Osamu fishes his keys out of his coat pocket and unlocks his front door. At the sound of the lock turning, his shoulders slump with anticipation. Today had been a long, tiring day, and all he wanted to do was lie down on the couch and watch yet another movie with Chuuya.

So he’s quite distracted as he steps through the door, his mind fixed on one track as he begins to shred his coat from his body. Before he can hang it on the coat hanger, his shoe bumps something solid on the ground. Startled, Osamu glances down.

Instantly, his heart melts.

Chuuya was lying on his side fast asleep, his freckled cheek pillowed by his arm and his legs curled to his stomach. His ears flopped against his wavy red hair and his curled tail twitched faintly in the throes of dreaming.

There was no doubt that Chuuya had fallen asleep at the door waiting for Osamu to come home.

“Oh, what a sweet doggie…” Osamu whispers, hanging his coat without looking away from the beautiful creature on his hardwood flooring. He crouches down and reaches out, carding his fingers through Chuuya’s soft hair.