"Haaaa~..."
Reclined at her desk, Tsubaki sighed with regret. She couldn't get the image of the black dog out of her mind.
That little one had been with her for a whole year. Whenever something bad happened or some accident occurred, that little dog was always by her side. Each time, it pulled her out of danger. Ever since it saved her parents, her daily life had been plagued by bad luck, experiencing various accidents at first—minor ones like falls and bruises.
However, her accidents worsened a year later, precisely when the black dog reappeared in her life.
Her mishaps became more severe, some endangering her life. That's why her room, as well as her house, underwent significant changes to enhance safety.
Yet, that black dog had saved her from being hit by a car and even from potentially fatal falls.
That black dog was her protector...
This was also why she still attended school. For some reason, the school seemed to be the safest place. Since she entered this school, there had been no accidents. This fact had been verified many times. So, Tsubaki relaxed; this school was her sacred place.
And she gradually learned to live with this bad luck.
"What's wrong, Tsubaki-san? You look more troubled than usual."
Seeing Tsubaki more downcast than usual, her two good friends approached. One had chestnut-colored hair with two long sideburns reaching her shoulders. Her skin was fair, and her eyes were brown. She wore a purple shirt and blue jeans, with small bandages around her face. This girl was Hinata Hino.
"Is it love? If it is, spill the beans, Kasugano-san!"
The other girl had light purple, very long hair, and wore a white beret. She dressed in an orange apron with two buttons on the chest, a white blouse, and a red skirt. She spoke while looking at Tsubaki with her beautiful aquamarine eyes. This girl was Mao Nonosaka.
Seeing the familiar silhouettes of these two girls, a smile formed on Tsubaki's face. These two girls were the only ones who still stuck by her.
Tsubaki's bad luck was well-known, so many of her friends had been injured over the past year. As a result, almost everyone avoided her like a plague, making these two the only ones who didn't mind staying with her.
"Alright, everyone, take your seats. The class is about to start.... Oh? I almost forgot. Due to safety concerns, I've been informed that you shouldn't stay out too late at night and should return home in groups. There's a serial killer in this area... Well, that's all."
After chatting with her two friends for a few minutes, the teacher entered the classroom, starting another new period...
This triggered another silent conversation among the students. They had heard about this serial killer on television, so the teacher's warning didn't surprise them. It was terrifying, especially since women were his targets. Just mentioning it sent shivers down their spines, especially as they had also heard that his victims were often dismembered and tortured. The killer was undoubtedly a madman.
(Serial killer... huh?)
Especially for Tsubaki, she didn't know why, but her head hurt when they mentioned the killer, as if she knew him.
Unfortunately for Tsubaki, she couldn't remember...
---
"I'm surprised, really... to see Pochi still coming every day."
"That dog is very intelligent..."
After class, both Mao and Hinata approached Tsubaki, who happily walked home with them.
However, the duo was surprised to see a large black dog at the school entrance.
In these two years, the little puppy Tsubaki had met had disappeared, replaced now by this adult dog.
Every day, this dog was Tsubaki's guardian, dropping her off at school in the morning and appearing at dismissal time to accompany her home.
This was the routine of this dog...
This surprised Hinata a lot because even her father's dogs weren't as smart as this dog. And honestly, she was a bit envious because she had witnessed this dog save Tsubaki from danger more than once.
This dog was the light, exuding a friendly aura that made it very special.
If Tsubaki had bad luck, then this dog was good luck, counteracting the bad.
This dog, like Tsubaki, was well-known in the school, but unlike Tsubaki, the dog was very popular. Its fur was shiny, and it smelled really good, similar to a giant scented plushie. Hence, it quickly gained the affection of the girls, who petted and hugged it.
"Pochi is as popular as ever..."
Smiling with a hand on her cheek, Mao watched as a pink-haired girl caressed the dog.
"Pochi... Traitor."
On the other hand, Tsubaki pouted. Pochi is her dog, so she couldn't help but feel jealous. This ungrateful dog always wags its tail whenever it sees a pretty girl.
"Jealous? Hahaha, did Pochi change his owner?"
Seeing Tsubaki's pout, Hinata couldn't help but laugh. After all, she understood Tsubaki; when your pet is closer to someone else than to you, it leaves you lost and empty.
It's the love they have for their pets.
*Woof... Woof...
The dog called 'Pochi,' on the other hand, wagged its tail while enjoying the pink-haired girl's caresses.
"Good dog... You smell nice~"
The girl, like the dog, also enjoyed the furry giant's coat. Just like a plushie, its fur was so soft that she couldn't help but smile.
She also lamented a bit as she saw the dog's collar, symbolizing that this dog had an owner.
"Pochi... What a nice name... You know, my name is Yuno Gasai, let's be friends~"
*Woof... Woof...
Agreeing with a nod, the dog barked and licked the girl's cheek.
"Hehe, that's enough, enough... You're tickling me."
Watching this scene of a pretty girl hugging a giant dog, the boys couldn't help but take a second look. After all, this isn't something you see every day.
But to all of this, Tsubaki looked at them with cold eyes...
"Pochi, it's time to go..."
Snorting coldly, Tsubaki looked at the giant silhouette of the dog and decided to ignore it.
This playful dog...
"How sad, your owner is calling you. Can we play together tomorrow?"
*Woof, woof...
As if understanding Yuno's words, the dog barked and licked her cheek, causing more tickles.
"Yuno-chan is having fun too..."
"That's right, Pochi is popular..."
"Hmp! Traitor dog."
With smiles on their faces, the duo separated from Tsubaki, while the latter watched her dog continue to lick Yuno's face.
"Pochi!"
*Woof, woof...
Reluctant to part ways,Yuno hugged the fluffy dog one last time before letting go. This dog was really good to her.
Unfortunately, it had an owner. Even though she knew that Tsubaki's owner was famous for bad luck, this dog was famous for being a hero.
*Woof, woof...
"Hmp."
Trying to find the bright side of its owner, the dog approached. Tsubaki, snorting with coldness, looked away. However, the dog didn't give up; it stood on its hind legs, licking its owner's face.
"I get it already! Enough! I'll buy you some sweets on the way!"
As if satisfied with Tsubaki's response, the dog returned to walking on all fours.
Shaking her head, Tsubaki had no choice but to pull out the leash from her bag and tie it around her pet's neck, then they headed away from the school.
Another day had ended...
However, what she didn't know was that a pair of eyes were watching her from a distance...
And from the dangerous gleam in those eyes, the intentions were not good.
---
TN: Nah i ain't reading this. if there any translation error point out plx also just around 40 chapters for this volume to be done next will be Naruto again he got unfinished business there afterall