The Symbiotic Relationship Between The Rabbit And The Black Panther [EN]: Chapter 55

After much deliberation, Bibi decided not to attend the birthday banquet.

Although the use of any pheromones, including sexual pheromones, was prohibited at this event, she felt there was no point in stepping into a place teeming with all sorts of beasts.

‘How disappointing! I had already prepared several dresses,’ Valence said, a hint of sadness in his voice.

‘Why? Why not? If it’s about etiquette, I can teach you in two days,’ Lillian added, equally disheartened.

Sensing their subtle disappointment, and further solidified by Professor Jinna’s reply rejecting the banquet invitation, Bibi’s decision was firm.

Professor Jinna’s message stated she couldn’t attend because she valued a long and safe life, and asked for understanding. Bibi completely understood her feelings.

Ever since the beastly nobles started staying at the mansion, Bibi had confined herself to her bedroom and study, even sticking close to the walls when she moved around, trying to avoid unwanted encounters.

So, the night before her birthday, Ahin, who was finishing up some work in the bedroom, glanced at the bed.

The white bedding was puffed up, concealing Bibi, who was lying face down in the blanket as if in prostration.

“Bibi, if you’re going to sleep, lie down properly.”

Bibi, in a fit of pique, thumped her feet, causing the mattress to vibrate. Evelyn, observing the rabbit’s display of frustration, chimed in.

“It looks like a cake. I guess the rabbit is going to become a cake himself to celebrate the upcoming banquet.”

“We can leave the decoration to Quinn.”

“Then it will be covered with strawberries.”

*Beasts who only know how to eat*, Bibi thought to herself. Only then did the puffed-up blanket slowly sink. Bibi, now lying down, murmured quietly.

“…I’ve consistently disliked Evelyn since the first time I saw her.”

For a moment, Evelyn’s calm eyes flickered with surprise.

“Rabbit, how can you say such cruel things?”

Ahin, secretly pleased by the conflict between the two, smirked. Evelyn, noticing his sneer, attempted a retort with a tiny bit of courage.

“In a way, hatred is also a kind of attention.”

“Evelyn, leave now.” Ahin, sensitive to the word ‘attention,’ raised his eyebrows, his amusement vanishing.

“I still have a lot of work left.”

“Do you want to *be* the decoration on the rabbit cake?”

The moment Ahin reached for the sword case he had set down, Evelyn’s courage evaporated. He quickly grabbed the documents, yanked open the door, then paused.

“Even if the rabbit hates me, I don’t hate the rabbit.” It was a sincere, monotonous voice.

“Evelyn….” Bibi, her heart softening slightly, cautiously peeked out from under the blanket. Evelyn, ignoring the wavering purple eyes, opened the door halfway.

“But I hate the rabbit who said she hated me just now, so I’m going to call the chef.”

“That nasty beast…!” *I’m a fool for expecting anything*, Bibi thought. The pillow she threw with all her might fell limply to the floor, not even reaching halfway to the door.

The bedroom, now devoid of Evelyn, was filled with silence. Panting, Bibi slyly glanced at Ahin.

“…I can go too, to the bear territory.” That was the underlying reason for the fight. Ahin, his eyes fixed on the documents, simply said,

“No.”

“Yes….”

Eventually, Ahin turned his chair towards Bibi and crossed his legs languidly.

“I told you it’s dangerous. I would have told you that you have to cross the desert unless you take a ship.”

“Is that the *real* reason you’re not taking me? What if I have a seizure on the way?” Bibi, sitting on the bed, clutched the blanket tightly.

No matter how she considered it, it seemed suspicious. He wouldn’t take her to a place where he had to be away for nearly a month, even though he knew a pheromone seizure could occur at any time.

As someone who had experienced a pheromone seizure firsthand, she knew it was not something to be taken lightly. Moreover, Ahin’s father had passed away because of it, making his reluctance even more incomprehensible.

Lily had told her that even though the road to the bear territory was difficult, as long as she got through the desert, there wouldn’t be much difficulty.

“If it’s hard to move, you can go back to being a rabbit and put me in a pocket or bag.” *I’ll endure it somehow, even if it’s a basket*, Bibi thought, speaking in a persuasive tone as she pushed back the blanket and got off the bed.

“Now I can handle healing pheromones reasonably well in my true form…, Ah!”

Bibi, approaching Ahin, tripped over the hem of her negligee.

Ahin, kicking back his chair, quickly supported her swaying body.

Bibi, barely regaining her balance, looked up at him in his navy blue uniform. He hadn’t even prepared for bed because of the amount of work.

*Tomorrow, he’ll be busy again because of the birthday banquet. So, now was the last chance to persuade him*, she thought.

Bibi, her eyes shining like a hyena stalking its prey, rushed into Ahin’s arms. She wrapped her arms around him tightly so he couldn’t push her away. He was forced to stand at attention, unable to move.

Bibi’s face stung from the epaulettes and ornaments on the uniform. The solid upper body felt through the clothes made her toes curl up.

Bibi, trying not to be labeled a perverted rabbit, tried to act as if nothing was wrong and opened her lips.

“…I want to.”

However, her voice was muffled because she had buried her nose in Ahin’s jacket.

“Bibi, I can’t hear you.”

“I want to go too.”

“First, let go of this,”

Bibi gave all her strength to the arms wrapped around Ahin’s body, fearing that he might push her away.

She had been mentally preparing what she wanted to say, but when the moment came, her mind went blank.

*How long did it take her to decide to endure even going into a basket?* She couldn’t help but feel resentful that he kept trying to shake her off.

“If you move any more, I’m running away from home.”

“…Don’t say such ridiculous things.”

Ahin, who had been subtly twisting his body to get out, stiffened.

Seeing that this absurd threat worked, Bibi could see how much he had softened towards her.

*What was he like at first? He was a beast who would flatten himself and rub his front paws together, but still put her in his mouth.* Now, he can’t even shake off one arm properly, but he’s still trying not to take her to the bear territory. There must be a reason he’s hiding besides the excuse that the journey is dangerous.

“Really, why are you doing this?” *If she’s not careful, she’ll say something unpleasant like ‘please forgive me,’* Bibi thought, spitting out the words as she slowly lifted her face from the jacket.

At that moment, her eyes met his as he was looking down. She couldn’t read any emotion in his expression, which had lost its smile.

“…Take me with you.”

Bibi, who almost let go of his arm, put so much strength into it that her fingertips turned white.

“What’s the reason I’m spending all day practicing healing pheromones? It’s because I’m the only one who can do it. But why do you keep trying to leave me behind?”

Fortunately, Ahin didn’t try to get out of her arms anymore.

“What am I supposed to do if you go to the bear territory alone? Am I just supposed to wait in the mansion, doing nothing, wondering if you’re having a seizure while we’re apart?” *I don’t like that*, Bibi thought, pouring out her words, taking a breath to control her rising emotions.

Without realizing it, she had burst out with the anxiety that was buried deep in her heart. Ahin must be feeling even greater anxiety than she was.

Bibi, averting her eyes from his expressionless face, buried her forehead in his jacket again.

“Let’s go together.”

“……”

“If you leave me behind, I’ll chase after you even if I have to ride Ash and Bara [his wolves]. It’s not a big deal to put Quinn or Mayme to sleep now.”

The more stubbornly she insisted, the more Ahin’s body stiffened.

“Grandfather wants me to always be by your side, so if you ask him, he might help you. Like when we went to the rabbit territory.”

“Don’t do anything dangerous,”

“If you don’t want that, tell me the real reason why you’re hiding something and why you’re trying to leave me behind. You even wrote a contract, saying you wouldn’t act unilaterally when it comes to me.”

Of course, it was a paw print, but the contract was still valid. Bibi, who was about to thump her feet like when she was a rabbit, barely swallowed the impulse.

Tick, tock, the time waiting for Ahin’s silent mouth to open felt excessively long.

*What if he says no, no matter what?* Bibi, biting her lip anxiously, decided to take out her last resort, which she had been saving.

She never wanted to say these words because it felt like she was becoming the same as those frivolous black panthers.

“…If you leave me behind, don’t expect me to pat your butt ever again.”

“That’s a problem.”

*How can he break the serious silence with just one word?* Bibi, who was dumbfounded, released the arms that had been holding Ahin.

*He’s for real.* He was a true weirdo who couldn’t be hidden even by his angelic face. He wasn’t someone a passing rabbit could handle.

Bibi, with a horrified look, unknowingly moved her feet back.

‘Ack!’

Thud, Bibi’s knees were caught on an unidentified object, and she fell backward. At the same time as she fell, the velvet sofa cushioned her body.

“Where are you going? You were just holding onto my clothes and begging.”

“……!”

“Without finishing your begging.”

Ahin, who had followed Bibi with his wide strides, straddled the sofa. Shadows fell over Bibi, who had fallen in a state that was neither lying nor sitting on the cushion. The face of the beast, which was pure in appearance only, was right in front of her.

“…I, I didn’t beg.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes….”

“I can’t tell a rabbit who doesn’t have any desperation the answer they want.” A beast with a bad attitude.

“It was begging.”

As Ahin tried to move away, Bibi hurriedly grabbed the front of his jacket. The more she did, the more the mischievous smile deepened, making her uneasy.

*Who is the one who needs healing pheromones right now? What is this situation where the tables seem to have turned?* Bibi, unable to express her sharp dissatisfaction, could only wait for the truth to flow from his mouth.

“I heard there’s a record of someone with dominance pheromones in the bear territory.”

“Really?”

Bibi, who was about to jump up, quickly returned to her original position as soon as she got close to Ahin’s face. However, the sly beast supported his body by placing his arms next to her waist, leaning in a little more. His glossy silver hair swayed near her ear.

“-So I’m going to go there myself and check out the information guild or something.”

Ahin was deliberately showing off his pretty looks to gloss over it. *Ahin’s face is a stone*, Bibi thought, glaring sharply.

“I might be able to find out about pheromone seizures. If I’m lucky, I might get some information.”

“Then you should take me even more.” *It’s about seizures, isn’t it?* Bibi, who hadn’t given up on persuading him, clenched her fist tightly.

“Before that, let me ask you something.”

Ahin, ignoring her passion, tilted his head to the side.

“When you used pheromones to calm my seizures, wasn’t it too hard for you?”

‘…Was it hard?’

Bibi, faced with a sudden question, recalled her experiences.

Come to think of it, she had always fallen asleep whenever she calmed Ahin’s seizures. It was because she was overwhelmed by a deep fatigue that made it difficult to even recognize how she had fallen asleep.

He smiled faintly as he carefully examined Bibi’s suspiciously distorted expression.

“Every time, I felt like I was sucking in healing pheromones, not receiving them.”

“What…,”

“It was a thirsty longing,” Ahin added, tapping the bite mark on Bibi’s neck with his finger.

“And I also felt the urge to tear this off.”

Bibi, realizing that it meant hunting, reflexively covered the scar on her neck. He slowly withdrew his finger, noticing her frozen reaction.

“I’m guessing it’s because my body felt like it was lacking healing pheromones.”

Bibi, her face drained of blood, didn’t answer. No, it was more accurate to say she couldn’t answer.

“So I’m scared.”

Ahin, who was missing a screw, and the word ‘scared’ didn’t match at all, which rather brought a strong sense of incongruity.

He straightened his body, which had been leaning towards Bibi, slightly and said quietly.

“I can’t guarantee that I can hold back every time I feel the urge in an irrational state. If that happens in another territory where there’s no doctor, it might be irreversible.”

Bibi, faced with a fact that was difficult to accept immediately, opened and closed her lips without saying a word. The hand covering her neck trembled thinly.

According to Ahin’s explanation, there was a risk of having her neck torn every time he had a seizure.

Instinct was added to the vague fear, making it difficult to make a proper judgment.

She hardened her expression as she worked hard to stop the trembling. It was because Ahin, who was quietly looking down at her, seemed to have a satisfied smile.

‘Could it be….’

He must have wanted this reaction. To keep her from following him of her own free will.

For a moment, Bibi was more afraid of that expectant smile than the fear of having her neck bitten. She was afraid that he was trying to distance himself from her.

Whisk, a hand that had escaped her control grabbed Ahin’s wrist. Bibi brought his rough hand to her neck. At the same time as the rough surface touched her neck, her red eyes rarely fluttered.

She raised her eyes, trying not to be overwhelmed by his energy, and said.

“…I’m not scared at all.” Her voice, saying that, was trembling.

“You know too. That the thing I’m best at is running away.”

“You know I didn’t say that as a joke.”

“I’m not kidding either. If that happens, I’ll knock Ahin out and run away.”

“……”

“I can run away well. The probability of you having a seizure is higher than the probability of me getting bitten….”

Ahin blinked blankly for a long time without answering.

‘Does he have so little faith in me?’ Bibi inwardly harbored such thoughts, looking at her own reflection in his red eyes. It was a fragile appearance that inspired no confidence at all.

As she was subtly averting that reality, Ahin moved the hand that was holding her neck.

“Usually, at times like this,”

His reddish lips opened after a long time. Bibi, whose fine hairs stood on end at the sudden sensation, looked up at him.

“Shouldn’t you be saying that you wouldn’t mind being bitten for my sake?”

Because that could never happen. Bibi knew very well her own courage to run away without hesitation if such a situation arose. A breathy laugh escaped from Ahin.

“Bibi.”

He bent his eyes, staring intently at Bibi, who was blatantly avoiding his gaze.

“You can introduce Dominance pheromones through the respiratory system or wounds, you know.”

“Why are you suddenly bringing up things everyone knows? Don’t try to change the subject, and tell me about the bear territory…,”

“When we first met in human form in the shack. You could have bitten other parts, but have you ever thought about why it was the neck?”

Bibi, who had never thought about that reason, moistened her dry lips. Wasn’t that a fact she had overlooked?

“I asked you before, what is the meaning of biting the neck.”

The fingertips that brushed her neck felt cool. Ahin’s face, smiling beautifully, was both ascetic and seductive. Every time he slowly stroked the scar on her neck with his thumb, her body stiffened like wood.

“Among beast-type, it’s a mark of territory. It’s a mark of food and has the same meaning as imprinting.”

‘What is that.’

It was a mark that she had never heard of in the rabbit territory, and that herbivore-type could not even make.

Just as goosebumps rose all over Bibi’s body and even cold sweat was about to flow,

“Can I make it again?”

A low voice scratched her ear.

Bibi couldn’t answer anything and moved her body backward. Unfortunately, her body, blocked by the sofa cushion, could no longer move back.

In general, beast-type were more defined and larger than herbivore-type. Could the old wives’ tale that a maid told her when she was young, that it was to seduce prey with a seductive beauty, really be fiction?

She should have listened in more detail; why did she scoff and hide under the cushion back then? Bibi, who was in a crisis where the old wives’ tale might become a reality right away, looked up at Ahin with trembling eyes.

She thought it was strange. Ahin, who used to get annoyed even if he only got scratched by a paw, had left the scar on her neck to be unsightly.

‘If possible, don’t let Grandpa Lillian see it.’

The head of the rabbit territory might as well have given such a hint. It was no different from an act that revealed clear possessiveness.

In Bibi’s head, a sly rabbit and a cowardly rabbit were fiercely fighting.

“Bibi, do you know that your eyes look lecherous every time this happens?”

The winner of the fight seemed to be the sly rabbit.

“You’re going to make a hole in my face.”

Bibi hurriedly covered her eyes with her hands, and at the same time, her body swayed.

Ahin, who lifted her body with just a light force, sat her facing him. Bibi, whose legs were spread apart, reflexively grabbed his shoulders to maintain her balance.

In an instant, as the height of their gazes changed, Bibi felt even more tension than when they kissed. The firm arm wrapped around her waist to prevent her from running away awakened her senses.

Because they were so close, the epaulet decoration touching her negligee made her body feel cool. When Bibi thought it was strange that her hands and feet were hot despite that,

“Don’t faint.”

A strange sensation touched the place where her neck and shoulder line connected. The fine silver hair that had come close to her nose tickled her neck and chin. The place where his lips lingered and passed by felt as hot as if it had been burned.

“……”

Bibi could only tighten her grip on Ahin’s shoulders without making a sound. Her lower abdomen tightened due to the hot breath and the fangs that brushed against her.

The vagueness of not knowing when his fangs would sink in made her breath quicken. Perhaps because the neck was the area where pheromones were most easily absorbed, even her vision became blurry due to Ahin’s persistent exploration of her neck.

“Ahin,”

“Say it.”

“When are you going to bite…?”

Ahin’s movements, which had been wandering around her neck, stopped due to Bibi’s barely uttered question. Ahin, who briefly raised his head and faced her, had slightly flushed eyes.

“…You don’t really think I’m going to sink my fangs in, do you?”

“Ye, you said you were marking territory.”

“That’s what beasts do. Even if I’m a beast-type, I don’t bite unless it’s an emergency like then.”

No, you clearly said it was your beast culture. Bibi, who had nothing to say, kept opening and closing her mouth. Ahin, who was also staring blankly at her, said.

“Don’t tell me the reason you were nervous was because you were preparing to be bitten,”

“……”

“…Are you food?”

Who was it that fiddled with my paws every day, searching through cookbooks wondering what dish to make today?

Bibi, realizing that she had completely fallen for Ahin’s sophistry, glared fiercely.

He, who was facing Bibi with a slightly collapsed face, buried his forehead deeply in her neck again.

“Really-….”

Intermittent breaths, as if holding back laughter, brushed against Bibi’s bare skin.

Ahin, who was acting like a cat drunk on sleep, repeatedly brought his lips to her neck. His lips, which persistently scanned her skin, stopped at the tooth marks left as scars.

“Heu,”

“I won’t bite.”

He stroked her back as Bibi flinched, and then lightly sucked as if adding to the traces.

Even after that, Ahin clung to her neck for a long time, as if she were the first and last person, and did not think of letting go. In between, he kissed the opposite side of her neck, stroked her back, or bit her nape.

The persistent act ended only when Bibi, who had been constantly going back and forth between reality and fainting, felt her skin tingle.

After taking refuge in the dressing room with a mirror and checking the ravaged bite marks, Bibi regretted for the first time that she had endured fainting.

He must be really out of his mind.

* * *

In the end, the schedule to go to the bear territory together was concluded with Ahin’s postponement to consider it further.

Still, that was something. Thinking positively that she could persuade him a little more, I quietly lowered the blanket that had been covering my head.

Despite the previous act, the wide bed was still a reverent place today. I glared at Ahin, who was buried in the blanket, and moved my gaze to the pillow placed in the middle.

‘That damn pillow.’

Because of that, we can’t even have a conversation, and we can’t even hold hands secretly. The white pillow that invariably appears when I turn into a human meant disconnection. It was Ahin’s defense against preventing a pervert with bad sleeping habits.

“Bibi, go to sleep quickly.”

Ahin, who had been quietly closing his eyes, turned his body diagonally. As I tossed and turned roughly with a twisted heart, he asked in a sleepy voice.

“What are you dissatisfied with?”

Immediately, my purple eyes flashed brightly. Moving faster than when I was a rabbit, I threw the pillow away with a snap. The cotton wool that had separated us for months was disposed of like that.

Ahin stared blankly at the boundary line that had disappeared in an instant. Taking advantage of that gap, I secretly moved my hand under the blanket.

Soon, unlike my soft hand, I touched a rough hand that had been holding a sword. Holding his thumb, I looked at the ceiling, feigning ignorance and clearing my throat.

Ahin, who had been maintaining silence, quietly turned his body over and buried his face in the pillow he was using. Judging by his trembling shoulders, he seemed to be forcing himself to hold back laughter.

It was a reaction that aroused annoyance, but it didn’t matter since I had achieved my goal.

Perhaps the laughter had finally stopped, Ahin turned his gaze towards me while lying on his stomach. The hand that had been holding the tip of my thumb was completely covered by Ahin’s rough hand.

“-Are you satisfied now?”

A languid voice tickled my chest. Turning my body diagonally, I was lying face to face with Ahin.

I became a little embarrassed after actually doing it, so I replaced my answer with a bashful smile. Conversely, Ahin’s mouth hardened.

As I carefully read his expression, I wiggled the hand that was held by him.

“Ahin.”

“…Why.”

“I will definitely solve the pheromone outburst. Just trust me.”

“Even if you coax me like that, the bear territory matter is still on hold.”

His nasty way of speaking didn’t go anywhere today either. As I glared at him with beady eyes, this time Ahin gave a pure smile.

“If you glare at me like that, I want to tear your neck again.”

He’s crazy. He’s crazy. I hurriedly shook off the hand that was being held, but it didn’t budge.

He, who didn’t even show any signs of letting go of my hand, pulled the blanket up to his head. I blinked, inadvertently trapped in the blanket with him.

“What’s with you all of a sudden?”

“The Rabian family,”

“……”

“Is undergoing the process of annihilation according to the pressure from Chief Amon. There were many crimes committed since the time of the previous head of the family, so the chief’s side had been sharpening their knives. Since you are not registered in the family register, there will be no impact. Chief Amon’s side also agreed to turn a blind eye.”

I didn’t feel the need to answer. However, it was a complicated feeling that I couldn’t just agree with him as if nothing was wrong.

A natural silence, which wasn’t particularly awkward, settled down. As I was quietly lost in thought, Ahin spoke first.

“You can hide your pain if you hide in the blanket.”

“…What is that.”

“My father told me that when I was young.”

Unable to answer for a moment, I tried hard to see Ahin. However, I couldn’t confirm his expression because it was hidden in the darkness of the blanket.

“I’ll let the rabbit hide today too.”

I was fine even when I heard about the Rabian family, but suddenly I felt like I was about to cry, so I bit my lip.

The reason why Ahin was always wrapped in a blanket and slept was not simply because he was prone to feeling cold. It was just a habit that had developed since he was young.

From the time he saw his father die. And from the time he actually started having pheromone outbursts at the age of fifteen, how many times had Ahin been in pain in the blanket?

Suddenly, I remembered the birthday present I wanted to give him and closed my eyes without saying a word. It was a dawn where the slightly suffocating air in the blanket and the large hand that wrapped around one of my hands brought a sense of stability.

* * *

As expected, Ahin was tormented by his aides and servants from the morning. It had been several hours since he had been dragged away by Evelyn, who was trying to whisper in his ear that he was running late after being lazy.

Mayme frowned slightly when she saw the mess around the bite marks on my neck. When she prepared bandages and a cloak to cover my neck, I eventually had no choice but to roll around on the bed in shame. Then, even a cold rebuke came back, saying that I shouldn’t act like a rabbit.

As I was barely suppressing my shame, before I knew it, the day was getting dark and the banquet time was approaching.

I left the bedroom late to prepare Ahin’s gift. It was no longer a problem to manage pheromones, but there was no need to run around during the day and encounter other beast-type. Now that most of them were gathering in the banquet hall, it was the right time.

As such, I was passing through a path with few people on purpose when I was faced with a situation where I couldn’t move while hiding behind a tree. Ash, who often followed my actions, was also stuck to the tree with me.

Holding my breath, I carefully poked my head out and watched the front. Mayme and Barado, who had inadvertently hidden behind the tree, also poked their heads out following me.

‘Why is that….’

The place where we are now is a path in the back garden of the mansion where there are almost no people.

But why. Why is a vermilion fox lying in the middle of the road? I, who had been unable to pass the road for about twenty minutes, pointed at the fox.

“…Mayme, it’s a beast-type, right?”

Mayme, who couldn’t make a definite statement, nodded slightly. Otherwise, how could an ordinary fox enter the middle of the mansion?

It was strange that it was lying there without a single servant, but it was much more credible to see it as a noble who had come to attend the birthday banquet.

“Should we… just leave it like that?”

“No, we can’t.”

“What?”

“As long as they are guests invited to the mansion, we have a duty as employees to guide them if there is a problem with their personal safety. Or call a doctor here.”

“……”

“I’ll go check.”

Mayme stepped forward with composure.

A black panther is not enough, but a fox. Because it was the worst of natural enemies, I couldn’t even dare to follow her.

With a chill covering my back and even wearing a cloak, I observed without taking my eyes off her, wondering if Mayme was in danger.

Mayme, who moved with her unique silent gait, stopped three steps away from the fox.

How is she going to check? Just as I thought her firm back was trustworthy, she seriously opened her mouth.

“Excuse me.”

There was no reaction from the fallen fox. As the silence grew longer, a chill lingered on Mayme’s cold expression.

Was it a corpse, not just fallen? My face turned black as I reached a terrible conclusion.

Just as I was about to take off my cloak to express my condolences, she lifted the fox up as if a knight was holding a lady.

“Mayme?”

“There is no consciousness. I think we should move it to the infirmary.”

Mayme, who shouldn’t leave my side carelessly, gave me a look of understanding.

Wouldn’t it be better not to act separately since there are many unfamiliar guests? Nodding, I also turned my steps towards the infirmary.

‘That is….’

At that time, a red cloth scattered in the nearby bushes caught my eye. It was a dress and accessories.

“Wait a minute, we have to take that.”

Intuitively realizing that it belonged to the fox, I ran towards it and rolled on the floor.

“Lady Rabbit!”

From behind, I heard Mayme and Ash’s worried screams.

“I’m okay.”

Rolling on the floor was like everyday life for Bibi. Wiping the dirt off my cheek, I got up and held the dress and small handbag in my arms.

Tuk, tuk, as I ran holding the heavy dress, I vaguely guessed the identity of the fox.

Judging from the excessively flashy dress, could it be the fox beast-type who scattered a thick pheromone to Ahin at the last ball? The explanation that she had five husbands floated around in my head.

‘I’m worried she might become prey for the masked fox.’

‘It would be even better if she became mine.’

Strangely, my insides were burning. A strange feeling, like a fire burning in my chest, which I hadn’t felt even at the time, kept tangling my feet.

* * *