My Cute Childhood Friend Can't Sleep Peacefully Unless She's Holding Onto My 'Thing'... ~Could My 'Thing' Be Her Secret Comfort for Peaceful Sleep!?~ - Chapter 03: The Cute Girl Can't Feel at Ease Unless She Holds My "Thing" - 〇〇〇 Side

Chapter 03: The Cute Girl Can’t Feel at Ease Unless She Holds My “Thing” – 〇〇〇 Side

—I still didn’t have a name.

I never really questioned it; I was too busy moving around. 

After all, it was so much fun—having a friend to chase forever and never get tired of! 

I was grateful that they were right in front of me.

With a shout, I chased after them. 

“Hey, wait up! Alright, I’m definitely going to catch you!” 

They dodged me as if to mock me.

Hah-hah, I couldn’t catch them at all. But it was so much fun!

What is this feeling!? Wow, it’s amazing!!

I continued to play tag with them, my excitement at its peak.

My eyes were spinning, “damn you”, hey, are you mad because I said that?

Alright, let me correct myself: “Hey you, wait up, let’s play together.”

I’d like to get to know you better.

I have something I want to do: it seems like it would feel nice to sleep with you as my pillow.

Before I knew it, it seemed I’d fallen asleep, tired from playing tag.

Mm, mm, my throat’s dry. But getting water is a hassle.

I’ll sleep a bit more. Sleeping is also an important task for me…

My other job is a bit troublesome. 

Just when I’m sleeping comfortably, I’m suddenly shaken awake and my body is extensively touched. Well, it’s fine since I got a tasty snack. 

A crunchy round snack that tastes like my favorite milk.

But I have to be careful not to eat too much. 

My stomach starts to rumble. But it’s so delicious, I want to eat more of it. 

I’ve devised ways to get lots of snacks.

How about that!! Awesome, right? Want me to teach you?

Then you can go back to your room right away, and you’ll always get a snack from the usual lady.

But what’s lonely is that my friends have been decreasing one after another.

How many have I said goodbye to since I came here?

The one I was close with, the one who didn’t like bugs, they were all my playmates…

One day, I moved.

Apparently, it was because I had grown larger.

I moved from the shared room where everyone was at, to a room of my own.

It’s quiet here, which is nice, but the bed isn’t comfortable.

I’ve grown, and it’s hard to see with the fur around my eyes.

Before, the lady used to bathe me and shampoo me, and even gave me a haircut. But recently, she hasn’t been cutting my hair much.

I’d love to bathe more because it feels good, but the little ones here take priority.

I have to be patient because I’m the best ‘Onii-chan’ here.

Since moving to a single room, I haven’t been played with much.

The number of times I’m held by strangers has also decreased.

Even the reward biscuits had become fewer.

I’ve heard before that when I get bigger, I’ll have to leave here.

I don’t know where I’ll be sent.

Is it almost my turn to go to this place?

I’d hate it if it’s a scary place…

Maybe it’s about time for me to leave here too.

I thought so as I looked at my grown front paws.

Because here, I’m the oldest ‘Onii-chan’…

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

“—Mom!! I want this one.”

Hm, someone spoke to me for the first time in a long while. I wonder how many days it’s been. But, I’ll probably be sent back to my room soon anyway.

“Manami-chan, wouldn’t a smaller one be better?”

When I looked up, my eyes met with a young girl’s. She had big, round, cute eyes.

Well, my eyes are also big and round.

She looked at me with serious eyes and then said with a full smile.

“This one is cute…”

The usual lady picked me up from the room.

“Here, hold him like this; make sure to support the bottom. Be careful, okay?”

I was held in the arms of the little girl.

Her small hands patted my head, and it felt really good.

My tail couldn’t help but wag.

I’ve become good friends with you, too.

I’ve grown big enough to play by biting and licking.

The girl’s hand accidentally touched my tail.

Huh!? It doesn’t bother me at all. The last time someone grabbed it tightly, I hated it so much that I jumped.

I get it!! This girl is holding me gently.

That’s why it’s okay.

“Manami-chan!! You shouldn’t grab a dog’s tail.”

The girl’s mother hurriedly warned her.

“It’s alright; nowadays it’s called ‘touching.’ Getting the puppy used to being touched all over helps improve the relationship with the owner,”

The usual lady explained to both of them.

“Hey, doggy, want to come to our house?”

The little girl whispered, staring into my eyes.

“Mom, I’ve decided on this one!! I’ve even thought of a name already, Chocola…”

From that day on, I, who had no name, became Chocola.

“Chocola-kun, will you always be with Manami?”

Manami-chan said that to me…

“Chocola-kun is part of the family from today on!!”

I’ve decided!! I’ll always protect this little girl.

From all the sad and painful things…

Even if I go to heaven first,

I’ll watch over her forever from above.

As a way to thank her for making me a part of the family…

I’ll even let her hold my tail specially!!

I wagged my tail to the utmost degree.

Squeeze ♡

“Thank you, Chocola-kun…”

In Manami-chan’s hands, my tail seemed pleased as well…