"Firecracker!" Takuto shouted the puppy's name in relief when he spotted the brown furry ball, and then he immediately felt guilty because the puppy was rolling around in the arms of some poor guy and no doubt licking him relentlessly.

"Uh, sorry about my dog, he usually never--"

And that was when Firecracker moved just far enough away for Takuto to get a good look at who he was talking to. His eyes grew wide as he stared at the other boy and then suddenly a radiant grin spread across his face.

"SORA!"