NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 5: Unexpected Bonding
As they walked through the house, Hiroshi glanced at Riku. "Hmm... Riku?"
"Nya~?" Riku looked up at him, his ears twitching with curiosity.
"Does this village have an inn? I need to find a place to sleep."
Riku blinked and tilted his head. "Huh? Why would you need an inn? You can sleep in the living room, nya~!"
Hiroshi stopped in his tracks, raising an eyebrow. "Are you serious?"
"Nya? Yeah, why not?" Riku replied, looking genuinely confused.
"What if I was a bad guy?" Hiroshi asked, crossing his arms.
For a moment, Riku stared at him, then burst out laughing. "Nyahahahaha~!" His tail swished excitedly as he doubled over with amusement.
"What's so funny?" Hiroshi asked, narrowing his eyes at the laughter directed at him.
"We beastkin can smell if a Hyuman or any other race is a bad guy, nya~!" Riku said between giggles, his golden eyes sparkling with mischief.
Hiroshi blinked, caught off guard. "You can… smell it?"
"Nya~! Yep!" Riku nodded confidently. "You smell fine, Henry. Like… um… sweat and meat."
"Gee, thanks," Hiroshi replied dryly, feigning offense.
"Nya~! No problem! So, you're staying here, okay?" Riku said with a cheerful grin that was hard to resist.
Hiroshi sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Guess I don't have much of a choice."
Riku's tail swayed happily as he clapped his hands. "Yay~! It'll be fun, nya~!"
Hiroshi handed over the slab of meat. "Here, for us."
Riku's eyes sparkled as he took it eagerly. "Ohh! Meat! I'll help you cook it, nya~!"
Without wasting a second, Riku grabbed an apron from the wall and tied it around his slim waist. The apron, slightly oversized, accentuated his small stature as he hummed a little tune, starting to cut the meat at the counter.
Hiroshi stood behind him, watching with a mix of amusement and disbelief. His eyes drifted down to the catfolk's form. Whoa… Is he really a guy?
Riku's long hair swayed with each movement, and Hiroshi couldn't help but notice the delicate curve of Riku's back and the round shape of his—
Snap out of it! Hiroshi shook his head, silently scolding himself.
"Nya~? Something wrong, Henry?" Riku asked without turning around, his tail swishing playfully as he continued preparing the meal.
Hiroshi quickly looked away, scratching the back of his neck. "Uh… no. Just wondering if you know how to cook that properly."
"Nya~! Of course! I always cook for myself, you know," Riku say proudly, his tail wagging with excitement.
Hiroshi cleared his throat and forced a playful smile. "Alright. I'll trust you on this."
Riku giggled softly and continued working on the meal. Hiroshi leaned against the counter, stealing glances at Riku while pretending to inspect the room. He says he's a guy, but... damn, everything about him screams girl.
After finishing up the cooking, Riku carried the steaming plates of food into the living room and set them down on a small, low table. He looked up at Hiroshi with a sheepish smile.
"You're so big, nya~! You can't sit at the dining table. It's too small for you."
Hiroshi chuckled. "I'm fine sitting on the floor."
"Okay~!" Riku replied eagerly, plopping down cross-legged on the floor, his tail curling around him as he gestured for Hiroshi to join him.
Hiroshi settled across from him, eyeing the food eagerly. The aroma was mouthwatering—grilled boar meat, seasoned with fragrant herbs and spices, paired with a side of roasted vegetables.
As they began eating, Hiroshi took a bite of the meat and instantly froze. It was tender, juicy, and expertly seasoned. He blinked in surprise, then took another bite, followed by another.
Damn, this is delicious. Is he really a guy? Hiroshi thought, glancing at Riku, who was happily munching on a piece of meat, his tail swaying with delight.
Noticing Hiroshi staring, Riku tilted his head. "Hmm? What's wrong, nya~?"
"Oh... nothing," Henry replied quickly, looking away as he stuffed another piece of meat into his mouth.
Riku grinned, his sharp ears perking up. "You like it, don't you~? My cooking is the best!"
Hiroshi smirked. "I'll admit, it's pretty good."
"Nya~! Of course it is!" Riku said proudly, puffing out his chest in a display of confidence.
Hiroshi watched him for a moment, still trying to process how someone who looked, sounded, and acted so much like a girl could insist he was a guy. This world really is strange... he thought.
As they continued eating, the tension eased, and Hiroshi found himself enjoying the simple meal and Riku's cheerful company.
After dinner, they took a short break before Hiroshi lay on the living room floor, staring at the ceiling as the evening sunlight streamed in. His mind wandered to his situation.
Haaaa… I don't have any spare clothes, he thought, glancing at his slightly wrinkled outfit. The only thing I have is what I wore when I passed out drunk.
Riku, sitting nearby and idly fiddling with his tail, noticed Hiroshi 's furrowed brow. "Hmm? Henry? What are you thinking, nya~?"
Hiroshi sighed and propped himself up on his elbows. "I want to take a bath, but I don't have a towel or spare clothes."
Riku's ears perked up, and he tilted his head thoughtfully. "Hmm… how about using a blanket as a towel, nya?" Without waiting for a reply, Riku darted off to his parents' room and soon returned with a soft blanket in hand. "Here! Use this for now!"
Hiroshi blinked, caught off guard by Riku's practicality. "Uh… thanks, I guess."
As Hiroshi reached for the blanket, Riku casually added, "Let's take a bath together, Henry."
Hiroshi froze, staring at Riku in disbelief. "Huh? Seriously?"
Riku tilted his head, his ears twitching in curiosity. "Hmm? What's wrong? We're both guys."
Hiroshi scratched the back of his neck, unsure how to respond. Yeah, but you don't look like one… he thought, glancing at Riku's slim figure and swishing tail.
"Well… if you insist," Hiroshi said mfinally standing up and grabbing the blanket.
Riku smiled brightly, tail swaying happily as he led the way to the bathroom. "Come on, nya~!"
Inside the bath, Riku casually undressed, tossing his clothes into a small basket near the door. His tail swung back and forth as he moved, the damp bathroom air making his skin glisten.
Hiroshi couldn't help but stare. Seriously, how does this catfolk look so much like a girl? he thought, his eyes lingering on Riku's slender waist, smooth skin, and soft curves. Everything about Riku screamed femininity—except for one small detail that confirmed he was a guy.
"Henry?" Riku's cheerful voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "What are you waiting for? Take off your clothes and let's bathe together, nya~!"
"Okay, okay," Hiroshi muttered, quickly looking away as Riku tilted his head in confusion.
Riku stepped closer, his tail swishing playfully as he reached out. "Nya~ you're so slow. Let me help you take off your—"
"Don't pull my pants!" Hiroshi said quickly, stepping back and holding onto his waistband.
Riku pouted, crossing his arms. "Nya~ fine! But hurry up! The water's going to get cold."
Henry sighed, trying to keep his composure as he undressed. This is going to be awkward… he thought.
"Wow, nya! Your penis is bigger than my hand!" Riku giggled, his golden eyes wide with amazement as he glanced at Hiroshi 's exposed body.
Hiroshi groaned. "Oh, shut up," he muttered, turning away slightly, trying to maintain some dignity.
Riku, still amused, returned to washing himself, humming softly as he worked soap through his long, silky hair. His tail swayed as water dripped off its soft fur.
Hiroshi crouched slightly, finding his gaze wandering again. His eyes landed on the base of Riku's tail. He leaned closer, curiosity getting the better of him. So it's really attached...
"Nya?" Riku turned his head, noticing Henry staring. His ears twitched in confusion. "What are you looking at, Henry?"
"So it's real, huh," Hiroshi muttered, more to himself than to Riku.
Riku glanced back briefly, tilting his head. "Nya? Of course it's real."
Hiroshi squinted, leaning in slightly as curiosity got the better of him. "So, you really don't have any fur, huh?" he said, reaching out and brushing a hand over Riku's butt.
"Henry, what are you doing, nya~?" Riku asked, looking over his shoulder, confused.
Hiroshi 's hand moved lower, lightly brushing over Riku's bare butt. "Just checking something," he said, his voice calm but curious. "Huh… really don't have fur…"
Riku blinked, his tail swaying idly as he seemed to accept the explanation. "Nya~ beastkin like me don't always have fur everywhere," he said casually, going back to scrubbing his arms. "I only have it on my ears and tail, nya!"
Hiroshi nodded absentmindedly, his hand lingering a little longer on Riku's round butt. Why does this kid act so casual about everything? he thought.
The sound of water splashing filled the room as Riku finished washing, still humming softly to himself.
( End of Chapter )