That afternoon, the sky began to redden. Sunlight pierced through the leaves and reflected on the wet ground left from last night's rain. Mathien was still on the porch, lazily sitting on the rickety wooden chair that Hana's grandmother usually used. His body curled up like a fluffy ball, his tail coiled neatly beside him.
A gentle evening breeze stirred, making his whiskers twitch softly. He was almost asleep when—
"CHIROOOOO!"
The voice—loud, full of energy, and so familiar.
Mathien's ears shot up instantly. His head lifted quickly. His eyes widened, staring straight down the village road.
In the distance, Hana appeared from the bend. Her straight hair flowed in the wind, and her school uniform looked a bit messy. But her face shone with enthusiasm. She ran while waving her hands high.
"I brought salmonnnn~!!"
In her right hand, a small clear plastic bag swung back and forth, and inside it gleamed like divine light in Mathien's eyes.
"Salmon…"
Mathien immediately leapt from the chair. He dashed lightly down the porch steps, his fur slightly ruffled from the hurry. His paws barely touched the ground—almost floating.
"HANA!" he shouted in his heart, though his body could not hide his joy.
When Hana reached the front of the house, she was breathless.
"This is the rest of my allowance. I saved it to buy salmon for you," she said, panting.
Mathien stared at the bag. His eyes shone brightly. His nose twitched, sniffing quickly.
"Real salmon. Not fake tuna. Not canned sardines."
"Yup! Salmon! For His Majesty Chiro," Hana said, laughing softly.
Mathien approached. But instead of immediately snatching the bag, he stared at Hana first—long and steady. There was something different about her expression. Maybe it was the sunset light, or maybe she was truly sincere.
Then, slowly, Mathien nudged Hana's knee with his head.
"Thank you," he murmured quietly, audible only to the wind.
Hana giggled softly. "Come inside. Before the salmon turns into salted fish."
They stepped into the little house, which suddenly felt warmer than usual. And that afternoon was just an ordinary afternoon for the outside world.
But not for a thick-furred prince—who was quietly beginning to feel at home.
Inside the warm and quiet house, the sound of the afternoon rain could still be heard faintly from afar. The aroma of boiled salmon Hana had just prepared filled the small room, mingling with the thin steam rising from a cup of ginger tea on the table.
Mathien sat on his cushion, a small bowl of salmon pieces in front of him. He ate gracefully but hurriedly, as if not wanting a single piece to slip into another world. Each bite sounded like a symphony of victory for his stomach.
Meanwhile, Hana sat cross-legged on the floor, holding her cup of tea tightly. Her school uniform had been replaced with cloud-patterned pajamas, and her long hair was spread out, tired.
"I heard that a lot of my friends didn't go to school today," she said softly, watching the tea steam rise into the air.
Mathien didn't respond immediately. He just let out a soft huff while still enjoying his salmon.
"They're sick," Hana continued, her voice softer. "Fever, cough, headaches. Some even fainted during exams."
Mathien slowly lifted his head. His gaze was sharp, but not angry. More like cautious.
"Strange," he murmured. "Is there an epidemic in this village?"
Hana shook her head lightly. "My teacher said maybe not. But it's just weird. Suddenly all the students feel weak. Usually, it's so lively, but school was so empty today…"
Mathien frowned. He licked his lips slowly, then looked down at the remaining salmon in his bowl.
"You don't feel anything?"
"Nope. I'm fine. But for some reason, at school today the air felt… heavy."
Mathien turned quickly toward Hana. "Heavy?"
Hana nodded, barely noticing the prince-cat's sharp gaze upon her.
"Maybe because I'm worried about Grandma. Or maybe because I'm tired. But it just… felt strange."
Mathien was silent. His mind started connecting the dots—foreign energy he had sensed days ago, the strange smell in the morning wind, and now this.
"Then, from now on, I'll go to school with you," he said calmly.
Hana looked at him. "Huh? Really?"
Mathien stood up, his tail moving firmly. "I can sit on top of a bookshelf or sneak in through a window. I won't stay quiet if anything tries to touch you."
Hana chuckled softly. "You're such a show-off."
"Of course. I am a hero."
And even though Hana laughed, at the edge of her laughter, there was a new warmth. A warmth that didn't come from ginger tea or salmon.
But from someone—or something—who was quietly starting to protect more than just her body.
🌸🌸🌸
That night was silent. Outside, small insects called to each other, while the night breeze slipped through the small gaps in the house. Dim light from the corner of the room cast calm shadows on the walls, creating a peaceful atmosphere—but not for Mathien.
He sat in the corner of Hana's bed. His small body curled up as a cat, but his eyes remained wide open. His focus was on the girl who now slept on the thin mat on the floor, wrapped only in a worn blanket.
Hana's long hair spread across the small pillow, her pale cheek slightly pressed to the side. Her breathing was soft, almost imperceptible. But precisely because of that, Mathien could truly observe her.
He stared for a long while. His gaze was no longer just curious. But deeper. Full of questions.
Strange…
Why was she fine?
With a light leap, Mathien jumped down from the bed. He stepped slowly toward Hana, then sat beside her sleeping head. His round tail curled neatly, but his ears still twitched anxiously.
"Hana," he murmured softly.
The girl didn't react.
Mathien sighed, then lightly nudged Hana's cheek with his soft paw.
"Wake up for a moment. I want to ask you something."
Hana groaned softly. "Hmm… what is it…"
"Answer honestly. Do you have magical blood?"
Hana half-opened her eyes, still drowsy. "Huh? Magic?"
"Yes. Magic. You know, inherited magic. Or maybe your ancestors had contact with another world?"
Hana looked at him, confused, sleep still clinging to her face. "No. My grandma's a farmer. My mom and dad were normal… I've never even heard any weird family stories. Why are you asking that?"
Mathien stared sharply, as if to confirm her honesty.
"Your friends are sick. Your school is full of weak aura. But you? Nothing happens."
"Y-yeah, maybe I'm just healthy?"
"It's not that simple."
Hana sighed. She turned her back to Mathien again, pulling the blanket to her chin.
"Maybe I'm just strong."
Mathien quietly sat behind her back. His eyes still held suspicion. But deep in his mind, there was a faint murmur he didn't dare speak out loud:
Or maybe you're being protected by something you don't even realize.
And at that moment, for the first time since arriving on Earth, Mathien felt truly… confused.
🌸🌸🌸