With an excited leap, the dog lands on the boy who was relaxing on the sofa. He sits up abruptly, face funny as the sudden weight is unexpected. He catches himself making a death glare at the dog, who merely stares back before curling in his lap.

“Excuse me,” he mutters.

“You have a fan, Brian,” says Sungjin with a chuckle.

“Real lucky,” says the boy on the left, face scrunched up. “That’s an adorable Shiba Inu and they won’t just go running up to strangers like that.”

“Don’t be too jealous now, Dowoon,” says the boy beside him with a charming smile, leaning his head against the younger’s. “I’m here, no need to be glum.”

Dowoon turns away from the cheeky boy in a slight huff.

“You got rejected, Wonpil,” says an amused Sungjin, crossing his arms. “Anyhow, here’s the story. The secret meeting ran longer than I expected. I didn’t want to keep you all waiting, you know. Yes Jae, I know I did, no need for those eyes. As I was saying… I was running back home when I nearly tripped over this dog. Turns out that he was tossed out by the dog breeder because he’s a bundle of trouble, no one keeps him for long.”

Turning around, Jae’s eyes lift in the dog’s direction and makes a discovery.

“His right ear is hurt,” he says aloud. “Did you trip over him after all?”

“No, not at all!” replies Sungjin hastily. “He was tossed by the ear… So uh, a fight broke out. With words, I mean. Alright, maybe I shook my fist at him but it was the moment. And now we’re here with this dog.”

Brian blinks bleakly.

“So we’re stuck with you, huh,” says Brian, looking at the dog intensely. “Way to go, making my lap your home.”

Something in his voice interests the dog, causing him to lift the head and Brian’s face.

“Okay…” says Brian in a stunned sort of tone.

“Morning kisses for you Brian,” laughs Wonpil. “Dowoon, Jae, do you guys want one too?”

“No thanks,” they both reply in unison.

“Sungjin, we’d have to tell boss, right?” asks Dowoon, wide-eyed. “I hope we can keep him.”

“I’ll try my best to convince him,” says Sungjin, noticing Dowoon’s eager smile. The leader gives a pat on the boy’s head and leaves to make the phone call. As the dial tone is heard, Sungjin could not help but to snicker when he listens to Wonpil’s dramatic proclamation of being hungry enough to eat their entire apartment block.

[click here to continue]