… He gave permission?
Perhaps Baon was quite slow-witted?
It didn't seem to matter as it turned out to be a good thing for me.
I lifted my heel and looked around the room, hanging from the knotty basket stem.
It was hard to see, but I could tell from the ceiling and walls that the room was quite spacious.
I just remembered the man Baon called 'my lord.'
Such a title meant that he was leading a family and that this house belonged to him.
Wait a minute.
I belatedly awoke to the important facts and solidified myself.
… His landlord hates me.
It was a fact that I could easily tell just by thinking about the conversation I had with Baon.
A man named 'my lord' was reluctant to let me stay here.
It was only a matter of time before being kicked out.
What should I do?
"… Pii."
I covered my eyes. My wings seemed to moisten.
"You're crying."
When Baon saw me in tears, he asked strangely.
"Are you hungry?"
"… Pii."
I tilted my head and nodded. It seemed that way.
I hatched out of my egg and hadn't eaten anything.
My stomach growled when I realized it.
Then unexpectedly, Baon showed signs of embarrassment.
"Hmm. Come to think of it, what do birds eat?"
No, wait a second.
"Do you eat meat? No, I think that's what reptiles eat."
Baon looked at me and muttered as if he was in distress.
This isn't right. Not with those kinds of eyes.
I squeezed my beak with anxiety rising slowly.
No. I'll never open my beak.
It was a moment when my anxiety reached its peak and a scene I didn't want to imagine played into my mind.
Baon opened his mouth again as if he had remembered something.
"Oh. Do you eat bugs? Insects?"
"Pii pii! Pii pii!"
No! No!
I shook my head strongly, refusing.
In my fierce reaction, Baon's mouth swept up a smile that looked evil.
There seemed to be a lot of intention to make fun of me.
"I'll get them right away."
"Pii. Pii! Pii!"
No. Don't go! Baon!
Looking at Baon's back leaving the room, I called him anxiously.
What if he really went to get them?
He flung down on his knees and reached out his hand. My short wings were shaking pitifully.
It was like a mountain over a mountain.
I could only feel the distant future of my ancestors.
Fortunately, what Baon brought was a small fruit.
The red fruit was giving off a sweet aroma.
"There aren't any creatures that can be found on this family estate."
I don't know how the land was created that it couldn't produce any life forms, but it was a relief.
I was worried that he'd tell me I had to eat bugs.
"Let's eat."
"Pii!"
I began to eat the fruit one by one, filled with small holes.
At first, I thought it would be difficult, but when I used my beak, it wasn't that difficult.
As I ate, I developed my skills and was able to eat ten fast.
"Pii pii pii."
I'm full.
He patted his bulging stomach. I felt like I ate a huge meal, and the sun was shining by the window, so my eyes closed.
Naps were the best way to relax after eating.
How long has it been since I took a nap? It felt like a dream to be able to fall asleep like this without being wary of my surroundings.
"You must be sleepy."
"Pii."
I nodded and flopped down on the blanket.
A yawn came out of my mouth.
I was dozing off rubbing my body, and I could see that there was juice on my soft white feathers.
"Pii?"
When did this get on me?
I looked around and roughly wiped it with the blanket.
It got even messier.
"… Pii!"
It didn't go away after a few wipes, so I kicked the blanket annoyingly.
"Oh, don't do that."
Baon severely reprimanded. Don't tell me he's trying to scold me for being rude.
At a glance, Baon leaned over. When our eyes met, he spoke very seriously.
"If you break your leg, I'll be damned."
"…"
"So don't kick."
I glanced at my legs in words that I couldn't pass.
Wriggle.
"… Pii."
Look at this, it's fine.
I showed my legs. They were glued together very well.
I have to be careful from now on.
Baon had a queer look on his face as I flattened the blanket. It's like he's holding back his laughter…
Maybe it's just my mood.
I looked down at the blanket.
Even blankets that contain nothing but cotton should be classified as dangerous.
I thought this blanket was the safest place in the world.
"From tomorrow, someone new will arrive."
"…?"
"Rosaria will help you in many ways, so be nice and listen carefully."
I nodded gently. There was no reason to dislike someone who would help me. Rather, it was good news.
My goal was to grow up safe and well in this house.
And if I could learn, I wanted to stay for a long time until I could be humanized.
Because I had to end my previous life without being humanized.
If I'm lucky, wouldn't I be able to learn that from Rosaria?
* * *
"Hello, baby. You're so much cuter than I heard! I'm Rosaria."
Early in the morning, Rosaria came to visit much earlier than expected.
"Pii, pii."
I said hello in a daze.
Because I didn't expect such a kind approach.
She was obviously treating me favorably.
I looked at her awkwardly with a tingling sensation.
I didn't get help from the elders of this tribe, but it was strange to see Rosaria, who was not in the same tribe, taking care of me.
I've decided to use this momentum to show the lethal moves I've been struggling with all night.
It was a skill that was trained to capture family members in their own way of survival.
"Pii. Pii!"
And was advantageable for a young child.
Also known as 'Hug me.'
Rosaria touched her chest above her heart as I stretched out my arms and approached her while walking.
"Pii pii."
"Oh? You've got something on your feathers. Shall we go wash up first?"
The sneering Rosaria said, covering up the traces of my food from yesterday.
I crept carefully up her palm.
It was time to get back my original soft feathers.
Rosaria, who held my body with one hand as if I would fall, shook her hand for no reason.
"How did he come up with the idea of sending a child out of his territory? Whoo, it's been a long time, so I don't think I can control my strength."
… I think I heard that wrong.
Is it not?
Looking back nervously, Rosaria smiled.
"Don't worry, baby. I'm good at controlling my strength. I'm not like the ones who go out with swords before horses."
I guess that's why Baon invited her.
Rosaria said proudly.
On the contrary, I was stiff. From head to tail, it felt like my hair was standing on end.
I think I've just heard a very life-threatening statement.
Rosaria, who brought me into the bathroom, turned on the warm water.
"Because you're still young, you should take water slightly warmer than your body temperature."
It was reminiscent of what I had seen in a book.
Anxiety came upon me.
Rosaria smiled at me with a beautiful face.
The distinct features of this family were that their appearances were so good that it made people forget about reality for a while.
After watching Rosaria for a moment, I was brought back to my senses by her words.
"Come on, let's go in. Baby."
Mother. I'm gonna be okay, right?
For a moment, I missed Baon madly.