Family Kisses and Animal King Cards
That evening after the card game, I returned home and, following the Master's orders, took some rest. It was a command to relax at home after going through something unpleasant.
"King, what's that?"
Levi Nas pointed at the television with the remote. On the screen, a man and woman were kissing each other's cheeks.
"It's kissing because they like each other."
"Why kiss if they like each other...?"
"Um..."
Why kiss? It was such a profound question. I didn't know the history of kissing, so I couldn't answer. How do I explain this to a kid? As I pondered alone, a long, staff-like shadow fell over my head.
"These young ones."
Thonk— The moment I looked up, Sophia lightly tapped me and Levi Nas on the head with her cane. Her expression was stern, as if we'd done something wrong.
"Why are we getting scolded...?"
"Didn't you see the 'not for viewers under 15' rating?"
Sophia pointed her cane at the upper right corner of the TV screen. There was a yellow sticker with the number 15 on it.
Ah. It had been years since I'd watched TV, so I hadn't even thought about the age rating. Showing stimulating content to Levi Nas, who was only ten... It was an inexcusable mistake on my part.
"Sophia, I'm sorry..."
"Knowing is enough. Save those kinds of videos for when you're older."
"Yesss..."
I took the remote from Levi Nas and switched to an anime with animal characters. That's when Han Yeoreum, who was working at the living room table, burst into a grin.
"Lady Sophia, the kids know about age ratings, right? They just watched whatever came on."
"...If the children didn't seem to know, you should have told them, Yeoreum."
"It doesn't even have scenes that weird. It's a movie I saw a long time ago."
"Is that so...?"
Sophia ruffled my hair and Levi Nas's. She seemed sorry for tapping our heads over something so minor. It didn't hurt, but it felt nice having her hand touch me.
"Hmm..."
Even as she was petted, Levi Nas crossed her arms and looked deep in thought. What on earth is she pondering so seriously? As everyone's eyes turned to her, an embarrassing question popped out of Levi Nas's mouth.
"Have you guys ever kissed someone you like on the cheek?"
Levi Nas asked us all. In response to her out-of-the-blue question, Han Yeoreum spoke first.
"Sis did it with family when she was little."
"With family?!"
"Yeah. But not anymore. 'Cause she's grown up."
"Whoa..."
Levi Nas's horn-rabbit eyes widened as she looked back and forth between me and Sophia. She didn't say it, but it was clear she was asking if we'd done it too.
"This one also lived with family as a child..."
"Gasp! Even the shark did it?! Then the King must have too?!"
Levi Nas's eyes sparkled as she stared at me. I could only shake my head at her. I had a previous life, but in this one, I had no family. To avoid misunderstandings, I decided to exclude any past-life experiences. I couldn't claim to have family I'd never met in this life.
"I don't have family... So I've never done it..."
"Ah..."
The moment I finished speaking, Han Yeoreum let out a strange sigh. I naturally turned to her, but both Sophia and Yeoreum wore sad expressions.
"Why...?"
"W-Well, aren't you and Sis family...?"
"...We're family?"
Since when? My tail curled into a question mark. Sophia plopped down beside me.
"If you live together and like each other, aren't you family?"
"Really...?"
"Yes. So never say you have no family again."
"Um... Okayyy..."
Family. Just hearing the word made me feel good.
Thwap! Thwap!
Unable to contain my joy, my tail smacked the floor. Sophia's shark tail joined mine in smacking the floor. I instinctively knew this was an emotion only beastkin with tails could share—expressing joy together.
"Levi Nas too! Levi Nas wants to be family too! Levi Nas has no family either!"
"Yes, Levi Nas can be family too."
"Yay! Levi Nas has a family now!"
Levi Nas jumped up from her seat. A smile naturally formed in the harmonious atmosphere. I hoped every day would be like this. My life would truly be the best then.
Thwap-thwap-thwap— Feeling my tail relentlessly smacking the floor, Han Yeoreum came over and crouched beside me.
"Winter, want Sis to give you a little kiss right here?"
Han Yeoreum poked my cheek. It would feel really nice, but honestly, I felt embarrassed. I was a full-grown adult like her, after all.
"N-No, I'm fine..."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I'll head to bed now..."
My face burned. I jumped up from my seat and dashed to my room. From behind, Han Yeoreum chuckled softly—it was a bit annoying, somehow. Of course, I didn't dislike her for it.
**
That night. In the thick darkness, Levi Nas opened her eyes. She looked down at Winter, who was sleeping beside her.
Levi Nas and the King are family now...!
Oh my gosh, this is too happy. Levi Nas barely suppressed the urge to jump up and down. She couldn't wake the sleeping King.
"Mm..."
Family could kiss cheeks, they'd said. But recalling how the King had refused made it hard to do. Still, she wanted to try. What should I do?
After a moment's thought, Levi Nas decided to do it secretly while the King slept.
Peck—
Levi Nas's lips touched Winter's cheek. Not knowing how, there was no smooch sound. Even so, Levi Nas's eyes lit up.
Gasp!
This feels amazing! Why didn't the King do it if it's this good?! She figured she should do it to the other 'family' members too.
Gotta do it to Summer and the Shark too!
Levi Nas set off to find her sleeping family, moving lightly so as not to wake them. As she left the room, she didn't notice. Winter's tail, lying on her side, was shaking wildly.
**
The next morning. I entered the convenience store with Levi Nas. After selling about five empty bottles, we browsed the store's items.
"Heehee."
Levi Nas swung our clasped hands back and forth as we walked. I knew why she was so happy but decided to keep it secret.
"Levi Nas, want to buy anything?"
"No! Levi Nas just wants to look around, no pics!"
"What are you looking at?"
"Animal King cards!"
Animal King cards. It was the name of the anime we'd watched with Levi Nas last night. Apparently popular among kids lately, and now Levi Nas was interested too.
"You can't see the cards unless you open the wrapper, though?"
"R-Really...? Can't look at cards...?"
"Yeah. Sorry, but no peeking."
"Aww..."
Disappointed she couldn't see the cards, Levi Nas's swinging hand stopped abruptly. It wasn't like we couldn't afford them. To see her happy, I decided to buy some.
"I'll buy you Animal King cards."
"Is that okay...? Aren't cards expensive...?"
"Nah, not that bad."
The cards were 1,000 won per pack. I bought her two. At her insistence, I picked the packs. We sat on a bench by the pond and checked the contents.
"King, thanks for buying Levi Nas cards."
"Sure. So, which card is the strongest?"
"Silver Tiger card is the strongest! It's the king of animals! It has a whopping ten stars!"
Sitting on the bench, Levi Nas swung her legs back and forth as she opened the packs. Out of about twenty cards, the best had only two stars.
"Ah..."
Even I, who knew little about Animal King cards, could tell. Total bust. Levi Nas must be disappointed. Should I buy another pack? As I sneakily checked her expression, she was fidgeting excitedly for some reason.
"Got two of the best cards!"
"The best cards?"
"Yeah!"
Levi Nas handed me two cards. One with a horn rabbit, the other a white kitten. Even though they were just one-star cards, she seemed thrilled, swinging her feet wildly.
"Isn't the best card Silver Tiger?"
"Strong doesn't mean best!"
"Uh, yeah..."
So Animal King cards weren't all about strength. I scratched my neck awkwardly.
"King is amazing. How'd you pick packs with only the best cards?"
"Just lucky, I guess."
Seeing Levi Nas happy made me happy too. As I wagged my tail and looked at the cards, she handed them all to me.
"Let's play with these."
"Okay. But how do you play?"
I'd heard you battle with cards, but neither Levi Nas nor I knew the rules.
"You fight with them, but Levi Nas doesn't wanna fight King."
"I don't wanna fight Levi Nas either."
"Hmm... Wanna do mimicry then?"
"Mimicry?"
"Yeah!"
The rules were simple: mimic the animal on the drawn card. Pretty straightforward and fun.
"I'll go first?"
"Yeah!"
I drew a card from the shuffled deck. It was a seagull holding a sword. I flapped my arms up and down, making seagull cries.
"Correct! Kitty!"
Kitty? It was clearly a bird mimic. I shook my head and showed her the seagull card.
"Wrong."
"Huh? A seagull?!"
"Yep. Seagull!"
"Aw... Levi Nas's turn!"
Levi Nas drew a card and started hopping in place. Definitely horn rabbit.
"Horn rabbit...?"
"Nope! Frog-a-ribbit!"
Levi Nas showed me her card. A frog in ninja clothes.
Whoa.
I thought hopping meant horn rabbit for sure, but frog? Sweat beaded on my forehead at this surprisingly tough game.