Another World

As the man approached, Kuuga regarded his face closely, frowning at a sensation he knew all too well.

Behind that gentle smile was a sharp mind calculating profit and loss, an individual who would not hesitate to betray another if it suited him. Moreover, he was greedy—a miser through and through. Kuuga, able to discern a person’s nature at a glance, let out a sigh of dismay. Could this man possibly be the Kurone Ada had mentioned?

Oblivious to Kuuga’s thoughts, the man smiled softly and bowed.

“My name is Kurone. I’ve brought your meal.”

So saying, Kurone placed the bundle he carried onto the floor in front of the altar. That package was the source of the strange smell—a fishy, raw odor.

As Kuuga stared, Kurone unwrapped the parcel and stood back, as if saying, “Go ahead and eat.” When Kuuga set eyes on what was inside, he stiffened.

A hefty slab of raw meat.

‘…Raw meat… He expects me to eat raw meat?’

Physically, his new body was probably well-suited to it. He was, by all appearances, a carnivorous beast, and he understood that it only made sense in light of his form.

But even if this body could handle it, Kuuga’s human mind recoiled at the very thought of eating it. The stench alone, overpowering even from a distance, was enough to make the idea of putting any in his mouth repulsive.

In fact, wasn’t it a bit too odorous? It didn’t look especially fresh, either.

Was poor storage simply the norm in this country, or did they just think it a waste to give a beast fresh food? No, would they really do that with a creature they worshipped as a divine beast?

“Divine Beast? Are you not hungry?… Or do you not care for meat?”

Kurone looked troubled as Kuuga refused to move. Lacking any way to communicate “at least cook it,” all Kuuga could do was avert his gaze from the meat to signal his disinterest.

“I see… Then I’ll bring something else.”

Kurone exhaled in resignation, repackaged the meat, and turned away. Kuuga watched him leave the hall, relieved, when a muttered complaint drifted back to his sharp ears.

“Tch, thinks it’s a god or something. Picky for a dumb beast.”

……

Perhaps Kurone thought a whisper at that distance couldn’t possibly be heard. But Kuuga’s keen hearing caught it perfectly, and he scowled.

So Kurone, too, only regarded him as an animal in the end. Perhaps Ada’s treatment had been the exception. They knew he could understand language—hence the courtesy in their conduct.

But it was apparent he wasn’t universally revered. He was an object to be ceremoniously looked after, not inherently respected. Kuuga couldn’t quite make sense of it.

In light of that, he almost preferred Keiry. Keiry simply hadn’t believed he was anything but a beast; now, surely, he would treat Kuuga differently.

Kurone, though aware of Kuuga’s intelligence, regarded him as nothing more than an animal. The impression was so strong Kuuga found the idea of being cared for by him distinctly unpleasant.

Never before—after so many untroubled years—had Kuuga been in such a helpless situation. He gave a low growl, realizing with despair he had ten days of this ahead.

‘…Then again, it might not only be ten days…’

What would happen when the ritual was finished? Would he be set free, cast out as no longer useful, transferred elsewhere to be looked after, or simply given permission to roam but still have to live here? No one had offered him the slightest information.

Perhaps, if he wanted to survive, he would have to forgo his pride and stomach some raw meat. That thought drew a long, heavy sigh from him.

◇　◇　◇　◇

In the end, Kuuga had barely managed to eat any of the fruit Kurone brought in place of meat.

Most of it was clearly spoiled, and the moment he picked up one piece—hoping it might be palatable—the overpowering smell of nearby rotten fruit killed what little appetite he had left.

He just managed to eat the piece he’d picked up, carrying it back to the altar before wolfing it down, but after that he had no inclination to try more.

After sending Kurone off again, this time sulking, Kuuga climbed down from the altar, feeling that simply staying here obediently would put him in danger.

He still had no idea why he was being treated this way. He wondered if Kurone might hold some grudge against him, but detected no such emotion. It was simply the exasperated aura of “how dare this beast be picky.”

Was it just because he was miserly? Did Kurone truly resent giving fresh food to an animal?

How much time had passed since he’d awakened here? The sun now slanted through the lone, high window.

‘If only I could reach that window…’

He gazed up at the window, easily three meters high. Even as a human he could never have reached it, but there was no glass—just an open hole. If he could get up there, he could at least get outside.

He didn’t yet know what his new body was capable of—how strong his bite was, how sharp his claws were, or how high he could jump.

‘Let’s test it out.’

Positioning himself before the window, Kuuga took a few steps back. There was plenty of room for a running start.

The moment he broke into a run, Kuuga realized his new body could easily reach that height.

He dashed forward at a speed that surprised even him; then, gathering his strength at just the right spot, he leapt, soaring a bit higher than necessary and landing on the window ledge with room to spare.

Impressed by his own powerful legs, Kuuga gazed out at a world he had never seen before.

‘…What is this…?’

Dense forest surrounded the building, with the shadow of a large castle looming atop a distant hill and a town spreading faintly beneath it. Islands of all shapes and sizes floated in the sky above. Everything was unfamiliar—a landscape straight out of a fantasy film. Kuuga grimaced, certain his foreboding had been justified.

This was not the world where he had grown up.

Even if he escaped, could he really survive in such an unknown land? Wouldn’t his monstrous form cause panic if he entered a town?

He had considered escaping if there was any glimmer of hope in this outside world, but quickly dismissed the idea. Here, at least, he was being fed—however meagerly.

But something had to be done about Kurone. In the past, all Kuuga had to do to avoid people like him was steer clear. Others would sense his discomfort and keep their distance as well.

‘I really was… incredibly fortunate.’

His ability to see through people had been, in a sense, almost unfairly convenient. He’d chosen only trustworthy companions; there was never any need for doubt, and even in uncertain situations, people trusted him, strengthening their bonds together.

Was this a punishment? Was he suffering now for having used a gift others did not have to secure his own happiness?

Utterly helpless for the first time, Kuuga sank down where he stood, unable to resist the growing despair in his heart. Freedom lay just a single step away, but he was too afraid of an unknown world to take it.

Just then, a sweet scent drifted to his nose, and Kuuga instinctively lifted his head. He peered in the direction the fragrance came from and saw a familiar figure approaching along the wall of the building.

It was Keiry. Basket in hand, Keiry strode toward him, lips set in a gloomy line.

“Haah, I couldn’t even get close to the Ritual Sanctuary…”

The muttered words reached Kuuga’s ears. Keiry had been forbidden by Ada from entering, yet it seemed he’d still been trying.

Kuuga had recently concluded he preferred Keiry to Kurone, and before he realized it, he found himself calling out.

‘Keiry!’

He meant to call his name, but what came out was a deep bark. Still, Keiry started, glancing up.

When he caught sight of Kuuga perched on the window ledge, Keiry shouted in surprise and landed on his rear, scattering the fruit from his basket across the ground.

Feeling a twinge of regret for startling him, Kuuga decided to finally take that step he’d held back from. He leapt lightly down to Keiry’s feet. Keiry, eyes wide with shock, sat frozen as though time itself had stopped.

Kuuga glanced at the fruit scattered on the ground. Unlike what Kurone had brought, these weren’t spoiled. Apparently fresh fruit did exist here. Drawing in the sweet aroma, Kuuga brought his muzzle closer. It smelled wonderful.

“Th-that’s for… the Divine Beast…”

Kuuga raised his head to meet Keiry’s eyes as Keiry found his voice again.

“Since I behaved improperly, and though I know I can never atone… I wanted to offer at least this as an apology…”

‘He meant to bring this to me…’

Was Keiry lingering outside because Ada had banned him from entering the sanctuary? So Keiry really had been reflecting on his actions—Kuuga felt warmth blossom where his heart had grown so cold.

Unable to say aloud that he no longer held a grudge, Kuuga sank his teeth into a fruit near his feet, hoping his actions would speak for him.

Having eaten so little previously, he found the fruit delicious beyond words.

Keiry’s eyes filled with tears as he saw Kuuga accepting his offering. He straightened, back stiff.

“Thank you. I’m sorry for dropping them…”

‘Don’t worry about it. It’s a world better than rotten food.’

Knowing his words wouldn’t be understood, Kuuga gave Keiry’s cheek a gentle lick to show he wasn’t angry. Keiry jolted in surprise, but then smiled shyly, seeming to understand.

“…Um, come to think of it, how did you get out here…?”

As the thought occurred to Keiry, he glanced up at the window Kuuga had leaped from.

“Eh, what—you can climb up there?!”

‘Piece of cake.’

“Wha—what should I do? I mean, if you leave the Ritual Sanctuary it’ll cause an uproar…”

‘I’m not running away. I’ll be back, don’t worry.’

To reassure him, Kuuga tapped Keiry’s foot with his paw, but apparently the message didn’t get through. Keiry just tilted his head, looking puzzled.

Resigned, Kuuga sighed, grabbed another piece of fruit, and, coiling his muscles, leapt back up. Planting his paws once on the wall, he used a double-jump to reach the window ledge again. Seeing this, Keiry realized Kuuga wasn’t trying to escape, and relaxed.

“Um! Can I come again sometime?”

‘Of course.’

Kuuga nodded and returned inside. If Keiry was willing to bring him food, there was no reason to force himself to eat what Kurone left.

Back on the altar, he contentedly ate the fruit he had brought along.