Chapter 11 — What Should I Call Him? “Dad”… Doesn’t Feel Right

 

When I woke up in the morning, I was once again wrapped in Mashiro’s fluffy fur. His coat was so soft—nothing like the blanket I used to have. I could have stayed asleep forever… snooze, snooze…

Still half-asleep, Mashiro carried me by the collar, dangling me gently as he brought me over to the captain.

“Good morning, Yuuki. Still sleepy, I see.”

He set me down on his lap.

Wait… yesterday… didn’t we have an important talk? After playing with Mashiro, the captain said he had something to tell me… Oh!

I turned quickly, staring at him.

“What is it?”

“Captain… yesterday… did we become family? Or was it a dream?”

He chuckled. “Half-asleep and confused, are you? Don’t worry—it wasn’t a dream. We’re family now. Yuuki, you’re my child.”

Joy filled me again. I hugged him tightly. It was real! Not a dream! I looked up at his smiling face.

But now that we were family… calling him “Captain” felt strange. What should I call him? Papa? Father? Neighbor kids used to say “Oyaji”… but that sounded wrong.

“What are you thinking about, making that funny face?”

“Um… well…”

I took a breath and tried.

“Toushan-sama?”

The captain froze.

“Is… Toushan-sama not okay?”

I’d never had a father before, so I didn’t know what to call him. And since he was an important person, I added “-sama.” Maybe it was strange?

Before I could worry further, he suddenly hugged me tightly.

“Adorable! Say it again!”

“Toushan-sama.”

“Again!”

“Toushan-sama.”

“One more—”

“Enough! We know it’s cute, but calm down. Yuuki can call you that as much as he likes from now on. Right now, it’s time for breakfast. We’re leaving soon, and Yuuki didn’t eat dinner yesterday. Let him go.”

The vice-captain scolded him, but the captain wouldn’t let go. His arms, usually gentle, squeezed me so tightly it hurt. He got scolded again.

“Quiet. Do you want to ride alone again, even though it’s your first time as family?”

“…Forgive me.”

At last, he released me and handed me to the vice-captain. I wanted to ride with my new father today, so he had to behave.

The vice-captain helped me eat breakfast. I was getting a little better at it than the first day. Watching Noah clean up, I noticed something.

“Where’s Mashuu-san? Did he eat?”

“Matthew had business in town. He went ahead.”

“Will I see him again?”

“Of course. He’s preparing things so you can live in the town.”

Oh… like moving house. That was hard work. I’d thank him when I saw him again.

“Alright, cleanup’s done. Time to depart. If we delay, people may start asking questions.”

“Shensaku? What’s that?”

“Ah, nothing. Captain, Yuuki is yours.”

I didn’t understand, but let it go.

“Come, Yuuki. If all goes well, we’ll reach town by evening.”

Finally, I got to ride with my father. Yesterday, Mashiro and the captain had fought, so I couldn’t. I was so happy.

“Soon we’ll leave the forest and reach the main road. From there, it’s a straight path to town.”

“Shuppa-chu!” I raised my hand in a cheer.

But Mashiro stopped us.

“What now?” the captain muttered.

Mashiro explained, “Among humans, it’s better not to stand out.”

“True. But with your size, everyone will know you’re a Fenrir. Ideally, you’d be less conspicuous… but what can we do?”

Mashiro leapt into the air—and shrank! Suddenly, he was a tiny puppy.

“Waaah! Mashiro’s small! So cute!”

My anger at the delay vanished instantly.

The collar he had worn slipped off his smaller body. He tossed it lightly and slid his head through it. Now it looked like a loose necklace. He didn’t mind at all. He bounded onto the horse in front of me, and I hugged him tightly. He was like a cuddly stuffed toy.

“This way, I won’t stand out.”

“Remarkable. You can do anything.”

“Yes, now he looks like an ordinary pup. That solves the problem.”

With Mashiro small and cuddly, my father holding me steady, we finally set off toward the town.

This time, surely… departure!