#nana56b
Lines from the story
A small pet shop tucked away in a corner of a
provincial town. A handwritten sign reading
“Puppies Seeking New Families” swayed on the
faded wooden door.
As the owner, Kenzo, unfolded a newspaper at
the counter, a boy around elementary school
age looked up at him nervously over the counter.
“Sir, that puppy over there... how much is it?”
Kenzo pushed up his glasses, smiled at the boy's
earnest eyes, and replied,
“Well, they're between thirty and fifty
thousand yen. They're all full of energy.”
The boy nodded slightly, then dug into his pants
pocket, jingling out some coins.“I only have
two thousand three hundred yen right now. But
can I just look?”
Kenzo's heart ached at the boy's desperate
expression. He whistled toward the back.
Five fluffy golden retriever puppies tumbled out
of the back room like rolling balls of fur,
bursting out energetically.
But the last one just couldn't keep up. That
puppy dragged one hind leg, desperately trying
to follow its siblings.
“Uncle, what's wrong with that one?”
The boy pointed at the puppy with the disabled
leg.
“Ah, that one. It was born with bad hips. The
vet said it'll never get better. It can't run
or jump like a normal dog.”
Kenzo shook his head sympathetically.
“So, that one isn't for sale.”
But upon hearing those words, the boy's eyes
suddenly lit up.
“I want this one. Uncle, sell this one to me!”
“Kid, you shouldn't. If you really insist on
having that one, I'll give it to you for free.
It's destined to be unsold anyway.”
Before Kenzo could finish speaking, the boy
frowned angrily.
"I don't want her for free. I don't think this
dog is any different from other dogs. She should
have exactly the same value as any other puppy.
That's why I want to pay properly. I'll leave
all the money I have right now. I'll come back
every month and pay five hundred yen from my
allowance."
Kenzo, bewildered, tried to reason with him.
“But you see, this dog can't run around with
you or chase balls. He can't play with you.”
At that moment, the boy silently rolled up the
hem of his pants.
Exposed on his left leg was a thick metal
prosthetic. It gleamed dully in the slanting
evening light.
Slowly lowering his pant leg, he met Kenzo's
stunned, speechless gaze and said with a gentle
smile,
“It's okay. I can't run either. I'm sure this
little guy wants a friend who understands how he
feels.”
Silence filled the shop. A single tear rolled
down Kenzo's cheek.
“...Yeah. Looks like that puppy found the
happiest owner in the world.”
The boy carefully lifted the puppy, hugging it
tightly as if to confirm its small warmth.
Then, the two with their troublesome legs
walked slowly home together into the evening
shadows, matching each other's pace.
