“I’m home…” Yumiko said as she entered the house.

“...arf! Arf arf!” “Shhh! You’ll spoil the surprise!”

‘..that sound...’ Yumiko managed to think before a flustered Daichi rushed out to see her.

“You’re home a little early,” she said, looking at him from top to toe in his usual outfit of collar shirt and jeans, paired with a blue apron.

“So are you, Yumiko. I was making dinner already. Come help me in the kitchen,” Daichi said, holding her hand and leading her there.

Yumiko looked around the living room for signs of the sound she heard earlier. ‘Nothing out of the ordinary. Looks like he's in a good mood today.'

"Mmm....seafood baked rice?" she asked, pointing to the cut ingredients. Taking a whiff of the smell of food, her stomach grumbled. Yumiko moved about to clean up the mess after him, wanting to keep her shaking hands busy.

"Mmhmm...I've been wanting to cook again so I closed the shop a little early to get home," Daichi said, putting the final touches before letting it cook for a few more minutes in the oven to get that crisp brown cheesy texture he always liked.

"...arf! Woof!" came the sound again.

"Is...that...?" Yumiko started, leaning her head out of the kitchen, looking into the hallway towards the rooms.

Daichi released a huge sigh. 'Darn it,' he thought.

"I was going to show it to you after dinner but since he's made himself known, I guess I better let him out. Come...and close your eyes. No peeking!" Daichi took Yumiko's hands and slowly maneuvered her to the direction of the sound.

"Are your eyes still closed?"

"Yes."

"Good." He let go of her and she was left standing, grasping at air.

"...Daichi?"

A fleeting kiss on the lips with a whispered “Surprise” and she opened one eye in curiousity.

In front of her was her grinning Daichi holding up a cute looking puppy with the biggest eyes she'd ever seen.

"He's ours. I know you eye the dogs that come over to the shop in envy. One of my regular customers had a friend whose dog gave birth a few months ago and they're still looking for an owner for him." Placing the dog carefully in her arms, he continued.

"I told him that my girlfriend might like him. That's why he's here."

Placing him on the floor, Yumiko looked on in delight when he started chasing his tail, turning back to bark at her before resuming his play.

"Arf! Arf! Woof!" He then laid down and rolled on his back for her as she scratched his side.

The dog, of Shih Tzu breed, was purely white, with small patches of black and brown. When Daichi approached her, the dog got up and growled before backing down when she scratched him behind the ears.

'..such a softie, my little boy. Are you protecting me?'

"I thought we could call him Jojo," Daichi said.

"No," Yumiko replied, not looking up. "I'll call him...Kaiji."