< Chapter 4 >

Tap. When I gently pressed the surface, the puppy in the mirror raised its paw to meet mine. Even the paw pads, pink mixed with black, were exactly like Seori’s.

‘What in the world…’

Could it really be you, Seori, who turned me into this?

The more I stared at my reflection, the less real it felt, my vision clouding like mist.

No matter how much I’d begged, you never once appeared in my dreams.

‘Well, at least there’s one good thing about being a dog.’

At least now, I could see you again, even if like this.

‘But why the puppy version?’

No wonder the chairman hadn’t recognized me. He’d only met Seori after she’d grown up.

I didn’t know how long I’d been sitting there when I suddenly noticed Seok Haewon in the mirror behind me, his expression dumbfounded.

His brows furrowed as he muttered, half-serious, half-baffled.

“Can dogs have narcissism too?”

I tilted my head, trying to understand. Then I caught sight of my reflection and realized what he meant.

I’d been gazing lovingly at myself, paw on the mirror, like some sentimental fool. Okay, maybe it did look that way.

“Calm down. You’re not that kind of dog,” he said.

‘What’s wrong with my Seori?’

From now on, any insult toward me counts as an insult toward Dog Seori.

I narrowed my eyes and followed his movement.

Haewon sat down on the edge of the bed, towel-drying his wet hair. His T-shirt clung slightly to his body, showing a faint outline of muscles.

I quickly ducked behind the potted plant again. He wasn’t even an athlete, so how on earth did he end up built like that?

‘He looks taller too.’

Maybe it was because it’d been so long since I’d seen him, or maybe because I’d gotten smaller.

The moment I poked my head out again, our eyes met.

“How long are you going to hide and spy on me?”

Setting his phone down, he leaned back against the bed and gestured lazily.

“Come here. I’ll play with you since I’m feeling generous.”

No, thanks.

A low growl slipped out of me before I could stop it.

‘…That’s not good.’

As annoying as he was, he was the only person besides the chairman who knew I was here. Right now, he was my only link to communication.

‘At least bringing me to his room means he doesn’t hate animals.’

I covered my mouth with my paw to stop another growl, then cautiously walked closer to the bed. I waved a paw for attention, and Haewon tilted his head.

“You want to come up?”

Surprisingly, he picked me up with one hand and set me on the bed. Then he lay back on one arm, his dark eyes uncomfortably close to mine.

“Have we met before?”

He studied me closely, then tapped the tip of my nose with his finger.

“Why do you look so familiar?”

When his hand started to pull away, I quickly reached out and grabbed his finger between my paws.

‘Maybe… it’s because we have met before.’

The fact that he felt a sense of familiarity was a good sign. Maybe he’d recognize me soon.

Haewon paused, then lightly scratched my chin with his fingers.

“Want to play?”

His touch sent an odd sensation through me, like he was touching my real face, not fur. It was uncomfortable.

I avoided his hand and clapped my paws together. I needed him to focus.

‘Watch carefully.’

I’m about to play a game even you can understand. It’s called “Guess What I’m Saying.”

Once I caught his curious gaze, I pointed a paw at myself.

Me.

Then I began to trace letters on the bed sheet with my paw.

K
I
M

S
E
O
R
I.

After writing my name, I pressed my paw against my chest again.

Me.

‘Got it?’

Haewon stared blankly at me, his expression unreadable.

‘Why… why that face?’

His cold eyes made it impossible to tell what he was thinking. He looked angry, or maybe like he was holding something back.

Then, without warning, Haewon pulled me toward him. His face came close, and suddenly his lips brushed against my mouth before pulling away.

“You’re cute. Must be because you’re still a baby.”

A soft laugh slipped from his lips.

‘What?’

His thumb ruffled the fur on my head gently.

‘What?’

Every single hair on my body stood on end. My legs went weak, and I collapsed onto the bed.

‘My…’

I clamped my paw over my muzzle.

‘My…’

First kiss…

* * *

Winter sunlight streamed through the curtains, painting stripes across the floor. I blinked my puffy eyes, rubbing them with my paws.

‘When did I fall asleep?’

Oh right, my contaminated muzzle.

The memory of last night hit me, and I grimaced.

Because of Seok Haewon’s reckless attack on my mouth, I hadn’t even gotten to tell him I was Kim Seori.

‘Now how am I supposed to say it?’

Groaning, I lay sprawled out on the cushion before slowly lifting my head.

‘Come to think of it, where is everyone?’

Haewon was gone, and I was lying on a soft cushion.

“…”

The quiet made me feel strangely empty.

What was going to happen to me now?

Even if I revealed who I was, I doubted Haewon would help. Knowing his personality, he’d probably just tease me endlessly.

I shook my head hard enough to make my ears flap.

‘At least it’s not the worst situation.’

This house was safe compared to the streets, and I didn’t need to worry about school since it was winter break.

‘I just need to find a way to turn back into a human.’

If I’d become a dog somehow, there had to be a way to become human again.

‘Did Haewon go out?’

I stepped into the hallway, my paws tapping lightly against the marble floor. The house looked luxurious but felt oddly cold.

After a short walk, I reached the door that led to the living room. I hesitated, gripping the frame, and peeked out.

‘Make sure that dog doesn’t come up to the second floor.’

Everyone here seemed to hate me. Maybe I should wait for Haewon or the chairman instead.

Before I could decide, a shadow fell over me. Haewon’s mother stood there, holding a cup of coffee.

“Ma’am, where did this dog come from?” she asked coolly.

Her eyes narrowed.

“Oh my, it must’ve come from Haewon’s room.”

The woman in the apron quickly picked me up. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I tried to make sure it wouldn’t come out before you left for work.”

“It’s fine, Ms. Kwon.”

Turning away from me, Haewon’s mother called to a man standing nearby. He was broad-shouldered, wearing a black suit, and looked to be in his late thirties.

“Take the dog out.”

“What?”

What?

The man and I both looked at her in alarm.

“Isn’t that the puppy the chairman brought home himself yesterday? He’ll be furious if it goes missing.”

“My father’s whims change every other day. He barely visits anyway, so he’ll forget soon enough.”

I struggled in Ms. Kwon’s arms, opening my mouth, but only faint whines came out.

Haewon’s mother grabbed her bag from the table and held out a hand.

“Give me the car keys. I’ll drive myself today. Ms. Kwon, handle this before you head to the office.”

“But ma’am, it’s…” The man hesitated, voice stiff with unease. “Abandoning a dog is wrong.”

A direct hit.

“Who said anything about abandoning it on the street? There are plenty of other ways to get rid of it.”

“It’s still wrong.”

“…”

“I won’t do it.”

Haewon’s mother smiled faintly and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“I like that you’re a good man, Mr. Kwon…”

Her smile vanished.

“But if you want to keep working under me, you’ll need to learn to be flexible.”

“Ma’am…”

Without even glancing at me, she said coldly,

“Do it. Now.”

* * *

Mr. Kwon, as he was called, brought me to a bench near a busy street.

A tough-looking man and a miserable puppy sat side by side.

People passing by couldn’t help but look. Though truthfully, most of their attention was on Mr. Kwon.

‘Can’t really blame them.’

With his broad shoulders and the scar cutting across one eyebrow, he looked more like a gangster than a secretary.

Bzzz.

His phone buzzed loudly, and he raised it to his ear.

“Yes, this is Mr. Kwon speaking. Who’s calling?”

My ears perked up, listening carefully.

“This is the animal shelter. Ah, yes, I did leave a message.”

Shelter.

My heart dropped like a stone.

“I have a stray puppy with me. Yes, yes. Found on the street, apparently. It’s my first time handling this sort of thing, what should I do?”

[……?]

“I can’t bring it home. I have an old cat. What? Oh, yes, I understand.”

While he was distracted on the phone, I slowly stood up and leapt off the bench. My legs were weak, and I hit my chin on the ground.

Ow.

Rubbing my jaw, I glanced at him. He was still talking.

‘I can’t go to a shelter.’

There would only be strangers there, and in this body, I wouldn’t even be able to escape.

And if I didn’t turn back into a human or get adopted in time…

‘…Euthanasia.’

Horror froze my heart. Without thinking, I bolted.

“Wait, what—”

His startled voice faded behind me.

“I’ll call you back. Hey, wait! Puppy!”

My paws hit the ground hard as I ran with everything I had.

After Grandma died, Seori was gone too, as if the world had taken everything from me one by one.

‘I don’t want to die like this.’

After all the pain and loss I’d survived, after all the strength it took to keep going.

My vision blurred with tears and fear. Only one thought filled my head.

‘I have to run.’

As far away as I can.