The two of them walked along the narrow forest road, sunlight filtering through the canopy above. Hiroshi carried the massive Forest Boar over his shoulder like it was a sack of flour.
Hiroshi attention kept drifting to the catfolk walking in front of him.
Hiroshi swallowed hard, taking in Riku's curvy figure, his beautiful face, that long pink hair swaying with each step.
"You're not tired, Henry?" Riku asked, glancing back with wide, curious eyes.
"Hm? No," Hiroshi said, snapping from his thoughts. "This is light."
Riku's ears twitched, and his tail swayed as he tilted his head. "Nya? Light? Really?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Nothing…" Riku mumbled, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. He turned back around and continued walking, his tail swaying in a steady rhythm behind him.
Hiroshi sighed and shook his head, but his eyes betrayed him. They were glued to that tail, which moved with an almost hypnotic rhythm, swaying side to side as Riku walked.
Why does he walk like that? Hiroshi thought, narrowing his eyes. It wasn't just the tail, it was Riku's entire demeanor. Everything about him seemed soft and graceful, from the gentle curves of his hips to the way he moved with each step. The sway made it hard for Hiroshi to think of him as just a boy.
And that tail.
I really want to touch that thing…
The thought nagged at him, growing stronger with each step. T
he way his tail flicked playfully whenever he spoke, it practically begged to be touched.
"Henry~," Riku called, snapping him out of his trance.
"Yeah?" Hiroshi replied, trying to sound casual.
"You were staring at my tail, nya~," Riku teased, turning his head slightly with a playful grin.
Hiroshi froze, embarrassment flooding his face. "Wha...no, I wasn't."
"Yes, you were!" Riku giggled, his tail swishing even more dramatically to tease Hiroshi.
"I wasn't staring!" Hiroshi shouted, looking away, though the heat rising to his face betrayed him.
Riku stuck out his tongue playfully. "Big Hyuman is so weird~."
Hiroshi sighed. "Yeah, well, you're the weird one." But his eyes darted back to that tail.
"Riku…"
"Nya?" The catfolk turned around and tile his head, one finger on his full lips.
"Let me touch your tail."
Riku froze, his ears shooting straight up.
"HISSSSS!" He puffed up, his tail stiffening defensively as he stepped back. "Nya! No way! It's sensitive!"
"Come on, I just want to touch it," Hiroshi said, crossing his arms and glaring at the stubborn catboy.
"Nya! You can't!" Riku huffed, hugging his tail close to shield it.
"Just this once," Hiroshi persisted, his eyes narrowing.
Riku's ears twitched as he glanced at Hiroshi, then at his tail. He puffed up his cheeks in frustration before sighing. "Ugh… fine…"
Hiroshi's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Haaa… nya… fine. Sit down," Riku grumbled with embarrassment as he pointed to the ground.
Hiroshi grinned happily, lowering the massive boar from his shoulder and setting it down as if it weighed nothing. He plopped onto the dirt road, waiting.
"No touching!" Riku warned, pointing at him before slowly turning his back and swaying his tail toward him.
The tail brushed lightly against Hiroshi's face, the soft, fluffy fur tickling his skin.
Hiroshi closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the texture as the tail grazed his cheek.
Oh~ it's so soft and fluffy. I can never get enough of it.
"S-satisfied?" Riku stammered, his voice high-pitched with embarrassment, his cheeks flushing deeper.
Hiroshi leaned back, his smirk still plastered on his face. "Yeah, that'll do."
Riku spun around, his cheeks bright red as his tail swished behind him angrily. "Nya! You're so weird, Hiroshi! Who even asks to touch someone's tail?!"
"Hey, don't blame me," Hiroshi said, standing up and grabbing the boar again. "You're the one walking around swaying that thing like you want people to notice."
"Nyahaha!" Riku laughed nervously, hugging his tail to his side once more. "Big hyuman is a big weirdo~. This is natural for me, nya! I'm catfolk!"
Hiroshi rolled his eyes but couldn't stop the small grin tugging at the corners of his lips. This world was weird, but it was starting to grow on him.
This is a good start. Probably.
( End Of Chapter )