy around strangers. We can't let them out in the shop until they're more used to people."

"Shy... They don't really give off that vibe to me."

As if on cue, Row trotted over to me and started rubbing his snout against the hem of my trousers.

"They don't just warm up to anyone. Maybe you’re just easy to like, Tochika-kun."

"Hmm. Maybe it’s a scent thing?"

It wasn't like I’d fed them or gone out of my way to flatter them. I couldn't think of a single reason for them to like me, but Row seemed to have taken a fancy to me.

"He’s actually kind of cute, in his own way."

"Eh? In his own way? I’ll have you know I live my life with my 'cuteness aura' set to maximum!"

"I was talking about Row, not you, Chito-chan."

"Ah, sorry. I have a habit of reacting whenever I hear the word 'cute.'"

"...You’ve got a hell of a personality, don't you?"

Then again, I had no doubt that Chito-chan had been told she was cute her entire life.

"I’m so happy you called Row-kun cute, though. Rin-chan is cute too, you know."

"Yeah, I guess. I don't mind Rin’s 'I couldn't care less about you' attitude either."

I crouched down and stroked Rin’s soft fur. She didn't struggle, but she didn't show any affection either—which was exactly what I liked about her.

"My job is to train these tiny, cute little things so they can finally work in the shop. Being tiny and cute isn't enough to make it in the professional world!"

"So tiny Chito-chan is raising the tiny dogs..."

"Exactly! It’s like, 'Even if I’m small, I’m gonna work my hardest!' you know?"

"You're way more impressive than me. I just wander around without a part-time job or a club."

"I am impressive, right?"

Chito-chan beamed at me, peering intently into my eyes.

"Yes, yes, very impressive... Wait, are you really okay with being treated like a child, Chito-chan?"

I couldn't help it—I reached out and gave Chito-chan’s head a thorough ruffling. I could feel the smallness of her head and the soft texture of her hair.

"Row-kun, Rin-chan, did you hear that? He praised us! I’m gonna praise you and love you and raise you to be—Waaaah!"

"Whoa."

Row and Rin pounced on Chito-chan, pinning her down onto the sand. Since she was wearing a skirt under her overalls, Chito-chan’s legs started flailing, giving me a perfectly clear view of her white panties.

Man, I end up seeing Chito-chan’s underwear a lot.

"Chito-chan, maybe you should stop wearing skirts during work? Like, get some overalls that have pants at the bottom or something."

"These aren't overalls, they're salopettes... Kyah! Rin-chan, no licking!"

"............"

I didn't care if they were overalls or salopettes, but I really wished she’d stop making weird noises while flashing her panties. From a distance, it probably looked like I was bullying a kid.

"Tochika-kun, don't you have the kindness to help a small child!?"

"These days, there are a lot of risks involved in reaching out to help children."

"You aren't that kind of man! Where did the Tochika-kun go who helped me on the train!?"

"I’m joking. I haven't gone anywhere."

I pulled Row off Chito-chan and drew Rin toward me as well. I did technically possess a human heart; if a kid was in trouble, I’d at least lend a hand.

"Th-Thanks. My graduation from 'apprentice' feels so far away..."

"Row and Rin are totally messing with you. Maybe you're being too affectionate?"

"Well, I was raised being pampered and called 'cute' all the time. Maybe I only know how to raise things the way I was raised."

"I feel like I’d end up being pretty strict with my own kids."

"Were you raised strictly, Tochika-kun?"

"Did I mention what my parents do for a living?"

"Nope. But you had a ton of newspapers, and I saw some difficult-looking magazines in your living room."

"Good eye. My dad’s a police officer, and my mom’s a lawyer. Sounds like a joke, right?"

"Th-That’s a pretty intense combination."

Chito-chan looked genuinely shocked. I’d seen that reaction more times than I could count, so it didn't really phase me anymore.

"When you were being swept away by the waves, the reason I jumped in to save you immediately was because my father taught me life-saving techniques."

"Huh. That’s a noble lesson."

"And my mother told me, 'Don't ever do anything that would require me to defend you in court.' That’s why I can't go around messing with you, Chito-chan."

"Messing with a girl your own age isn't a crime!?"

"Ah, right. Good point."

I’d naturally slipped into the "lolicon is a crime" mindset for a second there. Still, having been raised by such stiff parents, I’d turned into someone who simply couldn't bring himself to do anything "wrong."

"But wait, is a cop allowed to marry a lawyer?"

"Apparently, there’s no law stopping two consenting adults from getting married."

"Whoa, I see."

To begin with, my father isn't a beat cop—he’s more on the administrative side—and my mother apparently handles cases that don't involve the police much.

"Anyway, they’re strict parents. I mean, they read multiple newspapers even in this day and age. You can tell they’re dead serious."

"They definitely sound strict. But you don't really give off a 'dead serious' vibe, Tochika-kun."

"I’m serious enough to politely turn down girls who aren't my type, even when they’re super pushy."

"Don't turn me down! Face me head-on!"

Chito-chan leaned in, quite literally facing me head-on.

Too close, too close...

"Geez, Tochika-kun, you never change."

"I have changed."

I shook my head, denying her claim. After spending this much time with Chito-chan in such a short period, there was no way I could stay exactly the same.

"A little while ago, I was way more 'salty' toward you."

"Ah, that’s true. I was actually a little hurt back then."

"I... I said I was sorry. But it’s rare for me to have a girl I’m this close with... Luna is a childhood friend so she’s in a different category, but this might be a first for me."

"Wait, so I’m starting to rank up alongside your childhood friend?"

"Well, I guess you could put it that way... One second you're jumping into my personal space, and the next you're baiting me with sweets. Of course the sense of distance is gonna change."

"I see. So my methods aren't wrong after all. Maybe treating you the same as Row-kun and Rin-chan is the way to go."

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

"I mean that just being 'cute' isn't enough. Even dogs don't open their hearts easily, so I can't take down Tochika-kun with just a simple, straightforward attack, right?"

"Stop saying 'take down.' Well, dogs and humans are both usually a pain in the ass."

"A pain... I’ve never thought of dogs or Tochika-kun like that, but maybe you're right."

Chito-chan let out a thoughtful groan, took the leashes I handed back to her, and started walking along the beach. When I moved to catch up with her and the puppies, she glanced back.

"Tochika-kun, up until now, I was just like Row-kun and Rin-chan. I was just pulling on the lead and trying to drag you along without looking back, wasn't I?"

"That’s exactly it. You’ve definitely been holding the initiative. I think it’s about time for some discipline."

"Th-That sounds scary! That’s not good! Tochika-kun, you’re a boy with a wonderful smile, so don't change that part of you!"

"You sure are demanding."

It wasn't like I was smiling on purpose, so that was a tough order to fill. If I kept being toyed with by Chito-chan, there was a real chance my "wonderful smile" would turn into a cramped grin, and from there, potentially into a very scary face.

"W-Walking is all about letting them walk how they want while tightening the lead when you need to. I mean, it’d be a problem if they suddenly barked or ran at other people or dogs, right?"

"So you can't just be a pushover all the time."

Even as someone who didn't own a dog, I understood that much.

"So, this time, I want you to hold my lead firmly, Tochika-kun."

"My lead...?"

"Why don't you try taking me for a walk?"