Chapter 8:

Ep 6 "The Night After the Fire"

Save a cat, but be your girl S1

A thin mist still lingered low among the scorched trees as light footsteps touched the damp ground. The sound of water dripping from broken branches occasionally echoed, filling the silence of the forest freshly ravaged by war. The light of dusk began to creep through the remaining clouds, painting the sky with a soft orange gradient.
Soutarou walked in front, his steps slightly heavy but steady. His clothes were partially singed, and several small wounds on his arms were still faintly visible. On his shoulder, Akuro—in his small animal form—slept soundly, his wings folded tightly and his feathers slightly damp from the lingering rain.
Shin followed behind silently. Her clothes were also stained with dirt and ash. Her ears twitched whenever a distant sound was heard, but her eyes were fixed only on Soutarou's back. From time to time, she glanced around—at fallen trees, remnants of explosions, fragments of abandoned weapons. Traces of war.
Their journey gradually sloped westward, along a dirt path once full of bushes and leaves—now just scorched earth and charred branches. The forest felt empty, not even birds had dared to return.
The sky grew darker. The remaining sunlight became just a golden glimmer at the edge of the trees, while shadows stretched longer across the ground.
After nearly an hour of silent travel, in the distance, the silhouette of a burned-down house began to emerge.
Soutarou paused briefly. His breath was deep. Shin also stopped behind him, gazing at the ruins with a mixed expression. The house’s walls were now just charred wooden rubble. The roof had completely collapsed. Only a few pieces of the stone foundation still stood upright.
They approached cautiously. Shin picked up a piece of wooden board that was once part of the bedroom floor, stared at it briefly, then set it down again. No one spoke.
Soutarou moved around to the back of the house, where a small hidden space remained beneath the floor. He quickly pried it open, pulling out a small metal box that was almost untouched by the flames.
Inside the box:
Two small foldable tents
Thin blanket and sleeping bag
A basic first aid kit
Several cans of preserved food
A small gas stove
Waterproof matches and a flashlight

Shin looked at the supplies with surprise, then turned to Soutarou.
Soutarou simply replied, “Emergency prep. I thought I’d never use it.”
The sky was now completely dark. The purple of night began to replace the orange of dusk. The sound of crickets slowly began to echo in the distance.
They slowly left the ruins, walking toward a small river to the north—a place Soutarou used to fish. The path was narrow and partly blocked by branches. But the sound of flowing water soon became clearer.
Upon arrival, they moved quickly—Soutarou set up the tent, Shin helping as best she could. Akuro began to fly gently, casting a faint light from his small body to illuminate the area.
The tent stood on soft ground, not far from the riverbank. The small stove was lit. The blue flame danced between two stones, reflecting in their eyes.
Shin sat on a blanket, staring at the calm river. Her face no longer held the fear it once did—just exhaustion, and a hint of peace at last. Soutarou sat beside her, checking the wounds on his hands while occasionally glancing up at the starry sky.
Akuro curled up in the corner of the tent, his breathing steady.
The night air was cool, but not biting. The remaining leaves swayed gently in the soft wind. The sound of the river flowing became the background music.
That night, for the first time since everything changed, they had a roof—even if it was fabric—food, even if simple, and each other.
— Fade out, end of Episode 6 opening —

# 1

Soutarou:

"Looks stable enough. The tent won’t collapse, unless the wind goes berserk."

Shin:

"...Are we actually camping right now?"

Soutarou:

"Yup. After being chased by rockets and hunter squads, this totally counts as a luxury vacation."

Shin:

"A luxury vacation that... started from the ruins of your house."

Soutarou:

"Minor detail. What matters is we’re still alive."

Shin:

"...I like the campfire."

Soutarou:

"Me too. It’s calm, warm, and doesn’t explode."

Shin:

"And doesn’t chase us."

Soutarou:

"Heh, exactly. A friendly fire."

Shin:

"...Soutarou."

Soutarou:

"Hm?"

Shin:

"Thank you. If it weren’t for you... I wouldn’t be here."

Soutarou:

"If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have realized how important it is to protect something."

Shin:

"...I’m a ‘something’?"

Soutarou:

"You’re special."

Shin:

"...Ugh."

Soutarou:

"Hah?"

Shin:

"After you said that, I feel nauseous."

Soutarou:

"Eh—you started it, y’know!"

Shin:

"Hehe... but seriously. I’m glad we can sit here. No trackers, no rocket sounds."

Soutarou:

"At least for tonight, yeah. We’re safe."

Shin:

"Tonight... we sleep under the stars."

Soutarou:

"And tomorrow, maybe we’ll find a new place to start again."

Shin:

"I’m coming with you, wherever that is."

Soutarou:

"...Yeah. We’re together."

---

Shin:

"...Soutarou."

Soutarou:

"Hm?"

Shin:

"I... am I a burden?"

Soutarou:

"What d o you mean?"

Shin:

"If I weren’t here... your house wouldn’t be destroyed. We wouldn’t be hunted. You wouldn’t have almost—"

Soutarou:

"Stop, Shin."

Shin:

"...But this all happened because of me."

Soutarou:

"It’s not your fault."

Shin:

"I bring danger. I’m a living tracker. I’m a failed experiment. They’re chasing me, not you."

Soutarou:

"But I chose to stay by your side."

Shin:

"But if I’d never entered your life... you wouldn’t have lost anything."

Soutarou:

"If you never came... I wouldn’t have learned what it means to have something worth protecting."

Shin:

"But your house..."

Soutarou:

"Houses can be rebuilt. You can’t be replaced."

Shin:

"...Why do you keep holding on like this?"

Soutarou:

"Because you matter."

Shin:

"I’m... nobody."

Soutarou:

"You’re Shin. That’s enough."

Shin:

"I just... hurt you."

Soutarou:

"But you’re also the one who made me stronger."

Shin:

"If you... if something happened to you earlier... I..."

Soutarou:

"But nothing did happen. I’m here."

Shin:

"If one day you can’t get back up again... it’ll be because of me."

Soutarou:

"If I fall, it’s my choice. Not your fault."

Shin:

"But—"

Soutarou:

"No ‘but’s. Listen, Shin."

Shin:

"…"

Soutarou:

"I know this is all heavy on you. But don’t carry it alone."

Shin:

"I don’t want you to lose everything because of me."

Soutarou:

"I’d rather lose everything... than lose you."

Shin:

"...Why are you like this..."

Soutarou:

"Because you’re worth saving. And I won’t let you think otherwise."

Shin:

"I just want... for you not to hurt because of me."

Soutarou:

"It hurts more to see you blame yourself."

Shin:

"...I’m scared, Soutarou."

Soutarou:

"Me too. But we can be scared together."

Shin:

"…"

Soutarou:

"As long as you’re here, I’ll never regret anything we go through."

Shin:

"...Thank you."

Soutarou:

"Anytime, Shin. Anytime you need me."

Shin:

"Promise?"

Soutarou:

"Promise."

---

(Akuro stands on a rock near the campfire, eyes fixed intensely on the two of them. His wings flicker slightly, feathers puffed from tension. He scrapes his claws against the ground, then stares at Shin and Soutarou as if trying to say something—but no human voice comes out.)

Soutarou:

"Akuro? What’s wrong?"

Shin:

"He... looks anxious."

(Akuro shuts his eyes tightly. A faint red glow surrounds his body. He tenses up, wings expanding and folding into his back. His body grows quickly, fangs and claws shrinking, and his human form begins to emerge—wobbly and unstable.)

Akuro (trembling):

"...I-I... did it... but..."

Shin:

"He can talk?!"

Soutarou:

"Wait, he’s forcing a transformation on low mana?! Akuro, don’t—"

(Akuro staggers. His body glows once more, and in seconds, he shrinks back into his small animal form, collapsing in a panting heap.)

Shin:

"He... turned back..."

Soutarou:

"He doesn’t have enough mana to sustain his human form."

(Akuro lets out a soft whimper, as if trying to speak, but no words come. He just lowers his head, tail curled tightly around his legs.)

Shin:

"Poor thing... he wants to help, but..."

Soutarou:

"...Wait here."

(Soutarou opens his pouch and pulls out a small necklace with a bluish-purple gemstone. The gem pulses faintly with light.)

Soutarou:

"This... is an old artifact that speeds up mana regeneration. I’ve been saving it for emergencies."

Shin:

"You’ve had something like that all along?"

Soutarou:

"Since before I met you guys. Now I know who needs it more."

(Soutarou gently places the necklace around Akuro’s neck. As the stone touches his fur, a soft glow spreads through his body.)

Akuro:

"...Ngh..."

Shin:

"He’s reacting..."

Soutarou:

"I can feel his mana rising. Slowly. Don’t push yourself again until it’s enough."

(Akuro looks at them. This time, with just a light press on the stone, his body glows again. He transforms briefly into his human form—just long enough to stand upright and speak.)

Akuro (low voice):

"...Thank you. I... will be strong again."

(Within seconds, he reverts once more. But this time, he seems more stable—not collapsing like before. His breathing is steadier.)

Shin:

"...He did it. Even if only briefly."

Soutarou:

"That’s enough. Slowly but surely, he’ll last longer. But even this small step... is incredible."

---

(The night air grows colder, and their stomachs start growling. Soutarou opens the emergency bag they took from the ruins, pulling out several canned goods and placing them near the campfire.)

Soutarou:

"Okay, we’ve got... bean soup, canned vegetables, instant porridge, and... canned meat."

Shin:

(silent for a moment, then quickly points)

"That one. The meat."

Soutarou:

"Hah? You sure? It’s canned meat. The metal smell’s strong."

Shin:

(moves closer, eyes gleaming)

"Show me what’s inside first."

Soutarou:

"...Alright, alright."

(Soutarou opens the can. As the steam rises, Shin leans in closer—sniffing quickly like a cat.)

Shin:

"...I want this."

Soutarou:

"Your cat instincts are in full swing, huh?"

Shin:

"I don’t know why... but this smells like... prey."

Soutarou:

"...Don’t bite the can, Shin."

Shin:

(lightly bares teeth)

"I’m not that savage..."

Akuro:

(chirps softly from his spot on the rock)

Soutarou:

"Heh, you hungry too, Akuro? Don’t worry, we’ve got instant porridge too. It’s light."

Shin:

"Can I eat straight from the can?"

Soutarou:

"As long as you don’t lick it clean too..."

Shin:

"...No promises."

Soutarou:

"Oh boy."

Shin:

(grabs the can, sits cross-legged)

"I feel like... I’ll claw something if I don’t eat this now."

Soutarou:

"Don’t claw me, okay? I’ve only got one jacket."

Shin:

"No promises."

Soutarou:

"...I regret bringing you to the forest."

Shin:

(mouth full)

"No... you’re glad, right?"

Soutarou:

"Sometimes I think twice."

Akuro:

(approaches slowly, sniffing the porridge can lid)

Soutarou:

"This one’s for you, Akuro. Careful, it’s still hot."

Akuro:

(nods slowly and starts eating)

Shin:

"You know... food like this is weirdly tasty in an emergency."

Soutarou:

"When you’re starving, even rocks taste good."

Shin:

(chews slowly, then smiles faintly)

"...I’m grateful I can still eat with you guys."

Soutarou:

"Me too. Even if it’s by the river, in a forest, with a bunch of cans."

Shin:

"We’re like... a weird little refugee family."

Soutarou:

"Overpowered refugees."

Shin:

"Akuro too. Look at him, eating like a hawk king."

Soutarou:

"Yeah, even though he looks like a fluffy plushie right now."

Shin:

"Will he be able to stay human longer later?"

Soutarou:

"If he gets enough mana, definitely. That necklace will help."

Shin:

"...You’re really kind, Soutarou."

Soutarou:

"Hm?"

Shin:

"If you weren’t here... I’d probably be eating garbage."

Soutarou:

"If you weren’t here, I’d probably still be eating alone."

Shin:

"...We both saved each other, huh."

Soutarou:

"That’s right."

Shin:

(stands up slowly, stretches)

"I wanna wash my hands... even though... water..."

Soutarou:

"Heh, not scared anymore?"

Shin:

"Still scared. But I’m more scared of a stomachache."

Soutarou:

"That’s progress."

Akuro:

(nods slowly while licking his fur, looking satisfied)

(The night rolls on, and even with simple food, a small warmth begins to wrap around them once more.)

# 5

(A faint glow from the necklace Akuro wore began to pulse a little brighter. A light aura appeared around his body, and then—in a blink—the light burst slightly. Akuro's form shifted from a small hawk to his human form: a tall youth with dark red hair and softly glowing eyes.)

Soutarou:

"Oh, you did it again."

Akuro:

(sighs)

"My mana is enough... at least for now."

Shin:

(glances from behind her can of meat)

"As long as you don’t try to steal my meat, I won’t complain."

Soutarou:

"I don’t think you’d ever share that can willingly."

Shin:

(without hesitation)

"Nope."

Soutarou:

(chuckles, then pulls a spoon from his bag)

"Here, Akuro. If you’re in human mode, use a spoon—not a beak."

Akuro:

(takes the spoon, momentarily puzzled, then looks at the porridge in front of him)

"...Like this, right?"

Soutarou:

"Yep. Scoop it, lift it, into your mouth. Human style."

Akuro:

(starts scooping the porridge, eating slowly and calmly)

"...It tastes... bland, but... warm."

Shin:

(still munching on canned meat, mouth full)

"As long as it’s not leaves, right?"

Akuro:

(turns slowly to Shin)

"I don’t eat leaves. I’m a hawk, not a rabbit."

Soutarou:

"Thank goodness. If we gave you salad, Shin might have a breakdown."

Shin:

(looks flatly at Soutarou)

"I eat meat. Period."

Akuro:

(looks at Shin’s can, then at his own porridge)

"...Meat looks more appealing."

Shin:

(hugs her can instantly)

"Again—no."

Soutarou:

(laughs, sitting cross-legged by the fire)

"Akuro, keep an eye on your mana. Don’t stay transformed too long if it feels heavy."

Akuro:

"It’s still stable. But I know my limit."

Shin:

(while still eating)

"I don’t know my limit for being full. This is so good."

Soutarou:

"Heh... you two."

Akuro:

(after his third spoonful, stares at the spoon)

"...Such a simple tool, but efficient. Humans have many tricks."

Soutarou:

"We have to be creative. Can’t swallow prey whole like you."

Shin:

(eyeing Akuro)

"You used to eat mice whole, didn’t you?"

Akuro:

(flatly)

"Don’t bring up the past."

Shin:

(laughs)

(The atmosphere is light. Akuro keeps eating his porridge slowly, sitting by the fire. Shin clutches her can of meat like treasure. The night is quiet—but no longer lonely.)

---

(After eating, the three sit relaxed near the campfir e. Empty cans and clean porridge bowls are neatly stacked at the side. The night breeze gently blows, carrying the scent of smoke and peace.)

Soutarou:

"Finally... full at last."

Shin:

(rubbing her stomach)

"Me too. But... I still want another can."

Soutarou:

"You already finished a whole one by yourself."

Shin:

"That was a cat-sized portion. Tiny."

Akuro:

(closing his eyes, leaning against a rock)

"I feel calmer after eating... and the fire’s warmth is pleasant."

Soutarou:

"So now you get why humans like eating while talking."

Akuro:

"I’ve seen it often... I just usually watched from afar."

Shin:

"Seriously? You never tried it before this?"

Akuro:

"I preferred eating in beast form. But... this feels different."

Soutarou:

"You’re becoming more human. Want us to teach you card games too?"

Akuro:

"...What’s that?"

Shin:

"Don’t start... or he’ll teach you gambling."

Soutarou:

"I don’t teach bad stuff, okay."

Shin:

"By the way, you know, Akuro... you ate that porridge like you were reading a thick book."

Akuro:

"That... was concentration."

Soutarou:

"Hahaha! It’s okay, you’re cool."

Akuro:

"Thank you... though I’m not sure how porridge makes me ‘cool’."

Shin:

"If you eat with one hand while fighting, then you’re cool."

Soutarou:

"Don’t challenge him like that, Shin..."

Shin:

"I’m just saying."

Akuro:

(looking at both)

"I can try... but the porridge might spill."

Soutarou:

"Haha, please don’t! We don’t have much emergency food left."

Shin:

(sprawling onto a thin mat)

"I like tonight..."

Soutarou:

"Peaceful, huh?"

Shin:

"Like... the world finally shut up for a bit."

Akuro:

"...Quiet doesn’t mean safe. But... it’s enough."

Soutarou:

"For tonight, we’re far enough from trouble."

Shin:

"And full enough to dream of meat."

Soutarou:

"You and meat... inseparable, huh."

Shin:

"I’m spiritually bound."

Akuro:

"...Spiritually?"

Shin:

"Yeah! Like... a pact between cats and meat!"

Soutarou:

"I give up."

Akuro:

(eyeing Shin)

"Humans really exaggerate small things."

Shin:

"Hey! Meat isn’t a small thing!"

Soutarou:

"Alright, alright—what matters is that you’re happy. We needed a night like this... even if it’s short."

Shin:

"...Yeah."

Akuro:

"Agreed."

(The fire still crackles gently. Above them, the sky is full of stars. Full and warm, the three sit in peaceful silence, enjoying the night like ordinary people.)

---

(The mood grows quiet. The gentle night breeze, the dwindling fire, and their full bellies make their eyelids heavy.)

Soutarou:

"...Getting sleepy now, huh."

Shin:

(rubbing her eyes)

"I’m going in first... can’t keep my head up anymore."

Akuro:

(nods slowly)

"Same. Human mode over... time to return."

(In the dim light, Akuro's body shifts back into hawk form and he flutters into the tent.)

Soutarou:

"Let’s go in too, before it gets colder."

(They enter the tent. Strangely, the small tent feels much larger than it should. Soutarou can even sit upright and stretch his legs.)

Shin:

(looking around, then curling up in a corner)

"...This corner’s enough for me."

Soutarou:

"...That’s only a quarter of the tent space, Shin. You sure you’re comfy?"

Shin:

"It’s like... a cardboard corner. Feels safe and snug."

Soutarou:

"Well, a true cat, through and through."

Akuro:

(curling up on the other side, feathers tucked in neatly)

"...Warm."

Soutarou:

"Alright then... good night, you two."

Shin:

(in a soft voice)

"Good night..."

(The tent grows quiet. Only the sound of peaceful breathing and the rustle of leaves brushing the tent walls remains. In a strangely magical way, that little tent holds three souls finally able to rest... for tonight.)

---

And on that q

uiet night, as the three of them drifted off in a tent that felt larger than logic…

between the fading warmth of the fire and the whispering forest breeze…

a question lingered in the air, quietly slipping into their dreams:

"Can this peace… last until morning?"

Stay tuned.