A small island twenty-five miles off the coast could easily be called uninhabited — there were practically no insects, no resources for living or long-term tourism, and the only asset it possessed was a smooth white sandy beach stretching along the shore for several kilometers. That's precisely why Louis chose it for a day club cruise.

Of course, no one objected when Legoshi and Haru joined them, but the main news excited everyone — Sisu would be coming ashore too. The animals had already begun to miss her, even those who hadn't known her for long.

They could have secretly brought the dragoness to the club once or twice, or at least to some less public place, but Louis was hindered by insurmountable circumstances — while Sisu was recovering her magic, she expressed a desire to travel. And of course, Pina tagged along with her. For a ram, it was surely a serious trial, because it involved a sea journey, but he was hardly afraid of the difficulties. Or the dangers posed by sea predators… or the weakness of his own body.

Though he was probably scared. Louis understood that Pina was more stubborn than brave — if he set his mind to something, hardly anyone could persuade him otherwise.

The small cruise ship easily accommodated their motley but festively dressed company. Of course, there was no service on ships of this class, nevertheless, they had enough space in the luggage to take everything they needed. And even the deer allowed himself a completely tasteless sunset-colored Hawaiian shirt and shorts, exposing his perpetually closed leg with the prosthesis. Members of the theater club, however, were delicate enough not to inquire.

Or perhaps they just didn't care.

But as the ship approached the shore, the colorful group of passengers gathered on the bow. No wonder — on the beach, a long blue dragon peacefully dozed, with two white legs sticking of behind. There was a murmur on the ship, but Sisu didn't seem to notice them. However, the ram heard — poking his horned head out, he smiled and patted his friend on the side. The dragoness stirred, lifted her head, and looked at Pina in bewilderment, and he almost forcefully turned her towards the sea. And she smiled broadly, showing her teeth.

"Wow," whistled the captain, a gray walrus, absentmindedly scratching his tusk, "I've never seen anything like that in any sea. Not when I was on the 'Seahawk,' nor when I was sailing on my own, not even trying to get ashore. Are you sure it won't eat you?" They reassured him one after another that the most peaceful creature in the world was on the shore right now. The walrus rubbed his bald head and said, "Well, as you wish. I'll cast off, and we'll ferry you and your cargo in two trips with the dinghy."

"Excellent," nodded Louis.

The dinghy turned out to be a quite spacious ten-meter motorboat, practically a light yacht, which indeed could accommodate half of the club. It was steered by the boatswain, a silent cockatoo, who only nodded and limited himself to monosyllabic answers, skillfully maneuvering the helm.

Looking at the side of the ship the boat was approaching, bobbing on a small wave, Legoshi glanced at the clean, transparent waves, then at the dragon on the shore — and pulled off his T-shirt, immediately plunging into the water. He was a good swimmer, although it was about two hundred meters to the shore, Legoshi could cover that distance in a time worthy of an amateur athlete. But now he didn't need to paddle for long — he was caught in a moment by the dragoness who appeared next to him. Taking advantage of the moment, the girls from the long-disbanded "Order of the Dragon" — Eri, Juno, Haru — also jumped into the water with squeals. And this strange procession, after everyone climbed onto the sinuous body, immediately, without the slightest delay, headed for the shore.

"Hey, Jacques, think you can catch up with it?" smirked the captain. "I mean, with her."

"No," grumbled the cockatoo. He opened his beak, as if wanting to add something more, but closed it.

"The rest of you — grab your bags and load up on the boat," Louis commanded. "If there's not enough space, you'll go in the second round."

When all the animals and their supplies were safely transported to the shore, they noticed what they had previously thought was a pile of randomly scattered branches and leaves on the beach, but in reality, it turned out to be a huge shelter, albeit unpretentious, but quite sturdy.

While Sisu, soaked from head to toe, hugged those willing to take the risk, Louis inquired, "How long have you been here?"

"We arrived early in the morning, around eight o'clock," yawned Pina. Surprisingly, for an experienced traveler, he didn't look like one, although the wool on his arms and legs had still lost some of its appearance due to the salty spray. "At first, we thought it would be nice to build a beach bar… but the bar didn't work out."

"We brought a tent, we'll set it up now, and you'll have your bar," Louis assured.

Legoshi asked reproachfully, shaking off the water and shaking out a few drops from his ear, "Why aren't you asking about the main thing? Pina, did you really go all around Japan?"

"Yeah," he said proudly. "With Sisu in the water, nobody's scary at all — except maybe orcas, but you can always try to negotiate with them. Or run away, because the speed… well, you saw it yourself."

"And yet you don't look like a sailor at all," chuckled the deer. Pina exclaimed indignantly, "Of course, I stopped by home and got myself cleaned up before meeting you! You should have seen me back in early August… a pitiful sight. Perhaps it's even good that you didn't see. Louis asked carefully, "How… are you two?"

"I don't understand what you're talking about," the ram immediately retorted.

Shaking his head, the deer headed towards the pile of things carelessly piled on the beach. Legoshi remained, staring at Pina for a long time, he raised his eyebrows questioningly and shrugged his shoulders, as if saying "I have nothing to add." Lowering his gaze, the wolf went to join the rest of the company.

And they didn't waste any time. While the ship was busy, Bryson began to unpack and assemble the covers with aluminum pipes, the basis for a huge tent. A curious dragoness immediately stuck her nose into it, and as a result, half an hour later, another structure appeared on the island, aside from the first wigwam — the square, green, with the logo of a popular company producing camping equipment, the tent was almost 20 ft wide.

Or, in the newest units of measurement, about one dragon's length.

The sun was rising higher — it was well before noon when they arrived, so shade could come in handy in a couple of hours. Louis uncorked the sparkling wine and poured it into cups made of safe, lightweight glass imitation. He couldn't stand single-use plastic.

"And what are we celebrating, boss?" Tao jokingly asked, taking a cup. Perhaps this was all that remained of their June adventure — Tao's jokes and two lions faithfully working as Louis' private bodyguards. Of course, it might take a while to get Shishigumi out of jail, but the red deer was patient.

"First of all, our temporary reunion. Or is someone not happy?" Louis squinted, scanning the company, but they just laughed. Haru slowly sipped her drink; thanks to Legoshi, she knew what the conversation would be about. But female wolf, wagging her tail in confusion, clearly didn't. Louis took a sip, rolled the sparkling wine on his tongue, prolonging the dramatic pause, and finally said:

"And secondly, an observer from the Ministry of Culture actually sneaked into our teachers' row. I don't know what they discussed there, but the administration of Cherryton contacted the school last Monday and asked to stage 'Pygmalion' again with minimal actor substitutions. However… in the city theater."

A second of hesitation, as everyone exchanged glances and started smiling uncertainly, and then a burst of jubilation shook the tent.

"I'm so happy for all of you!" Sisu smiled and added, "Congratulations. It's a pity I couldn't see it live… and won't be able to."

"I showed you the recording," the ram stroked her under the chin.

"A recording is not the same!"

"Agreed," he sighed.

Tsu observed, wiping wine from his fur — excited Nora accidentally knocked over his glass:

"I may be jumping the gun, but it seems like we really nailed it."

"If even the skinny critic from the Ministry of Culture…"

"I met with her. Quite a spirited lady, akin to our Fumiko. Just a spotted skunk, not striped. Ow!"

The deer's voice echoed a hefty shoulder smack he received from outraged Juno. The wolf asked indignantly:

"Why didn't you tell me anything?"

"I was going to… ow! Legoshi, save me from her!"

The haste with which the deer hid behind his friend's taut figure caused another wave of laughter.

"Louis… always… your… secrets! Surprises! Intrigues!" the wolf teased, trying with each word to find a better way to slap him — not too hard, but noticeable for an herbivore. Mostly, the usually calm Legoshi bore the brunt of it. Kibi chimed in:

"…well, it's a canon for the drama."

"I'll do better, I promise!" the deer declared fervently. And all three of them were suddenly embraced by the dragoness, pressing them close. She said from above:

"Let's not argue, even in jest. Okay?"

"I wasn't trying to," the male wolf noted, yet again responding to the embrace. Juno pouted:

"We weren't arguing. He just has his annoying little secrets again."

"I sense your family life will be tumultuous," Haru remarked loudly enough for everyone to hear.

"And are they getting married already?" Yuki widened her eyes. Tao snorted:

"Yes, and both to Legoshi."

The mentioned one looked at him and squinted disapprovingly. The cat stepped back, watching as the wolf casually placed the glass directly in the sand and straightened up, then bolted away. But it was too late. Legoshi easily caught up with him, hoisted him onto his shoulders, and headed to throw him into the sea. Tao yelled like a maniac, calling for help, but the callous beachgoers just laughed. Getting out of the water, he dramatically exclaimed:

"Why is it every time we gather as a club, I inevitably get wet?"

"Well, it's true…" Tsu pondered. "Lake picnic, here, play… seems like you're cursed. The Curse of Dreadful Dampness."

"That's what my doctor said last time I got sick and showed him my handkerchief," Dave snorted. Kibi interrupted him:

"Dave, gross. We could've had a drink anywhere else. Let's turn the beach into a beach, not a boring poetry evening."

And he set an example by taking off his shirt.

Some were still shy, but the sandy shore livened up a bit with the variety of swimsuits. A couple of balls, a kite in a form of paper dragon, a plastic bucket for sand enthusiasts, even water skis were dug out of the pile of stuff and bags.

At first, Sisu jokingly tried to run away with the proudly soaring kite, clenching a wooden rod between her teeth and complaining that it was her relative, but upon seeing the water skis, she changed her interest. Especially when they explained to her what they were for, because judging by Sisu's playful behavior in the shallow water, the boat was clearly unnecessary. She joyfully dragged anyone behind her and quickly picked them up in case of a crash, the animals also enjoyed it, and Pina a couple of times played the role of the captain of this unstable ship, proudly sitting right behind her neck.

Legoshi approached the relaxed deer under the not yet very fierce sun. He asked quietly:

"Are you sleeping?"

He pushed his dark glasses up and looked at him questioningly:

"No. Rather, I'm relaxed and not thinking about anything."

"Even about the company?"

"Imagine that."

"And about Juno?"

Louis smiled, taking a bottle from the thermos bag, previously brought to the resting place:

"Why think about her? Look at her, playing with the guys. Here, you don't need to think, you need to enjoy the view."

Legoshi nodded in agreement, though he had a completely different girl in mind. He flopped down on a folding lounge chair nearby and said with a slight hint of regret, "Too bad Bill didn't agree to come. And Els."

"How's Els, by the way?"

"Good. She says it's catastrophically unusual, but she's lively and cheerful. Maybe you could recommend some prosthetic technicians to her."

"Remind me to call her, please. And did you only call them or someone else too?"

"I called Kai, but he's in another city. And, it seems… with Dom."

"They're…"

"I don't know. But, in any case, I wish them happiness," Legoshi said carelessly. "And, by the way, I called Melon too."

The deer choked on water. He said, wiping soda splashes off his face, "If this is some kind of joke, it's not funny. Not funny at all."

"And I'm not joking."

"Legoshi, are you serious? Did you want to invite a killer, a former leader of an underground criminal organization, and an extremely dangerous animal in the same person to play beach volleyball with the kids?"

"Louis…"

"What 'Louis'?"

"Let's go play volleyball?"

He froze for a moment, processing what had just been said, then pointed a finger threateningly, "Got me here."

Legoshi barely smiled, then nodded towards the roughly marked court, "But seriously?"

"Sports is not for me…"

"Come on… let's go."

With a sigh, he took off his glasses and stood up, shaking his hands. He glanced at Bryson, who was just serving with some incredibly clever trajectory, "He won't hit me with the ball, will he?"

"It's lighter than the sports versions. We specifically took it to have fun on the beach with anyone, look, even Keoji is playing."

The armadillo indeed diligently helped the team, although not everyone appreciated volleyball yet – on one side of the sandy field were Bryse, Goro, Tsutomu, and Eri, on the other, Tao, Juno, Keoji, and unexpectedly serious opponent in the game, Beatrice.

"Hey, will you take the oldies?" Louis yelled, approaching. "But I honestly can't play. I only know the rules in general outlines, that's all."

"Then go to Bea," grumbled the buffalo. "Her team is stronger."

"Come on? Aren't you from the volleyball club?"

"I told you, I was on the bench. And Bea… I don't know where she learned to play so well."

At that very moment, the tigress leaped higher than net and slammed the ball into the sand with a palm strike, and Goro unsuccessfully stirred the beach nearby.

"I'm coming to you," said the wolf, watching the dominance. "Just need to warn you that I'm not much of an athlete…"

"Liar!" smirked the deer.

The game continued and somewhat leveled off. Gradually, the others joined them, and in the end, volleyball turned into a noisy mess – on one side, a dozen animals played, fervently arguing, joking, and using dirty tricks, such as lifting each other onto their shoulders, and on the other side, the dragoness and, of course, the Dall's ram, who had escaped to her team.

However, even with such equality, they managed to create only a small lead by the time Sisu figured out the rules. And then she started catching up… and pulled ahead by twenty points in the final score.

"Playing volleyball against a water dragon is only slightly better than trying to outswim a water dragon," philosophically remarked Goro. Pina proudly chuckled, "Of course. She's perfect."

"Don't you even try to cling to victory…"

"I scored once too!"

"Out of how many? Seventy?" Tao chimed in. The dragoness dipped her tail into the incoming wave and sprayed in his direction, equally proudly replying, "But Pina gives excellent passes."

"Teamwork!" exclaimed the ram, and two palms – large and small – touched in a victorious clap. Of course, if Sisu tried to extract a sound from this gesture, the ram would have been left without a hand, but she was very, very careful.

They ate, swam, ate again, organized an expedition into the depths of the island, where, of course, they found no one. However, Legoshi found a rare subtropical beetle and was so delighted that half an hour later, the animals were already seeking salvation from the entomologist enthusiast trying to tell everything to everyone. Kibi saved the mood, rubbing her hands together, announcing that it was time to play "Truth or Dare." Most of the animals greeted this news with enthusiasm, only Louis tried to slip away, but Juno dragged him into the circle and hugged the deer, quickly kissing him to appease.

Everyone participated without exception – the general mood of the club shone brighter than the sun above them. Even the huge violet eyes watched with curiosity the spinning bottle.

Kibi was the first to start, as the organizer of the event. The bottle thought for a moment and pointed at Yuki, the horse exclaimed indignantly, "Are you kidding me? Why am I always first?"

"And I'm always wet," Tao shrugged. "It's karma."

"Alright… truth."

"O-o-okay…" Kibi said thoughtfully. "You have a boyfriend, right?"

"Kibi! I'm not saying anything! It's personal!"

"Oh, calm down, Yuki-chan… I mean, if he wasn't there, then who from the club would you most likely go on a date with?"

The horse squirmed a bit, then clarified, "From the club members?"

"Interesting question," Mokichi said slyly. "So, Kibs, did you mean only the members or the teaching staff as well?"

"Anyone who regularly attended the club."

"Then… Juno-senpai, don't be mad…"

"No giveaways," the wolfess clung to the deer's torso. The anteater soothingly waved his hand, "Juno-chan, it's all purely hypothetical."

"I'm appreciated," Louis tilted his head slightly and added with a smirk, "But it's better not to tease wolves…"

Yuki spun the empty bottle, which landed on Philip, who seemed almost alive today – perhaps because the outing involved water activities, and the beaver swam quite well. For his task, he received "a slap on the water" – to make the loudest sound possible with his tail. And not to pull away the tail, of course. Bryson inherited it from Philip, Ayako from Bryse, and so the bottle went around almost everyone, repeating only twice on Legoshi. Although both times the wolf received tasks that made even his reincarnated, love-hardened nature blush and feel embarrassed – the first test was the number of girls he could lift simultaneously – he managed five and a dragon's tail. And the second – to walk along the beach like a bodybuilder and pose, pulling up his wide shorts like swimming trunks. Of course, Haru handed him the last task with a smirk.

He himself innocently assigned something completely harmless to Fumiko, which immediately fell out of memory about today, and now the skunk took the bottle in her fingers, spun it, and it stopped at Sisu. She rejoiced, "Hooray! The first time today…"

"So, Sisu-chan?" Fumiko asked mischievously, twiddling her fluffy tail. "Truth or dare?"

"I don't even know… let's go with 'truth.'"

"Well, you asked for it yourself. How old are you really?"

Sisu flinched. Naturally, both Pina, sitting nearby, and Bea, leaning from the other side, felt it, brushing her drying mane. Looking at Louis, she also didn't get a clear answer – the deer shrugged, indicating that she had to decide for herself now.

But she had to tell the truth, didn't she?

Dropping her gaze, the dragoness quietly said, "I'm five hundred twenty-three years old."

A collective gasp of "what?" almost knocked the glass bottle off the small table in the center.

"However, five hundred of those years I spent in a magical sleep, so I'm actually very young," she added, seeing from their astonished eyes that it didn't make the situation clearer. Louis spoke up, saving her, "It was my initiative. Please forgive us, but it's safer if our world doesn't know about this. And that Sisu is from another world."

Fumiko mumbled thoughtfully, "And I almost guessed right…"

"How's that - from another world?" Kobayashi asked, puzzled. "Are we living in a fantasy movie?"

"A silly coincidence with magic," the dragoness's mane spread out a bit and shimmered slightly, indicating that it wasn't a joke. "But as a result, I met all of you and never regretted it for a moment. I'm sorry we hid the truth."

"And look at her, if you're not sure - believe or not." the ram winked ironically.

"Psch…" Kibi made an incomprehensible sound. "No problem. So what, a dragon from another world. With magic. Just one more, the last secret of Louis the Great."

Juno let out an indecently loud laugh and clamped her mouth shut with her hands. Measuring her with a look, the anteater sighed heavily, "Got it. Not the last one."

"And when you said that after this evening she'll swim away…" Nora continued a little plaintively.

"Yes," the deer nodded laconically. "She'll go home. To family and friends."

"So many questions…" Ayako stretched.

Fumiko said discontentedly, "And she said she was an orphan…"

"I really don't know who my parents are," Sisu shook her head. "That's true. But I have over a hundred brothers and sisters. To be clear, only five of them are my direct blood relatives."

"Over a hundred," Tia repeated with round eyes. Ayako nudged her jokingly, "Ten times your family has, huh?"

"Yeah…"

"Is it my turn to spin?" Sisu asked cunningly. The skunk silently gestured a dismissive gesture, like, do what you want.

And the game, creaking and crunching, got back on track. In the intervals between tasks, the animals bombarded the dragoness with questions – they already found her very curious before, but now…

"So ended the Era of Secrets, and we entered the Era of Revelations," Tsu pronounced dramatically. Goro tilted his head, "Did you know she can… do stuff?"

"Only they knew. He and Eri," Pina said with annoyance. "But not because they're chosen ones…"

"…but because someone messed up," the wolfess finished with a laugh. The ram lifted his nose, "I'm perfect, I don't mess up. Everything was done at the right moment and in accordance with the universe's plan."

"Yeah, yeah. The universe is setting you up."

"The universe will tell you right now…"

"Ah-ha!" Tao exclaimed triumphantly, because he was spinning the bottle, and it pointed directly at Pina, calling for truth or dare.

"Judging by your cunning face, both options will be nasty… Your choise," Pina looked at him sideways.

"As you wish. Then action – we all saw how you were healing backstage before the play. After that, you disappeared on a round-the-world trip on a dragon. Let's see how it toughened you up," the panther smirked, the grin not leaving his lips. "Do ten push-ups."

"Again with those physical tortures," Pina rolled his eyes. Although deep down he hoped his hands had strengthened, he couldn't say to what extent. He dug into the sand and started doing push-ups.

"Five, six, seven, eight…" His forearms trembled, nevertheless, he managed to do two more with difficulty and collapsed on the sand, exhaling, "I'm gonna die now…"

Above him appeared the head of the dragon, and Sisu's gaze was filled with extreme concern. He stroked her cheek weakly, smiling faintly, "I'm fine. It's just a phrase. Hyperbole. But no more torture!"

"Well, to mention, you've made progress," Legoshi nodded. The ram ironically remarked, still lying on his back, "Oh, yes, I'm a monster, a muscled mountain."

"Yes. I often mistake you for Bryson from afar," Tao nodded completely seriously. Sisu looked puzzled at him, "But they're… ah, got it."

Pina was eventually helped to get up, and the entertainment continued.

Gradually, the sand of the beach turned yellow – not because they were lying wet on it, although undoubtedly they were – but simply because the sun was gradually setting. It illuminated the rare clouds with an orange-pink haze and dipped them into the water, creating reflections of the same color. Somewhere in the distance, the coastline of Cherryton could be seen, and the animals scattered along the shore to take photos. And then they gathered to take one big picture to remember with their favorite guest from another world.

And scattered again. Gradually, the club company gathered around the tent, Bryson and Tao busily collected garbage, wrapping it in polyethylene, and the tent itself also began to undergo systematic destruction.

However, this time there was no universal excitement, like a club outing on the lake, because it was time to say goodbye. Some girls sniffed without restraint, Tao's eyes also moistened, although he dramatically complained about the wind. Each hugged Sisu and listened to her numerous wishes and thanks… but even that wasn't the end. The dragoness pushed aside the shelter and deftly dug up a large wooden box resembling a chest. She said, laying her paws on it:

"This is the island, and there must be treasure on the island! I really wanted to give you something as a goodbye gift… Pina helped me with some things, I managed to find some things myself on your pages… of course, it's not the same as giving everyone a piece of Kumandra, but I hope you'll like it. And thanks to Pina, Legoshi, and Louis."

The last one quietly agreed to pay for the gifts, although he didn't quite understand the principle Sisu was following – they were all different, cheap and expensive, small and medium. As the Spirit of Rexmas, which for some reason came in the twenties of August, would say, chosen according to their hearts. However, the souls who started unpacking the gifts exclaimed with delight. It seems she learned to understand them…

"She beat me here," the deer muttered barely audibly. He still couldn't understand the hidden desires of others well enough to extract such sounds. Waving his arms, desperately whistling, the first group set sail on the ship. Sisu wanted to join them, or even take someone, but here, on the shore, there were still animals with whom she wanted to warmly say goodbye.

Louis was puzzlingly holding an elongated skull in a feathered hat in his hands. It seems a gift was found for him too… and it wouldn't be right to say he didn't like it.

Tsu, watching the five gathered around the dragoness, waved to her for the last time and, spreading his wings, drove the others back to the pier. It was quite obvious to him that were still things needed to be discussed.

"And here it is, the original lineup of the Order," Louis smirked when the animals moved away. The rabbit said thoughtfully:

"I shouldn't be here, theoretically. You two, Juno, Pina… I just happened to catch you on the bridge back then. And then it all turned out…"

"Coincidences are not accidental," Sisu chuckled. "I still remember how you jumped on me in the attic. I was even a little scared."

"She can be fierce when she wants to," Legoshi boasted or complained, lifting his beloved onto his arms.

"Be afraid of me," Haru raised her nose.

Juno silently approached and hugged Sisu's neck, and she hugged her with both paws. The wolf said muffledly:

"Maybe you could… I don't know… study magic better and try to visit us sometime. Deal?"

"Juno, I would love to, but it could take many years… my brother Pengu is a hundred and fifty something years old, and more than a hundred he's been studying magic continuously."

"Well…" Juno was interrupted, and the sparkle in her eyes revealed her unwillingness to part. "Then our grandchildren, listening to fairy tales, will be able to see for themselves that they exist! Promise?"

"I promise," Sisu warmly replied. Louis added:

"Thank you for being an inspiration to the whole club. And for the gift… It's an honor for me to know you, Sisu."

Haru jumped off the wolf's forearm and hugged her paw, patting her on the shoulder:

"Don't you dare die there again, you hear?"

"Okay…"

"It was great," came Legoshi's soft voice. "Our theater club became a living fairy tale for a while… with a happy ending."

"Is it really happy?" Sisu said sadly, hugging them all. Pina said, digging the sand with his foot a couple of meters away:

"Yes. You're going back home, to family and friends, as it was said. We're all alive, healthy – what else could you wish for?"

Louis looked at him, almost getting tangled up again with his antlers in dragon's mane, cleared his throat, and said:

"The boat is returning."

"Yes," the ram answered heavily.

Legoshi exchanged glances with Louis, then raised his palm, stopping the deer. He said himself:

"Pina… we'll wait at anchor. An hour or however long you need. Then the boat will come back and pick you up."

The ram sighed. Then with a sad smile, he said:

"I think an hour will be enough. Thank you, Legoshi-kun."

Louis cautioned:

"But keep in mind – if you don't show up in an hour, or if we see… what was her name, Legoshi?"

"Rokume."

"Yes, if we see Rokume, and you're suddenly not there – we're sailing to Cherryton. Understand?"

Pina ironically replied:

"Roger, my general."

The boat made another sharp turn and sped towards the ship.

And there they were left alone.

He walked along the rope over the abyss, and the fibers gradually snapped from the tension.

"Shall we take a walk?" Pina suggested, nodding towards the sunset. So they would leave both the beach and the curious eyes behind. Sisu said sadly:

"Of course."

She rubbed her cheek against his shoulder, receiving the usual gentle stroke of her nose… yet he felt somehow distant. Not cold, no. As if instead, he had divided his body and soul, and there was a puppet in front of her, controlled from a very distant place.

They walked side by side on the sand, as close as possible given their size difference. They chatted about nonsense, Pina forced himself and made funny faces…

…but the rope beneath him continued to thin.

He wanted to hug her, to caress her, to fall to his knees and beg her not to leave… or to beg her to take him with her, even if certain death awaited there. Anything. But all Pina could do was calmly walk and play, to play the best role in his life and be grateful to fate for allowing him to play this role.

Easily managing dates, other animals' hearts and lives, could he ever imagine how his own would break now?

Everything he had ever carried in the lives of his partners was naughtiness and filth. Some even confessed their love to him, but he proudly slipped away, leaving them behind, considering flirtation without commitment the best form of relationship. And now this substance… no, he couldn't allow it to tarnish Sisu. Not the mythical monster, but the living, beautiful girl who shared a piece of her life and herself with him.

And whatever happens now – it's right. She'll find her family again – or pack, whatever it's better to call it, Pina didn't understand – she'll soak up magic, return to old friends… not those who have known her for just half a year.

He watched with humility as the phantom threads tore apart.

"Shall we swim one last time?" lightly braving the optimistic tone, the ram asked, nodding towards the sea. They had already rounded the beach enough to not be visible from the ship. And then he was instantly enveloped in an embrace – strong, desperate, crunching in the spine. Easing the pressure a bit, Sisu barely whispered:

"I don't want to leave."

"I don't want you to leave either…"

If he said anything else, it would sound suspicious.

"But I don't know, Sisu… you're a magical creature. Magic flows into your veins drop by drop. What if you get sick? Or worse?!"

She looked away, stroking his back. She said uncertainly:

"There's enough for now…"

"Yes. For now. I'm afraid for you. Besides… it would be wrong if you didn't return to Kumandra."

"Yes, but…"

"Raya is there," Pina continued relentlessly. "Pengu is there, your closest relatives are there. It's right. You need to return."

There are other dragons. And among them, there must be someone who truly deserves you. Not a conceited idiot who got lucky to see something wonderful in his life just once and immediately…

You're pathetic, he repeated to himself.

"You belong to that world. And I belong to this one. My place is here… besides, I'm not a warrior and not suited for life in Kumandra. Do you want to mourn the death of a friend?"

"I can protect you!.."

"And get another arrow in the heart?" Pina asked with pain, stroking her neck.

Freed from his hands, the dragoness turned her head away and watched the sun, which was already touching the water with its disc. Pina mechanically took out his phone from the pocket and looked at the clock. Seven fifty-two. Although he didn't know how many minutes or centuries ago they left the beach…

Lowering her head, she pushed out with moisture gathering in her eyes:

"You're saying the right things… reasonable. But why do I not want to leave so much? And you… you even refused the gift!"

For a moment, Pina's smile, serene and sincere, illuminated his face and, it seemed, the patch of sand they were standing on. He quietly said:

"I've already received it."

"Again something related to me…"

"Sisu…"

Taking another step forward, he gently embraced her face with his hands, pressing his forehead to hers and caressing the dragoness's cheek. He whispered:

"Thank you. And the gift… it is my gift. The most valuable. It was the best adventure in my life. And I doubt I'll ever forget you."

No matter what price the selfishness of his life sets.

Several more frayed threads fell into the abyss. The remaining thread, which the ram still had to traverse an unknown distance on, was razor-sharp, yet he moved forward. If not bravery, then stubbornness replaced any resolve in Pina.

Sisu blinked, trying to hold back tears. She wanted to remember this moment as bright and inspiring, just like his smile moments ago. She slowly licked his cheek with the tip of her tongue and stepped back, looking at the beautiful fragile creature with a silent question in her eyes.

The smile froze on Pina's lips. He nodded slowly.

"It's time."

"Goodbye, Pina."

"Goodbye, Sisu. Be happy."

Because that's what's right.

The dragoness nodded silently, as promising to do so.

Clamping jaws, she raised her paws into the air and, spreading her fingers, pointing one palm towards herself, uttered a word, almost imperceptible, which Pina had never heard before. And didn't hear now – Sisu told him that the more complex the spell, the harder it is for outsiders to perceive its words. However, the ram didn't aim to learn the spell – he just wanted to capture her in all the splendor of magic. For the last time.

And the mythical creature disappeared.

For a moment, Pina refused to believe his eyes, but the slowly darkening waves gradually dissolved the fleeting image on his retina. She was gone.

And it felt as if a steel rod, holding his back straight all this time, had been pulled out of his spine. He slumped, hunched over. No, tears didn't come immediately, but a lump in his throat was swelling with tremendous force.

Well… did you win?

A voice from somewhere in the depths of his consciousness mocked.

Well, you did everything you wanted. Feel better?

I did the right thing, Pina gritted his teeth.

Apparently, the transition between worlds took some time because almost a minute later, body of a huge snake appeared on the sand before him. Probably longer than Sisu, it looked exactly as Legoshi had described. Six eyes on its skin mysteriously shimmered in the last rays of the setting sun.

The snake protruded its tongue in confusion, then shook its head, looking around. And then it focused its attention on Pina. It emitted a surprised hiss and then, turning its gaze to the sea, slowly uttered:

"Well… it seemss this sstupid vacation ish over."

Empty-eyed, he looked at her. Inside, an unseen interlocutor continued to rage, tying guts into knots and covering them with a frost of fear.

But you won't even be able to keep your promise…

Promise?

That "I'll never forget you" thing. You'll forget. Memory will push out the small details over time, and you'll just remember the bright image, which pitied to look at you in return…

Shut up.

And in old age, it will disappear completely. Only the name will remain. And even that…

He exhaled with pain in his chest.

I don't want to forget.

And you don't have to…

Did that voice whisper it… or was it the abyss itself beckoning him?

"Excuse me, are we somewhere near Cherryton?" the snake asked him. The ram opened his disobedient lips:

"About twenty five miles to the shore."

"Good. Although I don't undersstand how thiss happened…"

It seems he knew what to do.

"Rokume, right?"

"How do you know me?"

"Well, you see, it was my experiment to introduce you to a new world. Unfortunately, a failure. All the equipment malfunctioned."

"Sso it was you?!" Rokume said skeptically and clearly annoyed.

"Yes. But… for me, it's all over. I doubt I'll be able to recreate even a tenth of what…"

"You seem… young, don't you. I, perhaps, am angry, but I promised Director Gon not to eat the youth. Or anyone else…"

Rokume was slightly embarrassed – she had crushed "someone" no more than ten minutes ago and was about to eat them. Fortunately, the animals of that strange world seemed to be just animals…

"My youth is compensated by intellect. And, by the way, Gon is also dead," Pina pronounced weightily.

"How is Gon dead?!"

"Unfortunately, I'm also somewhat involved. But I wouldn't call it my direct fault…"

He lied convincingly, not caring at all about the coherence of the hastily patched-together parts of the story, because the abyss inside almost begged to be embraced in its dark arms.

"What about the school?"

"Everything is fine. Except that now you are free from the oath to Gon, and in front of you stands the main culprit of the events."

Rokume raised her head in confusion. "And so what?"

Pina stepped forward decisively and said with a welcoming smile:

"Eat me."

Legoshi and Louis stood on the deck, leaning on the chrome railings. The wolf tried to peer, but the curve of the shore reliably blocked his view of the strange couple.

"Don't peek," Louis said mockingly. Shaking his head, the wolf replied, "You know… I don't think it makes sense to wait."

"Why?"

"Pina… his heart is on the other side. He'll leave with her before the sun sets."

"Oh, come on. I know him – Pina will probably show up before the sun goes down and will be indignant and all grumbly that we didn't warn him."

"I don't think so."

"Pina is too… carefree, isn't he," Louis shrugged. "If you're expecting depth from him, then I'm sorry to disappoint you – everything that went around the school as rumors is true. He never committed himself to serious relationships… he's quite the heartbreaker."

"I know," Legoshi lowered his eyes. "And at the same time – maybe it's because no one has touched that part of Pina that's deep inside?"

The deer snorted, "In the butt? Because he's quite the thorn there."

"If he doesn't go with Sisu, he'll suffer."

"Hedgehogging's suffering is something very ephemeral."

"Don't say that. Don't scorn his feelings just as if you haven't seen them. And you definitely have seen," Legoshi said accusingly, looking at him. Louis rolled his eyes slightly, "All I've seen is that he's stuck in place and doesn't understand what kind of relationship they have. And that reminds me of somebody…"

"Do you want to bet?"

"As if you suddenly offered to bet…"

"A thousand yen that he won't come back," Legoshi said stubbornly.

"Alright… I'll take it. The easiest thousand in my life."

"Now slowly turn your head a little to the left and look at the sea."

"Wow… she's huge. Is that the school's guardian you were talking about?"

"That's the one. That's Rokume. And for some reason, Pina isn't rushing. It means the transition has already happened, and they left together."

Legoshi looked triumphantly at the deer, who waved his hand in the air, "It's still not clear. Maybe he's suffering there and crawling through the sand by handfuls, and then he'll drag himself here all battered…"

"If you want to postpone the moment of defeat – no problem."

Emerging from an unknown place, Sisu breathed in deeply and felt something familiar. More than that – she felt her native environment. Her body began to fill with magic, as it should. Moreover, magic surged into her with a joyful, invigorating flow, and Sisu suddenly realized – she was home. Every particle of air, every sound, and every bit of magic affirmed it in unison.

For the first time, she traveled between worlds not in a state of slight intoxication, yet unfortunately, she didn't feel anything special. Just a trace, like ripples on water. Dive in one place, emerge in another.

Raya is probably completely worn out searching me. And Pen… he'll bite my tail off.

Even despite the anticipation of a good scolding from her brother, she felt great.

Having lived for a long time on a diet of weak magical drops, metaphorically barely dripping rain, in Kumandra, Sisu plunged into a turbulent stream headfirst. Soaring, hopping through the air, and suppressing the desire to animate the earth, stones, anything around her, she finally looked around.

The second point of transition was a rainy forest with gleaming green foliage, sparse roots protruding from the ground, and… the carcass of a young deer lying nearby, ruthlessly crushed, with broken bones. It seems the snake was hunting. Sisu looked away. She had tasted meat before, but such a killing…

It was strange that Rokume wasn't sitting in the palace. Unless she tried to negotiate at all, and didn't run away immediately, finding herself in an unknown place.

As long as Raya doesn't suffer. Although she's a warrior, a Stone Guardian, and can defend herself. Not like me…

And at that very moment, Sisu felt something cold pierce her chest. She lowered her gaze and found nothing, yet it continued to ache. Not understanding, she felt her own body – everything was fine. And yet, something was wrong.

Thoughts began to swirl chaotically, searching for the cause. Nevertheless, she knew the reason and at the same time couldn't admit it to herself.

A small piece of her heart now didn't exist. As if it had been mercilessly pulled out, torn away like a thread tied to another dimension, and then they said it was right.

A wave of emotions gave birth to a new one, unfamiliar to the dragon – anger. Even rage. Roaring, she unexpectedly lashed her side with her tail and through the terrifying sound even to herself, she said aloud:

"Right?!"

Is it right that he stayed there, and I'm here? Is it right that I… we're doomed to suffer?

Someone in the club once said that Pina was a good actor. Someone – that he was brilliant. Was everything that happened during their conversation acting? Why did he do that?

Why didn't he ever say… why didn't I say…

Anger still boiled in her soul, touching and burning the wounded heart, but now tears were added to it. Shaking her head and trying to calm down somehow, Sisu felt the swift flow of magic through her veins. And she growled:

"If this is what it means to do 'right'… I refuse to live righteously!"

Searching for a suitable stone or small tree with her eyes, she realized and hastily performed the final Exchange ritual on the lifeless body on the side.

Just a second ago, he stood on the beach, waiting for Rokume's decision, and now…

Oh, Rex.

Pina couldn't take it anymore. Pina broke down as soon as he saw her. Tears streamed from his blue eyes in several trails, he raised his head, and they just kept flowing freely down his cheeks, but he didn't dare to close his eyelids. Because then Sisu would disappear again.

Proud, angry, with her head held high and tears flowing as well, she looked at him, swinging her long tail and hitting nearby trees, the ground, her own sides. Then through clenched teeth, holding back spasmodic sobs, she said:

"I forgot… forgot to say something very important…"

"Sisu…" he whispered, swallowing the salty drops. Which, like in childhood, stubbornly refused to stop. The sheep took an uncertain step, stumbled, tripped over a root, and fell to one knee, but still didn't avert his gaze. He rose again and finally found the strength to respond:

"Then we're both – absent-minded idiots…"

And he slowly walked forward, not caring which world he found himself in.

The world meant nothing anymore.