The elevator arrived.

“Oh, Yunho is here! I saved a seat for you.”

“Ah, um… Hello.”

Yunho quickly got off the elevator and glanced back as he walked out. Then, looking at Eunha walking out afterward, he whispered almost inaudibly.

‘See you in a bit.’

With a shy smile as the last, Yunho moved away.

So, the formal class began, and Eunha, with a slightly tense expression, took out her grooming tools from her bag.

The instructor carefully observed each student, giving advice and demonstrating.

“Oh my, Yura, your hands are really fast. Have you tried this before?”
“No, it’s my first time.”

“Oh my, then you must have talent. Yura, starting tomorrow, you can stop combing and start practicing with scissors right away.”

Even if you learn a little, getting a certification will be quick, right? The instructor was full of praise. Eunha blinked her eyes a little dazedly.

“Even if I say so myself, you’re the most talented among the students I’ve taught. You can tell just by combing. I’ve been doing this for 10 years.”

Eunha lowered her gaze, stared at the brush in her hand, and opened her mouth quietly.

“…Thank you.”

Firmly.

A slight force was applied to the hand holding the brush.

After finishing the class and leaving the training room, her steps felt somehow lighter than usual. The full bag didn’t feel heavy at all.

The alley. It was undoubtedly the same path she walked yesterday. Nothing had changed, but for some reason, it felt different from yesterday.

[Park Manager] [6:58 PM] Hunter-nim! I cooked rice in the rice cooker, so please don’t order chicken feet today and be sure to have a proper meal!! [Park Manager] [6:58 PM] I also put various side dishes in the refrigerator, so take them out and enjoyㅎㅎ

A message arrived from Jae-hwi. Eunha stared at what appeared on the screen, silently, and then slowly tapped on the keyboard.

[Me] [6:59 PM] Yes

[Me] [6:59 PM] Thank you

Shortly after, a new message arrived with a brief vibration.

[Park Manager] [6:59 PM] (Emoji)

A blushing frog raising its thumb appeared on the screen. It was an emoji that Jae-hwi often used.

“…He resembles him.”

Eunha let out a faint laugh and put her phone away.

Swoooosh─

A cool breeze brushed past her cheeks. Autumn leaves, dressed in vibrant colors, danced in her sight.

Eunha gently swept her fluttering black hair. The scent of autumn lingered around her nose.

‘…Nice.’

Suddenly, that thought crossed her mind.

Under the darkening sky, Eunha, who had been blowing in the wind for a while, slowly began to move her stopped steps.

But.

“…?”

There was a gaze staring at her intently. From the left. Eunha turned her head to that direction.

“…….”

“…….”

There was a dog sitting quietly near the utility pole, looking piercingly at Eunha.

‘Husky? No… Malamute?’

Eunha approached the dog as if enchanted.

Despite a stranger approaching, the dog didn’t bark but sat obediently, not even blinking its eyes.

Upon closer inspection, it didn’t seem to be a Husky or a Malamute. It definitely had blue eyes, but its entire body being pure white made it look somewhat like a Samoyed.

However, it was unusual to describe it that way, as its short fur and a body elongated like a hunting dog seemed puzzling. A mixed breed?

“You’re a good boy.”

Sitting down, Eunha mumbled softly. The dog, as if understanding the words, blinked its eyes slowly.

“Why are you alone? Where’s your owner?”

Swaay swaay─
Slowly moving tail. Eunha stared at the dog’s neck. There was no object that seemed like an ID tag. However, it didn’t have a leash tied to a nearby utility pole.

With its clean fur and the fact that it didn’t run away or bark at people, there seemed to be an owner… Eunha, sitting on the ground, silently stared at the dog’s blue eyes.

“……. ”

Staring at the blue eyes, suddenly Siwoo came to mind. Come to think of it, I wonder how he’s doing.

Whether the gaze was burdensome or not, the white dog remained as motionless as a rock. Even the tail that was swaying gently came to a temporary halt.

Eunha, who had been silently staring at the dog, suddenly smiled without making a sound.

“Sorry. I keep staring.”

Eunha tilted her head slightly. Long, black hair fell smoothly like a black waterfall.

“Your eyes are so beautiful.”

Perhaps it was a mood thing. The dog seemed a bit startled. Eunha hadn’t even touched it. Maybe it had received some stress. Perhaps it had been with strangers for a long time.

“Hello, doggy.”

In the moment Eunha stood up.

Snap!

The previously gentle white dog suddenly bit Eunha’s calf.

[Divine Beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ insists on not letting go of that! I’m the owner’s human, you stupid dog! it barks.]