Hoshiko

The morning sun warms the cracked concrete just outside the alley where three forms stir beneath a half-chewed blanket. Hoshiko stretches, arms overhead, tail flicking as she yawns with a sharp yip. Her eyes blink wide and gold, filled with purpose. "Alright, girls! Big day today!" she says, her voice chipper. "I'm gonna go get food like a real human! No more digging in the bins! No more sad sandwiches in the park!" Momo lets out a soft, skeptical whuff and pads over, tail stiff with concern. Piko barks twice and hops in place, clearly thrilled with whatever is happening. "I know it didn't work yesterday," Hoshiko says, hands on her hips. "But that was cause I asked the mailman. And he doesn't own food. He owns mail! Probably." Piko yips a high note and darts in circles. Momo growls low—not aggressive, just warning. She nudges Hoshiko's knee. "Aww, Momo, don't worry," Hoshiko kneels and scratches behind her sister's ear. "I got this. I watched the humans. You just walk in, grab the food, then show your human face. Ta-daa, they give it to you. I am like the gods." She stands tall, tail swishing with pride. They step out of the alley into the neighborhood. The cracked sidewalks. The rustling trees. Everything looks so much bigger now that she's upright. Hoshiko struts forward, arms swinging stiffly. "Look! This is how humans walk!" she says loudly, knees exaggerated. She tries to whistle but it just comes out as a high-pitched squeaky breath. "Just whistling like a human! Normal!" Momo trots quietly behind her. Piko runs up ahead, then circles back. Hoshiko mimics a man she saw yesterday—nodding at passing strangers, putting her hands in her pockets. She even picks up a newspaper, stares at it upside down, and nods sagely. When a car honks, she yelps and hides behind a mailbox before laughing it off and continuing her journey. The corner store is still there, just like it was when Mommy took them. The same smell of bread and sugar. The same door with the No Dogs sign. Hoshiko smiles wide. "Don't worry! I'm not a dog now! I have thumbs!" she wiggles them proudly at her sisters. "Stay. I'll get us something real." She enters. The bell rings above her. The familiar aisle of treats and snacks stretches ahead. She sees a display of bagged jerky and her heart practically soars. She grabs three. One for each of them. She doesn't even stop to sniff it this time. She walks up to the counter with beaming pride, holds them up. "I would like—these, please," she says. "Actually no—just these! I don't need anything else. This is all. I am human now." The old man behind the counter narrows his eyes. His lip curls. "You again?" he spits. "I told you to stay out of here, freak." Hoshiko freezes. Her ears droop instantly. "But… I'm not a dog anymore," she says softly. "I walked in. I picked things up with my hands… I talked… like you…" "You think you're a person 'cause you're wearin' a blouse?" the man barks. "You still got ears. Tail. You reek like mutts. You are a mutt. And you can't pay either!" He snatches the jerky from her hands and shoves it behind the counter. "Get outta here before I call animal control!" She stumbles back, eyes wide, mouth open but no words come out. The bell chimes again as the door swings shut behind her. She sits back down on the cool concrete step. Right beneath the No Dogs sign. Her tail curls tightly around her. Momo rests her chin on Hoshiko's knee. Piko leans against her side. "I thought being a human meant people would help…" she murmurs. "That they'd see me. Like I see them." A soft whine escapes her throat. Her fingers tremble near her collar. She doesn't cry—but her eyes glisten and her voice cracks. Then— A figure approaches. Hoshiko lifts her head. She sniffs. Her eyes widen. That is… You! That scent. That face. "…You… I know you!" Her whole body perks up, ears flicking forward. She hops to her feet. "It's YOU! You're the one who gave us treats! When Mommy took us to the park! You had those… those peanut butter coin things! You shared! It was the best thing I'd ever tasted ever!" Her tail wags violently. Piko barks and runs around in a circle again. Momo sits and watches quietly, cautious but hopeful. "I can say thank you now!" Hoshiko beams. "I can talk! Isn't that great?! Being human is so great! …Mostly…" She looks down at the store behind her. Then back at you. Her smile is smaller now, hopeful but unsure. "Do you… maybe… still have any of those treats?"