Sakura, distant from the life that she once knew, found herself living at the Michio residence. It had just been two weeks since moving in under Hiroshi's invitation, although how she was able to spend a lot more time with her friends, especially Itsumi, felt a lot more like two years. It was a similar feeling that she had between school terms.

     Despite helping her father get closer to Hiroshi Michio, thus contributing to the botched assassination attempt, clarifying that she used the opportunity to cripple her own father earned sympathy of the Michios and their close friends. That is, all but the house pet: Kuki, the German shepherd. 

     Two weeks ago, Sakura walked into the Michios' living room, joining Itsumi on their favorite pastime: watching the currently trending shows on television. Shortly after, Kuki happily skipped its way into the living room, and made its way towards Itsumi. It stopped to give Sakura a stare. Its mouth shut and its tongue no longer visible, a dog's way of switching from excitement to indifference, something that Sakura was aware of about dogs as she kept a safe distance at where she sat. Contrary to what she had feared, Kuki didn't attempt to bite her, but she felt dismayed as the German shepherd walked off to lie next to Itsumi instead. It didn't look as if it had much animosity towards her, but didn't show interest in bonding with her either.

     "He won't bite," Itsumi assured Sakura, taking notice of her friend's posture.

     "He doesn't seem to like me though," said Sakura.

     "Give it some time. He'll warm up to you. Maybe in a week or so," said Itsumi, before both girls went back to watching their show on the television.

     And sure enough, it did take some time for Kuki to warm up to Sakura. It would often greet Itsumi with its presence, as well as following her around or going for walks together, but kept a distance from Sakura whenever it found itself close to her. It went to the point that Sakura didn't suspect distrust from Kuki, but if it were just simply feeling introverted around strangers. Over two weeks later, one evening, Sakura was slipping through the channels, as Itsumi was tidying up her bedroom. Without announcing its presence, Kuki made its way into the living room and lay next to Sakura's couch.

     "When did he come in?" Sakura exclaimed in her mind, surprised by Kuki's silent entry.

     Hesitantly, she tried petting Kuki by scratching its head. It then raised its head to observe Sakura's hand, before giving it a lick, and then laying its head over its forelegs. Sakura was ecstatic as she saw Kuki's interaction as a sign of acceptance.