This is Lavi Island—a small, beautiful island nestled between the Known World and the Unknown World. Here, the boy Bell and his friend run a restaurant. But not just any restaurant. This one is special—it's made for non-humans. Its guests include nature spirits, elves, demis, and even beastfolk.You'll learn more about Bell and the others soon enough.
Bell:"Hey Luis, I'm heading out to the sea. I need a break. Can you take care of the guests for a while? And remember—even though this restaurant is mainly for non-humans, if a human wants to come in, they can. They just have to pay a little extra."
This is Bell Ainsworth, 15 years old. He's kind, funny, and a decent young man. His hobbies are cooking and fishing. Whenever he needs to relax, he heads to the sea.
Luis:"I don't care. Do what you want."
This is Luis Gonzalez, 16. He never smiles. He barely talks, and while he is interested in women, he never shows it. His hobbies are reading and cooking.
Bell:"Come on, take this seriously, alright?"Luis:"Yeah, yeah, I'm not deaf."Bell:(sighs)"If you say so... I'm off."
Bell left the restaurant with his fishing rod in hand. He usually fished before opening hours, but today had been slow, and he was bored. Lavi Island, part of the Kingdom of Siranus, is peaceful and beautiful, a rare place where humans and non-humans live in harmony.
He made his way through the charming town of Lavi Love, where all the houses are made of wood and wheat. Despite its small size, the town has many large buildings and is full of life.
Bell:"Still as beautiful, quiet, and peaceful as ever."
Resident:"Hey, Bell!"Bell:"Hello, Meli. You're looking lovely as always."Meli:"Oh, Bell, you're such a gentleman. Do you have time today? Maybe we could go out?"Bell:"Not sure, but I'll let you know. See you soon."Meli:"See you."
Bell walked on.
Children:"Bell!"Bell:"Hey, Susi, Mark, Julian! How are you guys? Susi, your cat ears look even cuter today."Susi:"Thank you, Bell!"
He gently patted her head.
Bell:"Good girl. Did you help your mom again today?"Susi:"Yes! I gathered firewood for her."Bell:"That's amazing, Susi. You're going to be a wonderful woman one day. Your future husband will be lucky."Susi:"Bell, you think I'm pretty?"Bell:"Of course. With your white hair, blue eyes, and those adorable cat ears, who could resist you?"
He gave her ears a soft stroke.
Susi:"Bell, when I grow up, I want to marry you!"Bell:"You're such a sweetheart. Then I'll wait patiently for you."
Susi blushed.
Susi:"Yes! Wait for me! I'll love you even more than I do now! You love me too, right?"Bell:"Of course I do. I always looked after you when your parents weren't around, didn't I?"Susi:"YES!"Bell:"Sorry, Susi, I have to go now. See you later."Susi:"YES!"Bell:"Take care of her, alright? A man should always protect women—especially beautiful ones."Julian:"YES!"
Bell smiled and continued on his way.
Susi:"See you later, Bell!"Bell:"See you later!"
Bell is very popular in town—especially among the women. He may not be physically strong, but with his short blond hair, blue eyes, and gentlemanly nature, few could resist his charm. Still, he's not interested in romance. To avoid hurting anyone's feelings, though, he occasionally goes on casual dates.
But Bell... isn't entirely human. At least, not a normal human.
Bell:(whistling)"Oh hey, Garu!"Garu:"Hey, Bell."Bell:"Your muscles are getting huge—as expected of a tiger man."Garu:"And you're still scrawny. I've told you a thousand times—train with me."Bell:"No thanks. Maybe next time. Take care!"
Bell greeted more townsfolk as he walked, and finally, he arrived at the beach.
Bell:"Here we go."
He sat down and took out his fishing rod.
Bell:"Wonder what I'll catch today..."
Then he opened his bag.
Bell:"Come on out, Monkey."
Suddenly, a small monkey popped out of the bag.
Monkey:"Bell, bell, bell!"
He climbed onto Bell's shoulder.
Bell: "Monkey, I want you to keep a close eye on the sea. If you see anything, let me know."
Monkey: "Yes, sir!"
The monkey climbed onto Bell's head.By the way, this is Monkey—a cute little monkey, but special because he can talk.
Monkey: "Bell, Bell, I have to search for Bell!"
He scanned the sea closely. Then suddenly, he spotted something.
Monkey: "Bell, Bell! There, there! Something's out there!"
He jumped up and down excitedly.
Bell: "Where?"
Monkey: "There, there! I see something, I see something!"
Bell reached into his bag and pulled out a stick.
Bell: "Alright, let's take a look."
He drew a shape in the air with the stick—it turned into a pointer.
Bell: "There."
The pointer fell into his hand. He held it up to his eyes and looked through it.
Bell: "Hmm... Nothing… oh wait—there is something!"
He spotted a barrel slowly drifting along with the waves.
Bell: "A barrel? Maybe it's full of something valuable—or fruit! Alright."
He grabbed his fishing rod and cast it toward the barrel. The hook caught on.
Bell: "Got it! Now pull!"
He started reeling it in. The barrel was much heavier than he expected.
Bell: "Man, whatever's inside must be valuable if it weighs this much."
After some effort, he finally dragged the barrel to shore.
Bell:(panting) "That was tough."
Monkey: "A barrel! A barrel! Bell, Bell! Look! Look!"
Bell: "Alright, alright, Monkey—calm down."
He stood up and approached the barrel.
Bell: "Hmm... I wonder what's in there."
He tapped it lightly.
Bell: "Hmm. I'll need a stick."
He took his staff again, drew a stick in the air, and caught it as it became real and dropped into his hand.
Bell: "Okay, let's see what's inside."
He wedged the stick under the lid and pried it open.
Bell: "Well, that was easier than I thought. Time to lift the lid..."
He opened it.
Bell: "Let's see…"
He peered inside.
Bell: "And... huh…?"
Inside the barrel was a girl—fast asleep.
Bell: "A... a girl?!"
Suddenly, the girl opened her eyes.
Bell: "Uwah!"
He stumbled backward in shock.
Bell: "Wh-who are you?!"
The girl stretched as she climbed out of the barrel.
Girl: "Ahh, finally! That barrel was so cramped. But wow, it's really nice out here... I've been stuck in there for a week. Huh?"
She turned to Bell, who was staring at her in disbelief.
Girl: "Oh, so you're the one who pulled me out. Thanks, old man."
Bell: "Hey! Who're you calling old man?! I'm only 15!"
Girl: "Oh, I see."
Bell: "Now, would you please tell me why you were inside a barrel? And what your name is?"
She looked at him. Then looked around. Then looked back at him.
Girl: "Wow... this place is really beautiful."
Bell: "Hey! Don't ignore me!"
Girl: "Geez, don't yell. What do you want?"
Bell: "I want to know why the heck you were inside a barrel floating in the sea. And who you are!"
Girl: "Oh, I was just taking a nap. Then a big wave hit, and the barrel tipped. Next thing I knew, I was stuck in there for a week."
Bell: "A week?! What?!"
Girl: "Yup."
Bell: "Okay... can you at least tell me your name?"
She grinned, flashing her teeth.
Girl: "I'm Jean. Jean Henderson. Nice to meet you!"
Bell: "Uhh…"
And so begins our new and exciting story:The Tale of Jean and the Black Foxes.