Adventurer's Guild Café: I Was Wrongfully Exiled by the Saint, So I Will Enjoy My Second Life with My Fluffy Friends-Chapter 5.4 - If Only I Didnt Have These Ears and Tail (Part 2)

“Lulu…”

“You were careless, missy. Leaving such a rare creature outside without even chaining it up.”

“How could you do such a terrible thing…!”

Lulu was clearly not acting normal.

“Don’t worry. I just cast a little sleep spell. Rare creatures like this fetch a higher price when they’re in pristine condition.”

“Why... why would you do this...?”

“Because you took your eyes off it, didn’t you? This Carbuncle here, carrying a candy in its mouth, all happy—where was it planning to go, I wonder?”

I felt like crying.

Lulu... for my sake…

“After all, I don’t need this strange creature.”

Albert sniffed dismissively.

“I don’t need anything else to get Kuna’s attention.”

Albert was about to kick the cage.

“Stop!”

I don’t know where I found the strength, but before I knew it, I had lifted my heavy body and started running.

I shielded Lulu just as the kick was about to land.

Hugging the cage, I curled up protectively.

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry, Lulu…”

“Ruu…”

Since meeting Lulu, my life had changed.

Lulu granted my wishes.

Lulu was always by my side.

And yet, I haven’t been able to give anything back to Lulu.

And now, it’s come to this.

“Why... why did it have to end up like this…”

I just thought that if I went somewhere far away, somewhere other than that place, something might change.

And I thought I had changed.

But nothing had changed at all.

“Why did it come to this? Well, if you want to blame something, blame the fact that you were born with those ears and that tail.”

“......”

—Why.

—Why is it always like this?

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If everything is decided by what you’re born with, does that mean I’ll stay like this forever?

... Deep down, I already know.

These ears and tail... I would’ve been better off without them.

If I didn’t have them, maybe I could’ve been happy.

I wish I’d been born human, too.

I know, even if no one says it.

I’m weak, miserable, a crybaby.

Empty, overlooked by everyone.

—The truth is, I hate myself more than anyone else ever could.

Once again, I couldn’t breathe.

My breathing was labored.

It felt like I was struggling underwater.

Just like that time.

A sign of hyperventilation.

“Lulu…”

But then, from within the cage, Lulu let out a faint cry.

When I looked, our eyes met—her clear, transparent gaze piercing through me.

—Kuna, don’t let it consume you.

“Huh…?”

An unfamiliar girl’s voice echoed in my mind.

—Kuna, remember!

Snap.

With that sound, my memories came rushing back like a flood, as if replaying my entire life in an instant.

◆

The day I first came to the guild.

Ruri and Simon took care of me, a complete stranger.

They gave me delicious food, and I couldn’t understand why they were so kind to me.

The day I was shown around the guild.

I saw so many demi-humans and was surprised.

I wondered if it was really okay to live so freely here.

When I started working.

So many customers told me that what I made was delicious.

Dan quietly watched over me.

Little by little, I started to believe that maybe it was okay for me to live here.

My first time living alone.

Thanks to Lulu and the others, it was always lively.

Ellen and Kurona were always there to help me whenever I was in trouble.

Everyone helped me.

I remember going out to the city.

I acted recklessly there and got seriously scolded by Kiril.

How many people in this world would care enough about me to scold me for my own sake?

But because of that, I got to meet Pipi and the others.

And Solaris, too.

When we all ate delicious food together at Hozuki-tei, I felt so happy.

When I encountered a difficult customer, Gear-sama helped me out.

There’s something mysterious about his eyes.

For some reason, they draw you in.

I remember the words Simon said to me:

—You’re allowed to be here.

And I remember walking with Ruri on that sunset path:

—I want you to stay here forever. With Dan, you, and me, we can keep connecting with all kinds of people every day.

I always thought I was transparent, an empty existence.

But that wasn’t true.

Since coming here, I’ve met so many people.

I’ve made so many memories.

I found friends and companions to live with.

There were so many people who told me that what I made was delicious.

I hate myself the most.

But even someone like me has precious, irreplaceable treasures.

They shine like gemstones within me.

If I didn’t have these ears and tail, maybe none of this would have happened.

But.

If I didn’t have these ears and tail, I probably wouldn’t have met everyone.

I wouldn’t have gained these treasures of connection.

Somehow, strength wells up inside me.

Somewhere deep in my heart, another version of myself is whispering—to stand up just one more time, to try walking again.

“...This is a bond I’ve finally made.”

In the cold storage room, my body alone feels burning hot, as if it’s holding warmth.

When I mutter those words softly, both of them furrow their brows.

“This is a place I’ve finally found.”

My precious treasure.

I don’t want to let it go.

Everyone who gave me so many things when I had nothing.

I don’t want to let go of these connections.

“I don’t need any connection with you!”

Ruri taught me.

That it’s okay to cut off connections that aren’t necessary.

“I’m going back to the guild.”

My precious place.

The place I can return to.

“I will never go to your place!”

The two of them widened their eyes.

For the first time, I felt like I was defying something face-to-face.

Well, I guess, if it’s just saying it, I can do it too.

In a carefree way, somewhere deep inside, I thought that about myself.

“…Heh, yelling like this in this situation won’t change anything.”

The man laughed.

I gritted my teeth.

I have to somehow escape from here.

“…I was planning not to use violence if you stayed quiet.”

Albert muttered.

“But even a stupid dog needs to be trained, right? Since it’s training, it shouldn’t be considered violence.”

Albert raised his foot.

“…!”

I’m fine.

But I won’t let him hurt Lulu, no matter what!

When I hugged the cage with Lulu inside and braced myself tightly—

A tremendous sound of destruction echoed, and light flooded the warehouse.