Chapter 17 — Morning Commotion

 

Wrapped in Mashiro’s fluffy fur, I slept soundly.

Knock, knock.

“Zzz…”

Knock, knock.

“Unyuu… morning… zzz…”

I stirred at the sound of knocking but closed my eyes again. Then came the click of the door opening. Someone entered.

“Yuuki-sama, it’s morning, please wake—!”

Suddenly—BANG! A loud crash and a gust of wind sent me rolling awake. My fluffy Mashiro-bed was gone! Panicked, I heard voices arguing.

“Get away from Yuuki-sama, beast!”

“You dare disturb my master’s sleep?!”

“You… you can speak?! You’re a high-ranked beast? Were you planning to devour Yuuki-sama?!”

“Anyone who interrupts my master’s rest deserves death!”

I blinked. In the middle of the room, Mashiro and Amelia were fighting! My desk and chairs were smashed, the walls scratched.

“Stop! Don’t break my room!”

But my cries went unheard. Each clash destroyed more—windows shattered, the closet toppled, the bed overturned. My beautiful room was ruined.

Still, I couldn’t help but notice—Amelia was strong. Strong enough to fight Mashiro, who had defeated the Big Air Bird.

“Enough!”

Father’s voice thundered. He and Mother stood between them.

“Calm down! Are you trying to destroy Yuuki’s room? …Well, too late. Look—Yuuki’s over there, rolling on the floor!”

“Master!”

“Yuuki-sama!”

Finally, they noticed me and rushed over.

“Are you hurt, Master?”

“I’m so sorry, Yuuki-sama.”

I looked around. Nothing was left intact. My first room… ruined. Tears welled up.

“Nooo! My room is broken… all broken… waaah!”

Mother hugged me tightly. “It’s alright, Yuuki. We’ll fix it right away. Come with me. And you—little doggy. So you were a Fenrir all along. Stay small and follow. Amelia too.”

She carried me to the lounge, still cradling me as I cried. My brothers joined us, worried. She stroked my back and hair until I calmed down.

Then she asked what happened. I explained: last night I’d felt lonely, so I slept wrapped in Mashiro’s fur. In the morning, Amelia entered, saw a Fenrir, and thought I was under attack. Mashiro fought back to protect me.

Mother sighed. “So that’s it. You were lonely. I should have noticed.”

Father added, “I should have thought it through. Still… a Fenrir, and a variant at that.”

Joshua’s eyes lit up. “Amazing! Can you show your true form?”

Mashiro snorted. “Why should I obey—”

“Mashiro, be nice,” I pleaded.

“…Fine.”

Boom! Mashiro grew to full size. Joshua shouted in awe until a tray flew from nowhere and smacked his head, silencing him.

Mother crossed her arms. “See? None of this was Mashiro’s or Amelia’s fault. The real fault lies with someone who failed to report it properly. Isn’t that right, dear?”

Father shrank under her glare. “W-we agreed I’d explain tomorrow…”

Her lecture continued endlessly. Anthony sighed, picked me up, and whispered, “This won’t end soon. Let’s eat breakfast while they argue.”

Amelia brought me food, and I ate beside Mashiro, now small again.

Later, Asher arrived. “Yuuki-sama’s room will be repaired today.” Amazing—despite the damage, it would be fixed so quickly. He also announced the vice-captain had arrived.

The vice-captain entered, glanced at Father and Mother, and muttered, “Ah… again.” Then he turned to me.

“Good morning, Yuuki.”

“Good morning! Are we going to the town?”

He smiled. “Not today. We must finish our work first. Afterwards, I’ll show you the town properly.”

I tilted my head. “Is it Toushan’s work?”

Father flailed. “No! Not mine!”

But everyone laughed knowingly. Even the vice-captain teased, “Yuuki already sees you as someone who avoids work.”

Mother sighed. “It’s true, though.”

Father groaned.

The vice-captain handed me a gift: a black collar for Mashiro. “This adjusts to any size. Now Mashiro can transform freely without worry.”

I fastened it around Mashiro’s neck. It fit perfectly, even when he grew large again.

“Thank you! Mashiro, isn’t it great?”

Mashiro wagged his tail.

After that, everyone went off to their duties—Father to his work, Anthony to his studies, Joshua to sword training. Mother took me to the garden to play.