Chapter 18

I decided to leave Huey alone—he was behind a tree taking deep breaths for some reason—and gratefully accepted the meal he’d brought back.

As I ate with full concentration, at some point, Huey—now in his wolf form—was sitting nearby, staring intently at me.

Even back in the cave, whenever I ate, he’d just sit there and watch me in silence.

Before, I thought it was kind of like how a mom watches over her kid, but now that I know it was Huey all along, it feels… weird.

Once I finished eating, I ducked behind a random tree and turned back into my human form.

I don’t know why, but even though I’m technically naked when I do this out in nature, I’m starting to feel less resistance to it. That’s… a problem, right?

Seeing that I’d turned human to talk, Huey quickly hid behind another tree himself.

…You know, at first, he used to say turning human made him feel like he was freezing to death, but lately he’s been transforming like it’s no big deal.

“Something wrong?”

“Just a little question.”

I had to stop myself from blurting out: Are you starting to enjoy being naked out in the wild?

Instead, I asked what I’d actually been wondering earlier.

“When we were in the cave too, I noticed—you always just watch me eat, without ever getting bored. Why?”

“…Ah, that.”

‘That’? Really? Maybe I should’ve gone with the naked question instead.

“Mimosa, you just look really happy when you eat. I like watching that.”

“Wh-what!?”

Why am I getting flustered!? He just said he likes watching me eat, that’s all!

Sure, it’s like when you watch a dog or hamster nibbling away at food—it’s cute, right?

I’m not saying I’m cute or anything!

“Mimosa… are you happy?”

“Huh!? What are you even talking about!? N-no way!”

“Yeah? I see, I see!”

“Why do you sound so happy about that!? Don’t get the wrong idea, okay!?”

We couldn’t see each other’s faces through the trees, but I could tell from his tone—Huey was smiling.

Ugh, it’s frustrating that I’m the only one getting all flustered here! Calm down, tail—stop wagging!!

“…Hey.”

“What now!? There’s more?”

“I wanna see your face… Can I come over there?”

“Absolutely not! We’re both completely naked! If you come over here, I swear I’ll never talk to you again!!”

“! I’m sorry!”

From the other side of the tree, I could feel the gloomy, drooping air coming off him.

Ah… maybe I overreacted a little. I might’ve hurt the poor boy’s feelings. I should probably say something to make up for it…

“Hey, Huey.”

“…Yeah?”

His voice came back totally downcast.

Oh wow, he’s really depressed.

“You know, Huey, your survival skills are incredible. Finding burrows under the snow, catching fish and animals… I don’t think anyone who’s only lived in a village could do all that.”

That was something I’d been wondering too.

Just because you turn into a beast doesn’t mean you automatically ‘go wild’. I’d learned that firsthand, considering how useless I was at it.

But Huey—he’d adapted so well to the harsh snow and wilderness that he could practically pass for a wild wolf.

There’s no way a boy who’d only ever lived in a village could suddenly do all that out here.

“Ah… I used to practice sometimes.”

“Practice?”

At that, Huey fell silent.

Huh? Did I just ask something I shouldn’t have?

After a long pause, he finally spoke again, sounding hesitant.

“...Well, when I was a kid, I’d think about stuff like—what if I had to survive alone in the mountains during winter, or on a deserted island in summer—and I’d, y’know, practice camping out and things like that…”

So basically… like a grade schooler planning a runaway adventure, or building a secret base and imagining how to defend it from pretend enemies?

Oh my god, Huey! You called me a chuunibyou, but that’s even more embarrassing than anything I’ve done!

I opened my mouth, ready to tease him back for earlier—
but then it hit me: the only reason we’re both still alive now is because of that.

“You practiced all that back then… so that’s why you were able to save me, huh? Thank you!”

“! …Yeah.”

Huey’s answer came quietly, but with this deep, heartfelt tone.

Maybe because those silly childhood drills finally paid off in the best possible way.

I had no idea at the time that this exchange meant something truly important to him.

"Alright, I’m gonna grab something to eat too. Mimosa, wait here, okay?"

"Ah, I’ll come with you!"

I didn’t want Huey to secretly go through something painful again just for my sake.

When I hurried to transform, I heard him chuckle softly.

"You really don’t wanna be apart from me, huh?"

"Hah!? That’s not it at all!"

Ugh, there he goes again—get a little praise and suddenly he’s cocky!

"But seriously, wait here. If you tag along, the prey will just run off."

"Urk!"

I froze, unable to come up with a comeback to that perfectly reasonable point. A rustling sound followed, and Huey, now in his wolf form, slipped away into the trees.

I turned into my dog form too, but made myself stay put inside the hollow of a tree so I wouldn’t cause him any more trouble.

…Still, I have to admit, Huey’s body really was something. All that farm work really paid off—he’s got a nice, tight physique…

I remembered the sight of his human body from when he transformed right in front of me.

How do I even describe it? It wasn’t a showy, gym-built kind of body, but naturally shaped—strong, functional, and beautiful in a very real way, with that youthful freshness on top of it…

Those lean arms, those long fingers, that smooth line running from his chest to his stomach—ahhh, so good…

"Woof!!"

Oh no, there I go again, getting lost in pervy thoughts!

I shook my head wildly to chase away the image of Huey’s naked body. Deep breaths, deep breaths…

This forest is full of clean, refreshing air—negative ions everywhere! I just need to breathe it all in and cleanse my body and mind!

…Okay. Naked body deleted.

But when you’re alone in a silent forest with nothing to do but wait, your mind just… starts wandering on its own.

About Huey’s body. And Huey’s body. And… Huey’s body.

………

Begone, worldly desires!! Come to me, purifying negative ions!!

In the end, my wandering thoughts went on and on until Huey finally came back from his meal.

I mean, it’s burned into my memory now! It’s not my fault, right!?

After running nonstop for another half a day, we finally reached the outskirts of the village.

I wanted nothing more than to see my mom and dad again—to dash straight in and throw myself into their arms—so why had Huey stopped here?

When I looked up at him in confusion, his wolf form lifted its head and began to howl.

Before I could figure out what he meant, I saw two women come running out from the village.

It was my mom—and Huey’s aunt!

"Mommmmm!"

Overcome with emotion, I broke into a tearful sprint, desperate to reach her first.

"Mimosa!"

"Mom! I’m sorry! I’m sooo sorryyyyy!"

With tears and snot all over my face, I threw myself into her arms. She hugged me tightly, calling my name over and over.

"Mimosa… I’m so glad you’re safe."

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry, hic—waaaahhh!"

I cried like a little kid while Mom gently rubbed my back to calm me down. Her hand was so warm, and little by little, I started to settle.

"There, there, Mimosa. Now that you’ve calmed down—let’s get you dressed, okay?"

"Eh!?"

Oh right… I’m totally naked!

I whipped around in a panic. Huey had already gotten dressed, wearing the clothes his aunt had handed him. She was holding his head down, making him face the other way.

"Gyyaaaahhh!!"

"Here, here—Mimosa’s clothes are right here. Hurry and put them on before your father charges in because he can’t wait any longer, alright?"

"Eeeek!!"

Mom efficiently dressed me while I flailed around in embarrassment.

Even back in the cave we’d confirmed it, but my dog ears and droopy tail still wouldn’t retract. Thankfully, the skirt Mom brought had a special hole for the tail—it fit perfectly in place.

Ahh… it’s been so long since I felt this snug comfort…

Once I was properly dressed, I ran straight into Dad’s arms.

He didn’t say a word—just held me tight. Seeing the tears in his eyes and the tears in his clothes, I realized he must’ve been one step away from going full rampaging bear-mode. The thought made me tear up all over again.

Dad… I’m really, really sorry.