"She's your niece, after all… isn't that right?"
Professor Vask sat still as she heard his words, and for the first time, her expression faltered. "…My niece? How… did you even know that? If you don't mind my asking."
Kir's grin widened. "Of course I don't mind. It's simple, really, just a matter of asking the right people and putting the pieces together."
"And what exactly did you do?"
He lifted his shoulders in a careless shrug. "Nothing dramatic. I did a little digging back in Westwyn, then followed a few threads here at the Summit. Couple days ago, I spoke with one of the academy professors, an engineering type, attending here. At first he denied it, swore up and down he hadn't stolen a student's work. But…" Kir chuckled lightly, wagging a finger, "a few choice words, and suddenly he was telling me all about a Miss Raveena Hartwell."
Professor Vask remained speechless. She knew that Kir Wolfe had great capabilities, but to think that he had been actually trying to find her niece… when she was doing everything she can for Raveena to avoid him, it worried her.
"Funny thing? That same professor looked fit to burst when he realized I was asking after the inventor of that nebulizer. Take this, I remember when the academy had already tried to win me over before the Summit, offering up some of their projects as if that would impress me. But none of it did. And when he realized I was hunting for that particular inventor instead… well, let's just say his smile soured fast."
"So that's why Vellmore was in such a foul mood. He must have taken it out on Raveena that night…"
Right after that thought, Professor Vask fixed Kir with a cold look. "You certainly have a way of prying into places where most would leave well enough alone."
Kir nodded, seemingly unbothered. "That's what I do. Sometimes you have to dig where others won't."
"That's very respectful of you."
Kir chuckled as he leaned slightly forward. "I know. So! Back to the point. What I want is simple: I'd like you to arrange a proper business meeting with Miss Raveena Hartwell. Nothing more, nothing less. I'm prepared to support and help her register a patent for this design. It deserves protection."
"A business meeting…?"
"Oh, I forgot to mention this. But I've already run into her twice. Pure chance, of course. And I didn't dare turn a casual encounter into a sales pitch, that would've scared her off immediately. Luckily for me, she didn't seem to know who I was. And honestly? That worked in my favor."
"Good. Better that way," the professor sighed.
Kir tilted his head. "Better? Why so? Wouldn't it be rude of me not to introduce myself properly? It's only fair she knows exactly who she's talking to. Transparency matters in business, after all. That's why I'd like a formal meeting."
At his request, Professor Vask shook her head firmly. "No. I'm afraid that won't happen."
And that made Kir frown. "Why not? Do you need to hear my terms first? With respect, Professor, I can't discuss my offers with anyone but the inventor them—"
"I don't care what you intend to offer her. As her guardian, and as her aunt, I cannot and will not allow you to meet with her."
Kir couldn't give a response to that right away. And for once, he seemed taken aback by her firm rejection. It took him a brief moment before at last, he let out a long sigh and leaned back in his chair and spoke. This time, his voice sounded more serious.
"You sound very strict about this, Professor. May I ask… why? Have I wronged her somehow?"
Professor Vask hesitated. "…No. It isn't that you did anything, personally. But…"
"But?"
"Your family, the Wolfe family. They were the reason she suffered so deeply when she was younger. And with all her heart, she despises that name."
"…Huh, well. I can't say I'm shocked. Dislike of the Wolfe name isn't exactly rare."
The professor shook her head as she rose from her seat. "No. Not dislike. You won't understand. What she feels runs far deeper than that," then, she bowed her head slightly. "I'm sorry. But you'll have to wait. Wait until she herself can bear to handle who you are."
She turned, heading for the door. Her hand was already on the handle when his voice called out again.
"Wait."
Professor Vask turned back. "What is it?"
"If that's the case… I'll try again. Another time," Kir smiled.
At his words, she gave no reply, but only a curt nod. Then she opened the door and stepped out, leaving Kir and his assistant alone in the room, both staring at the space she had left behind.
In The Briarrest Cabin
Aya's lashes fluttered open to a familiar ceiling. She blinked slowly, trying to figure out where she was.
"…What… happened?" she whispered to herself.
With effort, she pushed herself upright, rubbing at her eyes. Then, she looked around to realize that she was now in her room.
She turned her head toward the wall clock. The hands pointed past midnight.
Next, she felt warmer than usual. So, when she pressed a hand against her forehead, she could immediately tell that she had a fever.
Slowly, the bits and pieces trickled back. She recalled storming out of the Hearthgarden Kitchen out of shame. Then, she slipped into her rabbit form as she ran through the halls and out of the building before curling up to cry where no one would see.
But then… Raveena.
Somehow, Raveena had found her. Aya could still feel how she held her in her arms, and the way her hand brushed through her hair.
And then… nothing, until now.
Then another thought crossed her mind.
"The banquet… did they manage without me?"
The answer was obvious enough. Of course they did. She was only a substitute, after all. The others were talented, capable, and more experienced than her. They didn't need her weighing them down.
"If I'd gone back, I would've just slowed them down again… and held them back."
Her throat tightened, and she curled her knees to her chest, resting her chin on them.
Just as she felt her tears begin to rise again, the sudden creak of her door startled her. Aya lifted her head, ears flicking upright.
When the door eased open, to her surprise, Raveena stepped in, carrying a small basin in her arms.
Their eyes met. And as soon as it did, Raveena immediately looked relieved.
"Oh. You're awake," she said to Aya.
Aya's eyes widened. "R-Raveena? What are you doing here?"
After closing the door softly behind her, Raveena crossed the room and set the basin on the bedside table before lowering herself into the chair beside Aya's bed. "When you passed out, I took you to the infirmary. Later, a deer-folk. One of your friends I think, came by, but you were still asleep."
Aya blinked, listening intently as Raveena continued.
"The infirmary was… a bit noisy. So, we asked the doctor if you could be moved here instead. He agreed, sent your medicine and some porridge along. Easier for you to rest privately."
Then she looked briefly at the table where a covered bowl sat. "I'll need to reheat the porridge, though," she said before looking back at Aya sheepishly. "Sorry about that."
Aya nodded and smiled. "Oh, that's… all right. But… I'm sorry. I must've caused you so much trouble. You probably had other duties to attend to."
Raveena shook her head before dipping a cloth into the basin. "It's nothing. Tonight's a free evening for me anyway," then, she wrung the cloth out and added, "For now, you need to eat. But first, you should get wiped down. Is that okay?"
Aya stared at her, and slowly, more heat rose to her cheeks, this time not from the fever.
"Mm… of course. But… are you going to do it?" she asked shyly with a smile.
"What? Well, someone has to help you do it. But do you want me to?"
Aya tilted her head. "Yes?"
"Really? I mean, if you'd rather I didn't, I won't," Raveena replied quickly, her tail giving a twitch.
"I already said yes, though!" Aya let out a weak giggle, curling into her blanket for a moment before easing forward. "So it's okay… if it's you."
Then, Aya pulled the blanket down, fumbling a little as she slightly undid the ribbons of her blouse, with her hands moved slower than usual in her grogginess. Despite that, Raveena patiently waited.
Once done, Aya looked back at her with another small, fever-flushed smile. "So… where will you start?"
"…I can just start with your back. I'll… wipe from behind. You can face the other way, it'll be less… embarrassing for you."
Aya giggled again. "What's embarrassing? We're both girls."
Raveena turned her head aside, her cheeks turning warmer as well. "Th-that's true, but… still. Agh… just do it."
"Okay~" Aya nodded. With that, she turned away and fully loosened the ribbons until her blouse slipped down her shoulders, revealing her smooth back.
Raveena couldn't help but stare at the sight, momentarily astonished by it. For a long second, she looked at Aya's fair skin, her nape, and her shoulders.
Aya loved to eat, that much was obvious. Yet her back still looked small and fragile. So different from how Raveena pictured her own body.
It was through this sight that Aya was… unmistakably as delicate as any other rabbit-folk.
And before Raveena knew it, her hand moved on its own to touch the surface of Aya's back.
Aya let out a little giggle, her shoulders tensing. "Raveena… your hand's cold."
"Ah," Raveena flinched, pulling back quickly. "S-sorry."
"It's fine." Aya smiled over her shoulder. "You can start now."
Raveena swallowed, nodding once. Then slowly, with care, she used the cloth and wiped across her back.
Aya exhaled softly at the touch. And this other thing that she was feeling? It wasn't the fever's heat, it was something else. Something so comforting that it made her feel oddly safe. Knowing it was Raveena tending to her… it was enough to make her heart feel at ease.
"Truly, I'll never regret befriending her," she thought with a smile.
After a bit of wiping, Raveena asked. "…How are you feeling?"
"Still a bit lightheaded," Aya answered.
"Then after you eat, take the medicine, and rest," Raveena replied, "you'll feel better by tomorrow."
Aya nodded, humming faintly in agreement.
Raveena continued to work slowly, wiping down her sides. But when her arm curved around to reach Aya's front, brushing close to her chest, Aya's hand slipped down, closing over Raveena's.
Raveena fell still.
"Raveena, were you worried?"
"…What?"
"I… suddenly got a fever, right?" Aya turned her head slightly, trying her best to meet Raveena's eyes. "Were you worried about me?"
Raveena didn't answer for a second, as if she was considering what words to say next. But when she finally did, she smiled a little bit. "We're friends, aren't we?"
Aya gave a small, weak laugh. "Very worried?"
"…Yes."
Aya smiled faintly at the answer, and she let Raveena's hand go so she could finish. And when Raveena was finally done, Raveena dabbed Aya dry with a clean towel.
Afterward, Raveena turned and placed the damp cloth back into the basin. "I'll go return these, then reheat the porridge downstairs. You should eat something."
Then, as she rose, a light tap brushed against her arm.
Raveena looked back. "Hm?"
Aya sat on the bed, her blouse now half-fastened. She was looking up at her with her ears tipped shyly to the side. "Thank you. For taking care of me."
Raveena turned her face away almost at once, because she couldn't handle the adorable face Aya was making. "It's… just a fever. Nothing worth thanking. The least I could do for a friend."
Aya smiled at that. "I'm glad you think of me that way."
"What else should I be thinking of you?" Raveena frowned.
Aya giggled. "Ah… nothing, that's all up to you."
Before Raveena could say more, Aya's hands reached out, catching her sleeve and tugging her closer. Raveena's eyes widened in surprise as Aya wrapped her arms around her from behind. Through her clothes, she could feel Aya's fever-warmed cheek settling against her shoulder.
Then, without warning, Aya nestled her face against the curve of Raveena's neck, breathing her in with a long, quiet sigh.
Raveena's ears shot up, her entire frame going taut. "Wh-what are you—?"
"Mm… just a little rabbit-folk thing."
Raveena swallowed hard. "A… a hug? Doesn't everyone do that? Though… not with the… obvious sniffing."
Aya giggled faintly. "Maybe. But for us, it's also how we show we like someone. As a person," Then she nuzzled closer. "Sweet, isn't it?"
Raveena was at a complete loss now. "…You're… people already think you're sweet by default. You probably hug everyone like this."
At that, Aya pulled back just enough to puff out her cheeks. "Rude. I don't do this with just anyone, you know."
Raveena's ears flicked a few more times, her eyes darting anywhere but at Aya. "…Then… what's so unique about this one?"
Aya hummed with a lazy smile. "Mmm… there is something. But… maybe I'll tell you another time."
And she nestled right back into her shoulder, holding on as if she had no intention of letting go. And all this was making Raveena's face turn much redder.
"You're… acting weird. Saying funny stuff."
Aya let out another little hum. "Am I?"
"You're not normally this… touchy."
"Really?" Aya asked, tilting her head against her shoulder.
Raveena cleared her throat. "Or… probably just the fever."
Aya chuckled. "Of course I don't normally do this. Would you be like this with anyone?"
"…Fair point."
Then, she gently pried Aya's arms loose, standing up quickly. "Okay. I'll… return these now. So you can finally eat."
Aya sank back into her pillows and nodded. "Okay~."
Raveena then took the basin and moved toward the door. But before she reached for the door handle, she found herself looking back once more.
Aya was watching her with those drowsy eyes, and in that moment, Raveena barely realized that her own mouth was trembling from the fluster she was feeling.
"Ahaha~!" Aya let out a small laugh. "What's with that face, Raveena?"
Raveena quickly looked away and said, "…Your fault," before she slipped out the door.
The latch clicked shut, and at once Raveena let out a long sigh, with her shoulders sagging completely. Her knees gave slightly, and she leaned back against the door before sliding down until she sat on the floor.
With the basin settled onto her lap, she pressed one hand over her chest in hopes of calming her heart down.
"That was… way too close for comfort," she muttered, still flushed. "What's up with that rabbit…?"