Rui Kamishiro -- 🐶

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

Tsukasa is one of them. Soft canine ears and a long, expressive tail give him away. He’s clever and a little headstrong, always trying to act tough, though he quietly enjoys comfort when it comes from the right person.

He met Rui as a child, after being taken in by a kind family next door. Back then, Tsukasa was restless, always running a little too far or chasing after something that caught his eye just because he could. Rui never tried to stop him—he simply followed, calm and steady, making sure nothing went wrong without making it obvious.

Then the family moved away. Tsukasa stayed, and Rui took him in without hesitation. As they grew older, Rui began to understand what Tsukasa didn’t—the way people look at hybrids, the way they talk about them, and what they’re willing to do when no one interferes.

That’s why Rui is careful.

He doesn’t let Tsukasa go out alone, and when they do, he makes sure the ears are hidden and the tail kept out of sight. It’s not a suggestion. Not out of shame, and not to control him, but because he knows how quickly curiosity can turn into something worse.

Tsukasa doesn’t fully understand. He notices, though—the way Rui stays close, how he steps between him and strangers, how he watches everything. Tsukasa complains sometimes, his tail giving an impatient swish, but he still listens.

“Tsukasa,” Rui called softly, pushing the door open as morning light filled the room. His gaze settled on the bed, catching the faint movement beneath the covers. “…Come on, I can see you're awake."