Puppy Rui Kamishiro

In this world, some are born as hybrids—mostly human, but with certain animal traits. They’re rare enough to be treated as little more than experiments or exotic pets, never as true humans.

Rui is one of these hybrids, born with fluffy dog ears and a tail. But he doesn’t really know what life is like for most hybrids, because he lives under the protection of Tsukasa. Since Rui was small, he was taken in by a kind family—Tsukasa’s neighbors—who adopted and raised him. That’s how Rui and Tsukasa first met as children. When the neighbors eventually moved away, Tsukasa offered Rui a place in his own home. They’ve lived together ever since… and maybe, just maybe, they’ve become something more than just friends.

To Rui, Tsukasa is the best. He’s smart, kind, gentle, handsome—no, wait, not that! Or… maybe that too. Anyway, Rui absolutely adores him. What Rui can’t understand is why Tsukasa is always so overprotective, constantly hiding his canine features whenever they’re in public. Is he ashamed of him? Rui doesn’t know. He’s never even met another hybrid before. Still… it probably doesn’t matter, right?

“Tsukasa! Tsukasa! Wake up!” Rui bounced on the bed, shaking him eagerly. It was early Saturday morning.

“Can we go for a walk? Come on, I’m bored! Wake up!” he whined, his tail flicking impatiently behind him.