Chapter K - 1
Vol D - 1
Kalu's Girlfriend
When I first met my brown-furred girlfriend, she was — and still is, in my memory — muddy. Her barks always made me laugh. We'd bark together for hours. One day, she introduced me to her big brother.
He was huge. Humans often ran away or hid from him. But my girlfriend's master? She would pat him like he was just another fluffy pillow. And he treated her with the same respect.
I think it's just like how I am with my masters. I'd seriously injure any human who tried to hurt the ones I love — but I'd never, ever hurt my own humans, no matter what. I love them as much as they care about me.
My girlfriend was the kind who relied on others for protection, so I always stayed by her side whenever she needed help.
One day, a giant animal — bigger than any of us, with a tail like a tree branch — started running wild, causing chaos for the humans. I didn't care much... until it went after her.
I was furious.
I chased it so far that it never returned. Later, I heard from my dog friends that a muscular human caught the beast and put it in jail. Apparently, the human now takes its milk as punishment. Honestly, I don't understand these punishments, but it sounded fair.
My girlfriend got away safely, though I had a small — very small — injury. But it was worth it.
Because… she kissed me.
Right on the cheek.
She's the best.
Of course, my masters scolded me afterward. I didn't understand the words, but they seemed mad. Still, beneath the anger, I could see just how much they cared. They cleaned my wounds and applied some white stuff that stung like betrayal, but it healed me faster than when I used to be a stray and had to fight for food every day.
Ah… those days. I wonder if I'll ever suffer like that again. But if I do, I've got my girlfriend and her brother now.
Or… I did.
I always wished that someday, she and I could live together. I'd see her smile every day. A kiss to the cheek every morning? I'd die for it. Literally.
But then… she read my mind — and disappeared.
For four months, I didn't see her. I got really, really worried. I searched every corner of the places I knew.
And then I returned to her master's house.
What I saw… broke something in me.
Her big brother sat silently beside the old lady as she dug the ground. I ran up to them, hoping she was okay. But then I saw… her — my girlfriend, lying still on the ground. Eyes closed. Mouth slightly open. No breath.
I ran to her, barked, cried, nudged her. But she didn't wake up.
Did… she hate me?
Then her big brother walked over. He gently touched his tail to mine and spoke softly:
"Wof wof wof, bhow bhow wof. Wof bhow wof, wafu wofu."
[Translation: "She's dead. She ate poisonous food someone threw on the ground yesterday."]
I cried for a long time after that.
I still remember her smile. Her tears. Her kiss. Her face. Her soft fur and gentle touch. The way she followed me. The time we spent together.
I'll never forget her.
Now, once every month or two, I visit her grave. Her master never stops me. In fact, she pats my head and gives me delicious treats whenever I come by.