In a café in Libretãnhya, the door opened with a small bell sound and Slady appeared. He walked to the attendant, who was sitting and distracted on his phone.
"…"
Slady just stared at the young man, who remained completely absorbed in the device.
Without making a sound, Slady turned around, picked up a menu from one of the tables and returned to the counter. He kept staring at the boy, who was still on his phone.
"…"
Although he was not irritated, he found everything so stupid. He was armed, had just tortured a criminal and stood before a teenager who had not even noticed his presence.
"I want a coffee with milk."
"AHHH!!"
The teenager threw his phone upward in fright. The device fell to the floor, but the carpet prevented any damage.
"My God, man, you almost scared me to death!"
The young man looked at Slady with irritation.
"…"
Slady simply stared at the teenager, as if waiting for something.
Within seconds, the boy sighed and looked away from Slady's emotionless gaze.
"Sorry, okay?"
"Fine. And my coffee with milk?"
Slady placed the menu on the counter and pointed at the picture of the drink.
"Yes, sure."
The boy put his phone on the counter, still on, and turned his back to prepare the coffee.
Driven by almost childish curiosity, Slady looked at the phone and saw that the boy was talking to his girlfriend, who was also awake during that rainy dawn.
Slady simply turned off the boy's phone and stared at him.
"Why are you awake at this hour?"
"I work nights, my shift is almost finished."
The teenager's voice sounded tired but calm, showing that, despite the exhaustion, he liked his job.
"Understood."
Shortly after, the boy handed the coffee to Slady, who held the drink and began to sip it.
"What do you work with, sir?" the boy asked, curious.
"I am a librarian."
The young man looked surprised. He looked at Slady, analyzing his clothes.
"A very well dressed librarian, apparently."
The boy chuckled.
Slady did not laugh, but nodded.
"Why are you here at this hour?" the boy asked.
"I like the rain, so I decided to take a walk." Slady answered.
The boy nodded. He seemed very curious and friendly, despite their not very friendly first interaction.
Slady said nothing else. He simply finished the coffee, paid and, as he turned to leave, looked at the boy.
"Be careful at this hour. Your attention can save or cost your life."
Then he left.
Feeling the rain on his face, Slady continued walking through the city in silence.
***
Rin Yuang was back at the Libretãnhya Criminal Investigation Department, taking another shower to ease her mind from what she had witnessed.
She was thoughtful, almost in a dilemma. As an investigator, she had already needed to do things she thought were unfair, actions that would not necessarily make the city safer.
There were so many problems in the world: the Inférius, which Rin Yuang had to enter to save people. Criminals who tried to escape using the dimension as a way out. And the need to prevent Renkai Creatures from leaving it.
It was a difficult job.
Despite what had happened that dawn, she knew those criminals would never commit anything in Libretãnhya again. It seemed so efficient to apply that method in general, but also so illegal.
She pushed the thoughts away, left the bathtub and began drying herself.
After drying off, Rin Yuang looked at herself in the mirror, tied her hair into a ponytail and left the bathroom, heading to the bed in the dorm.
She removed the towel, lay down and tried to sleep. She needed to rest her mind, she needed to relax.
Eight in the morning.
It was another day in Libretãnhya. Shaphira had just woken up in the library and noticed she was in bed, concluding that Slady had placed her there.
As she stretched, her tail stood upright, as did her ears. She got up and went to the bathroom.
Turning on the light and seeing herself in the mirror...
"Ahhhh!!!"
She fell seated onto the floor. As she stood up, she realized her fur had disappeared. She was naked, completely naked.
She covered her breasts with her hands, blushing intensely, and hid under the blankets. She felt very cold because she was not used to being without the fur that protected her body.
The door opened and Slady walked in, looking confused at the bed.
"What was that scream?" he asked calmly.
"Father..."
She poked only her head out and looked at Slady.
"Something happened to me." she said, worried.
Slady was surprised by the sight, but remained composed.
"May I see the situation?"
He sat on the bed, arms crossed.
Shaphira removed the blanket and revealed her nudity. Her tail hid her intimacy and her arms covered her breasts. Although the shame had lessened, the cold still bothered her.
Slady remained indifferent and did not touch her.
"I think your body adapted. It became closer to a human..."
"And it seems that only the tail and ears stayed the same." Slady added.
Shaphira felt relieved and covered herself again.
"I understand... I even like it. I look more like you."
"If you liked it, that is what matters."
With the matter settled, he left.
Shaphira felt happy. It was good to know that, despite her vulnerability, Slady had not hurt her or taken advantage of the situation.
She settled back onto the bed and looked toward the bathroom, thoughtful, curious to explore her own body.
***
A few minutes later, Slady placed the food on the table and sat.
"…"
The bedroom door opened and Shaphira came out wearing the dress Slady had bought for her.
"It's much more comfortable to wear clothes now."
She put a hand on her waist and tried a pose.
"How do I look?"
Shaphira spun slightly, her tail following the movement.
Slady observed with indifference but answered honestly.
"Pretty."
He went back to eating.
Shaphira pouted, but was already used to his manner. She sat beside him, adjusted her tail and skirt and began to eat.
"It is great, thank you."
Shaphira felt more comfortable than ever. She rested her head on Slady's chest and began to purr.
"…"
He remained silent, then took his plate and spoon and began feeding her directly. Shaphira was surprised by the gesture but accepted.
"You do not need to spoil me so much. I am a grown woman now."
Despite her words, her wagging tail made it clear how much she loved being spoiled.
After feeding her, Slady resumed his meal and Shaphira lay across his lap, feeling closer to her father figure.
Once he finished, Shaphira got up and gathered the plates.
"You seem tired, father. Go rest."
"I will, thank you."
Slady stood. He was exhausted, not because of the dawn's work, but because he had organized the books to open the library later.
***
In the bedroom, Slady lay down and closed his eyes.
Minutes later, already asleep, he felt something warm wrap around him. It was Shaphira, who had finished the dishes and decided to nap with him.
It was something routine, innocent. It did Slady good and strengthened the bond between father and daughter.
A few hours later.
Slady had already awakened. He felt ready to work and opened the library.
Shaphira stayed in the bedroom, now in her Renkai Creature form, uninterested in interacting with humans, simply curled up and sleeping.
The library was located in the forest, away from the city, but it was often visited by readers, renters and buyers.
Slady was at the service counter, typing on the computer. Some adults brought children to encourage reading. Others were teenagers who preferred studying there because it was a quiet and respectful place. Nobody wanted to draw Slady's attention.
The door opened. It was Rin Yuang. She wore casual clothes so she would not be recognized and clearly did not want attention.
"…"
Slady and Rin Yuang's eyes met. He noticed her attempt to go unnoticed.
"Good afternoon, miss. What do you need?" he asked.
Rin Yuang thanked him silently and approached him, speaking in a low tone.
"You do not need to be formal, I want to talk to you about something. But for now, I would like to read a book about cooking." she said, a bit shy.
Slady noticed tension in her body. Was it fear or just social anxiety? He set the doubts aside and replied apathetically yet professionally.
"It is on the Teachings shelves."
A small smile appeared on her lips, appreciating his cooperation.
"Thank you, sir."
She gave a respectful gesture, picked up the book and sat in a corner.
Slady watched her calmly. The only thought that crossed his mind was:
"This woman will cause me problems…"
Hours passed. Some clients rented books and collectors bought others. The day was profitable.
From time to time, Slady disappeared to check on Shaphira, who either stayed asleep or asked for affection. He also noticed Rin Yuang's genuine interest in the cooking book, almost salivating at the clear, didactic content.
When the library was almost empty, Rin Yuang stood and walked to Slady, more relaxed and even comfortable, even knowing who she was dealing with.
"That book is so good, I…"
"I noticed you liked it. I am glad. But what do you really want?"
Cornered, Rin Yuang sighed and sat down.
"It is about yesterday…"
"Hm, what about it?"
"You did something absurd in that building. Normally I should arrest you so you receive your punishment, but you do not seem like a bad person… I hope."
"I understand."
Slady stretched.
"I overdid it, maybe I lost control. I hope I did not scare you."
"That is not it. Yai Chang did not have time to get to the ambulance and ended up dying painfully."
She looked sad. Even someone strong like her could be shaken by extreme violence.
"I know. Everything I do is so there are no more crimes in the world. Maybe I have strayed from the path." Slady answered, emotionless.
"I understand your motives and I agree that man deserved to die, even if that sounds contradictory for us, Criminal Investigators." Rin Yuang said, placing a hand on her chest.
Slady nodded.
"I understand. I will try to moderate my work while you do yours. I will be glad to trust you. But if you talk about this…"
"You will not like what I am capable of."
Slady extended his bionic hand. Rin Yuang looked at the hand, then at him, feeling a dangerous energy, like someone who did not want to be betrayed.
Even so, she shook his hand, finding the bionic material strange at first but quickly adapting.
"As an Investigator, I am glad for your cooperation. As a person, I am happy with your trust."
As they released hands, she picked up the cooking book and asked casually, as someone speaking with a new friend:
"May I rent this book, nameless sir?"
The question was twofold. She wanted to know if she could take the book and also wanted his name.
"Yes, for (a number of Lynes). And call me Slady, woman."
Rin Yuang pouted slightly, paid, rented the book and felt happy to finally know his name.
"Thank you, Slady. Have a great day."
She turned and left.
Hours later.
Slady was on the library roof, looking at the stars. The conversation with Rin Yuang had awakened a question in his mind.
"Are my actions driven by kindness or simply pleasure or money?"
He had never thought about it. Despite his actions, there was never malice. Everything was done with a certain innocence, but perhaps there was a deeper reason.
After reflecting, he concluded:
He enjoyed what he did. He did not kill criminals only for justice or money. He did it because he liked it. It was like eliminating insects. Not out of cruelty, but from the need to keep the house clean and prosperous.
With that in mind, he climbed down from the roof, entered the library, closed the place and went to the bedroom.
He found Shaphira sleeping on the bed in her hybrid form, wearing the simple dress. Slady lay down beside her and felt an instinct arise, unfamiliar but uncontrollable.
He wrapped his arms and legs around her. It was not exactly a hug, but a protective gesture against all the evil in the world.
He could not name the feelings. Was it affection, care or love? Slady did not know, he had never felt any of it. But at that moment, he decided to do what was right.
Protect his child with body and soul.