Bad women are always eyeing me covetously.

Silver Wolf couldn't help but yawn. After all, she was tired from traveling here these past few days.

So she lay down on Xi Lan's small bed without any hesitation and patted the empty space.

Although it's a children's bed, it's just the right size for Silver Wolf, who isn't very tall.

"It's getting late, I should go to sleep. I haven't had a proper rest for several nights in a row..."

Xi Lan naturally noticed the weariness in Silver Wolf's eyes, but despite her boundless curiosity, she could only swallow all her questions.

Obediently, it climbed onto the bed, skillfully snuggled into the silver wolf's arms, placed its tail on the wolf's leg, and moved slightly.

Silver Wolf loves these hugs and enjoys sleeping with the cute little guy in his arms on the soft bed.

Ah, this place is like heaven.

The silver wolf, holding the little fox tighter in its arms, thought peacefully.

Perhaps he was truly exhausted, for the hacker fell asleep within minutes.

Looking at the desk lamp that was still on, Xi Lan finally sighed like a little adult.

He dutifully wriggled out of the silver wolf's embrace, stretched out his arm, and then turned off the rather bright lamp.

Lying back in Silver Wolf's arms, even though there were no children's stories or lullabies today, Xi Lan was still somewhat happy because of her friend's affection.

Perhaps she had encountered too many things today, because even she felt a little sleepy.

After nuzzling against the silver wolf's chest and finding a comfortable spot, it closed its eyes contentedly.

Although her embrace wasn't as comfortable as Xing's or Kafka's...

However, as a new friend, Xi Lan wouldn't care about that much.

---

When it was midnight, the little fox groggily opened its eyes and crawled out of the silver wolf's embrace.

I need to go to the toilet.

But Silver Wolf is sleeping soundly, so let's not wake her.

She could only tiptoe to open the door, and then, still half-asleep, she staggered towards the bathroom.

After using the toilet, the little guy, who was a bit more energetic, seemed to hear Kafka talking to someone, thanks to his fox ears.

The ears perked up, and the curiosity that arose made Xi Lan stop in her tracks and stand not far from Kafka's room.

If we get too close, Kaffa will find us, right?

If I don't go back to sleep at this time, it will make her angry.

Seemingly recalling Kafka's angry expression, Yuu Ran ultimately decided to eavesdrop for a little while before returning to her room.

"We should get going..."

“It’s time to leave this child here.”

"..destiny.."

After that, Xi Lan didn't know what she heard, and she hurriedly returned to her room.

Instead of snuggling into the silver wolf's arms, she curled up on the other side of the bed.

She opened her light-colored eyes and looked at everything in the darkness, her heart filled with unease once again.

Am I going to be abandoned?

These questions gradually appeared in Xi Lan's mind.

Like a nightmare, it gradually ensnared the poor little fox.

---------

Chapter Seven: A Hug for You

That night, Xi Lan didn't have any sweet dreams.

Compared to the silver wolf on the same bed, this little guy could recall his nightmares and hear Kafka's whispers as soon as he closed his eyes.

Coupled with the anxiety of being abandoned, Xi Lan experienced insomnia for the first time in the middle of the night.

It wasn't until dawn that the little guy finally managed to fall asleep.

I don't get more than five hours of sleep a whole night.

When Silver Wolf got up, he looked at the little fox curled up on the other side, hugging its fluffy tail, and who seemed like it might fall off the bed at any moment. He wondered if his sleeping posture was not very good.

Moreover, Silver Wolf had a feeling that something had happened while she was asleep...

After picking up the terminal and glancing at the time, Silver Wolf realized it was only a little past eight o'clock.

I don't know if I missed breakfast.

The silver-gray eyes silently watched Xi Lan for a while, even in her sleep, her brows were furrowed.

In the end, he gave up on the idea of ​​waking the little guy, and instead reached out and quietly smoothed out the little fox's furrowed brow, which it had been frowning over even in its sleep.

After doing all that, Silver Wolf quietly got out of bed and stretched his body, letting out a pleasant yawn.

To avoid waking Xi Lan, who was still asleep, the short hacker finally decided to sneak out like a thief and close the door.

What are you doing, acting like a thief?

Xing's voice suddenly appeared behind Silver Wolf, startling her so much that she almost landed an elbow strike on someone's stomach.

"Hey! Didn't catch it, good dish."

"Keep your voice down, she's still sleeping." Silver Wolf, having come to his senses, made a shushing gesture, then added a few more words when he saw Xing's strange gaze.

“We went to bed before midnight yesterday. I didn’t keep the little guy up all night, so don’t look at me like that.”

Silver Wolf did try to defend himself.

"Let the child sleep a little longer. When she wakes up, we'll heat up her breakfast again."

Kaffa, sitting not far away, seemed to know something, but didn't say much, leaving the two somewhat puzzled.

The breakfast was somewhat silent. As a newcomer, Silver Wolf still didn't choose to ask why.

When they finished eating, Silver Wolf remembered that he had left his game console in Yulan's room.

I don't know if the little guy has woken up yet.

Silver Wolf, back at the door, cautiously pushed it open, intending to take out his game console.

As soon as I got to the bedside, I saw the little guy with his eyes closed, and tears streamed down his face without warning.

It looks like he's being haunted by nightmares.

Silver Wolf pursed her lips, looking at the little guy's pitiful appearance. Although she didn't know what had happened among them, she couldn't pretend not to see it.

Therefore, Silver Wolf abandoned his idea of ​​taking back the game console and leaving.

Instead, he simply crawled back into bed and held the little fox, who was silently weeping, in his arms.

If it were the old Silver Wolf, she wouldn't have been so kind to the child.

But it's different between friends.

Remembering the doll she had given her yesterday, and seeing Xi Lan's expectant gaze, well, Silver Wolf had to admit she really couldn't resist such a cute little child.

Just this once, um, just this once.

She muttered to herself, recalling scenes of parents comforting their children that she had seen on the terminal.

He gently and somewhat clumsily stroked Xi Lan's hair, while his other hand, which was wrapped around her waist, moved up slightly and patted her back.

Is this how you soothe a child?

Silver Wolf was somewhat unsure, and when he lowered his head slightly, he could see that Xi Lan's expression had softened a little as she leaned against his chest.

At least I won't keep crying.

When it was almost time, Silver Wolf stopped what he was doing, withdrew his hand, and wiped away the traces of tears from the poor little fox's cheeks.

I wonder if she'll realize she's been crying when she gets up.

The indifferent silver wolf leaned against the headboard, letting the little fox in her arms hug her tightly.

Being held tightly in someone's arms is a pretty nice experience.

Silver Wolf, who had never been so close to anyone before, didn't dislike the feeling of being held tightly.

At worst, I can just hug him back later.

Silver Wolf thought to himself.

---------

Chapter Eight: I am Kaffa's dog!

"The little guy may have overheard my conversation with Eriol."

Kaffa, who was flipping through a magazine in the previously quiet living room, suddenly spoke up.

Xing, who was drinking water, almost choked and coughed a few times. She looked at the woman, who was now acting as if nothing had happened, with great shock.

"Well, rather, the child must have heard it, otherwise he wouldn't have gotten up so late today."

Kafka glanced at Hoshino, who was choking on water, and put down her magazine.