The Symbiotic Relationship Between The Rabbit And The Black Panther [EN]: Chapter 41

The Symbiotic Relationship Between a Rabbit and a Black Panther 13

Upon hearing the explosion, Rune leaped from the tree and headed straight for the back garden. Ash, having shaken off Restin, also sprinted in the same direction.

“The fire will be under control soon, please evacuate to the main building!”

Ahin, running against the flow of evacuees, felt a knot in his stomach. The cause was Rune, diligently running beside him. Noticing the urgency in his expression, Ahin’s eyes narrowed.

“Sir Manients, what’s in that direction?”

Rune, annoyed, assumed Ahin knew about Ash and retorted, “Do you really need to ask? The rabbit must be there.”

“So, why are you going where the rabbit is?”

“Because I’m worried, obviously—urk!”

Rune, caught off guard, was kicked in the side and tumbled unceremoniously into the pond.

“…Is he crazy?”

An exasperated Rune swept his limp, curly hair back from his forehead. Ahin, unfazed, glared down at him, half-submerged in the water.

“Cool your head there.”

“What? What nonsense in this situ—”

“You’re not the one who needs to worry.”

Ahin, his voice devoid of playfulness, strode past the pond. The look in his eyes, visible through his parted silver hair, was one he had never shown before.

Rune couldn’t recall ever seeing Ahin express his emotions so vividly, at least not since his father’s death.

Dumbfounded, Rune sat in the pond for a moment before letting out a hollow laugh. He seemed to have crossed a line he shouldn’t have, without even realizing it.

* * *

The back garden was almost deserted, save for the personnel putting out the fire. As Ahin scanned the area while running, he spotted a few people facing off.

He stopped, clenching and unclenching his fists. Aven Lavian, a guard knight, and,

‘Bibi.’

A hot, stuffy wind, heated by the flames, blew past.

He raised his gaze from the silver dress to look at the scattering white hair. At first glance, she could be mistaken for a noble lady.

Where did she get the dress in such a short time, and when did she fix her hair? It was absurd, yet he couldn’t tear his eyes away. The slender figure standing under the moonlight looked as if she might disappear at any moment.

Even though they were together every day, Bibi was changing at an impossible rate in every moment Ahin wasn’t there.

“What are you doing!”

Aven screamed at the hesitant guard knight. As he raised his sword, Bibi lifted her hand, ready to use her pheromones at any moment.

As if possessed, Ahin began to move, his pace quickening.

The day Bibi used pheromones on Ahin in his true form, she reverted back to a rabbit. That single thought dominated his mind.

Bibi, concentrating pheromones in one hand, widened her eyes. A large hand suddenly appeared from behind and covered hers.

The gathered pheromones scattered as if instantly evaporated.

“Don’t.”

A voice, meant only for Bibi to hear, came from behind.

“Don’t use pheromones.”

The cold sensation of the epaulettes [ornamental shoulder pieces] and buttons on the jacket pressed against Bibi’s defenseless back. Doubting her ears, she quickly tilted her head back.

“Ahin…?”

Ahin’s cheeks were flushed from running.

“How did you find me here?”

He looked down at Bibi, who blinked her eyes in bewilderment. A voice calling her name, rather than a silent gesture, instantly filled her empty insides.

Ahin’s hand, covering Bibi’s, tightened. He couldn’t hide the clear sense of fulfillment that showed in his eyes as he murmured,

“I think I want you to be human after all.”

He used to say that it was better to be a rabbit. Bibi swallowed the retort that threatened to spill out and bit her lip.

She had expected it, but she was inwardly afraid of Ahin’s very angry face. Bibi opened and closed her mouth, then silently stared straight ahead.

Just enduring the sensation of his touch was overwhelming. She could feel his breath above her head, and the clothes touching her bare skin due to the open back of the dress made her senses even more acute.

Ahin’s rough hand, covering hers, soon intertwined with Bibi’s fingers. Bibi let out a silent scream and glared daggers at the hapless guard knight.

Meanwhile, Ahin, who had been sighing with deep relief, grew puzzled. Bibi was strangely quiet, as if holding her breath.

The moment she saw him, her face crumpled like a hamster, and she kept staring straight ahead without saying a word.

Following her gaze, Ahin scanned the towering guard knight, and then Aven Lavian behind him. He deduced the situation and wore a wry smile.

‘They were trying to take her away.’

Ahin stepped forward, blocking Bibi from their view. Bibi was completely hidden behind his large frame.

“You’d better put your sword away.”

*Before* your hand gets cut off. Aven and the guard knight paled as they interpreted his lip movements.

“Who is that?”

A servant, who had just come around the corner of the banquet hall, shouted. Coughing and waving his hand because of the acrid smoke, he shouted again,

“The fire hasn’t been completely put out yet, so you should evacuate to the main building—hic!”

The guard knight, belatedly discovering Ash, quickly retreated.

Aven, judging that further confrontation was impossible, glared at Ahin with narrowed eyes.

‘What is their relationship?’

Ahin’s attitude was beyond protecting a mere baby rabbit. All she could gather was that the animosity Ahin had shown Aven at the banquet was due to Bibi.

“Bibi.”

Startled, Bibi peeked out at Aven’s call, then buried her nose into Ahin’s back. It was because Ahin twisted his body to prevent her from coming out.

‘Ouch.’

Bibi, feeling as if her nose was breaking, pushed Ahin’s back with her fist. Bibi then felt the pain of her fist breaking.

“Remember that you’re all I have left, Mother.”

Aven, delivering those meaningful words, turned towards the main building. The guard knight, having sheathed his sword, faithfully followed her.

“What does that…”

“Not now.”

Bibi’s body, inadvertently taking a step, was blocked by Ahin’s arm. It was time for them to evacuate to the main building as well.

Rumbling, a statue collapsed in the fire, and thick smoke spread out.

* * *

Ahin didn’t utter a single word while leaving the back garden and heading to the main building. It was an unusual sight.

Ivelyn, waiting at the entrance of the guest room, gave a short bow. She then reported that the fire wasn’t large and was quickly being extinguished, and that the head [of the household or organization] had summoned him. She was the epitome of an efficient aide.

Facing his normal self, I became even more anxious.

Ivelyn not being sarcastic was the most ominous sign in the world. It meant that Ahin’s mood was *that* bad.

“Bibi, wait here for a moment.”

Ahin, still uneasy, had knights stationed at the entrance in layers before leaving.

Left in the guest room with Ash and Quinn, I blankly stared out the window.

‘Yes, it’s true that I had a priest lined up in advance.’

‘Forgive me, everyone makes the wrong choice sometimes.’

It had only happened a little while ago, but it felt like days had passed. It was a disturbing night with no sense of satisfaction from resolving the questions.

My mind wasn’t organized, and at this point, I didn’t want to think about anything.

Staring blankly outside, I collapsed into a chair at the round table. My legs had no strength.

“What should we do?”

Naturally, Ash and Quinn also took their places, and a modest strategy meeting was held.

In any case, Ash and I had disobeyed Ahin’s words and caused a commotion, and Quinn was burdened with guilt for failing to keep watch over me.

The meeting proceeded in a dismal atmosphere. The more I thought about what I had done over the past few days, the more worried I became.

Grrr, Ash twitched his mouth as if he was about to give an opinion.

Leaning on Ash’s intelligence, I gave him the floor. Ash, abandoning those hopes, yawned widely.

“Yes, you must be tired.”

He hadn’t had any time to rest, so it was only natural that sleepiness would come over him. Ignoring his wide-open mouth, I turned to Quinn.

“Quinn, what’s your opinion…?”

Caw— Quinn, exercising her right to remain silent, savagely pecked at the fruit basket on the round table. She was still uncooperative.

“Okay. I won’t ask you to speak.”

Anxious, I had been chattering on for no reason, but I closed my mouth.

I had to find a way to overcome this situation. All the accomplices were animals, so we were just sitting there gloomily.

* * *

The night deepened.

I, who had been lying on the round table, suddenly got up when I felt a presence outside.

Carefully putting my ear to the door, I faintly heard voices. It was Ahin and Ivelyn.

Ahin ordered Ivelyn to take Ash away and send a letter to Grace Manor through Quinn. The letter would probably contain the fact that I and Ash had met.

When Ivelyn asked about me, Ahin said that he couldn’t just let it go this time. Even from a quick listen, his voice was sharp.

‘He won’t just let it go…’

The closer the presence got, the busier my movements became.

When I came to my senses, my body was already hidden behind the transparent glass leading to the bathroom. I could feel Ash and Quinn’s blank stares.

As Ahin said, I must really have a pea-sized heart. Feeling a deep sense of self-loathing, I pressed my forehead against the glass.

Soon, the door opened, and Ivelyn led Ash and Quinn away.

“Bibi?”

Ahin, looking around the empty room once, fixed his gaze on one spot. When his eyes met mine through the glass, he showed a momentary look of disbelief before heading straight towards me.

We stood facing each other with only a thin pane of glass between us.

“Come out. Let’s talk.”

“Okay…”

Yes, I had to go out. Trying to be rational, I felt a surge of tension that made my stomach ache.

The target of his callous expression, which I found uncomfortable, was me. The red eyes, illuminated by the dim lamplight, looked so black that they were eerie.

Click, a hand that defied the brain’s command faithfully locked the doorknob.

An indescribable silence swirled around us.

“What are you doing?”

Ahin, speaking in a slow voice, turned the doorknob.

Clunk, clunk, he stared blankly at the door that wouldn’t open before running a hand down his face.

“What…”

Soon, Ahin, letting out a soft sigh, leaned against the glass door and sat down.

“Then just talk from there. I don’t think I can manage my expression anyway.”

I clutched the hem of my dress tightly and stared at his broad back. Ahin seemed to have noticed that I was afraid of him now.

Why was this so difficult?

When facing Barana’s mother or the guard knights, I could stand on my own two feet even if I was afraid. Strangely, Ahin was the exception.

I thought it was because not only fear but also many other emotions were mixed in. I awkwardly gathered my dress and leaned against the glass window, feeling a cold sensation that made my body shiver.

“What’s wrong with your hand?”

A somewhat subdued voice echoed from behind. He was referring to the bandage wrapped around one of my hands.

“…I think I bumped into something while transforming into a human.”

This was also one of the reasons why Ahin was difficult.

The attitude that kept making me expect more as the days went by. And the touch that had become especially cautious at some point.

I pursed my lips like a clam and fidgeted with my hands on my knees.

A silence that felt very different from when I was a rabbit, when conversation was impossible, descended.

“Bibi.”

Carefully turning around, I quickly straightened my head when I saw Ahin about to speak.

“Yes.”

“The reason I left you at the mansion was because I didn’t think you would do anything this reckless.”

His voice was colder than ever.

“Don’t you know best yourself? That there is no safe place for you outside the mansion.”

There wasn’t a single thing wrong with what he said. If it were the original me, I would have pursued safety above all else.

“I…”

It was only natural that Ahin was worried and angry, as I had not only followed him, taking risks, but also acted independently since arriving here.

“I…”

My hands, clutching my knees, tightened.

“I would do the same thing even if that situation came again.”

“What do you mean?”

“Because you don’t tell me anything.”

To be precise, it was more like he deliberately didn’t say things out loud. Everything.

“…You’ve never told me anything. Not about the healing pheromones, or even that I might have developed such pheromones due to the drug.”

I clenched my teeth so hard that I tasted a bitter metallic flavor in my mouth. Still, I felt relieved because it was a topic I had wanted to bring up all along.

“How did you know about the drug…”

“Why do you think I came all the way here and acted without telling you, Ahin?”

My voice was calm, as if telling a story, but the dress in my hand was being crumpled haphazardly.

“It’s because I didn’t want to show you the bottom of me. Be it the curse, the drug, or the family.”

Knock, knock. The glass I was leaning against vibrated.

“Open the door.”

Without turning around, I shook my head. Fortunately, the tear ducts that had been like a faucet were well-sealed today.

“You probably already knew this time too. Even just in the garden. You didn’t question it even though I was with strangers.”

I took a breath and tried to be calm. I felt like I would be too miserable if I broke down here.

“Because you knew my family is the Rabian family. Maybe even that she is my mother.”

The problem wasn’t just the accumulated resentment. The thought that Ahin already knew all the things I didn’t want him to know was unbearable.

“Bibi, open the door and talk.”

Ahin knocked on the glass door again, seemingly frustrated.

“I just want to talk like this…”

I felt like I wouldn’t be able to say anything if I actually saw his face. Also, I didn’t even know what kind of expression I was making right now.

“There’s also this. You deliberately didn’t tell me I had healing pheromones, did you? It must have been valuable. Pheromones that even healed Ash’s wounds when he was on the verge of death.”

The accumulated emotions flowed out like a burst dam.

“At first, I was upset, but the more I think about it, the better it seems. Because I don’t have to be anxious about when I’ll be abandoned.”

If you had just treated me the way you did when we first met, I wouldn’t feel so frustrated and sad about you hiding things from me or not telling me things.

Maybe it’s just my greed that my feelings have grown so much over time.

“Just tell me, even if it’s just words. If you need healing pheromones, say you need them, if you know my family, say you know.”

“No.”

Ahin, who had been listening silently, spat out.

“I have no intention of telling you in the future either.”

“…Why?”

With that characteristic bass voice, he didn’t say anything more.

Relieved that a harsher answer didn’t come back, I leaned my head against the glass door.

I saw a hair ornament that I didn’t know when it had fallen. I picked it up and fiddled with it.

Ahin didn’t necessarily have an obligation to tell me anything. As the next head of the family, or as an individual, it was better not to reveal his inner thoughts.

But I’m on edge every day because of that about you. Those words disappeared into my throat without being conveyed.

* * *

The hour hand of the pocket watch hanging on my ankle was approaching three in the morning.

Sitting still, I felt like my thoughts were somewhat organized. I was just glad that I wasn’t cursed.

I, who had been burying my chin in my knees, felt regret wash over me as my emotions subsided.

Did I pour too much out on Ahin? I should have said at least one word that I was sorry for making him worry.

‘No, did you even worry?’

Turning my head with a sulky look, my eyes widened. Because Ahin was still sitting with his back against me.

“Ahin?”

Knock, knock, I knocked on the glass door, but no response came back.

Could it be that he fell asleep in that position? It was definitely possible for Ahin, who had no context in his actions.

I couldn’t stay like this forever, so I carefully got up.

Click, I opened the doorknob and carefully pulled the glass door. As the door opened inward, Ahin’s body slowly stretched out to the floor.

“……?”

My pupils trembled like aspen leaves as I stared blankly. There was no way a sleeping person could sweat like this.

“-Ahin!”

Hastily kneeling down, I held Ahin’s upper body. His hair was so wet with sweat that it stuck to his forehead.

He seemed to have a fever. I put my hand on his cheek and then put Ahin back down.

‘Professor Jinan.’

There was definitely a guest room for the doctor not far from this room. As I got up without delay, I staggered and fell on top of Ahin. It was because he pulled my arm.

“Don’t make a fuss.”

“What,”

Ahin, who released my wrist, gasped for breath and lay back down on the floor.

“I’ll be fine on my own after a while.”

Even just by looking at him, it wasn’t at a level where he would be fine after a while. As I looked at him worriedly, I suddenly remembered the day Ahin returned to his true form.

“You’ve had this before, haven’t you? What’s wrong? Why don’t you call the doctor?”

Ahin, who even breaks iron doors, wouldn’t have a chronic disease. He hadn’t even caught a cold in the past few months. I bit my lip and fidgeted.

“At least Ivelyn…”

“No one, no.”

He answered firmly, opening and closing his half-open eyelids.

Both then and now, it’s something that shouldn’t be revealed to others. What on earth is it that he doesn’t even want to show the doctor that he’s so sick?

Frowning at the upsetting thought, I completely opened the glass door. First of all, I needed to move him from this cold tile floor.

My wandering gaze reached the sofa that was closest. Thankful that I wasn’t a baby rabbit right now, I gently tapped Ahin’s cheek.

“Ahin, can you move?”

He closed his eyes as if fainting and only gasped for breath.

‘…I can’t do it.’

I busily got up and ran towards the large velvet sofa.

Huh. I pushed the sofa towards the bathroom with all my strength, but it didn’t budge. The frame was unnecessarily thick and heavy sofa.

I returned to the bathroom entrance and stared blankly at the tall Ahin. Anyway, this beast’s body was unnecessarily big and long.

I tied the rustling dress to my knees and grabbed his ankles. I had long since given up on holding him.

As I pulled him vigorously as if pulling a cart, fortunately, he began to move little by little.

Just a little more. While pulling with gritted teeth, Bang! An ominous sound was heard from behind.

‘…Bang?’

Hoping it wasn’t, I turned my head like a stone statue. As expected. Ahin was seen hitting his head on the furniture leg.

‘Oh, what to do.’

Unable to even speak, I rubbed the area he had hit. Ahin, who frowned openly, made a cracked voice.

“…It hurts.”

Seeing him whine, it seemed like it wasn’t a terminal illness.

“I’ll go on my own.”

He raised his upper body and swept back his sweat-soaked hair. His clean forehead was revealed, and his bloodless face was further highlighted.

“Why are you more upset?”

“I’ll help you.”

Half-bending my knees in case he fell, I gave him my back. A sound of air escaping was heard, and a heavy arm was placed on my shoulder. Even though it was only the level of carrying his upper body, it felt like carrying a rock.

“Shall we walk in step?”

“Is this a time for jokes?”

I got angry and took one step at a time. It was an awkward posture that was neither carrying nor not carrying, but I was able to reach the sofa relatively easily.

After finishing lying him down completely, I wiped the sweat on my temple with the back of my hand.

“Ahin, tell me if you need anything.”

“Weren’t you hating me?”

Ahin answered clearly even while gasping for intermittent breaths.

“…Why would I hate you?”

“Calling me a damn beast.”

His ears are also bright. He must have heard even the mutterings I quietly recited in the bathroom.

Pretending not to know, I ran to the window, locked the doorknob, and firmly closed the curtains. It was a double window and thick blackout curtains, so not a single breeze leaked in.

When I brought a fluffy blanket and returned to the sofa, Ahin was sweating like rain.

His neat eyebrows were in a mess. Following his eyebrows, my eyebrows also drooped down.

He pretended to be okay, but he didn’t look okay at all.

‘It doesn’t seem like a cold.’

If I call the doctor, will he get better? My stomach ached with the overwhelming worry. Even though my hands weren’t very cold, Ahin’s body temperature was excessively high.

After supporting him with a pillow, I turned away and rummaged through the guest room to bring a cloth that could be used as a wet towel. This was all I knew of folk remedies.

While sitting by the sofa and wiping his cold sweat with a wet towel, my gaze reached the tailcoat that looked very uncomfortable.

For a moment, I had a terrible thought and pondered, covering my eyes.

‘Beast Rabbit.’

Ahin’s voice, mocking me, echoed in my ears.

I’ve been sleeping with Ahin in his gown for months, so what’s the big deal about just taking off his jacket.

I scoffed and unbuckled the jacket with trembling hands. Unintentionally, my hands kept slipping.

After unbuttoning the vest he was wearing inside, I was struggling with the cravat [a type of necktie].

“Can I help you?”

“What’s the point of having the right posture if your eyes are lewd… Huh?”

I was startled and gathered my hands neatly.

I wish my mouth hurt so I couldn’t even speak. Unable to say it out loud, I glared fiercely.

Ahin, who got up holding the sofa, barely took off his jacket and vest and lay down again as if collapsing. He could have said two more harsh words, but seeing that he didn’t, it seemed like he was unusually sick.

He blinked his half-open eyes, untied the cravat, bit the opposite finger, and threw off his satin gloves.

It was also frustrating that the hard work I had been doing was over in an instant. The curves of his body revealed over his sweat-soaked shirt were burdensome, so I soaked the innocent towel in water.

“Bibi, just sleep. I’ll get better after a while.”

The problem was that it wasn’t the voice of someone who would get better, but a voice that was cut off.

Ignoring Ahin’s words, I wiped his forehead and neck with a wet towel.

Inwardly, I was going through countless 고민 [gomin – Korean word for worries/concerns] about whether to use healing pheromones. It was unknown whether healing pheromones would work on a disease that wasn’t a wound, or whether it would work in a bad direction.

Ahin, who was breathing irregularly, slowly stretched out his arm. Rough fingers with calluses wiped my eyes.

“Why are you crying?”

He brought the tear-stained finger to his lips and licked it lightly. The red tongue slipped past his finger.

Does this beast even know how obscene he is right now? I trembled, feeling the urge to spread the wet towel and cover his face.

“Look at this. You like to cry, so what are you going to do if you bring up the family story?”

Ahin was now mentioning what he had said in the bathroom.

Tears fell and stained his satin shirt darkly. It was a strange thing.

Why did the tears that I had held back so well just a moment ago burst out at a single, insignificant word? The tears that fell in drops flowed down my cheeks.

In fact, I was very worried.

Ahin’s sick appearance, which I didn’t know what to do with, why he didn’t even tell Ivelyn, let alone the doctor, and what this symptom was like a seizure even though it wasn’t a cold.

I didn’t know what to say, so I bit my lip tightly. Ahin, who was looking at me with cloudy eyes, smiled with his lips curled up.

“How can I abandon you when you’re like this?”