The First Head Pat
Sofia had known about the "no animals allowed" rule, of course. She understood that Winter's common sense was twisted. What she had never imagined, however, was that Winter might not even recognize affection for what it was.
"You've lived alone for so long..."
Winter was only eight years old now. Eight years wasn't a long time, but for her, those eight years were her entire life. Even a single year would have been more than a tenth of her existence—an enormous span. Yet Winter had spent most of that life in loneliness. Having grown up without anyone, she had never known a gentle hand.
That was why she treated the happiness she felt when someone patted her head as a "special emotion." She didn't realize it was perfectly normal to feel happy when a trusted adult stroked your hair. Head pats weren't some grand form of physical affection. They were an ordinary expression of love that every child born into this world should experience. For Winter, it was something she had only encountered after becoming a beastkin.
"Even orphans receive love..."
Whenever Sofia's hand touched her, Winter's tail would wag so excitedly. Was it because no one had ever shown her affection before, and she simply didn't know how to contain her joy?
Sofia made a quiet promise to herself to pat Winter's head more often from now on.
"Winter, you just lacked the experience. There's no need to feel so down."
Pat, pat—
Sofia gently stroked Winter's hair. Winter's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, yet her tail still swayed softly from side to side.
"Ah, no, I did know about it, but..."
"Really? Did someone pat your head when you were human?"
So she hadn't been completely alone after all? Sofia felt a small wave of relief at the thought.
"W-well, that's..."
Winter thought for a moment. In this life, no one had ever patted her head. The line between her past life and this one blurred together. She decided to dodge the question by quoting something Sofia had once said.
"I only knew it in theory..."
"In theory."
Knowing it only in theory. That meant she had tried to understand love as mere knowledge, without ever experiencing it firsthand. Perhaps the lonely Winter had once hoped that "knowledge" alone could bring her the love she craved.
"Yes. Since it was my first time in reality, I couldn't apply it properly."
"...I see. Even with knowledge, it's hard to apply it without experience."
Sofia pulled Winter into a tight embrace and gently rubbed her back, as if trying to wash away the lingering loneliness. She held her like that for a long time.
"Um, Sofia... could you help me take the tape off my clothes? I need to change, but I don't think I can do it alone."
"It does look that way."
She had practically bound the child in tape. Sofia let out a soft chuckle and began peeling the tape away. Riiip— The tape came off along with a piece of Winter's clothing.
Winter, who trusted Sofia completely, didn't feel ashamed even as skin was exposed. Their bond ran deeper than that of parent and child.
"I'll have to sew the clothes again."
"I'll mend them for you. Just leave them on the table."
"No, I'll do it myself."
"It's fine. I'm confident in my sewing. I'll make them even sturdier than before."
"Mm... thank you."
If Sofia was better at it, there was no reason to refuse. Winter decided she would repay her somehow and changed into fresh clothes—well, not exactly fresh. They were hand-me-downs.
"Are the children waiting outside?"
"Yes."
"Then go play with them. It's rude to keep people waiting."
"Okay. Thank you so much."
Winter bowed politely. Sofia felt grateful that Winter had kept her innocence despite everything she had endured.
**
Stepping out of the park, I found the children. They were playing cards with Encia on the grassy area near the pond.
"Cluck cluck."
Encia flapped her wings and made a chicken sound. Levinas's eyes sparkled as she shot her hand into the air.
"Correct! Fried chicken!"
"Hmm... close enough. I'll count it as right."
"Yay! But Levinas likes seasoned chicken better!"
Huh. Had Levinas ever tried chicken before? I thought back and remembered—people at a birthday party in the park had shared some with her. It must have been really delicious. I should order seasoned chicken for dinner tonight.
While I was deciding on the evening menu, Argo waved at me.
"Captain! Caaaptaaain!"
"Correct! Horned Rabbit!"
"Horned Rabbit?!"
"Yeah! That's how Levinas calls the King! King! Kiiing!"
Now that she mentioned it, Levinas and Argo did feel similar. I couldn't help but laugh.
"What are you all doing here?"
"We were waiting for you, Winter."
"For me?"
"Yes. There's something important I need to ask of you."
Encia spoke without meeting my eyes. The usually expressionless girl was now fidgeting with her fingers, her face flushed red.
"Sure, that's fine."
"Winter, this may be presumptuous, but you should hear the full request before agreeing."
"But it's a request from you, Encia."
Encia had always helped without hesitation. There was no reason to refuse her now.
"...Thank you."
Tremble, tremble.
Encia's wolf ears quivered—the beastkin way of showing deep emotion.
"So, what is it?"
"Well... I was thinking of raising a hunting dog, but..."
"A hunting dog?"
"Yes. The problem is, I don't know much about Earth's hunting dogs. If you could choose one for me, Winter, I will train it to be loyal."
The dogs in this world were the same species as those from the original world. I didn't know much about dogs in general, but I did know what made a good hunting dog. I decided to pick one out for Encia.
"Alright."
I nodded and looked around at everyone. For some reason, Levinas was shaking like a leaf.
"Waaah, King...!"
"Hm?"
"Levinas is scared of dogs...!"
"Ah..."
She was just a child. It made sense to be afraid of dogs.
"Dogs have teeth longer than Levinas's horns...!"
"Don't worry. I'll bring back a good puppy."
"Okay! Levinas trusts the King!"
The shelter would have plenty of puppies. Taking Levinas along probably wasn't a good idea.
"Argo, could you play with the kids? Encia and I will go alone. There are a lot of dogs at the shelter, so she might get scared."
"Got it!"
Argo scooped up Levinas and Saebyeok and plopped them onto her shoulders. Her shoulders were so broad that it was possible.
"Whoa."
Her shoulders really were something else. I stared in amazement. Argo seemed to think I wanted a ride too and tapped her raised forearm.
"Want a lift too, Captain?!"
"Ah, no. I'm fine."
"Alright! Just say the word if you change your mind later!"
"Okay..."
Thud—! Thud—!
Carrying the children like a living tank, Argo marched forward. They waved goodbye as they left. Once they were out of sight, I looked up at Encia.
"Shall we go?"
"Yes. Where would you like to go?"
"To the stray dog shelter."
"Understood."
Encia pulled out her car keys. It was always fascinating to see a beastkin driving.
**
We drove to the nearest stray dog shelter. With less than ten minutes left until arrival, Encia made a suggestion.
"Would you like a snack before we get there?"
"A snack?"
"Yes. Choosing a family member can be stressful. Something sweet might help you relax."
"Mm... okay."
In a way, we were picking out a new family member. I decided to follow Encia's advice and unwind a little.
"There's an ice cream shop right there."
"It must be popular. Look at all the people."
Encia parked the car in front of the ice cream shop. It was a well-known chain, complete with its own parking lot.
"Could you wait here for a moment?"
"Sure."
I stayed in the car as she asked. A moment later, she opened my door from the outside.
"I was taught that attendants should open the car door."
"Y-you don't have to do that..."
"There's no need to feel burdened. I do it because I enjoy it."
Indeed, her tail was wagging furiously. If she truly liked doing it, I saw no reason to stop her.
"Alright. If you really like it, I won't say anything."
"Thank you for understanding."
Accepting Encia's escort-like gesture, I headed toward the ice cream shop. Just as we were about to open the door, Encia suddenly stopped.
"Encia?"
Her gaze was fixed on a sign. It was a polite notice refusing entry to companion animals.
[No companion animals allowed inside the store.]
Encia looked down at her own tail. It was still wagging, showing no sign of stopping.
"Winter, there must be various reasons why stores ban animals, right?"
"Yeah, probably."
"If the reason is because of shedding fur, then..."
"Ah."
Then we wouldn't be allowed in either. It would only cause trouble.
"Beastkin don't shed like regular animals, but humans don't always know that."
"Beastkin are rare, after all. People tend to worry about the animal parts."
They even refused to sell chocolate sometimes. Getting kicked out for shedding fur was entirely possible. No need to take unnecessary risks here.
Her tail drooped sadly. Through the glass window, I stared longingly at the ice cream displayed inside. It wasn't that I was upset about missing ice cream. I just felt sorry that our outing together had been marred.
"I'm sorry. I can't exactly call it a substitute, but I'll buy you something even tastier."
"Okay. Let's go somewhere else."
Encia held out her hand. I took it without thinking, and just as we were about to leave, the bell above the door jingled urgently.
"W-wait a moment!"
The person who rushed out was an employee wearing a nice sky-blue uniform.