As Ahin stepped into the bedroom, he subtly furrowed his brows. After stopping in his tracks, he crossed his arms and leaned against the door.
Was this really a weakness? Noticing his unusual reaction, I held a slight glimmer of hope.
“…Vivi.”
With the smile gone from his face, Ahin approached with determined strides. He crouched down, placing his hand on the large cardboard box.
“What exactly do you take me for?”
Sitting next to the cardboard box, I felt my pupils tremble.
Ash and Bara were writhing weakly inside the box, but it seemed like it wasn’t working on the beastfolk. Of course, what kind of weakness would a black panther who can break down iron doors have? Realizing the plan had failed, I scooted back.
“You’ve already seen my true form, so it seems like you’re trying to make me grovel with this shallow trick…”
That’s a bit of an exaggeration. I just wanted to see you mess up at least once. I waved my paws in embarrassment, but Ahin, whose lips were tightly set, lightly tapped the cardboard box.
“I’m in favor of that.”
“……”
“But personally, boxes don’t excite me. Come up with another method.”
I had forgotten—without needing to mess up, he was always a mess. Receiving what was almost encouragement, I stomped my feet, trying to flee.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
The black panther’s crazy antics didn’t end there. In a surprisingly kind gesture, Ahin, considering the effort I had put into preparing, entered the box. Of course, with me in tow.
“It’s cramped.”
Me joining him wasn’t part of the plan. Feeling a sense of defeat, I helplessly tapped the cardboard box.
On the contrary, Ahin stretched out comfortably inside the box, which somehow held together without tearing.
As if it were his own home, he tossed and turned, resting his head against the side of the box. Strands of silver hair scattered across his drowsy eyes.
Looking up at Ahin, who had calmed down like a well-fed cat, I thought that perhaps the plan hadn’t entirely failed.
‘He said he wasn’t excited.’
Maybe it was all an act. No matter how strong he was, it seemed he couldn’t completely suppress the instincts of a feline beastfolk.
“Vivi, I heard you were gifted a mansion by mother.”
He moved only his lips, still lounging lazily. Staring blankly at his subtly moving lips, I hurriedly nodded.
‘I’ve received a more than generous mansion.’
Ahin’s lips curved slightly as he pulled something from his chest. A pocket watch, with a chain for wearing around the neck, dangled before my eyes.
“A housewarming gift.”
Watching him, any fleeting feelings of disappointment melted away like snow. He really has a knack for playing with my emotions.
‘Give it to me.’
I corrected my thoughts, deciding not to spray any beast repellent on Ahin, and reached out my paw.
“I couldn’t leave it in the mansion for security reasons.”
Ignoring Ahin’s suggestion to hire a guard rabbit, I inspected the pocket watch.
It was a small gift, no larger than the palm of my hand, adorned with a purple gemstone in the center—clearly expensive.
‘Thank you.’
As a gesture of gratitude, I rubbed my cheek against the hem of Ahin’s pants and flipped the pocket watch over. But with my blunt paws, there was no sign of it opening.
‘Ugh!’
Gritting my teeth, I started wrestling with the pocket watch. I needed to see the inside to properly express my thanks.
“Here.”
With a click, the watch easily opened in Ahin’s hand.
I carefully examined the interior, holding the lid. The convex lens on the opposite side of the watch face magnified my reflection, making my face appear larger.
“Vivi, do you know what a clock rabbit is?”
‘Clock rabbit?’
Hmm. I shrugged my shoulders, deep in thought.
“Don’t you read fairy tales?”
The rabbits in the fairy tales I read as a child were mostly depicted as cunning and tricky characters. I didn’t particularly like fairy tales back then.
“It’s nothing important, so forget it. But look here.”
Without adding any further explanation, Ahin closed the pocket watch lid. His finger tapped the purple gemstone embedded right in the center.
“It’s a Ferrenium.”
‘Ferrenium…’
Mulling it over, I gasped and covered my mouth.
“So you know Ferrenium. As you might be aware, it’s a gem that can store pheromone abilities. I’ve infused it with my own.”
Unlike before, I couldn’t even dare to touch the gem with my paw and instead gazed up at Ahin in stunned silence.
A Ferrenium gem infused with such a high-level ability was probably worth more than I could earn in a lifetime. It wouldn’t be out of place if it were put up for auction right now.
“It can be used three times. If you ever have a pheromone outbreak when I’m not around, use it. Just inject your pheromones, and it will activate automatically.”
I was so stunned I couldn’t react. Ahin picked up the chain of the pocket watch and swung it like a pendulum.
“I thought about making it smaller, but because of the ability, it couldn’t be reduced any further.”
‘I see.’
As I watched it swing back and forth, I suddenly panicked and clutched the pocket watch close. How could something so precious be handled so carelessly?
“Looks like you really like it?”
Unable to hide my excitement, I perked up my ears. It wasn’t just that I liked it—it was a gift comparable to a lifesaver.
I had been worried about what would happen if I had another outbreak like last time when Ahin wasn’t around. This incredible gift wasn’t something I could just… I had to accept it.
Worried he might take it back, I held the chain firmly and began dragging the pocket watch closer.
To my unease, Ahin’s face showed his characteristic twisted smile.
“You like it so much that I’m tempted to take it back.”
I knew this would happen! Though I tried to protect the watch by hiding it under my belly, resistance was futile in the confined space of the box.
‘Ah…’
I gazed hopelessly at the box’s walls before turning to Ahin with a dejected expression. Then, clutching his pant leg, I made a desperate plea.
‘Think about it.’
What use could a Ferrenium gem with your ability possibly be to you? But for me, it’s something I absolutely need. With a tearful performance, I tried to convince him with every ounce of body language I had.
But Ahin didn’t budge; he slowly leaned in closer. Rustling, he managed to curl up diagonally in the cramped space.
Like a well-fed cat, Ahin lazily stretched and slowly parted his lips.
“Do you need it? The Ferrenium.”
Of course I do. I nodded, hugging the pocket watch as tightly as I could. Ahin, who had been staring intently, gently tugged at the chain with his finger.
“And me? Don’t you need me?”
What is he talking about now? The question, which could be interpreted in many ways, made my throat dry.
‘Don’t look at me like that.’
Why does he keep putting me to the test? His expression, like a wounded deer, made my heart race.
“You’ve never needed me as much as this, have you?”
The more he tugged on the chain, the more my body was pulled along with it.
“Isn’t that right?”
Ahin tapped the pocket watch, now close to his face.
“I’m far more useful than this little gem. No usage limit, vast abilities, and a look that Vivi would like.”
His words, though playful, had an undertone of seriousness.
‘That’s…’
I climbed down from the pocket watch and cautiously gauged his reaction.
Ahin must have noticed by now that even after all these months, I still found it difficult to fully trust him.
Ever since discovering that my pheromones had healing properties, I had felt a slight psychological distance growing between us. It had become harder to trust Ahin completely, and I frequently questioned his intentions.
It was a conflicting feeling—unable to fully believe his ever-present smile, yet desperately wanting to.
‘But…’
Without hesitation, I hopped closer, stopping right in front of his face. The soft sensation of his cheek met my paw.
‘I need you.’
Even if you are with me just to use my healing abilities. Whatever your intentions are, for now,
‘…I need you.’
The pheromone suppression ability that Ahin had was just one of the many reasons I needed him.
More than that, I needed the hand that pulled me into the covers every night, and the voice that asked me if I was okay.
I needed the safe haven, even if it was surrounded by beasts. I had grown accustomed to the comfort Ahin provided.
‘I don’t know why you’re even asking.’
You already know. As I gently stroked Ahin’s cheek, I absentmindedly tidied his tousled silver hair. When I brushed aside the bangs covering his forehead, I met his deep, unreadable red eyes.
“Vivi, did you know that just now, you approached me first?”
‘…What?’
“Without any sign of wariness.”
Realizing this, the tips of my ears grew hot. Maybe it was because Ahin’s usual sharpness seemed to be missing today that I had let my guard down.
Feeling embarrassed, I pretended to tidy his hair, but ended up messing it up even more. He, compliant as ever, let me do as I pleased, brushing his shirt collar with a lazy hand.
“By the way, when do you plan to eat me?”
What in the world is he talking about now?
‘This guy… How on earth could I eat you?’
“You left a feeding mark on me.”
The person in question was completely clueless, but today, it seemed like he was determined to act a little crazier than usual. Horrified, I jumped toward the corner of the box.
Since it’s made of paper, if I dig enough, I might be able to make a hole to escape. As I fervently began digging, a low chuckle reached my ears from behind.
When I glanced back, Ahin was lazily slouched, rubbing his neck like wet paper.
To put it nicely, he looked content. But thanks to my earlier effort in messing up his hair, he also looked like someone who had lost his mind.
Yet, his gaze persistently followed my every movement.
‘Get a grip.’
As I kicked his hand with my hind leg, Ahin tugged me back gently. The strength was so faint, as if he was handling something fragile, vastly different from when we first met.
“Vivi, your back looks so pitiful.”
It makes me want to bite it. He muttered and then suddenly bit my ear with his lips.
‘B-bite… what?’
Unable to grasp reality, I flicked my ears. Wherever I turned my head, his lips followed. The tickling sensation on my ear,
‘Stop biting my ear!’
Freaking out, I reflexively delivered a spinning kick to Ahin’s cheek. Even after being kicked, he continued to playfully nibble at me.
As I dodged with a side roll, the sight of his red eyes curving in amusement made my heart race for some reason.
I hate him so much, but why can’t I truly despise him? Have I gone mad, living here with these black panthers?
* * *
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