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Warsman heard a door open. He stopped reading his fighting technique book and stood up. He could tell that the Barracuda had returned from a shopping trip to town, only because they were the only two people living in the house.
Barracuda must have bought a lot because it had been a long time since we had been out shopping. It must have been heavy, and Warsman's arm, outstretched to carry what Barracuda had bought, suddenly snapped to a stop. He pulled his arm back.
"What? "
Barracuda's eyes, always grim, glared at Warsman. The low voice sounded intimidating, but he did not mind at all. He had more on his mind than that. Warsman pointed at it. He was so confused that he forgot that he usually doesn't do that because he is scolded that "Mind your manners! ”.
“It” is small and shaggy, the color of trampled, dirty snow. Its head is pressed against Barracuda's luxurious coat, and it is huffing and puffing on his chest. A pink tongue peeks out of its small mouth.
"This is a dog. You don't know that? "
Warsman shook his head. He did not know why Barracuda is holding a dog. Pointing again at the dog and looking up at Barracuda, Barracuda first handed Warsman a shopping bag. Warsman took milk, tomatoes, and various other groceries out of the shopping bag and took them to the kitchen. Finally, when he returned, Barracuda answered.
"We're going to keep this as part of the training."
“!? ”
Warsman could not help but be amazed. He seriously suspected that Barracuda was joking, and even thought (It's not like him). So far, training with animals has been all about killing them, but this is suddenly too different. Warsman wanted to ask, "What kind of training? ” but he didn't do it.
“I've been thinking about training with small animals for a while now, but I haven't been able to find any good ones, so I was wondering what to do. Then this little guy followed me on the way home today. Its body is dirty and it is still a puppy, but there were no parents around. I guess it was abandoned.”
“....”
How poor little puppy.... Kind-hearted Warsman was already heartbroken by the puppy's circumstance within minutes of meeting it. As he gazed at the puppy with pity, Barracuda held out his hand holding it.
“Hold this. I'm gonna go wash my hands.”
Warsman had no choice but to comply. He did not know how to hold, but he fearfully imitated Barracuda he had just seen. The dog seemed to have a outgoing nature and did not even bark at Barracuda and Warsman it had just met today, gave itself to them.
Warsman was scared. The dog trusted him, who had killed countless chojins as a fighting computer and always seemed to be steeped in the smell of cold blood, for no reason at all. The dog's eyes narrowed as he gently stroked its head, which he could have crushed in one hand.
It is horrible - but cute. And happy. Barracuda returned shortly thereafter, but Warsman continued to cuddle the dog.
Then they decided a lot of things about the dog. Warsman, however, didn't say a word, didn't even give backchannel, just listened to the plan that Barracuda seemed to have thought up on his way home. So he was impatient when Barracuda said, "You name it.”
Warsman has just been given names, and has never given them. He turned the dog over to check its sex, and it appeared to be a male - but that didn't give him any idea what name to give it.
However, he knew that he should not give him a name like "война машины” even by mistake. Then a more creaturely name would be better. The ones he knew were Mikhail. Natasha. Barracuda. And.
“......Nikolai.”
It was his first vocalization in days. It must have been soft and hard to hear, but he muttered it for Barracuda to hear. Barracuda did not listen back and silently looked at Warsman. His eyes were covered by long bangs, but Warsman could see him glared at him.
(Did he not like it? Should I come up with another name? But he told me "You name it.")
Well, there is no particular commitment to the name he just mentioned. He will keep this dog with Barracuda, so he should listen his opinions somewhat....
“That's a nice name.”
For a moment, Warsman did not understand what Barracuda said. But he immediately gasped. And the only pupil, hidden behind his mask opened. This was the first time he had ever been complimented by Barracuda on anything other than something related to martial arts.
“Then...You are Nikolai from today. Got it? ”
Barracuda looked into Warsman's chest and called the name. Of course, a conversation partner is the dog. Nevertheless, at that moment, Warsman felt something warm slowly spreading through his heart.
That's a nice name. Nikolai.
It had no form, no name, but it became something visible, about to overflow out of his body.
“…! ”
Warsman suddenly ran into the bathroom, holding Nikolai in his arms. Barracuda thought he probably went to wash the dog's body so did not care.
◆
In the bathroom. No one has even twisted the faucet of the shower yet, but there is something wetting Nikolai's dirty hairs : The tears of Warsman.
─That's a nice name.
Warsman cried with joy, remembering Barracuda's words over and over again.
Nikolai.
It is his real name which has never been asked by Barracuda since they met.
For some time after that, there was a constant euphoria in Warsman's heart. The occasional Barracuda calling Nikolai's name amplified it even more. Until a few months later, when Barracuda ordered him to "Kill the dog.", and he learned that Barracuda had brought Nikolai for that purpose from the beginning.