Hiroshi nodded. "Yeah. Riku said I could sell it here."
Lem blinked. "You... carried that here by yourself?"
Hiroshi looked puzzled. "Yeah. Why?"
The merchant shook his head. "You Hyumans are something else..."
Riku puffed out his chest. "Nyaa~! Isn't Henry amazing? He took down that boar in one kick!"
"One kick?" Lem's eyes widened.
"Yup!" Riku bounced on his toes.
Hiroshi sighed. "Can we just sell this thing already?"
"How do you want to sell it?" Lem eyed the boar. "Whole or in parts?"
Hiroshi scratched his head. "Whole. But can you spare some of the meat? I haven't eaten anything yet."
The merchant chuckled. "Fair enough. You earned it if you took this beast down yourself." He turned his head. "Glimarr! Get over here!"
A burly beastkin with thick, fur-covered arms emerged from the back, wiping his hands on a bloodstained apron.
"Yeah, boss?"
"Help this Hyuman butcher the beast and set some meat aside for him."
Glimarr's gaze flicked to Hiroshi, then widened. "This guy hauled that thing here by himself?"
"Sure did," Lem said with a grin.
Hiroshi grunted. "It's not that big a deal. Just tell me where to drop it."
Glimarr let out a low whistle. "Alright, bring it to the warehouse." He pointed toward a door at the back.
Hiroshi followed him through, ducking slightly to clear the doorway. The warehouse was cool and dimly lit, filled with hanging cuts of meat and barrels of supplies.
"Just set it here." Glimarr patted a sturdy table in the center.
Hiroshi swung the boar off his shoulder and placed it on the table with a resounding thud.
"Damn." Glimarr ran a hand over the boar's thick hide. "Clean kill. Not a scratch on the meat. You're a pro, huh?"
Hiroshi shrugged. "Not really. Just instinct, I guess."
Glimarr shot him a skeptical look but didn't press. "Alright, give me a few minutes. I'll carve it up and set aside your share."
"Thanks." Hiroshi leaned against the wall as Glimarr got to work.
Back in the shop, Riku chattered away with Lem, his tail swaying as he recounted the tale. "...And he didn't even break a sweat, nya~! Just one kick, and BAM! The boar was down!"
Lem shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips. "That's impressive. Your friend's something else."
"He's not my friend, nya!" Riku huffed, crossing his arms.
Hiroshi returned a few minutes later, carrying a small bundle of neatly wrapped meat. "Alright, I got my share. What's next?"
Riku's face lit up. "Next, we eat, nya~!"
Hiroshi smiled. "Finally, something we agree on."
Lem handed Hiroshi a small pouch brimming with coins. "Payment for the whole boar, minus your meat."
Hiroshi nodded, tucking it into his pocket. "Thanks."
"Nya~! Thank you!" Riku chimed in with a cheerful wave as they stepped out of the shop.
Outside, Hiroshi glanced at Riku, who clutched the meat bundle with both hands. "So, catboy..."
"It's Riku! Nya~!" Riku huffed, puffing out his cheeks.
"Alright, alright, Riku," Hiroshi said with a smile.
"That's more like it." Riku's tail swayed as they walked side by side.
Hiroshi eyed the meat. "So... where should we cook this? I'm starving."
Riku tapped his chin, tail swishing. "Hmm... how about my house, nya~?"
Hiroshi raised an eyebrow. "Your house? I don't want to intrude. Your family might..."
"Nya?" Riku tilted his head. "No, my family's in the city. They work there and rarely come back. They have a house there."
Hiroshi blinked. "Wait. You live alone?"
Riku nodded. "Yes! Why, is that strange?"
Hiroshi scratched the back of his head. "For a unique catboy like you? I don't know. Don't you get lonely?"
Riku tilted his head the other way, ears twitching. "Lonely? Hmm... not really. I have the villagers~ And sometimes I visit the forest to pick herbs."
"That's... something," Hiroshi muttered.
"Come~! I'll show you my house!" Riku grabbed Hiroshi's sleeve and tugged him along.
Riku led Hiroshi through the village, past the curious stares of the beastkin villagers, to the edge of the settlement. Nestled among a cluster of trees stood a cozy little house of wood and stone.
"This is my home, nya~!" Riku spread his arms wide.
Hiroshi took it in. It wasn't large, but it was well-kept. The front garden overflowed with vibrant flowers and fragrant herbs, and a pair of wooden chairs sat on the porch.
"Not bad," Hiroshi said.
"Of course~!" Riku unlocked the door and gestured inside.
( End Of Chapter )