Food, Definitions and Wolf

Foebe sighed happily, still holding his hands in hers as the applause rolled on, her tears finally drying. Joash could tell there was something immensely important tied to this marriage - something far bigger than just two people saying their vows - but he had no time to dwell on it.

Foebe suddenly broke into a grin.

“Come on. Let’s go to the feast. Everyone’s waiting.”

He nodded, unsure of the customs but already recognizing enough familiar beats from Earth to follow along. She led him forward, almost skipping, weaving between the pews as the guests continued to cheer. Joash followed, still trying to process everything, but trusting - instinctively - that she was the safest person in this strange new world.

Foebe laughed freely as she pulled him along, the sound bright and unrestrained, as though something that had weighed on her for a long time had finally been lifted. They burst through the church doors into brilliant sunlight. Joash winced, briefly blinded, raising his free hand to shield his eyes.

Before his vision could fully clear, he was already being ushered into another building.

This one was larger, grander, and far less religious. Tall arched windows lined the walls like something out of a palace, and massive stone pillars supported the high ceiling. Inside, long rows of tables stretched across the hall, each draped in white cloth and decorated with flowers, polished silverware, and a number of expensive-looking ornaments Joash didn’t even have names for.

At the very front stood a smaller table, clearly set for two.

Joash was starting to wonder just what exactly he’d married into, but Foebe didn’t give him time to spiral. She tugged him to the side of the entrance and smiled brightly.

“Now we thank everyone.”

He blinked.

The meaning became clear almost immediately as the first guests began to file in. One by one, each person stopped before them to offer congratulations before moving on to their assigned seats. It went on. And on.

It was, without question, the most awkward ten minutes of Joash’s life.

Yet his mind was far too busy to focus on the discomfort.

The guests, for one thing. There were so many of them. Surely they couldn’t all be close to Foebe. Unless she was… what? A noble? A princess? Some kind of royalty? He wondered when he’d get a chance to ask.

Everything had happened so suddenly.

There’d been no introduction. No pre-isekai cutscene like in the anime he was used to. No chance to pick skills. No option to adjust his appearance. No stat screen where he could dump points into agility.

He’d simply opened his eyes and - bam - he was getting married.

But when he glanced at the wolf-girl beside him, her expression bright and unguarded, not even the slightest hint of coercion in her smile, he found himself smiling too.

He didn’t know her personality.

He didn’t know what she liked.

He didn’t know her status, her job, or even who her family was.

But one thing was absolutely certain.

This wasn’t a dream.

It was real.

And he had a wife.

Once all the guests were seated, Joash followed Foebe to the head table and took his place beside her. Conversation bubbled through the hall - laughter, congratulations, and the warm hum of celebration filling the space.

No sooner had they sat than a set of large double doors swung open.

And the food began to arrive.

It didn’t stop.

Plate after plate, dish after dish flowed into the hall, each meal delivered with careful precision, clearly tailored to the individual guests. Joash and Foebe were served first, giving him his first proper look at the food of this new world.

It looked familiar - steak and vegetables - but none of it was anything he recognized.

Foebe caught his expression and giggled.

“Have you never seen these before?”

He shook his head. She smiled, amused but kind.

“Here, I’ll explain.”

She pointed to the steak, rich and fragrant.

“This is kau. It’s a domesticated whakangote. Very common… but still delicious.”

He nodded, understanding none of the words, but she was already moving on, pointing to cubed vegetables resembling potatoes.

“These are riwai. Also very, very common.”

Next, she gestured toward a pair of broad green leaves shaped almost like bowls.

“And these are kapeti. The spices are tote and pepa. The gravy is made from harore.”

She beamed.

“It’s simple, but it’s customary.”

Then her smile dimmed slightly.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t present something more extravagant… food has come a long way since this tradition began.”

Joash shook his head, smiling back at her.

“No, it’s fine. Starting simple just means I can look forward to something better later.”

Her ears perked up immediately.

“Yes! Exactly!”

They began to eat, and as they did, their conversation continued - this time with Joash taking the lead, his curiosity finally overflowing.

“So… how did I get here?”

“Magic.”

He blinked.

“Magic? That exists?”

She laughed softly.

“Of course it does. How do you think Marek knew your name?”

“Marek?”

“The priest.”

That explained that. He nodded slowly.

“Okay. Then… where are we?”

She smiled, clearly enjoying herself.

“The country of Haeata, in the Mangari region. The nearest city is Timatatanga.”

The names would take time. He could already tell. But she seemed delighted to share them.

“This continent has three countries,” she continued. “Haeata’s population is mostly tangata. The other two, Koekoe and Taringa, are mainly karangata and taringata.”

He frowned.

“And those are…?”

She hesitated, thinking.

“Well… tangata are what you are.”

Humans, he translated.

“And the others?”

“Karangata are tangata with ears and tails like mine. Taringata have long, pointed ears.”

Beastmen and elves - though she didn’t use those words.

As if to illustrate, she pushed her hair aside. Beneath her wolf ears were another pair - smaller, human-sized, but pointed. He had the sudden, dangerous urge to touch them.

“The taringata have ears like these, but much longer,” she explained. “Karangata don’t have any here.”

He stared.

“Then… what are you?”

She smiled softly.

“I’m an anaruhi. We aren’t related to any of those races, though we look similar to the wuruhi subspecies of karangata.”

That was… a lot.

He took a breath.

“Okay. Then why am I here?”

She tilted her head.

“I don’t know how the ritual chooses people-”

“No,” he interrupted gently. “I mean… why summon someone at all? Why not marry someone from here?”

Her expression shifted. Subtly. Uneasily.

“I could have,” she said quietly. “But then I would have died.”

He froze.

“Died?”

She nodded.

“Anaruhi are… different. After we’re born, we slowly fade. Little by little. We become more transparent… until we’re married.”

He stared at her, dumbfounded.

“Why? Why does that even happen?”

She shrugged helplessly.

“I don’t know. That’s why I’m the last one.”

Her smile turned fragile.

“The others didn’t marry in time. Or the ritual failed. Or they died.”

“Failed?”

She nodded again.

“We’re given seven chances. Seven attempts to get someone to say yes. Everyone tries differently, but the marriage itself never changes.”

She laughed softly, but the sound was hollow.

“If it weren’t for you… I would’ve vanished too.”

She looked at him.

“You were the seventh.”

The weight of that settled heavily on his shoulders.

If he’d said no - though he couldn’t imagine why he would have - she would be gone.

He opened his mouth. Closed it. Tried again.

“I… don’t know what to say.”

Her eyes softened.

“Then don’t. I’ve never been this thankful in my life.”

She straightened slightly, her voice growing solemn.

“And so I, Foebe, pledge my life and my body to you, and swear to fulfil your every wish to repay my debt.”

Joash stiffened.

“Woah, that’s-”

But she wasn’t finished.

“Just… don’t disappear. Okay?”

He took a breath, then smiled gently.

“I won’t. But I also won’t accept your pledge.”

She stared at him, horrified.

“W-what? Why?”

“Because I don’t want control over you,” he said calmly. “That’s not the kind of relationship I want.”

Her eyes shimmered.

“You… you don’t?”

He shook his head.

“No. I want us to be equals. I want to be able to ask you for things, and for you to be able to ask me. But neither of us is obligated to obey.”

Her lips trembled, then curved upward.

“You’re so… you’re so…”

She exhaled, regaining her composure.

“I’ll show my appreciation later. For now, we need to follow tradition.”

Only then did Joash realize he’d finished his meal - and a dessert he hadn’t even questioned - while the light outside had shifted to gold. Long shadows stretched through the tall windows. The guests were rising, tables being cleared by an efficient army of attendants who looked as though they belonged in a palace.

Foebe stood, her dress flowing as she offered him her hand, her joy fully restored.

“Come on. It’s time for the next event.”

Joash smiled, taking her hand as he rose.

He couldn’t wait to see what came next.