What could I possibly stop…?
Even after finishing training with Lord Ferdinand, I couldn’t shake that thought for a long time.
“Cherry, what are you thinking about?”
“Chuchu.”
How could I pounce on you?
Something like that?
I stared at Kenich with wide, intense eyes, just like a bishop.
“You have the eyes of a predator about to hunt.”
Kenich just laughed continuously as he looked at me.
Thinking about my current state, it wasn’t so strange.
I was trapped in a velvet pouch, completely fused with my own bed.
The reason was simple.
“Tsk.”
He was probably worried I might bite his fingers in my sleep.
If we slept in separate rooms, everything would be fine, but Kenich insisted we had to sleep together, even in this situation.
It must be because of the lullaby.
If this isn’t squirrel abuse, then what is?
After giving a brief “tsk,” I quickly smoothed out my scrunched-up face.
“Chuuu, tsuht.”
Hey, Kenich.
I called him, dragging out the end of my words.
“No.”
“Chut!”
I hadn’t even said anything yet—what’s “no” about?
He’d said he’d listen to me anytime.
“Chuchut, chuchuuu. Chuchut-chut.”
I looked at Kenich, as if asking him to understand, and saw a look of confusion in his golden eyes.
“Cherry, I have no idea what you’re saying.”
“Tsk.”
Hmph, of course. It was meaningless anyway.
I twisted my lips into a crooked smile and turned my body sharply.
Usually, Kenich would pretend he couldn’t resist and give in to my whims, but today he was firm.
“I can’t help it, Cherry.”
What on earth can’t you help?!
“I want to talk with the human Cherry too, but I don’t like seeing you hurt.”
Kenich gently rubbed my cheek as he spoke.
He admitted honestly that he didn’t particularly like training with Lord Ferdinand either.
After training, I had a tendency to fall into hibernation.
But thanks to that, I even got a small amount of mana, didn’t I?
I thought of that winter nap as a divine move that brought change to me.
By managing mana with Lord Ferdinand, my mana circuits—which hadn’t moved for 18 years—finally started functioning.
My body had entered hibernation to efficiently accept this change.
“I’d be fine even if you stayed like this, Cherry.”
That’s…!
Kenich’s words felt like a stone caught in my throat.
You have no discomfort, so of course you’d say that.
At one point, I had thought living like this wouldn’t be so bad.
I had no family left, no place to go.
But not anymore.
I had a new family now, a place to stay.
Most of all—
I want to talk to you.
Not the meaningless “chu” or “tchu” sounds, but just a normal conversation.
About the weather, about how my day went.
Even meaningless chatter was fine, as long as I could meet Kenich’s eyes and talk.
But I can’t even explain these feelings right now.
“Cherry?”
Kenich tilted his head, and in his unusually shining golden eyes, he saw my form.
A squirrel, face peeking out from the pouch.
That was me.
I really hate this…
This repeated situation frustrated me, and I was angry at myself.
“…You’re mad, aren’t you?”
Kenich asked, looking flustered, but I didn’t want to talk to him now.
I couldn’t even speak if I wanted to.
“Tsk…”
I let out a meaningless sound and curled up inside the pouch.
Tonight seemed like it would be very long.
Snore… snore…
In the early dawn, only Kenich’s deep, sleeping breaths could be heard.
“…”
I slowly peeked out of the pouch.
If you won’t help me, I’ll have to take matters into my own hands.
I slipped my arm out through the narrow opening of the pouch.
Kenich, anticipating this, had tied the pouch tightly with knots, but…
Do you really think a few knots can stop me, Cherry-sama?
After surviving a kidnapping incident, I had reached the level of escape mastery.
The knots Kenich or Gerard used were standard military techniques—once you knew how, untying them was easier than eating autumn chestnuts.
That’s basic squirrel training.
With my hand out of the pouch, a few wriggles and the knots came undone.
A refreshing breeze blew through the tiny opening, barely wide enough for my head.
Ahh, this is the taste of freedom.
I slowly nodded and approached Kenich.
Anticipating my escape, he had fortified his body with the blanket like a fortress.
But it was all in vain.
You foolish little dragon.
Do you think I can only bite fingers?
I wagged my index finger at Kenich as he slept soundly.
It wasn’t surprising—his face was completely exposed above the blanket.
Where should I bite to make it count?
I rolled my eyes, examining Kenich’s face piece by piece.
His pale face under the moonlight looked like a marble statue, hauntingly beautiful.
What drew my attention most was his perfectly straight nose.
So annoyingly handsome that I had the sudden urge to bite it.
But I can’t do that.
After all, I was a well-bred daughter of a marquis and an academy graduate.
Though I hadn’t graduated, still.
As a disciplined squirrel, I suppressed my impulse and approached his shoulder instead.
I thought his neck would be better than the fully exposed face.
Excuse me for a moment.
Chop, chop.
Like administering an injection, I tapped his neck and—
“Chup.”
I bit Kenich’s neck.
A red mark appeared on his pale skin, and my own heart began pounding wildly.
Whether it was a sign of humanization beginning, or the triumph of leaving my mark on the snowy white field—I couldn’t say.
“Chut.”
Thanks for cooperating, Kenich.
I smiled with satisfaction and ran the shortcut to my room.
The next morning, early.
“Kenich…”
“Kenich…!”
Awakened by the unfamiliar call, Kenich opened his eyes.
No one should be calling him “Kenich” at this hour.
Lifting his heavy eyelids, the pale light of dawn streamed through the window.
And beneath it—
Hair shimmering like silver waves cascaded down.
“…”
Kenich blinked slowly.
Is this a dream?
Tilting his head slightly, the subtle scent of cherries drifted from the hair brushing his nose.
“Kenich, get up!”
As his blurry vision cleared, a face emerged above him.
Transparent, moonlit skin, and cherry-colored eyes that drew his gaze.
“Cherry?”
“Huh?”
Every blink made her silver lashes flutter like butterfly wings.
Kenich reached out instinctively, wrapping his hand around Cherry’s neck.
If this was a dream, he didn’t want to wake up.
A ticklish voice leaked from within his arms.
“Kenich, get up already!”
It wasn’t a dream.
Realizing the truth, Kenich jumped up.
“Cherry? You…”
Had she really gone through all that to escape?
What on earth was she scheming every dawn while he slept?
He wiped his face dry to stop words from spilling out.
What reckless thing is she doing, risking herself again?
There were many questions, but no words came next.
“Look at this outfit. Lia helped me put it on—how does it look?”
Cherry twirled, holding her skirt.
Gone was last night’s sulky expression, replaced by a bright, radiant smile.
There was nothing he could say but—
“It looks good. Beautiful.”
“Really? That’s a relief.”
Kenich nodded silently. Cherry twisted her hair and spoke cautiously.
“I asked Gerard, and he said I could take a day off. So…”
“So?”
“Let’s go out together!”
Cherry leapt to Kenich’s side, spinning around him like a dance.
The sweet scent of cherries filled the air, and his heart raced.
“…Where to?”
Kenich asked, turning his head nervously.
“Today’s the last day of the hunting festival! Cheddar said the fireworks on the last day are beautiful.”
“Like you, I suppose?”
Cherry blushed slightly as he read the line from her letter.
“Don’t tease me…”
“I’m not teasing! You’re prettier than any fireworks.”
“Ah, anyway. I haven’t been to the square yet. Let’s get ready! Today it’s just the two of us!”
“The two of us?”
“Yes, the two of us. I have so much to tell you today!”
