Inside, the main room held a small fireplace, a round wooden table, and an assortment of mismatched chairs. Shelves lined the walls, crammed with jars, books, and assorted knick-knacks.
"Make yourself at home, nya~!" Riku kicked off his shoes and hopped onto a chair.
Hiroshi set the bundle of meat on the table and glanced around. "You really live here alone?"
"Nya~! Yes! I told you already," Riku replied, his tail flicking playfully.
"Come on~! I'll show you around, nya~!" Riku chirped, leading Hiroshi through the modest house.
"This is the kitchen~!" He gestured to a cozy space with a stone stove, wooden counter, and shelves brimming with jars and utensils.
"Not bad," Hiroshi said.
"And this…" Riku opened a door. "Is my room~!"
Hiroshi peeked inside. It was small but cozy, with a neatly made bed, a cluttered desk, and a window filtering soft, dappled light.
"Looks… organized," Hiroshi remarked.
"Of course, nya~! I keep it clean!" Riku puffed out his chest proudly.
"And this," Riku continued, swinging open another door, "is my parents' room~! But it's rarely used now. My whole family lives in the city."
Hiroshi glanced in, noting the larger bed and wardrobe. A thin layer of dust coated the surfaces, untouched for months.
"Your whole family's in the city, huh?"
"Nya~! Yes! My father works there, and my mother and siblings moved too," Riku explained cheerfully.
"And this~!" Riku exclaimed, opening the final door. "Is the bathroom~!"
Hiroshi stepped inside. "Oh! It's big."
"Yeah~! My family always bathed together, so it had to be spacious, nya~!"
Hiroshi froze. "Wait. You bathed together?"
"Nya? Yes. Me, my brother, and my father. After that, my mother bathed with my sisters."
Hiroshi scratched his head. "Oh… I thought you meant, like, a mixed bath or something."
"Mixed bath?" Riku tilted his head, genuinely puzzled.
Hiroshi coughed. "Uh, never mind. Forget I said anything."
Riku stared for a moment, then shrugged. "Nya~! Hyumans are weird."
Hiroshi sighed, shaking his head with a chuckle. "Let's just cook the meat."
"Nya~! Okay!" Riku chirped, bounding back to the kitchen.
As they walked, Hiroshi glanced at Riku. "Hmm... Riku?"
"Nya~?" Riku looked up, ears twitching.
"Does this village have an inn? I need a place to sleep."
Riku blinked. "Huh? Why would you need an inn? You can sleep in the living room, nya~!"
Hiroshi stopped. "Are you serious?"
"Nya? Yeah, why not?"
"What if I was a bad guy?" Hiroshi asked, crossing his arms.
Riku stared, then burst into laughter. "Nyahahahaha~!" He doubled over, tail swishing excitedly.
"What's so funny?"
"We beastkin can smell if a hyuman or any other race is a bad guy, nya~!" Riku gasped between giggles.
Hiroshi blinked. "You can… smell it?"
"Nya~! Yep! If they're bad or evil, they give off a stinky smell~!"
"Huh? What if the human hadn't showered or fell into something foul?" Hiroshi scratched his head.
"Nya? Umm... it's not that kind of smell. I can't really explain it, nya~. But you smell fine, Henry, like something sweet. No problem at all~! Besides, I'm a scout too, nya~!"
"Gee, thanks," Hiroshi replied dryly.
"Nya~! No problem! So, you're staying here, okay?"
Hiroshi sighed. "Guess I don't have much choice."
Riku's tail swayed happily. "Yay~! It'll be fun, nya~!"
Hiroshi handed over the slab of meat. "Here, for us."
Riku's eyes sparkled. "Ohh! Meat! I'll help cook it, nya~!"
He grabbed an apron from the wall, tied it around his waist, and hummed as he sliced the meat on the counter.
Hiroshi stood behind him, watching. His gaze drifted downward.
Whoa… Is he really a guy?
Riku's long hair swayed with each movement. Hiroshi couldn't help noticing the delicate curve of his back, the round shape of his hips.
That hourglass figure. That soft skin. That silky hair. And those thighs, smooth, curved, no muscle. Just like a girl's.
Hiroshi swallowed hard.
Snap out of it! He shook his head sharply. Stop it, Hiroshi. Riku's a boy. You're normal.
"Nya~? Something wrong, Henry?" Riku asked without turning, his tail swishing playfully.
Hiroshi rubbed the back of his head, smiling sheepishly. "Uh… no. Just wondering if you know how to cook this properly."
"Nya~! Of course! I always cook for myself," Riku chirped proudly.
Hiroshi cleared his throat. "Alright. I'll trust you."
( End Of Chapter )