Another sleepless night was coming to an end. Kuri stood silently on her balcony, watching the stars blink out one by one as the sky began to lighten. The moon dimmed, its silvery glow fading into the warm hues of dawn.

She didn't know why, but this morning felt different. The usual weight that pressed on her chest every day had lessened, like the fog that constantly clouded her mind was beginning to lift, giving way to a softer, hazier clarity.

Kuri stretched her arms above her head, though the action was unnecessary. She sighed, a small sound of contentment that seemed strange even to her.

And then, without really thinking, she smiled—a rare expression that hadn't graced her face in what felt like years. For the first time in ages, she felt light, as if the oppressive darkness she carried had momentarily loosened its grip.

It was time for a song.

She began to sway, her feet moving gracefully across the balcony. Her voice rose softly, a melody of joy and longing intertwining as she sang to the fading night. Her crimson hair, illuminated by the first rays of sunlight, glowed like fire, catching the breeze as she spun and danced with the rhythm of her song.

For a few precious moments, there was nothing but her voice and the warmth of the rising sun.

She didn't notice the boar at first.

It was a boar.

The creature was massive, its body rippling with muscle beneath a thick coat of dark fur. Its tusks glinted in the early morning light, and its amber eyes were wide, filled with a mixture of fear, confusion, and something else—something familiar.

The snarl died in Kuri's throat as she stared at it, her instincts warring with her curiosity. Its scent reached her, sharp and wild, yet strangely… comforting.

She hesitated, her defensive posture softening as she took a cautious step forward. The boar flinched but didn't run.

Kuri's heart pounded in her chest as she extended a hand toward the creature. She was fully prepared for it to lash out, for those tusks to slash through her skin. But she couldn't stop herself.

Her fingers brushed against the coarse fur of its shoulder. The boar stiffened, its body trembling beneath her touch.

Inosuke's thoughts were a chaotic mess, loud and unfiltered in the haze of his beast form.

"Is she really touching me?! What do I do?! Should I bite her? No, I can't just bite her. What if I mess it up? GOD, she smells SO GOOD!"

Kuri chuckled softly, her breath visible in the morning air. "Easy, Inosuke… easy…"

The boar's reaction was immediate. His body jerked back, and a low, guttural growl rumbled from his throat. "Don't treat me like a fucking PET!"

Kuri blinked, startled by the force of his thoughts. She withdrew her hand, the sting of his rejection sharper than she expected. "I-I'm sorry," she stammered, her voice unsteady.

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She couldn't believe she'd actually stammered.

The boar hesitated, his amber eyes flickering with regret. He took a step forward, his movements cautious but deliberate. Before Kuri could react, he leaned in and nuzzled her face, his rough fur brushing against her skin.

The unexpected gesture made her laugh, the sound light and genuine. Her hand found its way back to his shoulder, stroking gently as the tension between them melted away.

For a moment, the world seemed to blur, the edges of reality softening as a strange calm settled over them. The fire in Inosuke's blood dimmed under the coolness of her touch, and the frost in Kuri's heart began to thaw.

But the stillness was shattered by the distant sound of bells.

Kuri's hand froze mid-stroke, her body going rigid as the faint clang of warning bells echoed through the air.

The boar let out a sharp snort, his ears twitching as he lifted his head to listen. His instincts roared to life, the haze of calm replaced by a surge of adrenaline.

Kuri stepped back, her gaze shifting toward the horizon. The bells tolled again, louder this time, their ominous sound reverberating through the air.

"The Corps," she murmured, her voice tight.

The boar turned to her, his amber eyes now sharp and focused.

Kuri clenched her fists, her calm slipping away as the weight of reality crashed back over her. "They've found us."

Inosuke's beast form tensed, his body coiling like a spring. He didn't need words to tell her what he was thinking.

Together, they turned toward the sound of the bells, the fragile peace of the morning already forgotten. The battle was coming, and neither of them could run from it.