Chapter 45 – Reconciliation
Chapter 3, Part 4.5
Novel Title: ルーデンドルフ公と森の獣 (Duke Ludendorff and the Beast of the Forest)
Author：かわい有美子 (Kawai Yumiko)
Illustrator: 周防佑未 (Suoh Yuumi)
Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)
Protagonists: 藤森賢士 (Kenji Fujimori -MC), ユリアン ルーデンドルフ (Julian Ludendorff -ML)
*Please read at Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*
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Amid the beast’s scent, that sweet, unique aroma mixed in.
Fujimori held the beast’s neck from behind, as it remained stiff and motionless. He gently stroked its large back.
The muscular back beneath the fur carried a latent strength even under the thick pelt.
Now, Fujimori found this slightly coarse, golden-brown fur and the solid, taut body beneath it endearing.
“I’m sorry.”
He stroked the rounded back, shoulders, and entire body, and pressed a kiss to the furry head.
The head he held let out a faint whimper.
Before long, the beast’s body slowly relaxed, and its form began to shift.
The shape of the beast gradually morphed into that of a human. The fur that covered its entire body was visibly shortening and thinning out.
Though Fujimori remained in a position where he was embracing its neck, he silently watched as Julian returned to his human form. Initially, he was startled. But soon, he simply observed the transformation.
As Julian had once described as grotesque, the transition from beast to human involved muscles twisting and bulging in places, with human skin appearing to be densely covered in fur. Indeed, there were moments when the sight was far from pleasing to the eye.
However, Fujimori never thought it was disgusting or grotesque.
Though he could understand why someone might fear an unfamiliar and rarely seen form, he knew that underneath it all, it was still Julian.
As long as he kept that in mind, there was nothing to fear.
After all, there’s no such thing as a person whose every movement or expression is inherently beautiful. Fujimori was no exception. His sleeping face, or the way he might roll his eyes—there were plenty of moments he wouldn’t want others to see.
It took some time. But eventually, Julian, now crouched on the ground, returned to his original form.
However, having reverted from his wolf form, he was now completely naked.
“Ah…” Fujimori quickly removed his summer shirt and draped it over Julian’s waist.
“Kenji…” Julian murmured. His high nose still bore the same tear as before. His fingers were bleeding from between the nails. The sight was painful to behold.
Fujimori frowned as he took Julian’s hand.
“Does it hurt?”
Julian gave a pained smile. It looked almost like a mix between a cry and a laugh.
“And your nose…”
Fujimori furrowed his brow at the tear on Julian’s nose, gently tracing his fingers along the bridge of his nose.
“Kenji, you’re injured too…” Julian whispered softly, his eyes lowered.
“It’s nothing, just scratches.”
But the wound on Julian’s nose seemed more painful. Fujimori tenderly pressed his lips to the tip of his nose.
“I thought… you will never come back…”
“I’m sorry. I got caught up with the professor. He asked me to do a bunch of things… And then there was the part-time teaching job…-“
Fujimori rested his head gently on Julian’s shoulder, then shook his head, realising that wasn’t the right explanation.
“I should’ve just refused. I’m sorry. I did call several times to say I’d be late.”
“…I thought it was a call saying you wouldn’t come back.” Julian muttered under his breath. “My father always did that, breaking his promises to me.”
As that thought crossed his mind, Fujimori felt an overwhelming urge to protect Julian. The long-standing loneliness that Julian had carried in his heart made Fujimori’s chest ache as well.
He stretched out his arms and hugged the large man tightly.
“I should have considered your situation, where you can’t refuse Professor Fushimi’s requests.” For the first time, Julian brought his lips to Fujimori’s cheek and pressed them there. “I’ve damaged your precious mansion…”
Apologising in a low voice, Julian was still held tightly by Fujimori, who shook his head repeatedly.
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Illustration 8:
Next update: 2024.12.04
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