Miso stares, before turning away. His wagging tail happens to collide with the corridor, causing Jae to look in the dog’s direction.

“Oy, Miso, were you about to ignore me?” he calls out indignantly.

Miso looks back, his tongue out. His head, slightly tilting innocently. Then a smile, almost proud and rude.

“Well, do decide, and I’ll react accordingly,” declares Jae with a raised brow.

Miso changes his mind, as he chooses to remain in the boy’s presence. Noting that the guitarist is wasting steps in shifting the laundry from the basket to the washing machine, the dog pushes the basket nearer. Or at least, he tries to do so. Jae laughs.

“You’re a bit too small for that, but okay,” he says with a grin as he sits on the floor, waiting. “I like your determination.”

Miso continues, using his head to push the heavy basket. He growls impatiently, unhappy with the poor progress. At last, he gives up and decides to dive into the basketful of clothes instead. A wry smile crosses the oldest one’s face.

“Aw, don’t be too glum, Miso,” says Jae, tickling the dissatisfied dog. “Thank you, anyway. Come on, you can still be useful. Could you bring me that runaway piece of clothing? I think it belongs to Dowoon.”

Though a little sulky, Miso does obey.

“Good boy,” compliments Jae with a smile so wide, even Miso smiles back.

[click here to continue]