The growling grew louder.
Haru's breath caught in his throat as a shape stepped out from the treeline—a large wolf, dark grey with glowing yellow eyes and matted fur. It moved with a predator's grace, slow and steady, lips curled back to reveal its fangs.
"That's a Duskhound..." Piko whispered, her tone uneasy. "Low-level beast, but you're unarmed... and it's hungry."
Haru stumbled back, heart racing. "W-What do I do?"
"Haru, now's the time!" Piko said quickly. "You can summon your first guardian. Just think of the name I gave you earlier and say it aloud! She'll hear you!"
He blinked. "Name? Uh… wait, you mean—Tigressa?"
The air shimmered.
Suddenly, golden light spiraled in front of him, as if the wind itself had ignited. From the center of that glow, a tall figure emerged—her powerful frame outlined first by her long, wild orange hair with black-tipped ends.
She stepped into full view, and Haru's jaw dropped.
She was stunning. Towering and fierce, with soft golden skin and black tiger stripes swirling along her arms and hips. Her outfit looked like something out of a fantasy painting—leather straps barely covering her generous chest, her toned abs on display, and a tail flicking behind her with wild energy.
She cracked her knuckles and let out a low growl, flashing sharp, pearly teeth.
"Who dares threaten my summoner?"
Haru's face turned bright red. "S-Summoner?! W-Wait, you're real?!"
The Duskhound snarled and lunged.
Tigressa didn't flinch. With a swift, savage motion, she leapt forward—her fist smashing directly into the wolf's face. The impact cracked like thunder. The beast yelped, flying back into the trees with a crash and vanishing into the underbrush.
Silence.
Then, Tigressa turned.
Her amber eyes locked onto Haru. She stalked toward him, hips swaying, tail flicking.
He stepped back, flustered. "W-Wait, you're really... you're…"
She crouched down a little, eyes playful but sharp. "You smell soft. Like a baby cub."
Her clawed finger gently tapped his nose, making him freeze.
"I'm yours now," she purred, voice like honey over fire. "So stay close, little one. This world's full of danger... and you're far too cute to be left alone."
Haru's brain practically short-circuited.
Piko giggled somewhere in his head.
"Ehehe~ She likes you already!"
Haru stood frozen, his cheeks burning red.
A beautiful woman—no, guardian, no, tigress lady—had just appeared from thin air, crushed a terrifying wolf, and now she was... petting his head.
Her hand was warm, a little rough from battle, but gentle. Comforting, even.
"H-Hey, Piko," Haru whispered awkwardly inside his mind, "y-you didn't say I'd be summoning that kind of monster…"
"Hmm? What do you mean~?" Piko replied innocently, but Haru could hear the giggle in her voice.
"She's like—like—she's not scary! She's... she's…" He couldn't even finish the sentence as Tigressa crouched beside him protectively, her arm gently curling around his back like a soft shield.
Tigressa smiled down at him. "You summoned me, little one. I am your guardian now. Don't worry—Mama Tigressa will keep you safe."
Haru's entire face went red. "M-Mama?!"
"Ehehe~ Don't be shy, Haru," Piko teased. "Your guardians will always be kind to you. That's what the system promised, remember? Loving, loyal, strong… and maybe a little soft around the edges."
"You knew!" Haru hissed under his breath.
"Maybe~" she sang.
Tigressa brushed some leaves from his shoulder, unaware—or maybe very aware—of how close she was leaning. "Don't pout. You'll wrinkle that cute face. Let's find somewhere safe to rest, alright?"
Haru nodded weakly, eyes wide, heart pounding.
This world was beautiful, mysterious… and way more intense than he expected.
Just as Haru was about to ask Tigressa more about this strange world, another rustle came from the bushes nearby.
Tsshhh...
The leaves trembled unnaturally. A low snarl echoed from the undergrowth.
Tigressa's playful expression vanished in a heartbeat. Her amber eyes sharpened, and she bared her fangs.
"Stay behind me," she growled low, already moving before Haru could respond.
In one smooth motion, she grabbed Haru by the shoulders and gently pushed him down to the grassy ground. Then—fwump—she landed over him, crouched protectively like a mother shielding her cub. Her toned arms were on either side of his head, her long striped tail flicking behind her like a warning banner.
And her... large, soft chest unintentionally pressed down against Haru's face.
"HMM—!!" Haru squeaked, arms flailing for a second as he went stiff under her weight.
His cheeks were beet red. His eyes wide with innocent panic.
"T-T-Tigressa?! I-I can't—breathe—I mean—I can but—aaaahhh!"
Tigressa didn't seem to notice. Or maybe she did. Her eyes stayed locked on the rustling leaves ahead, muscles tense and ready to pounce. "Shh. Stay still, little one. I'll protect you."
From inside his mind, Piko's voice giggled softly.
"Wow~! So this is the 'soft guardian defense' move, huh? Heehee, effective and cozy~!"
"Piko—!! This isn't—This wasn't what I—!!" Haru whispered furiously in his mind, his voice muffled by Tigressa's… protection.
Still, despite his embarrassment, there was a strange warmth in it all. He felt safe.
Very, very warm… and safe.
A few tense moments passed. The growl from the bushes faded, replaced only by the gentle rustle of leaves swaying in the breeze.
Tigressa narrowed her eyes a final time, then let out a soft breath. "False alarm," she muttered, her ears twitching once more before folding back. "Just a small beast... nothing dangerous."
She slowly lifted herself up, and Haru gasped for air like he'd just surfaced from underwater.
"F-Finally... I can breathe again..."
His face was bright red, hair a bit messy, and his eyes didn't quite know where to look. "W-What was that?!"
Tigressa tilted her head and gave a proud smile. "A guardian's duty. I protect. That's all."
"Y-You were really close," Haru mumbled, tugging at the hem of his shirt and glancing away. "And s-soft..."
Just then, a shimmer of golden sparkles swirled beside him and—poof!—a tiny girl with fluttering fairy wings and a ribboned dress appeared midair.
"Tada~! I'm here in person now!" chirped Piko, hovering beside Haru with a wink. "You looked like you needed emotional support!"
"Piko? You can come out too?!"
"Of course! I'm not just a voice in your head, you know. When you need me, I can manifest like this." She did a slow spin midair. "Cute, right?"
Tigressa gave the tiny system spirit a glance, then smiled gently. "So you're the one guiding him."
"Yup! Cheerful system companion at your service!" Piko saluted dramatically. "And I think someone's still flustered~"
"I-I'm not!" Haru said quickly.
"You're totally red." Piko giggled. "Aww, you're just so innocent. It's kind of adorable."
"I didn't expect my 'kind protector' to be so... um... mature," he muttered, poking his fingers together.
Tigressa chuckled, then ruffled his hair gently. "Get used to it, cub. There's a whole world out there, and you'll need guardians like me to face it."
Haru's heart skipped. A whole world… waiting to be explored.
Even if it came with confusing feelings, towering MIL—guardians, and soft—dangerous—moments… he couldn't wait.
Tigressa, seeing Haru still flustered, couldn't help but pat him gently on the head with a soft, playful smile. She then wrapped her strong arms around him from behind, pulling him into a warm, protective hug. Her firm chest pressed against his back, the sensation of her soft but muscular form enveloping him in a strangely comforting embrace.
Haru's face turned even more crimson as he felt the warmth of her body against his. The protective hug, combined with Tigressa's strength and warmth, sent his heart racing in an entirely new way. "T-Tigressa…" he stuttered, flustered beyond belief.
Piko, floating nearby, couldn't resist teasing Haru. "Oh, Haru! You're not exactly 'mama's boy' material, are you?" she chirped with a mischievous giggle. "You seem to be enjoying this a little too much! Maybe you like being cuddled?"
Haru's face was practically on fire now, and he quickly attempted to wiggle out of the hug, though it felt nice in a strange, almost embarrassing way. "I-I'm not enjoying it like that!" he muttered under his breath, his voice high-pitched and filled with discomfort. He awkwardly tried to push away from Tigressa, but her hold on him was gentle, yet firm.
Tigressa chuckled softly, her deep, soothing voice resonating with warmth. "Don't be embarrassed, little cub," she said, nuzzling her cheek against his. "I'm here to protect you. Whenever you need me, just summon me again. I'll always be by your side."
As Haru took a deep breath, his nerves slowly calming down, Tigressa finally released him, standing back up gracefully. Her amber eyes softened with affection, and she winked at him. "Take care, baby cub," she said teasingly. "You're growing stronger every day. Don't forget to call for me when you need help."
With a final playful smile, Tigressa vanished into a swirl of golden light, leaving Haru standing there, still in a daze. His mind was racing, processing what had just happened, and he could feel the lingering warmth from her hug against his back. He blinked a few times, trying to regain his composure.
Piko floated by his side, still chuckling. "Looks like someone's feeling a little more grown-up, huh? Don't worry, you'll get used to it eventually."