TWEET! TWEET! TWEET!!!
The chirps exploded like angry war horns as Snowy launched forward, wings whipping the air, beak flashing like a blade. Hyerin blinked in confusion, visibly startled by what was going on. But just in time, she wanted to ask Konkon for translation, she saw the fuming white bird catapult itself straight into Konkon's dumb face.
SMACK!
"S-Snowy! Konkon!" Hyerin yelped. Are they fighting? But it looked like a one-sided beating though.
The cub reeled from the impact, toppling backward as though hit by divine judgment and flying away had it not been for him being cradled by Hyerin at that time.
Crap, that hurts! The cub cursed inwardly and wanted to retaliate, smashing that damn bird's hateful face once and for all. Suddenly an idea struck him good, continuing his little tricks and vulnerable pretense in front of the oblivious woman.
Instead of defending himself, the two-faced beast let out a long, wailing cry like a child who had just scraped his knee.
"Boohoo! It hurts! Stop hitting me—Ah! Sister Ashta! That bird is so vicious! So fierce! Save me from this little sh—Snowy!"
He threw himself at her chest like a wounded toddler, sobbing rivers, his paws clutching her robe as if the sky itself had fallen.
The little bird froze. His beak parted mid-screech, too stunned to chirp. But behind that silence, his rage deepened. His glare could peel bark from trees.
Is this midget trying to frame him right now?!
Konkon, hidden in the folds of Hyerin's warmth, smirked faintly behind her shoulder. In the soft comfort of her ample riches. The red cub deliberately whimpered and buried its head between her twin peaks.
Stupid bird, plunge in the depths of envy while I enjoy being squeezed in the soft gates of heaven.
He scoffed, clearly gloating. His crimson eyes slanted toward Snowy in triumph.
And all the while, Hyerin remained none the wiser about the silent war looming over her head like a shadow. She looked down helplessly, flustered by the sudden quarrel between the two "children."
During this time, she reckoned the once sweet fantasy of becoming a mother now felt like a thorny rosebush. So it wasn't simple to quell children squabbling when it's you in the front. Worse, beast children who can claw you.
She sighed and tried to pacify the chaos.
"There, there. Don't cry, Little Fluff. No one's hitting you now," she said soothingly, patting his head. Then her gaze shifted to the airborne menace. She spoke firmly but tried not to be too intimidating.
"Snowy, please stop hitting his head. It's not good for his growing intellect. Look at Konkon, his eyes are so red from crying. Isn't he pitiful?"
Snowy slowly fluttered to her shoulder, landing by her neck with an ominous stillness. His eyes narrowed to slits.
Growing intellect? Female, that buffoon doesn't even have a working brain. He's a bad egg. He's not a child. Don't you dare coddle him!
Still, he stopped attacking and nestled there in silence, his feathers puffed in indignation.
Meanwhile, Hyerin exhaled in relief. She leaned back beneath the shade of the tree, a new worry blooming across her brow.
I didn't know this little bird would have a big temper behind its small frame. She hit poor Konkon so fiercely. Weren't they supposed to be closed friends?
When she met them by the river, for the first time, Konkon was lost consciousness and was being washed away by the current. The little bird was frantically hovering above him worriedly. Fortunately, she knew how to swim and was able to grab the poor cub.
Wait, could it be…?
Was Little Snowy… jealous of her?
Could it be that this bird and Konkon were… mates? And thought that she'll steal him from her?
Her eyes widened slightly with a hint of amusement.
She had taken integrated science in middle school.
Animals refer to breeding as "mating" and their partners as "mates," not "darling" or "honey."
If that's the case…
She glanced at Snowy again, this time with careful consideration and a knowing look.
If Snowy was trying to scold Konkon for hugging a female, then maybe… she was possessive of him?
"Wow… so that was it, huh?" She mumbled more to herself.
She felt a rush of both revelry and guilt. It's like a love across races like in a tv show!
She fished out some wild berries from her pocket and handed them over like a peace offering to a hurt child and their angry friend.
With a big, reassuring smile she said, "I'm so sorry. Sister didn't know. I won't hug Snowy's future mate again, I pro—"
Say that again?! The two beasts froze and their bodies trembled like they had heard something that took away their souls.
Before she could finish, a rumble echoed from above. Her words fell dead as her face paled. She slowly tilted her head to the sky.
Thunder.
Lightning.
A sudden crash.
"…Oh my god."
The once-bright sunnh was swallowed by dark clouds. Jagged streaks of white zits lit up the sky.
Hyerin could swear she just blinked once so why is it like the heavens themselves had come for retribution? Which god did she anger now?
"What mate? We're both males!!"
TWEET! TWEET! TWEET!!!
The two of beasts screamed in sync, their voices overlapping, both horrified and humiliated. However, their protests vanished into the wind.
Hyerin's attention was on the strange occurrence of thunder and lightning and the pressing matter of going home to see her pregnant mate left all alone in the cave.
She grabbed the two young beasts in her arms and was about to bolt towards their dwelling when something dawned on her.
"Oh no… the fish trap! Shit, my laundry had yet to be dried! Ah! They're flying awaaaay! No!!!"
Hyerin's mouth dropped and lamented. Not even bothering to fix the tangled long hair that was blown away like her remaining sanity. Feeling extra weak, she fell to her knees with a groan, pressing her hand to her lower back like she had incur a grave torture.
She cried and kicked her legs on the ground. She felt so awful. This entire tiring day is completely wasted! Her only clothes were also blown away!
Meanwhile, a certain someone, very much the cause of the divine storm, stiffened at the accusation cloaked in her voice.
"Hey, bird-head. I accept bribes. A good jar of wine and I won't tell her it was your fault—ack!"
And so, Konkon was smacked again. Rightfully. And repeatedly so.
____
Somewhere else, Sid, who just finished cleaning up the broken cup felt his body shuddered at the sound of another sharp crack.
Don't tell him...
"Young master!!!! You, you! Argh, did you just break another cup?!"
If that wasn't enough, this time, he even smashed a redwood table and an intricately crafted Meissen jar!
Ah, his life! How can you do this to this poor servant's tormented heart? Sid almost fainted as he wailed in horror. He was so pale that even his shy tail came out on its own!
"Settle the bill and checkout..."
Man, this time, they're truly done for.
"... And buy a few sets of woman's clothes, choose something simple."
"..."
Sid felt the taut vein in this forehead snap. After destroying things, you still want to buy clothes to woo a female? Shouldn't you first ask me if we still have money to squander?!