The Symbiotic Relationship Between The Rabbit And The Black Panther [EN]: Chapter 45

The Symbiotic Relationship Between a Rabbit and a Black Panther 4 (45/75)

Avian Beastmen, who could travel long distances quickly and didn’t need to respect territorial boundaries, were the only race truly free from the constraints of status and territory.

Furthermore, Avian Beastmen shared a unique trait: everyone, regardless of species, had watery blue eyes.

Another characteristic was their ability to remain in their true form for extended periods, unlike other Beastmen who could only spend about half a day in their animal form. However, despite being Beastmen, they didn’t possess particularly strong pheromones.

Because of these traits, Avian Beastmen had been highly sought after since ancient times. They were invaluable as messenger birds or for surveillance.

Perhaps that’s why Avian Beastmen tend to be rebellious, avoid settling down, and fiercely value their freedom. They prefer to live independently rather than become someone’s subordinate.

‘…That definitely seems accurate.’

That’s what the author of the Beastman Encyclopedia claimed. Which is why I couldn’t imagine that Ahin’s messenger bird, Quinn, would be a Beastman.

I, who had been holding my forehead, glared at the intense watery eyes fixed on me. We had been sitting face to face in the carriage, engaged in a staring contest for nearly thirty minutes.

Quinn hadn’t spoken since muttering “damn rabbit,” but her fierce gaze conveyed a lot.

*Damn rabbit, daring to make this body search the mansion, and to top it off, enjoying a secret rendezvous with the lion?* Considering our past interactions with Quinn in her hawk form mostly involved physical altercations, I could easily guess her thoughts.

‘Use her well? …That Quinn?’

I ground my teeth, recalling Ahin’s nonchalant words from beyond the pillow.

It felt like an animal transforming into a person overnight and unleashing all their pent-up resentment. Like Ash becoming human and complaining about inadequate meals.

Meanwhile, Russell, who had come to see us off in the carriage, was watching us with wide eyes.

“Bad bird.”

Quiet Russell couldn’t withstand Quinn’s fierce gaze and lightly kicked her leg. She glared back with even more intensity. Sending him encouragement in my heart, I pulled the valiant Russell into my arms.

“Russell, she’s not just sparrow-level… she’s a bird of prey.”

Even though he looks like that, his beak can pierce skin. Recalling his hooked beak, I shuddered.

“Sir Hero.”

Russell gently tugged on my ear, as if to whisper something. He seemed to sense Quinn’s powerful energy.

‘Birds are grumpy.’

How could he be so accurate? Ahin’s assessment that he would become a great person didn’t seem entirely wrong.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen an Avian Beastman claiming to be a subordinate. This old man has lived long enough to witness this.”

“Indeed, hawks, in particular, are known to be quite picky among Avian Beastmen.”

This was also a problem. Professor Jinan and the unknown old man, who had only poked their heads into the carriage window, had been chattering about Quinn since earlier.

In particular, the inside of the carriage was filled with a sweet smell because of the cocoa in the old man’s cup. Fortunately, Quinn only twitched her eyebrows unpleasantly and remained silent.

Just then, Professor Jinan, who met my gaze, pointed to the old man.

“Ah, Bibi-nim [term of endearment, similar to ‘dear’]. This person is a-,”

“I’ve been working in this mansion for decades. If I’m being rude, I’ll properly introduce myself.”

The well-built old man extended a handshake through the window. If she had been in the mansion for decades, she would at least be in the position of head maid.

“No, it’s okay. Grandma… nim.”

“It feels quite nice to hear that title after a long time.”

The old man, who took a sip of cocoa, shifted his interest from Quinn to me. Her narrow eyes scanned me with interest.

“Your skin color is so pale, as if you’ve hardly been exposed to the sun.”

“…I don’t particularly like it.”

Not like it? I enjoy napping with Ash, exposing my belly during every walk. However, it was true that I had never properly basked in the sun in human form. Even considering that I resembled my mother, my skin was excessively pale.

“I have something I desperately want to ask on behalf of the staff here.”

“……?”

“How did you charm the black panther and the lion?”

“Oh my, how can you ask such a thing?”

Even Professor Jinan casually tried to dissuade the old man, seemingly curious as well.

She must be referring to the rumors about the dancer who made Ahin and Rune swoon. It would be more believable if the two of them fell in love with themselves after looking in the mirror.

Feeling embarrassed again, I grabbed a water bottle from the carriage and gulped it down. My throat was parched.

“It’s a relief. I was wondering why two healthy youths had no romantic rumors. Among the rumors following them, there was probably one about them being unable to perform their duties [euphemism for sexual inadequacy].”

‘In-, what?’

*Splash*, the water I was drinking flowed down my chin like a waterfall, unable to contain my embarrassment. Russell, who took out a handkerchief from his pocket, dabbed at my mouth to wipe away the moisture.

“So. The black panther or the lion?”

I felt like I had heard this question before. As I wiped the water from my chin with the back of my hand, I felt a lingering gaze from the side.

Quinn’s watery blue eyes contained the clear intention to turn me into rabbit stew if I chose anyone other than the black panther. At this point, I couldn’t tell if she was a bodyguard or an assassin.

“N-Neither, really.”

“Seeing you board the Grace family’s carriage, it seems like the black panther.”

The old man and Professor Jinan, having reached their own conclusion, chattered noisily.

Well, if they’re happy, that’s all that matters. Half resigned, I gently stroked the hair of Russell, who was sitting on my lap. I might never see him again if we parted this time.

“Oh dear, I’ve taken up too much time. The grumpy black panther will be here soon.”

“Russell, come out here. You’ve seen us off enough since yesterday.”

With a despondent face that seemed to know what was coming, Russell took out a stiff piece of paper from his arms and handed it over. It was a letter with crooked handwriting.

[Belhelm Neutral Zone, Trin Road B-613, Russell Jinan]

He wanted me to send a letter. Fearing that I might lose the note if I turned back into a rabbit, I memorized it properly and gave Russell an affectionate kiss on the forehead.

“Let’s definitely meet again, Russell.”

Professor Jinan, who hugged Russell, who had finally burst into tears, patted his back to soothe him.

“Why is he acting so strange? Could it be because he thinks he has a unique commonality with Bibi-nim?”

She said jokingly, glancing at Quinn and whispering slyly.

‘The reason Bibi-nim is still a baby rabbit is probably because she hasn’t undergone proper humanization. I checked and there were no heat marks. Russell naturally became an adult capybara after the Beastman fever [a period of rapid growth and change for Beastmen], so don’t worry too much about that part.’

According to Professor Jinan’s words, I hope I’ll be an adult Beastman when we meet next time. I waved at the receding figure and got up and got out of the carriage.

Mustering courage, I pushed Quinn aside and followed the old man heading in the opposite direction from Professor Jinan. Closing the distance enough to be heard, I hurriedly opened my mouth.

“-Chieftain.”

“Oh. Did Professor Jinan tell you?”

Deducing an indirect affirmation, she didn’t seem to have much intention of hiding it after all.

“…No, usually even the head maid wouldn’t speak so casually to a noblewoman from another territory. Professor Jinan also said that she was close to you, Chieftain.”

I had heard that the Amon Chieftain of the Rabbit Territory was a plump old man. And Ahin sometimes drank cocoa to wake up in the morning, and he once complained that he had to drink cocoa like crazy if he met the Rabbit Territory Chieftain.

“A smart girl, just like she looks. If the black panther and the lion aren’t your type, I have a handsome young man among my grandchildren, how about meeting him? He’s as stubborn as an old man, though.”

Ahin, Rune, and Ivelin were already too much for me. Should I give an example? As I awkwardly braced myself to refuse, she fortunately raised her hand to skip the greeting.

“That’s fine. Seeing you chase after me, it seems like you have something you’re curious about with this old woman.”

Sensing my hesitation to ask, Chieftain Amon guessed.

“If it’s related to the fire, there’s no problem. After all, I was the one who approved your return to the Black Panther Territory in the first place.”

As expected, Ahin’s influence seemed to have worked.

“Anything else left?”

The pheromones of people from chieftain families were a public secret. However, when I tried to ask about the ruling-class pheromones, I couldn’t just trust her, so I couldn’t easily open my mouth. Eventually, when I shook my head, she smiled as she waited.

“Go ask that old fogey Lilian about the questions you couldn’t ask. She’s the dean of Belhelm Academy and knows a lot of trivial things. She’ll probably give you a better answer than this old woman.”

The chieftain, who turned her body again, moved her steps leisurely. Then, suddenly stopping, she tilted her body slightly.

“Do you know what it means when a beast makes a bite mark on the neck?”

“…Yes?”

Reflexively touching my neck, I shook my head.

“If possible, don’t show it to that old fogey Lilian. She’s a stubborn old woman and will act like a fish out of water [behave awkwardly or inappropriately].”

Chuckling mockingly, she was led away by her aide, who had appeared out of nowhere. It was more like a chase than being led.

How can you just tell me that and leave? Unable to take my hand off my neck, I pathetically faced the wind. I came to solve a question, but instead, I was gaining more questions.

* * *

How could there be such a combination? Seeing Ivelin, who had boarded the carriage with Ash, I became despondent.

Not only Quinn, who was glaring at me as if she would peck me if she had a beak, but also Ivelin’s joining. It was a hellish ride home.

As I, who couldn’t even complain, rested my chin on the windowsill, a chest appeared right in front of me.

“Like a dog caught in the rain.”

Ahin, who said something I couldn’t even tell if it was an insult or a compliment, smiled brightly. Having lost the energy to argue, I quickly straightened my posture.

“Ahin is going too.”

Are you crazy? How can you commit such a cruel act of attaching these two to me?

“I told you, I have work left. I’ll be a little late.”

“When will you be late?”

Perhaps because I asked too persistently, Ahin’s lips hardened into a straight line. It was a rare sight, so I tensed up as well.

Soon, a voice as if crushed by a heavy rock flowed out.

“Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow…?”

“Yeah, I’ll come back even in the early morning if possible.”

“You don’t have to come so hard, I just wanted to go with you now.”

At the following answer, the crimson eyes trembled slightly. Showing an unfamiliar expression for a moment, he shifted his gaze behind me. Looking at Quinn and Ivelin sitting side by side in the carriage, Ahin asked as if he was dumbfounded.

“…Don’t tell me the reason you wanted to go with me was because you hated being with those two?”

My hand, which was holding the windowsill, trembled slightly. Because that reason was more than half of it, my true feelings were momentarily revealed on my face.

“Rabbit-nim, if that’s the case, I’m really upset-,”

Ivelin, who was complaining about her disappointment, became quiet after being hit by Ash’s tail.

Turning around from the noisy back, when I faced Ahin again, his smile had changed to a somewhat cold feeling.

“Bibi, ears are sticking out on the crown of your head.”

“What?!”

I thought Beastmen couldn’t possibly do semi-beastification. Could it be because of incomplete humanization?

“T-That can’t be.”

Startled, I groped above my head. However, only hair got tangled in my fingers, and there was no curvature that could be presumed to be rabbit ears.

After rubbing my head several more times to check, I glared at Ahin with hateful eyes.

‘It’s a lie.’

He, who was pretending to be innocent, whispered again.

“Who knows? Maybe a tail came out.”

“Why are you being so mean all of a sudden?”

I snorted, determined not to be fooled anymore. However, the hand that defied my brain secretly rubbed the area around my butt, out of Ahin’s sight outside the window.

Sharp as ever, he, who had grasped that slight movement, buried his forehead in the carriage wall and trembled.

Unruly black panther. I slammed the window shut, thinking that I didn’t need Ahin’s farewell.

When the casement window was half closed, *thud*, a large hand opened the window again.

“Perenium [a type of pocket watch], did you pack it well?”

I, who was about to be completely twisted, showed the pocket watch I had wrapped around my wrist like a bracelet instead of answering. He, who wound the pocket watch firmly once more, said.

“I’m sorry I can’t go back with you.”

*Thud*, the sound of something falling from behind was heard in an instant. It was the sound of Ivelin dropping all the documents she was holding, and Quinn was looking at Ahin with her mouth open so wide that I was worried her jaw would fall out.

“I’m sorry, my hand slipped and I dropped them.”

Ivelin, who bent down, said while gathering the documents.

“Is there a problem with the documents…?”

“Never mind. Do you have anything else to say?”

No, how can I not care about that scene?

Opening and closing my mouth, I suddenly recalled the words of the Rabbit Territory Chieftain. Rolling my eyes, I slyly touched the wound on my neck hidden under my cloak.

“This.”

Ahin leaned his face closer, as if to hear the whisper-like voice. Lowering my gaze because I was burdened by the clear, blinking red eyes, I quietly recited.

“Back then, it was a wound made to definitely release pheromones.”

“Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”

“…I wanted to ask if it had any other meaning.”

“Then Bibi didn’t even know that and bit my neck twice?”

“……?”

My expression contorted into a daze due to the incomprehensible question that came back.

Twice. In my memory, the only time I bit his neck was when Ahin was suffering from pheromone seizures.

As if trying to prove it, he began to loosen his cravat.

“Maybe the mark disappeared because I bit it weakly-,”

“Wait a minute!”

I, who was conscious of Ivelin and Quinn, ended up slapping Ahin’s mouth.

At the crisp sound of hitting his lips, Ahin, who widened his eyes, rubbed his mouth. I also trembled with the hand that had committed the atrocity.

*Thud*, the sound of documents falling again clearly meant Ivelin’s shock. Even the knight who was passing by, the employee, and the coachman who was preparing the horse were looking this way.

Even so, to slap the mouth of the next chieftain in a place with so many eyes watching.

“It’s, it’s okay….”

Recognizing the crime that would not be strange even if my head flew off in a kind of rebellion, I stammeringly reached out my hand. Ahin, who grabbed my trembling wrist, parted his lips, which had become even redder.

“Hit me again.”

The slow-tempo bass had the ability to correct the shaken reason. Managing the collapsed expression, I calmly took off Ahin’s hand that was holding my wrist.

*Thud*, I completely closed the window and sat down in a straight posture on the chair.

“It seems okay. Let’s start now.”

“To command Ahin-nim with a gesture, you are amazing. I knew from the time Rabbit-nim rolled around the training ground that you were worthy of being the commander of the Black Panther Territory’s knights.”

“…Ivelin, I hate you as much as I hate Ahin.”

“That’s too much. Still, I’m touched, it would have been nice if you had hit me three more times.”

*Thump*, the shaking carriage left the mansion’s main gate.

After hitting Ivelin’s mouth three times with Ash’s help, I leaned my head out the window. The gaze that had been looking at Ahin, who was still standing in place, moved to the domed mansion.

The hair that was hit by the wind blurred the view, scattering the mansion into several branches. It had been a few unusually tiring days, with frequent farewells and meetings.

* * *