Chapter H - 2
Vol D - 1
Her, when she was 12 (64–72 dog years)
She came home one day, covered in mud and crying like she had been hurt. Her parents rushed to clean her, drying her gently. Then they spoke into that strange box — the one that releases the voices of other humans.
They talked for a long time. It never happened again after that day.
I don't know what truly happened. But I still wonder. My memory is getting dimmer as I age, isn't it?
---
Her, when she was 13
On rainy days, she would often stay somewhere else so she wouldn't get wet. But I always worried something bad might happen again.
One day, I couldn't wait any longer. I ran out to find her.
My parents locked themselves in their room, making strange noises — crying, maybe? But I figured it must be some private human ritual to scare away the rain. I didn't bother them. What if I interrupted and made the rain worse? I couldn't risk that.
I searched far and wide — down streets, across fields — until I found her. She was sitting behind a bridge with a few other humans.
I'd seen them before… their faces are blurry in my mind now, but I think they're close to her. When they're around, she laughs more. Or at least… tries to.
I walked over. It didn't take long for her to notice me — those sharp eyes of hers… still so lovely.
"What are you doing here, Kalu?" she said.
As usual, I didn't understand. So I sat beside her and stared up, hoping she'd get the message.
She patted my head and kept talking with the other humans — maybe they're her friends. I curled up and took a short nap beside her.
Eventually, the rain stopped.
Maybe my masters succeeded in their rain-scare ritual. My female master screamed so loudly — like her life depended on it. She must've worked very hard. Humans really are amazing.
When the rain stopped, I followed her back home.
---
I don't have much to do most days. I sleep a lot.
Sometimes I sit near the big table where the humans eat. Other times, I stare at the strange glowing box — the one that shows other humans moving and talking.
I've tried looking behind it while it's on. But no matter how hard I looked… no one was there.
I was so sure I saw real humans inside that glowing glass.
Humans are so intelligent, aren't they?