The Dog, the Daughter, and the Dad (
Summary[]
One of Rentarou's girlfriends, the always in-control Chiyo, finds something on her way home from school...
Chiyo is walking home trying to prepare for dinner when she sees a box by the side of the road; she thinks it's litter until she sees a tiny exhausted puppy within it and the sign "Please Adopt Me". Chiyo wonders what to do considering how weak it looks; but realizes she can't feed a stray she can't keep since it would attack others or breed more strays if it remained here; she also knows she can't keep it due to an incident where a chihuahua bit her father's carotid artery, traumatizing him against dogs; and turning it in to the police or shelter means that if no one adopts it, the worst scenario for it could occur. Chiyo is at a loss on what she should do until the dog sticks out it's tongue emitting it's own drool, making the middle schooler realize that it does want to live.
The next day, Chiyo tells her father to not go into her room while she's at school; Hiro, at work with his web desigining business, states he never barges in without permission anyway before she leaves, making him freak out that his daughter is possibly entering a "rebellious phase"! After school, Chiyo stands in front of Sukisugi Station trying to get someone to take the puppy off her; Rentarou arrives realizing Chiyo was "65% less happy than usual" at school; he states that if she told him, he and his family could have taken the dog, which makes Chiyo appreciate the kindness of him and the rest of the Family and believes one of them could rescue her from the situation, but Chiyo still believes since she found the puppy, she has to resolve the situation on her own, making Rentarou worry that if she doesn't, she'll just blame herself for the failure. He realizes he shouldn't "rescue" her and joins Chiyo in handing out flyers to find the puppy a home. As the duo leave the station for home, Rentarou realizes it isn't easy to get a pet adopted; he looks at the flyer and realizes how cute he is as Chiyo fawns over the puppy being nice, obedient and the friendliest thing ever, making Rentarou realize what she really wants.
Several days later, Hiro confronts his daughter about what she's been hiding; Chiyo tries to deny at first but ultimately reveals the puppy to her father saying they're keeping it until they find it a new owner. However, Hiro states he realizes that Chiyo wants to keep the puppy; he admits he isn't a man she can count on but he wants his daughter to rely on him because he is her father and he's willing to hear his daughter out. Chiyo says she knew this but this is why she couldn't tell her father fearing what would happen if he was pressured into this due to his fear of dogs; but Hiro states that Rentarou told him she avoided telling him to not stress him out. However, Hiro reveals he doesn't want his daughter to worry about him as he opens a door stating he's conquered his fear of dogs, revealing Rentarou in a dog costume; Rentarou had been wearing the costume and watching movies to "forsake his humanity" in order to help Hiro deal with dogs and allow for Chiyo to keep the puppy! Hiro states that the blood, sweat and tears he and Rentarou went through, he is fine with dogs as he scratches Rentarou's belly making his daughter embarrassed by his actions wondering what she's even looking at.
As Chiyo contemplates what even is going on, the puppy leaves her arms and approaches her father; Hiro prepares to hug the creature, but it bites his hand, the father wincing as he states he can handle this while worrying about his bladder. Chiyo pulls the puppy from Hiro's hand as he tries to tell his daughter that this should convince her to keep it, which Chiyo thanks him for. Hiro decides to commemorate the occasion with a family photo of all of them (Rentarou included due to Hiro's desire for him to marry his daughter) as the puppy bites Hiro's hand again during the pose. Hiro and Chiyo thank Rentarou for helping out as Hiro prepares to go off with the puppy as it bites him again, making the two leave Chiyo and Rentarou alone for a bit. Chiyo thanks Rentarou again and he states to not worry and believes that she and the puppy are the happiest they can be as the two kiss.
After Rentarou leaves, Hiro believes they should name the puppy Rentarou seeing it's eyebrows similar to his nephew; but Chiyo states that's ridiculous but does compromise with a better name: Wantarou.
Characters[]
- Chiyo Iin
- Hiro Iin
- Rentarou Aijou
- Tama Nekonari (mentioned)
Quote[]
Beginning: A tiny life housed within a tiny body.
End: The name of the one I love.
Next Chapter: We'll be on break to take care of the new charge. Look for us the week after! We'll be celebrating 200 chapters with a color spread.