n

n

nI sat down beside the two children who were happily munching on a chocolate brownie. I had warned them beforehand that eating too many sweets would give them toothaches, and would make all their teeth to rot. Of course, I had said it so dramatically that they got scared to touch anything sweet for a while. This is why they could only enjoy it every weekend now.

nKai smiled as soon as he saw me, flashing that toothy grin that has chocolate bits getting stuck in between it.

n'What a cutie...'

n

"Don't eat too much,

" I warned them again. They both nodded in response to my words.

n

"It's awake now?

" Lost inquired and gazes at the little fox.. Her amber eyes glowing beautifully like liquid gold.

nThe fox swishes its tail in response to Lost. I assumed that it understood her judging from its actions.

n

"It did, just a moment ago,

" I replied and stretched out my arms to grab it off my shoulders.

nI put it down the rug and it scampered for a moment before it decided to rest itself on my lap. A small smile appeared on my lips as I stroked its furs, treading the silky strands on my fingers.

n'This feels nice... Now I understand why people in my world create warm articles of clothing from animal fleeces. I don't support it though...'

nI find it cruel, honestly. Though I understand that animals get hunted all the time, as food or as guard beast or whatever. And I do know that wearing furs dates back to ancient times, according to the history book I had read before, but generally, I don't like the whole idea of it.

nJust my two cents...

n

"It stuck on you. It is thankful,

" Lost commented.

n

"Huh?

" I asked and looked at her.

nShe only blinked at me and says nothing before shoving a brownie inside her mouth.

n'She did say something, right? I definitely heard her but I was distracted from my thoughts just now...'

nI was waiting for her to answer but did not, so I dropped it.

nKai gazed at the little black fox. He appeared to be contemplating if he wanted to touch it or not. He is probably afraid that it would bite him if he did. In the end, his free hand reached out and slowly patted its head, though a little awkward.

nWhen the fox did not show a sign of protest or distaste, he started petting it more. He then turned to me with his wide doe eyes sparkling like the azure waves glinting under the sun.

n

"It's so cute!

" He exclaimed.

n'I know right? Fufufufu~'

nIt seems that I am not the only one who likes furry animals... From the way he is getting all fussy, it would not be impossible that he liked the little black fox.

n

"Nadia, does it have a name?

" he then inquired, looking really excited.

nI looked down at the fox,

"It doesn't, but a name huh…

" I mumbled and scratched its ears.

nThe fox cooed and leaned on my hand, its tail was also swishing lazily.

n'It acts more like a cat than a fox...'

nBut how do foxes act though?

nMy head raised and grinned at Kai who had forgotten the brownies.

n

"Let's give it one then!

" Kai added.

n'A name… hmm...'

nIt's honestly the last thing that I wanted to do. Thinking of names exhausts me more than answering my test exams. I mean, I have to come up with something meaningful, or what else is the point, right?

nSo I'd rather memorize a passage than thinking of something...

n

"Kai, do you want to name it?

" I asked and winked at the little child.

nI actually just wanted to pass the torch on him and leave the thinking part to Kai. Fufufufu~

n

"Ermm…

" Kai muttered and got silent. His brows were knotting as he thought, all the while he was biting his lip.

nHe looked like he was trying really hard, probably rummaging his brain for one. He was so cute as he did that so I could not stop the chuckle from escaping my mouth. It makes me want to pinch his cheeks for no reason.

n'Actually, one reason is he is too cute.'

nKai then pouted and shook his head, indicating that he could not think of anything.

n

"You name it, Nadia!

" he then insisted.

n'So it all comes back to me…'

nI internally sighed and tried to ransack my brain for something. Sifting over the words that I know in the dictionary, or anything that I read somewhere.

n

"How about, Kuro?

" I uttered and looked at the fox again,

"Kuro means black because you know... its fur is black…

" I remarked and laughed out loud at how stupid I was being.

n'But aren't I a genius? And Kuro was the name of my favorite character from that manga about volleyball that my classmates talked about. Out of all the characters, he caught my eyes by how good-looking he was fufufufu~'

nAs I've said, I like handsome men.

n

"Kuro...

" Kai mumbled, testing it on his mouth--

"That sounds nice!

" he then voiced out.

nThe fox's head raised for an inch as its tail wagged happily from side to side.

n

"Oh, you like it? From now on, you are Kuro,

" I stated and rubbed its head again.

nThe fox nuzzled my hand and licked it, waggling its tail even more.

n

"It likes it,

" Lost mentioned as she stared at the little fox who was still licking my hand.

n

"Really? That's great then!

" I answered.

nI don't know how she knows or if she understood the fox, but if she did... That would be a clue for her identity, wouldn't it?

n'She is like an animal whisperer… What creature was it that understood animals? Hmmm...'

nThat was the time that I had given the little fox a name, and from that day forward, I started calling it Kuro. Kuro had also grown bit by bit at an incredibly alarming rate as Lost, which was very astonishing. After a week, it was now as big as an adult pet dog. Not only that! I had noticed that Kuro had grown another tail as well! So now, it is a two-tailed fox.

n'Hey, hey, hey… Kuro is not an ordinary fox? Well, that's explainable I think, given that I had picked it up from the great forest which was teeming with monsters… Then, is it a monster?'

nIf an animal has an unusual trait that destroys the norm, then it is considered as one, isn't it?

nAnd if it is a monster, then Lost would be one too considering that she could understand it. Or is she? I don't know!

n'So basically, I have adopted a monster and an unidentified creature… Way to go Nadia!'

nI glanced at the fox again or tried to because it was perched on my shoulders, as usual. It is a miracle that I did not develop a stiff neck from having it camp in there all the time. Kuro is surprisingly lighter than I thought, despite how big it is.

nCan you just imagine, a grown fox wrapped around your neck? I literally looked like a peacock every day.

n

"I don't think you should stay there anymore, Kuro,

" I remarked and patted whatever part of its body I could reach.

nThe fox might have understood what I said because it jumped off of there quickly and laid itself beside my foot.

n

"Awww… You are such an intelligent baby, aren't you?

" I cooed and ruffled its furs again. Let me just remind myself that this might be a monster...

n'But it's so cute!'

n

"Milady,

" George suddenly says out of the blue--

"About the party preparations…

"

nI blinked up at him.

n

"Hmm? What party?

" I asked in confusion.

n'Are we going to have a party?'

n

"It's for milady's upcoming birthday celebration,

" George responded.

"The Marquis had specifically told me to get milady's opinion as to how milady wanted the party to happen,

" he added and stood there expectantly.

nMy forehead creased slightly,

"Birthday-- Ah! Is it that time already? But we still have a month?

" I pointed out.

n'Why is he asking me this all of a sudden?'

nGeorge smiled in indulgence,

"A very short time.

"

nI gaped at him.

n'1 month? How is a month short?'

nGeorge might have seen the bewilderment on my face so he explained himself.

n

"We have to create the guest lists, plan the food to be served, the venue, the music, the--

" he blabbered on and on which all passed right over my ears for how long it was.

n'I did not know that a simple birthday party could be like that!'

n

"Err, can't we just have a small one?

" I muttered and averted my eyes when I saw George's facade turning into a stone.

n'I mean, we can just celebrate it with only a few friends and relatives...'

n

"No can do. It would also be milady's social debut so a small gathering would not suffice,

" He declared.

n'Ah… what can I do then?'

nI wanted to speak my mind but George looked like he is not going to listen to whatever excuse I am going to say. He was smiling widely but I won't be deceived!

n

"So about milady's party preparations…

" He mentioned and started going off with his litany of words that was making me dizzy.

n'Whatever… I'll just go with the flow…'

n