Chapter 2

The apartment was unusually quiet—too quiet for a place that usually echoed with laughter, music, and the occasional chaos brought on by four global superstars.

Today, it was just Jennie Kim, her beloved dog Kuma, and a brewing storm.

“Well, maybe if someone didn’t spoil him so much, he wouldn’t act like this!” Lalisa Manoban crossed her arms, standing in the middle of the living room, eyes fixed on the tiny brown Pomeranian who was currently chewing on what used to be her favorite hoodie.

Jennie gasped, rushing over. “Kuma! No!” She gently pried the fabric from his mouth, cradling him like he was the victim instead of the culprit. “Lisa! Don’t yell at him!”

“I’m not yelling at him—I’m yelling at you!” Lisa shot back, pointing accusingly. “You let him get away with everything. Look at this!” She held up the hoodie, now full of tiny teeth marks.

Jennie frowned, hugging Kuma closer. “He’s just a baby…”

“He’s not a baby, Jennie. He’s a criminal,” Lisa muttered, pacing around. “Last week he stole my socks. Now this. What’s next? My passport?”

Jennie tried to suppress a smile but failed. “Okay, that’s a little dramatic.”

Lisa stopped and stared at her. “Dramatic? Jennie, I loved this hoodie.”

There was a pause. Kuma blinked innocently between them, tail wagging as if he were enjoying the tension.

Jennie sighed, her voice softening. “I’ll buy you a new one.”

“That’s not the point,” Lisa said, quieter now. “It’s just… you always take his side.”

Jennie looked down at Kuma, then back at Lisa. “Because he doesn’t understand.”

“And I do?” Lisa raised an eyebrow.

“…Yes?”

Lisa tried to stay annoyed, but the corner of her lips twitched. “Unbelievable.”

Jennie stepped closer, still holding Kuma. “Hey… I’m sorry, okay? I know he can be a little… chaotic.”

“A little?” Lisa snorted.

“Okay, very chaotic,” Jennie admitted, laughing softly. “But he makes me happy.”

Lisa’s expression softened immediately at that. She glanced at Kuma, who was now trying to lick Jennie’s chin. “Yeah… I get that.”

There was a brief silence before Lisa sighed, walking over and crouching down. “Come here, you tiny menace.”

Kuma tilted his head—then jumped right into Lisa’s arms without hesitation.

Lisa blinked. “Oh. So now you like me?”

Jennie grinned. “See? He’s apologizing.”

“He’s not apologizing,” Lisa said, but she was already scratching behind Kuma’s ears. “He’s manipulating me.”

“Same thing,” Jennie teased.

Lisa rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. “Fine. But if he eats anything else of mine—”

“I’ll train him better,” Jennie promised quickly.

“You said that last time.”

“This time I mean it.”

Lisa looked at her for a moment, then smirked. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

Jennie laughed, nudging her shoulder. “And you’re lucky Kuma likes you.”

Kuma barked happily, as if agreeing.

Lisa glanced down at him, then back at Jennie, her expression soft and fond. “Yeah… I guess I am.”

The argument faded just as quickly as it came, replaced by quiet laughter, a slightly ruined hoodie, and one very spoiled dog nestled comfortably between them.