The blinding light slowly thinned, like mist dissolving in morning sunlight.
Warm wind brushed Haruto's cheek.
Leaves rustled.
Birds — unfamiliar, melodic — chirped somewhere above.
Airi blinked rapidly as the world came into focus. Towering trees surrounded them, their trunks wide enough to swallow houses. Shafts of sunlight filtered through layers of emerald leaves, casting golden patterns across Airi's hair.
They stood in the heart of an ancient, untouched forest.
Airi's lips parted in awe.
"Onii chan... we really are in another world."
Haruto took a slow breath. He had never inhaled air this pure, this clean.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "Without a doubt."
A sudden rustle.
Bushes trembled.
Haruto stepped forward instinctively, one arm out in front of Airi.
"Airi. Behind me."
From between the branches, something emerged.
A massive white wolf — its fur pure and snowy, its eyes glowing silver with intelligence. It was larger than a horse, muscles rippling beneath thick fur.
Airi froze.
Haruto lowered his stance, voice low but firm.
"Don't worry. I will protect you."
Airi tugged lightly at his sleeve.
"Onii chan... you forgot what Miss Goddess told us. My power is monster tamer."
She puffed her cheeks in frustration.
"I always wanted a pet but you never even let me have a goldfish."
"This isn't a pet," Haruto muttered. "This thing could eat us."
Airi stepped forward anyway.
"Airi." Haruto's voice sharpened. "Slowly. I'm right here."
She turned her head just slightly and smiled — soft, warm, filled with trust.
"I know. You never leave my side."
She faced the wolf.
"Hello... Mister Wolf."
The beast stared.
Then — to Haruto's shock — it spoke.
"You... can talk to me?"
Airi blinked. "Uhmm... I guess I can?"
"How is that possible?" the wolf rumbled.
"I'm a monster tamer. Probably that's why."
"I am a Wolf Lord," the monster said, offended. "No monster tamer can speak to me."
Airi tapped her chin.
"Well... the Goddess herself gave me my powers. Maybe that's why."
The wolf stiffened.
"Goddess... that makes sense."
Airi smiled, bright and pure.
"Anyway, will you be my friend?"
The wolf tilted its head.
"Why would I—"
Haruto didn't speak.
He simply released killing intent.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
The air grew heavier, like the world itself held its breath. The wolf's fur stood on end. His legs trembled.
This human...
No.
This thing was not human.
The wolf swallowed hard.
"O-Okay... I will become your friend. Let's form a contra—"
"Huh? What is this?" Airi gasped.
Light burst from her hand, forming a warm circle around the wolf. It spiraled gently, then settled over him.
A voice echoed through the air.
Friendly contract formed.
The wolf stared in disbelief.
What? No contract spell? No ritual?
This girl... is an anomaly.
And that boy...
That boy is the real monster.
Airi clapped her hands in delight.
"Yay! I have a friend!"
She pointed ahead.
"Mr. Wolf, do you know any open area? Like plains?"
"It is a little far," the wolf answered. "But I can take you."
Airi's eyes sparkled.
"Can we ride on your back?"
The wolf hesitated, then bowed respectfully.
"...Very well. Climb on."
Haruto lifted Airi onto the wolf's back, then sat behind her, holding her securely with one arm.
The wolf dashed through the forest.
The Ride
They raced through ancient trees with silver veins and flowers that glowed faintly under the shade. Light seeped through the canopy like thousands of shimmering threads. The wind rushed past them, crisp and wild.
Airi leaned forward, eyes wide.
"Onii chan! Look... it's beautiful."
Haruto exhaled softly.
A forest with no humans.
No noise.
No cruelty.
"...Yeah. It is."
Here, no one would hurt them.
Not ever again.
The Plains
The forest slowly opened, trees thinning out into a wide grassland surrounded by nature. Soft grass danced in the wind, wildflowers swaying under golden sunlight.
The wolf lowered himself.
"We have arrived."
Airi jumped down, her eyes sparkling like she had just stepped into a fairytale.
"Onii chan... our new life begins here."
Haruto looked at her innocent smile — fragile, hopeful.
"Yes," he whispered.
"Our world starts now."
Setting Up Camp
Haruto knelt and opened the survival pouch the Goddess gave them.
Inside was:
· a folded tent
· two sleeping bags
· a small lantern
· a flint stone
· dried fruit
He exhaled.
"She really prepared us."
Airi crouched beside him and poked the lantern like it was treasure.
"Onii chan, look. It's cute."
"That's not the word I would choose."
But he smiled anyway.
Haruto set up the tent. The ground was soft and cool beneath his palms. He tied the ropes carefully, checking every knot twice.
"You're really good at this," Airi whispered.
"I watched a lot of camping videos."
"You always learn everything fast."
Haruto didn't reply. Compliments always felt heavy.
When the tent stood tall, a breeze brushed past. Fireflies appeared, scattering soft golden light around them.
Airi sighed.
"It's like a dream."
Haruto handed her a sleeping bag.
"Go inside. I'll start a fire."
She grabbed his sleeve.
"You'll stay close, right?"
"I won't go anywhere."
He gathered branches. Sparks flew from the flint, and a flame finally crackled to life. The Wolf Lord sat silently, watching over them like a guardian.
Airi sat at the tent entrance, hugging her knees.
"I just... don't want to sleep yet."
Haruto sat beside her. The night sky was clearer than anything back in their old world, stars glimmering like scattered jewels.
Airi rested her head on his shoulder.
"Onii chan."
"Hmm?"
"Do you think this world is kind?"
Haruto stared into the flames.
"Kindness isn't something the world gives," he murmured. "People tend to take it away first."
Airi blinked, not understanding completely.
"Onii chan...?"
He ruffled her hair gently.
"Don't worry. Just enjoy this moment."
"For the first time... it feels like we get to choose our future."
"Yeah," Haruto whispered. "This time, we do."
Silence settled. Fire crackled. Wolves howled in the distance — a peaceful sound, not frightening.
"I was scared... during the plane accident," Airi whispered.
Haruto's chest tightened.
"...I know."
"You held my hand. Even when everything shook, you didn't let go."
His voice was quiet.
"I promised I would protect you."
"And you always do."
Her trust warmed him more than the fire.
Airi yawned.
"I'm sleepy."
"Go inside. I'll stay until you fall asleep."
She hesitated.
"Can I... sleep holding your hand? Just until I fall asleep."
Haruto blinked.
"...Sure."
In the tent, she curled into her sleeping bag and held his hand tightly.
"Don't let go."
"I won't."
Her breathing softened as she drifted to sleep.
Haruto slipped his hand free gently and stepped outside.
The Wolf Lord spoke.
"You guard her even in your sleep, don't you?"
Haruto stared into the flames.
"She is all I have."
The wolf bowed its head.
"You are not like other humans."
Haruto's gaze darkened.
"That is good."
He looked at the tent — Airi asleep without fear.
"This time," he whispered, "she will have a peaceful life."
The fire crackled, sealing his vow under the silent stars.
Tonight marked the true beginning.
Not just of a new world.
But of a new life.
End of Chapter 1