Momo trudged up the stone steps to school, trying—and failing—to ignore the persistent padding of paws behind her. She glanced over her shoulder, groaning when she saw Plosort, still happily trotting along at her heels.
"Please, you can't just walk right into school," Momo whispered harshly, glancing around to make sure no one saw her talking to a dog. "It's not allowed. Plus, it's weird!"
"As I told you, I must remain near you at all times," Plosort replied calmly, its voice slipping directly into her mind. "Your safety is paramount and I sense the entity's influence."
Momo winced. "The entity's influence? I'd love to see it combat Mrs. Mizuno. Go wait somewhere. You're a dog—people will freak out if they see you wandering around the school."
"Nonsense. Humans find this form endearing," Plosort said confidently, wagging its tail.
"That's not the point, it's totally against the rules to bring pets... or pests," Momo muttered, but Plosort didn't seem interested in listening.
As they reached the entrance, Momo spotted Clara waiting just inside the doors. Clara was practically bouncing in place, her blonde waves bobbing as she waved enthusiastically. "Momo! There you are!"
Clara's energy hit like a truck as soon as Momo stepped inside. She braced herself as her friend rushed over, a bright smile lighting up her face.
"I thought you were going to be late again!" Clara chirped in her usual chipper tone, her American accent making her Japanese sound strangely twangy. "Did you oversleep? You always look so tired in the mornings. Maybe you need, like, vitamins or something. Or more coffee! I heard there's this new café opening downtown that sells—"
"Clara," Momo interrupted, raising a hand. "You're blabbering again."
"Right! Sorry!" Clara said, flashing an apologetic smile. "I just—oh my gosh!" Her already pretty giant blue eyes widened even further, and she clasped her hands together. "Is that a shiba inu?!"
Momo stiffened as Clara's gaze locked onto Plosort. Before she could stop her, Clara darted forward, crouching down to shower the "dog" with affection.
"Look at you, you adorable little fluffball!" Clara cooed, scratching Plosort behind the ears. "Whose dog is this? Is he yours, Momo? You never told me you had a pet!"
"He's not mine," Momo said quickly, shooting a glare at Plosort.
"It is more like you are mine," Plosort said calmly, still telepathically.
"Shut up," Momo hissed under her breath, her face burning.
"What was that?" Clara asked, looking up.
"Nothing!" Momo said, forcing a strained smile. "He's… just a stray. Followed me here. Weird, right?"
"A stray?" Clara frowned. "Do you think he's lost?" She addressed Plosort, massaging his ears. "Are you lost, cutie? Do you wanna come home with me?"
Plosort wagged his tail. "This one has excellent energy," he said, tilting his head at Clara. "She is less cynical than you, Momo. Much more friendly and open."
"Great," Momo muttered. "She just doesn't know that you're a weird alien-dog thing yet."
Clara blinked. "Alien-dog thing? What are you talking about?"
"Nothing!" Momo said quickly. "I meant—uh, he's like an alien. You know, 'cause he's so… weirdly fluffy."
"Fluffy and adorable," Clara said, practically squealing as she hugged Plosort. "Oh, I wish I could keep him. My dad would love him! He'd probably get along great with Jojo! Do you think he knows any tricks?"
Jojo was Clara's dad's husky, the loudest and most neurotic dog Momo had ever met. He played a significant part in Clara's father's cringy youtube videos.
Momo rolled her eyes. The thought of inflicting Jojo on Plosort held some appeal, but who knew what the alien would do to a real canine. "Yeah, his best trick is talking straight into your brain and ruining your life."
Plosort's ears perked up. "I could demonstrate my telepathic abilities for this Clara. She seems receptive."
"Don't you dare," Momo snapped, glaring at him.
Clara tilted her head, clearly confused. "Are you okay, Momo? You're acting kind of… twitchy this morning."
"I'm fine," Momo said through gritted teeth.
Before Clara could press further, a group of students walked past, throwing glances in Momo's direction. She heard a faint giggle and whispered murmurs: "What's wrong with her? Did she bring her dog? Such a weirdo."
Momo's jaw tightened, her shoulders hunching as she looked down at her shoes. She'd known this wouldn't go well. Sooner or later someone would alert a teacher to Plosort's presence and then she'd get into real trouble.
Clara must have noticed her discomfort, because she stood up, brushing off her skirt. "Hey, don't let them bother you," she said brightly. "They're just jealous they don't have a cute dog following them around."
Momo forced a small smile. "Yeah, maybe." Although the truth was that she would have wished her doggie stalker on literally anyone else.
"Come on," Clara said, grabbing her arm. "Let's get to class. You can't be late again, or Mrs. Mizuno will totally lecture you in front of everyone. And you know how awkward that is."
Momo did know because this had happened twice already and each time she'd felt like a complete idiot. She allowed herself to be dragged toward the lockers where they kept their school shoes, but Plosort trailed after them, his steps light and deliberate, his head swiveling left and right as he scanned their surroundings. He really did act as though he was on an important mission.
"Are you seriously following me to my classroom?" Momo hissed over her shoulder.
"I must remain vigilant," Plosort replied, his telepathic tone calm. "The entity could strike at any time."
Clara glanced back at the sound of Momo muttering again. "Seriously, Momo, are you okay? You've been acting kinda weird ever since you got here."
"I'm fine," Momo said quickly, shooting Plosort a look. "Just… stressed. I mean, I can't bring him to class, but he just won't go away."
Clara frowned. But when she looked at Plosort, she couldn't keep a straight face. Her expression instantly shifted to one of pure adoration. "He's such a sweetie and he seems to really have taken a shine to you." She sighed wistfully. "I'm totally jealous!"
Momo dragged a hand down her face as Plosort sat down and watched them while they put their outside shoes away and slipped into their school shoes. "Clara, get real! I cannot bring a dog to class! I have to stash him somewhere, like a closet or..." She looked at her locker. There was no way the shiba inu would fit which was a pity because she liked the idea of shoving him in, just to get a break from the madness.
"A closet? He's a living being, Momo! He needs a name and toys and lots of love! Although..." Clara hesitated. "Maybe he already belongs to someone and his family is missing him? Perhaps we should make flyers and put something up online as well? So he can be reunited with his owners?"
Momo bit her lip. That would be a true waste of time, since she knew for a fact that no one in the world missed this crazy alien creature.
"Maybe," she said vaguely. "But for now he really needs to wait outside." She shot the dog a dirty look. Plosort cocked his head as if he didn't understand every word. Then, suddenly, as another group of students filed in and started to change shoes, he stiffened, his ears flattened and his nose twitched.
"The entity..." For once, Plosort's eerie voice was low. Momo felt a strange sort of tension in the air, the kind of eerie feeling she got right before an earthquake slithered through her. "It's here," she heard the dog announce.