"I didn't hit it."
The boy defended himself. "I just patted it once."
"Like this."
The boy reached out, paused, then gently patted the little girl on the head.
Feeling the warmth and weight on top of her head, the little girl nodded blankly. "Oh."
The boy's eyes curved into a smile. "All right, Big Cat is back. You must be happy now, little girl."
"Mm."
The little girl beamed.
"Big Cat~"
The little girl wrapped both arms around Big Dog's neck.
To make it easier for her to hug him, Big Dog lowered his head.
The boy reached out and touched Big Dog's collar.
"...How did it break?"
When he'd seen the half of the rope left by the gate, he'd been stunned for a long while.
This had never happened before.
He didn't know whether Big Cat had broken free of the rope on his own or if someone had broken it.
But he was inclined to believe the latter.
Big Cat had come to their home right after he was born.
He was especially close to the little girl, who had been born later.
He'd always looked after her.
Their family often joked that the little girl had two older brothers.
"Ahem."
Li Yan cleared his throat.
Although he was a victim too, ultimately, Big Dog had broken free of the rope because of what he'd done.
He had to explain.
The boy immediately stepped in front of the little girl. He smiled, but there was a hint of wariness in his eyes. "Who are you?"
"Is something the matter?"
"We came with... Big Cat."
Li Yan paused before saying the name he still wasn't used to.
"Big Cat?"
The boy froze, then looked enlightened. "Did you bring Big Cat back?"
"Thank