Rain slept peacefully, his breath steady, a smiled adorning his face. Little did he know, many children are gathered around, watching him.

“Hey, is he Rain’s brother?” one boy asked.

A girl pulled on his arm, said, “Don’t you know? She’s a girl, just like us. Haven’t you noticed her ribbon scarf and her pretty skin and eyelashes? Not to mention her long, beautiful hair. She’s disguised herself as a boy to protect herself.”

Many girls nodded in agreement.

The boy responded, “But I’ve seen him play and kick the ball with us. He even threw a rock across the river! How could he be a girl? He’s the best at water skipping stones. It’s 20 bounced. It’s a boy’s record!”

The girls were not pleased with his words. “No, sister Rain also plays housewife and family games with us. She’s an amazing cook and a great manner wife. How could she possibly be a man? She knows 100 sweet recipes. She’s the best at role playing.”

The first boy lowers his head. “100 recipes? That’s… strong.”

Another boy noticed his friend’s distress and spoke up. “No, he also plays sword fights with us. Girls don’t play with swords.”

The girl smiled and said, “Tsk, tsk, all you boys are so dense. Haven’t you noticed that sister Rain never wins? She pretends to be a boy to make you all happy, but her delicate body can’t withstand your strength.”

All the boys were shocked, their hands trembled. Thud, they sat down with knees on the ground. “Oh no, that’s why he never wins against us. And he can’t even dodge our attacks. What have I done… I hit a fragile bro-sister!”

Another kid walked from afar and taped the boy’s shoulder. “Don’t jump to conclusions, Joel. She tricked you.”

All the Boys looked at him, spook on the same time “Oily, the smart one!”

“It’s none of your business, Oily,” the girl said.

“Ho, it’s not like that, Miss Lauren. Brother Rock man is also a great person for our boys’ society,” Oily says, adjusted his glasses slightly. The light reflected off the lenses. “Joel, don’t you remember what brother said? ‘We boys combine our forces to protect the world!’”

Joel’s eyes widened as he looked at his own hands. “How naive I am… How can I don’t remember this, the warmth of brother rain’s hand still beside mine.” Another boy helped Joel stood up, and with hope and power returned to his hand, he clenched his fist firmly and continued, “Right! He is the power of our group.”

The girl, Lauren tried to say something, but she couldn’t gather any clues. The words of Oily were too strong, and she wondered how she could fight against the power of “the world”. She also remembered some of the important words that Rain had said, but she couldn’t recall the entire sentence. Small tears gathered in her eyes. The feeling of loss touched her heart, but suddenly a warm sensation touched her head.

“…We girls help each other fight the bad, right, Lauren?” Rain smiled at her and rubbed her head.

Kids were in jubilant when listened their familiar sound that fell kind and warmth.

The kids were jubilant when they heard the familiar and kind sound. Lauren nodded hastily, “Yes… Yes! That’s right.” All the girls rushed to Rain’s side, looking at the boys with fierce eyes. “We will protect our sister from the bad!”

“These kids are so lovely, wanting to protect their sister… Eh? Sister? What happened?” Rain asked, confused about what was going on. “Ria, what happened—”

Lauren interrupted, “Don’t worry, Sister Rain. Your clothes tell everything. We girls can read everything from our dress and attire. Bows and ribbons are our power!”

“Yes! Yes!” the other girls agreed with Lauren.

“Sister Rain won’t have to hide anymore,” Lauren said, looking at the other girls.

As if understanding her signal, one girl replied, “I will bring a big bow!” Another said, “I also have a lace-decorated ribbon.” And another one said, “I will bring kitchenware. We will start the girls’ war.” The girls ran off in different directions.

The boys had fire in their eyes as they rushed to Rain and tugged on his other hand. “Brother, you have to play with us too.”

Oily lifted his glasses and looked at Joel, who swiftly nodded. “I will get the ball and kite,” Joel said, then ran off quickly.

“What is this? Argh! Don’t pull me like that. My body is still recovering,” Rain complained.

But no one listened to him anymore. The girls agilely moved to his back and tied ribbons in his hair. They were amazed by how silky his hair was, and their eyes sparkled like stars.

“Don’t do that, please, Aria! Help! No, no, no! Ria, why are you smiling like that? Why aren’t you helping me… Don’t tell me, you’re taking their side—“ he said.

A half hour passed, group of girls win.

A half hour passed, and a group of girls emerged as the winners. Rain, now sitting on the grid mat, had various cooking utensils scattered around him. He was dressed in an attire adorned with ribbons, braids, and lace, resembling a princess doll. His hands were tied together with a ribbon, and all the girls nodded in approval at this transformation. The boys, equally captivated, sat on the mat with their mouths wide open, admiring the beautiful Rain.

Rain glanced at the people around him, hoping for some rescue or refrain, but everyone avoided his gaze. They either averted their eyes or pressed their hands in sympathy for Rain’s situation. No one wanted to interfere with the seriousness of the children’s game.

“Hig, hig, hig why are you all being so mean to me?” Rain’s eyes welled up with tears.

“Sister Rain, don’t cry. Be proud of your beauty. Look, even the boys admire you,” Lauren consoled.

The boys slowly nodded, still in awe with their mouths opened. Joel, who had taken on the role of a father, sat on the mat. Meanwhile, Oily was lost in thought, clutching his glasses tightly. “Did I miscalculate something?”

“I’m back. Today’s work was so hard. I had to cut wood, Rock man sis—“ Joel began.

“Joel, don’t call me sister, and Ria, stop staring at me like that. Humph!” Rain swiftly turned his head, his twin braids swaying.

The girls held hands and looked ahead with admiration. “Sister Rain is truly amazing. She played the role of a sultry girl perfectly.” Every girl nodded in agreement.

“Sis-brother, don’t be mad. I’ll help you with the cooking today, ok?” Joel said.

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“Hmph! I’m not a child who can be tricked with food. You need to consider your actions and apologize instead.” Rain crossed his arms, causing the ribbon and bow to sway.

“W-what have I done wrong, Sis-brother? Please tell me. I’ll do anything,” Joel pleaded, touching his own shirt as his heart ached with pain.

The girls bit their dresses and fidgeted with their pillows. The temperature in the room seemed to rise slightly.

Rain saw Joel’s pain and reached out to comfort him, but then quickly pulled his hand back and turned away. “I can’t… he needs to realize it on his own.”

Joel observed Rain’s actions, his head hanging down as he stared at the floor. “What’s happening to me? Why does my heart ache like this?” Tears started to well up in his eyes.

All the children touched their hearts, their brows furrowing as they felt the pain within.

Rain can’t withstand anymore. He touched Joel’s shoulder with tie-hands. “Joel, you already felt it right. The pain I go through when you know nothing and still force yourself into the matter.”

Joel nodded, “I understand, brother.” He quickly hugged Rain. “I’m sorry, brother. I won’t force you to be someone you’re not anymore!”

“It’s ok, people make mistakes… Huh? Force me to be someone I’m not?” Rain looked at everyone.

Clap! Clap! Clap! The children clapped their hands, their eyes brimming with tears.

“Sister Rain is amazing.” “Yes, I never saw this intense level before.” “This is good for our lives.”

Whizz! Whizz! Whiz! The sound of someone swiftly writing on paper.

Rain looked at her, sweat dripping down his face. “Lauren, what are you doing?”

“Just wait a moment, Sister Rain. I’ll do my best. This will be world-class!” She said, her hand swiftly moving across the paper. Her gaze fixed on her work.

Dot! It’s done. She stood up quickly and showed everyone. The paper was filled with letters.

Rain’s back was covered in sweat.

Another child who couldn’t read asked, “What is it, Lauren?”

Lauren brushed her long hair back and said, “It’s a romance, a hot romance!”

“Hiyaaaaaaa!” All the girls couldn’t contain their excitement. They stomped their feet and bit their shirts.

Oily objected, “That’s not fair, Lauren. It should be action and fighting instead. We want to play too.”

Lauren grinned, “There are five male leads! And there’s a secret character.”

Oily was taken aback. “Wicked!” He quickly grabbed the paper, his eyes scanning it swiftly. “This is a golden piece!”

Oily and Lauren locked eyes, nodded at the same time, and then looked at Rain, whose face had turned pale.

“No, no, no, please… at least let me play a male character,” Rain said.

But no one listened. They just smiled and moved closer to him.

Bang! The door suddenly opened, and the Blue Fairy finally arrived.

Her hair was covered in snow, and white breath came out of her mouth. Her chest heaved up and down as she took deep breaths. Her eyes widened in shock at what she saw, and her trembling hand covered her face.

Aria slowly walked closer to him, and the children, recognizing Aria and knowing who she was, stepped aside to make way for her.

Rain’s tears of joy fell as he smiled. “Thank the mother of the river, Aria… you’ve finally come.” He wanted to move closer, but his legs and hands were tied with ribbons and bows. “Please help me, these kids in town are too strange. I can’t handle it at all.”

Thud! Aria sat with her knees at the front, gently touching his face with a trembling hand. Using her finger, she wiped away his tears.

“Aria…” Rain said, got into a state of inner peace.

“Faye… please…”

Suddenly, a golden light emerged out of thin air, and an object slowly descended. The girls’ eyes sparkled and became stars as they looked at it. The boys were also astonished by this fluffy object, except for one person who was not pleased by what he saw in front of him. Rain shook his head, tears falling non stop.

“A-Aria… W-what are you doing?” he asked, looking at Aria’s face, hoping to confirm something. But his heart broke quickly. Aria’s eyes were also sparkling, brimming with happiness. She grabbed the fluffy ears and placed them on Rain’s head.

Bright and shining, all the girls touched their own faces, pleased with what they saw. The temperature rose, and their hair stood end.

Aria raised her finger, causing all of Rain’s tears to float up and shine in the light, making the scenery even more beautiful. The raccoon princess, bound with ribbons and flowers, couldn’t help herself by this tangled wearable.

Thud! Thud! The boys sat with their knees, touching their own hearts and asking themselves why their hearts felt so much pain.

“Aria, you deceived me,” Rain said, tears still flowing but now floating in the air.

“I will pay any price for this… Faye, please,” Aria said.

Faye swiftly ran behind Rain and touched his fluffy ears.

Click! The sound of a magic item working. Rain’s eyes widened, his mouth trembled, and he asked, “F-f-Faye, w-what are you doing?”

Click! Another sound emitted from his waist. Rain swiftly looked down and saw a belt around his waist. He raised his head want to ask Aria what the belt was for, but she had already moved away and stood beside Faye, who had a white crystal on her. Furthermore, his lovely sister, Ria, also stood there.

The girls and boys covered their mouths in awe as they all looked at Rain. He could feel a soft touch on his back, moving to his front, finally realizing what it was. It big fluffy tail.

“Did all of you plan this?” Rain looked at them with a sad smile.

“Brother looks so beautiful!” “This is the best moment of my life!” “Bro — No, sister looks so pretty!”

“I will remember this! Don’t cry when I return it back!” Rain exclaimed, as his tail and ears also stood up.

“Did you record it, Faye?” Aria asked, not blinking even once.

“Every moment, the name of Gleda Glacially never fails to disappoint. It’s worth the price,” Faye said.

“Y-you all are so mean, at least… Ella isn’t here. I don’t want her—”

Thud! Thud! Thud! The girl with golden hair ran quickly. “Aria! Why did you leave me alone with that grumpy grandpa?” Ella grabbed Aria’s arm in a hurry. Something seemed off about Aria. she felt hot like fire. Ella looked at Aria’s face and noticed her eyes sparkling like stars. A soft, pale voice came from Aria’s mouth. “Raccoons… are also good.”

“Raccoons?” Ella was confused. She looked in the direction Aria was pointing and saw a pretty princess, a big raccoon dressed with a bow and lace, now teary-eyed and trembling. Ella’s nose started bleeding.

Rain slowly hugged his knees, burying his face in them. A faint sound escaped his lips. “Mother, please help me. All the girls are so mean, they bully me.”

—§—

The sun began waving its hand at the horizon, painting the white fort with shades of orange. On the snowy street, a girl with golden hair walked, followed by a large raccoon. Both were wearing long white winter coats, but on the fellow, he couldn’t hide the raccoon’s big tail, swaying from side to side. The townspeople stopped and stared at the two without blinking.

“Why are you following me like this, Ra-Rain?” Ella asked, her breath visible in the cold air.

Rain didn’t answer but moved closer to Ella, his breath also forming white clouds.

“I have to go to the north gate to check the conditions there. It’s colder than the camp. It’s better for you to rest,” Ella said.

Rain grabbed Ella’s coat and softly spoke, “I’ll go too.”

Ella sighed. “Aren’t you afraid of me?”

Rain hesitated for a moment and replied, “Yes, I’m afraid. But staying with someone who hates me is safer. At least you would strike me head-on, rather than being hit with a honey stick.”

Ella turned around swiftly. “What! I’m not that aggressive. I’m a reasonable person.”

Rain nodded quickly, his eyes clear as water. “I know. You’re the most reasonable person.”

Ella looked at him, raising her hand, which trembled. “Ahhhhh, Talking with you is not pleasant at all.” The snow fluttered away.

Townspeople popped their heads out of their houses, watching the two on the street. Some even came out of the alleyways. It seemed like news had spread like wildfire, as people gathered to see the Saint with the Raccoon.

Ella lowered her hand, turned, and quickened her pace. Rain tugged on her coat and followed.

“Why are you mad, Ella?” Rain asked curiously.

“Have you not seen the people?” Ella replied.

Rain glanced around and noticed that many people were looking at them. Some kids even waved at them.

“Yes, I can see that clearly. They seem so happy,” Rain said, waving back at the kids.

“Huh?! What have you seen? Do we see the same thing? They look anxious. And why are there beastkin here?” Ella exclaimed.

Rain tilted his head in confusion. “Why is that? Isn’t this place the White Rey of The Sun, a land bridge that trades with many people and races?”

“That old name is only left in history books,”

“Ah, um…” Rain’s fluffy ears and tail drooped.

Ella paused and rubbed her head. “Mooohh, there are no more beast kin in this continent anymore. They have all moved to the north or crossed the far sea to the central continent. This place is now only inhabited by humans, struggling and fighting with monsters at the edge of the world.”

“Eh? They left? Why?”

“We don’t know the whole truth. We have only caught glimpses of information. As they ventured further into the Endland, their ferocity grew and they mercilessly killed. The closer they got to the edge, the higher the rate of transformation became. Humans were afraid, and Them also worried about their kin, so they left,” Ella explained.

Rain’s eyes widened, and he released his grip on Ella’s coat. “Sorry.”

“I didn’t mean that—” Ella said

Rang! Gong! Gong! The sound of an alarm bell echoed from the north gate.

Both of them swiftly turned their head to look north.

Phuuf! A red flare shot up into the sky.

Ella’s eyebrows furrowed, and she said, “Monster.”