The Portal: Life with the Vampire and Werewolf Queens
Chapter 9: Wrapping Up at the Pasture and the Blooming of Affection
In the fresh light of a new morning, Jiro rose early, brimming with energy as he prepared for the day's tasks assigned to them. As he stepped out of the mansion, he found Lyra waiting eagerly outside, ready to join him, while Vespera had been taken by Miya to another location to deliver goods to the town. "Let's tend to the sheep today, and afterward, we'll milk the cows," Jiro said to Lyra, his tone cheerful and guiding.
"Shepherding? That sounds wonderful!" Lyra replied with a bright smile, resembling an enthusiastic student eager to learn. She nodded, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she followed Jiro toward the pasture.
In the pasture, Jiro took on the role of a patient teacher, demonstrating how to guide the sheep and ensure their feeding was orderly. "You need to stay calm and patient, Lyra. The sheep get easily frightened if you move too abruptly," he explained, holding a staff to illustrate the proper technique. Lyra endeavored to follow his instructions, but her attention swiftly shifted to the dogs accompanying them in the pasture. Instead of completing her task, she delighted in playing and chasing the dogs, like a child discovering a new pastime.
"Jiro, look! The dogs are following me! It's like I'm their leader!" Lyra exclaimed, her face alight with joy as she ran alongside the animals.
Jiro laughed, clearly amused by Lyra's unusual rapport with the dogs. "You're really talented, Lyra! It seems you'd rather lead the dogs than shepherd the sheep," he teased, watching her playful antics with affection. This simple scene infused the pasture with joy, and gradually, Lyra found happiness in the work, granting Jiro an opportunity for a deeper conversation with her.
As they rested in the shade of a tree, Jiro decided to pose the same question he had asked Vespera. "Lyra, I'd like to know how you feel being human now, especially since you were once a werewolf. If you're comfortable, I'd love to hear your thoughts," he said, his voice gentle and filled with care.
Lyra paused, then offered a slight smile as she opened up. "Of course, Jiro, I'll share with you. I still prefer being a werewolf—when I transform, I feel free, as if nothing can hold me back. But I've noticed you get upset when I'm like that, so I'm trying to control it… for your sake," she admitted, her eyes reflecting a love she hadn't yet expressed outright.
Jiro was touched by Lyra's candor, but he clarified his stance once more. "I'm not angry with you for being a werewolf, Lyra. I only get upset when you use your powers in front of others or for mischief. I just want us to stay safe and avoid trouble," he explained, his smile conveying understanding.
Those words eased Lyra's mind, and in an unexpected moment, she grew affectionate toward Jiro. She wrapped her arms tightly around him, resting her head on his shoulder, and said, "I'm sorry, Jiro. I promise I won't use my powers to hurt anyone. You're important to me, and I don't want you to be mad at me."
The warmth of her embrace stirred Jiro's heart, and he smiled as he gently patted her back in forgiveness.
However, Jiro was startled when Lyra sat beside him, mimicking a dog ready to serve. "Jiro, hop on my back! I'll give you a tour of the place!" she invited, her eyes gleaming with delight as she embraced her werewolf instincts.
Jiro chuckled at the unusual offer but shook his head calmly. "Thank you for the offer, Lyra, but it's not appropriate. A man shouldn't ride on a woman's back—it's not right," he explained, his tone full of kindness.
"But it's fine with me if it's you, Jiro—I don't mind at all," she insisted with a hopeful grin.
"Thank you, but it's still not okay, especially with so many people around who might see," he replied gently.
"Is it bad, Jiro?" she asked, tilting her head curiously.
"Not bad, but it's just not normal," Jiro answered with a reassuring smile.
Lyra understood his reasoning, though she couldn't hide the smile on her face, clearly delighted by the instincts she'd picked up as a werewolf. Jiro noticed her happiness, and it drew him even closer to her bold and genuine spirit.
Deeper Conversations and Sweet Moments
Their conversation continued as they rested in the pasture, the cool breeze bringing a serene calm to their surroundings. "Lyra, I'd also like to know if you remember anything from your past. Do you know why you became a werewolf, or have any thoughts about vampires?" Jiro asked, his eyes filled with interest. Lyra shook her head, but a hint of hope lingered in her voice. "I have no clear memories, Jiro. I only know I'm a werewolf, and I feel like I have a special purpose. But I don't know what it is yet." She paused, then added, "And I don't really understand vampires, but when I'm with Vespera, it feels like we don't belong together. I get annoyed with her, but I can tolerate her because she's important to you."
Lyra's response weighed on Jiro's heart, yet he appreciated her sentiment. "Thank you for understanding, Lyra. I know it's hard for you, but I want you two to get along. To me, you're like siblings," he said, reaching for her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. The tender touch of Jiro's hand sent a thrill through Lyra, deepening her growing affection for him. "Jiro, even though I'd love to be a werewolf again, being with you matters more to me. I don't want to lose you from my life," she confessed, her voice brimming with love she could no longer conceal.
Jiro was delighted by her words, and in response, he patted her head, saying, "Thank you, Lyra. I know your werewolf nature is important to you, but I'm happy you think of me too. ."
Those sweet words brought a smile to Lyra's face, and in an unexpected move, she took Jiro's hand and held it tightly.
"Jiro, when I'm with you, I feel safe. Thank you for everything," she whispered, her eyes shining with admiration and a love that was slowly blossoming.
As they talked, Lyra noticed something peculiar about Jiro's questions. "Why do you always ask such deep things, Jiro? I'm not used to you questioning me like this," she asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
"I know being with you is more important than being a werewolf—you're the only family I have now. But why does it feel like you're hiding something from us?" she added, her expression tinged with concern.
Jiro chuckled softly but grew serious.
"I'm not hiding anything, Lyra. I just want to understand how you feel about all this because you're precious to me. But thank you for being open—it means you care about my feelings too," he said,
"Jiro, no matter what happens, I want to be with you. You're the reason I'm happy now," she admitted, her voice thick with emotion.
In the midst of their talk, Lyra decided to play with the dogs again and invited Jiro to join. "Come on, Jiro, let's run with the dogs! It'll be fun!" she urged, reaching for his hand.
Jiro nodded, and they ran together, Lyra's laughter blending with the wind. As they dashed along, Jiro held her hand firmly and said, "Lyra! I'm so glad you're enjoying this." Those sweet words quickened Lyra's heartbeat, strengthening the bond between them.
After their work in the pasture, they headed to the cow farm to milk the animals. "We need to move slowly, Lyra, so the cows don't get scared," Jiro instructed, demonstrating how to handle the buckets and milk properly. Lyra tried to learn, but her focus often drifted to new experiences.
Noticing the sweat on Jiro's forehead, she pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped it away gently. "Thank you for teaching me," she said, her voice laced with care.
Jiro was touched by her gesture, and in response, he held her head gently while saying, "Thank you too, Lyra. I'm happy to see you learning—and even happier to be with you."
As they rested under a tree after their task, their conversation deepened. "Lyra, I just want to know how you see your future. Would you like to stay here with me?" Jiro asked, his voice brimming with hope.
Lyra hesitated, then smiled and replied, "Of course, Jiro! I want to keep learning from you, and I want to be with you forever. You're the one who gives meaning to my days." Those tender words stirred Jiro's heart deeply.
While walking back from the farm, a small flower fell from a tree, and Lyra picked it up. "Jiro, look at this—it's beautiful, isn't it?" she said, offering it to him. Jiro laughed and replied, "Yes, it's beautiful." Lyra tucked the flower into Jiro's hair, and their laughter filled the air with joy. "Thank you, Jiro. When I'm with you, I feel special," she whispered, her eyes reflecting a love she could no longer hide.
After their work, they climbed into Miya's car to head home. During the ride, Lyra fell asleep on Jiro's lap, her face radiating happiness even in her dreams. Her gentle breathing brought a quiet peace to Jiro, and he smiled as he watched her serene expression.
"Thank you for this day, Lyra," he whispered, stroking her hair softly.
As Miya drove, she spoke to him. "Did you and Lyra enjoy yourselves, Jiro?" she asked, her voice full of concern.
Jiro answered promptly, "Yes, Miya. I can see Lyra's happiness, and that's what matters to me." Miya was pleased with his response but added, "I'm glad to hear that, but I also want to ensure you're enjoying yourself while with them. Their happiness is vital, but I don't want you to sacrifice your own joy for the mission."
Miya explained, "Your finances and future are no longer a concern, Jiro. I'm willing to grant you any wealth you desire if we complete the mission. But I also want to know if you're truly happy with what you're doing."
Jiro didn't fully grasp her meaning but smiled and said, "Thank you for the offer, Miya. I'm happy with this reward, but my true care is for Lyra and Vespera. I'm genuinely happy with them—not just because of the mission, but because they mean so much to me."
A moment later in the car, he asked Miya, "Is it possible for Lyra and Vespera to stay with me on Earth forever?"
Miya responded quickly, "That's the plan of my father and the Cross Guard, but if you ask for my personal opinion, there are many implications to them staying close to you. One is their identity—it must remain secret, meaning you can't live normally or freely interact with others.
The people around you aren't safe as long as they're here, so it might be better for you to distance yourself from those you love."
She continued, "I'm sharing this as my own view. If you pursue the mission, are you prepared to let go of your former self? You'll need to leave your past, your habits, and your acquaintances behind for the mission. Like Lyra and Vespera, you'll need to start anew as a different person."
Jiro gazed at Lyra as he pondered, and memories of their joyful times together—laughter, sweet moments, and companionship—flooded his mind. To him, those were enough to continue the mission. He was ready to transform his life to give Lyra and Vespera a new beginning on Earth.