Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko. Volume 13 Chapter 4

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I Am a Puppy

I am a puppy. As yet I have no name. I’ve no idea where I was born. All I remember is that I was barking in a damp, dark place when—

“Are you okay?”

For the first time, I saw a human being. This human being—Yokodera Youto as I learned afterwards—was a member of the most ferocious human species; a very kind and sincere person. I hear that, on occasion, this species catches dogs and cats, grants them food, washes them, and helps search for a home for them.¹

“If you don’t have a parent or an owner, would you like to stay over at my place?” He went down on one knee, looked me in the eyes, and talked to me.

It was at a time I had trouble opening my eyes fully, so I couldn’t make proper judgement, but I could tell from his tone of voice that he held sincere and kind intentions. Puppies can pick up on such things.

—Woof, woof…

The second I gave a response, he put me on his palm and carried me away. Resting there made me feel warm and secure. It was like I had come home after a long day. A bit of time passed, until eventually—

“I’m back! I’ll be using the bath really quick!”

I realized that I was carried to what was probably his home. I was put down on a towel on the floor, which caused me to shiver from the sudden change in temperature. Since my voice echoed loudly, I figured that I was locked inside something like a rabbit cage. The air around me felt damp.

“I’ll warm you up really quick, so wait just a second longer.” Along with his comforting voice, I heard the sound of water dripping on the floor.

I jumped up on reflex, but my neck was grabbed, and I was pushed on the ground. It felt like this human was used to it. If I had to guess, I wasn’t the only puppy he’s brought here. And then warm water was splashed on my head. I quickly closed my eyes, and my neck was tickled, my back rubbed, and my entire body was treated kindly. The odd sensation of being washed sent shivers down my body, and it felt much better than I could have imagined.

Now that I thought about it, being grabbed by the neck didn’t feel that bad either. If anything, I felt at ease knowing that my body was being restrained. It made me feel like I would awaken to something.

—Woof…

My front legs, my back legs, my head and behind, I left it all to the hands touching me. Not to mention that I had started sticking out my tongue, as if I was asking for more.

“Then I’ll continue with your tummy, okay.” He told me with a sweet voice, and turned me around on the towel.

I ended up laying upwards, facing Yokodera Youto. Thanks to that, I could finally see the face of the boy. An odd sensation assaulted me.

—Huh? Doesn’t he look a lot like my classmate?

A classmate of a puppy? What’s that supposed to mean? Logic spoke against my previous thought, and yet the thought didn’t leave my mind. I was just staring at the boy in front of me. At the same time, he stared down at me.

“Ah, you’re a girl, huh?”

—Woof?

“I see, so that’s what it looks like… Very interesting…”

—W-Woof?

He had the eyes of a scientist as he touched my stomach. He spread my legs open, closely inspecting me down there. Slowly but steadily—the fog filling my head started to clear.

The person right in front of me was Yokodera Youto, a fellow student at my school. I was currently inside the Yokodera Household’s bath. I was a second-year at high school, my name was… No, that doesn’t matter right now. More importantly, why am I laying on my back like a frog, showing off all my private places, and yet f-feel so good—?

“Then, I’ll wash you off, okay~”

“Kyauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun!?”

—Hyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Then, for the first time, Azuki Azusa woke up, and realized that she was being treated like a puppy.

*

Dashing out of the Yokodera Household plagued by embarrassment and pleasure at the same time, Azuki Azusa was now walking through the residential district. Apparently, she had managed to lose Yokodera Youto—a fellow student at her school she had got to know last year.

With a lower view than usual, since I was on all fours, I took a calm stroll.

“Mama, look how cute! It’s a puppy!”

“You’re right. Maybe it ran away during its walk…”

Hearing a mother and child talk about me, I started to speed up. That’s right. I apparently look like a puppy to everyone else. Though I still feel like an average highschool girl. While I was walking down the street, passing the domino houses, I spotted a row of cars. After working hard to see myself in the car mirror, I saw myself—undoubtedly a toy poodle.

My hands and feet were small enough to fit into a teacup. My tail was fairly short as well, but my ears were large. My fur was apricot-colored, short all over, like it had been taken care of properly. I thought I looked cute.

“Grrr…”

—But what is this stumpy appearance?! Could I not have turned into a smarter and bigger puppy?

Thinking that, Azuki Azusa shook her head. She respected all dogs. Bulldogs, pugs, they are all cute, and all are allowed to enjoy their lives as much as every other—However, she was a human being, so this was clearly a problem.

It said in all the animal manga she read that you shouldn’t judge people based on their appearance. Thus, she tried standing on two legs in an attempt to seem more like a human being, but after walking for two three steps, she reached her limit.

“Woof…”

—I can’t… Also, why is it so hot…?

The evening summer sun shone down on the ground, and since she was closer to the asphalt, the heat reached her body much more directly. Sticking out her tongue, letting it flap in the breeze, it felt a bit cooler. Thus, she ran around with her tongue in the wide open, her behind shaking left and right to generate as much air as possible.

To remind you, she was still naked. From head to paw, she was going full puppy style—However, she wasn’t even aware of that. The fur on her body made it feel like she was wearing clothes. Naturally, if one brushed away that fur, one would encounter bare skin, like Yokodera Youto had seen previously—

“Kyaaaaaoon!” Remembering that forbidden pleasure, she raised a howl.

However, to her ears, it didn’t sound like howling in the slightest.

“Woof…”

Sadly, she had no other choice but to accept that she had turned into a dog. Not to mention that she had seen this toy poodle around her neighbourhood before. Of course, she wanted to get along with it, but not to the point of wishing to become the animal itself. Just what had happened for her to end up like this? For how long had she even been a puppy? Confused about everything, she could only walk towards the sun.

However, she could consider herself lucky for arriving at the main street, carried by her four limbs. There was the familiar bus stop, and the all-too-familiar bus drove up to it. She hopped onto it after a blind person with their guiding dog. She sat down next to them like she was an apprentice, so nobody suspected a thing.

The train station was even easier. Up the elevator, slip past the ticket gate, and although a few people took pictures of her, nobody bothered stopping her. If anything, the gap between the train and the platform was the biggest problem. Jumping over it, she sat next to the door, not moving an inch. Through this, she made it back to her own territory—Her territory being the town next to Yokodera’s.

It only took a few stops to reach her destination, and after a few minutes of walking, she arrived at the shared-housing area. Her home was on the fourth floor of a particular building. Walking as a dog tired her out quite a bit. Sighing at the idea of being forced to climb up the stairs, she came to the parking lot of the building, when a familiar scent drifted to her nose.

She didn’t even have to look over to be able to tell, thanks to her dog nose. It came from the shadows of the building.

“Oh my oh my, it’s a puppy!”

“Nu…”

It was her parents. They must have been out shopping, as her Papa was carrying large shopping bags, her Mama supporting him from the back. These two were as close as ever. They met each other in high school, and apparently got married as university students. Azuki Azusa was probably conceived shortly after. Thanks to that, she was pretty used to seeing them lovey-dovey, and she even spent many nights reading such comic magazines—but that didn’t matter right now.

She shook her head and walked towards her parents.

“Woof! Woof woof!”

—Listen, Papa!

“Woo… woo…”

—Mama, something terrible happened!

She rubbed herself against her parents in order like she always would.

“My oh my, did that happen…” Mother Azuki looked down at the puppy, and gently rubbed its head.

“…Nu!” Father Azuki made a strained expression like a bear, but his eyes were filled with kindness.

It was the same family as always, the scenery she was all too used to. She felt relief deep inside of her, but that swiftly vanished when her mother removed her hand.

“You’re a clever puppy, but I’m sorry, we’re not allowed to have pets here.” She showed a troubled smile.

“…Woo?”

—Eh?

For a second, Azuki Azusa’s head turned blank.

“I’m sure A-chan would be very happy, but we have to keep our rules. You must have a home to return to as well.”

“Nu… Nu?”

“That’s right, maybe we should consider moving.We might as well gain a new family member.”

“Nu…”

“O-Oh my, Honey, you… But I think she would be happy about a new little sister or little brother.”

No matter how much she howled or jumped around, her parents were talking between themselves.

“Anyway, that’s how it is, so go back to your own home, okay?”

“Nu…Nunu…”

The two gently waved their hands, and walked into her own home that did not welcome Azuki Azusa. Her feet couldn’t reach them.

“…Wooo! Woof…”

She believed that, if it was her parents, they would understand her. No matter what she looked like, they would figure out that she was their daughter and take her home to safety—Even though she had no proof to assume that. She felt like she had fallen down into a deep abyss. She couldn’t move another step towards them.

*

She wandered around aimlessly. When she looked up, she found herself inside a deep forest. She was surrounded by trees, and no light reached her. She could only hear the faint chirping sounds of birds passing by. Her exhausted legs were drenched with dirt, and the leaves didn’t allow her to walk properly. She slowly grew paranoid that some wild dogs were stalking her.

“—Woo…”

—It’s over.

If this was a typical body-swapping story, then there would be an Azuki Azusa at her home, and nobody would come searching for her. Naturally, since she was left alone in the wilderness, a puppy like her had no hope of surviving. Eventually, she’d be attacked by a large wild dog, give birth to an entire soccer team, and never see the light of day. This forest would surely be her last destination.

“Woof…”

How could destiny be this cruel? Betrayed by the world, feeling the pain of suffering, she laid down on the ground.

“Oh? Oh my? Aren’t you looking quite exhausted.”

From above her, she heard a voice. When she lifted her head, she spotted a small silhouette at the top of a large tree. At first, she thought it was a tengu². After all, that silhouette was wearing sandals, even in this thick forest.

“You see, I³’ve been awfully bored in this world, so I figured I’d cross through this forest—” Eyes glared down at her, eyes belonging to a fairly young girl.

Her hair shone with the color of the Mediterrenean Sea, and it was tied up in twintails. Her round eyes were paired with healthy-colored cheeks. The one-piece she wore looked like it came from an expensive brand, making her look quite fashionable. No matter how you looked at it, she was a lovable grade school student, but her eyes were filled with an odd amount of arrogance.

—I know this girl, Azuki Azusa thought to herself.

It was Emanuela Pollarola. She got to know her last year, when a rabbit escaped from its cage. She was always energetic and playful. However—

“What a coincidence. I can see the thread of fate that has brought us together. You shall follow me.”

Was she always the type of girl to speak in such an odd fashion?

“Naturally, that only applies if such a beast as yours understands the words of your own God—” With the voice of an arrogant priest, the God inside Emanuela jumped off the branch with her sandal-wearing feet. “Ahh, with your small limbs, the best you can do is crawl along the ground, I see. Gods are beings that willingly step into the realm of man, so be thankful.”

Indeed, her movement looked like she was a tengu. She jumped from branch to branch, soaring through the sky as she made her way towards the ground.

“See, the holy dance of your Go—d?” Right at the last branch, her feet slipped. “Guho!?”

Her small legs opened to create a reverse Y-shape, and she slammed onto the branch, her body quivering.

“…Ah… U… Ogh…”

“W-Woof?”

—I-Is she okay?

Naturally, the god couldn’t understand Azuki Azusa’s worry. She just sat there quivering in pain.

“Oh… Fuh… Oooooooo…” Her mouth opened and closed like a goldfish waiting to be fed as she let out groans resembling a frog.

“Woo…”

—I guess she’s done for. There’s foam coming out of her mouth. Azuki Azusa thought, feeling quite sympathetic.

*

“Phew… so you’ve changed from a human into a dog, and you don’t remember the details about how it happened, right?”

“Woof! Woof woof!”

“As I do not know the way to turn you back, I am quite perturbed. That’s why you want to borrow the strength of the cat—No, the strength of a god, is that correct?”

“Woof!”

“Sheesh, humans have no limits to their greed.” Emi-god shrugged in exasperation.

She was still in her reverse Y-position, but on the ground. Her forehead was drenched with sweat, and she was heaving for air. Since she was still frozen still, not moving at all, Azuki Azusa had already pulled her down from the branch. Her thighs were still quivering left and right, so the damage must still be significant.

“…Woo…”

—Maybe licking it will help.

The kindest girl in the world, Azuki Azusa, started to gently lick the girl’s affected parts.

“Ofu… oh… ugh…” God Emi twisted and turned her upper body, letting out moans. “…Y-You can stop, it’s okay now.” She said and turned around. “I understood your intentions. I shall grant you my strength… So follow me.” After giving such an affectionate response, she started crawling away on all fours.

Like a fawn that had just been born, she moved forward through the bushes and high grass. Feeling slightly anxious watching her, Azuki Azusa followed with her small paws and legs.

From a human’s perspective, even this dark forest was nothing special. After walking for a bit they ran into the shrine grounds for the local shrine.

“Woof…?”

“Indeed, this is a place where the gods rest. It’s the divine territory of ‘Kidaten Shrine’. Well, it harbors a god of a different caliber than I, but it still allows me to calm down.” Emi-god sat down on the stone-paved stairs and let out a sigh.

Since she could fold her legs as she sat, she apparently had recovered from the previous fall.

“So then… um… your body has been switched, correct? My own mind has been pulled into that man’s body before, so I have experienced something similar.” Emi-god picked up Azuki Azusa and set her within her line of sight.

As if she was taking a deep look at her soul, she pressed her nose against Azuki Azusa’s. Through that, she felt her warmth.

“Hmm… I figured.”

A bit of time passed, and Emi-god let out a profound sigh.

“Let me be honest with you. I can’t do anything for you.”

“…Woof…?”

“After all, this phenomenon didn’t originate from us ourselves. Not to mention that this isn’t even a switching of bodies.” Emi-god sat upright and made a cynical smile. “Listen carefully. Your body has been transformed. Through methods unbeknownst to me, you have simply turned into a dog. That is all.” She licked her lips.

—Lick.

Azuki Azusa stuck out her tongue, licking Emi-god’s lips. After tasting it once, she couldn’t stop. Lick lick lick lick lick.

—It tastes like lemon!

“G-Gyanyaaaa!?” God Emi started blushing furiously, and she bolted upright.

Having fallen to the ground, Azuki Azusa’s body started to grow warm as well, most likely through embarrassment.

“W-What are you doing!? Were you just acting calm to get me to lower my guard, and then assault me like that Perverted Yokodera Sect!?”

“W-Woof!”

—Y-You’re wrong! I just did it instinctively! Whenever I feel someone close by, it makes me want to lick them!

“T-This was my first time that this has happened in this world… I thought I made sure to protect my chastity…” Emi-god started to grow teary-eyed, flailing her arms and legs up and down in protest. “You damned Yokodera Sect, how many more times do you need to embarrass me before you are satisfied…?” She grumbled like an average girl, burying her face inside the collar of her one-piece.

Azuki Azusa didn’t really understand what she was talking about (especially the ‘Yokodera Sect’ part), but Puppy Azusa could tell that the god had gone through some terrible things.

“…Wooof…” Azuki Azusa pressed her head on the ground, reflecting on her actions.

“…That’s enough. For crying out loud.” Emi-god wiped her lips with her fingers, and let out a long sigh. “I guess it would be natural for a dog to lick a human’s lips if they get the chance… And that is probably the answer to everything, Azuki Azusa.”

“…Woof?”

“Basically, you wanted to become like this. Someone who will be spoiled by others. It will allow you to kiss others easily, and will let you get along with everyone—A lovable puppy.” She said as she gently caressed Azuki Azusa’s fur.

No matter what, everything that was done to her felt good. Even to a level where she wanted to have her tummy rubbed like this.

“Woof… wooo…”

Giving in to the pleasure, Azuki Azusa didn’t even bother thinking about Emi-god’s previous statement.

‘Listen carefully. Your body has been transformed. Through methods unbeknownst to me, you have simply turned into a dog. That is all.’

She had just been told this, but it was already gone. Transformed? What is that?

“I have proof, too. Look at your collar.” God Emi’s tickling fingers rubbed Azuki Azusa’s neck.

—Ahh, this feels great!

“You might not even be aware of it, but you have a collar around your neck. It’s like a desire that you have to belong to someone.”

‘You have a home to return to.’

Mama Azuki had been aware of this when she gently caressed Azuki Azusa’s neck as well.

“However, it isn’t your average collar. To be more accurate, it is something that should not exist in this world. It came from a different one.”

—I see… I see? I understand everything! Because I’m a clever puppy!

“It is an item from a world that doesn’t exist here, and one that will never come. It’s a special collar that once contained one person’s facade, which was given to you.”

—Emi-god’s fingertips touching my fur feels amazing! Keep it up! A bit lower!

“I don’t know where you even got it from, but it sure is ironic. Something Yokodera Youto worked hard to erase in a different world now is plaguing you in this world.”

—Stronger! Play with me more! Control every part of my body!

“…Are you even listening?”

—I am! So don’t stop! I’ll do anything, woof! Make me feel even better!’

“Hm… I don’t believe you are, considering how you’re only focusing on pleasure right now.” Emi-god made a troubled smile and narrowed her eyes.

Even so, she continued tickling and scratching all sorts of places on Azuki Azusa’s body, who caused her tail to wag enthusiastically.

*

The setting sun painted the vicinity of the shrine a vibrant orange. Long shadows stretched along the ground, stretching from the large shrine gates, turning the stone stairs black. It wouldn’t take long before the entire shrine area was wrapped in darkness.

“I’ll be going back to my home now. What do you plan on doing?” God Emi poked at Azuki Azusa’s fluffy cheeks.

Worn out from all the pleasure she had felt, Azuki Azusa had curled up on Emi’s small lap.

“If you decide to search for a way to turn back, it’ll take time, and the night is long. You should probably search for a safe space to rest, or you’ll be in trouble.”

“…Wooof?”

“Since you can’t return to your home, you have several choices. For example, I could separate from my current vessel, and have her take care of you. She’s the girl who even took in a wild rabbit after all.”

“Woof, woof woof.”

“I see, so you knew about that. Then you should be fine following her. If not, then you should be fine staying over a night at the Tsutsukakushi Household as well. I imagine that Yokodera will welcome you with open arms.”

This god played with Azuki Azusa, offered her food, and was worried about her. Although she didn’t know the true identity of this god, she knew that it was kind. If they had met in a different way, they might have become friends.

“…I’m just bored.” Emi-god averted her gaze.

—You don’t have to act so flustered now! You’re a good girl!

Feeling thankful, Azuki Azusa let out a howl. Emi-god blushed a bit in return and pursed her lips.

“Listen… You have a really bad misunderstanding.”

“…Woof?”

“I possessed the girl who just happened to be playing around here at the shrine. Do you really think I deserve a good evaluation for that?”

“Woof woof!” Azuki Azusa howled even louder.

She didn’t know what circumstances the god had to deal with, but it was probably necessary. She couldn’t blame her.

“I guess that’s your true talent…” Emi-god let out a groan and stopped making excuses.

*

‘I’m just bored.’

While Emi-god said these words to hide her embarrassment, they had a certain level of truth to them. Originally, this god’s duty was to rest inside the storehouse in the Tsutsukakushi Household, protecting the members of the Tsutsukakushi Family. However, peace reigned in this world. The curse befalling the Tsutsukakushis had been removed, and all problems had been taken care of.

Rather than the term ‘bored’, ‘idleness’ might have been more apt. Besides watching over those worshiping god, there was nothing else to do. Especially here in this world, where nothing was asked of them. Of course, that was a wonderful thing—for the humans. What about the gods that were forgotten? Not even this very god right here knew.

*

Either way, Azuki Azusa thought about Emi’s family and the Tsutsukakushi Family for a bit.

“Woof…” And then she curled her tail up, jumping down from God Emi’s lap.

“D-Don’t tell me you plan on going back to the Yokodera House!? Did you actually enjoy being treated that way so much!? Rethink your choices, or you’ll end up crying!” Emi-god warned Azuki Azusa, looking quite flustered.

Why was she so scared of Yokodera?

“Woof, wooo.”

“What? You won’t choose either way? What do you mean?”

Azuki Azusa slowly trotted down the stone stairs.

“…Woof.”

—I have a roof right here.

She slipped into the area between the floorboard of the shrine and the ground. It was a bit warm and damp, but at least she felt the breeze blowing through, and she was sheltered from the sun. If anything, she enjoyed staying here, most likely because she played with animals in locations like these pretty often.

“You really are a weird one.” Emi-god kneeled down, looking beneath the floorboard, and lobbed a few complaints at her.

However, realizing that Azuki Azusa had made up her mind, she let out a snort.

“Well, whatever is fine with you. If fate wills it, we shall meet again.” Saying these words as a farewell, she stood up.

With calm footsteps, the small body slowly mixed into the thicket. Soon after, the reddish-pink twintails disappeared from Azuki Azusa’s sight.

After watching this gentle god walk off, Azuki Azusa buried her small head in her hands—or paws, rather. The god said that there must be things she was thinking about as well, and that was the truth. She thought about this. A lot. Did she really wish to become a dog?

‘Basically, you wanted to become like this. Something that will be spoiled by others, which allows you to kiss others easily, and can get along with everyone—A lovable puppy.’

There were good intentions behind what Emi-god said. But she was only looking at it one way. She was aware that she was a bit of a spoiled brat, and that she wanted to get along with everyone. However, exactly because of that—because she became aware of that—she is now living an honest life in this world. It’s different from this previous or different world, where she had to deal with problems related to honest feelings and facade. To her, it made no sense why she then would hold such contradictory feelings inside of her.

“Woof…” She let out a faint howl.

If this wasn’t a transformation instigated by her desires, then what else could it be? Maybe it was some supernatural tragedy? Something like Gregor Samsa, who woke up one morning to realize he had turned into a grotesque insect, laying on his back? Like what happened to Samsa at the end of Franz Kafka’s ‘The Metamorphosis’? Azuki Azusa had never read that story. Since it was about an animal being treated poorly, the animal-lover girl couldn’t bring herself to read it.

“Woof…”

—Maybe I should have read more books after all.

Then she might have known how this situation should end, like the literature-loving Yokodera Youto. He said weird things pretty often, but he was there to help whenever someone needed it, with any advice he could give.

After they both became third-years, they got even closer. He managed to find a place in the previously closed-off circle that consisted of A-chan, Tsuu-chan, Ma-chan, and Steel-chan. His words were warm, but that wasn’t all. He had the power to change people. It was evident with Ma-chan, Maimaki Mai, who had suddenly started dressing up as of late. Also Tsutsukakushi Tsukiko, who had started practicing making faces in front of the mirror every morning. There was even the incident when Tsutsukakushi Tsukushi went to study abroad in Greece.

Maybe all of them liked Yokodera Youto. Even if the specific meaning of the word was different from person to person, they all loved him in their own way. Of course, Azuki Azusa was no exception. As a classmate—or rather, as a considerate and kind friend—she liked Yokodera Youto. Of course, being washed by this friend in the bath is another matter!

“Woooo…”

When she remembered the sensation she experienced back then, Azuki Azusa’s body shivered.

—Embarrassing! So embarrassing! How could I feel good from that?!

If had indeed wished for such indecent events, and this caused her to be transformed, then she’d rather curl up and die. Even if it was subconscious, this was too much. What had even happened for things to end up like this? The small puppy Azuki Azusa wagged her tail up and down for a while and eventually succumbed to exhaustion.

*

She didn’t dream. She didn’t wake up from a dream. Both expressions were most likely correct in this instance. Subconsciously, she reached for the alarm clock that should be next to her bed, but she just felt the sensation of sand and dirt as she slowly opened her eyes. There was no clock. She was still a dog, lying on the ground underneath the shrine. She was forced to accept reality.

She got used to her line of sight being lower than usual, and thanks to the sleepiness assaulting her, her feeling of despair wasn’t as oppressive.

“—Woooooo…” Azuki Azusa always had trouble getting up in the morning.

That didn’t change now that she had a different appearance. After rolling around several times on the pebbles, and yawning for a few minutes, she finally woke up. The sun was shining down strong, announcing that this was yet another hot day. It’s time to clean off at the chōzuya⁴​!

Azuki Azusa was grateful to this object she had never used as a human being. She started walking, but then she suddenly heard a voice.

“Haaraataamaakiiyootaamaa.”

It sounded like a simplified prayer. More than the fact that someone was praying, Azuki Azusa was more interested in the voice itself, and she followed it. Walking along the crunching gravel, she hid in the shadows of the chōzuya and observed the sight of a white silhouette dancing.

“Kaamuumaamoosaakiitaamaamuunyaamuunyaa~” It was Emi, wearing a shrine maiden’s clothing.

She had a scoop filled with water in both of her hands as she twirled around. It looked like a ritual trying to appease the Gods. Her eyes were filled with pure joy, completely different from the arrogant look they had the day prior. Moved by the atmosphere, Azuki Azusa started spinning as well. Why is it so much fun to chase your own tail?

Eventually, she grew dizzy and fell down, only to be picked up by gentle hands.

“It’s the puppy from yesterday!” It was shrine maiden Emi. “I thought you’d be hungry, so I brought lots of food!”

Cabbage, bread, ham, and all sorts of food fell down to the ground. As the scent reached her nose, her stomach growled. Only then did she realize that she was hungry. Since her stomach was so small, it made sense that she’d get hungry faster. And now that she realized it, she couldn’t hold back.

“Here, eat as much as you want!”

“Woof!”

Upon receiving permission, Azuki Azusa jumped at the food and started eating. Munching, munching, the taste was much more distinct than before.

Delicious! Life is fun! I’m so happy to be a puppy!

“Fufu. I guess it was worth bringing all of this, hm~?” Emi giggled and rubbed Azuki Azusa’s head.

After eating all she could, Puppy Azuki let out a sigh. She had eaten a lot, and Emi had joined in, munching on some sandwiches. Only then did Azuki Azusa realize that her shrine maiden uniform’s red hakama had been pushed upwards, revealing her panties. They had a magical girl design on them, from some Sunday morning anime.

“It’s so dirty…”

“Woof?”

Emi was always defenseless. She always showed everything. If there was a pervert here with their phone camera, then that picture would definitely end up in the Yokodera Peeping Museum for perverts. Thankfully, Puppy Azuki didn’t belong to the perverted Yokodera Sect. However, the question was—what exactly was so dirty?

“See, the meat.” Emi rummaged inside her hakama.

It was a piece of meat like the one she had just given to the puppy.

“It fell out on the porch, making my clothes all dirty… I wonder if Papa will make me some new ones.” She made a troubled expression and brushed at the stains on her uniform. What a shame.

“Woof…”

I know I shouldn’t be complaining after receiving food like that, but maybe she should have put on other clothes aside from this shrine maiden uniform.

Azuki Azusa let out a dubious howl. Maybe she just had a cosplaying hobby.

“Y-You’re wrong! Papa forced me to wear this! I’ll be a middle school student next year, so of course I wouldn’t be into cosplaying!” Emi said, blushing furiously.

Why was she making excuses to a puppy? She probably came here fully intent on wearing this cosplay.

“…Why does it feel like you’re looking down on me, puppy?”

“Woof!? Woof woof!” Azuki Azusa ran around on the spot.

Emi let out a snort.

“It’s really not my hobby, okay? Papa just said that these clothes would be better to show in front of the Gods, to call them down.”

“Woof…”

So that chanting just now was really meant to beckon the Gods. Azuki Azusa was satisfied.

“Woof! Woof woof!” she howled in a panic.

That’s no joke! The god will use you for their own desires!

She had forgotten, but this girl had already been possessed by a god.

“Woof woof woof!” She started running in circles, moved by the wish for the girl to be normal.

Quite surprised, Emi moved backwards a bit.

“What’s wrong?”

“Woof!”

She chased Emi past the chōzuya, clinging to her clothes with her teeth in order to get her outside the shrine gates.

The ritual is over. Go home for today.

She wanted to tell her this, but it probably didn’t go through. How would it? She was but a dog who couldn’t talk. Feeling a bit of pain in her chest, Azuki Azusa stopped moving altogether, and Emi looked at her.

“Hmm…” She narrowed her eyes, and gently caressed Azuki Azusa’s head. “…I think I understand your feelings.”

“Woof?”

“You’re probably worried about me. Thank… you…” She chose her words carefully, like she was talking to an adult. “But it’s fine. I wanted to become a shrine maiden.”

That’s not the problem here! The god! Your body!

“I’m doing it because I want to. Someone has to give them attention. If not—they’ll be lonely.” Emi said in a quiet voice.

Huh?

Azuki Azusa blinked in confusion.

Who was she even talking about? The god, most likely. But how would Emi know? Then again, it had been weird from the moment they met.

‘The puppy from yesterday!’ Was what she said. Even though she talked only with Emi-god all day yesterday.

“W-Woof…” Small Puppy Azuki worked her brain harder than she ever had before.

If Emi was nothing but a vessel that had been possessed, then she shouldn’t know about her. Thus, Emi must have been aware of their exchange at least to a certain degree, understood that the god was talking through her, and still participated in this ritual—

“Woof?”

Do you know about the god?

“I don’t really know what you’re talking about. I only know that something or someone is close to me.” Emi hugged her own shoulders, rubbing them.

Now that I think about it, wasn’t it always virgins or Gentiles who are able to call gods down to our level? Azuki Azusa thought. However—

“I just thought that they’d be lonely, so I gave them my body.”

Azuki Azusa had no way of knowing why she would go that far.

“Ah, keep that a secret from the god, okay?!”

“…Woof…”

However, Emi’s smile showed no signs of regret. The person herself was satisfied about being used as a vessel. No matter what Azuki Azusa might want to complain about, she had no right to say it. Then again, in the current situation, she couldn’t.

“Haaraataamaa~” Emi took a deep breath and started her ritual again.

She opened her arms wide, twisting and twirling. She breathed in the air of this holy territory, as if to make it her own. Her energetic eyes slowly closed, as her chanting grew distant—And then, the god came down.

*

When the girl opened her eyes, she looked at Azuki Azusa with a lack of any emotion. The cuteness of the girl’s smile had vanished, replaced by a cold grin.

“Oh my. If it isn’t the small human from before. Have you gotten used to that body already? I feel like you’re in a good mood today.” The first thing God Emi said was a cynical comment.

She observed Azuki Azusa with a cold gaze, looked at her surroundings, and then asked a question.

“Just what have you been talking about with this vessel?”

“………”

“Honestly, I don’t really care too much. A human’s feelings don’t matter to me… But I was just wondering… You didn’t attempt anything to obstruct the ritual, right?”

“………”

“No really, it doesn’t matter too much. I mean, I’m totally fine not possessing this girl at all. Just, in case you weren’t too happy with my appearance yesterday, I thought I would just confirm that we’re still on good terms. So, well… say something, would you?”

Correction, her eyes were riddled with anxiety. My, my. The god is such an honest kiddo.

“Woof…” Azuki Azusa said, and looked at Emi-god.

From this conversation, one thing had become apparent.

The god inside Emi doesn’t know what Emi was just talking about.

Azuki Azusa had no way of knowing what this god normally did and where they were aiming for. Maybe Emi really was in control the whole time.

“Say, don’t you have the wrong idea about something?”

When Puppy Azuki stayed silent for a while, Emi-god’s gaze grew even sharper, and she started waving her arms around wildly.

“I’m not coming down here just because I’m bored! I told you that yesterday, right? I came here for the sake of this girl!” Emi-god was sweating profusely, trying to make up excuses as best as possible. “This girl doesn’t remember anything, you know. The world that should have happened, the words she exchanged! That’s why I at least wanted to be there to support her! Also, can you please say something already?!”

It appears that this god is weak against silent pressure. Though to be honest, Azuki Azusa didn’t understand what she was talking about. She had no idea what happened, or what caused this world to come into existence. However—it felt like Emi and the god were fairly similar.

‘I just thought that they’d be lonely, so I gave them my body.’ is what Emi said.

‘That’s why I at least wanted to be there to support her!’ is what the god said.

It was like O. Henry’s ‘The Gift of the Magi’. Those who possess something hand it over to those who haven’t, and live on. Although this was such a kind thing to do, Azuki Azusa couldn’t help but feel a sharp pain in her chest.

“Woof…”

Ah, I see how it is.

It felt like she finally understood why she had even ended up in this situation.

“…Are you okay? You’re so lackluster all of a sudden.” Emi-god called out to her, sounding worried.

“Woof…” Azuki Azusa tilted her head.

God, are you happy right now?

“Don’t ask such complicated stuff. Of course I am.” Emi-god blinked for a moment, and then smiled. “There’s nothing for me in this world to do. Nobody wants anything from me, nobody prays to me. I’m so bored that I’m just messing with other people now.” She continued. “If everyone’s happy, I’m happy.” She continued saying the same thing. “And what exactly is wrong with that? You should know that—”

“Woof.”

God, behind you.

“Behind me?” Emi-god slowly turned around, but it was already too late.

“Hehehe… Found youuuu…”

“Eek!? What!?”

“Wearing a shrine maiden uniform like this… Emi-chan, you’re quite high on the fanservice meter today. I’m glad I followed your scent all the way here!”

Behind the girl stood a wild pervert, drooling from his mouth, his arms wide open.

“Wait wait wait wait wait!? What is this!? What are you doing here!?” Emi-god flailed her arms around inside the long sleeves of the shrine maiden uniform.

In the face of her natural enemy, Yokodera Youto, she grew pale.

“Don’t tell me… Has this vessel already fallen into your hands!?”

“Oh? Emi-chan, your reaction is different from usual, right? This feels a bit nostalgic…” Yokodera thought about it for a second, but only stopped his hands for a moment. “Well, whatever. I’m going to enjoy myself either way!”

“Eeek! W-Wait, stop, don’t! Y-You, save me—” Emi-god’s gaze drifted towards Azuki Azusa, but moved away right after.

“Now then, let’s get along today as well!”

“Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!” As if she was wrapped up in a tornado, the girl let out a scream.

This scream could be heard across the entire town.

“…Woof.”

It’s great to see them so close. Please become happy.

*

The second night arrived. Azuki Azusa stayed at the Kitaden Shrine again, taking a walk in the nearby vicinity. What were her parents doing tonight? At the very least, they shouldn’t be worried, since she asked Emi-god to phone them and tell them that their daughter was staying over at a friend’s house. However, would they be suspicious about that? Either way, she couldn’t go back to that house right now.

Not necessarily because it wouldn’t do her any good, but more because of her own heart. Before sleeping at the shrine, she decided to take a walk beneath the moonlight—as this made her current body feel relieved.

At a certain pedestrian crossing, she saw a streetlight flickering. Normally, she would feel a bit worried by this and run past it quickly. However, as a dog, she felt no fear whatsoever. If anything, the calm night along with the cold breeze made her feel even more comfortable.

Tonight, the moon was high and beautiful. It was different from the fake streetlight created by human hands. Both the moonlight and the scent of the air made it feel like a natural night. Nature was her ally, and a place she could return to. Living as a wild animal wasn’t half bad after all. Why had she been a human before?

Filled with these contradicting thoughts, a single high school girl passed in front of her eyes.

“—Woof!”

Reflected in the moonlight, Azuki Azusa could make out who it was clearly. It was one of her several childhood friends, Maimaki Mai. To Azuki Azusa, who didn’t have friends, she was one of the few, but very important ones. They had known each other since their first year in grade school, and they always stayed together as a group of four with Tsutsukakushi Tsukushi and Tsutsukakushi Tsukiko.

She might have been on her way home from visiting them. She was wearing a tank-top shirt, jeans, and some comfortable sneakers. Seeing her like this, Azuki Azusa subconsciously jumped out from the shadows behind the street light.

“Wha?”

Hearing a confused voice, Azuki Azusa turned back again. She was about to leap at her friend out of pure joy.

“W-Woo…”

That was too close for comfort.

She couldn’t bother MaiMai while in this appearance. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have learned anything from what happened with her parents. Even so, she almost lost herself. She probably was lonely from spending her time at the shrine in solitude.

“—That just now was…”

However, Maimaki Mai did not walk away. It looked like she was rooted to the ground.

“…Wooo…”

Maybe I scared her too much…

In the midst of this darkness, she just howled in silence. However, to her surprise, MaiMai screamed aloud.

“That voice… belongs to my trusted friend A-chan, doesn’t it?!”

Met with confusion and shock, Azuki Azusa let out a howl.

Indeed, I am the Azuki Household’s Azusa.

“I thought so…” MaiMai slowly approached her, offering her palm.

She even asked why she was hiding behind the street light.

Because I look like this. I didn’t want to scare my friends.

Azuki Azusa answered with a howl again. Indeed, she was a dog right now. Even now, she didn’t ask herself ‘Why did I turn into a dog?’, but rather ‘Why had I been a human before?’. That might show how much she was slowly turning more and more into a dog. However, even so, Azuki Azusa let out a voice that would be weeping if she were a human being.

“Woof…Uuuu…”

Meeting you right now, I understand that I was losing myself. Can you just forget about my outer appearance, and treat me like you would treat your friend Azuki Azusa?

Thinking back on it, Azuki Azusa never doubted MaiMai once. She merely accepted the fact that they could talk with each other. Being childhood friends gives you supernatural powers like that.

*

MaiMai leaned against the street light, and Puppy Azuki sait down in the shadow next to it. They talked about dinner at the Tsutsukakushi Household, a letter from Steel-san over in Greece, and the upcoming entrance exams. They chatted like it was their final call before they both went to bed. As they finished talking about one thing, MaiMai cleared her throat.

“…A-chan, how did things end up like this?”

“Woof…”

I have no idea myself. It happened too abruptly.

She howled, and gulped just like MaiMai had.

No, that’s a lie. I figured out why.

She took a short break, and then thought about it.

It’s been weird ever since the second summer of my high school career. I’ve been watching three people: Yokodera Youto, Tsutsukakushi Tsukiko, and you as well, Maimaki Mai. You all had something in common. An invisible connection you couldn’t put into words. But, deep inside your hearts, it was definitely there. You held onto it as you lived on.

“That’s…” MaiMai let out a sigh, and Azuki Azusa returned a faint growl.

I know. I really do. You weren’t meaning to come across that way.

Of course, that didn’t mean Azuki Azusa was suffering. She enjoyed spending time with her childhood friends, as well as Yokodera Youto. She wasn’t dissatisfied with this world in the slightest. However—she admired something else. The world written in those notes that were out of her reach. These precious memories were something precious that she couldn’t see with her own eyes. To her, it was always barely out of reach. All of this was her own problem.

“…Woof…”

I’m sorry.

Azuki Azusa apologized, and subconsciously rubbed the collar around her neck against the streetlight.

‘Basically, you wanted to become like this.’

‘It’s a special collar that once contained one person’s facade, which was given to you.’

Emi-god’s words were half true, and half false. It was a special collar, but it didn’t just contain facades and honest feelings and all that. It was the entire world that never existed in the first place.

Azuki Azusa had a dream where she was hurt by Yokodera Youto, and was also eventually saved by his hand. Through him, she met all sorts of new friends, and although a lot of bad things happened, she felt deeply connected to that world. Although it was a completed story, a world that had ended, this sensation of something stabbing her throat had always plagued her about it.

When she talked with Emi and the God possessing her, she understood the origin of those feelings. Put simply, she was jealous. Azuki Azusa wanted to understand. She wanted to save them as well. It was a selfish desire, but she wanted to know about the feelings of her childhood friends. As well as the story between her and Yokodera Youto…

Like a swallow flying next to a prince, she wanted to accept everything about him. To see his smile from the side, have his laugh fill the void inside of her. Other people would call it love. However, she couldn’t.

She held no confidence in herself, so how could she love someone else? Yet after she turned into this form, she started howling in front of the Yokodera Household. Unable to come to like herself, but unable to forget the radiating charm of Yokodera, she ended up in the shape of a monster. Her cowardly desires and arrogant feelings turned her into this.

*

A cold breeze blew through the residential district, announcing the approaching dawn. The street lights were the same as before, creating an odd atmosphere of reality mixed with hallucination, and the moon had already started to approach the horizon. Only the sad howl of a puppy walking between the buildings could be heard.

“Wooooooo…”

Azuki Azusa subconsciously howled back. Her instincts were telling her to do so. Maybe she was slowly turning onto a complete dog. It was time to say goodbye.

But I have one request before that.

She barked to MaiMai.

Don’t tell Tsuu-chan or Yokodera about this. I don’t want them to worry about me.

This was goodbye, in a lot of ways. She didn’t expect to keep herself any longer. She took a deep breath and counted to a hundred. After that, she jumped out of the streetlight’s shadow, revealing her body.

“Woooooooooof!” She faced upwards towards the moon and let out a howl.

She jumped into the darkness again and never resurfaced.

*

Or at least that’s what should have happened.

“W-Woof?”

However, Puppy Azuki did not move an inch. She physically couldn’t do so.

Hmm?

Unable to grasp what was going on, she looked around, and tilted her head in confusion. When she did so, she realized that her leg had been grabbed.

“W-Woof!?”

MaiMai was right there. She had completely ignored Azuki Azusa’s request, and wasn’t letting her leave. When she tried to jump, it was impossible to break free of her grasp. Since she was such a small puppy, fighting against a human was a hopeless task.

“A-chan.” MaiMai kept a gaze as sharp as a fox’s, looking at her hand. “Are you an idiot?” She showed no restraint whatsoever.

“W-Woof!”

H-How could you say that?! I’m not an idiot!

“If you’re not an idiot, then you’re just plain stupid. You stupid puppy Azuki Azusa.”

“Wooooooof!?” Azuki Azusa complained loudly, but was still trapped inside MaiMai’s grasp.

Her arms and legs were forced open, her stomach was scratched—Ahh, noo, I’ll start feeling good again…

Her body was too perverted to fight back against the pleasure. She laid upside-down on the asphalt, enjoying MaiMai’s palm running all over her body.

“A-chan.”

T-That’s right! Ma-chan, more!

“A-chan.”

More! Keep it going! Mess me up!

“A-chan.”

“W-Woof?”

After being called three times, Azuki Azusa finally regained her senses. Rather than feeling good, something was tickling her. Wondering what that was about, she directed her gaze towards MaiMai, who had buried her face in Azuki Azusa’s tummy.

“You’re thinking about too much, and not thinking at all the same time. Why are you always trying to leave? Don’t leave me behind like that, you idiot. Then again, I might be the biggest idiot.” As she spoke, Azuki Azusa felt her warm breath.

“W-Woof…”

“The past and the present are different. It’s meaningless to talk about the past all day. That’s why I didn’t want that pervert and you to get along. I didn’t want you to feel that way. I only tried to keep that trashy shitty Yokodera away from you. I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I’m sorry that Yokodera is rotten trash.”

“Woof?”

It felt like MaiMai was making some harsh insults that normally wouldn’t belong there as she spoke. For now, Azuki Azusa acted like she didn’t hear those. Because that would make things more complicated than they had to be.

“A-chan, you didn’t turn yourself into a puppy. It was me.”

“Woof! Woof woof!”

That’s not true!

“It is. Or I want to think it is, at least. I want to have responsibility in your life, A-chan. Please let me help you carry all of that.” MaiMai let out a faint breath against Azuki Azusa’s stomach, then pulled her face back up.

She bit her lip, and met eyes with the puppy.

“We’re friends. And even if we are, there might be things we can’t tell each other. Disregarding that, I want to always be with my friends. I want to be seen as an equal.”

“Wooo…” Azuki Azusa had her abdomen still in the air, but she averted her gaze.

Now that I’ve become a puppy, if I can’t turn back, we can’t be together like before.

“Why not?”

It’s inconvenient…

“How?”

I-I immediately lose against the pleasure! I’m an examinee, but I can’t even go to school.

“Ahh, that makes sense.” MaiMai looked up at the sky and thought about it. “I don’t think you’d listen to classes. If anything, you’d probably run around inside the room all the time.”

M-Maybe.

“You’d probably go to that pervert’s desk, and pee on it.”

I wouldn’t do that!

“I’m saying that you might lose against your instincts.”

Urgh…

Puppy Azuki felt like her heart was about to break. In the end, she was still a wild pupper.

“…But it doesn’t matter.” MaiMai let out a sigh and returned her gaze.

Her eyes looked sharper than usual, so she might have just been teasing Azuki Azusa this entire time.

“It’s not that big of a deal anyway.” She made an awkward smile and embraced Azuki Azusa. “I’ll accept all of it. I’ll convince everyone. I’ll even wipe your pee. If needed, I don’t mind washing Yokodera’s clothes.”

“W-Woof…”

That didn’t sound half bad. When she imagined Yokodera smelling like her, Azuki Azusa’s body suddenly started shaking. She didn’t feel comfortable just giving in to the idea, but being looked after by MaiMai didn’t sound half bad.

“I won’t let it end like that.” MaiMai shook her head. “Also, this is your own problem. You didn’t pray to some god.”

“Woof?”

“If your mood improves, then you might be able to turn back to normal, right?”

So like a girl in love, we’ll nullify the magic.

“Woof…”

It really sounded weird—Ahh, don’t tickle my stomach like that!

After receiving MaiMai’s training, Azuki Azusa let out a laugh. MaiMai joined in as well.

“And, even if you won’t be able to turn back, you can just live with me forever.”

Alright, that is relieving then!

Azuki Azusa felt her shoulders relax and she laid down on the ground. The two of them stood next to each other on the street, looking ahead. Their goal was far away, but the path there was already paved. Life always continues. Sometimes it takes a detour, and sometimes it resets you back to where you were. However, you have to leave the finished story alone and focus on the path ahead of you.

“A-chan, for now…”

“Woof?”

“Let’s go home together.”

“Woof!”

Azuki let out a howl, agreeing with MaiMai. And then.

“Woof…”

From now on, I’ll try my best. I’ll work for myself and find my place in this world.

Epilogue

“…MaiMai, did that story just now really happen~?”

We sat next to each other inside a cafe. Cozy-sama looked up at me.

“A classmate becoming a dog… What am I even supposed to think about that?”

It indeed sounded like something that should not happen in reality; a mysterious and supernatural tragedy. My friend made an expression like she wanted to believe it but couldn’t.

“Well, you can do whatever you want.” I just shook my head.

I mean, there’s a few things I haven’t even added yet, and I changed a thing or two here and there. It’s not like I was present all the time, so you should ask other people for the full picture.

“But MaiMai isn’t the type of person who’d make up such an elaborate lie…”

“I just told you what I saw. It’s your choice whether you believe me or not.”

However, it was true that anybody could become an animal in this world. Even though I have many things I want to say about it, I can’t. It’s not important that she turned into a dog, it’s just a literal metaphor, which lies deep at the root of it.

“Hmm… what happened to AzuAzu after that?” Cozy-sama took a sip from her hot chocolate and asked for the end of the story.

“She eventually turned back to normal. Though it took like a week.”

During her time as a puppy, she stayed over at my place, but since her parents started to get a bit worried, it was a lot of trouble. I heard that after she turned back into a human, she told that perverted man something, but that’s a different story altogether. I don’t care about that.

“Whenever you think about something, it immediately shows on your face, MaiMai.”

“Huh?”

“There there there there there there.”

“I told you to stop moron idiot stop no wait hold on.”

Putting her hands beneath the table, she immediately started to tickle me. Can you not slide into my underwear like that?

“Whenever you become this old, a lot of things happen, and a lot of things are going on, right~?” Cozy-sama played with my chest again, and let out a sigh.

“What, why’d you suddenly turn into an old lady?”

“Are these breasts talking nonsense? Hmmm?”

“You’re acting like an old man now!?” When I shoved her head away, Cozy-sama reluctantly moved back to her own seat.

In her hand, she held her sky-blue spoils of war—

“Give it back right now, or you’re dead meat.”

“Eeeek~!”

“And once you give it back, you’re dead meat.”

“It’s really hard dealing with you, MaiMai!”

I had been wondering why she was fiddling around in my bra. I’m just glad nobody else could see us over here. When I gave her a slight jab on the head, she burst out in laughter for some reason.

“This feels weird~”

“What does?”

“Even though we’ve only started to get along recently, it feels as if we’ve been like this forever. I can’t really describe it.”

“……”

Yeah. A lot of things happen, and a lot of stuff is always going on, for everybody. Even for me and Cozy-sama, who subconsciously are trying to get back the relationship we had in that other world. We all have our own baggage to carry. Of course we do.

“Ah, was I wrong~?” When I kept quiet, Cozy-sama blinked, seeming slightly anxious.

“What are you talking about?” I let out a sigh. “If we weren’t friends, this would be a crime. Then again, it still is, so give it back.”

“Friends, huh~?”

“Hurry up.”

“Fufufu~” Cozy-sama gave me a smile.

For crying out loud… Well, whatever. I took a sip from my iced tea. It tasted a bit sweet, but also bitter, probably like life itself.

For now, I’d better enjoy the final days of my highschool career, I thought.

---

1 This beginning has been taken from https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/I_Am_a_Cat/Chapter_1 and altered to fit the translation in the novel

2 A class of supernatural creatures found in Japanese folklore, art, theater, and literature. They are one of the best known yōkai (monster-spirits) and are sometimes worshipped as Shinto kami (revered spirits or gods). Although they take their name from a dog-like Chinese demon, the tengu were originally thought to take the forms of birds of prey, and they are traditionally depicted with both human and avian characteristics.

3 Using boku, just like a certain Cat god

4 A Shinto water ablution pavilion for a ceremonial purification rite known as temizu.