Riku's Village
They continued walking, Hiroshi adjusting the massive boar on his shoulder. The road wound through the dense forest ahead, and his curiosity about this strange new world kept growing.
"By the way, Henry," Riku began.
"Yeah?"
"This is the first time I've seen a huge Hyuman like you." Riku tilted his head to look up at him, eyes sparkling.
Hiroshi chuckled. "Hmm? Really?"
"Yeah."
"Oh." Hiroshi furrowed his brow. "Humans here aren't big?"
Riku shook his head. "They're taller than beastkin like me, or the other races like elves and dwarves, but… not as big as you!"
"Elves?" Hiroshi's eyes widened.
"Nya!? Never seen an elf?" Riku asked, his ears perking up.
"No," Hiroshi replied, then added with a smirk, "It's also my first time seeing a catfolk like you."
"Really, nya?" Riku grinned, his tail swaying behind him.
"Do all the catfolk look the same as you?" Hiroshi asked.
"What do you mean?"
Hiroshi gestured vaguely. "I mean… smooth skin? Long hair? Cute?"
Riku's ears twitched, and his tail swished. "Nya? No, it's just me that looks like this. Everyone else is lucky to have fur. I only have these ears and tail, nya~."
Hiroshi blinked. "Huh. So you're the odd one out."
"Yep, nya!" Riku said casually. "I got teased a lot when I was little, but it doesn't bother me anymore. I'm unique!"
Hiroshi raised an eyebrow. "Unique, huh…"
Riku glanced back and flashed a bright smile. "You'll see soon, nya~! My village has all kinds of beastkin! Big ones, small ones, ones with fluffy tails like mine, "
Hiroshi smirked. "You really like talking about your tail, huh?"
"Nya~!" Riku huffed, puffing his cheeks. "You're just jealous because you don't have one!"
Hiroshi let out a laugh. "Yeah, sure. Let's go with that."
When they reached the edge of the village, Riku threw his arms out. "This is where I live."
Hiroshi stopped and looked around. Simple wooden houses clustered together, smoke drifting from chimneys, beastkin of all shapes and sizes wandering about.
"It's… small," Hiroshi said, still carrying the massive boar like it was nothing.
"Nya~! That's rude! It's cozy!" Riku stuck his tongue out. "Come along, Henry~! I'll show you around!"
"Alright, alright," Hiroshi muttered, following the energetic catboy through the dirt roads.
As they walked into the village, conversations halted. Heads turned. Eyes widened.
The beastkin villagers stared at Hiroshi's hulking figure. His towering height and broad shoulders made him look like a giant compared to them.
"What the…?" one villager whispered, ears twitching.
"Is that a Hyuman?" another muttered, clutching a basket of vegetables.
The guards near the village gate gripped their weapons, tails bristling.
Hiroshi sighed.
Inside his mind.
I must look giant to them, huh? everyone's staring at me.
"Don't mind them~" Riku said cheerfully, waving to a few villagers. "They're just not used to seeing someone as big as you, Henry!"
Riku leaned closer, eyes sparkling with mischief. "You're like some majestic creature they've never seen before!"
Hiroshi rolled his eyes but couldn't hide a small smile. "Yeah, well, I'm just trying to blend in here."
Riku stopped in front of a small wooden building with a cheerful sign swinging above the door. "Here it is! The merchant shop~"
"Finally," Hiroshi muttered, adjusting the boar on his shoulder.
Riku pushed the door open, and a little bell chimed as they stepped inside. The shop was cozy but cramped, especially for Hiroshi, with shelves stocked full of herbs, fabrics, tools, and various knick-knacks.
An older beastkin with graying fur glanced up from behind the counter. "Oh, Riku! You're back!"
"Hi, Mr. Lem!" Riku chirped, practically skipping up to the counter. His tail flicked back and forth as he set down a small pouch of herbs. "I brought some fresh ones for you!"
Lem picked up the pouch and inspected the herbs with an approving nod. "Good quality as always, Riku. I'll pay the usual rate."
"Thanks!" Riku beamed.
While Riku handled his transaction, Hiroshi stood by the door, taking in the shop.
So this is what shops look like in this world, huh?
Once Riku finished, Lem's gaze shifted to Hiroshi, and then to the massive boar slung over his shoulder. His jaw dropped. "Is that… a Forest Boar?"
( End Of Chapter )