Pochi's uniqueness?
Everyone except Oneechan had gathered in the drawing room. Oneechan was busy with work and said she'd join us later.
"Uh... who might you be?"
Ru Oniichan, who hadn’t been filled in on the details, tilted his head in confusion. Understandable. I smiled wryly, about to reply.
"What are you talking about? Pochi is Pochi, no matter what."
Before I could respond, Jend's Otousan answered on my behalf.
"Huh?"
"Oh?"
"Well."
"What?"
"Meow?"
"Huh?"
"... (nod)"
"Yeah."
Ru Oniichan, Otousan, Okaasan, and Ark-san were all visibly stunned. In contrast, Mary and the other beastfolk didn’t seem surprised.
"Sniff sniff sniff sniff sniff."
Mary sniffed me thoroughly. It was ticklish, and Nex was glaring, so I wished she’d stop.
"It’s Pochi’s scent!"
"Yup, because I’m me."
It would have been shocking if even my scent had changed.
"Pochi got so big, meow~"
Mary clung to my arm with one hand. Well, she's not heavy, so it’s fine… but Nex’s piercing gaze and hostility were very unsettling.
"Yeah, that’s true~"
Even though I’ve told her I don’t see her that way, Mary never gets the hint. My preference is soft and gentle girls who are comforting. To me, Mary is like a little sister.
"You’re not Pochi!"
Jend shouted. Huh? That’s a bit harsh, isn’t it?
"Pochi is, Pochi is..."
Jend looked straight at me. Wait, are his eyes tearing up?
"Shorter than me!!"
Ah, he’s self-conscious about his height… Everyone else gave him exasperated looks.
For the record, I’m currently about the same height as Jend’s Otousan. Next is Gator, followed by Nex, Ordo, and Ru Oniichan, who are roughly the same height, and then Jend. At least Jend’s taller than Mary and Oneechan, so isn’t that fine?
"Isn’t height kind of irrelevant?"
"It’s not!"
Apparently, to Jend, it’s very relevant.
"Pochi, you’re good at drawing, right? Art reveals the artist’s unique style."
"I see."
As expected of Otousan. My artwork is unmistakably mine. I’d been planning a gift for Oneechan, so I started sketching effortlessly. I drew a smiling Rosarin at the center, surrounded by everyone’s happy faces. Naturally, Dirk-san was by her side. After a brief hesitation, I depicted myself in my previous brown canine form.
"… It’s a good piece."
Otousan praised me with gentle eyes.
"Thank you, Otousan! I want to give this as a wedding gift for Rosarin Oneechan! And I want everyone to help me craft a large, engraved frame for it. Each of us will carve a part of it together!"
"Oh my, how wonderful."
"Right?"
Okaasan agreed, and my tail wagged happily in response.
"Rosarin will surely love it. It’s a wonderful present."
Ru Oniichan smiled at me too. I couldn’t help but grin. The twins enthusiastically offered to help as well.
"Yeah! I’ll draw the outline for the frame. Then, Ru Oniichan, you can carve it too."
"… Pochi, you’re still Pochi, even if you’ve grown big."
"Huh? Yeah, I’m still me."
"Indeed, Pochi is part of our family."
Otousan patted my head. Ehehe. I may be older now, so it’s a little embarrassing, but it made me happy.
"Pyui."
The Crystal Rabbit seemed to chime in, as if to say, “That’s good.” I gave it a little pat.
"Where did you find that little one?"
"Oh, actually…"
I recounted the small adventure I’d had today. Uh-oh, Ru Oniichan didn’t look pleased.
"Pochi, sit properly."
"… Kyuuun."
"Pochi, listen. We all care about you deeply. You’re precious to us. Don’t take risks on your own! Always report, communicate, and consult first!"
"Kyuuuuhn! I’m sorry! But I couldn’t just ignore the thought of the Crystal Rabbit’s parents being sold off! I did contact the Free Wind group and the knights, so I thought it’d be okay!"
"Sigh… Well, compared to Rosarin, you seem to have thought things through, so I’ll let it slide. But no more recklessness, okay?"
"Okay…"
Even though my appearance had changed drastically, everyone’s reactions reassured me. I felt relieved.
That’s why I didn’t hear Jend’s Otousan’s murmured words.
Even if I had heard them, I probably wouldn’t have been able to do anything about it at the time.
Later, I was in the workshop experimenting with stained glass. Achieving the desired hues was challenging, but the gradients turned out beautifully when successful. I discovered I could dye the glass by channeling Tsuyoshi’s magic through it. Mixing the colors further created complex shades, and infusing it with magic added a lovely effect.
The Crystal Rabbit turned out to have a knack for fire magic and melted the glass for me several times.
As for the frame, I’d tried various materials and found that a mithril alloy paired best.
"… Alright."
I gazed at the finished stained glass. It was a satisfying piece. I gave it a gentle stroke before glancing at the window.
"… Huh?"
Morning had broken.
I’d intended to only work a little, but I’d pulled an all-nighter. The Crystal Rabbit was fast asleep too.
"Oops."
For now, I crawled into bed with the Crystal Rabbit.
Good night.
Unbeknownst to me, a commotion was brewing outside the atelier as I drifted off to sleep.
What do you think about this chapter?
