Makoto nodded gently, understanding the old man's situation.
In fact, many elderly people encounter such situations.
Their spouse passes away unexpectedly, and their children are not around.
Sometimes, having a pet can indeed help elderly people alleviate boredom.
The old man chuckled and continued to reminisce: "Sir, don't laugh at me, but at first, I really couldn't adapt to living with Taroumaru."
"Because Taroumaru was just too lively and active; I had to take him for a walk every day, otherwise his boundless energy wouldn't be released, and he would secretly tear up the house at night."
"Every time I caught him doing something naughty, he would grin foolishly, trying to act cute and get away with it."
"What I wanted was a quiet life, but with Taroumaru's arrival, the house was a mess all day long, which went against my original intention."
"Furthermore... Taroumaru probably didn't want to live with a boring owner like me, either?"
"Every time I took him out for a walk, it was called a walk, but actually, I'd get tired after two steps, and often he'd be waiting for me."
"I also didn't know what he liked to eat; anyway, whatever I ate, he ate too. It was a bit unfair to him, to be honest."
As the old man spoke of the past, his expression showed apology.
He felt he was quite irresponsible and couldn't be considered a good owner.
"So, I wrote to my children that very night, asking them to take Taroumaru away and take good care of him."
"The children were also very understanding and took Taroumaru away the next day."
"After Taroumaru was sent away, the house did become quiet, but I didn't feel happy."
"Because it was just too quiet, so quiet that I was a bit unaccustomed to it."
"Although Taroumaru was noisy when he was around, there was a strange sense of peace in my heart."
"Of course, it wasn't just the quietness that I couldn't adapt to."
"Without Taroumaru, I stayed home every day, often suffering from backaches and body pains. My health was far worse than when I walked Taroumaru every day."
"Only later did I realize that Taroumaru's insistence on going for a walk every day was actually helping me exercise."
"All along, I thought I was taking care of him, but in reality, he was quietly taking care of me."
The old man paused, then continued to recall: "Later, I wrote to my children again, hoping they would send Taroumaru back."
"But the children told me that Taroumaru had run away from home the night he returned and couldn't be found."
"When I heard this news, I felt a little sad, but more than that, I was worried, worried that something might happen to Taroumaru."
"It turned out that, without realizing it, I had already come to regard Taroumaru as family; his every move would tug at my heart."
"I decided to go look for him, even if I had to lean on my cane and move forward step by step, I had to find him."
"However, when I walked out of the house, I found Taroumaru at the doorstep, grinning foolishly at me."
"His tail wagged from side to side; I was worried he might wag it so hard it would break."
"At that moment, I realized that Taroumaru's so-called running away was actually just to come home."
"From then on, Taroumaru never left my side, afraid of being separated from me again."
At this point, the old man's face was full of smiles, and his eyes became exceptionally gentle.
"And then, later, my health declined day by day."
"I knew my journey had reached its end, and I was about to bid farewell to the world."
"My children have already established their families and are living well, so I don't need to worry."
"The only thing I couldn't let go of was Taroumaru."
"Because I was afraid that my departure would make Taroumaru sad."
Makoto nodded, indicating he understood.
According to the old man's narrative, it was not difficult to discern that Taroumaru was a very spiritual dog.
The old man's passing would certainly make him very sad.
At this, the old man continued: "I wrote to my children again, asking them to take Taroumaru away and not to let him escape again."
"Usually, Taroumaru was gentle-natured and would just grin foolishly no matter how you petted him. But on that day, Taroumaru was exceptionally unusual."
"It was as if he knew he was going to be sent away; Taroumaru lay beside me, not letting anyone get close, and he made whimpering sounds, looking as if he was crying."
"The children had no choice but to let Taroumaru stay by my side in the end."
"During the remaining few days of my life, Taroumaru was always by my side. My body grew weaker and weaker, and I slept most of the time, but every time I woke up, I could see Taroumaru guarding me, never leaving my side."
"After I passed away, my children buried me in a mountain forest outside Inazuma City."
"And from that day on, Taroumaru stopped eating and drinking, and just guarded the grave every day."
"By my reckoning, it's been three days now that he hasn't eaten."
"I am very worried about his health, so I wanted you, sir, to take care of Taroumaru for me."
The old man looked at Makoto and said with a light chuckle, "I can feel that you, sir, are a very gentle person. I can rest assured entrusting Taroumaru to you."
Before transmigrating, Makoto had indeed raised a dog.
Taking care of Taroumaru now should not be a difficult task.
However, Makoto did not immediately agree, but rather voiced his concerns.
"Old sir, I am only staying in Inazuma for a few days. I will leave after the festival ends. Are you sure you want me to take Taroumaru?"
However, to his surprise, the old man's smile deepened upon hearing this.
"That would be even better. Inazuma might be a sad place for Taroumaru."
"If you can take him away, I think he won't miss me as much."
The old man looked at Makoto and said earnestly, word by word, "Sir, what I want to say is, please take good care of Taroumaru. I beg you."
Makoto nodded: "Don't worry, leave this to me."
"By the way, does your dog cook?"
"Hmm??"
The old man paused, a little confused.
"Taroumaru can't cook, but he eats quite happily, the kind who wishes he could eat eight meals a day."
"However, I've noticed that he seems to have an extraordinary interest in swords."
"Hmm??"
...
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