Chapter 16

…Oh!

My body lurched forward, and I was startled.

I must have fallen asleep without realizing it.

I raised my arms and stretched.

…There was a loud crack from my spine.

Well, before I do what I need to do next.

There’s still one wolf using my leg as a pillow.

“Hey, can you stay with me?”

At those rather hopeful words, it lifted its head and looked at me.

Its face is still fierce… yet it looks cute.

My eyesight is 1.5 in both eyes!

But that’s not important right now.

It growled.

I can’t tell what it means.

I’ll just assume it’s my companion.

No way I’m letting go!

If it’s a companion, it needs a name.

“Can I give you a name?”

It growled again.

…Can’t tell.

Absolutely not letting go!!

I’ll just name it.

First, the largest wolf I met, a female.

Her fur is a bit long and beautiful.

Not quite a long-haired lady, though.

Her face is relatively scary… no, quite fierce… but cute.

The distinctive feature is her red eyes.

A deep crimson.

I looked at the other wolves.

Two with the same color as the first wolf, a female and a male.

Maybe they’re a parent and child?

Then there’s a black-furred one and a white-furred one, both males.

A dog with a mix of brown and black fur, seems to be a male.

And a red bird, gender unknown.

What should I do… they won’t understand even if I ask.

Can I just name them?

Red… such a vivid red.

Maybe I’ll use kanji.

The first wolf is “Kokihime”

The two with the same color as Koa, the female is “Sorihime” and the male is “Himizakura”

The black wolf is “Kurosakura”

The white wolf is “Shizuka”

I named the wolves while checking their auras.

It should be fine… probably.

Next!

The only dog.

This one is also big.

Not as big as the wolves, but if it stood on its hind legs, I’d definitely lose.

Its fur is brown, “Chaei”

Next, the red bird.

The gradient of its feathers is beautiful, and the name should have a beautiful ring to it… “Kouen”

I named them without asking, but I hope they’re not upset?

…Seems okay.

……

Yeah, I got really excited thinking of names.

I guess I want to delay facing reality a bit longer.

…Well, I’ve named them… should I face reality now?

No, just a little longer….