Chapter 4

That day, after having such a dream, I was on my way to deliver lunch to Dad, who was working in the fields as usual.

But this time, I took a different route than usual.

The usual path had a high chance of running into Huey.

Not because of mating season or because I was seeing Huey that way…
It was just too awkward after that dream. I couldn’t face him directly yet.

So I trudged along a quiet path at the edge of the village. Hardly anyone passed through here, so the chances of running into Huey were slim.

"…Huh?"

From the opposite direction, I spotted someone walking toward me.

A tall man, dressed more stylishly than anyone around here usually did.

Was there someone like that in the village? Visitors were usually older merchants—I’d never seen a young man here before.

Tilting my head, still not remembering everyone’s faces perfectly, I offered a polite smile and greeted him as we passed.

"Hmm. You’re from this village?"

"Yes, I am."

…Great. Not a villager. I wasted my polite smile on a stranger.

Ignoring my inner frustration, the man stepped closer.

Whoa, whoa—too close! I only smiled out of habit!

"Wow, still showing your ears and tail? That’s unusual."

"…Huh."

Shut up! It’s not like I can hide them!

But my ingrained Japanese politeness kept me from snapping. I just gave a curt, polite reply, though my temples twitched with irritation.

"And wandering around here alone, with mating season coming up… looking for a man to play with?"

"Huh!?"

Even I—someone who could understand how men think—snapped at that.

Maybe because I used to be a man, I snapped.

It’s people like him who make everyone say things like, “Men only think about sex,” or “All they care about is what’s below the waist.” You haven’t even done anything yet, but I can already tell where your eyes are going!

"Are you out of your mind? You’re disgusting."

The words slipped out before I realized it.

Wait—I’m supposed to be a delicate girl!

"Wow, gutsy, aren’t you?"

Oh no. His eyes—he’s mad.

I bolted immediately.

"Haha, playing tag? How funny."

Ugh, he’s chasing me! This is bad!

But I’m a dog beast-person—I can outrun him!

…Or so I thought, until he suddenly caught up.

Then he did the unthinkable—he grabbed my tail and yanked it back with brutal force.

"Eeeek!!"

Pain shot through me, locking my entire body.

I crashed into the grass with a heavy thud, the breath knocked out of me. Curled up, I groaned helplessly, only to be flipped onto my back by a frightening strength.

Before I could even react, the man straddled me.

"You know what happens when you underestimate a man during mating season?"

His eyes gleamed with a feral light as he grinned down at me.

"…Hii!"

I tried to scream, but no sound came out.

Frozen with fear, I could only watch as his hand gripped my blouse without hesitation.

The fabric tore like paper. Cold air hit my chest, and I shivered violently.

No ordinary human could’ve done that—only a beast-person had that kind of strength. I’d forgotten just how dangerous that could be in this peaceful village.

His gaze burned over me.

No—don’t look at me like that!

I wanted to fight back, but my body wouldn’t move. I just trembled, tiny and helpless.

I’m scared! This man… he could kill me if he wanted. I’m terrified!

I squeezed my eyes shut.

I felt his weight shift over my legs as he leaned closer.

No… someone, help me!!

Tears welled up and streamed down my face as I clenched my eyes tighter.

A dull thud jolted my body—and suddenly, the weight pressing me down was gone.

"Mimosa!!"

I was lifted up, someone calling my name.

I opened my eyes—and saw Huey’s face, tense and worried, right in front of me.

"Uuuuuhhhhhh!!"

Relief hit me all at once, and big, ugly tears poured out uncontrollably.

My trembling, which had been small and weak, turned into full-body shudders as the fear finally broke.

Huey silently took off his jacket and draped it over my torn blouse, covering me.

He must’ve run all the way here—his jacket was warm, carrying the scent of him and his sweat.

"Uuuuuhhh…!!"

I clutched his jacket in both hands and cried like an idiot, my tears soaking into the fabric for no reason at all.

Behind us came a groan and the sound of rustling grass. My body jerked in fear.

That man.

"…The hell do you think you’re doing?"

His voice was rough, his footsteps heavy as he came closer.

What should I do? He was bigger than Huey—if this went on, Huey might get hurt too!

The thought drained the blood from my face. I’d dragged him into this.

Then Huey’s arms wrapped around me tightly from behind.

Was he trying to shield me?

I opened my mouth to shout, Run!—but froze when I heard the low, guttural growl right beside my ear.

What was that…? That deep rumble beasts make when they’re threatening an enemy.

If I could hear it that close… that was Huey growling.

For a moment, I forgot my fear. I tried to turn to look at him, but his arms held me firmly in place.

I glanced down at them—and froze.

His hands, still shaped like a human’s, were covered in short black fur. His nails—usually kept trimmed for farm work—had grown longer, sharper.

Right. Huey was a beast-person too.

But could that terrifying growl really be coming from him?

The low rumble continued, vibrating through my back. I felt the man hesitate.

"Wh-what? I just came to this village to find a mate! She mouthed off at me, so I teased her a little, that’s all!"

The man, so aggressive moments ago, now sounded panicked—his voice trembling as he tried to make excuses.

So Huey’s growl was scaring him.

"Leave. Now. You don’t deserve to set foot in this village…"

The voice was low, strangled—but unmistakably Huey’s.

Could someone so easygoing and gentle really sound like that?

The footsteps retreated fast. Even with my dog ears, I had to strain to catch them fading into the distance.

Only then did the arms holding me loosen with a huge sigh.

"H-huh?"

A heavy weight suddenly collapsed against my back, and before I could react, I toppled over with Huey.

"S-sorry… my legs gave out…"

He rolled off me clumsily, landing on his back in the grass and speaking weakly.

Seeing him like that, relief and emotion welled up all at once, and tears burst out again.

Huey looked up at me crying once more and began flailing in panic, still sprawled on the grass.

"M-Mimosa! I’m sorry! You must’ve been so scared! I—I’m sorry!"

His frantic voice and flustered expression were so endearing that even through my tears, I let out a small laugh.

"Why are you apologizing? You saved me, even though it was so scary."

"I can’t forgive myself for letting this happen to you… for not protecting you sooner… I’m really sorry… so sorry…"

Huey’s voice grew steadily more nasal as he spoke.

Finally, he sniffled and covered his eyes with his arm.

Huey was crying for me.

My chest tightened at the sight of the younger boy showing such courage.

Before I knew it, I had leapt onto Huey, who was still lying in the grass, wagging my tail furiously.

"Hyah! W-what are you doing!?"

"Huey, you protected me properly!! Thanks to you, all I got was my clothes torn!!"

"U-ugh! Don’t cling to me when my clothes are ripped!!"

If this were a normal girl, she wouldn’t have the composure to do this right after such an incident.

But I’m Mimosa on the outside—and inside… it’s still me. Sure, I was terrified and disgusted, certain I’d be killed, but now that the danger’s gone, I refuse to let it linger.

Huey’s panicked voice reminded me of our situation.

Yeah… probably not ideal for a wholesome young boy to witness.

I carefully pulled myself away from him, making sure his jacket still covered my chest.

Looking at his face, I saw his ears, neck, and cheeks flushed bright red. I pretended not to notice.

Only my tail continued thrashing wildly. Calm down, tail! Why are you so happy?

Trying to cover myself and save face, I held the jacket down with one hand and spread the other out.

"Thanks to you, I’m still in one piece."

"Ah… yeah. …Good…"

A gentle breeze blew between us—me sitting up, Huey lying back.

He turned his face aside awkwardly, murmuring:

"…Sorry, I still can’t move. I really feel so lame…"

"What are you talking about!? You risked yourself to save me when it was scary! I’m beyond impressed! Huey, you’re amazing!!"

"…Th-thank you…"

Damn it, Huey’s embarrassed smile is so cute!

Ahhh, my tail’s wagging so violently it actually hurts! Fine, tail, I forgive you! Wag all you want!!

I myself was itching to ruffle Huey’s dark, messy hair.

"…W-what are you grinning about…?" Huey asked timidly.

Crap… did it show on my face?

"Because you were amazing."

"Ah… …I see…"

I hoped that explanation would work. Before I could check his reaction, the ground behind me suddenly trembled.

"Miiiimosaaaaa!! Grrrrruuuuuuu!!!"

"Eeeeek!! Dad’s turned into a bear and is charging!!"

"I’m gonna die!!"

The thunderous roar of my father—now a rampaging bear—echoed all the way to the village. We were saved by the adults who rushed over in a panic.

As for my frenzied father…

He was thoroughly subdued by a small but ferocious raccoon that arrived on the scene.

Raccoons can be pretty terrifying, huh…