In a coffee shop in Libretanhya, the door opened with a small chime, and Slady appeared. He walked over to the attendant, where he was sitting and fiddling with his phone.
"..."
Slady just stared at the young man, who was completely distracted by his cell phone.
Without making a sound, Slady turned and grabbed a menu from one of the tables, then returned to the counter and stared at the boy, who was still fiddling with his phone.
"..."
Although he didn't feel angry, it was so... stupid. He was armed, he had just tortured a criminal, and he was in front of a teenager who hadn't even noticed his presence.
"There's coffee with milk—"
"AHHH!!"
The teenager threw his cell phone in the air in shock, causing it to fall to the floor. But because the place was carpeted, there was no damage to the device.
"Oh my god, man! You scared me half to death."
The young man looked at Slady, angrily.
"..."
He just stared at the teenager, as if expecting something from him.
Within seconds, the boy let out a sigh, turning away from Slady's emotionless gaze.
"Sorry, okay?"
"Okay... what about my latte?"
Slady placed the menu on the counter, pointing to the picture of a latte.
"Yes, of course!"
The boy placed his cell phone on the counter, which remained on, turning his back to make the coffee.
With childish curiosity, Slady looked at the phone, seeing that the young man was talking to his girlfriend, who was awake in the rainy early morning.
Then Slady simply hung up the boy's phone and looked at his own, questioning him.
"What are you doing so early in the morning?"
"I work nights, I don't have much time left until my shift."
The teenager's voice sounded tired but calm, showing that despite his fatigue, it was something he enjoyed doing.
"Understood."
Soon, the boy handed the coffee to Slady, who took it in his hand and began drinking.
"What do you do for a living, sir?" the boy asked curiously.
"I'm a librarian."
The young man was surprised; he looked at Slady, taking in his clothes.
"A very well-dressed librarian, it seems."
The boy chuckled.
Slady didn't laugh, but nodded.
"Why are you here, so early in the morning?" the boy asked.
"I like the rain, so I decided to take a 'walk,'" Slady replied.
The boy nodded; he seemed like a very curious and friendly teenager, despite the first, less-than-friendly interaction.
Slady didn't say anything else, just finished his coffee and paid for it. Then, turning to leave, Slady gave the boy a look.
"Be careful these days; your attention could save or cost your life."
Then he left.
Feeling the rain falling on her face, Slady walked through the city again, silently.
***
Rin Yuang was back at the Libretanhya Criminal Investigation Department, taking another shower to clear her mind of what she had witnessed.
She was thoughtful, almost in a dilemma. As an investor, she'd had to do things she felt were unfair, things that wouldn't necessarily improve Libretanhya's security.
There were so many problems in the world: the Inferius Rin Yuang had to enter to save people, arrest criminals trying to escape using the dimension as a way to escape, or simply trying to prevent the Renkai Creatures from leaving the dimension...
It was a difficult job.
Despite what happened that morning, she knew those criminals would never do anything again in Libretanhya. It seemed so effective if it were applied to criminals in general, but it seemed so illegal...
She just tried to push the thoughts aside, getting out of the bathtub and starting to dry her body.
After drying herself, Rin Yuang looked at herself in the mirror, tying her hair in a ponytail and leaving the bathroom, heading to her dorm bed.
She removed the towel and lay down on the bed to sleep. She needed to rest her mind, she needed to relax.
**8 a.m....**
It was another day in Libretanhya. Shaphira had just woken up in the library, realizing she was in bed, concluding that Slady had put her there.
As she stretched, her tail stood erect, her ears likewise, so she got up and went to the bathroom.
Turning on the light and seeing herself in the mirror...
"Ahhhh!!!"
She fell to the floor on her butt. When she got up, she realized her body hair was gone; she was naked, completely naked.
She covered her breasts with her hands, blushing deeply, and burying herself under the covers, feeling incredibly cold because she wasn't used to not having her hair protecting her body.
Then the door opened, revealing Slady, who looked at the bed, confused.
"What's that scream?" he asked, not angry.
"Dad..."
She poked her head out, looking at Slady.
"Something happened to me," she said, worried.
Slady was quite surprised by the sight, but quickly regained her composure.
"Can I see the situation?"
He asked, sitting on the bed with his arms crossed.
Shaphira pulled off the covers, revealing her nakedness to him. Her tail hid her private parts, and her arms covered her breasts. Although her embarrassment had subsided, she still felt cold.
Slady remained indifferent, not touching her.
"I think your body has adapted, becoming more human-like..."
"...And apparently, only your tail and ears remain the same." Slady pointed.
Shaphira felt relieved, covering her body with the blanket again.
"I understand... I actually liked it, I've become more like you."
"If you liked it, that's all that matters."
Closing the subject, he left the room.
Shaphira felt content with that; it was good to know that despite her vulnerability, Slady hadn't hurt her or taken advantage of that moment.
She settled in bed, looking at the bathroom thoughtfully, curious to get to know her own body.
***
A few minutes later, Slady had set the food on the table and sat down.
"..."
Suddenly, the bedroom door opened, revealing Shaphira, who had put on the dress Slady had bought her.
"Now it's much more comfortable to wear clothes..."
She put her hand on her waist, trying to strike a pose.
"How do I look?"
Shaphira twirled slightly, her tail moving with her.
Slady just looked indifferently, but answered sincerely.
"Beautiful."
Slady went back to eating.
Shaphira pouted, but she was already used to his manner. She sat down next to Slady at the table, adjusting her tail and skirt, and starting to eat.
"This is great, thank you!"
Shaphira felt more comfortable than ever, resting her head on Slady's chest, beginning to purr.
"..."
He remained silent, then picked up the plate and spoon, beginning to offer the food to Shaphira. She was surprised by the affectionate gesture, but opened her mouth and began to be fed.
"You don't have to spoil me so much, I'm a grown woman now."
Despite her proud words, her tail showed how much she loved being pampered.
After feeding her, Slady returned to her lunch while Shaphira lay on his lap, feeling closer to her father figure.
After finishing lunch, Shaphira got up and began to gather the dishes.
"You look tired, Dad. Go rest."
"I will, thank you."
Slady stood up. He was exhausted, not from having done the "work" in the early hours, but from having organized the books, considering he would be opening the library later.
***
In their room, Slady lay down on the bed, closing her eyes...
A few minutes later, even though she was already asleep, Slady felt something warm enveloping her body. It was Shaphira, who had finished cleaning and putting away the dishes, deciding to sleep with him for a while.
It was something so routine for both of them, so innocent. Not only did it feel good to Slady, but it also strengthened their father-daughter bond.
**a few hours later.**
Slady had already woken up, more willing to do her work, opening the library for people to enter.
Shaphira remained in her room, now in her Renkai Creature form, uninterested in communicating with humans, just curled up and sleeping.
Although the library was in the forest, far from the city, many people liked to come to read, rent, or even buy a book the place had.
Slady was at the service desk, typing on the computer. Some adults brought children to encourage them to read. Others were teenagers, students who preferred to study in the library because it was a quieter and more respectable place, considering no one would want to draw Slady's attention.
Suddenly, the door opened. It was... Rin Yuang?! She was wearing more casual clothes, trying not to be recognized. She definitely didn't want people's attention focused on her.
"..."
Slady and Rin Yuang's gazes met. He could tell the investor wanted to be casual, not wanting to stand out in the crowd.
"Good afternoon, miss. What would you like?" he asked.
Rin Yuan silently thanked her for the welcome, walking over to Slady and speaking in a low voice.
"No need to be formal, I want to talk to you. But for now... I'd like to read a book about... cooking," she said, a little shyly.
Slady noticed a certain tension in Rin Yuang's body. Was it fear or just a mild social phobia? He dismissed his doubts, responding in an apathetic but impersonal tone.
"It's on the shelves, marked: Teachings."
A small smile was visible on Rin Yuang's lips, as if appreciating Slady's cooperative manner.
"Thank you, sir."
She made a respectful gesture and turned to take the book and sit in a corner.
Slady observed Rin Yuang calmly, the only thing going through his mind was...
'That woman is going to cause me trouble...'
Hours passed, some customers rented the books and collectors bought them. A very profitable day overall.
Every now and then, Slady disappeared to check on Shaphira, who remained asleep or wanted to be petted. He also noticed Rin Yuang's genuine interest in the cookbook, almost drooling at how well-explained it was.
(Considering that Slady had taken extensive notes in the book to simplify her own knowledge)
Realizing the library was practically empty, Rin Yuang got up and walked over to Slady, seeming less tense and even comfortable... even knowing who she was getting involved with.
"That book is very good, I..."
"I noticed you liked it, I'm happy about that. But what do you *really* want?"
Cornered, Rin Yuang sighed and sat up.
"It's about yesterday..."
"Hmm, what's wrong?"
"You did something stupid in that building. Normally, I'd arrest you for your punishment, but you don't seem like a bad person... I hope."
"I see..."
Slady stretched.
"I overreacted a lot. Maybe I lost control of myself at that moment. I hope I didn't scare you."
"It's not about that. Yai Chang didn't have time to get to the ambulance and ended up dying a painful death."
She looked a little sad; even a strong and serious investor like her would feel bad about extreme violence.
"I know. Everything I do is to prevent more crimes in the world. Maybe I've gone off track." Slady replied, emotionless.
"I understand your reasons, and I also agree that that man should have died, even if it's somewhat contradictory for us Criminal Investigators..." Rin Yuang said, placing her hand on her chest.
Slady nodded, agreeing.
"I understand. I'll try to 'moderate' my work while you do yours. I'll be happy to trust you. But if you tell anyone about this..."
"You won't like what I can do."
Slady extended her bionic hand to Rin Yuang. Rin looked at her hand and then back at the man, sensing a very dangerous energy, like someone who wouldn't want to be betrayed.
But, unafraid, she shook Slady's hand, finding the material of his bionic hand strange, but adapting easily.
"As an Investigator, I'm pleased with your cooperation. As a person, I'm pleased with your trust in me."
Rin Yuan said in a determined tone.
As she parted her hands, she looked at him and picked up the same cookbook she'd been holding before, asking in a more casual tone, as if chatting with a new friend.
"Can I rent this book, Mr. Nameless?"
It was a double question: genuine doubt about whether she could temporarily own the book and the still-unsatisfied curiosity about its name.
"Yes, for (a quantity of Lynes)... And just call it Slady, lady."
Rin Yuang pouted, handing the money to Slady and renting the book, also pleased to learn the man's name.
"Thank you, Slady. Have a great day."
She turned and left the library.
**hours later**
Slady was on the library roof, sitting and watching the stars. That conversation with Rin Yuang seemed to have awakened a doubt in her mind...
"Are my actions done out of kindness or just for pleasure or money?"
It was something Slady had never considered. Despite his actions, he never harbored malice in anything. It was all done "innocently," but it seemed there was a deeper motive...
After a long time, Slady came to his conclusion:
He enjoyed what he did. He didn't kill criminals just for justice or money; it was because he enjoyed it. It was like eliminating an insect. Slady didn't do it out of malice, but because he saw the need to eliminate the insects from his home to keep the environment clean and prosperous.
With this thought in mind, Slady climbed down from the roof and entered the library, closing everything and going to the bedroom.
He found Shaphira sleeping in bed, in her hybrid form and wearing the same simple dress. Slady lay down beside her, feeling an instinct, unknown to him, but uncontrollable.
In a protective movement, Slady wrapped his arms and legs around Shaphira. It wasn't like a hug, but a way of trying to protect Shaphira from all the evil in the world.
He didn't know the feelings; was it affection? Care? Or love? Slady didn't know; he'd never felt any of these in his entire life. But in that moment, he decided to do what was right.
Protect his child with his body and soul.