---
Kai had learned three things in two days.
First: the mysterious hybrid he'd taken in was not a stray.
Second: said hybrid had the sharpest glare known to mankind.
And third…
"Don't touch my tail."
…Lys really, really meant that.
Kai yelped and pulled his hand back as Lys swatted it away with the speed of a viper. The white, fox-like tail curled tightly behind Lys, bristling with offense.
"I was just brushing off lint—!"
"You touched it."
"You moved it into my hand!"
Lys growled and walked away, clutching a mug of warm milk like it was a weapon. His hair was slightly damp from the shower, and he wore one of Kai's oversized T-shirts that slipped off his shoulder. His ears twitched constantly, trying to detect any sudden moves.
Kai watched from the couch, baffled but entertained. "You know, for someone who was half-dead yesterday, you've got a lot of energy."
"I heal fast."
Kai narrowed his eyes. "That's not normal. What kind of hybrid are you?"
Lys didn't answer.
He sat down on the windowsill, gazing out at the city lights. The moonlight hit his silver eyes in just the right way — haunting and sharp.
Kai leaned his head on the backrest. "You can stay as long as you want. Just tell me if someone's after you, okay?"
"…No one is," Lys said coolly.
Liar.
Kai didn't believe that for a second, but he also didn't push. Instead, he stood up and yawned. "I'm making pasta. Want some?"
Lys didn't reply.
But twenty minutes later, he silently took the plate and finished it like a starving prince.
---
Elsewhere…
San was pacing.
Wooyoung was cleaning bandages.
And Hyme was clinging to San's hoodie like a koala.
"Still no sign of Lys?" Wooyoung asked.
San shook his head. "None. Either someone helped him or he bled out somewhere."
Hyme muttered, "You think he'd die that easily?"
San blinked. "No… I think that's the problem."
Wooyoung closed the med kit. "He's probably hiding. But with his face and bloodline, someone's bound to recognize him soon."
"Unless," Hyme said slowly, "he's hiding somewhere with people who don't know who he is."
"…That would explain why we haven't found him," San muttered.
"Should we search more tomorrow?" Hyme asked.
San ran a hand through his hair. "No. For now, let's lay low. The moment we move, he'll know we're looking."
"And if he tries to manipulate the public?"
San gave a slow grin. "Then we let Lyra speak."
---
Back in Kai's apartment…
Kai peeked into the guest room and found Lys asleep on the futon.
The moonlight made him look almost delicate — ears relaxed, face peaceful.
Kai crouched beside him and whispered, "You know, for a guy who growls a lot, you're kind of cute when you sleep."
Lys stirred.
Kai froze.
"…Touch my tail," Lys murmured half-asleep, "and I'll burn your eyebrows off."
Kai backed up instantly.
"Duly noted."
---