The night had passed. They returned home, and Tenma slept with the owner for the only time.

By the next morning, when he had woken up, he was back in the same cubicle as always. But this time, the store owner greeted him, smiling.

Tenma wagged his tail happily.

But both knew what would happen.

"I'm back!"

The redhead appeared again, shortly after the store opened.

This time she came alone. But she still brought the bag with gold coins.

"How is the puppy doing?"

The owner looked at the redhead, who also looked at the old lady.

"He needs rest... but he was already taken to the vet properly."

"I'll buy what's necessary for his good care," the redhead looked at the puppy and then at the old lady with a sharp gaze. "Don't worry, I can afford it."

The old lady swallowed a little saliva and headed to the cubicle where the Shiba Inus were. All the puppies ran to play with the owner, but she only took Tenma.

She carried him in her arms and looked at the redhead.

"His name is Shinma. He's the strongest of these puppies. I must admit, you have a good eye."

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The redhead narrowed her eyes at the old lady, and reached out to take the puppy without further ado.

Finally, he was handed over. And Tenma became the property of his new owner.

***

Carrying a sack of dog supplies, the redhead left the store with her new pet. As Tenma moved away from the store, he felt somewhat sad to have to leave the old lady behind. He hoped to see her again someday.

Suddenly, he received pats on the back.

"Heavy... Can you walk on your own, little one?" the redhead put the puppy on the ground, letting him walk on his own. "I'll carry the bag, you walk ahead. Move forward."

Tenma obeyed, still feeling downcast. He looked around, and the appearance of the city was different from how he saw it last night on the way to the vet.

People going back and forth, carrying sacks or buying fruits at the street stalls. There was a water fountain near the pet shop he was in that he sometimes watched from the window, so he took the opportunity to approach it.

He touched the water splashing on the dirt ground, and played with the drops that fell on his nose.

"Shinma, over here!" carrying the heavy bag with a look of effort, the redhead gestured for him to come back to her side.

They continued walking for a couple more routes until they reached a hotel. It had a medieval look, just like the whole town. Tenma loved the natural beauty with all the trees decorating every street around him.

They entered the hotel, and the redhead left the heavy bag at the main counter. She asked someone to take it to her room, and leaned against the wall to rest.

Then, she looked at Tenma, who had been watching her all the time.

The redhead girl resembled a lot the last girl he saw in his previous life... equally beautiful.

"Shinma... Shinma..." the girl approached the puppy and lifted him in her arms, looking out of the hotel. "The name suits you. Did the store owner say you were sick? You seem fine to me."

Tenma observed the beautiful eyes of the girl, her bright smile, and her well-kept cheekbones. She was a very beautiful girl indeed.

"It's time to celebrate the new addition to our guild, don't you think?"

Tenma barked, confused. And so, they both headed towards a tavern.

"We'll drink until we can't anymore, they're waiting for us there!"