The Symbiotic Relationship Between The Rabbit And The Black Panther [EN]: Chapter 5

The dawn arrived late. I stealthily crawled out from under the blanket, glancing at the beautiful black panther.

Fortunately, he didn’t react and seemed to have fallen asleep, perhaps forgetting I was even in the bed. Uncharacteristically, he seemed sensitive to the cold, wrapped in the blanket with only his face showing.

‘He’s really quite handsome.’

They say predatory beasts possess a uniquely striking appearance, and seeing him in person, I couldn’t deny it.

Despite the chilling things he’d said about eating me, his sleeping face was innocent and lovely. When his eyes are open, he’s definitely smiling, but for some reason, it gives me a creepy feeling.

To be honest, the fangs he flashed whenever he spoke or smiled felt threatening.

Just looking at those fangs makes my thought process freeze; what should I do? A faint sigh escaped me.

Gazing at Ahin’s face flickering in the lamplight, I turned my gaze to the bedroom. I’d been looking around for a while, but there wasn’t even a small crack to escape through.

From the start, this place seemed to be the black panther’s territory, and even if I managed to escape, my chances of survival were practically zero.

I’d overheard the maids gossiping about how predatory beasts often eat herbivore-type humanoids, circumventing the continent’s laws [predatory beasts are often above the law and can get away with eating humanoids].

‘This much should be taken to heart to prevent any future problems.’

‘They commanded that you must die by the hands of the black panthers.’

Recalling the day’s events, I felt drained. Even my family has abandoned me, and there’s no place to return to.

‘This is a terrible curse!’

‘Poor thing, a lamb abandoned by the Beast God!’

The temple told me that the Beast God had cursed me, but no matter how I thought about it, it was hard to understand.

I just haven’t achieved human form yet; it’s not like I harbor any darkness.

In any case, my parents clearly wanted me to die in the black panther’s territory under the pretext of being a cursed disgrace to the family.

What should I do now? Faced with having to stand on my own two feet all of a sudden, my heart felt heavy.

Even if I try to find a way to live, as a baby rabbit who hasn’t achieved human form, the future seems bleak.

I hopped onto the pillow and moved closer to Ahin’s face.

If I hadn’t been picked up by this man in the forest, there was a high probability that I would have become food for real predators. He’s like a benefactor, but if he tries to eat me tomorrow, he’ll become an enemy. It’s a truly ambiguous relationship.

‘…He might still be a grateful presence.’

Ahin’s skin, seen up close, was flawless and clear. With gratitude in mind, I stealthily reached out with my front paw, and suddenly, his eyes flashed open.

The red eyes that appeared right in front of me filled my vision. A breathtaking silence followed for a few seconds.

Ahin, who had half-opened his eyes, soon turned his body slightly and rested his chin on his hand.

Having stiffened, I finally came to my senses and quickly dug a tunnel under the pillow, hiding myself.

“It must be suffocating in there.”

Unfortunately, he picked up the pillow, revealing my entire body despite my attempts to hide. Ahin, who was staring down at me huddled up, raised the corner of his mouth in a crooked smile.

“You’re crying again.”

I wasn’t crying. Refuting him, I pressed my lips tightly together, feeling my nasal bridge gradually tingle.

In fact, whenever I recalled the day’s events, it felt like someone was poking around my heart. It felt like I had swallowed something wrong, and my throat was choked up.

It had been a long time since I had hoped for my family’s love, but the shock of being completely abandoned seemed to be greater than I thought.

Ahin, who was staring at me with my eyes downcast, soon said in a monotone voice.

“Are you afraid of being eaten?”

Isn’t that obvious? Hiding my turbulent feelings, I quickly nodded.

As I sent him pleading looks for my life, Ahin slowly tilted his head. The silver hair that lingered near his ear fluttered slightly with the movement.

“Then cry more.”

‘What?’

I couldn’t hide the astonished look in my eyes, and my mouth slightly opened.

He keeps showing an obsession with tears since a while ago; does he perhaps have a fetish for this kind of thing?

Sadly, since I had no other choice, I made every effort to shed tears. However, the problem was that the tears that I usually shed so easily stopped when I tried to force them out.

Even if I scratched my eyes with my front paw, only my eyes felt sore, and even if I puffed out air with a ‘hmph, hmph,’ only my breath was choked.

Ahin, who was watching me carefully as I was struggling, soon clicked his tongue.

“You lack perseverance. I’ll eat you the day after tomorrow, so try harder.”

‘Is that something you can achieve with effort?’

A sullen complaint arose, but my lifespan had increased by one day. No sooner had I felt relieved than Ahin pulled my hind legs and tucked them inside the blanket.

After a while, a slightly subdued voice flowed out.

“Stay out of sight. You’re annoying.”

‘As if I wouldn’t.’

I bravely resisted only in my mind and quietly closed my eyes. If I annoyed the black panther’s nerves one more time, I really felt like I would be chewed by those fangs.

It was a long, sleepless night in many ways.

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