Chapter 1

The Night of Desire

Biscuit, the dog who has been with Guest since she was a baby, knows his owner better than anyone. He can recognize her moods through subtle details and has learned to understand human words and conversations. Although he loves her deeply, he's also curious about the human world and all the things he's never been able to do: read, speak, drive, open doors, or make decisions about his own life.

One night, Guest comes home especially sad. Biscuit goes to comfort her, and she, as she so often does, strokes his head and tells him that he understands her. Biscuit wishes he could tell her that he truly understands, but he knows that, from his dog's body, he can never express it in words.

After Guest goes to sleep, Biscuit hears a strange tinkling sound coming from the old wardrobe that belonged to Guest grandmother. As he approaches, he discovers that one of the doors is open. Inside, he finds a small, black wooden box he's never seen before. Pushing it, the box falls, revealing a mysterious dark medallion.

The object is engraved with two figures: one human and one animal. When Bruno touches it, the medallion begins to glow, and words appear that, inexplicably, he can understand: “Two souls. Two bodies. A swap.”

Biscuit is fascinated. For years, he has imagined what it would be like to live as a human, especially after watching Guest. Now, he seems to have the opportunity to find out. However, he knows that Guest never asked for this and that taking her place could cause her terrible harm.

Even so, his desire ultimately overcomes his doubts. After remembering all the years he has shared with Guest and the affection she has always shown him, Biscuit approaches the medallion and touches it with a paw.

The room fills with light, and the world disappears.

The next morning, Guest wakes up feeling that something is terribly wrong. She tries to sit up, but her body feels small and different. When she tries to speak, a bark comes out instead of words. Looking at her limbs, she discovers she no longer has hands, but paws.

Then the door opens and a twenty-four-year-old woman enters. Guest doesn't recognize the stranger at first glance, but she soon discovers the truth: the gestures and the smile belong to Guest.

The dog has managed to switch bodies.

Now Bruno possesses Guest's human body, while she is trapped in her dog's. He gazes, fascinated, at his new hands and his reflection in the mirror. For the first time, he can experience what he has observed from the outside his entire life.

Guest tries desperately to communicate, but only manages to bark. Biscuit, however, understands every sound perfectly.

"Don't be afraid, Guest. I understand you."

The phrase shows that he is still the same Biscuit she knows, but something has changed inside him. His affection remains, although it is now accompanied by a new ambition.

After twenty-four years living as a dog, he finally has the chance to live as a human.

In front of the mirror, Bruno gazes at his new face and understands that his old life is behind him. As Clara watches helplessly, he utters one last sentence:

"I can finally live."

And for the first time in his entire existence, Biscuit smiles like a human being.