- 4 hours ago
From Fox Scratches to Dog Kisses New
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Noah stared straight back at Taylor, and for the first time, his voice carried unmistakable hostility.
00:06You slutty fox.
00:08His gray eyes neared slightly.
00:10If I hear you insult Ivory one more time, the golden retriever smiled faintly.
00:16I'll bite your throat open myself.
00:18Taylor's pupils instantly narrowed into thin vertical lines.
00:22Sharp canine teeth revealed themselves slowly beneath his lips.
00:26You can try.
00:27Why? Because I want to strangle you too.
00:33His voice was frighteningly cold now.
00:35Two male beastmen stared at each other across the cramped living room, neither willing to back down.
00:41I could practically feel the instinctive aggression filling the tiny apartment walls.
00:45Noah's arm around my waist tightened slightly.
00:48Taylor's claws dug deeper into the profile.
00:53Another second, and they genuinely looked ready to attack each other.
00:58So I turned around first and quietly held Noah's fingertips.
01:10The next morning, my entire body hurt while getting dressed.
01:15I stared numbly at myself in the mirror.
01:18Seriously.
01:19Dogs were terrifying.
01:21Behind me, Noah immediately wrapped himself around my back again.
01:25The moment I finished buttoning my shirt, he buried his face against my shoulder and inhaled softly.
01:32Ivy, you smell so good.
01:35Then corrected himself seriously.
01:38No sweet.
01:39Can we sleep together again tonight?
01:42My face heated instantly.
01:43I grabbed the bedroom doorknob quickly.
01:45I pulled the door open while talking.
01:48Stop saying weird things!
01:50Taylor was sitting alone in the living room.
01:53One hand gripping the leather sofa armrest.
01:56So hard the material had wrinkled completely beneath his claws.
02:00His fox ears were flattened tightly backward.
02:03He stared directly at me.
02:04Then his voice came out low and strained.
02:07Ivy, do you have no shame?
02:09Before I could even react, Noah's arm suddenly wrapped around my waist from behind.
02:18Outside the bedroom, something faintly hit the living room wall.
02:21Probably Taylor.
02:23Probably on purpose.
02:24My voice came out hoarse.
02:26I think someone's knocking.
02:28There's someone outside.
02:30Stop.
02:31The kisses against my neck paused briefly.
02:33Then slowly moved upward until Noah sealed my lips with his own.
02:37His gray eyes looked damp again when he pulled back slightly.
02:41Are you still thinking about him?
02:43Noah lowered his voice further.
02:46You like him more, don't you?
02:48I nearly cried from frustration.
02:50I don't!
02:54Then who do you like more?
02:56His tail wagged anxiously behind him.
02:59I finally broke.
03:00I like you!
03:01I like you, okay?
03:03The moment the words left my mouth,
03:04the noises outside the bedroom disappeared completely.
03:08Then Noah smiled instantly.
03:10He reached behind me and calmly switched off the light.
03:16I want to stay beside you forever and protect both of you.
03:20Noah's tail drooped lower behind him.
03:24Only you chose me.
03:26His eyes looked straight into mine.
03:28So I like you.
03:30Then he whispered,
03:31I'm not like the fox outside.
03:35My heart only belongs to you.
03:37I unconsciously stepped backward
03:39until the backs of my knees hit the mattress
03:42and I fell sitting onto the bed.
03:44Noah followed immediately.
03:46I could feel the unbearable heat of his palms
03:49resting carefully against my legs.
03:51Then slowly, he pulled off his shirt.
03:54Under the warm bedroom light,
03:55his body looked strong and tightly built.
03:58But even then,
04:00Noah was still crying quietly.
04:02He lowered his head again.
04:03Please pity me a little.
04:06Just give me one chance.
04:09And in the end,
04:10the last shred of reason left inside me
04:12made me nod softly.
04:14His entire face lit up instantly.
04:16Then he leaned over me almost immediately.
04:22I panicked and reached instinctively
04:25toward the bedside lamp.
04:27I should turn the lights off.
04:30But before my fingers could touch the switch,
04:32Noah suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me back.
04:36Then his lips brushed against my neck.
04:38I trembled immediately.
04:43I'll take the floor.
04:45His gray eyes reflected wetly beneath the warm bedroom light.
04:51Did I do something wrong?
04:54What?
04:54Noah dropped directly to his knees in front of me.
04:57He shuffled forward on his knees slightly
04:59before wrapping both arms carefully around my legs.
05:02Tears immediately started falling one after another.
05:07Master, if I did something wrong, I'll change.
05:10He pressed his face softly against my knees.
05:12Please, don't make me sleep alone.
05:16I learned how to take care of humans at the Bureau.
05:20Noah's voice was muffled softly against my knees.
05:23Only then did my face suddenly start burning.
05:26So, was Noah crying because we were sleeping separately?
05:29I instinctively reached down to wipe away his tears.
05:32The moment my fingers touched his face,
05:34Noah immediately leaned into my palm carefully.
05:38Can I?
05:39I mean, we just met.
05:43I thought maybe you wouldn't want to.
05:46Just like Taylor never wanted to.
05:48I would rather die than have intimate contact
05:51with a low-grade human.
05:54Noah's eyelashes trembled slightly.
05:57Then he lowered his head and pressed a soft kiss into my palm.
06:01I want to.
06:03Master.
06:05I want a child with you someday.
06:11Noah peeked carefully at him for several seconds,
06:13then quietly leaned closer to me and whispered beside my ear,
06:17Ivy, let's go back to the bedroom.
06:20His warm breath brushed lightly against my ear.
06:24It's late.
06:25We should sleep now.
06:27My ears turned strangely hot instantly.
06:30Taylor suddenly turned around sharply.
06:32You're fucking sleeping together?
06:35Noah blinked innocently,
06:36then naturally draped one arm across my shoulders,
06:39pulling me lightly against his broad chest.
06:41Hmm?
06:42Fucking?
06:43He tilted his head.
06:44Aren't humans and their beastmen supposed to sleep together?
06:48Taylor's expression darkened instantly.
06:51Oh, oh.
06:51Well, you mean sleeping.
06:53After getting back to the bedroom,
06:55I had already dragged out the new bedding I bought earlier.
06:58I patted the blanket fluffier while speaking casually.
07:05Sorry.
07:06Once Taylor leaves, I'll clean out the other room for you.
07:10I glanced outside at the warm summer night.
07:13Luckily, the weather's nice.
07:15You won't catch cold.
07:17Noah suddenly went very quiet.
07:19I looked back.
07:20The huge golden retriever stood silently beside the doorway,
07:23with both hands clasped together awkwardly.
07:26His ears had drooped completely.
07:28My movement slowed slightly.
07:30What's wrong?
07:31Noah lowered his eyes.
07:32Nothing.
07:33You don't want to sleep on the floor?
07:35No!
07:36He immediately shook his head hard.
07:37If Ivy wants the bed, I can sleep anywhere.
07:41I stared at him for two seconds before sighing helplessly.
07:46Then you sleep on the bed.
07:51Noah peeked carefully at him for several seconds,
07:54then quietly leaned closer to me and whispered beside my ear.
07:57Ivy, let's go back to the bedroom.
08:00His warm breath brushed lightly against my ear.
08:04It's late.
08:05We should sleep now.
08:07My ears turned strangely hot instantly.
08:10Taylor suddenly turned around sharply.
08:12You're fucking sleeping together?
08:15Noah blinked innocently,
08:16then naturally draped one arm across my shoulders,
08:19pulling me lightly against his broad chest.
08:21Hmm?
08:23Fucking?
08:23He tilted his head.
08:25Aren't humans and their beastmen supposed to sleep together?
08:28Taylor's expression darkened instantly.
08:31Oh, oh.
08:32Well, you mean sleeping.
08:34After getting back to the bedroom,
08:35I had already dragged out the new bedding I bought earlier.
08:38I padded the blanket fluffier while speaking casually.
08:45Sorry.
08:46Once Taylor leaves, I'll clean out the other room for you.
08:50I glanced outside at the warm summer night.
08:54Luckily, the weather's nice.
08:56You won't catch cold.
08:57Noah suddenly went very quiet.
08:59I looked back.
09:00The huge golden retriever stood silently beside the doorway,
09:03with both hands clasped together awkwardly.
09:06His ears had drooped completely.
09:08My movement slowed slightly.
09:10What's wrong?
09:11Noah lowered his eyes.
09:12Nothing.
09:13You don't want to sleep on the floor?
09:15No!
09:16He immediately shook his head hard.
09:18If Ivy wants the bed, I can sleep anywhere.
09:21I stared at him for two seconds before sighing helplessly.
09:26Then you sleep on the bed.
09:31His foxtail lashed violently once behind him.
09:35Ava immediately softened her voice beside him.
09:39Taylor, don't worry.
09:41She smiled gently.
09:42If you come home with me, I'll definitely give you the best of everything.
09:48But strangely, Taylor didn't answer her.
09:52For a long time, Taylor stood there without moving.
09:55He took two steps toward the door and stopped.
09:58For some reason, he turned back to look at me again.
10:01I lowered my head immediately and pretended not to notice.
10:05Beside him, Ava's smile stiffened slightly.
10:09Taylor?
10:11Instead of leaving with her, he pushed Ava gently outside the apartment.
10:15Ava froze.
10:16Taylor?
10:17His fox ears twitched irritably.
10:20Even if I don't want to stay here,
10:22the Bureau ordered me to remain at Ivy's residence temporarily.
10:31I shouldn't violate regulations.
10:34Then he added flatly,
10:39Ava.
10:41Once I'm relisted for adoption,
10:44you can come find me at the Bureau.
10:47The apartment door slammed shut immediately afterward.
10:50Taylor stood with his back toward us without moving.
10:57Noah instantly stood up and moved directly in front of me,
11:01locking me behind his body.
11:03I said you're a slutty fox.
11:06Noah continued earnestly.
11:08You already have a human, but you keep flirting outside.
11:12That's improper behavior.
11:14If you didn't hear me clearly, I can repeat it ten more times.
11:17I stared at Noah in shock.
11:19He looked so timid normally.
11:20Who knew his mouth could be this vicious?
11:23Was he defending me?
11:24The huge golden retriever
11:26immediately blinked innocently the moment our eyes met,
11:29then slowly shrank backward again until he was half hiding beside me.
11:33Ava finally let out a cold laugh through her nose.
11:36Well?
11:38She crossed her arms.
11:40Since you two dislike Taylor so much...
11:42Her gaze landed on me directly.
11:44You won't mind if he stays at my place temporarily, right?
11:48I answered almost immediately.
11:50I don't mind.
11:52Taylor suddenly threw the clothes in his hands onto the sofa.
11:56Ivy!
11:57His voice sounded sharper than before.
12:00You've wanted to get rid of me for a long time already, haven't you?
12:05I lowered my eyes unconsciously.
12:07Taylor was standing on one of his white dress shirts.
12:11A single shirt is worth over a thousand dollars.
12:14Meanwhile, the hoodie I was wearing came from a seasonal sale,
12:18three for two hundred, for some reason.
12:20I suddenly felt unbelievably tired again, so I sighed softly.
12:25Taylor, wasn't it you who wanted to leave me first?
12:30Right.
12:31It's me who wants to leave you.
12:41What kind of taste could a low-grade human possibly have anyway?
12:47A suitcase slammed shut violently.
12:49Then he walked back into the living room, carrying several bags.
12:53The moment his eyes landed on Noah beside me, his expression darkened again.
12:58Instead, she picked up some stray dog.
13:00His fox ears flattened with irritation.
13:02The whole apartment smells disgusting now.
13:04I didn't feel like arguing with them anymore,
13:06so I simply lowered my head and continued brushing Noah's tail carefully.
13:11Because he had never been officially adopted,
13:13the Bureau clearly hadn't maintained his fur properly at all.
13:17There were tangles hidden underneath the soft golden hair.
13:21I separated the knots gently with my fingers before running the comb through again.
13:26You have matting...
13:29Noah immediately lowered his head obediently.
13:31Sorry.
13:32Meanwhile, behind us...
13:33Honestly, this whole place feels depressing.
13:38Low-grade humans all live like this.
13:41I ignored them completely and kept brushing Noah's tail.
13:47Foxes smell worse.
13:49What did you say?
13:57I slowly reached out and held Noah's hand.
14:00Only then did I realize his palm was covered in sweat too.
14:05Don't call me Master anymore.
14:08Then what should I call you?
14:12Just call me Ivy.
14:15Ivy and Noah...
14:17We are a new family now.
14:19For one whole second, Noah's tail completely froze,
14:22then suddenly started wagging so hard it nearly hit the sofa.
14:26His entire face turned red instantly.
14:28Okay.
14:29His voice came out embarrassingly soft.
14:32Ivy.
14:32An hour later, the apartment door suddenly opened again.
14:35Taylor was back.
14:36And this time, Ava came with him.
14:38Taylor walked straight into the bedroom.
14:40Then loud crashing noises started echoing through the apartment.
14:43Closet doors.
14:44Drawers boxes.
14:46He was packing.
14:47Ava remained standing near the entrance in her expensive heels,
14:51slowly surveying my apartment.
14:52Ava crossed her arms lightly.
14:55Ivy.
14:56You've been working for years, and this is still all you've afforded.
15:01Noah's tail stopped wagging immediately beside me.
15:04Have you ever considered, maybe you're just not trying hard enough?
15:09Taylor came looking for me today, saying you wanted to replace him.
15:13You really don't know how lucky you are.
15:16If I had a beast man as outstanding as Taylor,
15:20I'd sell one of my houses before ever letting him go.
15:27Noah turned his face toward me.
15:30His gray eyes were shining.
15:31I'm sorry.
15:33But the next second, Noah's eyes turned completely red.
15:38I'm sorry.
15:39His voice shaking badly now.
15:43I was just too happy.
15:46Noah stared at me with wet eyes.
15:48No one's ever talked to me like this before.
15:50His tail wagged weakly behind him.
15:52You asked if I wanted to leave.
15:55Usually humans don't ask.
15:57My fingers loosened slowly around the ointment tube.
16:00I know your apartment is small, but...
16:03His voice softened.
16:06You bought me chew sticks.
16:08And fish oil.
16:10You even picked the salmon flavor.
16:14I stared at him blankly.
16:16Noah sniffed once before quickly adding...
16:19I'm not picky at all, really.
16:21I'll be very easy to raise.
16:23Then, after hesitating for several seconds,
16:26the huge dog Beastman slowly lowered his head into my lap.
16:30His voice came out muffled and trembling.
16:33Please don't send me back, Master.
16:38Master.
16:39I think you're really cute.
16:41I froze.
16:42A dog actually said I was cute.
16:44And pretty, too.
16:46I'm not embarrassed at all.
16:49I'm so happy I could cry.
16:55Send this cheap dog back immediately.
16:59Otherwise, I will never bond with you.
17:02I finally looked back at him.
17:05I felt unbelievably tired.
17:07Taylor.
17:09I don't want you anymore.
17:12Taylor froze completely.
17:14In his blind rage, he'd already forgotten how to ask me.
17:17His first instinct was to walk out the door.
17:20He wouldn't even look.
17:21He turned and stormed out of the apartment.
17:24The front door slammed hard enough to shake the walls.
17:26I stood there for a few seconds before slowly exhaling
17:30and reaching for the first aid kit beneath the cabinet.
17:33Come here.
17:34The golden retriever sat obediently on the floor beside me immediately.
17:38But when I reached for Noah's injured hand,
17:41he suddenly turned his face away
17:43and kept shrinking backwards slightly.
17:46Avoiding me, my heart dropped instantly.
17:51Noah?
17:52He still wouldn't look at me.
17:53A terrible thought suddenly surfaced in my chest.
17:56Do you regret coming here?
17:59So I forced myself to keep smiling.
18:01My salary only covers ordinary things
18:03because I'm just a low-grade human.
18:05I work two jobs every day.
18:07In summer, I probably smell a little sweaty after commuting home.
18:11And I'm not very pretty either.
18:14If you think it's embarrassing being here,
18:17I lowered my eyes and secretly wiped my damp fingertips
18:21against the back of my clothes.
18:23I can send you back.
18:30Send this cheap dog back immediately.
18:34Otherwise, I will never bond with you.
18:37I finally looked back at him.
18:39I felt unbelievably tired.
18:42Taylor,
18:43I don't want you anymore.
18:47Taylor froze completely.
18:48In his blind rage, he'd already forgotten how to ask me.
18:52His first instinct was to walk out the door.
18:54He wouldn't even look.
18:56He turned and stormed out of the apartment.
18:58The front door slammed hard enough to shake the walls.
19:01I stood there for a few seconds before slowly exhaling
19:04and reaching for the first aid kit beneath the cabinet.
19:08Come here.
19:09The golden retriever sat obediently on the floor beside me immediately.
19:13But when I reached for Noah's injured hand,
19:16he suddenly turned his face away
19:17and kept shrinking backwards slightly.
19:21Avoiding me,
19:22my heart dropped instantly.
19:25Noah?
19:26He still wouldn't look at me.
19:27A terrible thought suddenly surfaced in my chest.
19:31Do you regret coming here?
19:33So I forced myself to keep smiling.
19:36My salary only covers ordinary things
19:38because I'm just a low-grade human.
19:40I work two jobs every day.
19:41In summer,
19:42I probably smell a little sweaty after commuting home.
19:45And I'm not very pretty either.
19:48If you think it's embarrassing being here,
19:51I lowered my eyes
19:53and secretly wiped my damp fingertips
19:56against the back of my clothes.
19:58I can send you back.
20:04Joe is extremely disappointed
20:06in your failure to fulfill companionship obligations.
20:10Every word landed sharply inside the apartment.
20:13Two weeks from now,
20:15we will begin your retrieval process.
20:17Please prepare accordingly.
20:19Even Noah stopped wagging his tail.
20:22Taylor stood frozen in place.
20:24The receptionist closed her ID badge calmly.
20:27Then her expression softened slightly
20:29when she turned back toward me.
20:31We'll contact you again soon, Ivy.
20:34After the bureau staff finally left,
20:36the apartment door clicked shut quietly behind them.
20:39Taylor grabbed Noah by the back of his shirt
20:41and yanked him away from me violently.
20:44Cheap dog.
20:46His fox ears flattened furiously backward.
20:48What the hell are you doing?
20:51You think acting pathetic is cute now?
20:54Noah lost balance immediately
20:56and crashed hard against the edge of the table.
20:58I saw him flinch instantly.
21:01The back of his hand reddened
21:02almost immediately where it hit the corner.
21:05But Noah didn't fight back.
21:07I shoved Taylor away immediately
21:09and crouched beside Noah.
21:12Are you okay?
21:14Taylor stumbled backward from the force
21:16and slammed lightly into the wall.
21:19Ivy!
21:20His voice finally rose.
21:21You're seriously taking this this far
21:23just to force me into bonding?
21:25And you even brought a dog back to provoke me?
21:32People like you should honestly learn your place.
21:36Taylor, I looked him straight in the eyes.
21:38No wonder they labeled you defective.
21:41His tail shot straight up.
21:44Buying you
21:46was the worst luck of my life.
21:49Then the doorbell rang.
21:51Neither of us moved.
21:52It rang again.
21:53I walked over and opened the door.
21:56Two Beastman Bureau officers stood outside in uniform.
22:00Hi, Master.
22:01You can call me Noah.
22:03He peeked past me into the apartment.
22:06Taylor's gaze locked onto him immediately.
22:08Employee ID 4561.
22:11Fox Beastman Taylor Jones, correct?
22:14Yes.
22:15I'm here to formally notify you
22:17that your registered human
22:18has submitted a replacement request
22:19through the Beastman Bureau.
22:21You will be returned to Bureau custody
22:23and relisted for sale.
22:24Then the receptionist flipped to the next page.
22:27If no qualified purchaser
22:29is secured within the designated period
22:32or voice stayed professional,
22:34the Bureau reserves the right
22:35to transfer you to labor contracts,
22:38entertainment districts,
22:39if necessary,
22:41euthanasia authorization
22:42may also be considered.
22:48My hand froze on the knob
22:50for half a second.
22:52Taylor was home.
22:53He was never home.
22:54Usually he was out with Abel
22:56until midnight.
22:57But there he was,
22:58sprawled across the couch,
23:00tail flicking lazily
23:02over the armrest.
23:03It lashed once when he saw me.
23:06Where the hell were you?
23:08You didn't even make dinner.
23:13Living broke with you
23:14is bad enough.
23:16He leaned up on one elbow.
23:20Now I can't even eat?
23:22I set the bags down by the door.
23:27You don't like my cooking anyway.
23:29I said it simply.
23:31Last birthday,
23:31I spent all afternoon in the kitchen.
23:33You threw every dish in the trash.
23:36He didn't say anything to that.
23:38I crouched by the bags
23:40and started pulling stuff out.
23:42Chew sticks,
23:42a steel grooming comb,
23:44fish oil supplements.
23:46I lined them up neatly
23:47beside the sofa.
23:48Taylor appeared behind me
23:49at some point.
23:51You're treating me like a dog now?
23:53I kept my face turned away from him.
23:55He picked up the comb
23:56between two fingers.
23:58I don't need this cheap stuff.
23:59My fur would get wrecked
24:01with a comb like this.
24:02This brand isn't even pure enough.
24:05Then quieter than before.
24:08Whatever.
24:09Since you already bought them,
24:10I guess I can try.
24:14They're not for you.
24:20Taller than I expected.
24:22Broder.
24:23But the way he carried himself
24:24was small.
24:25Shoulders curved in,
24:26chin tucked.
24:27He lowered his head.
24:29I hope you'll take me with you.
24:31A pause.
24:32The sooner the better.
24:33Then he knelt.
24:35Right there on the tile floor.
24:37This six foot something
24:38fox beastman
24:39on his knees in front of me.
24:41I didn't move.
24:42Nobody had ever knelt for me before.
24:44Not once.
24:45He looked up
24:46and his ears,
24:46somewhere between
24:47a dog's and a cat's,
24:49pricked slightly toward me.
24:50Like he was already
24:52listening for what I needed.
24:53A good looking guy
24:54with zero confidence
24:56that got me.
24:57I won't pretend it didn't.
24:59I was done for.
25:00The paperwork
25:01took another hour.
25:03Ivy,
25:03I think he's really lucky
25:04to have met you.
25:06We'll deliver him
25:07to your registered address
25:08this evening.
25:14After finishing at the center,
25:16I headed to the mall.
25:17Place was packed
25:18the way it always was.
25:20Everyone tired from work.
25:22But happy.
25:23Most of the people there
25:24were low-grade humans
25:25with their equally ordinary
25:27beastmen.
25:28Just regular couples
25:29doing regular shopping
25:30on a regular Tuesday night.
25:32Maybe one day
25:33that could be me.
25:34I took the subway home.
25:36Walked up four flights
25:38with the bags
25:38cutting into my fingers.
25:40I unlocked the apartment door
25:42and heard the TV already on.
25:49I bent down before thinking.
25:51Cold gray eyes.
25:52Sharp vertical pupils.
25:54Broad shoulders
25:55tapering to a narrow waist.
25:57And behind him,
25:58pointed ears.
25:59Silver-tipped a fox
26:00the receptionist noticed inside.
26:02He's actually the most
26:03obedient beastman
26:05we've ever trained.
26:06I was still holding the photo.
26:08My thumb had landed
26:08right across his chest
26:10without me realizing.
26:11Then why isn't he assigned?
26:13Corporate wanted to test
26:14a new market segment with him.
26:17She hesitated.
26:18But most humans
26:19won't take foxes.
26:21Too unpredictable.
26:24He's scheduled to be sold
26:25to an underground
26:26beast arena tonight.
26:28A fighting pit?
26:30She nodded.
26:31Didn't look happy about it.
26:32He was raised for companionship
26:34since he was a kid.
26:36Temperament conditioning.
26:37Emotional regulation.
26:39All of it.
26:40And they're sending him
26:41to a cage.
26:42She lowered her voice.
26:44The ones they send there
26:45get torn apart.
26:47Sometimes there's not even
26:48enough left to send back.
26:50I looked at the photo again.
26:52Gray eyes straight into the camera.
26:54Not angry.
26:55Not sad.
26:55Just waiting.
26:56I don't care about fertility.
26:59I just wanted someone
27:00or honestly maybe a dog
27:02to come home to.
27:03Is he really obedient?
27:07Extremely.
27:08I looked at the photo
27:09one more time.
27:10Another fox.
27:11After everything
27:11Taylor put me through
27:12I was really about
27:13to choose another fox.
27:15Then I want this one.
27:17For real?
27:19If nobody else wants him
27:21they brought him out
27:23for inspection.
27:29I followed her
27:30through frosted glass doors
27:32into the back.
27:33Long hallway.
27:34Clean lighting.
27:35It reminded me
27:36of the first time
27:37I came here.
27:38How nervous I was.
27:39How carefully
27:40I'd counted the money
27:41in my account
27:42three times
27:42before walking in.
27:45In the new era
27:46male beastmen
27:47had taken over
27:48most reproductive roles.
27:50When I bought Taylor
27:51I cost $500,000.
27:54The showroom
27:55was bright and sleek.
27:56Holographic profiles
27:57rotated on a massive screen.
28:00Face after face
28:01leopards.
28:02Snow lynxes.
28:02All gorgeous.
28:03All trained.
28:04All way out
28:05of my price range now.
28:07I watched them
28:07cycle through.
28:11Is there
28:12anything else?
28:14What type
28:15are you looking for?
28:18Dog type?
28:19Golden retriever, maybe?
28:21I'd read online
28:22that golden retriever
28:23beastmen
28:23were naturally affectionate.
28:25I'm so sorry, Ivy.
28:27No canine models
28:28available right now.
28:30But given your situation
28:31we can put you
28:32on priority.
28:33First in line.
28:35Okay.
28:37She walked me back
28:38toward the lobby.
28:39As we passed
28:40through the corridor
28:41a thick registration
28:42handbook started
28:43and slipped to me
28:43under her arm.
28:44Something fell
28:45from between the pages.
28:46A photograph
28:47landed face up
28:49on the tile.
28:53The receptionist
28:54pulled up my file.
28:56Eleven months
28:56and three weeks
28:57of cohabitation.
28:59Ten days
28:59from permanent bonding.
29:00Can I ask
29:01why you've decided
29:02to request
29:03a replacement?
29:07He doesn't like me.
29:10Excuse me?
29:12I think your training
29:13program failed.
29:14I've met
29:15Strohs that behaved
29:16better than him.
29:17If this is what
29:18a certified
29:19companion beastman
29:20looks like
29:21then I think
29:22dogs deserve
29:23an apology.
29:24Walking into the center
29:26brought back
29:26the memory
29:27of how pitiful
29:28Taylor had looked
29:29that day.
29:30Before Taylor
29:31was diagnosed
29:31infertile
29:32his auction price
29:33had once
29:34made financial headlines.
29:36He begged me
29:36to pick him up.
29:37The receptionist's
29:38face scrunched up.
29:39That really
29:39shouldn't happen.
29:41Hostile rejection
29:42from a bonded
29:43beastman
29:43is extremely rare.
29:45I shrugged.
29:47Guess I'm just
29:48unlucky.
29:49No.
29:50Ivy, please.
29:52If there was
29:53a breakdown
29:53in our training
29:54process
29:54that's on us.
29:55That is not
29:56on you.
29:57This time
29:58I'm hoping
29:59you can match
29:59me with the dog
30:00type.
30:02She gave me
30:03a soft smile.
30:04Come with me.
30:10Single and alone
30:12I spent 500 grand
30:13on a sterile male
30:14silver fox.
30:15When he came of age
30:16I tested his virility
30:18and got scratched
30:19so I replaced him
30:20with a more
30:21lustful dog.
30:24Honey.
30:25Honey.
30:26Your beastman
30:27ever been through
30:28socialization training?
30:31Graduated top
30:32of his class.
30:33Taylor Jones.
30:35Pure blood silver fox.
30:36Ranks compatibility.
30:37500,000 dollars.
30:39My entire savings.
30:40Every overtime shift.
30:42Every packed lunch.
30:43Every dollar
30:44I didn't spend
30:45on myself
30:45for three years.
30:46Twelve months ago
30:47he begged me
30:48to choose him.
30:49Before anyone
30:49found out
30:50he was infertile.
30:51Now my phone
30:52was buzzing.
30:54It's just a scratch.
30:56Did you seriously
30:57go to the hospital?
30:59Dramatic lunch.
31:00I'm hungry.
31:01Come home and cook.
31:03Then a fourth message.
31:05A screenshot
31:06sent to the wrong thread.
31:08Dinner reservation.
31:09Eleven Madison.
31:10Two seats.
31:11Tonight.
31:12That would be
31:12Ava Ava.
31:13Grade a human.
31:15Family money.
31:15She wanted Taylor
31:17for her bloodline program.
31:18Taylor played along.
31:20She didn't know
31:21he was infertile.
31:22Nobody did
31:23except me in the bureau.
31:24I paid dollars
31:24to save him
31:25from being discarded.
31:27Now he was helping
31:27another woman
31:28build a family.
31:29I locked the phone.
31:31Set it face down
31:32on the exam table.
31:33One hour later
31:34I walked into
31:35the Beastman
31:36bonding and registration center.
31:39I'd like to
31:40replace my Beastman.
31:45I'll see you next time.
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