Central City Trilogy: Wishes - chapter 4 The Power of the Namer - 4.1
"Sometimes, I hear people say, 'It's just a name; why make a big deal out of it?' Those who make such claims clearly don’t understand how much of a privilege it is to be addressed in the way you wish." "Birch, cherry blossom,...
Central City Trilogy: Wishes - chapter 4 The Power of the Namer - 4.4
That warmth—the soothing, comforting sensation. Even now, I occasionally recall the fine hairs brushing against my trembling fingertips. “Botchan , you’re awake!” Dusk, who had been lying on my chest, sat up upon noticing my movement. I...
Central City Trilogy: Wishes - chapter 4 The Power of the Namer - 4.2
I held Haru's small, pure white body tightly in my arms. One of the things I loved about her was the sound of her incredibly loud heartbeat. She once mentioned that small animals' bodies involuntarily sway with the rhythm of their own...
Central City Trilogy: Wishes - chapter 2 What’s Gone - 2.2
The sound of gunshots pierced through the night. The gray wolf pressed down on several wounds on his body, where blood was gushing out in streams. "It won’t… end like this." Another round of gunfire roared. The gray wolf staggered back a few...
Central City Trilogy: Wishes - chapter 4 The Power of the Namer - 4.8
“You’re from the biology department too, right? I think I saw you at the movie marathon,” said the Bengal tiger sitting in front of me, turning around with a curious glint in his eyes, an enthusiastic tone, and a scent of genuine interest. I...
Central City Trilogy: Wishes - chapter 4 The Power of the Namer - 4.3
"Hey!" The red-jerseyed wolfhound caught the ball intended for me with his hands, took a couple of steps, and then kicked it away. "Isn't that against the rules?" I asked Nighteye, feeling a bit annoyed. "Well, you really should...
Central City Trilogy: Wishes - chapter 4 The Power of the Namer - 4.5
“...The full genomic sequencing results for all animals were analyzed and published last year. Some of the findings are truly thought-provoking…” The ferret instructor switched slides as she spoke in the general biology class. “First, the ‘Out...
Central City Trilogy: Wishes - chapter 1 A distinctive scent - 1.2
“Species and name?” The Beagle customs officer in a blue uniform asked wearily, punctuating his exhaustion with a yawn before reaching for the coffee cup at his side. From the brown stains on his canine teeth, I could easily infer the staggering coffee...
Central City Trilogy: Wishes - chapter 2 What’s Gone - 2.1
_"I think we can never stop craving, yearning for those things that are no longer here."_ "Haru... ha... ha..." Your touch is so warm, so delicate, so... it makes me feel happy. Responding to my rhythm, Haru let out...
Central City Trilogy: Wishes - chapter 4 The Power of the Namer - 4.7
The flash of silver caught my eye, and I turned my head just in time to avoid a swift strike. Fast. This must be the fastest opponent I’ve faced so far. The attacks kept coming. I sidestepped several follow-up strikes,...
Central City Trilogy: Wishes - chapter 2 What’s Gone - 2.5
After the dinner gathering ended, Ayaan and I made an excuse to part ways with the group and wandered through the streets of the black market. "How was your first meal in the black market?" I asked Ayaan with a hint of mockery in my...
Central City Trilogy: Wishes - chapter 2 What’s Gone - 2.3
"Nice shot!" My opponent, who barely managed to intercept Ayaan’s crosscourt shot from the back, made an error while attempting to flick the ball deep into a defensive position near the net. I seized the opportunity and smashed the ball with a nearly...