Nolan and Anna stopped in their tracks and turned back together.
Vivi rose slowly to her feet, tear tracks still wet on her face. She took a deep breath, then suddenly lifted her hand and pulled off the hood she had never been seen without. A pair of soft, tiger-striped ears emerged into the open air. Perhaps from nervousness, their tips trembled ever so slightly. The afternoon sunlight filtered through the window lattice, brushing those ears with a faint golden sheen. They looked soft, almost alive in the glow. Behind her, a long tail marked with the same tiger stripes hung naturally. It must have been tucked at her waist before, but now the tip swayed restlessly.
In this moment, she chose not to hide anymore.
“How about we make a deal, sir?” She emphasized the last word, her tone carrying both a hint of self-mockery and quiet defiance. “That world you talked about… where humans and beastfolk can live together in harmony…”
Her voice was still hoarse, but every word came out firm and deliberate.
“Hire me. I want to be part of it. I want to see with my own eyes whether your naive dream can really come true.”
Her amber eyes locked onto Nolan’s, no longer clouded by confusion or sorrow. Instead, they burned with something newly rekindled: hope. The flame was bright, almost scorching.
Nolan and Anna exchanged a glance, each seeing a flicker of surprise in the other’s eyes.
“I’m useful!” Vivi added quickly when they didn’t respond, afraid her only chance might slip away. “I’m the best nightingale in Veli City. I can sneak into the fat countess’ bedroom in the West District and take her necklace without alerting a single guard! I’m skilled with daggers and crossbows, and I can see better than an owl at night!”
Nolan studied her in silence. The girl who had been sobbing moments ago now looked like a stubborn little tiger, baring her claws, trying desperately to prove her worth.
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he asked quietly, “If you follow me, you may face things far worse than discrimination. The kingdom is troubled within and without. There will be conflict ahead, and death will walk close beside us. Are you certain?”
Vivi listened, and instead of hesitating, she laughed. “What’s the difference between rotting away in this decaying kingdom and being dead?” Her reply came without the slightest pause, the fire in her eyes burning even brighter. “I’d rather chase that distant, unreachable light, even if I end up burned to ashes, than rot in the gutter!”
Nolan smiled. It was a genuine smile, unrestrained and filled with admiration.
Anna smiled as well. She had always known this about him. Nolan was someone who brought hope to others.
He took out the pouch he had just recovered, tossed it lightly into the air, then flicked it toward Vivi.
She caught it effortlessly.
Resting his chin on one hand, Nolan looked utterly at ease, as though they were discussing nothing more than an ordinary transaction. “Advance payment. Five silver coins. How does that sound? In return, I promise to take you to witness the dream we’ll build together.”
Vivi weighed the pouch in her hand. The coins clinked softly inside. For some reason, the sound had never been so pleasant. “Honestly, still as stingy as ever.” She grinned, revealing a small, sharp canine, her expression bright with a mix of mischief and playfulness. “Deal. But just so we’re clear, no change given!”
“Welcome aboard,” Nolan said with a smile, extending his hand to her. “The best nightingale in Veli City.”
A warmth surged through Vivi’s chest, sweeping away the shadows that had lingered there for years.
She reached out and clasped his broad, steady hand tightly.
***
When the three of them stepped out of the Boar’s Ribs together, the bald manager kept his eyes fixed straight ahead, polishing a glass with intense focus, as though it were the most important task of his life. He acted as if he hadn’t seen a thing.
Since Vivi needed to return and gather her belongings, by the time the three arrived back at Kayan’s small building, dusk had already fallen.
The courtyard was alive with activity.
Leus was beaming as he worked with Hank and Kreil, loading a large pile of newly purchased alchemical materials onto a cart. Nearby, Kayan stood bare-chested, his well-built frame on full display as he instructed Little Donnie on how to properly use the crude training equipment he had put together, his voice loud and insistent.
“Engage your core, Donnie! Imagine your waist is a drawn bowstring!”
“Yes, Brother Kayan!” Donnie gritted his teeth, lifting a millstone-sized rock, his face flushed red with effort.
At the sight of Nolan’s return, everyone paused what they were doing.
“Mr. Nolan, you’re finally back!”
“Nolan… sir.”
“Nolan, did you get the armor?” Hank stepped forward, nodding to his daughter before his curious gaze shifted to the figure behind Nolan. “And this is?”
Nolan turned slightly, bringing Vivi into view. “Let me introduce everyone. This is Vivi, our newest team member.”
Under the weight of so many curious eyes, Vivi’s body stiffened slightly.
Nolan’s words echoed in her mind, pulling her back to a moment just before they had left the upstairs room.
He had been about to open the door when he suddenly stopped, turned around, and walked toward her, lifting his hands gently.
For a split second, panic flickered through her.
What is he doing? He’s not… trying to hug me, is he? Is this some kind of greeting ritual among knights or soldiers?
As he drew closer, her thoughts spiraled, and she squeezed her eyes shut, her heartbeat racing.
But the expected contact never came. Instead, she felt a pair of warm hands lightly lift her hood and settle it back over her head, hiding her conspicuous ears once more.
She opened her eyes in confusion and found Nolan smiling at her, calm and reassuring.
“Not yet,” he had said. “Prejudice in people’s hearts is like a mountain. Moving it takes time. But I’ll show you that not everyone is blinded by it. My companions… they’re worth trusting.”
***
“A new member?”
Back in the courtyard, the others exchanged glances, clearly surprised.
The boss and Anna had only gone out to buy supplies. How had they come back with a recruit?
Under their watchful gazes, Vivi clenched her fists. To be treated the same as everyone else. That was all she wanted. It wasn’t much. She knew this was the first hurdle.
Would she continue hiding beneath the shadow of her hood, or trust the judgment of that man?
She took a deep breath. Then another.
And before all of them, she slowly lifted her hood. A pair of soft, tiger ears appeared, stark against the fading light of dusk.
Little Donnie froze mid-lift, the stone still in his hands.
Hank’s expression turned grave.
The conversation between Leus and Kreil died instantly. Even Kayan’s booming voice fell silent.
In that moment, the liveliness of the courtyard froze completely, as if time itself had come to a halt.
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