Sophia had already known.  
She had known for a while that Gyeoul’s understanding of the world was skewed.  
However, she hadn’t imagined that Gyeoul wouldn’t even understand expressions of affection.  

**“She’s spent so much time alone…”**  

Eight years.  
Not a long time in the grand scheme of things, but for Gyeoul, it was her entire life.  

Even a single year would have felt like an eternity, as it made up more than a tenth of her existence.  
Most of that time had been spent in solitude.  

Having grown up alone, she had never received a kind touch.  
As a result, the happiness she felt when her head was patted seemed to her like a “special emotion.”  
She didn’t realize that it was natural to feel comforted when a trustworthy adult showed affection by patting her head.  

Such a gesture wasn’t anything extraordinary.  
It was a simple expression of affection that any child in the world could experience.  
Yet, Gyeoul only came to know this after becoming part of the beastfolk.  

**“Even orphans experience love…”**  

Sophia finally understood why Gyeoul’s tail wagged so enthusiastically whenever she was touched.  
It was likely because someone giving her affection was such a novel experience that she didn’t know how to contain her joy.  

Sophia resolved to pat Gyeoul’s head more often in the future.  

“Gyeoul, you didn’t know because you lacked the experience. Don’t feel discouraged about it.”  

**Rustle, rustle.**  
Sophia stroked Gyeoul’s head again.  
Though embarrassed, Gyeoul wagged her tail gently.  

“Ah, no, I kind of knew…,” Gyeoul mumbled.  

“Oh? Did anyone ever pat your head back when you were human?”  

Perhaps she hadn’t been completely alone after all.  
The possibility brought Sophia a sense of relief.  

“Well, uh…”  

Gyeoul thought back.  
In this life, no one had ever patted her head.  
Caught between her past life and present circumstances, she decided to borrow Sophia’s words to avoid further probing.  

“I only knew about it in theory…”  

“In theory?”  

Knowing only in theory meant she had no actual experience.  
Sophia realized that Gyeoul might have yearned for love during her loneliness, trying to grasp it as “knowledge” rather than feeling it directly.  

“Yes. Since it was my first time experiencing it, I couldn’t really relate it to what I knew.”  

“…True. Even if you know something in theory, it’s hard to apply it without real experience.”  

Sophia pulled Gyeoul into a tight hug, as though trying to wash away any lingering loneliness.  
She stroked Gyeoul’s back gently, continuing to hold her for a long while.  

“Um, Sophia, could you help me take the tape off my clothes? I need to change, but I don’t think I can do it alone.”  

“Of course.”  

Sophia chuckled softly at how tightly Gyeoul was bound.  

**Rip.**  
The tape came off, along with the remnants of Gyeoul’s shirt.  
Trusting Sophia entirely, Gyeoul didn’t feel embarrassed even as her skin became exposed.  
Their bond had grown stronger than that of mere parent and child.  

“I’ll need to sew this back together.”  

“Leave it on the table; I’ll do it for you.”  

“No, I can handle it.”  

“It’s fine. I take pride in my sewing skills. I’ll make it sturdier than before.”  

“…Thank you.”  

Since Sophia insisted, Gyeoul decided to let her do it and changed into another set of clothes.  
Though it wasn’t exactly new, it was clean and comfortable.  

“Are the kids waiting outside?”  

“Yes.”  

“Then hurry out and play. Keeping others waiting isn’t polite.”  

“Yes, thank you so much.”  

Gyeoul bowed deeply to express her gratitude.  
Sophia felt thankful for Gyeoul’s ability to remain so pure despite all she had endured.  

—

### At the Park  

Gyeoul stepped outside and found the children playing on the grass near the pond.  
Encya was leading them in a game of cards.  

“Cock-a-doodle-doo!”  
Encya flapped her arms and imitated a chicken’s crow.  
Levinas’s eyes sparkled as she shot her hand into the air.  

“Answer! Fried chicken!”  

“…Close enough, I’ll count it.”  

“Yay! But Levinas likes spicy chicken better!”  

Wait. Had Levinas ever eaten chicken before?  
Searching through her memories, Gyeoul realized the answer.  
Some people hosting a birthday party in the park must have shared some chicken with Levinas.  

It must have left quite the impression.  
Gyeoul decided that spicy chicken would be tonight’s dinner.  

As she was planning the meal, Argon waved enthusiastically at her.  

“Captain! Captain!”  

“Answer! Horned rabbit!”  

“Horned rabbit?!”  

“Yes! Levinas says it just like you do! ‘Wang-ah! Wang-ah-ah!’”  

Now that she thought about it, Levinas and Argon did feel similar in some ways.  
Gyeoul couldn’t help but laugh.  

“What are you all doing here?”  

“We were waiting for you, Gyeoul.”  

“For me?”  

“Yes. I have a favor to ask of you.”  

Encya, avoiding direct eye contact, fidgeted nervously with her fingers.  
Her usual stoic expression was replaced by a faint blush.  

“Alright.”  

“Gyeoul, if I may say, it’s best to hear the full details of a request before agreeing to it.”  

“But it’s Encya’s request.”  

Encya was always quick to lend a hand whenever someone needed help.  
There was no reason not to return the favor.  

“…Thank you.”  

Encya’s wolf ears twitched with emotion, a gesture unique to beastfolk when they were deeply moved.  

“So, what’s the favor?”  

“Well… I’d like to raise a hunting dog, but…”  

“A hunting dog?”  

“Yes. The problem is, I’m not familiar with Earth’s hunting dogs. If you could help me choose one, I’ll train it to be loyal and obedient.”  

While Gyeoul wasn’t an expert on dogs, she knew enough to help Encya.  

“Alright, I’ll help.”  

Gyeoul nodded and glanced around.  
Levinas was trembling noticeably.  

“W-Wang-ah…”  

“Hm?”  

“Levinas is scared of dogs…”  

“Ah…”  

It made sense.  
As a child, it was natural to be afraid of dogs.  

“Dogs have teeth longer than Levinas’s horns…”  

“Don’t worry. I’ll pick a nice dog.”  

“Okay! Levinas trusts Wang-ah!”  

Animal shelters were full of dogs, but taking Levinas there might not be the best idea.  

“Argon, could you look after the kids? I’ll go with Encya. There are lots of dogs at the shelter, and it might scare them.”  

“Understood!”  

Argon lifted Levinas and Saebyeok onto his shoulders with ease.  
His shoulders were so broad that the kids had plenty of space.  

“Wow.”  

Seeing how effortlessly Argon carried them, Gyeoul’s eyes widened in amazement.  
Argon, noticing her reaction, patted his biceps.  

“Want me to carry you too, Captain?”  

“N-No, I’m fine.”  

“Alright! Let me know if you ever want a ride!”  

“Yes…”  

**Thud. Thud.**  

Argon marched off with the kids, who waved cheerfully as they disappeared into the distance.  

Gyeoul turned to Encya.  

“Shall we go?”  

“Yes. Where should we head first?”  

“To the animal shelter.”  

“Understood.”  

Encya pulled out a car key, and Gyeoul couldn’t help but marvel at the sight of a beastfolk driving.  

—

They got into the car and headed to the nearest shelter.  
About ten minutes from their destination, Encya made a suggestion.  

“Would you like some snacks before we arrive?”  

“Snacks?”  

“Yes. Sweet treats might help you relax before making such an important decision.”  

“Hmm… Alright.”  

After all, picking a companion was like choosing family.  
Gyeoul decided to follow Encya’s advice.  

“There’s an ice cream shop nearby.”  

“It seems popular. Look at all the people.”  

Encya parked the car in the lot of what appeared to be a well-known chain.  

“Please wait a moment.”  

Encya stepped out of the car, but instead of heading into the shop, she opened Gyeoul’s door.  

“I was taught that an attendant should always open the door.”  

“T-There’s no need for that…”  

“Don’t feel burdened. I enjoy doing it.”  

Her wagging tail confirmed her sincerity.  
Since it truly seemed to make her happy, Gyeoul decided not to argue.  

“Alright. If it makes you happy, I won’t stop you.”  

“Thank you for understanding.”  

Encya escorted Gyeoul to the shop, but just as they were about to enter, she froze.  

“Encya?”  

Her gaze was fixed on a sign at the entrance:  

**[No Pets Allowed.]

**  

Encya looked down at her tail, which was still wagging despite her deflated expression.  

“Gyeoul, there must be reasons behind these rules, correct?”  

“Yes, probably.”  

“If it’s because of shedding fur…”  

“Oh.”  

If that was the case, they wouldn’t be allowed inside either. It would be inconsiderate to push the matter.  

Encya’s tail drooped in disappointment.  
From the outside, Gyeoul gazed longingly at the colorful display of ice cream.  

She wasn’t upset about not getting the treat but felt sad that their outing was marred by rejection.  

“I’m sorry. I’ll find you something even better elsewhere.”  

“Okay. Let’s go somewhere else.”  

Encya extended her hand, and Gyeoul took it without hesitation.  
Just as they were about to leave, the bell above the shop door jingled loudly.  

“Wait, please!”  

A shop employee in a crisp sky-blue uniform rushed out toward them.  

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep