"Take a deep breath for me."

Yuju nodded in response to Yewon's words, inhaling shakily. Yewon kept a hand on Yuju's back, rubbing back and forth as the puppy hybrid tried her best to properly calm her breathing down. 

"That's it. One more time for me, okay?" Yewon said calmly. Yuju obeyed, taking another deep inhale before letting it out. Yewon smiled proudly. Today was going to be another good experience, she could already sense it.

Yewon continued to rub Yuju's back until her phone vibrated in her pocket. It was from the group chat, Sojung's messages popping up on the screen.

[sojung]: eunbi and i are here now yewon
[sojung]: i didnt want to ring the doorbell just in case it would scare yuju again

Yewon smiled again, unlocking her phone and quickly typing back a message.

[yewon]: we're almost ready to let you in
[yewon]: im letting yuju relax for a moment first 

Before Yewon could put her phone away to open the door, another text appeared in the group chat, this time from Yerin.

[yerin]: no fair i want to see yuju too
[sinb]: we get to see her next weekend yerin its not a big deal
[yerin]: i know but i want to see her again already! send lots of pictures you three!
[eunbi]: ill be sure to!

Yewon let out a small laugh. Her friends really were the best. 

"Are you ready, Yuju?" Yewon asked as she slipped her phone back into her pocket, using her free hand to grip Yuju's hand firmly. 

"I...." Yuju swallowed nervously. "I think so."

"Today will be fun. I promise." Yewon replied, rubbing her thumb gently against Yuju's hand. Yuju seemed to calm down at the simple yet comforting touch. The hybrid seemed uneasy still but she allowed Yewon to move away, watching cautiously as Yewon opened the door and let both Sojung and Eunbi inside. Though, when Yuju's eyes met Sojung's, Yewon noticed that Yuju's tail had started to move back and forth slowly. Sojung seemed to notice too, the taller girl smiling softly as she gave the puppy hybrid a small wave hello. Eunbi was practically jittery with excitement, shining eyes watching Yuju's tail wagging pick up speed. 

"Hey, Yuju!" Eunbi spoke up before Sojung could. Yuju seemed a bit nervous but even so, her tail barely slowed down. Yewon's chest was full of hope. Maybe today would be the day that she would finally be okay with Sojung and Eunbi being in her life. Everything that was happening right now was a good sign of that. 

"I got you something!" Eunbi said with a wide smile. Yuju tilted her head curiously, soft brown eyes examining the short haired girl up and down. Reaching into her bag, Eunbi pulled out a medium sized plush. It wasn't just a simple teddy bear or a plush animal. It was something that suited Yuju perfectly. In Eunbi's hands was a plush cartoon style pizza slice that had button eyes and a smiling mouth. Yuju perked up immediately once she realized just what it was. Now Yuju's tail was really wagging. Eunbi seemed more than pleased that Yuju was responding so positively to her gift, taking no time in handing the plush over to the hybrid. Yuju held the plush close, nuzzling her face into the soft fabric. 

"....Thank you." Yuju said softly, earning a small proud smile from Yewon as she watched Yuju and Eunbi interact from Sojung's side.

"You're welcome, Yuju!" Eunbi said as she was unable to stop herself from moving forward and hugging the puppy hybrid tightly. Both Yuju and Yewon froze, Sojung  in a breath out of nervousness. Both girls were expecting Yuju to bark or cry out in fear. But that didn't happen. Yuju's eyes were wide as Eunbi continued to hug her but she didn't move, she didn't speak. It was only when Eunbi started to rock back and forth happily with her arms around Yuju did the puppy hybrid react. 

Slowly, her tail started to wiggle back and forth, picking up speed as Eunbi kissed the side of her head. Yewon let out a small laugh of relief while Sojung smiled. Eunbi didn't notice her friends reactions as she let go of Yuju, smiling widely at the hybrid whos tail was still wagging eagerly. It was at this moment that Yewon had an idea. Yuju was reacting positively to both Eunbi and Sojung now but she still seemed a bit anxious. Maybe there was a way to get her to react even more positively to Eunbi and Sojung. It was worth a shot.

"Yuju?" Yewon called out. Yuju turned her head to look at the other girl, her expression and body relaxing completely at the sound of Yewon's voice.

"Do you want to be brushed today?" Yewon continued her question. Yuju seemed slightly embarrassed but she nodded even so, her tail wagging again while her dog ears flopped cutely thanks to the movement.

"Brushed?" Sojung was the one to ask this time. 

"She likes it when I brush her hair." Yewon explained. "I was thinking maybe she wouldn't mind if you both did it for her too." 

"That's a great idea!" Eunbi clapped her hands together eagerly. "I've been wanting to play with her hair ever since Sojung got to tie it up!"

"Are you sure it'll be okay?" Sojung asked, a bit of worry showing in her eyes still. "I don't want to scare her."

"Well, what do you think, Yuju?" Yewon asked as she moved back to Yuju's side, placing a hand on her back again like before. "Is it okay if Eunbi and Sojung brush you instead of me?" 

"Y...Yeah..." Yuju replied quietly. Yuju approving of the idea was enough to ease Sojung's mind. Eunbi was practically jumping in excitement. At least Yuju wasn't frightened by Eunbi's high energy, more focused on the pizza plush that was still held tightly in her arms. It didn't take much time for Yewon to find the brush and Eunbi was insistent that she go first. In seconds, she was already sitting next to Yuju with brush in hand and eyes glittering with eagerness. Yuju seemed to get slightly anxious again, clutching onto her new plush as tight as she could. Sojung noticed and sat down next to Yuju's other side in order to help out, turning Yuju sideways on the couch so Eunbi could properly reach her hair. 

"It's okay, Yuju." Yewon comforted, standing near the couch so she could be close just in case Yuju started to respond badly. Yuju's eyes glanced up at her for a moment before Sojung softly turned the hybrid's head back to the proper position, earning a small whine from the half puppy in response. But once the brush started to run though her long black hair, Yuju grew quiet, the tension in her body easing up slowly. 

"So pretty...." Eunbi whispered as she ran the brush through Yuju's hair, taking her hand and running it through the hybrid's soft strands of hair before running through it with the brush again. 

"Does it feel good?" Sojung asked, keeping one of her hands against Yuju's cheek. The clear response to that question wasn't given verbally. 

Yuju's tail was wagging back and forth again, picking up speed as Eunbi continued to gently brush her hair. Eunbi was giggling now, stopping her brushing for a moment so she could rub Yuju's dog ears before continuing. Sojung had removed her hand in order to join Yewon in standing up, taking the spot next to the other girl and watching over the pair on the couch. It seemed like Yewon's assumption had been right. Even more than she had been expecting.

After a few moments and much to everyone's surprise, Yuju let go of her new plush, turned around and pressed her head against Eunbi's cheek affectionately, the hybrid's tail not slowing down for even a second. Eunbi seemed taken aback for a second, used to the puppy hybrid being scared to get close. But the short haired girl quickly got over the initial shock, hugging Yuju tightly with a huge smile on her face. It was a cute sight, especially since Yuju was a good few inches taller than her. 

"So cute!" Eunbi giggled, ruffling Yuju's dog ears while the half puppy nuzzled her cheek against her own cheek. Both Yewon and Sojung were smiling just as much as Eunbi was. It almost felt like a miracle, or a dream. Yuju had been so scared the first time she had met Sojung and Eunbi. But here she was, finding warmth and comfort in their presence finally. Yewon couldn't help but feel relieved. Now they could all have fun together, Yuju included. Sure, she still needed to get used to Yerin and SinB but that could wait until another day.

"Yuju. Hey, Yuju." Yewon quickly called the hybrid's name as Yuju started to Eunbi's cheek much like her full puppy form would. "Don't do that, okay?" 

Yuju let out a small whimper, clearly embarrassed that she had given in to her puppy urges without thinking. Eunbi didn't seem to mind, kissing Yuju's cheek firmly as Sojung chuckled to herself. Yuju's tail was still wagging, the puppy hybrid leaning into Eunbi's small cheek kisses while staring up at both Yewon and Sojung. Before anyone could properly react again, Yuju was out of Eunbi's grip and jumping up off of the couch in a flash, practically running towards the two standing up girls. Instead of going to Yewon first, Yuju darted into Sojung's arms this time, catching the older girl just as off guard as Eunbi had been. 

"Yuju?" Sojung asked, a clearly baffled expression on her face. Yuju didn't respond, her tail wagging back and forth being the only response.

Sojung was still cautious, not wanting to make Yuju uncomfortable or scared. But Yuju's soft whines breaking into the air brought her back to reality. Slowly, Sojung wrapped her arms around Yuju's body, running one of her hands up and down Yuju's back. Yuju's whines disappeared, replaced by her tail wagging furiously behind her. 

"Well, this was unexpected." Sojung let out a laugh, running her fingers through Yuju's hair. 

"I think she likes us now." Eunbi grinned as she stood up again. 

"I think so too." Yewon nodded, returning Eunbi's grin with a gentle smile. At the sound of Yewon's voice again, Yuju left Sojung's arms to find her way back into Yewon's, cuddling up to her while her tail continued to wag.

"Such a good girl." Yewon said as she placed a tiny kiss against Yuju's head.

"So, what else does she like to do besides cuddle?" Sojung asked. 

"Does she play like a puppy too?" Eunbi joined in with her own question.

"She does." Yewon laughed, rocking the happy Yuju back and forth in her grip like Eunbi had earlier. "You should have seen her when I held up her duck plush when we were playing once. She pretty much tackled me to get it."

"That's so cute!" Eunbi exclaimed, unable to take her eyes away from Yuju as the half puppy turned her head to look at the two ot