Beastkin Neighbors on the First Morning Back
I woke up early that first morning after returning from Eldrion. Back in my old life, insomnia had turned me into a super nocturnal creature who crashed in the morning and dragged myself up late in the afternoon. But living by the strict rhythms of the Earth Warriors in Eldrion had flipped me into a morning person. Rolling out of bed and pushing till lights-out had cured my insomnia in one shot. Now I could pretty much sleep just by laying my head on the ground.
Anyway, waking up early was fine and all, but...
"Now what...?"
With nothing to do, I was at a loss. I'd been excited last night thinking I'd sleep in and laze around all day. But realizing there was actually nothing to do made my heart race with impatience. Like I couldn't sit still, you know? Probably because I'd gotten too used to that previous life. As I mentioned, back then tumbling around after waking was my daily routine.
Get up, train immediately. Eat while training, fight. Even sleeping meant surprise attacks given or received. Those days had felt like hell, surrounded by what seemed like nothing but lunatics. But now that I wasn't doing it, my body itched with the old sensations.
Hmm. The weather looked nice today anyway. Since I'm up, why not head out for some morning exercise?
The moment I decided, I stepped right outside. A cool breeze blew, opening up my chest. As Kang Sihoo—not Targon—this was my first morning workout ever. I couldn't run wild like in Eldrion, but just doing it felt meaningful enough. The Earth Warriors had their brutal routine, but I couldn't pull that off here. For now, I'd jog lightly to gauge my current body's condition. Plus, it'd let me slowly take in how the world had changed. Perfect opportunity.
I was doing some slow warm-ups before starting when...
"Oh, Sihoo!"
"Maria?"
A familiar voice called out cheerfully. Maria approached, waving like we were old pals. Her workout clothes hugged her voluptuous figure even more enticingly.
"Out for exercise?"
"Yeah~ I figured I should take better care of my body... You too, Sihoo?"
"Mm. Woke up early, so I figured I'd give it a shot. Just starting today."
"I see~! Wanna join us then?"
"Maria!"
"Ah, girls! Over here!"
A lively voice rang out mid-greeting. Maria waved back enthusiastically toward the sound. I turned and saw two women. One was a slim, petite pink-haired girl. The other was as tall as Maria but even more solidly built, with bare feet. What stood out most were the ears on their heads.
That's right—they were beastkin, like Maria. The pink-haired one with long, floppy ears looked like a cat beastkin. The silver-haired one with white fur seemed feline too, probably tiger clan.
"Yuna texted she'd probably skip, but here she is."
"Don't even. I was sleeping fine when Harin barges in, hauls me up, and tries dragging me out. Nearly left in my pajamas without washing."
"You set the morning workout plan, Yuna. Own it. I even waited ten minutes after your 'five more minutes' whining."
"Sorry, sorry~! Geez, you're such a nag. Worse than my mom. My ears are bleeding."
"Wanna bleed for real?"
"Eek~?! Mercy, Maria! This crazy cat's trying to kill me!"
They bantered noisily the second they met, their back-and-forth a joy to watch. It reminded me naturally of my friends back in Eldrion. Wonder if they're all doing okay... As old memories surfaced, I felt their gazes shift to me.
The pink-haired one asked Maria, "Who's the huge guy next to you...?"
"Hehe, late intro. This is Sihoo, my new neighbor from yesterday. Saw him heading out for exercise, so I invited him along. Sihoo, these are my friends from high school."
"Kang Sihoo. Nice to meet you."
"Whoa...! What a powerful voice...! Nice to meet you! I'm Jang Yuna."
"...Kwon Harin."
Thanks to Maria, I got introductions. They both seemed a bit surprised by me, but no hostility. Good.
"With that build, you'd stand out anywhere... Just move in? Never seen anyone bigger than Lia or Harin."
"Hehe, stranger things happen. Sihoo says he's seen way bigger."
"Really? Giantkin then?"
"Nah, plain human."
"That's even weirder...?"
The giantkin I'd fought averaged five meters tall. Gave me hell at first. But no surprise she mistook me—giants here apparently averaged two meters, way smaller. Probably because local men are short, so offspring got tinier over generations. Still bigger than regular humans, though.
"Anyway, friends of Lia are friends of mine. Mind if I drop formalities...?"
"Do what you want."
"Sweet! Love the straightforwardness! That's how you qualify as our friend! Right, kitty?"
"...Why pick a fight?"
"You've been quiet since we met. Say hi to the new friend."
"...Pass. I'll warm up over there. You all start stretching."
Harin moved off to stretch alone. Maria and Yuna glanced at me awkwardly.
"Ugh, that cat has no tact, killing the vibe. Should I kick her ass with my shooting star red-foot Jang Yuna special?"
"Don't, Yuna. Harin's just shy with strangers. Um... Sihoo, sorry if that hurt. She's not bad, really."
"I know. Don't worry."
If she were truly nasty, I'd have clocked it first. She's wary, sure, but not hateful. Better to let her approach naturally than force it.
"Kuhuh...! Big sis Sihoo's magnanimous heart has this Yuna in tears~!"
"Screw that otaku cat—let's exercise just us~!"
"...Big sis."
So you thought I was a girl too. That stings more.
"Heehee..♥! Huhee..♥♥! Hahaha...♥♥♥! My priiiince...♥♥♥!"
His figure came into view. I could stare forever and never tire. Even blinking felt like a waste.
A height towering over most women. Perfect eight-head proportions, sharp and defined features. At first, his looks made me doubt he was even a man—too unlike other guys, too alien. But the moment our eyes met, I knew.
He was the prince I'd waited for all this time.
And in that instant of collision, he must have realized it too. Our bond—an immortal thread from past lives, unbreakable across eons and reincarnations. A vicious, sweet fate.
Now that we'd reunited, all that remained was our happy union.
"And Maria. I'd like you to drop formalities with me too."
"Eh? M-me too..? Is that okay..?"
"If we're friends, it's natural."
"A.. Yeah. Got it. I'll talk casual from now on, Sihoo."
"Grind...! Grind...! Kuhiiit...! H-how dare..! How dare, dare, DARE..!!"
"That wretched cow bitch...! Filthy beast like all the rest...! How dare she approach my prince..!! Unforgivable, unforgivable, UNFORGIVABLE...!!"
Shoving that whore's smile and body at my destined one? If that slut goes into heat and jumps him...
"Nooooooo~!!"
"Never...! I'll kill her..! Anyone who gets in the way of my love...! I'll slaughter them all..!!"
Veins bulged in my eyes. Blood dripped from my clenched fists. My glowing red eyes in the darkness flickered with murder.
"Heh... hehehe...♥!"
Then, turning back to him, it all melted into a smile like nothing happened. I caressed his image in the crystal orb, pouring my twisted heart into the touch.
"W-wait for me, my priiiince..♥♥! I'll... I'll protect youoo..♥♥! From all the slutty bitches in this world, I'll make sure...♥♥"