The wind swept up the fallen leaves on the ground, and thunder rumbled angrily across the sky.
Inside a high-rise tower in Chuo Ward, a purebred Border Collie stood silently on the balcony, gazing out toward Tokyo Tower in the distance.
The strong wind blew through its fur, making its figure appear dignified and majestic.
It had already been two weeks since it arrived at the Nakano household.
Ever since Yotsuba brought it back from Takashi, she had explained to her four sisters that "Kuro" would be staying with them for a few days.
The four of them didn't object.
The Border Collie's looks were quite endearing to the girls.
Had Yotsuba brought home a Tibetan Mastiff or a Pitbull, even if they were beaten half to death by Yotsuba, they still wouldn't have agreed.
But Kuro wasn't just good-looking—it was smart, too.
Tasked by its previous owner with infiltrating the Nakano household, Kuro reined in its temper, made no noise, and even helped tidy up the house when it got messy.
At night, it followed anyone who went out, taking on the role of a personal bodyguard.
In just a few days, all five girls of the Nakano household had come to adore Kuro.
Even Miku, who had initially been most afraid of it, now dared to pat its furry head.
All five girls treated it with great affection.
Ichika gave it a can of dog food every day.
Nino prepared a raw meat platter, including duck breast, tuna, lamb kidney, reishi mushrooms, carrots, blueberries, goat milk jelly, fish oil...
Miku brushed its fur.
Yotsuba took it on walks.
Itsuki gave it baths.
Thinking back on its past, Kuro grew more and more indignant.
What kind of miserable life had it been living before?
Thankfully, it had now escaped its suffering. The one standing here was no longer just Kuro—but Your Majesty Kuro.
Takashi-san, please don't contact me anymore. I'm afraid my new owners will misunderstand.
From the living room came Miku's calm voice: "Kuro, dinner time."
The moment it heard the call to eat, Kuro snapped out of its thoughts, wagging its tail happily as it trotted over to eat.
"Eat up."
Miku placed the dog bowl at her feet and patted its head.
When Itsuki came out holding her dinner, she reminded, "Don't forget to wash your hands."
"Mm."
Miku nodded with a calm expression.
By the time Miku returned from washing her hands, Ichika, Nino, Yotsuba, and Itsuki were already seated.
Miku walked over and noticed that Kuro hadn't touched its food yet. It was staring at her with eager eyes, seemingly waiting for her to return before it would start eating.
Miku felt a warm sensation in her chest at the sight.
If she hadn't just washed her hands, she really would've loved to pat its head again.
Miku spoke gently, "You don't have to wait for me."
Kuro firmly shook its head.
Not waiting for you?
What a joke.
Did she think it was just some dumb dog?
After spending so long with its previous owner, it hadn't learned nothing.
At the very least, Takashi's masterful woman-charming techniques—how to provide emotional value to women—it had picked up most of that.
Otherwise, how could it have won over all these women in just a few days?
Forget two-legged humans—even the little neighborhood dogs around here were smitten with it.
Even the wife of the Akita from next door was completely charmed by it and was now filing for divorce.
Nino teased, "This dog's way too clever. Good thing it's not human—otherwise, who knows how many girls would've fallen for it."
Miku pulled out her chair and sat down.
As soon as she sat, the five girls, as if on cue, all said together, "Itadakimasu," and then began eating.
Kuro also barked once, "Woof!"
Dinner was simple.
Each of the Nakano sisters from one to four had a bowl of rice, a plate of stir-fried beef and mixed vegetables, a serving of grilled crucian carp, a dish of salad, and, of course, a bowl of miso tofu soup.
Only Itsuki's dinner had an extra dish of fried chicken.
As for why hers was different—well, those who know, know.
Ichika took a sip of the hot miso soup and, as if suddenly reminded of something, asked Yotsuba, "Hey, Yotsuba, since Kuro's been staying here, isn't his owner bothered?"
Yotsuba picked up a piece of fish and replied, "No, I walk Kuro every morning, and I see him every time."
"No wonder you're so committed to jogging rain or shine—you're out there meeting your lover, huh?" Ichika keenly picked up on her use of "he" instead of "she."
Clearly, the person who jogged with Yotsuba every morning was a man.
"You brought his dog into our home—what, are we just part of your little play too?" Ichika teased, making Yotsuba's ears go red.
Embarrassed and annoyed, Yotsuba retorted, "Ichika, what nonsense are you talking about?"
When the topic turned to men, Nino asked the question every girl would want to ask, "Is he handsome?"
Miku had no interest in this topic.
She took a bite, then glanced at Kuro.
Itsuki... well, she was probably more interested in food.
A woman who eats non stop from beginning to end.
Yotsuba didn't want to answer, but she knew that if she didn't, they wouldn't let her off easily.
Especially Nino—she definitely wouldn't.
"He's not handsome, but not ugly either. Just an ordinary guy." Yotsuba avoided their eyes, her gaze wandering because of the lie.
But she really didn't dare say Takashi was handsome.
If she did, Nino would definitely insist on joining their morning runs next time.
Takashi was the kind of guy who left a deep impression on every girl who met him.
And Nino was already beautiful, had great presence, and knew how to dress well—what if Takashi ended up liking her?
Would that mean she couldn't run with him anymore?
Would Takashi stop needing her?
She didn't want that.
Just imagining Takashi running with Nino while she could only watch from afar made her heart sink.
She didn't even feel like eating anymore.
Yotsuba wasn't greedy. She wasn't the type to hoard everything and refuse to share.
But she did hope—just this once—that there could be something she didn't have to share with her sisters.
Something that belonged only to her.
"Oh."
Hearing Yotsuba say the guy looked average, Nino instantly lost interest.
She was a sucker for looks.
She wasn't interested in average-looking guys.
Don't even talk to her about looking beyond appearances—she couldn't.
'So... he must be pretty handsome, huh?'
Ichika noticed Yotsuba's wandering gaze and immediately realized she was lying.
That's the thing—those who know you best are always the ones closest to you.
Because they were so familiar, just one glance, one movement, and Ichika knew exactly what Yotsuba was thinking.
At the same time, she grew a little curious about Kuro's owner.
She really wanted to know what kind of guy would make Yotsuba lie just to hide him.
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