- 36 minutes ago
Category
๐ฅ
Short filmTranscript
00:00My fox shifter scratched me again. I went to the clinic alone.
00:04This cut is deep. It will definitely leave a scar.
00:08I bought my shifter to love me.
00:12He spent a whole year hating me instead. So today, I'm trading him in.
00:17She mutters that no properly trained beast man should be hurting their owner like this
00:21and asks if mine ever went through socialization training.
00:25He did. In fact, he graduated at the top of his class.
00:30My phone vibrates. Dorian. I already know what the messages say before I open them.
00:36It's just a scratch. Did you really need to go to the hospital? Come home and cook. I'm hungry.
00:42I've never been full since living with you. You take terrible care of me.
00:45I've spent an entire year waiting for him to change. Waiting for him to stop talking to me like this.
00:50Waiting for him to look at me and see something other than disappointment.
00:53I leave the hospital and head straight to the beast man registry center.
00:58I'd like to exchange my beast man. That gets her attention immediately.
01:04You've been registered with him for almost a year. You're only a short time away from forming a
01:09permanent bond. Why would you want to replace him now? I used to talk to Dorian about bond ceremonies.
01:15About rings. About our future. He would only curl his lip and ask if I honestly thought I was worthy
01:23of him.
01:23He doesn't like me. Honestly, I think he hates me. It's been a year and that hasn't changed.
01:30A trained beast man is supposed to love their owner wholeheartedly. Problems like that shouldn't happen.
01:35But they do. And that's why I want a new one. She leads me through the available files. Foxes, leopards,
01:42a few others.
01:43They're all attractive, though none quite match Dorian's pedigree. I'd prefer a canine. I've heard they're usually more affectionate toward
01:50humans.
01:51No canines are currently available. Photograph slips from her folded and lands on the floor.
01:55I bend down to pick it up. The man in the picture has cold gray eyes with vertical pupils. A
02:00wolf. A werewolf.
02:02Honestly, he's the most obedient beast man we have. Then why is he still here? People are afraid of werewolves.
02:08The owner thinks keeping him is a financial loss. If nobody takes him today, he'll be sold to a fighting
02:12arena.
02:12He was raised to be gentle. An arena would be hell for him. But nobody wants him. I've heard what
02:18happens in those places.
02:20They tear beast men apart piece by piece. My eyes settle on the wolf's face. His gaze doesn't look gentle.
02:26It looks restrained. Like he's waiting. Waiting for one chance. Is he really obedient? Absolutely.
02:36I look at the photo one last time. I'll take him.
02:44The staff tells me the werewolf will arrive in three days. I carefully tuck the transfer agreement
02:49into my bag. On my way home, I spot Dorian and Bianca from half a block away. The white-haired
02:56fox beast man is standing in the glow of the setting sun, looking almost unreal. Beautiful. Perfect.
03:01Like a piece of artwork. Bianca lives next door. She's a high-born human. Smart, elegant,
03:06and rich enough to never worry about money. Ever since she met Dorian, she's been bringing him
03:11expensive nutritional supplements. The two of them have become unusually close. A year ago,
03:17seeing them together would have made my stomach twist. Now, I simply slow my pace. Bianca notices me
03:23first. Lucy? Heading to another part-time job? She gives me a small smile that doesn't quite reach
03:29her eyes. I don't mean anything by it. But even if you and Dorian are about to form a bond,
03:37you should really make more of an effort with your appearance. Look at what you're wearing. Honestly,
03:42who would believe the two of you are together? I glance down at my t-shirt and jeans, then at
03:48her
03:48elegant dress. I think I look fine. Darian doesn't even look at me. She wouldn't look good even if she
03:55tried. Honestly, it's better if she pretends she doesn't know how to dress. That way people won't
04:02realize she's actually just ugly. Bianca lightly smacks his arm. Dorian, that's a terrible thing to say.
04:10You're trying to help her, and she'll just think you're being nosy. He finally glances at me. A
04:15low-born human could never understand how someone like Bianca thinks. Being bought by Lucy is the
04:20unluckiest thing that's ever happened to me. A year ago, that sentence would have ruined my entire night.
04:24I would have gone home wondering what I did wrong. Wondering how to make him like me.
04:29Wondering how to be better. Now, I only have one thought. Two more days. And none of this will be
04:36my
04:36problem anymore. The truth is, Dorian wasn't always like this. Back when I couldn't afford
04:45the expensive supplements a top-teal beastman was supposed to have, he never complained. Back
04:50when the cheap clothes I bought irritated his sensitive skin, he still smiled and told me,
04:55meeting Lucy was the luckiest thing that had ever happened to me.
05:01Everything changed after we ran into his old rival, a red fox. We were walking down the street
05:08when I dropped my bag. My things scattered everywhere. Dorian immediately crouched down
05:14to help my pick them up. At that exact moment, a luxury car pulled over. The red fox stepped out
05:21and planted his foot directly on Dorian's hand. Dorian flinched. The fox smiled.
05:27Well, if it isn't Dorian, the most popular beastman of his generation. His eyes slid toward me.
05:33Then he laughed. How did someone like you end up with such an ugly lowborn human?
05:40Then again, I suppose it fits. A defective beastman and a lowborn human. Perfect match.
05:46That night, Dorian locked himself in his room. I sat outside the door until sunrise.
05:53The ranking system was stupid. I told him the registry was wrong for labeling him defective.
06:00None of that determined his worth. And I meant every word.
06:04Hours later, the door finally opened. His eyes were red and swollen. He stared at me for a long
06:11moment before speaking. You've never been at the top. Of course you'd think being trash isn't that bad.
06:20That was the first time I realized something. Dorian had never truly seen us as equals.
06:27Not even once. Later, he met Bianca. Bianca had everything I didn't. Status. Money. Connections.
06:35The ability to give Dorian the life he thought he deserved. The two of them grew closer every day.
06:42Sometimes I'd see them talking on the porch. Sometimes she'd lean against him. Sometimes he'd let her.
06:50I only brought it up once. Just once. You're my registered beastman. Could you maybe keep a
06:57little distance from Bianca? Dorian looked down at me. His eyes were cold. Worse than cold. They were full of
07:05resentment. Lucy. If I didn't have a defect, do you really think you could have afforded me?
07:10The words hit harder than any claw ever had. You just took advantage of someone when they were
07:15vulnerable. So what exactly gives you the right to act like my owner? I never mentioned Bianca again.
07:23There was no point. Because I remembered something Dorian seemed to have forgotten. A year ago,
07:29he was the one who begged me to save him. Someone who calls being rescued, taking advantage,
07:34was never going to remember the truth. In this era, male beastmen have taken over humanity's role
07:41in reproduction. Before everything went wrong, Dorian was considered one of the finest beastmen on the
07:46market. At auction, he sold for an astronomical price. Then they discovered he was infertile.
07:52Everything changed overnight. A beastman who couldn't fulfill his intended function was suddenly worthless.
07:57Even after his price dropped to $500,000, nobody wanted him. To people looking for offspring,
08:04he was just defective merchandise. The people in charge planned to send him to the red light district
08:10and recover what money they could. The day I met him was the day I went to buy a beastman
08:15of my own.
08:18Dorian broke free from his handlers. Then he dropped to his knees in front of me.
08:24Please. Please save me. I'll be good to you. I'll be your family. I don't want to die.
08:31Please. I grew up in an orphanage. I know what it feels like to be unwanted. I know what it's
08:37like
08:37when nobody chooses you. So I didn't walk away. I emptied my savings, took out a small loan,
08:43spent everything I had. And I bought him. Not because I acted on impulse. Not because I felt
08:50sorry for him. I knew exactly what I was doing. I simply chose to do it. Afterward, I never brought
08:57it up again. I didn't want to hurt his pride. I never imagined that one day I'd hear those same
09:02events described as me taking advantage of him. The day he said that, we ended up arguing. At some
09:10point, my hand brushed against his. The reaction was immediate, hard. My arm slammed into the sharp
09:17corner of a table. The wound split open so deeply I could see bone. For a moment, Dormian froze.
09:24Then he looked away. If you hadn't been touching me, you wouldn't have gotten hurt.
09:29This is your own fault. He didn't even offer to take me to the hospital. I'm going shopping with Bianca.
09:37Besides, me being there won't make you hurt any less.
09:41Then he looked back at me. You have your own hands and feet.
09:45Stop blaming everything on me. Later, while the nurse stitched my arm,
09:51a wound this deep is definitely going to scar. It'll probably ache every time it rains. Then she
09:56glanced at me. The sympathy in her eyes almost broke me. You and your beast man don't seem right for
10:02each
10:02other. Maybe it's time to let go. The words hit me harder than I expected, because she was saying
10:07something I'd been thinking for months. Something I never had the courage to admit. Maybe I could let
10:13go. Maybe Dorian and I didn't need to spend the rest of our lives tied together. And in that moment,
10:19something that had been wrapped around my chest for an entire year finally loosened. I could breathe again.
10:27My thoughts return to the present. Just as Dormian reaches for the door, I stop him. Dormian, he pauses.
10:35Do you really think being with me is that miserable? His body stiffens for a second.
10:42Then he turns around. The same mocking smile is still on his face. Of course. He leans against the
10:48doorframe. But someone like you finally got lucky enough to end up with someone like me. His eyes sweep
10:56over me. Can you really bear to let that go? A cold laugh escapes him. I'm stuck with you for
11:07the rest
11:07of my life. There's no getting rid of a clingy human like you. I don't argue. The more convinced he
11:14is
11:14that I can't leave him, the better this will be. When I don't respond, his tail flips impatiently
11:20against the floor. What are you trying to say? I lower my gaze and pick at my fingernail,
11:25hiding the smile threatening to appear. I got you a gift. Dorian raises an eyebrow.
11:33A gift? In a few days, you'll find out. For the briefest moment, something flashes across his face.
11:41It almost looks like anticipation. Then it's gone. The mockery returns immediately.
11:49What is it this time? Another one of those cheap supplements even dogs wouldn't drink?
11:56I'll probably have to waste my time pouring it down the toilet. I look up at him. This time,
12:01I'm completely honest. No. It's the thing you want most. Freedom. Dorian doesn't know that yet.
12:11It better be. Then he slams the door shut behind him.
12:25Bianca shows up early the next morning. Dorian and I are going shopping today.
12:29She smiles sweetly. We have similar taste. It's easier to shop with someone who understands these
12:34things. Then she looked at me. Lucy, you're not upset, are you? There's a hint of expectation in
12:40her eyes. Normally, I would have been. For an entire year, it bothered me that Dorian never
12:45wanted to go anywhere with me, but always had time for Bianca. I cried over things like that. Not
12:51anymore. I don't mind. Dorian looked shocked. You're not mad? I shrug on my jacket. No. Go
13:00wherever you want. Bianca immediately hooks her arm through Dorian's. See? She's fine with it. Let's go.
13:06I watch them leave together. Surprisingly, I don't feel that familiar ache anymore.
13:11I just put on my shoes and head out myself. The shopping center is having a huge seasonal sale
13:16today. I need to buy supplies for the werewolf before he arrives. The mall is packed. Most of the
13:22shoppers are ordinary humans with ordinary beastmen. Families. Couples. Friends. The aisles are crowded,
13:28noisy, and full of laughter. Everyone looks happy. Without meaning to, I find myself smiling too.
13:34Maybe that's what my life will look like soon. Maybe having a new beastman will feel different.
13:39If I hadn't met Dorian that day, I probably would have had that life already. I won't have to listen
13:43to Dorian complain that cheap people should buy cheap things. I won't have to watch him sneer at
13:47places like this before walking away and leaving me standing there alone. I didn't have to bear his
13:51arrogance. Honestly, all I'd ever wanted was a warm relationship. It didn't have to look fancy.
13:56If it weren't Dorian, I probably would have had it a long time ago. Please.
14:05By the time I get home, the sky is dark. To my surprise, Dorian is already there. Usually,
14:11he and Bianca don't come back until late at night. He's sitting on the couch with his arms crossed.
14:16The anger on his face is impossible to miss. Where were you? You didn't even make dinner. Living with
14:22you is miserable enough already. Now I can't even get a decent meal. You take terrible care of me.
14:28I take a sip of my iced coffee and set my shopping bags down. Oh, I assumed you'd eat at
14:34Bianca's place.
14:35Besides, I thought you didn't want my cooking. Dorian frowns. On your birthday,
14:40I spent an entire afternoon making dinner. You threw all of it in the trash.
14:47For the first time all evening, he has nothing to say. I focus on unpacking the things I bought for
14:54the werewolf. Chew toys, a grooming brush, fish oil supplements, basic necessities. At some point,
15:02Dormian appears behind me. I don't even notice until he picks up the brush. What is this? You
15:07planning to raise me like a dog? I don't use cheap products like this, and this fish oil isn't even
15:12premium grade. Whatever. Since you already bought them, I guess I can try them. They're not for you.
15:19Silence. Dorian's hand freezes around the brush. What? I turn to face him. That perfect face.
15:25The face I spent a year trying to please. I can't give a high-class beastman like you the life
15:30you
15:30deserve. My voice is calm. There's no self-pity in it. No insecurity. After all, those are just words
15:36he's repeated to me countless times over the past year. Now I'm simply giving them back. I've already
15:41filed a transfer request. His expression goes blank. For a second, it's like he doesn't understand
15:46what I mean. The color drains from his face. In two days, you'll never have to see me again.
15:58The clock ticked steadily between us. Dorian and I stare each other in silence.
16:05After a long moment, the tension in his brow eased.
16:09Bianca was right. About what? You saw how close she and I are, so now you're pretending to let go
16:14to
16:14make me come back to you? First the act, now this nonsense about replacing me. His expression turned
16:19confident. She said you're manipulative. Looks like she was right. You think threatening me will
16:24make me wag my tail like some cheap beastman? I didn't bother arguing. If that's what you want
16:28to believe, believe it. My calmness only seemed to irritate him more. A fluorescent heart was drawn
16:34around the 20th of next month. You just want the bond ceremony, don't you? You started asking what
16:40kind of ring I wanted six months ago. Hmm. You kept pushing for us to live together. If you want
16:46me,
16:46just say it. Using tricks like this is pathetic.
16:53Let me make this clear. Even if I bond with you, I'll keep seeing Bianca.
16:59If you want to get close to me, you'll need my permission first. And when we're outside,
17:03nobody is allowed to know we're together. He looked at me, annoyed, as though he had plenty
17:07more to say. But I had never felt calmer. No wonder they called you defective. I spoke slowly,
17:14making sure he heard every word. Buying you was the worst investment I ever made. Dorman's golden
17:19eyes widened. His fluffy white tail shot upright. The Beast Registry staff arrived exactly on time.
17:28Dorian's eyes locked on the wolf standing beside them. Caleb was tall. So tall I had to tilt my head
17:33to look at him. His fitted t-shirt stretched across broad shoulders and muscle. Sharp brows,
17:37slightly upturned eyes, and a scar near his temple gave him a dangerous look. This was my first time
17:41meeting a predator-cleed Beastman. A black collar circled his neck, a leash attached to the front.
17:45Registry issued, for Beastmen without owners. Caleb looked at me. Then, to my surprise,
17:50he dropped to one knee so he would be lower than me. Master, my name is Caleb. From now on,
17:56all you have to do is hold the leash. He gently placed the other end into my hand.
18:00The moment I took it, he lowered his head and rubbed his cheek against the back of my hand.
18:05A soft, satisfied rumble came from his throat. For such a large and intimidating wolf,
18:10he surrendered himself completely. The staff member was Stella, the same woman who had helped
18:14me before. She grinned. Don't worry, I practically watched Caleb grow up. He's very well behaved.
18:20Unfortunately, the registry is being renovated, so Dorian's transfer won't be processed for another
18:24two weeks. Would it be possible to foster him until then? The registry will cover all expenses.
18:28As Stella folk, I felt Caleb's fluffy tail brush against my ankle, wagging with barely restrained
18:33excitement. I didn't answer immediately. Dorian had remained silent the entire time.
18:38Only when Caleb looked up and nuzzled my hand again, could Dorian finally speak.
18:43Pathetic mutt. Caleb lifted his head and glanced at him. There was no fear in that look, only a warning.
18:51A second later, he lowered his gaze again and settled beside my knees, curling his large frame
18:56into a compact ball. Master, he keeps glaring at me. I'm scared. Despite his words, the arms stretched
19:02protectively in front of my legs never moved. The last of my worries disappeared. Who said wolves
19:07were difficult? This was exactly the kind of beastmen I wanted. Loyal. Protective. Kind.
19:13Stella's smile vanished instantly. She pulled out her registry identification. Fox Beastman.
19:18Registration number 4561. Dorian, correct? The color drenned of Dorian's face.
19:24Yes. I am here on behalf of the beast registration to formally notify you that your owner has requested
19:29a transfer. We are extremely disappointed with your performance. Two weeks from now,
19:33you will be reclaimed by the registry. Please prepare yourself accordingly.
19:44After Stella left, Dormian immediately grabbed Caleb and yanked him away from my side.
19:49You pathetic mutt. What do you think you're doing? Having fun playing house?
19:54Caleb hit the floor hard. His hand struck the corner of the table. A red bruise immediately
19:58bloomed across his skin. He didn't fight back. He simply climbed to his feet and returned to my side.
20:04Looking up at me cautiously, my heart tightened. I pushed past Dormian and knelt beside Caleb.
20:14Are you okay? Lucy! I know what you're doing. You brought this mutt home to force me into bonding
20:19with you. Go withdraw the transfer request right now and send him back. Otherwise, I will never bond
20:25with you. I turned around. My patience had finally run out. Dorian, I'm only going to say this one more
20:34time. I don't want you anymore. Dorian stormed out. I stayed behind to treat Caleb's injured hand.
20:47The moment I reached for him, he turned his face away and kept inching backward. My heart sank.
20:54Are you having second thoughts? I didn't want another Dorian. Better to be honest now. If you stay
21:00with me, there won't be expensive supplements. My income is enough for ordinary things, nothing more.
21:05I work two jobs. In the summer, I come home sweaty. I'm not particularly pretty either. If you're
21:12disappointed, I can take you back. I forced a smile and quietly wiped my damp palms against my clothes.
21:18Caleb finally looked at me. His gray eyes were shining. I'm sorry. My stomach dropped. So it was true.
21:28My stomach dropped. So it was true. I'm sorry. I'm just too happy. I was so happy about staying with
21:36you that I couldn't control my expression. I was afraid I looked ridiculous, so I didn't
21:41dare look at you. I thought I was going to the fighting pits. Then suddenly they told me someone
21:45wanted me. At night, I held your podo and kept staring at it. I couldn't believe it. Someone actually
21:52chose me. I was afraid I was dreaming. I've never been happier in my life. I think you're beautiful.
21:58I'm not embarrassed. I'm so happy I could cry. Oh. He was such an idiot. He was already crying.
22:06Could someone really be happy simply because they had me? I reached for his hand. His palm was damp
22:11with nervous sweat. Hot. Real. Not a dream. Don't call me master anymore. Call me Lucy. He froze.
22:20Then he carefully pressed my hand against his cheek and nodded hard. Lucy.
22:30Dorian came back with Bianca. The moment he entered, he started noisily packing his things.
22:35Bianca stood in the doorway, looking around with obvious disdain. Lucy, you've been working all these
22:40years and this is all you could afford? Have you ever considered that maybe you just don't work hard
22:45enough? Dorian told me you want to replace him. You really don't know how lucky you are. If I
22:50had a beast man like him, I'd do anything to keep him. What would a low-class human know about
22:55quality?
22:56You replaced me with some mutt? This whole place reeks now. There were only two days left. I wasn't
23:02interested in arguing. Instead, I continued brushing Caleb's tail. The registry had barely taken care of
23:09him while he sat unsold. His fur was tangled in several places. Caleb naturally settled at my feet,
23:15resting his head on my knee to make my job easier. Whenever strangers were around,
23:20he always stayed close to me like this. Bianca and Dorian continued criticizing me. Then Caleb
23:25suddenly spoke. Foxes smell worse. What did you say?
23:32What did you say? Caleb rose to his feet and stepped in front of me. I said you're a smelly
23:37fox.
23:38You have an owner and still spend your time chasing after other people. No loyalty, no shame. If you
23:45didn't hear me the first time, I can repeat it ten more times. For someone so timid, Caleb's words were
23:49unexpectedly sharp. He defending me, a warm feeling spread quietly through my chest. Lucy, if you dislike
23:55Dorian this much, then you won't mind him staying at my place instead? I don't mind. Lucy, you've wanted to
24:02get rid of me for a long time, haven't you? The shirt he'd thrown cost over a thousand dollars.
24:06I was still wearing clearance sale sweatshirts. Dorian, weren't you the one who wanted to leave me?
24:12That's right. I want to leave you, not the other way around. I wouldn't spend another minute in this
24:18dump. Don't worry, Dorian. Come home with me. I'll give you the best of everything. But Dorian didn't
24:25answer. The only sound in the room was his tail thumping against the floor. After a long silence,
24:29he took two steps forward, then stopped, then looked back at me. I lowered my head and pretended
24:34not to notice. Diane? I don't want to stay here, but the registry assigned me to Lucy's house until
24:42the transfer is complete. I'd rather not violate regulations. Bianca, come find me after I'm
24:47officially listed for reassignment. Caleb watched Dorian's ridge back for a moment,
24:53before leaning close boats to my ear. Lucy, let's go back to the bedroom. It's getting late. Time to
25:02sleep. His warm breath brushed against my ear, making my skin heat unexpectedly. They were perfectly
25:10innocent words, yet somehow they didn't sound innocent at all. You're sleeping together? Caleb draped an arm
25:18over my shoulder, easily pulling me against his broad chest. The gesture looked natural, almost
25:23possessive. He blinked innocently. Of course. A beastman sleeping beside his owner is completely
25:28normal, isn't it? Mr. X.
25:35I fluffed up the new bedding and spread it neatly across the floor. Sorry about this. Once Dorian leaves,
25:42I'll clean out the other room for you. At least it's warm now. You won't get cold sleeping down
25:47here. Besides, you're a wolf, so I guess... Caleb was standing by the door, fiddling with his fingers.
25:53His ears drooped. What's wrong? You don't want to sleep on the floor? Then you can take the bed.
26:01I'll sleep down here. His tail sank lower. His gray eyes shimmered.
26:12Did I do something wrong? Caleb suddenly dropped to his knees. The small room felt even smaller with
26:17his large frame inside it. Under the warm light, his usually intimidating face looked expectantly
26:21helpless. He shuffled forward on his knees and wrapped his arms around my legs. Tears streamed down
26:26his cheeks. Master, if I did something wrong, I'll fix it. Please don't make me sleep alone.
26:33I learned how to take care of humans at the registry.
26:37Heat rushed to my face. Was he crying because we weren't sharing a bed? I instinctively reached out
26:44to wipe away his tears. Caleb leaned into my touch, rubbing his cheek against my palm.
26:51Can I? I... I just thought... we barely know each other. I didn't know if he could want that. I
26:59stumbled backward and sat down on the bed. I could feel the heat of his hand against my leg. Caleb
27:05moved closer, kneeling beside the bed. His tears hadn't stopped, but there was a quiet determination in
27:10his gaze. Please, just give me a chance. My thoughts were a mess. In the end, all I could do
27:19was nod.
27:33I drifted in and out of consciousness, only faintly aware that it had started raining outside.
27:39No wonder the room felt so hot and heavy, so damp. I reached out, trying to turn off the light,
27:44but he pulled me back. My voice came out horrors.
27:50I think someone's knocking. There's someone outside. Let's stop for a second.
27:57Even now, you're still thinking about him? You still like him more, don't you?
28:04I don't. I don't. Then who do you like more?
28:19I like you, I like you, okay?
28:34The next morning I was sore all over when I got dressed. Honestly, I thought to myself,
28:39he's really just like a dog. Lucy, you smell so good. No, that's not it.
28:44The next morning I was sore all over when I got dressed. Honestly, I thought to myself,
28:49he's really just like a dog. Lucy, you smell so good. No, that's not it. You smell sweet.
28:55Can we sleep together again tonight? Cut it out. I can barely walk. The words died in my throat the
29:00moment I saw Dorian. The leather armhast beneath his hand was wrinkled because he'd been gripping it so
29:04tightly. His eyes were dark with anger. The way he was staring at me sent a chill down my spine.
29:08Lucy, have you no shame?
29:14Fox, if I hear you say one more thing against Lucy, I'll tear your throat out.
29:18You can try. I'm not exactly fond of you either.
29:21The room instantly filled with tension. The two male shifters felt ready to fight.
29:28He's not worth it. He'll be gone soon anyway.
29:33He was being so mean, Lucy. He scared me. I rubbed one of his ears. It was surprisingly soft.
29:40That's just how he is. Just ignore him. Come on, let's go buy you some pajamas.
29:46Darian's body swayed slightly, his arched back slowly relaxing. He stood rigidly blocking the doorway.
29:53Lucy, don't choose him. You like me, don't you? Anything he can do for you, I can do too.
29:58Send him back now, and I'll pretend none of this ever happened.
30:01Behind me, Caleb's body tensed instantly. I fell silent for a moment, then shifted the topic entirely.
30:08You know, I grew up in an orphanage.
30:10So what?
30:11So I'm very good at reading people's moods. When you first came, I could tell you were happy, content.
30:19Later, I could feel it change into irritation and disgust. I tried to please you. I did a lot, but
30:26you always hated you.
30:28You thought I was lowly, thought I didn't deserve you. Those things were all real.
30:33So I made the decision to transfer ownership. I thought you would be happy and looking forward to it.
30:38But why do I feel like you're jealous? And angry? Dorian, can you tell me why?
30:45Clouds covered the sunlight, and the room fell dim, making his expression hard to read.
30:50His fingertips turned pale, probably from the cold. For a long time, Dorian said nothing.
30:57I felt it was a waste of time, so I took Caleb's hand and walked past him. Dorian grabbed my
31:03other
31:03wrist. I turned back. His perfect face had cracked for the first time, like a porcelain doll breaking.
31:10Lucy, if I say now that I like you, is it already too late?
31:17This was ridiculous. It wasn't until Caleb had nearly beat Doris unconscious that I finally snapped
31:22out of my shock. Stop! If he dies, you'll go to prison!
31:26Caleb finally backed off, breathing hard. His knuckles were covered in blood.
31:29You shameless bastard! How dare you tell my master you love her? Homewrecker! If I see you again,
31:36I'll beat you again! Dorian struggled to prop himself up. He wiped the blood from the corner
31:41of his mouth with his hand. I was here first. You're the homewrecker.
31:47Caleb let out a furious roll and kicked him again. This time, Dorian didn't move. Alarmed, I hurried
31:53over. Dorian gritted his teeth in pain, but his eyes were full of hope. You still care about me,
31:58don't you? After making sure he wasn't in any real danger, I finally relaxed. I'm worried you'll die,
32:04then Caleb be put down. Dorian grabbed my wrist. There was desperation in his voice.
32:10I don't need to go to the hospital. Lucy, you heard me, didn't you? I really do love you. You
32:16wanted to bond with me, didn't you? We were supposed to pick out our rings together. We can do it
32:20now,
32:22okay? Dromian, I gently pulled my hand away. Bianca already promised she'd buy you. You won't be sent to
32:29a red light district, so you don't have to force yourself because you're scared. You don't have to
32:34pretend to like me. No, no, that's not it. Dorian looked more helpless than I'd ever seen him. I really
32:41do love you. I'm not pretending. I've loved you since the day we met. You're nice. You work harder than
32:48anyone. How could I not fall for you? My first reaction was almost laughter. After everything
32:53he'd done, how could he possibly call that love? So that's how you treat someone you love? By calling
32:59her disgusting? Call her a low class? Tell her to stay away? And you hurt her? Blame her all the
33:04time?
33:04The color drained further from Dorian's face with every question. Dorian, I don't want that kind of
33:10love. And honestly, I don't believe you love me at all. Stop lying to yourself. I took Caleb's hand
33:17and walked out. I took Caleb straight to the hospital. The nurse turned out to be the same
33:24one from before. She looked at Caleb with obvious disdain. So this is your shifter? The one who got
33:30you hurt three times in a single month? And who never once bothered to come with you to the hospital?
33:34Now you're the one bringing him in. Isn't that something? No, you've got the wrong person. This is
33:39my new shifter. I'm sorry. Last time I had a hypoglyphremic attack, Lucy threw herself underneath me so I
33:45wouldn't hit the ground. She's such a good person. I thought you were the one making her suffer.
33:50Lucy, I felt for you. I've always been the type to move on quickly. When Dorian treated me badly,
33:57I assumed I simply wasn't good enough for him. So I worked harder. Of course I was hurt. But I
34:04learned
34:04to swallow those feelings. To grind them down and turn them into something that made me stronger.
34:08I thought nothing could affect me anymore. Not other people's contempt. Not the wounds left by my own
34:15sister. But then Caleb said he felt sorry for me. Sorry for my injuries. Sorry for how hard I worked.
34:23And he kept telling me that I was his favorite in the world. He saw me. Really saw me. Something
34:28warm
34:28and aching welled up inside my chest, rising so fast it threatened to spill out through my eyes.
34:33Let's do the treatment first. Only that I realized that I could have a happy ending.
34:40The only family I had ever known took everything from me. Then Dorian came along. The person I'd
34:46waited so long for. And he never loved me at all. Maybe all those hardships had led me here.
34:54So that, in the end, Caleb could find his way to me.
35:01For the next few weeks, Caleb and I came to an agreement. We simply ignored Dorian. Caleb found a job.
35:08I've got hands and I'm a grown man. I can't let you alone support me forever. If we both work,
35:13our lives will only get better. Then I realized that life can be built by us too.
35:18Dorian sat on the couch every day. He watched us leave for work and come back home.
35:23The night before he was due to leave, he stopped me.
35:26Lucy, I wait for you at home every day. But you won't even look at me.
35:31Lucy, I really know I was wrong. But everyone makes mistakes. Why can't you forgive me just once?
35:38I don't blame you. I understand. You're a high-end shifter. I'm a low human. The fact that I was
35:44able
35:44to buy you in the first place was already an incredible stroke of luck. So if you weren't happy
35:48with your life, or with me, I understand. Then you've forgiven me? I'll treat you right this time.
35:56Tomorrow we'll take that mutt back and- No. Caleb isn't going anywhere. I think you're confusing
36:02fear with love. You're just afraid of the red light district. That's all this is. Once the
36:09reassignment is complete, everything will go back to normal. No. No, that's not it. Lucy,
36:17what do I have to do to make you believe me? I really do love you. Watching him fall apart,
36:24I suddenly remembered the person I used to be. The girl who had begged for his love. The girl who
36:29had
36:29lived for every scrap of his approval. Looking back on it now, it really was pathetic. No wonder
36:35Dorian had always looked down on me. I realized a long time ago that I'd fallen for you, but I
36:39couldn't accept it. You're just a low human. My pride wouldn't let me. So I insulted you. I said
36:44things I didn't mean. It was easier to convince myself I was being forced into it, easier than
36:48admitting I'd chosen someone beneath me. I liked how much you tried to love me. Every time you tried
36:52harder, I felt better. I got to stay on top. I got to keep pretending I was still that admired,
36:56high-ranked shifter. But I forgot something. I'm not that shifter anymore. I'm just a defective nobody.
37:06A reject. The only reason I ever felt valuable was because you loved me. Tears slipped through his
37:14fingers and splashed onto the pavement. Now I truly understand. Dorian had never been able to accept
37:20that he'd fallen for a low human. He'd needed my devotion to reassure himself. To convince himself that
37:27loving me wasn't a choice. Lucy? What's wrong? Nothing. I'm fine.
37:37Dormian.
37:37Dormian. We're really over. This time it's for good.
37:50When Stella arrived, she was all smiles. Lucy, Caleb's been a good boy, hasn't he?
37:59Of course I have. Then he looked at me expectantly. Right, Lucy? Yeah, most of the time. Most of the
38:10time? I've
38:11been good all the time. For someone so tall and intimidating, he was unexpectedly adorable.
38:18Stella handed me the transfer confirmation forms the day I bought Dorian. We'd been sitting side by
38:24side. His nose had been pink from crying, tears and happiness mixed together in his eyes. He'd looked
38:30so cute that I'd found myself staring. Sorry. I'll make myself look better. You already look good.
38:38How? That was one of the few times I'd ever seen him smile. I remembered it clearly. When he smiled,
38:46he would curve his lips. A slightly longer fang on the left side would show. I shook my head,
38:52as if I could shake the memory away with it. He wasn't that person anymore. Inside the bedroom,
38:58Dorian lay staring blankly at the ceiling. Come with me right now.
39:05I used to think this bed was uncomfortable. Funny. Now it feels pretty comfortable. He pushed himself
39:12up and followed Stella outside. He walked slowly, but neither Caleb nor I looked at him again. I saw a
39:19video where someone trimmed their shifter's ear fur into little round puffs. It looked adorable. I want
39:23to try it. But fair warning, if I mess it up, don't get mad. As long as you're the one
39:28doing it, I'll love it.
39:33The front door closed. Dorian was gone.
39:39Much later, I heard from Stella what had happened to Dorian. Bianca never bought him?
39:44She found out he couldn't have children, so she threw a huge fit at the agency. A defective
39:50acted like he's too good for everyone was how she put it. I was stunned. I didn't know Bianca never
39:56knew about Dorian's condition. What happened to Dorian? Had he been sent to the red light district
40:01after all? Stella hesitated. Well, he got sick. Depression. It got so bad he could barely talk to
40:08people. The agency was preparing to retire him, but these days he's working at an orphanage. He seems
40:15calm around the children. After I hung up, I sat there for a long time. Caleb wrapped his arms around
40:22me. Are you worried about him? If you're really worried, we could always bring him back. I wouldn't
40:29mind. He said he wouldn't mind, but his arms were crushing my waist. When are you going to be honest
40:34about your feelings? I am honest. Caleb was so good in almost every way. The only problem was
40:41that he was always trying to please me. Sometimes I worried that if I ever did something terrible,
40:45he'd clean up the mess for me instead of stopping me. I wanted him to relax, to express his true
40:50feelings. I pinched his cheek harder, hoping he'd finally learn to stop me. But even after his face
40:56turned red, he didn't resist. He just looked at me with bright, happy eyes. I sighed in defeat.
41:04Why don't you ever tell me no? You can say no, you know? You pinch me, but not anyone else.
41:11That means you like me. I'm happy about it. So it doesn't hurt. I didn't know how to react.
41:17You really are. How could you be so... adorable. The atmosphere changed. The air suddenly felt heated.
41:27His tail wouldn't stop wagging. I tried to run. Unfortunately, he'd already caught my ankle.
41:35Our child would be even cuter than I am. Want to find out?
41:39No. It's the middle of the day. You told me I need to learn how to say no to you.
41:44So I'm saying no to your no. That is not what I meant. I...
41:51Stop kissing me. Fortunately, I've always been good at looking on the bright side.
41:56Maybe this was Caleb's first step towards learning how to be in a relationship.
42:01Stella used to be my supervisor. Later, she went to reception. Nobody ever wanted me.
42:09So she was always worried about me. The day before, I was sent to the fighting pits.
42:14She came running over. She was vibrating with excitement.
42:18Caleb, someone wants you. Someone wanted me?
42:23She's an incredibly sweet girl. Her previous shifter was Dorian.
42:32I knew who Dorian was. Everybody did. He'd been the pride of the agency.
42:37Then they found out he was defective. And suddenly, nobody wanted him anymore.
42:41I'd heard a low human had saved him. I paused. Such a nice person. And Dorian didn't love her?
42:48Then she grabbed my shoulders and told me. Don't let her go. She's a really good person.
43:06It turns out Stella undersold her. Lucy isn't just a good person. She's adorable.
43:12She's got big round eyes like grapes. Her nose was tiny. Her mouth was tiny. And her whole face was
43:18tiny.
43:18She's so cute that sometimes I want to swallow her whole and hide her where nobody else can see her.
43:23Even her name is beautiful. Lucy. Lucy sounds like moonlight. Maybe that means our future will be bright, too.
43:29We sleep together now. She smells so good. She's so sweet. Lucy cried at the hospital.
43:36She thought I didn't notice. Why was she crying? Did I do something wrong? I need to love her even
43:41more.
43:42That's stinky fox Dorian. Troublemaker. Homewrecker. I got off work five minutes late.
43:48And he used those five minutes to corner my Lucy outside the apartment. Too bad. One day, seriously, I'm going
43:54to bite him.
43:55Yay! Dorian's gone. Lucy says I need to learn how to tell people no.
43:58In fact, I do say no. But never to her. She's my treasure. Besides, she has no idea how cute
44:06she is
44:06when she's asking for something. Her eyes sparkle. Her little hands rest on me all soft and warm.
44:11Nope. Can't think about that anymore. Now I want to nibble on her again. I have a baby now. And
44:17Lucy
44:17and I bonded early, too. Everything's good. Dorian doesn't stand a chance anymore. We had a daughter.
44:23She looks just like Lucy. Lucy keeps telling me to stop crying because it's bad for my eyes.
44:29But I can't. I'm so happy. And I hope you're happy, too.
44:35You must wish I could but not stop crying and
44:36Okay.
44:36Three police.
Comments