Prologue: Keep Me as Your Pet
"Teacher, I heard you're thinking about getting a pet?"
"Oh, you heard about that? It's just... living alone for the first time after leaving home turned out lonelier than I expected. Wait, but more importantly—"
"Raising a pet takes a lot of work and money, though. Are you okay with that?"
"...Well, we keep a dog back at my parents' place, so I'm confident about that part. Money isn't an issue either, and once you start raising one, they become family. No, wait—that's not what's important right now..."
Listening to Teacher's words and thinking it over again, it seemed like a good idea.
She really did seem like a decent person.
Steeling my resolve once more, I gathered my courage, took Teacher's hand, and pressed it against my face—specifically my right cheek—as I spoke.
Of course, I didn't forget to keep meeting her eyes the whole time.
"Then... what about me?"
Teacher's eyes, which had already been wavering from the moment I took her hand, trembled even more violently after hearing my words.
"W-What are you talking about?! L-Let go of my hand! Wait a second!"
"People say I look cute enough, and I can be really affectionate. You can just feed me whatever leftovers you have, and I won't cause any trouble even if I'm left home alone. I can use the bathroom properly, of course, and I can take myself on walks. Plus, you can actually talk to me—doesn't that make me better than a dog or a cat?"
Whether it was because she was doing something a teacher shouldn't, or because she was conscious of me as a member of the opposite sex, Teacher's face had gone quite red.
"Ugh... I-I don't really understand what you're saying all of a sudden, but a boy shouldn't do that, okay? I'm not being discriminatory, but you need to take care of your body. This kind of joke isn't good—"
I'd known Teacher would react like this, so I quickly cut her off, licking the fingers I was holding as I continued.
Just like a puppy craving its owner's affection.
"...Teacher, you know at least a little about my situation. Right now, if you turn me down, I have nowhere left to go... so I'm really desperate. Please. I'll be good... Won't you raise me?"
I knew perfectly well how shameless and bothersome this was, but I had nothing left either, so I licked and pleaded with everything I had.
Hoping Teacher would take me in.
Hoping that I, too, might find someone who would love me and support me—
I kept licking Teacher's hand.