-Interlude it’s too soon to giving up hope-

I am from a proud wolfman clan.

Born from my late father the great warrior Tuvalu, i was expected to become the next clan leader.

However, i was a coward.

I was always afraid to see blood, i was always scared to kill someone.

Such a weakness is unacceptable for a prideful wolf clan that emphasize their strength

Then,

When my wife Iguva gave birth to my son Hermes.

It's been decided that my son will succeed the clan instead in future

No soon than that, i got banished from my clan.

I have been forced to abandon my name too, said i didn't deserve a name of A proud wolf tribe

..Well,

It’s not like i blame them.

I never feel any good relation with my fellow, and i never truly understood their habit and livelihood anyway.

Even my current wife is married with me with obligation of leaving heir for clan, we even barely talked to each other

So i leave the clan.

My only worries is if my mother and son is okay. But i will leave it to my childhood friend.

Looking for a place to belong, i moved from place to place

…….

Some years has passed...

In everywhere i go, i was never accepted...

The human is naturally hate me like looking at a monster so i often attacked by them and running away.

Other demi human never likes wolfman because they’re arrogant and haughty so they don't accept me.

Another part is because beastman tribe is considered a traitor that ally with Demon king

Still, at least i found a good thing.

I like to read, especially book written by the humans

From there, i learn various knowledge. I started to learn their language too

But i’m still not able to speak well so i decided to train to speak to another human.

Since they’re gonna be afraid or angry looking at my appearance, i hide my appearance with a coat and looking for nearest human settlement

Then i found “her”...

A woman with red hair and braided style sitting in a chair near the forest.

The woman is often comes alone despite nobody here.

Sitting while reading the book i approach her from behind.

I start to speak to her slowly so that she wont surprised.

Surprisingly, the woman realize my presence.

I told her that i am ugly and will make her scared.

But, she said she don't care about that...

She looked back to me.

And she, only said one thing

“Your eyes are beautiful. mind if we become friends?”

...

I was surprised.

This is the first time someone else said that other than my mother.

And then..

We begin to become close

……

Days passes..

I learn a lot from her, and i speak about my journey until now.

She always listening to it curiously with a sparkling eyes and i got excited and sometimes exaggerates thing.

Like this, i begin to enjoy her company the most.

I... Start to feel i don't want to be separated with her.

She looked at me...

Realizing what i’m thinking, she begin to said that she was thought the same thing

Ahh.. i see..

Perhaps, this is,

What human call love

…..

However, reality is cruel...

Today there's a big storm.

Normally you won't even dare to venture out, but today is the day we promised to meet

Knowing her, she won't ignore her promise

And i was right,

Collapsed in the place we usually meets, she was waiting there

You fool!

Is our promise more important than your life! Why are you so reckless.

She only smiled while saying “Sorry, i am being late today”

Ignoring her, i start to run while bringing her on my back.

Then,

a rumble resounded

….

A large landslide is coming to us

Only thinking to bring her to safety, i was only focused on running.

There's a small cave in sight, if we reach it we’ll be safe.

However,

We won't make it!

The landslide is faster.

Gritting my teeth, i was only focused on running.

Then..

I felt a push.

“!?”

She pushed me..

Being surprised i lost my balance and fall into the cave.

I looked at her and realize from her eyes

There's no need for words.

We already know each other for so long anyway, so we can communicate without words.

From her eyes i know what she was saying to me

“Live”

“Don’t give up on living”

After that,

Her figure is swallowed by a mud

“SONYAAAAAAAAAAAA!”

I screamed her name amidst the storm