The rain had been cold that day.
Or maybe Luna was just remembering it that way—everything from that afternoon felt cold now, years later, filtered through the lens of a child's fear.
She'd been six years old. Small even for a wolf Beast Folk child, all white fur and oversized ears that picked up every cruel word whispered about her kind. Her mother had sent her to buy bread from the shop two blocks over, the one that still served Beast Folk if they came early enough, before the human customers arrived.
But Luna had gotten lost.
One wrong turn, then another, and suddenly the neat, modest buildings of the Beast District had transformed into something else entirely—wider streets, cleaner sidewalks, shops with painted signs and flowers in window boxes.
The Human District.
She'd known immediately she didn't belong. The looks told her. The way mothers pulled their children closer. The way shopkeepers' smiles died when they saw her ears, her tail, her fur.
"Excuse me," she'd whispered to a woman in a pretty dress. "I'm lost. Can you tell me how to get to—"
The woman recoiled as if Luna had tried to bite her. "Don't touch me! Someone get this thing away from me!"
Luna's ears flattened. "I-I wasn't—I just need—"
"Go back to your district, mutt!" A man's voice, harsh and loud. "You're not wanted here!"
She'd tried to run then, to find her way back, but the streets all looked the same. Panic clawed at her throat. Her vision blurred with tears.
And then the boys found her.
Three of them, maybe nine or ten years old, with the casual cruelty of children who'd learned hatred from their parents. They surrounded her in an alley between two shops, their faces twisted with disgust.
"Look at it," one sneered. "It's crying."
"Do you think it understands us?" Another laughed. "Or does it just bark?"
The third boy held a half-empty soda bottle. Before Luna could move, he'd poured it over her head—sticky, cold liquid soaking into her fur, matting it down, making her shiver.
They laughed. All three of them laughed.
Luna dropped to her knees in a puddle, her small body shaking with sobs. The rain had started then—or maybe it had been raining all along and she'd only just noticed. Everything blurred together: rain and soda and tears.
I want to go home, she thought desperately. I want my mama. I want—
"Are you okay?"
The voice was soft. Gentle. Human.
Luna looked up through her tears, expecting more cruelty, more laughter, more pain.
Instead, she saw a boy.
He was small—maybe seven years old, with dark hair plastered to his forehead by rain. His lip was split and bleeding. His cheek was already purpling into a bruise. His uniform was torn at the shoulder.
He'd been hurt. Recently. Badly.
But he was smiling.
Not the cruel smile of the boys who'd tormented her. A real smile. Warm and bright, like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.
"You're all wet," he said, crouching down to her level. His grey eyes held nothing but concern. "Here."
He shrugged off his jacket—torn as it was—and draped it over her shoulders. It was too big for her, swallowing her small frame, but it was warm. And it smelled like safety.
"Those boys," he continued, his voice still impossibly gentle despite his injuries, "they're gone now. You don't have to be scared anymore."
Luna stared at him, unable to speak. Unable to understand why this human boy—this injured human boy who clearly had his own problems—was being kind to her.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"L-Luna," she managed, her voice barely a whisper.
"Luna." He tested the name, and his smile grew wider. "That's a pretty name. I'm Hiro." He stood and offered her his hand. "Come on. Let's get you home. Which district are you from?"
She took his hand. His fingers were scraped and bruised, but his grip was steady.
"The Beast District," she admitted quietly, waiting for him to let go, to change his mind, to realize what he was doing.
But Hiro just nodded. "Okay. I know the way. It's not far."
He walked her home through the rain, that bright smile never fading despite the pain he must have been in. He talked to her the whole way—about silly things, about his favorite foods, about a stray cat he'd seen that morning—filling the silence with warmth until her tears finally stopped.
When they reached the boundary between districts, he stopped.
"You'll be okay from here?" he asked.
Luna nodded, reluctantly slipping off his jacket to return it.
"Keep it," Hiro said. "You need it more than me."
"But—"
"It's okay." That smile again, bright as the sun. "Friends share, right?"
Friends.
No human had ever called her that before.
"Thank you," Luna whispered.
Hiro waved and turned to leave, limping slightly, still smiling despite his injuries.
Luna watched him disappear into the rain, clutching his jacket to her chest.
She never forgot that smile.
That kindness.
That boy who'd saved her when no one else would.
TWEET TWEET TWEET the sound of the birds feel The morning sun filtered through Luna's bedroom curtains, casting soft golden light across the pale blue walls. She sat cross-legged on her bed, her wolf ears twitching as she stared at her phone screen, reading and rereading the messages from her mother.
Mom: The police called. They caught those men. You're safe now, sweetheart.
Mom: Also... your father and I want to meet this boy. The one who saved you. Hiro, right?
Luna's tail began wagging involuntarily, brushing against her comforter with soft swooshing sounds. Her clawed fingers hovered over the keyboard as heat rose to her cheeks beneath her gray fur. She could feel her heart beating faster just thinking about introducing Hiro to her parents. What would they think of him? Would they approve? Would they see what she saw—the kindness beneath his quiet exterior, the strength tempered with gentleness?
She swiped to her photo gallery and pulled up the picture Kaede had taken at the fireworks festival. There they were, side by side, genuine smiles on both their faces. The colorful explosions in the background seemed to frame them perfectly, like something out of a movie. Luna traced her finger across Hiro's face on the screen, her expression softening.
Everything's changed, she thought. But somehow... it feels right.
With a deep breath, she typed out her response: I'll ask him, Mom.
Classroom 2-B buzzed with the usual morning chatter as students settled into their seats. Luna sat near the back, as she always did, her ears flicking toward conversations happening around her. She'd gotten better at filtering out the whispers about her, though they still stung when they broke through her defenses.
Ms. Tanaka entered with her characteristic brisk efficiency, her heels clicking against the linoleum floor. She set her materials on the desk and turned to face the class, clapping her hands once to get everyone's attention.
"Attention, class!" Her voice cut through the noise like a knife. "The annual Cultural Festival is in two weeks!"
The announcement triggered immediate excitement. Students straightened in their seats, some already turning to their neighbors to whisper excitedly.
"Each class will choose an activity," Ms. Tanaka continued, her eyes scanning the room. "Popular options include maid cafes, haunted houses, game booths, performances..." Her gaze landed on Luna for just a moment—brief, but weighted with that familiar discomfort that Luna had learned to recognize. "Everyone must participate. No exceptions."
Luna felt herself shrinking in her seat, her tail curling around her leg protectively. She knew what that look meant. Ms. Tanaka still hadn't fully accepted her presence, still saw her as an anomaly that disrupted the normal order of things.
Hiro, sitting two rows away, noticed the exchange. His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
As soon as Ms. Tanaka dismissed them to discuss ideas, the classroom erupted into organized chaos. Students clustered in groups, voices overlapping as they debated the merits of various festival activities.
"Let's do a maid cafe!" called out Rika from the front row, her enthusiasm infectious. "Those always make money!"
"No way!" countered Daiki, shaking his head emphatically. "Every class does that. We need something unique!"
"How about a haunted house?" suggested Kenji, and suddenly the energy in the room shifted.
"Ooh! A monster-themed haunted house!" someone else added. "With creatures and scares!"
The idea caught fire quickly, spreading through the classroom like wildfire. Students nodded and murmured their approval, already imagining the possibilities. But then, as if someone had flipped a switch, the excitement dimmed. Eyes turned—some subtle, some blatant—toward the back of the room where Luna sat.
The silence that followed was thick and uncomfortable.
"We already have a real monster in our class," someone whispered—loud enough to be heard, quiet enough to maintain deniability.
Scattered laughter rippled through the room. Luna's ears flattened against her skull, and she felt her chest constrict. Her claws dug slightly into the desk as she fought to keep her expression neutral, to not show how much it hurt.
They'll never see me as anything else, she thought bitterly. Always the monster. Never just Luna.
Then a chair scraped against the floor.
Hiro stood, his tall frame unfolding with deliberate slowness. The movement commanded attention despite its lack of fanfare. The classroom fell silent again, but this time it was different—an anticipatory quiet, waiting to see what the mysterious transfer student would say.
"I think a monster house is a great idea." His voice was soft as always, but it carried clearly through the room. There was something in his tone—not aggressive, but absolutely firm—that made people listen.
Students turned to stare at him, surprise evident on their faces.
"Luna would be perfect as one of the actors," Hiro continued, his golden-brown eyes scanning the room with calm intensity.
The silence stretched. Someone coughed. A pencil rolled off a desk.
"You..." Takeshi Ishida spoke up from the middle of the room, his brow furrowed with genuine confusion. "You want the beast to be part of our project?"
Hiro's gaze settled on Takeshi, and for a moment, something flickered in his eyes—something that made Takeshi shift uncomfortably in his seat.
"She's a student. Like all of us." Hiro's words were simple, but they landed with weight.
He turned then, looking directly at Luna. The hardness in his expression melted into something warmer, and he smiled—small, but genuine.
"And she'd be amazing at it."
Luna felt her breath catch. Her tail, which had been tucked tightly against her leg, began to wag slowly. Gratitude flooded through her, mixing with that familiar warmth she always felt when Hiro looked at her that way.
The classroom remained quiet for another beat, then slowly, reluctantly, students began nodding and turning back to their discussions. The moment passed, but something had shifted—subtly, but undeniably.
The rooftop had become their sanctuary—Luna and Hiro's place away from the pressures and judgments of the classroom below. Luna sat with her back against the wall, her legs drawn up, tail wrapped around herself. Hiro sat beside her, close enough that their shoulders almost touched, gazing out at the city skyline.
"Thank you," Luna said quietly. "For standing up for me."
"Always." The single word carried a promise.
Luna was quiet for a moment, picking at a loose thread on her uniform skirt. "But... I don't know if I want to be the monster. Everyone already sees me that way." Her voice was small, vulnerable. "What if doing this just reinforces it?"
Hiro turned to look at her, really look at her. "Then prove them wrong. Show them you can be part of the team." He paused, considering his words carefully. "Being in the haunted house doesn't mean you're playing yourself. You're playing a character. There's a difference."
"What if they treat me badly during preparations?" The fear in her voice was palpable. "What if working together just gives them more opportunities to—"
Hiro reached over and took her hand. His skin was warm against her fur, his grip gentle but secure. Luna's words died in her throat.
"Then I'll be there," he said simply. "Every step."
Luna looked down at their joined hands. Her claws could tear through flesh and bone, but Hiro held them without hesitation, without fear. She felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes.
"You're always saving me," she whispered.
"And you saved me." His thumb traced a small circle on the back of her hand. "From myself."
Their eyes met, and in that moment, the world seemed to narrow to just the two of them. The distant sounds of the school faded, the worries about the festival receded. There was just this—the warmth of his hand, the understanding in his eyes, the feeling that she wasn't alone.
Luna felt her face heating up beneath her fur, and judging by the slight pink tinge to Hiro's cheeks, he was feeling something similar.
They smiled at each other, and for Luna, that was enough.
The next day, the classroom had been rearranged to accommodate the planning meeting. Desks pushed to the sides created an open space in the middle where students gathered in a loose circle. Kenji had volunteered—or been volunteered—to lead the organization efforts, and he stood near the board where he'd written "MONSTER HOUSE ROLES" in large letters.
"Okay!" Kenji clapped his hands together, his enthusiasm carrying through the room. "We need set designers, costume makers, actors to scare people, and someone to manage the entrance and ticket sales."
Students began calling out their preferences, hands shooting up as positions were claimed. Rika and her friends took costume design. Daiki and a few others grabbed set construction. The logistics group formed quickly around the more business-minded students.
"For actors," Kenji continued, checking his list, "we need people who can be scary. Like, really sell it."
And there it was—that collective shift of attention. Every eye in the room turned to Luna.
She felt her muscles tense, her ears flattening slightly. Here it came.
"Well," someone said with barely concealed mockery, "we have a real beast. Might as well use her."
Laughter scattered through the group—not everyone, but enough. Luna's fists clenched in her lap, her claws pressing into her palms. The familiar shame and anger mixed together in her chest, making it hard to breathe.
I shouldn't have come to school. I should have stayed home where I can't be humiliated—
"I'll be an actor too!"
The voice was bright, cheerful, and completely unexpected. Every head swiveled toward the source.
A girl stood near the windows—petite, with fluffy white rabbit ears that twitched with nervous energy. Her cotton-puff tail wiggled behind her, and her large, expressive eyes shone with determination. Luna recognized her from class but had never spoken to her.
"I think a monster house sounds fun!" The rabbit girl's voice carried genuine enthusiasm. "And Luna would be great at it!"
She walked across the room with surprising confidence for someone who'd looked nervous just seconds ago. When she reached Luna's desk, she extended her hand with a warm smile.
"Hi! I'm Yuki Fuyuki!" Her ears did a little bounce. "I've been wanting to talk to you, but I was too shy!"
Luna stared at the offered hand, her mind struggling to process what was happening. Another student—another girl—wanted to talk to her? Wanted to be... friendly?
"You..." Luna's voice came out scratchy. She cleared her throat. "You want to be friends?"
"Of course!" Yuki's smile grew wider. "You seem really nice! Plus, I'm a demi-human, so..." Her expression flickered with something more complex—understanding tinged with pain. "I kinda know what it's like. The stares, the whispers."
Her rabbit ears drooped slightly, losing their perkiness. "People don't know what to make of us. Not fully human, not fully beast. Like we're stuck in between."
Luna felt tears threatening. This was the first time—the very first time—another girl had reached out to her with genuine understanding. Not pity, not curiosity, but real empathy born from shared experience.
"I'd like that," Luna managed, her voice thick with emotion. "I'd really like that."
They shook hands, and Yuki's tail did a happy wiggle that made Luna's own tail start wagging in response.
The classroom watched this exchange with varying reactions—some surprised, some uncomfortable, some thoughtful.
Then Takeshi Ishida stood up from his desk, running a hand through his dark hair. "I'll help too. With set design." He wouldn't quite meet Luna's eyes, but his voice was steady. "I mean... if we're doing a monster house, we should do it right."
Hiro, who had been watching from his usual spot with quiet approval, nodded. "I'll help with costumes and effects."
Slowly, like ice beginning to crack, more hands went up. Not everyone looked happy about it, and Luna f still feel the resistance from certain quarters, but enough students volunteered that the project suddenly felt real and achievable.
Kenji looked around with satisfaction. "Alright then! Let's break into groups and start planning!"
After school, the costume group commandeered a corner of the classroom. Fabric, thread, scissors, and various craft supplies covered several pushed-together desks. Luna found herself working alongside Yuki and Hiro, cutting patterns and discussing design ideas.
Yuki proved to be a whirlwind of energy, her hands constantly moving, her voice filling any potential silence. "So!" She turned to Luna while pinning fabric. "Tell me about yourself! Favorite food? Hobbies? Do you have a boyfriend?!"
Luna nearly choked on air. "W-what?! No! I don't—!"
Yuki's rabbit ears perked up with interest, and her eyes darted between Luna and Hiro, who was carefully working on a special effects prop across from them. When her gaze returned to Luna, there was a knowing glint in her expression.
"Ohhh," Yuki leaned in, lowering her voice to a stage whisper that Hiro could definitely still hear. "I see. You like someone though, don't you?"
Luna's face felt like it was on fire beneath her fur. "I—that's not—!" Her tail betrayed her, wagging frantically.
"It's okay!" Yuki giggled, her whole body seeming to bounce with amusement. "Your tail is wagging! That means you're happy!"
Luna's tail immediately stopped, pinned against her leg by sheer force of embarrassment. "I... you can't just..."
Across the table, Hiro's lips curved into the smallest smile. His eyes never left his work, but Luna could tell he'd heard every word. Somehow, that made it worse and better at the same time.
"You're terrible," Luna muttered to Yuki, but there was no real heat in it.
"I'm honest!" Yuki corrected cheerfully. "There's a difference!"
The days that followed fell into a rhythm of preparation. After regular classes, students would gather to work on the haunted house, and slowly—very slowly—something unexpected began to happen.
On the first day of set construction, Takeshi had sketched out an impressive layout for their haunted house, showing real artistic talent Luna hadn't known he possessed. When they needed someone to carry the heavy boards and framework materials, Luna volunteered. She lifted pieces that would have required two or three regular students, her beast-folk strength making the work significantly easier.
"Damn," someone muttered, watching her hoist a large panel single-handedly. "That's actually pretty useful."
It wasn't exactly a compliment, but it wasn't an insult either. Luna counted it as progress.
The second day, Yuki and Luna worked on decorations together. Yuki had an eye for detail that Luna admired, and together they created surprisingly intricate paper mache creatures and atmospheric pieces. At one point, Luna made Yuki laugh so hard at an impression of Ms. Tanaka that juice came out of the rabbit girl's nose, which made both of them dissolve into giggles.
Other students, working nearby, found themselves smiling despite themselves. It was hard to maintain prejudice against someone who was so obviously just... a teenage girl having fun with a friend.
The third day brought more costume work. Hiro had sourced materials for fog machines and special lighting effects, testing them in the corner of the classroom. Luna helped him adjust angles and positions, and at one point they both reached for the same tool. Their hands touched—Hiro's warm human skin against Luna's furred fingers—and both of them froze.
"Sorry," they said simultaneously.
Their eyes met. Neither moved their hand.
"It's fine," Hiro said softly, his thumb accidentally brushing against hers.
"Yeah," Luna breathed. "Fine."
They held that position for just a second longer than necessary before Hiro cleared his throat and pulled back, refocusing on the equipment with sudden intense concentration. Luna turned away, face burning, tail wagging so hard it might actually fly off.
From across the room, Yuki watched with barely contained glee, her rabbit ears standing straight up with excitement.
Day four was costume fitting day. The costume team had created outfits for all the actors, but they'd saved Luna's for last, approaching it with a mixture of nervousness and creative excitement.
When Luna emerged from the makeshift changing area, the room went quiet.
They'd designed something that enhanced her natural features rather than hiding them. The werewolf-inspired costume built upon what she already was—strategic fur extensions that made her seem even more lupine, makeup that highlighted her sharp features without making them cartoonish, and specially crafted gloves that extended her claws to an impressive (but safe) length. The outfit itself was tattered and weathered, giving the impression of a beast that had stalked through forests and moonlight.
"Holy shit," someone whispered.
Luna shifted uncomfortably under the attention. "Is it... okay?"
"Okay?" Rika stepped forward, circling Luna with an appraising eye. "It's perfect. You look amazing. Scary, but amazing."
"You're going to give people nightmares," Daiki added, and this time it sounded like praise.
Luna caught sight of herself in the full-length mirror they'd brought in, and even she had to admit—she looked incredible. Powerful. Fierce. Not like a girl trying to hide what she was, but like someone who'd embraced it fully.
For the first time, that didn't feel like a bad thing.
The fifth day was dedicated to rehearsal. The haunted house path had been roughly mapped out, and the actors practiced their timing and scare tactics. Luna was positioned at the end—the final, climactic encounter before visitors escaped to safety.
"Okay, Luna," Kenji coached, taking his role as director seriously. "You're the apex predator. You're what everyone's been afraid of all along. Really sell it!"
Luna took a deep breath, letting herself sink into the role. When the signal came, she emerged from the shadows, channeling every ounce of her beast heritage. Her shoulders rolled back, her spine straightened, and when she opened her mouth, the roar that came out was primal and terrifying.
"GRAAAHHHH!!!"
Every single person in the room jumped. Someone actually screamed. Yuki's rabbit instincts kicked in so hard she literally leaped three feet in the air.
There was a beat of stunned silence.
Then Kenji started clapping. "Perfect! That was perfect!"
Everyone else joined in, and Luna found herself laughing—actually laughing—at their reactions. The fear in their eyes wasn't the kind she'd grown used to, the kind born of prejudice and misunderstanding. This was entertainment fear, the fun kind, the kind people paid for.
"Do that on festival day and we'll have lines around the block," Takeshi said, grinning.
Luna's tail wagged furiously. "Really?"
"Really," Hiro confirmed from where he'd been watching. His eyes held warmth and pride that made Luna's heart skip. "You were incredible." At lunch, Luna, Hiro, and now Yuki had established a new routine. They still went to the rooftop—that remained Luna and Hiro's special place—but Yuki had naturally been absorbed into their orbit. The rabbit girl's presence added a different energy, more lighthearted and spontaneous, that balanced Hiro's quiet intensity and Luna's cautious optimism.
"This is nice!" Yuki said around a mouthful of rice, her rabbit ears bobbing contentedly. "I usually eat alone too!"
Luna looked at her in surprise. "Really? But you're so friendly!"
Yuki's expression flickered with something sad. "Yeah, but... demi-humans aren't exactly popular either. Not as bad as beast-folk, but..." Her ears drooped. "Still not great."
"What do people say?" Luna asked softly, recognizing the pain in Yuki's voice.
"That we're 'half-breeds.'" Yuki's voice went flat. "Not good enough for humans, too good for beasts. Stuck in between, belonging nowhere." She poked at her lunch. "At least people are mostly just... dismissive? They ignore us more than they hate us. Small mercies, right?"
Luna reached over and squeezed Yuki's hand. "I'm glad you're here."
Yuki's smile returned, bright and genuine. "Me too!"
"Labels don't define us," Hiro said quietly, his gaze distant. "Our actions do."
Both girls turned to look at him.
"That's deep, Hiro!" Yuki's ears perked back up.
Hiro's lips twitched with amusement. "I've had time to think about it."
Yuki's nose twitched—a very rabbit-like gesture—and she studied Hiro with sudden intensity. "You know... you're different from other humans, Hiro. I can't put my finger on it, but there's something..." She tilted her head, her ears swiveling as if trying to catch a sound only she could hear. "Something unusual about you."
Luna and Hiro exchanged a quick glance—brief, but Yuki caught it immediately.
"Ooh!" Her eyes lit up with mischief. "Do you two have a secret?!"
"No!" Luna said too quickly. "Nothing! Just—!"
"Is it a love secret?!" Yuki's voice went up an octave with excitement.
Both Luna and Hiro turned bright red—Hiro's blush visible even on his human skin, Luna's obvious in the way her ears pinned back and her tail went rigid.
"We should..." Hiro stood abruptly, gathering his lunch things with sudden urgency. "Get back to work."
He practically fled, leaving Luna alone with Yuki's knowing grin.
"He likes you," Yuki said matter-of-factly. "So obviously."
"You think so?" Luna's voice came out smaller than she intended, vulnerable and hopeful.
"Oh, honey." Yuki leaned in conspiratorially. "I know so. The way he looks at you? That's not just friendship. That's the real deal."
Luna's tail began wagging uncontrollably, moving so fast it was almost a blur. She tried to stop it—couldn't—gave up and just let herself feel the happiness bubbling up inside her chest.
"I..." She didn't even know what to say.
"It's okay to like him back, you know," Yuki said gently. "You're allowed to be happy."
"Am I though?" Luna's joy dimmed slightly. "What if... what if people give him trouble for being with me? What if I ruin his life?"
"Luna." Yuki's voice was firm. "Look at me."
Luna met her eyes.
"If Hiro didn't want to be around you, he wouldn't be. He's clearly not the type to do something just to be nice. He's with you because he wants to be with you." Yuki smiled. "Let yourself have this."
Luna nodded slowly, feeling tears prickling at her eyes again. "Thank you, Yuki."
"Anytime!" The rabbit girl's cheerfulness returned full force. "Now come on, let's get back before they think we're slacking!"
Late afternoon, most of the class had already left for the day. Only Luna, Yuki, Hiro, and Takeshi remained, putting finishing touches on various elements of the haunted house. The classroom felt different in the golden hour light—quieter, more intimate, like they'd claimed this space as their own.
Luna was adjusting one of the set pieces when she heard the door open. She looked up and immediately tensed.
Ayaka Mori strode in, flanked by her usual group of followers—girls who styled themselves after her, who laughed at her jokes and echoed her opinions. Ayaka's perfect uniform, perfect hair, and perfect makeup seemed to shimmer in the dying sunlight, making her look almost ethereal.
"Still here?" Ayaka's voice dripped with false sweetness. "Working so hard."
Luna's ears flattened. "We're just finishing up..."
"I heard your little 'monster house' is coming along." Ayaka walked through the space slowly, deliberately, her eyes scanning everything with calculated interest. "How... fitting."
She paused next to one of the costume racks, running her fingers along the fabric. "A real monster playing a fake one. Ironic, don't you think?"
Yuki, who had been working near the back, stood up. Her rabbit ears pinned back—a sign of aggression that Luna had learned to recognize. "Leave her alone, Ayaka."
Ayaka turned slowly, her expression morphing into something cruelly amused. "Oh? The rabbit has claws? How cute." She looked Yuki up and down dismissively. "Shouldn't you be hopping away or eating carrots or whatever it is your kind does?"
Yuki's fists clenched, but before she could respond, Ayaka's attention shifted to Hiro, who had been working silently in the corner.
"Hiro." Her voice changed, becoming softer, more intimate. "We need to talk. Alone."
Hiro didn't look up from the fog machine he was adjusting. "I'm busy."
"It's about the other night." Ayaka's voice dropped, becoming dangerous. "The warehouse. The monster that saved her."
Luna felt ice slide down her spine. Across the room, Hiro's hands stilled.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Hiro said, his voice carefully neutral.
"Don't you?" Ayaka moved closer to him, her heels clicking on the floor. "Rumors are spreading. About a beast-like creature. Black fur. Orange markings." She paused deliberately. "Golden eyes."
Luna's heart hammered against her ribs. She looked at Takeshi, who seemed confused but not yet concerned.
Ayaka circled Hiro slowly, like a predator stalking prey. "And you disappeared that same night. Convenient timing, wouldn't you say?"
Hiro finally looked up, and when he did, his eyes had gone cold. "Careful, Ayaka."
There was something in his voice—a warning that resonated on a level deeper than words. The air in the room seemed to thicken.
"Or what?" Ayaka leaned in close, her perfectly glossed lips curving into a smirk. "You'll show me your true form?"
The silence that followed was absolute.
Then, for just a fraction of a second—so brief Luna almost thought she imagined it—Hiro's eyes flashed gold. Not the warm golden-brown they usually were, but brilliant, glowing gold.
Ayaka saw it. Her breath caught audibly, and she stumbled back a step, her practiced composure cracking.
"I knew it," she whispered, her voice shaking slightly. "You're not—"
"Ayaka, that's enough." Takeshi's voice cut through the tension. He moved to stand between Ayaka and Hiro, his expression serious. "You're making wild accusations based on nothing. Leave it alone."
Ayaka glared at him. "Stay out of this, Takeshi. You don't understand what you're—"
"No." Takeshi stood his ground. "Hiro's been nothing but helpful. He's worked harder on this project than almost anyone. Whatever you think you saw, whatever rumors you've heard, leave him alone."
For a long moment, Ayaka looked like she might argue. Her eyes flicked between Takeshi's determined face, Hiro's dangerous stillness, Luna's obvious fear, and Yuki's protective stance.
She was outnumbered, and she knew it.
"Fine." The word came out clipped. "But I'm watching you, Hiro. All of you." She turned on her heel, her followers scrambling to follow. At the door, she paused. "The truth always comes out eventually."
Then she was gone, leaving strained silence in her wake.
For a long moment, no one moved.
"What was that about?" Yuki asked finally, her voice small.
Luna's mind raced. "She's suspicious. About Hiro."
Takeshi looked between them, confusion evident on his face. "Suspicious of what? What am I missing here?"
Hiro and Luna locked eyes. So much passed between them in that glance—shared secrets, mutual protection, the weight of truth they couldn't share.
"Nothing," Hiro said, his voice returning to its normal quiet tone. "She's just... jealous."
"Jealous?" Takeshi didn't sound convinced, but he clearly decided not to push. "Well, whatever. We should finish up and get out of here. This whole thing felt weird."
They worked in relative silence after that, the easy camaraderie from earlier replaced by tension. When they finally packed up and left, Luna and Hiro walked together toward the exit, a few steps behind Yuki and Takeshi.
"She knows something," Luna whispered. "Or thinks she does."
"I know," Hiro replied, his voice tight. "I'll have to be more careful."
"What if she tells people? What if she—"
"Hey." Hiro stopped walking, turning to face Luna fully. "We'll figure it out. Together."
Luna wanted to believe him. But as they left the school building, she couldn't shake the feeling that something had fundamentally shifted, and not in a good way.
The two weeks before the Cultural Festival passed in a blur. Despite the tension with Ayaka—who watched them constantly but hadn't made any further accusations—the haunted house came together beautifully. The class worked with increasing coordination and, to Luna's surprise, increasing acceptance of her presence.
When Festival Day finally arrived, the school transformed into something magical.
Colorful banners stretched between buildings, their fabric snapping in the autumn breeze. Food stalls lined the walkways, sending competing aromas of takoyaki, yakisoba, and cotton candy through the air. Music drifted from the performance hall where the drama club was doing scenes from famous plays. Students moved through the crowds in costumes ranging from elaborate to improvised, their laughter mixing with the excited chatter of visiting families.
Class 2-B's "Monster House of Horrors" had been set up in one of the older building's ground floor sections—perfect for creating a genuinely creepy atmosphere. A line had formed before they even officially opened, stretching down the hallway and out the door.
Luna stood backstage—or rather, in the small prep area they'd designated—wearing her werewolf costume and helping the other actors with last-minute adjustments. Her heart hammered with nerves, but it was different from the anxiety she usually felt. This was performance anxiety, the good kind, the kind that came with anticipation rather than dread.
"Remember," Kenji briefed them one more time, "timing is everything. Wait for the visitors to be fully in your zone before you strike. Luna, you're our finale, so really bring it home."
"Got it," Luna said, her voice muffled slightly by the prosthetic fangs they'd added to her costume.
Yuki bounced over, her own costume—a zombie rabbit that was both cute and disturbing—looking perfect. "You're going to be amazing! I can't wait to see everyone's reactions!"
"Places, everyone!" Kenji called out.
The first group of visitors entered tentatively, their nervous giggles echoing through the darkened corridors. Luna heard their progress through the house—the initial scares, the shrieks and laughter, the sound of running feet.
Then they were at her door.
She took a deep breath, feeling her beast instincts rise to the surface. But this time, instead of fighting them or hiding them, she channeled them. She let herself become the predator, the creature of nightmares, the monster from the darkest forests.
The door burst open. Luna emerged from the shadows, every muscle in her body coiled and ready. The costume and makeup enhanced what she already was, creating something that looked simultaneously human and bestial, familiar and utterly alien.
Her eyes glowed in the special lighting Hiro had set up. Her claws extended, catching what little light there was and glinting dangerously. She opened her mouth, letting the roar come from deep in her chest—primal and terrifying.
"GRAAAHHHH!!!"
The visitors screamed—genuine terror mixed with delighted horror. They scrambled for the exit, pushing and laughing and shrieking all at once.
When they burst out into the bright hallway beyond, Luna heard their excited chatter:
"That was amazing!"
"Did you see that last monster? It looked so real!"
"I actually thought I was going to die!"
Luna remained in position until Kenji gave the all-clear, then she relaxed, a huge smile spreading across her face. She'd done it. And it felt incredible.
The day continued like that, group after group, each one reacting with the same mix of terror and delight. Between groups, Luna would catch glimpses of her classmates in the prep area—everyone working together smoothly, their excitement building as word spread that their haunted house was the most popular attraction at the festival.
During a brief break, the class gathered outside their setup, sipping water and catching their breath.
"We're killing it!" Rika announced, practically vibrating with excitement. "We've had more visitors than any other class!"
"The word of mouth is insane," Daiki added. "People are telling their friends to come check us out!"
The student leader—a boy named Shin who'd taken charge of the logistics—pulled Luna aside slightly. "Luna," he said, and she braced herself for criticism. "You were actually really good."
Luna blinked. "Pardon?"
"No, seriously." He rubbed the back of his neck, looking almost embarrassed. "You're the main draw. Everyone's talking about the final scare. You're... really talented at this."
"I..." Luna didn't know what to say. "Thank you."
Another student overheard and jumped in. "Yeah! You scared my little brother so bad he cried!" The way he said it made it clear he found this hilarious rather than upsetting. "He loved it though. Wants to go through again!"
Everyone laughed—not at Luna, but sharing the moment with her. Including her in the joke.
For the first time since transferring to this school, Luna felt like she was part of something. Not just tolerated, but actually welcomed. Actually valued.
As evening approached and the festival began winding down,
Luna sat outside the classroom on a bench, her costume partially removed—the prosthetics off, but still wearing the tattered clothing. Her feet ached, her voice was hoarse from roaring all day, but she couldn't stop smiling. The exhaustion felt good, earned, like she'd accomplished something real.
Hiro found her there, settling onto the bench beside her with his characteristic quiet grace. He'd been working behind the scenes all day, managing the special effects and helping with crowd control, but he looked as composed as ever.
"You were incredible today," he said softly.
Luna's tail, which had been draped lazily across the bench, started wagging. "I had fun. I never thought..." She paused, searching for the right words. "I never thought being a 'monster' could feel good."
"That's because you weren't pretending to be something you're not." Hiro turned to look at her, his golden-brown eyes warm in the fading light. "You were being yourself."
Luna met his gaze, feeling that familiar flutter in her chest. "Like you? When you showed me your true self?"
Hiro nodded slowly. "Exactly. There's power in accepting what you are. Not hiding it, not being ashamed of it, but... owning it."
"Is that what you do?" Luna asked quietly. "When you transform?"
"I try to." His expression became more contemplative. "It's harder for me. What I become... it's more dangerous. More uncontrollable. But you—" He gestured toward the classroom where they'd set up the haunted house. "You showed everyone today that what makes you different can also make you remarkable."
Before Luna could respond, a bright voice interrupted them.
"You two!" Yuki bounced over, her rabbit ears wiggling with barely contained energy. "Stop being so serious! Come on! There's a bonfire and s'mores!"
She grabbed both their hands, tugging insistently. Luna and Hiro exchanged amused glances before allowing themselves to be dragged toward the school courtyard.
The bonfire had been set up in the center of the courtyard, its flames dancing against the darkening sky. Students from various classes gathered around in loose groups, the festival's competitive spirit giving way to collective celebration. The air smelled of woodsmoke and roasting marshmallows, and someone had brought a speaker that played soft background music.
Luna, Hiro, Yuki, and Takeshi found a spot together, settling onto one of the benches that ringed the fire. The warmth felt good against Luna's fur, soothing her tired muscles.
To Luna's surprise, several of their classmates sat nearby—not right next to them, but close enough that they were clearly part of the same group. Rika waved at them. Daiki called out a joke about Luna's roaring that made everyone laugh, including Luna herself.
Takeshi was quiet for a moment, staring into the flames with an unreadable expression. Then he turned to Luna.
"You know... I owe you an apology, Luna."
Luna's ears perked up. "Hm?"
"I was one of the people who..." He struggled with the words, his discomfort evident. "Who didn't want you here. Thought you didn't belong." He kept his eyes on the fire, as if it was easier to confess without meeting her gaze. "When they first announced a beast-folk student would be transferring, I... I signed a petition against it."
Luna felt her chest tighten, but she forced herself to listen. "I believed all the stereotypes," Takeshi continued, his voice low. "Dangerous, violent, unable to control themselves. I thought having you in our class would put everyone at risk." He finally looked at her, and there was genuine shame in his eyes. "I was wrong. Completely wrong."
"Takeshi—" Luna started, but he held up a hand.
"Let me finish. Please." He took a breath. "You've worked harder than anyone on this project. You were patient when people were cruel. You were kind when you had every right to be angry. And today—" A small smile crossed his face. "Today you were really cool. Like, genuinely impressive."
Luna felt tears pricking at her eyes. "Thank you, Takeshi. That means a lot."
"I'm sorry it took me so long to see it." Takeshi extended his hand. "Friends?"
Luna took it without hesitation, shaking firmly. "Friends."
Yuki, who had been listening while attempting to perfectly toast a marshmallow, made a small squeaking sound. "That was so wholesome I think my heart just grew three sizes!" She immediately launched herself at both of them, wrapping them in an enthusiastic hug that nearly knocked Luna off the bench.
"Can't... breathe..." Takeshi wheezed, but he was laughing.
Hiro watched the scene with quiet approval, the firelight catching in his eyes and making them gleam almost gold. As the evening deepened and the fire burned lower, the crowd around it thinned. Some students left for home, others dispersed to clean up their festival booths. Luna found herself feeling peaceful in a way she hadn't experienced in years—maybe ever.
"Hey, Luna?" Yuki had curled up against her side, her rabbit ears drooping with sleepiness. "I'm really glad we're friends."
"Me too," Luna said softly, wrapping an arm around the smaller girl.
"Me three," Takeshi added with a grin. "Even if you two are way too touchy-feely for my comfort."
"That's because you're emotionally repressed," Yuki mumbled, half-asleep.
"I'm pragmatic."
"Repressed."
"Prag—you know what, I'm not arguing with someone who's basically already asleep."
Luna laughed, the sound carrying across the courtyard. She caught Hiro's eye, and he smiled—that rare, genuine smile that made her heart skip.
This, she thought. This is what belonging feels like.
Much later, when the bonfire had burned down to embers and most students had gone home, Hiro walked Luna back toward her house. The streets were quiet, lit by warm streetlamps that cast pools of golden light along the sidewalk. Their shoulders brushed occasionally as they walked, comfortable in each other's presence.
"Today was one of the best days of my life," Luna said, breaking the companionable silence.
"Mine too," Hiro replied.
"I made real friends. Yuki, Takeshi... even some of the other classmates started warming up." She looked up at the stars beginning to appear in the darkening sky. "A few months ago, I couldn't have imagined this."
"You earned their respect," Hiro said. "You showed them who you really are."
"We did," Luna corrected gently. "Together."
They walked a few more blocks in silence, neither wanting the evening to end. When they reached Luna's street, she stopped, turning to face him.
"Hiro... my parents want to meet you. The boy who saved me."
Hiro's expression shifted—surprise mixed with nervousness. "Meet your parents?"
"Is that..." Luna felt suddenly uncertain. "Is that okay? I know it's a big step, and we're not—I mean, we haven't—" She was rambling, her tail betraying her anxiety by swishing erratically.
"Luna." Hiro's voice was gentle. "Of course. I'd be honored."
Relief flooded through her. "Really?"
"Really. When?"
"This weekend?" Luna suggested hopefully.
"This weekend," Hiro confirmed.
Luna felt a surge of emotion she couldn't quite name. Without thinking, she stepped forward and hugged him—arms wrapping around his torso, face pressed against his chest. She could hear his heartbeat, steady and strong.
For a moment, Hiro tensed. Then his arms came up, wrapping around her shoulders, pulling her closer. He rested his chin gently on top of her head, between her ears.
"Thank you," Luna whispered into his shirt. "For everything."
"Always," he murmured back.
They held each other for a long moment—longer than strictly necessary, but neither wanted to let go. Luna felt safe here, protected, valued. When they finally separated, she was smiling so wide her cheeks hurt.
"Goodnight, Hiro."
"Goodnight, Luna."
She waved and headed toward her house, her tail wagging with barely contained joy. At the door, she turned back. Hiro was still standing there, watching to make sure she got inside safely.
She waved again. He waved back.
Then she went inside, closing the door behind her and leaning against it, her heart full to burstingOutside, Hiro remained on the street for a moment longer, watching Luna's house. His smile faded gradually, replaced by a more serious expression. His hand came up to touch the place where Luna had rested her head against his chest.
Meeting her parents. The thought filled him with warmth and anxiety in equal measure. What would they think of him? Would they sense something different about him, the way Yuki seemed to? Would they—
His thoughts were interrupted by movement in his peripheral vision. A figure stood across the street, partially hidden by shadows.
Ayaka.
Their eyes met across the distance. Even from here, Hiro could see the calculating look on her face, the suspicious tilt of her head.
She'd been watching. How long? What had she seen?
Ayaka held his gaze for a long moment, then deliberately pulled out her phone, typed something, and walked away.
Hiro's fists clenched. She's getting too close to the truth, he thought. I need to be more careful. For Luna's sake, if not my own.
He turned and began walking home, his mind racing with concerns and complications. But underneath it all, beneath the worry and the fear of discovery, was that persistent warmth—the memory of Luna in his arms, the sound of her laughter, the genuine happiness in her eyes.
Whatever came next, whatever challenges Ayaka or anyone else threw at them, he knew one thing with absolute certainty:
He would protect that happiness. No matter what.
Back in her bedroom, Luna sat on her bed, hugging her pillow and smiling like an idiot. Her phone buzzed with messages:
YUKI: OMG today was amazing! Best festival ever! Also you and Hiro are SO CUTE together!
YUKI: When's the wedding? Can I be a bridesmaid? I'll wear a cute dress!
YUKI: Too soon? Sorry! But seriously you two are ADORABLE
Luna laughed, typing back: You're impossible. But thank you for today. For being my friend.
YUKI: Always! Sleep well! Dream of tall, dark, and mysterious boys!
Luna set her phone down, still smiling. Her mother's voice called from downstairs:
"Luna! Did you have a good day, sweetheart?"
"The best day, Mom!" Luna called back.
She changed into her pajamas and settled into bed, her tired body sinking into the mattress. As she drifted toward sleep, her mind replayed the day's highlights—the successful scares, her classmates' acceptance, Takeshi's apology, Yuki's friendship.
And Hiro's arms around her, his heartbeat steady against her ear, his quiet voice saying always.
Luna's last conscious thought before sleep claimed her was simple and profound: I'm happy. Really, truly happy.
Outside her window, the moon rose full and bright, casting silver light across the city. Somewhere out there, Hiro walked through those same streets, carrying his own secrets and his own hopes.
The night was peaceful, for now.
But shadows have a way of lengthening when you least expect them, and not all watchers have good intentions.
The Cultural Festival had ended in triumph, but the story—their story—was far from over.