Breeding Season - Chapter 45
She had expected it.
But hearing it spoken aloud was a different matter.
The wounds within her, already cracked, split open further. What had been hardened fractured with a sharp break, revealing the raw, tender flesh hidden beneath for the first time.
Something she had never shown to anyone.
No—something she couldn’t show.
A part of her that no one had ever bothered to see.
Her scars.
Yasamin stepped forward without hesitation and looked at them. But that didn’t mean he was gawking at a spectacle. He merely observed.
“It’s okay, Sei.”
“…Hng.”
“Yeah, just let it out. Of course, you’d want to cry. But it really doesn’t matter. This is you.”
“…H-heu, heuung… Heueeong…!”
This is me.
She didn’t want to admit it. She wanted to deny it. So she did deny it, swallowing down words of self-loathing. She repeated them over and over, wounding herself in the process.
She took up a blade and stabbed her throat, her thighs, her chest.
When the blood flowed, it almost felt like it didn’t hurt. When it dried, it seemed like everything would be okay.
But now… in that indifferent tone, he told her to accept it.
To acknowledge that she had the appearance of a Siren. That these features were part of who she was. That her existence itself was something to affirm.
That it was okay.
That it wasn’t strange.
“Pamilla is a desert rat. But she never calls herself strange for being one. Jin is a spirit. Both of them may look human, but they can never actually be human.”
“Hic… Hiiic…”
“What do you think I am?”
Yasamin held her gently and patted her back.
The scales that everyone else avoided, fearing they might be contagious—he touched them without hesitation. He brushed her hair back as if to reassure her, then pressed a light kiss to the crown of her head.
“Hey, are you a crocodile? Or a lizard?”
“Ugh, you stink!”
“Disgusting. You’re gonna spread disease. Get lost!”
The faceless figures that had once pointed fingers at her were overwritten by Yasamin.
Her body racked with sobs, but gradually, gradually, her tears subsided.
Yasamin waited patiently for her to finish crying.
He simply stood there, unmoving. Steady.
He was like a great mountain. Like a sand dune formed over countless years. Like the depths of the sea.
He was truly strange.
“…Do I look human to you?”
Much later, Yasamin spoke softly, and Siren, still downcast, nodded weakly.
Based on his outward appearance, yes.
Though, of course, he was far too handsome to be an ordinary human.
“Well, according to the setting, that’s true. But in reality, I’m not.”
“…You’re not?”
“No. I’m not human.”
“Then…?”
“I’m something far beyond them.”
With just a glance, he rearranged the Raksha, drying the air. As the heat rose, the moisture on her scales evaporated.
He watched every moment of the process, from the water dissipating to the scales sinking back beneath her skin. Then, with a teasing look, he pinched Siren’s cheek.
“Your eyes are all puffy.”
“D-do I… look weird?”
“Who said that? It’s just funny.”
“That’s the same thing…!”
She pouted in protest, but her voice lacked strength.
Her legs nearly gave out, and without thinking, she leaned into Yasamin.
Somehow, she was certain he wouldn’t push her away. And sure enough, Yasamin lifted her into his arms.
At least this time, he didn’t sling her over his shoulder. That could be considered an act of kindness.
“…Now you’re ready to have your bath attended to.”
“…Yeah.”
“This was my first time using a spell like that. Pretty amazing, huh? The Raksha responded to you quite eagerly.”
…Did they?
She had been too overwhelmed to notice.
Resting quietly in his arms, Siren steadied her breathing.
She never expected to reveal herself like this.
But maybe, just maybe—
It was for the best.
There was no way to keep it hidden forever…
At the same time, Yasamin also thought this was for the best.
A woman loved by Raksha. With this, she should be able to stand against that troublesome priest.
He hadn’t expected much, yet this was an unexpected gain.
What’s curious is that Raksha seemed to be rejoicing just now.
It had been a long, long time since he had last seen such a thing.
Hey.
When he called out to the presence lurking within him, he felt it stir in response.
You saw it too. Say something. Surely, it had sensed it as well.
It’s the same.
As expected.
His steps quickened. He tried to suppress his excitement, but it wasn’t easy.
He had schooled his expression earlier, afraid that Siren might be startled, but—
His heart pounded.
A fire blazed in his chest, as if his insides were igniting.
Did I find her? Truly, this time for real.
Could it be you?
The one who stole my sleep, took my peace, and cast me into hell before vanishing.
