The Symbiotic Relationship Between The Rabbit And The Black Panther [EN]: Chapter 72

The dinner party preparations were carried out under the meticulous management of Hendry and Professor Jinan.

Still feeling awkward in my formal attire, I surreptitiously peered into the school pond. My reflection, illuminated by the bright lamps, rippled on the water’s surface.

‘Hmm….’

My white hair, styled with a single braid adorned with jewelry and the rest cascading down, was the first thing that caught my eye.

The white-tinged lavender dress was a light, seasonal choice, and the exposed collarbone area was decorated with jewels, making it elegant without being too extravagant.

It was just the right outfit—neither too plain nor over the top.

“You little rascal, you look amazing, so let’s go quickly. It’s not good for the ‘main character’ to be too late.”

“…Why am I the main character of the dinner party?”

“Who else would it be? And don’t you dare contradict this old man.”

Unable to withstand my grandfather’s continued insistence from behind me, I put my hands on my hips.

“Grandfather, I absolutely cannot enter with you.”

It was truly a difficult situation.

As soon as the dinner party was scheduled, Russell and my grandfather, not to mention Valence, had all insisted on being my partner.

I had barely managed to appease them, promising to enter with Russell, but on the day of the event, my grandfather was stubbornly insisting.

“Eventually, the fact that you’re related to the Grace family will be known anyway.”

“I told you, it doesn’t matter after graduation. Before that, even you will be caught up in rumors.”

“I’m fine with it, but since you’re worried, I even disguised myself. This way, no one will know it’s me.”

Looking weary, I scanned my grandfather with uneasy eyes.

Aside from his neatly braided white hair, I had no idea where he had gotten that creepy rabbit mask that covered his face.

“Even if I tried, I could still tell it’s you.”

“Is our rabbit saying such harsh things….”

“Grandfather-.”

When I gave him a stern look that clearly meant no, my grandfather’s shoulders drooped.

For a moment, my heart softened, but if I gave in here, he would follow me around all night. I gritted my teeth and looked away, picking up Russell, who was anxiously trying to mediate.

“Let’s go, Russell.”

With every step, the rustling of the dress created a soft noise. The closer we got to the outdoor party venue, the brighter the campus became, almost like daytime.

“…Russell.”

While mentally rehearsing aristocratic etiquette and the proper escort order, I realized something was wrong.

“Why are you wearing a ballet tutu to the banquet?”

I hadn’t noticed because it suited him so well.

Russell was not only wearing a tutu but also a perfect little children’s crown.

“Professor Jinan and the ferrets dressed me up.”

“Ferrets, as in your classmates?”

“Uh-huh.”

Russell, cupping his cheeks with his small hands, twisted his body shyly.

Well, what does it matter when he looks so adorable? Agreeing with myself, I took another step before stopping again.

“But do I really have to hold you like this to enter?”

“Hold me.”

“…I don’t think so.”

Russell clung to me, waving his hands dismissively.

In the end, I entered the outdoor party venue with Russell in my arms, carefully taking each step. Perhaps because of our unique entrance, every step was followed by curious gazes.

‘G, a bear beast-person [a humanoid with bear-like features]!’

Oh my. Horrified, I tried to move around the venue to avoid the burly bear beast-person. Russell, uncomfortable in my arms, wriggled down and ran off to sample the party food.

Hic. Mommy.

While struggling alone to avoid them, I realized that the students were already paired up with partners, lost in dance.

In the crowd, I saw Hendry making eye contact with the snake clan member he was supposed to meet.

The smiles of the people reflected in the light somehow made me feel happy too.

I blankly stared at the sight that a baby rabbit could never see, then rolled my eyes to find Russell. Russell was showing the traditional dance of the rabbit clan that I had taught him to his peers.

So that’s why Hendry emphasized that there must be a partner of the opposite sex. I felt strangely awkward and lonely.

Standing alone in the corner, I suddenly noticed something strange and narrowed my eyes.

‘…Who is this person?’

A man I didn’t recognize had approached and was standing next to me.

If that was all, it would be fine. But he had somehow acquired a crazy rabbit mask and was wearing it proudly.

‘Are rabbit masks in fashion…?’

Grandfather was wearing one earlier too. Considering there was someone wearing a cat mask earlier, it might be rude to find it strange.

Still not fully understanding the banquet culture, I subtly took a step away.

But the man followed suit, so I ended up in the same spot. I glanced at the man with suspicious eyes.

His build was similar, and I wondered if it was Ahin who had secretly attended….

Even considering that the man’s platinum-blonde hair near my ear was a wig, how could he disguise the purple eyes behind the mask?

‘Is he an academy student?’

Was he feeling a sense of kinship with me as a fellow rabbit clan member?

Just as I was about to try to distance myself again without letting my guard down, the man gently pulled me.

It happened to be the moment when the music changed to a slow tempo. Caught off guard, I had to show him my clumsy dance skills.

‘He looks like Ahin no matter how I look at it….’

However, the scent emanating from the man was unfamiliar, and even if I could tell by looking at his hands, they were blocked by thick satin gloves.

Even as I was led across the grass by his gentle touch, the probing continued.

“Ah-”

I abruptly wanted to ask if he was Ahin, but what if he wasn’t? He wasn’t the type to follow me all the way here, even if he was crazy.

I opened and closed my mouth like a goldfish and quickly changed the question.

“…If it’s not rude, may I ask your name?”

Speak nicely.

As I looked up at him, sending unspoken pressure, the man with purple eyes simply smiled.

I couldn’t even confirm the presence of fangs due to the rabbit mask that covered his mouth.

If he was really a stranger, I would be falsely accused of cheating again. I quickly checked the sky, but fortunately, Quinn, the watchdog, was nowhere to be seen.

As the music stopped at the right moment, I smiled awkwardly, thinking this was my chance.

“W, well, goodbye….”

I even said goodbye strangely. As I retreated, hiding my dismay, the man’s hand holding mine tightened slightly.

“……?”

Let go. I fluttered my hand, trying to shake it off, but the man shook it back as if he was clapping.

‘What is this!’

Are there this many crazy people on the continent? Just as I was about to turn my arm like a whirlwind to push him away, my nose twitching, I heard,

“Black panthers are roaming the campus?”

“L, lower your voice.”

The security guard, who had unknowingly raised his voice, covered his mouth.

‘Black panther…?’

Ash, who had suddenly appeared at the academy and bitten Evelyn’s crown, flashed before my eyes.

Surely it wasn’t Ash. He might be treated harshly if he encountered the security guards.

Before I could make a rational decision, my feet started moving.

* * *

Bibi reacted to the word “black panther” like lightning and disappeared in an instant without anyone being able to chase her.

What to do if a rabbit beast-person acts more like a black panther beast-person than a black panther beast-person. The remaining Ahin blinked in disbelief, and eventually even laughed.

The banquet hall was briefly swept up in the commotion, but as the security guards calmed things down and formed ranks, it quickly regained its original atmosphere.

“Why did the guy who said he would come secretly bring a black panther?”

Lillian, who had approached Ahin, grumbled. Finding the rabbit mask he was wearing, Ahin briefly contemplated whether he looked like that too.

“Everyone is so fussy when it comes to Bibi. The Grace family has already been eaten by the rabbit.”

“Not yet. To properly act as the real power, we need to create a rabbit’s office too. I’ll discuss it with my Valence leader.”

Unexpectedly, Lillian gave a very serious answer.

Ahin turned to Lillian with a slightly dazed expression.

Normally, shouldn’t she have said, ‘How dare a rabbit covet the Grace family?’ Even Lillian, who had the most common sense in the clan, had collapsed.

Since when? Ahin, laughing, lifted his mask.

“Old man, you’ve changed a lot.”

“It’s a fitting result. You should be grateful to our rabbit who saved your life for the rest of your life…,”

Lillian, who was answering curtly, suddenly stopped. It was because she momentarily overlapped Ahin, who was wearing a platinum-blonde wig, with Idis. Ahin, who knew him well, slowly tilted his head.

“Father told me to tell grandfather that he loves him very much.”

“…….”

“Sorry for telling you now.”

It was the first time Ahin, who was the only one who witnessed Idis’s death, was conveying his last words.

It was thanks to the stabilization of the dominant pheromones that he had finally begun to fully accept Idis’s death. And that was the same for Valence and Lillian.

Lillian, who was glad she could hide her expression thanks to the mask, put her hands behind her back.

“You only use the proper title when you have something important to say. That’s why I can’t bring myself to like you.”

“Same here.”

Ahin put the rabbit mask back down, completely hiding his face.

Even while they were exchanging curt words, Hendry carefully approached the two of them.

‘It’s a rabbit beast-person, not a black panther beast-person?’

Her eyes sharpened as she recalled Bibi and Ahin dancing briefly.

“Are you… Bibi’s lover?”

“-That word is good.”

“…That trash?”

“How did you know?”

Ahin, stroking his chin, asked Lillian for advice.

“It must be written on your face.”

“I’m wearing a mask?”

“You can’t hide your personality with a mask. This student is our rabbit’s close friend, so don’t treat him rudely.”

“I feel like I’m the one being treated rudely.”

Hendry looked at Ahin and Lillian alternately with a somewhat bewildered expression. Bibi’s lover was not only friendly with the headmaster but was also pleased with the word trash.

“Old man, I’m going. It’s about time for Bibi to have an affair with Ash.”

I wonder if he’s met Ash and Lil by now. Ahin looked up at the clock tower in the distance before turning around.

“…Wait a minute!”

Hendry, who was determined to save Bibi from the clutches of a bad man, shouted. Ahin, who had stopped walking, slightly raised his mask and smiled.

“Don’t worry too much, I’m just trash who’s busy chasing Bibi.”

Why does he look familiar when Bibi is the only rabbit beast-person she knows? Hendry, who was stiff, stared at Ahin’s receding figure.

She couldn’t figure out his identity in the end, but one thing was certain: Bibi had fallen head over heels for her lover’s angelic face.

* * *

While crossing the campus shrouded in night, an ominous noise was heard from somewhere.

Splash, splash, it sounded like someone was splashing in the water.

‘Could it be….’

Soon realizing it was coming from the pond, I turned pale and ran.

Ash, Ash.

Quickly reaching the vicinity of the pond, sure enough, two figures were struggling in the pond. They were baby black panthers.

Without even wondering why they were here, I gritted my teeth and threw myself into the pond with a splash.

“Shu, Bion!”

I’ll save you. Just as I was waving my arms and legs diligently, I felt a blatant gaze.

‘Bara…?’

Bara, with his beady eyes, wriggled and swam to pull Shu and Bion out.

I slowly got up, dumbfounded at the easy rescue. It was a pond that was barely deep enough to reach my thighs.

‘…What is this.’

Shu and Bion, shaking off their bodies, rolled around on the floor, gleefully amused by my soaked appearance.

Those pranksters. They must have fallen into the pond while playing like that.

My relief was short-lived, and just as I was about to scold them sternly, I suddenly felt a presence and turned my head.

The strange rabbit-masked man who had been chasing me had stopped at a distance.

As I stared at him motionlessly from the center of the pond, the man also stayed in place. The night breeze ruffled his platinum-blonde hair near my ear.

For a moment, I almost burst into tears and bit my lip tightly.

I was going to propose properly since I was dressed up today, but why doesn’t anything in the world go as planned?

I was quite upset that I always showed him such an ugly sight.

The sight of me rolling on the dirt floor while running away from the beast, or my appearance stained with ink. And I often turn from a rabbit into a naked person. I must look like a water ghost now.

‘…If you’re going to disguise yourself, you should have done it perfectly.’

I was hesitant because he had even changed his hair and eye color on purpose…. The silver earring that I shared with him, worn on one ear, clearly proved the man’s identity.

As I quietly glared at him, he slowly took a step as if he was about to approach.

“…I won’t spank your butt if you come closer.”

The man’s body stiffened like a statue for a moment.

There is only one person in the world who would succumb to such embarrassing threats. I bared my teeth, glaring at the rabbit mask with a dumbfounded expression.

“Take it off.”

The man looked around slowly without much reaction. The only signs of life around the remote pond were the black panther family sitting in the bushes, watching us.

Soon, he fiddled with the cravat that tightened his neck with a loose touch.

Immediately after, the man’s hand went down to start unbuttoning his tailcoat one by one.

“……?”

What outrageous behavior. Startled, I covered my eyes and looked forward through my spread fingers.

“What are you… what are you doing?”

The man, who answered kindly, had already left only the last jacket button. Only then did I realize that I had omitted the word mask. I splashed water with a splash.

“I’m obviously talking about the mask, not the clothes!”

“…….”

“…You!”

“I naturally thought you meant the clothes.”

That must be your wishful thinking. Unable to hide my embarrassment, I screamed.

“Don’t talk nonsense and take it off right now!”

“Everything?”

“Yes! …No, I mean the mask!”

The cunning black panther was still severely lacking in dignity and decorum today.

After a scuffle, he finally untied the string behind his head that secured the mask. With a thud, the grotesque rabbit mask was removed, and the man’s identity was finally revealed.

“……!”

Still covering my face, I blinked between my fingers.

Why does he feel so unfamiliar when he only changed his hair and eye color? The visual shock beyond imagination made it hard to breathe.

“…Put it back on.”

“-Why?”

Ahin, who knew the reason well, pretended not to know and took off his jacket and approached. He knelt down in front of the pond and met my eyes.

“Bibi, if you’re going to cover your eyes, do it properly.”

“…….”

“What’s the point of just pretending, your eyes are already lecherous.”

I hated this side of Ahin the most. The point of pointing out things that could just be passed over.

“Are you going to stay there?”

“…I’m going out.”

After answering curtly, I gathered the wet dress, but suddenly stopped. It was thanks to making eye contact with Ash, who had secretly approached behind Ahin.

I regained my composure and twitched my eyebrows to signal Ash.

‘Ash, should we push him?’

Ash, who understood my intentions with just an eyebrow signal, slyly raised his massive front paw.

Ahin, who was reaching out to me without knowing anything, raised one corner of his mouth with a smirk.

“Seo, Ash.”

Does this beast have eyes on its back? Ash, whose misdeeds were quickly exposed, widened his eyes in surprise.

There’s no way. Just as I was resigning myself and gathering my dress, Ash’s mouth opened wide.

Splash!

It was instantaneous to push the unguarded Ahin with the black panther’s force.

I raised my arm to block the spray and gaped. Ash, on the other hand, seemed to have a lot built up during the year and a half I was gone, as he let out a refreshing snort.

Bubbles gurgled on the water’s surface, and soon a huge figure rose.

“…I don’t really like swimming.”

Ahin, making a remark typical of a feline beastman, swept back his wet silver hair. It seemed his wig had come off when he fell into the pond.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“W-wait a minute!”

My body, which was trying to sneak away, suddenly floated into the air. Ahin, who was supporting me under my thighs and holding me, looked up at me silently.

“How did you notice it was me?”

His purple eyes, shimmering in the light, slowly turned red. It seemed he had used the raccoon clan’s drug that he had used once before.

“…How could I not know?”

“You didn’t know. Not even until about halfway through the dance.”

How can someone be so perceptive? I pouted and fiddled with one of Ahin’s ears.

“This earring, I enclosed it in a letter and sent it to you. Did you forget to take it off?”

“-Ah.”

Ahin widened his eyes as if he had really forgotten.

Could it be that I’m seriously ill if I find that clumsiness cute? He had a slightly dazed look on his face, but soon smiled languidly.

“Sending only one must mean something.”

“That’s-….”

The meaning of the earring wasn’t something I wanted to say while drenched and disheveled. I tried to lift the sadly drooping corners of my eyes and wiggled my fingers.

“A classmate told me that sharing an earring in the pig territory means….”

A shy, awkward smile appeared on my face.

“It means you want to be together forever.”

Ahin made a particularly blank expression several times today.

Moreover, as time passed, heat rose in his cheeks and around his ears, and soon he avoided my gaze. It was quite a refreshing reaction.

So, he does know what embarrassment is. I stretched my neck, curious.

Whisk, Ahin turned his head completely in the opposite direction to avoid me.

‘This guy.’

When I followed him out of spite, he kissed me on the lips without warning and then pulled away.

Realizing that he had lightly bitten my lower lip in the process, I covered both cheeks. Unlike Ahin, who was beautifully flushed, my face must have been as red as a tomato.

“Why do you make that face while saying we’ll be together forever?”

Ahin soon asked in a low voice.

“W-Why is my face like that?”

“You look like you’re about to cry. The corners of your eyebrows are drooping.”

My gloomy mood was showing on my face. I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly and lowered my head.

“Actually, I wanted to say these words with a little more….”

“Dressed up nicely, offering a gift in a place with a good atmosphere.”

“…How did you know?”

“Because the romantic rabbit’s thoughts are obvious.”

It wasn’t a particularly good feeling to have all my thoughts read.

As I glared at him silently, Ahin lifted me a little higher, and I reflexively grabbed his shoulders. I could feel the muscles through the wet clothes.

Ahin tilted his head slightly, looked up at me, and gave me a harmless smile.

I was mesmerized by his smooth smile and stared blankly down. I even felt like time was flowing slowly only in this place.

The noisy sounds of the party hall could be heard from afar, and the quiet sounds of insects chirping in the bushes filled the surroundings.

Drip, drip.

The water droplets falling from my wet clothes made small noises as they hit the surface of the pond.

I briefly looked at the moon, which had cleared of clouds and fully revealed itself.

In this kind of atmosphere, wouldn’t it be okay to propose? As soon as I thought that, I felt impatient and moved my lips.

“Ahin, we…!”

“Bibi.”

“Huh…?”

“You don’t have to be impatient.”

“…….”

“We don’t need to rush because we’re being chased by the Elders.”

My mother has no intention of handing over the leadership position right now either. Ahin added slowly.

I was momentarily speechless and couldn’t say anything.

I felt somewhat sorry, but on the other hand, I also felt frustrated. It was the same as Ahin reading all my hesitation about the engagement.

“Bibi, do you know? The end of your gaze was sometimes directed outside of Grace Manor, not towards it.”

“…Me?”

“Yes. When I found out, I thought it was natural for you to be curious about the outside since you had been living as a baby rabbit.”

Ahin, who met my gaze, continued after a moment of silence.

“But at some point, I became anxious. What if you disappeared while briefly transformed into a human, or what if you left after fully humanizing?”

“…….”

“So, I was happy and unhappy at the same time that the number of times you transformed into a human was increasing.”

I was a little dumbfounded as I listened to him.

I was the one who was anxious every day about being abandoned because if I became completely human, I would no longer have any justification for being in Grace Manor.

We seemed to have similar yet completely different concerns.

While I was neither crying nor laughing, Ahin’s sincerity continued.

“Actually, I’m still not completely free from anxiety. Just a little while ago, you were dancing with a masked, unknown man.”

“…But it was Ahin in the end.”

“That’s true, but.”

He affirmed in a slow voice and made a sound of air escaping.

“Still, do what you want. Go where you want to go, and do what you want to do. Whether it’s the academy or whatever.”

Tears, which I had been holding back so well, welled up and fell. Ahin was convinced that his engagement with me would hold me back, and he was only saying things for my sake.

What should I do with this wicked and lovely beast? I swallowed the lump in my throat and barely opened my mouth.

“…Then what about Ahin?”

“-I have to wait.”

“Even though you’ve already waited a year and a half?”

“I can’t help it….”

He was answering gently, but suddenly frowned.

“No, to be honest, I can’t wait.”

“What on earth do you want to do?”

“It would be better to do everything together. I’d rather put you in my mouth and carry you around…,”

Slap, I rebuked his wicked snout with a serious face.

I pondered whether to hit him one more time, then gently stroked his red lips with my thumb. He had said so many pretty things today, so I thought it would be okay to forgive him generously.

I was always afraid that there would be no one behind me when I turned around. Now, the fact that there was someone reaching out in front of me gave me an indescribable sense of fulfillment.

“…You don’t have to worry.”

I smiled brightly, recalling the rough palm that always supported me with stability.

“Because the only place I’ll return to is by Ahin’s side.”

I showed my full heart and kissed him without hesitation.

‘Kids, shh, please be quiet. I’m begging you.’

Rattle, rattle. In the bushes around the pond, Ril barely sealed the mouths of the two black panther cubs who were jumping around. There was no way they could dare to ruin a scene like a painting unfolding in the middle of the pond.

The gorilla is working hard. 바라 [Bara], who looked back at Ril whose hand was being bitten, slowly approached Ash while sitting down.

Thump, as she leaned her head and looked around, Ash snorted and looked forward again.

Normally, he would have flicked her head with his front paw, annoyed. It seemed that he was giving in because of the atmosphere around the pond.

Ash, do you know how big my heart is?

I’m not particularly curious.

My heart is this much bigger than that rabbit’s henchman.

That’s a little surprising.

Whatever Ash’s answer was, 바라 leaned in and purred. Happiness overflowed and covered the pond, a night as black as a black panther.

* * *

Grace Manor

Sitting at Valence’s desk, I grumbled and put on my carrot backpack.

Because Valence was particularly sad that she couldn’t see my rabbit form, I often had to return to my true form and satisfy her personal desires. And now was that time disguised as tea time.

‘Well, it’s not all bad.’

As if to show me on purpose, Valence made sure I learned how to handle work from time to time.

I stared blankly at the documents related to the establishment of a large treatment center.

“Baby, have you read today’s continental newspaper?”

Then Valence’s gentle question was heard.

When I shook my head, Mayme, who was waiting next to me, handed over the continental newspaper with a knife-like precision. I felt strangely ominous and glanced at her before unfolding the newspaper.

「Pet Rabbit Craze」

What is this bizarre headline? Horrified, I pointed at the newspaper with my front paw.

The article included illustrations of Rune walking through the square with a rabbit in one hand, and Professor Jinana and Russell holding a breeding rabbit and pressing their cheeks together.

Starting with famous people being involved with rabbits one after another, a rabbit craze is blowing through the continent… I crumpled the ridiculous article roughly.

“Baby, you should have been on the front page.”

To be precise, I wasn’t a pet rabbit, but an emergency food supply. Indignant, I stretched out my front paw and pointed out Valence, who was feeling sorry.

“The cotton ball is twice as big, so it’s even cuter. By the way, where did Ahin go? It’s about time he came to interfere.”

“He left the house.”

Ivelyn, who was clipping the continental newspaper in one corner of the office, answered instead.

“What do you mean?”

“Aren’t you currently selecting a personal aide for the rabbit? But because the rabbit recommended Alan Fredian of the Fredian family, they had a big fight and he left home.”

“Really? Baby, is there a reason why you recommended a child from the Fredian family?”

I avoided Valence’s questioning gaze and rubbed my throbbing temples.

There was a rumor that Alan was aiming for the position of aide to the next leader, so I recommended him because I wanted to punish him as much as he had tormented me.

Because impure personal feelings were involved, I quickly withdrew it, but Ahin, who was already sulking, even ran away from home.

‘Should I go pick him up….’

I sighed and shrugged my front paw at Ivelyn, who was hovering around.

What on earth are you doing here since earlier? Ivelyn, who immediately interpreted the gesture, put her hand on her chest.

“I am also an applicant for the rabbit’s aide.”

‘What about Ahin?’

“This Ivelyn is a talent with nothing lacking, from her outstanding appearance to her competent work processing skills. Rabbit, please take me away from Ahin.”

Ignoring Ivelyn’s self-introduction, which was not at all appealing, I gestured to Mayme. Mayme, let’s go pick up Ahin.

“Rabbit, you must accept me. Actually, I submitted a scathing resignation letter to Ahin last night.”

‘You cunning black panther.’

Ivelyn grabbed my tail and begged, but I kicked her away with my hind paw and left Valence’s office. We were a relationship that was tightly twisted from the first meeting and could never be reconciled.

* * *

Squeak, the carriage that reached the entrance of the Forest of Boundary slowly stopped.

I, dressed in light riding pants, put on a cloak and got out of the carriage. Naturally, Ash and 바라 followed me down.

‘It’s chilly.’

Because the wind was still cool, I put cloaks on Ash and 바라 as well and turned my head.

“Mayme, are you going to wait here?”

“Yes. I don’t think it’s possible for 슈 [Shu] and 비온 [Bion] to meet the black panthers of the Forest of Boundary yet.”

Mayme bowed and pushed the stubborn 슈 and 비온 back into the carriage.

“Then I’ll find Ahin and come here.”

I said goodbye to Ril and Mayme and immediately entered the Forest of Boundary.

As I walked with Ash and 바라 on either side, several footsteps echoed.

Before I knew it, I stopped in the middle of the forest. Growl- The black panthers, the guardians of the Forest of Boundary, who had been chasing me since the entrance, revealed themselves one by one.

‘These, these guys.’

They haven’t come to their senses even after being scolded by me last time. I carefully looked at each of them, who were surrounding me in a circle, and stomped my foot.

Surprisingly, the black panthers who flinched didn’t show any intention of attacking, but only peeked around with curious eyes.

Could it be that they received orders from Ahin, who came here first? I vaguely guessed and looked up at the sky.

삐이- Queen was circling in the air as if guiding the direction.

I thought I could easily find the runaway black panther, so I moved my steps along the path that Queen made in the sky. Along with that, the black panthers, including Ash and 바라, followed in droves.

Crunch, crunch.

As I walked on the firm dirt road, I was suddenly filled with a new feeling that this was the starting point of everything.

‘If you go a little further, it’s the black panther’s territory.’

‘I ordered you to make sure he dies at the hands of the black panthers.’

A cold wind blew, shaking the bushes and trees.

‘Baby rabbit?’

‘Are you crying?’

‘Cry more.’

A crazy beast. Even if I try to beautify the past, Ahin’s first impression was still a mess.

I recalled the first meeting that now only made me laugh, and stopped in place. In the distance, I could see a black panther sitting alone between the flat bushes.

“……?”

I frowned and approached cautiously, wary. As the distance got closer, I could immediately identify the identity of the lonely black panther.

Wasn’t that the black panther who ran away from Grace Manor around lunchtime today? I approached right next to him and widened my eyes slightly.

“Ahin, what are you doing here? And why did you go back to your true form?”

What is all this about?

Ahin had not only returned to his true form, but also had one front paw stuffed into a basket woven from straw.

As I stared blankly down, I belatedly remembered what day it was today.

The weather is somewhat chilly in the morning and evening, and the sky is clear. It was the day Ahin took me out of the basket.

Does this crazy guy do surprise events like a crazy guy too? Nevertheless, I suppressed the emotions that welled up and sat down next to him with my knees together.

‘Baby rabbit?’

“-Black panther?”

I matched his tone and deliberately made a languid voice like Ahin.

Nod, Ahin nodded and held out one front paw as if telling me to pick him up.

When did I ever tell you to take me so readily? I glared at him with narrowed eyes, but as soon as I saw the somewhat broken basket, I laughed. It seemed he had broken it trying to force his way in.

‘Cry more.’

“Cry more, then I’ll let you live.”

Ahin rubbed his eyes with his front paw and forcibly squeezed out tears. Despite his efforts, only one tear came out.

‘You lack perseverance. I’ll eat you in three days, so try harder.’

“You lack perseverance. Should I eat you up?”

Why are you nodding your head so hard here? It was good that you prepared the basket, but all the subsequent attitudes were disqualified.

Seriously. I snorted in disbelief and pulled his whiskers, and Ahin rubbed his cheek against my hand, pretending not to know.

“I’ll have to take you as emergency food.”

I dusted off the cloak covered in weeds and got up, holding the basket.

I was being dragged away as emergency food, but Ahin wrapped his tail around my wrist, wondering what was so good about it.

As I showed signs of moving, the black panthers, including Ash and 바라, cleared the way.

I stood in place for a moment and looked at the path leading to the rabbit territory in the distance. Then I slowly turned to the direction of Grace Manor.

‘I am Ahin’s servant, Rudd Ivelyn.’

‘Yes, Mayme. Is this child Ahin’s food?’

‘Baby, reach out your hand.’

Ivelyn, Valence, and Mayme too.

‘This person, is he a beastman who has undone his humanization [transformed back into his animal form]?’

‘So, he wasn’t just a rabbit, but a beastman.’

‘It’s the end of the world, not only am I nursing him, but the rabbit understands me.’

‘Damn rabbit.’
Rune, Grandfather, and Queen.

And even Ash and 바라, who silently protect me.

The place where I met everyone was Grace Manor, with its tall spiers soaring high.

“Ahin.”

I smiled happily at Ahin, drawing that beautiful mansion that cannot be seen in the Forest of Boundary.