CH 38

“Mike”

Akane might be considered a “boring” person to some people’s standards. I’m sure to those people my naming abilities are repulsive, to say the least.

– Takaya, that’s a name you would give to a cat. Your pet is a wolf. You know, something more akin to a dog.

– I know, but I couldn’t come up with anything better.

I actually gave it some serious thought. I even thought about “Pochi”, which is a bit more dog-like.

That was a popular name back in the old world.

Even if it’s basic, I thought she’d like it.

But then it hit me.

She’s a girl.

Pochi is a name for male dogs.

It would be awful of me to name her that.

So I kept thinking.

If not Pochi, what else?

I’ve seen dogs named foreigner things like John and Mary. The mental image I have is them walking around the city with their poop hanging from behind. I don’t think that applies to this girl.

With such stupidities in mind, I finally realized.

“Ah, of course. Mike!”

Mike would be perfect. It’s not something bad, and it fits a girl.

So I decided to go with that.

It wasn’t until Akane mentioned it that I realized “Mike” is more of a cat name.

– Takaya… You are… Very disappointing.

– I completely understand.

I was about to ask Akane to choose a name herself.

– Mike… Is that my name?

– Yes. Well, we haven’t decided yet.

But the dog herself seemed pretty happy about it.

– Mike… Mi ke… I like it. If the master chose it, then I like it. Mike.

– You like it?

– Yeah!

Her face had a wide smile.

I hadn’t noticed, but her tail is wagging and her ears are folding and opening in excitement.

I thought I was jumping the gun, but it seems like we found the perfect name.

Mike, the wolf, totally not a cat.

– By the way, Akane-san.

– What now?

– I was wondering what name you would’ve given her.

I wanted to know what magnificent names she could’ve come up with.

– Why are you asking? We’ve already moved on from the topic.

– No no, madame. You said I was a disappointment, so I would like to know what your idea was. I need samples to learn, after all.

– Gh…

– Well then, Akane-san?

– FINE. You get so hung up on such pointless matters.

Akane turned to Mike and frowned.

It took her some time, but she eventually muttered:

– Uhh… Perhaps… Pomegranate.

– Pomegranate? (Takaya)

– … (Takaya & Mike)

Complete silence.

– Whatever! We’re done with this conversation!

– …Sure.

– You two are weird, haha. (Mike)

Mike, the wolf girl we nursed back to normal, laughed at the two apprentices.