Chapter Three — Breakfast in the Kitchen

Amelia felt scared. But she had to act like Hana. She smiled and went downstairs. She smelled miso soup and grilled×焼いた fish.

Hana’s family was sitting at the table. Mom smiled. Dad nodded×うなずいた. Near them, a dog slept in a dog bed.

Amelia sat down at the table. The dog woke up. Then it barked×吠えた! It was very loud and angry. It jumped at Amelia!

“Koro!” Dad said. “What’s wrong?” He held the dog. It snarled×うなった（歯をむいて） at Amelia.

Amelia did not move. This was not normal. The dog knew something. It was angry, but it seemed sad too. It seemed like the dog wanted to say something.

“I don’t understand what’s wrong with Koro,” Mom said to Hana. “Koro loves you the most in our family! She is never like this.” She tried to calm×（犬を）落ち着かせる the dog. Koro barked more.

Dad held the angry dog. “I’ll take her outside,” he said. He carried Koro to the backyard and put her in a cage×ケージ、おり.

Dad came back. “I don’t know what’s wrong with her today,” he said. He looked at Amelia. “Hana-chan, are you okay?”

Amelia smiled. “I’m fine, Otousan,” she said. But she was not fine. The dog knew something. Amelia had to find out what.