Chapter 15

The sun had barely risen when chaos already had a name—and it was Kuma.

“Jennie, hold him properly!”

“I am holding him properly!” Jennie Kim shot back, clutching her tiny, overly excited Pomeranian as he yapped like he owned the entire street.

Beside her, Lisa Manoban was being dragged literally dragged by Love, her large Doberman, who had already decided that today was the perfect day to sprint like she was in an Olympic race.

“Love, NO this is a WALK, not a marathon!” Lisa groaned, her sneakers scraping against the pavement as she tried to regain control.

Kuma barked louder.

Love barked back.

And just like that, the peaceful morning turned into a full-blown dog argument.

“See? They’re communicating!” Jennie said proudly.

“They’re not communicating, they’re declaring war!” Lisa snapped, finally managing to plant her feet and pull Love closer.

Kuma wriggled out of Jennie’s arms and landed on the ground like a fluffy missile.

“KUMA!”

Too late.

The tiny Pomeranian charged straight toward Love.

Lisa froze. “Oh no…”

Jennie froze harder. “Oh no no…”

Love lowered her head.

Kuma barked.

Love sniffed.

Kuma barked louder.

And then unexpectedly Love wagged her tail.

There was a beat of silence.

“…They’re…friends?” Jennie whispered.

Kuma suddenly zoomed in circles around Love, who began playfully chasing him.

Leashes tangled.

Feet tangled.

And within seconds—

“AHH!”

Jennie tripped.

Lisa tried to catch her.

They both fell.

Right onto the grass.

The dogs? Completely fine. Still playing like it was the best day of their lives.

Lisa groaned, lying flat on her back. “We are never doing this again.”

Jennie, sprawled half on top of her, burst into laughter. “You say that every time.”

Lisa turned her head, eyes softening despite everything. “Because every time ends like this.”

Jennie lifted herself slightly, brushing grass off Lisa’s shoulder only to smear more onto her instead.

“Hey!” Lisa protested.

“Oops,” Jennie giggled, completely unapologetic.

For a moment, everything slowed down—the chaos, the barking, the tangled mess of leashes. It was just them. Close. Laughing.

Lisa reached up, gently tucking a strand of Jennie’s hair behind her ear. “You’re lucky I love you.”

Jennie smirked. “You’re obsessed with me.”

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

Before Lisa could argue, Kuma jumped onto Jennie’s back.

“Oof—Kuma!”

And Love, not wanting to be left out, plopped herself right next to Lisa, practically sitting on her legs.

Lisa blinked. “I can’t feel my feet.”

Jennie laughed harder, burying her face into Lisa’s shoulder. “This is your fault.”

“How is this my fault?!”

“You wanted a ‘peaceful morning walk.’”

Lisa sighed dramatically. “I was delusional.”

The dogs barked again this time happily.

Jennie looked up, her eyes soft and fond. “You still want to go home?”

Lisa glanced at the two dogs, now chasing each other in messy circles… then back at Jennie, who was still half lying on top of her, smiling like this was the best thing ever.

“…Five more minutes,” Lisa said.

Jennie grinned. “Knew it.”

Lisa wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer despite the grass, the chaos, and the two chaotic furballs running wild beside them.

“Next time,” Lisa muttered, “we’re just staying in bed.”

Jennie hummed, resting her head against Lisa’s chest. “We say that every time too.”

And yet—

They both knew they wouldn’t change a thing.