Chapter – 5 : “Employment Contract: Snacks Required”

“I really, really hate this.”

The dog’s tail wagged once.

Satisfied.

Lina stared at him, then dragged both hands down her face slowly, like she could physically wipe away the situation.

“Okay,” she said, voice flat. “Let’s assume—just for one deeply unfortunate moment—that I believe this.”

“You should.”

“I don’t,” she snapped. “But let’s pretend I do.”

The dog—Minister, apparently—sat a little straighter.

“Good. Then we can proceed.”

“Proceed to what?” Lina shot back. “Because from where I’m standing, I’m about two seconds away from going back inside and pretending none of this ever happened.”

“You won’t.”

She crossed her arms. “Watch me.”

“You won’t,” he repeated calmly, “because you already listened.”

That—

Annoyingly—

Was not wrong.

Lina clicked her tongue, looking away toward the street, watching a car pass like it might offer a better life choice.

“…Fine,” she muttered. “One conversation. That’s it. Then I’m done.”

“No.”

Her head snapped back. “No?”

“That’s not how this works.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said sharply, stepping closer. “I didn’t realize there were rules to suddenly hearing animals talk.”

“There are expectations.”

“From who?”

The dog didn’t answer immediately.

Which was starting to become a pattern Lina absolutely hated.

Instead, he stood and began walking.

Casually.

Like she would obviously follow.

Lina didn’t move.

“…Where are you going?”

“You said one conversation.”

“I said here,” she corrected. “We’re not going anywhere.”

The dog glanced back over his shoulder.

“Then stay.”

And kept walking.

Lina stared at him.

One step.

Two steps.

He didn’t stop.

Didn’t look back again.

Just… kept going.

“…Oh, that’s manipulative,” she muttered.

She stood there for a full three seconds.

Four.

Five.

Then—

“Ugh,” she groaned under her breath, pushing off the ground and following him. “This is how horror movies start. This is exactly how people end up missing.”

“You’re very dramatic.”

“I am being realistic,” she snapped, catching up to him. “There is a difference.”

“You’re loud.”

“And you’re a dog who named himself Minister, so I think we’ve both made questionable choices.”

He didn’t respond to that.

Which somehow felt like he chose not to.

That was worse.

They walked down the sidewalk together.

Well—

Lina walked.

Minister trotted like this was a perfectly normal daily routine.

People passed them.

No one stared.

No one questioned why she was clearly talking.

“Okay,” Lina said, lowering her voice slightly. “Let’s say I’m entertaining this. What exactly do you want from me?”

“Help.”

“With what?”

“A problem.”

“That narrows it down,” she said dryly. “Very helpful. Ten out of ten explanation.”

He slowed slightly.

Waited for her to match his pace.

“There’s a dog.”

She stopped walking.

Stared at him.

“…You are a dog.”

“Another dog.”

“Ah. Of course. Completely different category.”

“He’s missing.”

Lina’s sarcasm paused.

Just slightly.

“…Missing?” she repeated.

“Yes.”

“From where?”

“A house.”

“Do you know which house?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know the owner?”

“No.”

Lina blinked.

“…So let me get this straight. You want me to help you find a missing dog, belonging to a person you don’t know, from a house you expect me to just magically locate?”

“Correct.”

She stared at him.

Long.

Unblinking.

“…You’re unbelievable.”

“You’re still here.”

That—

Again—

Annoyingly—

True.

Lina let out a breath through her nose, glancing around like she might find an exit from this situation hidden somewhere between parked cars.

“…Why me?” she asked finally.

Minister stopped walking.

Turned to face her fully.

“Because you can hear us.”

“That’s not a qualification. That’s a problem.”

“It’s both.”

She hesitated.

Then shook her head.

“No. No, I’m not doing this. I have a job. I have responsibilities. I can’t just—start solving… dog mysteries on the street.”

“You already solve problems.”

“For paying clients,” she emphasized.

“This one pays.”

Lina narrowed her eyes. “With what?”

The dog held her gaze.

Then—

Very deliberately—

Sat down.

“Information.”

A pause.

Something in Lina’s expression shifted.

Just a fraction.

“…About what?” she asked carefully.

The dog didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he leaned forward slightly.

Voice quieter now.

More deliberate.

“About things you don’t understand yet.”

The air between them felt different again.

Not chaotic.

Not absurd.

Focused.

Lina’s fingers tightened slightly around the strap of her bag.

“…That’s vague.”

“It’s enough.”

She exhaled slowly.

Looked away.

Looked back.

Weighed it.

“This is insane,” she muttered.

“Yes.”

“And I shouldn’t agree to this.”

“Correct.”

“And I’m still considering it.”

“Also correct.”

Lina closed her eyes for a second.

Then opened them again.

“…One job,” she said firmly. “One. I help you find this dog. That’s it. After that, I’m done.”

Minister didn’t hesitate.

“No.”

Her eye twitched slightly.

“…I’m sorry, what?”

“That’s not how this works.”

“Then how does it work?” she snapped.

The dog stood.

Turned again.

Started walking.

“You’ll see.”

Lina stared after him.

“…You are the worst negotiator I’ve ever met.”

“You’re still following.”

She looked down.

Realized—

She had already taken a step forward.

Paused.

Then sighed heavily.

“…I hate you.”

“You don’t.”

She walked after him anyway.

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