The Storm Wolf: Gathering Clouds - 15. Chapter 7 Lovers (1/3)

Lovers: Emotion, connection, and care—some believe this is the very essence of love.

With a heart full of unease, I checked the terminal again to confirm the time.

One more minute than a minute ago.

Great. I decided to count the various objects in the wormhole docking area again--a rectangular adamantine plate, two rectangular adamantine plates, three rectangular adamantine plates...

"Please stop," Tadao's irritated tone jolted me from my spiraling anxiety.

It was only then that I noticed his defensive circle faintly pulsating with a soft glow.

"Oh, sorry!" I quickly realized I was the cause. "I'm... a bit nervous." Knowing I couldn't fully control myself at the moment, I activated a shield to prevent my erratic emotional waves from affecting others.

"Clearly," Tadao replied gruffly, stepping a little closer. "Just stay calm; it's not that hard."

"Of course, it's easy for you. You're not a socially awkward wolf." I clawed at my head until the screech of twisting adamantine reminded me that my erratic waves were affecting the surrounding metal. With immense effort, I stopped. "What if he hates me?"

"Oh, he's definitely going to hate you. Don't overthink it." Tadao waved his hand casually.

"What?!" My voice definitely didn't rise, and the adamantine panel falling from the ceiling definitely wasn't my fault.

"Don't overreact. It's not your fault." Tadao gestured, easily sliding the panel back into place.

"I'm calm!" I crossed my arms to emphasize my point, knowing flailing wouldn't help my case.

"What I mean is that herbivores in the Federation generally have a negative perception of carnivores. Whether it's from the information we receive or the overall atmosphere, it's normal for irrational biases against carnivores to develop. In fact, this was likely the original intent--to foster misunderstanding and intensify conflicts between the Federation and the Empire. That conflict, in turn, feeds further misunderstanding and hostility. Those who gain power from this tense status quo have no interest in change, and centuries of accumulated grievances have seeped deeply into the bones of every Federation citizen," Tadashi said calmly, slightly tilting his head and rubbing the tips of his antlers with his thumb and forefinger. "I've mentioned before how the more radical groups treat their own people with a 'carnivore preference'--and that's still relatively mild compared to worse possibilities."

"You're an expert at encouragement," I muttered, tugging at the fur on my arm. "At least your presence helps, right?"

"Yes, there's the herd instinct for safety. When I saw Tanaka senpai was there, I felt much calmer, even though I knew it was irrational." Tadao chuckled, flicking his ears. "Though there's a slight gap between deer and the savanna community, it should still help."

Noticing the space beginning to distort, I adjusted my fur and clothing, trying to appear approachable and non-threatening. Would lying on the ground with my belly exposed help? Shaking off the absurd thought, I steadied myself.

"Thanks for coming with me..." I said to Tadao, taking deep breaths to prepare for what was coming.

"It's no big deal. Mine about arrived, too," the red deer replied, glancing at his terminal.

After sending Tadao a grateful wave of mental energy, I stepped toward the platform's center, standing tall.

A rift tore through the air, warping the world and connecting two spaces. I could feel the distinctly different scent of the wind. The background revealed a nondescript room.

A visibly nervous impala stepped through the wormhole, scanning me from head to toe. He wore full khaki gear, including a matching backpack and boots. The only splash of color was a bright green rectangular badge pinned to his chest.

Two black streaks ran from his eyebrows to his cheeks, cutting across his brown eyes. A third black line extended from between his horns to his snout, giving his face an intense, deep look.

Was that the right term? Deep? Not that it mattered; this wasn't a date. His outfit screamed desert camouflage--was that deliberate? The savanna? Tadao mentioned it earlier. Did Ares have savannas now? Had terraforming advanced that much? Wait, those shoulder sleeve insignias--Naval Academy. I knew that. Why did I forget? But if he's Navy, why... khaki? Shouldn't it be blue and white? Oh, right, Ares' "seas" are basically deserts with depth, so everything about naval is space-based. Speaking of which, Kotetsu has a uniform too. I wonder how he'd look in...

Focus! Focus! Focus!

"I'm Richter, the gray wolf," I said, discarding my tangled thoughts. I took a step forward and extended my paw. "It's nice to meet you!"

 

"Stay back!" Yamato--the impala, my kohai--pressed himself into the gap between the wall and cabinet, his limbs flailing as he occasionally brandished his ridged horns in warning.

"Calm down first." I kept a safe distance to avoid alarming him further and raised my open hands in a calming gesture. "The disorientation is only temporary--"

"Don't come any closer!" he shouted, cutting off my carefully rehearsed contingency lines.

"What's going on here?" a deep voice called from behind. "Anyone watching would think you're about to eat him."

"Not a good time for jokes," I retorted, sensing Kotetsu approaching. "A little help?"

"You're doing fine. Keep it up," the Altai wapiti replied with a tone that was nothing but amused.

I badly wanted to retort or at least glare at him, but Yamato's panicked yells were incredibly distracting.

"What's going on here?" A beagle approached. "Anyone watching would think you're about to..."

Frustration bubbled over, and I let out a bark that startled Robert senpai into freezing mid-sentence.

"Hello, Robert," Kotetsu said, clearly entertained as he greeted the beagle. "Are the assessment done?"

"Almost. There should only be two left when I leave, both herbivores," Robert senpai replied, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "Nothing special this year, just average."

"Can we not chatting right now?" I said as calmly as possible, suppressing my volume and keeping my tone level so as not to further agitate Yamato.

"So, what's the problem?" Robert senpai asked, his concern making me question if he had genuinely been worried earlier rather than teasing. I felt a twinge of guilt.

"It's the avoidance circle. Master Takahashi must've added some mischievous tweaks," I said, continuing to analyze Yamato's emotional state for signs of external interference.

"That was an hour ago, wasn't it?" Robert senpai asked. I nodded in confirmation. "That's unusual."

"Yes, likely a delayed adhesive effect, but I haven't identified any anomalies," I sighed, turning to Kotetsu again. "Could you help?"

"When I said you're doing fine, I meant it. His mental state isn't influenced by external waves--it's not your oversight." Kotetsu rested a reassuring hand on my shoulder, signaling me to step back. He then approached the impala. "Cadet Yamato, attention!"

I noticed Robert senpai tilt his head slightly, his ears twitching. Yamato, meanwhile, snapped to attention, heels clicking loudly as he stood rigid, fists clenched at his sides.

Before I could fully process what had just happened, details of Pavlov's conditioning experiments surfaced in my mind.

"See? Much better," Kotetsu said, flashing me a teasing smile.

"Sometimes, I still wake up in shock from dreams of bootcamp," Kotetsu said with a casual shrug, glancing at Yamato. "So I figured it might work."

"Thank you so much, senpai, for not letting me embarrass myself further," Yamato said, lowering his gaze to his plate.

Since earlier, he'd been avoiding eye contact with me, his movements stiff and awkward.

Initially, I felt a bit annoyed, but upon reflection, if I were in his shoes, I'd probably want to vanish into thin air too. I decided to give him some space so we could both adjust.

"You're welcome." Kotetsu waved it off, chewing lazily on some clover. "Relax. You're a member of the Academy now. Other identities don't matter much here."

That's generally true, but not everyone gets that lucky.

I stuffed a hefty slice of smoked salmon into my mouth, trying to banish the lingering gloom in my chest with good food.

"Yes, senpai," Yamato replied stiffly, while the Altai wapiti simply shrugged and kept eating.

"You two knew each other before?" I tried to steer the conversation, avoiding sensitive topics like uniforms.

"The Naval Academy is huge," Kotetsu said with a chuckle, shaking his head as he pointed at Yamato's shoulder sleeve insignia. "Plus, Yamato is in the ground forces, and I'm in the fleet--our paths rarely cross."

"Oh, your uniforms are different?" I asked casually. The Altai wapiti tilted his head slightly, giving me a sly, knowing smile.

Damn, was I that obvious?

"Yes, they're different." Yamato glanced at both Kotetsu and me, his expression a bit puzzled. "Richter... senpai."

Though not the first time I'd been addressed like that, I couldn't tell if the odd feeling creeping up my back was due to the respectful tone or the earlier awkward incident.

"You'd better get used to it," Kotetsu said in an amused tone, clearly entertained by the scene.

I didn't want to guess who he was addressing, so I was thankful when I sensed Tadao's familiar presence approaching.

"Hey, going okay?" I regretted the words the moment I saw the red deer's expression, but it was too late. I forced an awkward smile and waited for his response.

"This guy tried to print controlled substances!" Tadao gestured to the brown Labrador beside him, whom I'd only just noticed. "Got us kicked out by the administrator!"

"You can't blame a stray for trying," the Labrador shrugged nonchalantly, his tone unapologetic. "When you grow up in the slums, you learn to seize opportunities."

A sharp, jolting sting in my psychic senses was as painful as a blade slicing through skin. While smoothing my bristling fur, I noticed the other three herbivores shivering to varying degrees.

"Academy survival rule number one: don't insult herbivores with half-baked lies," Hemp senpai suddenly appeared, removing his psychic barrier only after sitting down. Tadao shot the border collie a desperate glance before sliding his plate over to him.

The Labrador hesitated, glancing at me and Hemp senpai before taking the seat directly to my right, opposite Tadao. I tried not to show my discomfort.

"So," Kotetsu said in a low voice, nodding slightly. "Aren't you going to introduce yourself?"

"Of course, my pleasure." The Labrador smiled, his white canine teeth stark against his brown fur. "Hunter Chocolate."

Hunter stood as he introduced himself, pressing a paw to his chest and bowing theatrically to everyone. Despite his exaggerated gestures, I couldn't ignore the momentary ripple of his psychic aura--Kotetsu's eyebrow twitched slightly.

"Like... the dessert?" Yamato asked, visibly confused.

"A lineage," Hemp senpai clarified with a dismissive wave. "A branch of the Labrador House, under the Golden House."

As Hemp senpai explained, Hunter turned to Yamato with a creepy smile, baring both his canine teeth.

"You're quick to learn, but far from good enough. Nobody here cares about your past, so using a fake name is your choice." Kotetsu, still eating his salad, continued. "But let me give you some advice: if you want to survive the Academy, you'd better make some trustworthy friends." The Altai wapiti raised his gaze, locking eyes with the Labrador. "And starting with lies isn't the best way to build trust."

"Duly noted, senpai...?" Hunter replied in a syrupy, ingratiating tone.

I felt my tolerance for this guy rapidly being tested. Judging by the others' reactions--except for Yamato--it seemed we all reached the same conclusion. Tadao, meanwhile, awkwardly attempted to hide under the table.

"Kotetsu," the Altai wapiti said, his voice even lower now. The psychic waves emanating from him had grown perilously intense.

"Kanazawa Yamato," the impala interjected, sitting upright. "It's an honor to meet all of you."

The others briefly introduced themselves, easing the tension in the room.

I shot Yamato a grateful look, but he didn't seem to notice.

"Well then," the Labrador began again after receiving his meal, sweeping his gaze over us. "Who's the top dog here in the Academy?"

"What?" Tadao frowned, his tone caught between confusion and surprise.

"You know, every playground has its big dog," Hunter gestured with a series of vague hand motions. "You either knock them down or join them--it depends. Just a survival tip from me." He seemed to flash his canines intentionally toward Kotetsu senpai, though the Altai wapiti continued eating without reacting.

"The Academy's nothing like a playground," Tadao muttered, poking at his food with chopsticks. "Clinging to that kind of thinking is dangerous."

"Ah, I beg to differ, Tadao senpai," Hunter replied with a grin. "The whole world is one big playground."

"Finding similarities in differences, huh." Tadao shrugged. "But if you're really curious about who the top dog is, he is sitting right next to you."

"Huh?" Both Hunter and I spoke in unison, equally baffled. Yamato glanced at me, startled.

"Seriously? Richter senpai looks so harmless; I bet I could take him down!" Still too confused to react immediately, I only realized what was happening when Hunter slung an arm around my neck, causing the fur along it to bristle instinctively.

"Can't you tell Richter is a Snow?" Hemp senpai asked, his furrowed brow causing the black-and-white border of his coat to form odd patterns.

"Ha! Nobles and their pampered martial arts. True life experience is what counts, something you'll never get living in manors and castles." Hunter chuckled, giving me a few hearty pats on the shoulder. "No offense, of course. Just stating facts."

"I wouldn't be offended by that," I replied quietly, brushing his paw off my shoulder.

"You think millennia of breeding for lethality amounts to nothing more than pampered tricks?" Kotetsu senpai finally looked up. "Usually, I'd warn someone like you to be careful about getting beaten up someday, but I think a good beating is exactly what you need."

Kotetsu senpai's description unexpectedly stung--I hadn't realized that's how he saw me.

The emotional weight left me momentarily detached from their conversation until Yamato seemed to ask a question.

"...I won't say it doesn't happen, and the Academy does have a hands-off approach that could foster survival-of-the-fittest dynamics. But bootcamp conditions like that don't occur here," Kotetsu was explaining, setting his chopsticks down. "Besides, that's not something you need to worry about. When Tadao said Richter is the top dog, he wasn't joking."

"Oh," Yamato responded with an upward inflection, making me curious about their earlier topic. "Thanks for explaining, Kotetsu senpai."

I shot the Altai wapiti a disapproving look, expressing my feelings about the "top dog" moniker. His reaction? A faintly upturned corner of his mouth.

Ugh. Annoying.

Just then, Yamato and Hunter's terminals chimed simultaneously. Both detached their armbands to check the notifications.

"A background check? That's hilarious," Hunter quipped, scrolling quickly through his screen.

"Something like that," Tadao replied, exchanging a knowing glance with me.

"So, uh... what's this for?" Yamato's brow furrowed higher as he read, and I found myself wondering how high it could go. "I've filled out security forms before, but this seems like more than that."

"If you mean sensitive personal data, the Academy hasn't stopped trying to identify commonalities among psychics," I explained the part I know, recalling what Dawn had told me. "Some believe that with enough data, they can determine what makes someone a psychic--or even the factors that influence psychic strength."

"Can you really tell if someone's a psychic by how much they like anthropomorphic insect works?" Yamato asked, scratching the base of his horn.

"If you doubt it, you'd be surprised," Hemp senpai shrugged. "It's one of several variables with significant correlation."

"Oh," Yamato paused, glancing around at the rest of us. "I see."

"So, does this mean Richter senpai is, uh, an entomophilia?" Hunter leaned closer, resting his chin on his paw.

"I do enjoy anthropomorphic insect works like Metamorphosis, and I identify as a 'Buggy'--a term widely accepted within the community." Ignoring his rudeness was getting easier; my mind was as calm as tranquil waters.

"Hey, no judgment here!" Hunter straightened up, raising his open palms defensively. "Everyone's free to have their thing, even if it involves arthropods. After all, 'paraphilias' got delisted from the mental health manual, right?"

"It's the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," I corrected, finishing my meal and setting my utensils down. "Some enthusiasts do develop sexual attractions to insects, and entomian community show a higher tendency, but both make up less than ten percent of their respective groups."

"Wow, you're so boring." Hunter turned back to his meal, while I caught a glimpse of Tadao covering his face with both hands.

I lingered a while longer, listening to discussions about course schedules and the psychic community. Occasionally, I chimed in with thoughts or advice. Once the group shifted to casual chatting, I excused myself, leaving Yamato in Kotetsu senpai's care.

"You'll be okay?" I asked Yamato quietly, just loud enough for him to hear.

"Oh, uh... yeah, I'll be fine," he replied stiffly, though he made an effort to hold my gaze.

"See you at the party tomorrow?" Kotetsu senpai asked as I stood. I offered a noncommittal reply, which the Altai wapiti accepted with a shrug.

As I left the cafeteria, I masked my emotions and steadied my pace to avoid seeming too hasty.

Moments ago, the tranquil waters of my mind had been stirred by a faint ripple.

The seemingly endless corridor was lined with numerous paintings of varying themes and techniques, created by the Academy's various art and cultural societies.

However, it was said that some of these paintings were not paintings at all but doors disguised by extraordinarily intricate commands. Additionally, either for safety reasons or sheer mischief, countless engravings of varying danger levels lay hidden in barely noticeable corners, waiting to ensnare an unlucky or overly curious victim.

I had already checked the area several times and found nothing unusual, so perhaps it was just another unverifiable Academy rumor.

Before I saw him, I already felt the familiar waveform.

Sometimes, in the stillness of the night, I would imagine this moment and even rehearse responses to surreal scenarios in my mind, like a planar demon suddenly appearing.

But even though our encounter was as ordinary as two strangers meeting by chance on the street, I still found myself at a complete loss for how to react.

"Hey," I forced out a sound from my throat, trying to break the silence as we stood there staring at each other. "This scene feels... familiar."

At first, I didn't quite understand what was happening, but the reassuring warmth transmitted to me reminded why I could never forget that unique scent. So, I simply responded to the fervent embrace, lightly resting my chin on the top of his head and nuzzling him gently.

"You've grown taller," Aether said, his damp nose and the warm breath from his words tickling my neck.

"Yeah, I finally surpassed 170," I chuckled, pressing the tip of my nose lightly against his ear.

It felt wonderful.

I thought we could stay like this, holding each other until the end of time. But that wasn't very practical, so I relaxed my body, allowing Aether to step back slightly and meet my gaze.

"After I found out you were still alive, I decided that if we ever met again, I'd give you a proper hug," Aether said, his yellow eyes seeming to glimmer as he spoke.

"Oh..." My ears were burning, likely on fire by now, so I let the flames spread unchecked. "That's... a very logical decision."

"What are you even saying!" Aether burst out laughing, making me instinctively lower my gaze. "You really should've warned me about the wormhole situation." He tilted his head, looking up. "Or maybe the part where the Council drags you out of bed in the middle of the night, and assessment is literally waking into nightmare."

"I didn't want to ruin the surprise." It seemed Master Takahashi had indeed added some extra effects to the avoidance circle.

"This is such a fascinating place. I thought living in the Library of Alexandria for so many years had made it hard for me to feel 'awed,' but clearly, I just hadn't seen enough." Aether glanced around at his surroundings. "What is this place, anyway?"

"A gallery, I think. The navigation app has it marked," I said, glancing at a vaguely incomprehensible abstract painting--or at least, I assumed it was abstract.

"There's a navigation app?" Aether laughed, so I pulled out my terminal to demonstrate how to connect to the Academy's intranet and download some practical apps.

"Didn't your senior mentor explain this to you?" I recalled how Kotetsu had assisted me in the cafeteria with authentication and other procedures.

"No," Aether shook his head. "Maybe there'll be a general briefing at tomorrow's gathering?" He lowered his ears, adopting a cautious tone. "Are you going?"

I guessed Aether was referring to the Senate wolves' gathering, so I shook my head in response.

"No need to make everyone uncomfortable," I replied in the most neutral tone I could muster.

"Hmm..." Aether murmured softly, lowering his gaze. "I thought the Academy's condition would be better."

"It is better--as long as I try to avoid interacting with the Senate wolves," I forced a smile, trying to swallow the bitterness in my mouth.

"Is that why you chose this place?" Aether turned his head, glancing up and down the empty corridor.

"Yes..." There was no point in hiding it. "I don't want to drag you into it."

This was entirely different from the situation at the Colosseum. Here, Aether was an outsider to the pack, and Nyx's presence was relatively low. Aether evidently understood this stark reality, so he didn't respond, merely lowering his gaze and the snout, his ears pressed flat against his head.

"What if..." He stepped closer, letting our foreheads touch. "I don't mind being dragged into it for your sake?"

My heart seemed to skip a beat.

Many images flashed through my mind, fleeting yet so vivid they felt like memories I had revisited countless times.

An elderly black wolf awarded me my diploma, and as I accepted the certificate, Aether ran up to the stage and hugged me tightly. Momus joined in with such force that we almost toppled over. The streets of the Lunar were bustling yet harmonious, as if every step matched a perfect rhythm. The lapis lazuli blue suit I wore, however, felt far too conspicuous, and the showy golden embroidery at the cuffs didn't help, making me slightly uneasy in the crowd. But when Aether took my paw, it all seemed so natural as he led me onto the moving sidewalks, merging into the rhythm around us. The whispers on the streets and polarized media opinions had grown so extreme that dialogue between differing stances seemed impossible, leaving only shouting matches to dominate the narrative. The future was a chaotic uncertainty; the only clear thing was that the Canine Empire would inevitably annex the Lunar. We had debated whether to head for Ceres or seek the Council's aid, but Momus refused to "run away with his tail between his legs." The Princeps election--perhaps the Lunar's last--was set to begin tomorrow. Whatever the outcome, I believed that as long as we steadfastly supported each other, no hardship would be insurmountable. That said, preparing some contingency measures was clearly a logical choice. The adamantine longsword pulsed in my paw with a force capable of cutting through anything. I knew I could draw Gray Snow without hesitation when the time came, even though wielding a sword means I will hurt people.

Emerging from the overly detailed vision, the vivid sensation of warmth in my paw lingered.

Aether and I were so close our snout almost touched, and our breaths intertwined, trembling as if silently conveying the most genuine emotions. The beauty of it, something I wouldn't even dare to dream, almost made me surrender. But reality wouldn't bend to my wishes.

From Aether, I caught the scent of other gray wolves. The sound of tunica fibers rubbing against fur reminded me of the material's familiar texture. Slowly, I opened my eyes, meeting the yellow gaze of the black wolf.

What right did I have to make Aether give up everything?

"Or perhaps, we can observe the situation first before deciding?" I suggested softly, not wanting to strongly influence his decision. "The Academy is a... complicated and dangerous place. The Senate's support is an invaluable resource. It would be illogical to abandon it without sufficient understanding."

Aether opened his mouth trying to speak, but ultimately nodded in agreement. Though I caught a faint hint of reluctance, I trusted he understood the stakes.

"Oh, there's something I want to show you!" I remembered the reason I chose this secluded location. Aether tilted his head, folding his right ear, but let me lead him without objection.

We stopped in front of a massive oil painting after passing what I could only assume were more abstract artworks.

"Wow. If I didn't know that Master The-Wind-Weaves-Its-Dance-Amidst-Golden-Sheaves-Of-Wheat's work is in the palace, I might've mistaken this for the original," Aether said, stepping closer to the corner depicting Nyx. "'He shone in the chaos of ignorance, casting light upon our path.'"

"I've always thought the Coronation of Seven Nights had a very... dreamlike quality--at least the painting. The actual history is a whole different story," I said, looking up at the immense artwork beside Aether.

The composition of The Coronation of Seven Nights was simple: seven wolf factions knelt in a circle around a lone coyote, acknowledging his right to rule as emperor. Each wolf supposedly corresponded to a real historical figure, with every subtle expression, gesture, and accessory shrouded in layers of stories or conspiracies.

"'He leads the way through the impassable snow, walking ahead of us,'" I murmured, realizing my self-identity still defaulted to being a Snow. Perhaps out of some inner assertion or whim, I turned my gaze toward the spot where Gray was depicted. "'He stood firm amidst endless madness, bringing stillness to our hearts.'"

Aether and I stood before the painting for a long time, lost in our thoughts.

"Even after a thousand years, it seems like many people forget the first emperor was a coyote," I remarked, focusing on the central figure, adored by all. "It feels odd."

"Being forgotten is the destiny of history," Aether said, his gaze also fixed on the coyote. "And remembering what everyone has forgotten is Nyx's destiny."

"Are there any little-known anecdotes about the first emperor?" I asked, noting the coyote's eyes, brimming with confidence and ambition, fitting for someone who would establish a millennium-spanning empire. "Besides the ones involving venereal diseases."

"Well..." Aether chuckled softly and began recounting truths buried in legends and folktales.

We continued wandering the gallery for quite a while, chatting casually until it was nearly time for bed.

"Oh, I heard there's a beach party tomorrow that's open to everyone," Aether said before we parted. "Are you going?"

"Oh, yes," I answered instinctively, almost biting my tongue.

"Good. See you there then." Aether waved at me. "Goodnight, Richter."

"Goodnight, Aether," I replied with a smile, watching the black wolf disappear down the corridor.

"I'm doomed. It's over." I curled up into a ball on the mattress, tightly wrapping myself in the blanket. "I'm not ready for this!"

"Well, I wouldn't want to sound critical, so I won't call this 'karma,'" Tadao said, his tone laced with amusement, even as he deliberately radiated matching emotional waves. "But, you know what they say about people like you?" He rubbed his chin theatrically with thumb and forefinger. "Words like 'playboy' or ' scumbag' come to mind..."

Unable to suppress a groan of frustration, I buried my face deeper into the pillow, much to Tadao's evident delight.

"We haven't even committed our relationship, so there's no issue of loyalty!" I shot back, glaring at the red deer. His shrug was as infuriating as his smug tone. "I just didn't want them to meet each other so soon!"

"You can keep telling yourself that," Tadao retorted with a chuckle. "Let's see if you believe it by tomorrow morning."

I let out another helpless groan, burrowing further into my cocoon.

"But seriously," he continued, his tone more measured, "if you officially end up with your boy next door, you're not planning to keep things going with Kotetsu senpai, are you?"

Tadao's careful phrasing hinted at something deeper, but I didn't have the energy to unpack it just now.

"Aether isn't exactly the boy next door," I murmured, peeking out from under the blanket. "And if it were official, I... I..." Words failed me. It hit me then--I should've thought about this earlier. "I can't."

"Exactly, the boy next door who came out of nowhere trope always... Wait, what did you just say?" Tadao paused mid-sentence, looking surprised.

"I don't think I can give up my connection with Kotetsu senpai," I admitted, my fingers brushing against my neck.

"Uh... okay. So, does that mean you'd give up your relationship with Aether for Kotetsu senpai?" Tadao asked, setting aside the terminal he'd been casually scrolling through.

"No, it's the other way around." Sighing, I flopped onto my back. "I don't want to lose Aether either."

"Wow." The shock on Tadao's face was almost comical. "I didn't think you were this much of a Jerk. People aren't perfect, huh?"

"I'm not!" I defended myself. "I just really value the connections I have!" My right paw hovered in front of my face, fingers curling toward my palm. "For so long, I was always alone. Maybe because of that, any bond feels... precious." Lowering my paw, I stared at the ceiling, revisiting memories of rare, fleeting acts of kindness. "And now that I've decided to stop letting the past hold me back, I finally have friends, people who care about me. I don't want to lose any of them."

"But that's not how the things work," Tadao said softly, his tone cautious. "Have you ever heard the fable about the greedy fox? It tried to cross a river while holding too much, and drowned because it refused to let go."

"That's sounds like a pretty blissful way to die..." I muttered, partly out of defiance, though a part of me might've genuinely believed it.

"It's not!" Tadao sighed, exasperated. "Not everyone's okay with polyamorous relationships, you know. If you can't let go of either of them, just the effort to--"

"That's it!" I sat up, a revelation striking like lightning. "Polyamorous relationships!"

"That's not what I was suggesting! And weren't you just panicking about them meeting each other?" Tadao said, his jaw practically on the floor.

"Exactly--that's the problem!" My tail swished against the bedsheets in excitement. "If they meet and get to know each other early on, there won't be any barriers!" Clenching my fist, I tapped it against my thigh, a clear plan beginning to form. "Even if they don't get along, it's fine! At worst-case scenario, they can stay separate. A polyamory centered on me doesn't need everyone to be connected!"

"That's definitely not the worst-case scenario..." Tadao muttered, rubbing his temples. "I never thought I'd witness the birth of the most shameless psychic in history..."

"Thanks for the chat--it really helped!" Feeling much more at ease, I adjusted my position and closed my eyes, rehearsing how to introduce Aether and Kotetsu to each other.

"...And that's about it. I plan to introduce them at the beach party." The ever-burning campfire radiated warmth, quickly thawing my body.

That Snow--calling him by any other way felt odd, in every sense including paradoxical--just stared at me, so long I wondered if he'd fallen asleep. His wide eyes and gaping mouth said otherwise.

Then, as embers burst from the logs, he laughed--a wild, uncontrollable laugh.

His voice was low and weighty, carrying a certain steadiness. This might've been our closest thing to a conversation, but after five uninterrupted minutes of his manic laughter, all that remained was my growing awkward.

Finally, that Snow let out a breathless wheeze, coughing as he touch his chest and right brow, shaking his head with a look of pure pity.

"Thanks for the support," I said, baring my teeth in annoyance. "Is it so hard to understand the feeling of not wanting to lose something precious to you?"

I grabbed my tail, combing the fur at its tip. In the flickering light of the fire, the gray strands resembled shadows.

With a clang, that Snow dropped his metal can to the ground, glaring at me with piercing intensity.

"Oh, right. I forgot you didn't know..." I said softly, almost amused. "I'm not completely white."

The white wolf froze, his fur puffing out until he looked twice his size.

"Once, a very wise wolf told me," I said, leaning closer to the fire, my tone calm, "'Love doesn't follow reason. Who we fall in love with, and who falls in love with us, isn't something we can control.'" I glanced at that Snow, still frozen in place, and continued. "I believe going against one's heart is wrong. If I value both these relationships, isn't it natural to find a way to maintain them? Worrying about how others see or think of it seems utterly pointless."

Perhaps it was a trick of the firelight, but I was certain I saw something flicker in that Snow's eyes.

"Besides, they already know about each other’s exist. That's a good start, right?" I shrugged, checked the time, and tucked my terminal back into its strap. "It's said that honesty is almost always the best strategy, and we're psychics. Communication and understanding are what we excel at."

I stood up, looking at that Snow, who silently watched me. He rested his chin on his knees, his tail swaying lazily behind him.

"Oh, one more thing I mentioned before but just a reminder," I added, tying Gray Snow securely. "Next time, I'll be bringing my brother. You don't mind, do you?"

That Snow seemed distracted, but his ears flicked twice--an agreement, at least.

"See you then!" I called, heading toward the nearest teleportation point.

It struck me that this "conversation" might have set the course for future --a thought that was... intriguing.

But pondering determinism versus free will could wait for another day. For now, I needed all my focus to prepare for the upcoming party.

The atmosphere feels a bit stranger than I had anticipated.

Kotetsu senpai and Aether seem to have been staring at each other motionlessly for a bit longer than I expected.

Ten minutes ago, Kotetsu senpai said, "I've heard a lot about you," to which Aether replied, "I don't waste my attention on things of no importance," in a tone that seemed a bit more hostile than I would have thought.

Now, the Altai wapiti and the jet-black wolf stand with their arms crossed, looking noticeably stiffer a bit more than I'd imagined.

The crackling sound from the hairs on my body standing up due to static electricity was a bit louder than I expected.

The crashing waves against the beach seem far less effective at easing the tension than I had envisioned.

Meanwhile, the growing crowd around us, eagerly anticipating what's to come, is something I completely didn't foresee. So many eyes, all waiting to see the drama unfold...

"I thought you'd be taller," Kotetsu senpai tilts his head, gesturing toward Aether with the tip of his antlers.

"Oh?" Aether tilts his head slightly, lifting his snout to expose the largest fang on his left side with a faint curl of his lip. "Like your insecurities, perhaps?"

I'm quite sure that the first attempt at diplomacy just hit the level where intervention is absolutely required.

Before I can act, someone suddenly hugs me from behind, rubbing against me with excessive enthusiasm.

"Now's really not the time, Hunter..." I immediately recognize the husky from his scent and utter disregard for personal space, struggling to break free from his overly passionate display of affection.

"You always say that!" He tightens his grip and drags me away.

"That's because you always show up at the most inconvenient times!" I retort, trying to stay on my toes to monitor the situation. Did I just feel a clash of domains? And... was that cheering? Please, don't encourage this chaos!

"...Added a touch of gentianine, theoretically within safe limits," Hunter's muttering reaches my ears, and I angle one toward him. "But without testing on sufficiently strong psychics, it's all just theory."

We stop far enough away that the beach sounds are barely audible, though the crowd's animated gestures still give me a deep sense of unease.

A sudden chill against my ear makes me yelp and jump back in surprise.

"Try it!" Hunter says, handing me a glass of a peculiar cocktail.

I take the glass and stare at the orange-red liquid tinged with dark purple, floating bits of diced fruit suspended within.

"I'd really rather not mess with these things..." I murmur, trying to decline without offending him. "I value my psychic connection and clarity of mind." I glance at the nearby vat of cocktails, clearly indicating my stance.

For psychics with lower levels, consuming alcohol disrupts their connection to their abilities, causing severe discomfort. Some mix stimulants into their drinks to counteract this. Of course, mishaps from such experiments often turn into the stuff of beach party legends.

"Oh, alright." The husky lowers his ears and snout, his brown eyes fixed squarely on me.

Wait, what's going on?

The peculiar sensation of guilt washes over me. Am I being manipulated? No, my mental circle shows no signs of tampering.

And yet, before I can fully process it, I take a sip from the glass. Rationalism above, is this some advanced form of mind control?

The bitter tang overwhelms my tongue, followed by an oddly sweet aftertaste that makes the experience rather unpleasant.

Before I can voice my opinion, Hunter grabs my shoulders, shouting excitedly and causing me to spill much of the drink. Using Domination, I gather the floating, jewel-like droplets mid-air, their sparkling brilliance almost blinding under the sunlight.

"We're friends now!" His snout is far too close for comfort, and I lean back as far as I can while pushing him away with a finger on his chest.

"Uh... why?" Despite his sincere brown eyes, I'm baffled by his conclusion.

"We shared food!" Hunter declares loudly, tilting his head as he adds, "Isn't that what wolves do?"

"Uh..." I have no idea where he got that notion, but his earnest gaze disarms me. "Yeah," I reply, a small smile creeping across my face. "That's exactly what wolves do."

Why not, after all?

"I knew it!" Hunter cheers, pulling me into a tight embrace, spilling more of the cocktail in the process. The glowing orbs reflect the sunlight in a dazzling display.

It feels... warm.

"So, what do you think?" Hunter finally releases me and steps back. "Do you feel anything special?"

"No." I gather the scattered liquid back into the glass and down the rest in one go, shuddering at the bitter taste.

"Did I miscalculate the dosage?" Hunter taps his temple in thought before pouring himself a glass and drinking it in one gulp.

"What's this supposed to do?" I ask, placing the empty glass aside, watching as his movements begin to slow.

Hunter suddenly freezes, his pupils dilating alarmingly.

"Rainbows!" he exclaims, startling me. "So many rainbows!"

"I don't see any rainbows..." I glance around to ensure I haven't missed anything.

"Oh, it feels... so nice." His voice turns languid as he collapses onto the sand, waving his arms and legs lazily while giggling. "Look, Richter, I'm an angel."

I stare at the husky sprawled out on the ground, contemplating whether to call for medical assistance.

"This probably means the formula has issues, right?" Unsure if he can hear me, I try to piece together what's happening.

A sudden cheer erupted from the distant crowd, reminding me that the diplomatic crisis earlier might not have resolved itself.

"I need to step away for a moment," I said, squatting beside the husky to check his pulse. "Is it okay for you to be alone?"

Hunter responded with a big grin and a thumbs-up.

Although he was currently more like someone legally incapacitated, I figured leaving him alone here for a while wouldn't cause any trouble.

So, I found a blanket to cover him and shield him from the sun, then made my way toward the beach where the crowd had gathered.

After pushing past a few overly excited figures, I finally made it to the front row and found myself standing next to Hemp senpai.

"They say criminals always return to the scene of the crime," the border collie said with a glance at me, his brows furrowed.

"What happened?" I ignored the sarcasm in his tone--and the way my tail instinctively tucked between my legs--and asked as casually as I could. "What are they... doing?"

Kotetsu senpai and Aether were standing at opposite ends of a table covered with glasses filled with liquids of various colors.

"A psychic version of beer pong," Hemp senpai muttered, shaking his head. "A thoroughly idiotic game."

As he spoke, Aether tossed an orange ball onto the table. After a single bounce, it landed in one of the glasses in front of Kotetsu senpai. The Altai wapiti picked up the glass, fished out the ball, and downed its contents before crushing the glass in his hand. Quartz-like sand poured from between his fingers.

"If they're playing a game, that's a good sign, isn't it?" I asked hopefully, choosing to believe that Kotetsu senpai's lowered head was just a trick of perspective and that not all the cheering behind him came from deer species.

"Sports and games were once used to divert excessive nationalist fervor, preventing conflicts from spiraling out of control," Hemp senpai remarked, glancing back and forth. "But I can't shake the feeling that I'm witnessing the origins of a Sol system war." No sooner had he said this than Aether slammed his emptied glass upside down on the table, prompting howls from the gray wolves behind him.

"What's in the glasses?" I asked, noticing for the first time just how chaotic their psychic waves had become as both Kotetsu senpai and Aether staggered slightly.

"You're better off not knowing," the border collie sighed. "Idiocy."

His verdict left me at a loss, so I just stood there, watching.

"Two thousand on Kotetsu."

"One thousand on the rookie!"

"That guy's about to collapse. Five thousand on the Altai wapiti."

"Herbivores are all bark and no bite--two thousand on the black wolf."

Curious about this strange chatter, I turned to see what was going on. To my surprise, a brown Labrador pushed through the crowd and stood beside me, fingers flying across his terminal.

"Ah, Richter senpai," Hunter greeted me enthusiastically. "Do you have a favorite to win?"

He handed me the terminal, and a quick glance revealed information about betting odds.

"You don't have any credits, do you?" I asked, thoroughly confused. "How are you going to pay the stakes?"

"They say, 'You have to spend credits to make credits,' and I've always lived by that wisdom," Hunter said with a wink before moving on to pester Hemp senpai when I made it clear I wasn't interested in his "business."

"I need... some fresh air," I muttered, not caring whether the border collie heard me, and immediately turned to weave my way through the crowd, determined to leave the chaos behind.

I needed a quiet place to be alone, so I headed toward the seawall buried in white sand.

When I reached my destination, I discovered I wasn't alone this time.

"Ah, Senpai." Yamato stood up hastily, brushing the sand off himself.

"Not a fan of crowds either?" I asked casually, glancing back toward the party.

"Uh, not really," he said, scratching the back of his head, his gaze darting around the ground. "I just... wanted to watch the sea."

"Oh, what a coincidence. Me too," I said, lifting my gaze to the horizon. "You mind?" I gestured to the seawall beside him.

"Not at all!" He waved his hands in front of him, flustered.

His awkwardness reminded me of someone, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

After sitting down, I propped myself up with my paws on either side and tilted my snout upward, enjoying the gentle sea breeze washing over me.

The turquoise sea and azure sky stretched endlessly toward infinity, blending seamlessly. The reflection of a few white clouds rippled with the waves, while the tide ebbed and flowed, leaving only damp marks where the white foam disappeared into the sand.

Yamato sat beside me, still looking a little tense.

But I figured he just needed some time, so we silently continued watching the sea.

"Uh, Senpai..." After a long while, Yamato cleared his throat. "You like Metamorphosis, right?"

"I do," I replied, smiling as I tasted the salty sea breeze. "It's my favorite anthropomorphic insect novel."

"Then..." His tone was hesitant, so I turned to meet the gaze of the impala. "Have you ever heard of Kamen Rider?"