Chapter 1.04
Chapter 1 — The boundary line, the marriage between a girl and a wolf . Part 4
We left the paved road and went along a dirt path, to a place I had never been to before, where even the air felt distinct from the city’s .
He darted into an opening in the forest, that awaited us like a black hole .
Our silhouettes disappeared into the forest .
It was dark, dark and only dark–––everything but the sensations on my skin had disappeared inside the darkness .
I held on a bit more firmly .
So we wouldn’t be separated, so I wouldn’t let go .
In the darkness, I pictured a senseless quarrel, a senseless death .
I wonder what he wants from me in this darkness .
Everything that had happened was shrouded in mystery, just like the forest .
But there was only one thing that was clear to me .
The s.h.i.tty world I had been living in until today had
certainly started to shatter .
In the end, I didn’t know what I’d lose, or what I’d gain .
It felt like we had been running for an eternity before an opening suddenly appeared within the dark forest .
I opened my eyes .
It was a place shaped like a perfect circle, with gra.s.s covering the ground and tall evergreens surrounding it, nothing more .
A meeting place . That was the best description for this place .
There was nothing obstructing my sight, so I could see everything with the help of the starlight .
And because I could see, I could also see that–––Shiro was an outsider here . I could clearly see that he didn’t belong here . The dim light and deep darkness clearly made him stand out too much .
His steps made no sound until we reached the middle of the circle, where I got down from him and stood at his side .
That spot of white
white amongst the darkness exuded an aura of harsh loneliness .
As if he had nowhere to be, as if he was isolated from everything .
“I will call my brethren now,” he bellowed .
Then howled continuously to far, far away .
It echoed through the trees in the forest, and after a long while pa.s.sed, slowly declined as if sinking into the ground .
Soon, the sound of several ma.s.ses cutting through the wind could be heard .
Many wolves appeared from inside the forest, all standing motionless on the border of the circle around us .
This was the forest that was located beside the city that I lived in, but I had never been here before .
It wasn’t just a mere thought to consider this a different world anymore .
This was the kingdom of the wolves .
But they were all–––different from Shiro–––ashen wolves . For most of them, their fur had lost its shine, some even seemed to be crippled .
crippled .
There were around thirty, or so…Thinking about how many there were drained my energy . I felt weak, there were so many that I couldn’t even see any gaps between them, it was almost like they were a single ent.i.ty .
A lone, peculiar wolf stood in front of them all . His ashen fur had lost almost all of its shine and he was almost twice as big as Shiro . His eyes were round but they seemed weary, always looking at someplace far away .
He was old, and tired . I noticed those two facts as soon as I saw him .
Beside him stood another gray wolf, about the same size as Shiro . He seemed to be the youngest of the pack as his fur still had some shine and he seemed livelier overall . His gaze was sharp and he glared with hostility at us–––or to be precise, at Shiro .
Something about their looks toldtheir looks told me they were parent and child .
“Father, brother, my brethren!” Shiro shouted as he looked at those two . “Let me introduce you to the one standing beside me, my wife!”
A small commotion started among the ashen wolves and I could feel many piercing stares turn to me .
“Her name is Saki and, as you can see, she is a human!”
After he said that, the clamor grew louder .
Well, they just heard of a marriage between a wolf and a human, it’s obvious they would react in this way .
After they had calmed down, the old wolf spoke with an austere tone:
“My child, is what you’re saying true?”
“I would never lie to you, father . This girl is certainly my wife . ”
Shiro seemed to be holding in his mirth as he spoke . I stole a quick glance at his face .
He appeared to be on the verge of laughter with his eyes set ablaze .
Chapter 1 The boundary line, the marriage between a girl and a wolf . Part 4 We left the paved road and went along a dirt path, to a place I had never been to before, where even the air felt distinct from the city s . He darted into an opening in the forest, that awaited us like a black hole . Our silhouettes disappeared into the forest . It was dark, dark and only dark everything but the sensations on my skin had disappeared inside the darkness . I held on a bit more firmly . So we wouldn t be separated, so I wouldn t let go . In the darkness, I pictured a senseless quarrel, a senseless death . I wonder what he wants from me in this darkness . Everything that had happened was shrouded in mystery, just like the forest . But there was only one thing that was clear to me . The s.h.i.tty world I had been living in until today had certainly started to shatter . In the end, I didn t know what I d lose, or what I d gain . It felt like we had been running for an eternity before an opening suddenly appeared within the dark forest . I opened my eyes . It was a place shaped like a perfect circle, with gra.s.s covering the ground and tall evergreens surrounding it, nothing more . A meeting place . That was the best description for this place . There was nothing obstructing my sight, so I could see everything with the help of the starlight . And because I could see, I could also see that Shiro was an outsider here . I could clearly see that he didn t belong here . The dim light and deep darkness clearly made him stand out too much . His steps made no sound until we reached the middle of the circle, where I got down from him and stood at his side . That spot of white amongst the darkness exuded an aura of harsh loneliness . As if he had nowhere to be, as if he was isolated from everything . I will call my brethren now, he bellowed . Then howled continuously to far, far away . It echoed through the trees in the forest, and after a long while pa.s.sed, slowly declined as if sinking into the ground . Soon, the sound of several ma.s.ses cutting through the wind could be heard . Many wolves appeared from inside the forest, all standing motionless on the border of the circle around us . This was the forest that was located beside the city that I lived in, but I had never been here before . It wasn t just a mere thought to consider this a different world anymore . This was the kingdom of the wolves . But they were all different from Shiro ashen wolves . For most of them, their fur had lost its shine, some even seemed to be crippled . There were around thirty, or so Thinking about how many there were drained my energy . I felt weak, there were so many that I couldn t even see any gaps between them, it was almost like they were a single ent.i.ty . A lone, peculiar wolf stood in front of them all . His ashen fur had lost almost all of its shine and he was almost twice as big as Shiro . His eyes were round but they seemed weary, always looking at someplace far away . He was old, and tired . I noticed those two facts as soon as I saw him . Beside him stood another gray wolf, about the same size as Shiro . He seemed to be the youngest of the pack as his fur still had some shine and he seemed livelier overall . His gaze was sharp and he glared with hostility at us or to be precise, at Shiro . Something about their looks told me they were parent and child . Father, brother, my brethren Shiro shouted as he looked at those two . Let me introduce you to the one standing beside me, my wife A small commotion started among the ashen wolves and I could feel many piercing stares turn to me . Her name is Saki and, as you can see, she is a human After he said that, the clamor grew louder . Well, they just heard of a marriage between a wolf and a human, it s obvious they would react in this way . After they had calmed down, the old wolf spoke with an austere tone My child, is what you re saying true I would never lie to you, father . This girl is certainly my wife . Shiro seemed to be holding in his mirth as he spoke . I stole a quick glance at his face . He appeared to be on the verge of laughter with his eyes set ablaze .