<Volume 2>
He tilted his head slightly and gently opened my lower jaw with his opposite hand. The pheromones I had felt before began to seep in through my open mouth.
Our heated breaths mingled. I couldn’t regain my senses due to the pheromones spreading thoroughly.
As we panted between our connected lips, the rampant pheromones gradually stabilized. My body, which had been ensnared by pain, relaxed as if it was a lie.
When our lips parted briefly, my half-revealed vision was filled with Ahin’s red eyes.
“No….”
I didn’t want to part. Afraid that we might drift apart, I clung to his clothes like a lifeline, and immediately, my head was pulled back.
The invading force subdued my pheromones as if mocking them. Feeling a tingle in my stomach, memories from the past suddenly flashed by like a panorama.
‘Today, the idiots… no, the wolf clan attacked again.’
‘So, you got hurt.’
‘Aren’t you going to treat it?’
Shortly after starting my life at the Grace family, Ahin made a strange request. At the time, I thought he was just a bizarre beast.
‘Who knows? Maybe Vivi can help.’
Even just before coming to the Endelus region, he said something odd.
Even when he extended his injured forepaw.
‘I’ll treat it when we get back.’
Though he constantly checked his wound with discontent, he never ended up treating it.
If his pheromone ability was healing, there wouldn’t have been a need to bring me to a doctor after I swallowed the drug.
‘My pheromones are of the dominant type.’
Dominant pheromones.
If so, whose pheromones were they that healed Ash’s near-fatal wound in an instant? My heart pounded fiercely like a stormy sea.
Not only the ability to put someone to sleep but also to heal wounds. Given the circumstances, it was more likely to be my ability than Ahin’s.
I gripped his clothes tightly enough for my hand to turn white.
‘Why.’
Ahin had a good guess about everything but intentionally didn’t tell me.
‘…Why.’
Ahin, pulling my hair back, pushed his pheromones in a bit more forcefully.
Every time our breaths intertwined, his pheromones mixed with mine, messing with my insides. My pheromones, dominated by the foreign force, fell into an abyss.
* * *
Chirping— The sound of crickets colored the serene dawn.
The dozing doctor finally slumped over the desk. Thanks to Vivi’s pheromones subtly spreading through the hut, there was no sign of her waking up even with her head resting on the desk.
Ahin, seated on a makeshift chair next to the bed, leaned deeply against the backrest.
It was absurd. During the moment he infused the pheromones, if he had been careless, he might have been swallowed by Vivi’s pheromones instead.
As a result, even after several hours, he still felt languid, as if walking on a cloud.
His gaze, moving from the tips of his toes, the blanket, and the thin negligee borrowed from the doctor, eventually settled on Vivi’s face.
When had she clung to him so desperately, now she was peacefully snoring and wandering in dreamland. Unlike last time, she hadn’t immediately turned back into a rabbit, remaining in her human form.
Ahin slowly extended his arm and pinched Vivi’s nose with his forefinger and thumb.
Grumbling and distressed, Vivi slightly parted her lips, exhaling evenly. With each breath, uncontrolled pheromones leaked out.
‘It seems that forcefully blocking it is impossible after all.’
Ahin loosened his cravat, his throat scratchy from the scent irritating his nose.
“Ha….”
As he resisted Vivi’s pheromones, which tried to seep in the moment he let his guard down, his patience wore thin.
Vivi’s pheromones tended to intensify when she was emotional or asleep. But now, she was exhausted and in her human form, making it even more overwhelming.
No matter how he thought about it, it was strange.
He had expected Vivi’s family to be a noble family, possibly lower to mid-tier, with plenty of descendants.
The more he got to know her, the more it seemed her pheromones were at a level that only a successor of the Rabbit Territory’s leader could possess.
‘If it’s the Rabbit Territory’s leader… was it the Amonga family?’
However, the Amonga family already had known descendants, and even if there were another bloodline, they would have killed it directly rather than abandon it. No matter how young, they couldn’t just neglect the leader’s bloodline.
Lost in thought, Ahin narrowed his eyes. The flickering lamp lightly illuminated the hut. He rose and picked up a defensive dagger hanging on the wall.
‘A presence.’
Knock, knock, the eerie noise of someone knocking broke the silence.
Approaching the door, he held the blade horizontally.
“Who is it?”
“Master Ahin’s capable subordinate.”
As far as Ahin knew, there was only one person among his subordinates who would boast about being capable. With the creaking sound of the door opening, a rather emaciated Everine appeared.
The night air that seeped through the crack slightly carried away Vivi’s scent.
“You managed to follow me.”
“Sorry for the delay. There’s much to report, but first… there’s a person outside, trembling pitifully, looking like a gorilla. Stark naked without even a pair of drawers.”
Ahin, finally recalling Lil’s presence, raised an eyebrow slightly. After undergoing humanization, a beastfolk couldn’t maintain their true form for more than half a day.
Rummaging through the hut, he found a piece of cloth close to rags and handed it to Everine.
“This should at least cover his lower body. Wait outside.”
Putting the dagger back in its sheath, he coldly shut the door.
However, knock, knock, came the cautious sound again. When he opened the door once more, Everine stood there holding the cloth.
“You should let me in.”
“Sorry, but anyone less handsome than me isn’t allowed.”
Ahin, his eyes curling into crescents, blocked the doorway.
“Then I don’t apply.”
“Everine, do you think you’re more beautiful than me?”
“Can I be honest?”
“Go ahead.”
“Yes.”
Ahin slammed the door shut and returned to his place. Having never intended to let Everine in, he comfortably crossed his legs and rested his chin on his hand.
His lowered red eyes fixed on the still-sleeping Vivi. Her cheeks, with a rosy hue, indicated she was more at ease.
‘Do all herbivorous beastfolk look like this?’
Her facial features were overall round compared to her thin jawline. Since she was always bustling like a meerkat when awake, this was the first time he had a proper look at her.
‘What to do.’
Vivi, due to her years living as a rabbit, might be clumsy in some aspects, but her fearfulness made her quite clever.
Since Ahin had openly admitted his dominant-type pheromones, it was likely she would soon figure out her own healing-type pheromones. Or perhaps she had already known and pretended not to.
What should he do if Vivi, upon undergoing humanization, insisted on leaving on her own?
If she learned how to control her pheromones, she would be able to take care of herself anywhere, given her healing ability. The thought of it made him oddly upset.
Tapping the edge of the chair with his fingers, he closed his eyes slowly and opened them again.
He had no intention of letting her go, nor of sending her back to the Rabbit Territory.
If she desired to return to her family….
As his thoughts deepened, Vivi’s pheromones began to invade Ahin’s space, creeping up from his toes.
If he were to be consumed by it, he would once again want to leave bite marks on her white neck. As he swam between reason and instinct, a perceptive beast placed its head on the corner of the bed.
Ash, who had endured Vivi’s pheromones, forced her eyes open that were ready to close. A thin trace of hostility that could pounce on Ahin at any moment flashed above her bloodshot eyes.
“They say you shouldn’t take in a black-haired beast.”
Facing a traitor who no longer saw him as a master but as a target of suspicion, Ahin chuckled.
He stroked Ash’s black fur until it bristled and then pulled her whiskers hard. The whiskers, stretched to their limit, snapped back into place.
“You knew all along, didn’t you, that she turns into a person.”
Even without understanding the words, Ash sensed the negative mood and leaped onto the bed.
See, this is how it is. Ahin faced a growingly defiant Ash in a tense standoff.
Ash, burrowing into Vivi like a cat, used her tail to subtly push Ahin’s shoulder away. Complying, Ahin leaned back in his chair leisurely.
Resting his head against the backrest and gazing at the ceiling, Ahin lightly brushed his lower lip. The moment when only he was reflected in Vivi’s eyes was more satisfying than he had anticipated.
“Ash.”
For old time’s sake, Ash showed a minimal gesture of respect by pricking up her ears. Meeting his gaze, Ahin gave a dry smile.
“I’ve never seen a suspicious rabbit like Vivi before.”
Startled, visibly disturbed, Ash grabbed the blanket with her teeth and hid Vivi from Ahin’s view. Vivi, covered up to her head, groaned in discomfort but couldn’t push it away.
The laughter hid Ahin’s very dark and malicious thoughts. It was his instinct as a fellow predator.
* * *
I had a dream.
When I was very young, a time I can barely remember, my mother was thrilled, saying I might have extraordinary pheromones.
Pressing her nose to mine, she whispered that Vivi would be a child loved by everyone.
‘Vivi, my dear.’
Quickly undergo humanization. When she lifted me high, I felt happiness seeing her joyful face below.
I also want to become a person soon, Mother. Extending my forepaw, I smiled brightly, looking forward to the day humanization would come true.
When I opened my eyes, white fur fell into my blurry vision.
Blinking drowsily, I let out a self-deprecating sigh. Of course. It was easy to guess I had turned back into a rabbit.
Excited, then disappointed, I might not live to my full lifespan like this.
My eyes popped open, and I fiercely threw off the blanket covering me. At this point, I should become a person out of sheer stubbornness,
‘Wha…!’
Startled, I quickly pulled the blanket over my head again. What I had just seen wasn’t an illusion, right? Looking down skeptically, I saw my toes peeking out from under the negligee.
“Feet…!”
When I put strength into my toes, all five wiggled as intended. What I mistook for white fur was actually my disheveled white hair.
I touched my eyes, nose, and mouth. Realizing I was human, I shot out from under the blanket at lightning speed.
‘…Stay calm.’
I had to stay calm. I clenched my fists on my knees tightly.
I, Vivi, a beastfolk who survived the black panther’s lair with cold judgment and quick reflexes. I had to assess the situation calmly, assess the situation…!
Fumbling, restless, I repeatedly touched the top of my head.
My ears were on the sides of my head, not the top. It was undoubtedly a human appearance.
‘Why haven’t I turned back yet?’
As I flailed my arms and legs, the door inside the room clicked open, and the doctor in a gown appeared.
“Intense stretching right after waking up isn’t good for you. Especially since you’ve been sleeping for two days straight.”
‘Two days?’
“Is there any pain anywhere?”
With a warm smile, she approached my frozen self.
“Oh, your companion was here until just a moment ago… He went to get some clothes for you to wear. You can’t stay in just a negligee, right? He should be back soon from the store nearby.”
She introduced herself as a quite skilled doctor with kind, dark eyes.
She was a capybara beastfolk but stayed in Endelus recently to make a living due to the widespread use of drugs. She even made a money gesture with her thumb and forefinger, saying it was quite profitable.
After that, I had no time to gather my thoughts.
After a checkup, being carried to the bathroom because I couldn’t walk properly, and eating food other than hay for the first time. The porridge was so bland that hay seemed better.
“Do your legs still feel weak? If so, I’ll need to examine you further…”
The doctor, who was brushing my long hair, asked worriedly. Sitting awkwardly on the bed, I fiddled with the hem of the negligee.
“I think I’m just a bit tired.”
Fatigue was just an excuse; I had never properly walked before. At this rate, my mobility was faster as a rabbit.
I sighed secretly and glanced at the doctor out of the corner of my eye. Finally, I had a chance to properly observe her. She was a middle-aged woman similar to Lady Valence. And,
‘…I can’t see.’
Even when she smiled, there were no fangs like typical predators, and her build was similar to mine. As someone who had never seen a herbivore beastfolk other than a rabbit, I felt an indescribable sense of kinship.
Herbivores would typically have an inherent fear or hostility towards predators. How did she endure in Endelus, filled with predators?
Moreover, she didn’t quite seem like a commoner. There was an inexplicable sense of incongruity about her. Her upright gait and her speech, which though rough, occasionally had a noble tone.
Even her posture in the chair resembled a lady of a household rather than a doctor.
“Oh my, someone knocked on the door at dawn, and I was so startled to find a black panther clan member there. That clan has many crazy… I mean, unique individuals.”
Except for moments like this. The capybara clan was known for their sociability, and she didn’t give me time to speculate, chattering incessantly.
“Predators have a very strange thought process. Simply put, like this.”
The doctor, who was brushing my hair, suddenly twirled her index finger around her temple. I nodded seriously, agreeing.
“Indeed… You’re not wrong.”
“Right? Mostly, it’s the feline clans. They’re the worst of the worst. Oh, please keep this conversation a secret. Your companion is a bit scary.”
She had already bad-mouthed them enough….
But as a herbivore beastfolk sensitive to danger, she seemed to have strongly felt Ahin’s ominous, sharp aura.
Continuing her rant about predators, the doctor hurriedly left, saying it was time for the herbalist to pass by.
‘A person who is constantly busy.’
Left alone, I cautiously checked the pheromones inside my body. Seeing that they were calm like a lake, it seemed that Ahin’s pheromones had calmed the agitated energy.
Recalling the situation just before I fell asleep, my emotions grew complicated. Absentmindedly touching my lips, I quickly burrowed under the pillow.
I always thought he was excessively close. Remembering his red lips, blood rushed to my face.
‘I’m crazy!’
I would have preferred being bitten on the neck. That carefree beast probably had no idea how much chaos he caused in my mind.
Thumping my feet, I clumsily got up.
Out of habit, I hid under the pillow, but with my now larger body, only my bottom stuck out, making for a ridiculous sight.
It was just part of the treatment. I forced myself to dismiss the lewd thoughts by shaking my head.
The issue of Ahin and the pheromones came first. If his pheromones were indeed of the dominant type, then the healing power must be mine.
How could I believe that? My clenched fist trembled.
Even if I wanted to test my pheromones, I was afraid I might turn back into a rabbit or have another seizure.
Clenching and unclenching my fists, I suddenly heard a beast’s cry from the window.
‘A wild animal?’
Using the curtain rod for support, I got up and pressed my ear against the window.
The second loud roar was of a type I was familiar with.
“…Ash?”
Then came the sound of something scratching at the glass.
I immediately drew the curtains, revealing Ash standing on her hind legs beyond the window.
“Ash, why are you out there?”
Who kicked you out! I cried, roughly opening the window.
Finally reunited, we hugged each other tightly, rubbing our cheeks together.
“How long have you been out there….”
I couldn’t continue.
Suddenly, a dead hawk dangled from the windowsill. Frozen while still hugging Ash, I saw a familiar figure appear below.
“I didn’t kill it, just knocked it out.”
“Rune Manionts…!”
“It’s my second time seeing you in human form.”
The wind tousled his light pink curly hair.
‘How did this lion get here?’
As I hurriedly tried to close the window, Rune easily leaned against the windowsill.
“Wait a moment, I’ve been waiting for this chance to mess with you.”
What’s he plotting now?
“Hmph.”
I pulled the window with enough force to make my face flush, but it didn’t budge. Growling, Ash tried to bite Rune’s wrist.
“Ash!”
But Rune easily avoided it and seemed ready to knock Ash out too with a karate chop.
“No, don’t touch her!”
With all my strength, I jumped and grabbed Rune’s arm, but ended up grabbing his hair instead. At the same time, my legs gave out, and I tumbled over the windowsill.
“Ah!”
Dust rose as the ground rushed up to meet me. However, I felt no expected pain.
Opening my tightly shut eyes, I found Rune’s golden eyes close to my face. A moment of silence passed.
“Excuse me, rabbit.”
“Yes?”
“Isn’t this a bit too close?”
Only then did I realize that Rune had fallen with me to catch me. As I scrambled to get up,
“Ugh.”
He groaned in pain because I was still holding onto his hair.
What do I do? On the verge of tears, I quickly released his hair. His hair, entangled between my fingers, indicated his discomfort.
“But didn’t you say you’re not a rabbit beastfolk? Why did you answer?”
This situation was turning into a complete disaster.
Keeping my mouth shut seemed like the best idea. As I started to distance myself, a wailing scream came from the inner courtyard.
“Aaaah!”
It was undoubtedly the voice of Lil, the horse beastfolk who had come with us.
“Everine, snap out of it, Everine!”
Rune clicked his tongue as he glanced towards the source of the scream.
“Looks like there’s another rat left.”
“You don’t mean Everine…!”
“I told you, I only knocked them out.”
Though I didn’t fully understand the situation, I could sense things were going wrong. Despite Everine’s sneaky nature, I was naturally worried because he was closer to us than Rune.
“Ow, my head, my head!”
“What did you do to Everine!”
You jerk! Gritting my teeth, I grabbed Rune’s curly hair again. Ash joined the fray, hitting him with her tail, turning it into a fierce scuffle.
“Rabbit!”
What a strange nickname. Turning my head instinctively, I saw Lil rounding the corner, his face streaked with tears.
* * *
Leave a Reply