The one who supports me.
After the shining Kurarin ascended to… well, she probably just returned to her heavenly realm. Anyway, once Kurarin was gone, we all dispersed.
Now, I'm riding home in a carriage with Dirk.
*Clatter… swish-thump*
*Clatter… swish-thump*
*Clatter… swish-thump*
The clatter is the sound of the carriage rolling along.
The swish-thump is Dirk’s tail cheerfully swishing and hitting the carriage as it goes.
“Dirk, why are you so happy?”
“Huh?”
He has a big smile, his whole expression radiating happiness.
“Well… I was so glad that you needed me… I'll take good care of you at home!”
“Diirrrkk!?”
After Kurarin’s sudden appearance, I’d somehow completely forgotten! Ahh! It’s wonderful but also embarrassing! I just want to roll around from it all!
“… Rosarin, you’re just so cute. Always holding back your tears until it’s just the two of us.”
“Urgh!?”
That time with Curtis, huh?! A mortifying memory!!
“So, when do you want to…? Now?”
Dirk smiled at me sweetly.
“Um, no… with Kurarin around, my mind kind of went blank, so I’m not really sad anymore…”
“Are you embarrassed? How cute.”
Dirk, you’re not even following the conversation! I mean, I *am* embarrassed, but I’m not cute at all. I’m sorry for being a not-so-cute wife who can’t even just lean on you.
Plus, I don’t want the driver overhearing this, so if anything, I’d rather save it for home.
“… I told you, I’m fine.”
I turn away, feeling like I’m really not being cute at all…
“Alright, so you’d rather be at home. That’s cute, too.”
Could you please stop reading my mind? And your idea of “cute” is just… weird. Like I said, I’m really fine. Still, this is odd.
“… How is it that you understand my feelings so well?”
I can sense things to an extent, but Dirk seems to grasp exactly what I’m feeling.
“Hmm… maybe it’s because my magic power has more of an internal effect than a human’s? And maybe the bond with one’s mate is just stronger for beasmen… maybe that’s why. Plus, without that kind of sensitivity, I think beastmen would probably annoy their partners pretty often.”
It might be an ability that evolved because beastmen aren’t naturally great at reading the room, he said.
I thought I’d managed to change the topic, and Dirk didn’t bring it up again after we got home. We had dinner, bathed, and then, just as we were about to go to bed, Dirk stretched his arms out toward me.
“Come here.”
When Rosarin the puppy hears Dirk call for her, she eagerly runs over and wraps him in a hug. Woof woof.
“Hehe…”
“You’ve held back well. You can cry if you want to. It’s just us here.”
“….”
I wish you wouldn’t make me cry. Being so gentle is just unfair.
“Let all the things that bother you melt away with your tears. When you’re with me, there’s no need to put on a brave face.”
“… I want to be cool in front of the Dirk I love.”
A soft hand strokes my hair, and my eyes start to water.
“… I know you’re cool, Rosarin. But you know, I’ve decided to walk alongside you… so I want to be the kind of husband you can lean on.”
With that, Dirk transformed into his beast form. So soft and fluffy… heaven.
“Hey, my adorable wife.”
“… Yes?”
“Your husband wants you to rely on him. Can I please comfort you?”
He licked my cheek, as if to lap up the tiny bit of tears that had escaped.
“… You want to make me cry that much?”
“… I don’t know about making you cry, but I want you to lean on me. I want to make you happy.”
“……”
Even though I don’t really feel sad anymore, all the things that were weighing me down have melted away. Dirk’s gentle words were all the comfort I needed. I want to tell him that, but I can’t quite find the words.
“… Hic… huu… huh…”
Unable to voice my gratitude, I let my feelings spill out in tears. Dirk, since you understand my emotions so well, you get what I’m trying to say, don’t you?
“… Yes. I understand.”
It’s hard for me to be the one to lean on someone, but Dirk always showers me with all the care in the world, so… this balance might be just perfect. My consciousness faded as I thought about that.
What do you think about this chapter?
