I'll do whatever you ask

 - Please, I'll do whatever you ask me! "

As the signs of the nightclubs begin to light up silently throughout the city, inside the convenience store that was still illuminated by the last rays of the sun, all the customers and the employee look tired. The serious and bored worker received a hot lunch and left the store.

As I said "Hah" a couple of wrinkles peeked out from the corners of my eyes and lips. It's easy to see how everyday worries wreak havoc on all sides of the face. On the way, I noticed a car that was parked on the side. Curbside. While I thought that red sedan was too flashy, the front passenger seat door opened.

- Hmm ...

A slender young figure with golden hair wearing a uniform with a cardigan wrapped around her waist got out of the car. The girl looked familiar to me. She was the only daughter of the Kazuki family living in the next apartment. Her name is Noa.

In the driver's seat was a broad-backed guy wearing a suit and from her looks, she looked to be in her late thirties. Noa laughs with a fake "Kahaha" and talks seriously to the man who is many years older than her. Noa smiles when she receives something from that man at the moment of goodbye. She said a "Bye bye" as the sedan started still with The sun is half-setting. When Noa turned around, her face turned pale and her face was terrified. She put her hand behind her to try to hide what she had received from that man when she saw that familiar silhouette.

I witnessed everything unexpectedly. However, he continued as if nothing had happened.

I stopped when I approached the entrance to the residential condominium that was only a block from the main street where the car had parked.

- That guy ... Who is he ...?

Suddenly, Noa appeared in front of Kajino, and as she stared at him with her wet eyes she began to deliberately speak with a squeaky voice.

-Sir ... this .... what was her name? ... yeah ... Kajino san.

Noa started to shake and look at me with her wet eyes.

- Mr. Kajino ... I was wondering ... if what you just saw ... could you keep it a secret?

- I just saw it ?

- Yes, you know ...

- What kind of relationship do you have with that person?

Noa shook a wad of bills, while she coughs,

- Ah that kind of thing ... Don't you want anyone to know?

Without answering, Kajino started walking again, Noa was surprised by the reaction and clung to him in a hurry.

- Please, I'll do whatever you ask me!

Internally I began to have an intense battle between giving a "Yes" or a "No" to his request. Even though I managed to calm down, I still felt anxious.

- I don't know what you want, but I know it's not exactly a favor.

- You're right, I suppose we will have to find a solution that satisfies both of us.

- Eh?

Hearing the sound of the elevator opening, Kajino slipped in to go to his apartment. As he could, Noa snuck in with him.

- What are we going to do at Kajino-san's house ...?

Kajino didn't reply. All the way he only showed her a cold and expressionless grin. Then Kajino spoke coldly to him:

- Noa-chan ..... Don't you know?

- Eh?

- Adults are scary.

After saying that, Noa shuddered.

That day was the first time that she noticed every detail that had the door of the apartment next door.

- The danger can live even next to where you live.

Surely, Noa would think better of her actions now. Kajino opened the door as he gestured for her to enter. Finally she Noa began to shed some tears as she walked with shaky steps to the interior of the apartment.

Wafu, wan wan!

Noa is greeted by a small ball of brown and white fur. The dog looks very excited and does a couple of laps around Noa and Kajino's feet.

- Yeah, I'm already home. Noa-chan, wait here for a moment.

Kajino strokes the dog's head and when he sees his owner go to the back of the room, he follows him as he hits the floor with his little claws. Kajino, who was looking back at Noa, asked him again:

- Who is that person?

Upon returning, Kajino gave him a strap in his hands and while he looked at Noa in his eyes he said:

- Walk the dog

-Everything is here ... his strap, his stool bag ... his water bottle, there is also a bag to carry everything you need, and there are also toys.

One after another, various utensils began to come out of the shelf that were in the entrance door and which were essential for a walk. Inside the bag there was also a ball that made a funny sound.

- The dog only needs to go for a walk a couple of times a week. You can eat and drink things from the kitchen ... within the limits of common sense. Oh, and the bathroom ...

- Wait a minute

When he turned to see Noa's face, he noticed that she showed a dark expression.

- Didn't you say you would do anything?

- Yes

For the first time, Kajino changed his expression and he frowned a forced smile as a couple of lines peeked out from the corners of his eyes.

- Walk the dog, nice to meet you. His name is Takuto.

 Cover, name and some of the illustrations with their respective translations at 👉 https://bit.ly/347nmez