■ June ╳╳
I’m so bored. I don’t mind taking things easy, but it’s so boring living a life of hiding.
■ June ╳╳
I was out wandering and I accidentally bumped into some snow wolves. Do they have to look at me like I’m some kind of monster before they flee? It’s so rude. I’m just a little bigger, with different-colored fur and eyes. That’s it.
■ June ╳╳
My youngest brother came to visit today. He was as moody and aloof as ever, but he always brings the food I like. Snow bird gizzards, powder snow grass flowers, red boar tail; all the stuff that’s hard to get...
I told him he was adorable and he slapped me with his tail.
Grow up, would you?
■ June ╳╳
I was so bored that I decided to go for another walk, but I’m just so tired of running into snow wolves. A pack chased me around, shouting, “You outsider! We can’t even tell if you’re a man or a woman!”
Does it even matter? I’m me.
■ June ╳╳
Today my middle brother came to visit. He’s a busy one, but he still brought me some food. He’s such a dutiful younger brother. I’m so grateful to both my brothers for bringing a little light to my days. We talked about all sorts of things.
Apparently, the Blue Forest slimes have been visiting the nearby human village. That was the village the humans ran to after they tried to kidnap some of the pack deeper into the forest. After getting wrapped up in something like that, wouldn’t the villagers be even more afraid of magical beasts? Humans must be really mentally tough.
And those slimes...they’re so lucky. They get along with all types of creatures. They don’t worry about things like species or gender.
If only the rest of us were so fortunate.
■ June ╳╳
I heard that a pack somewhere just gave birth to a pup with fur like mine. I hope they get raised well...
■ June ╳╳
My middle brother came to visit again. He looked a little run-down.
“The neighboring pack is arguing over the next pack leader,” he said.
It seemed it was a question of two potential candidates: brains or brawn. I asked my brother why they couldn’t have the two just team up and do it together.
“Logical, but the old-timers won’t have it.”
That’s what my brother said, but he wasn’t totally convinced either. I had to wonder if my two brothers would one day be made to compete over who led their pack.
“Opinions would be split. Me on the side of intellect, and our little brother on the side of the action-oriented. I want to back our brother, but he’s so standoffish. You know, a hot-and-cold type. Some of the old-timers aren’t fans.”
I just had to ask him where he’d learned that “hot-and-cold type” line.
“I overheard some humans using it, and I thought it was funny. All the young wolves are using it now.”
Even with all the customs and traditions that were plaguing him, at least in this respect, my brother was enjoying himself.
“But some of the other old-timers say I’m not reliable enough,” said my brother. “I hoped that maybe they’d just pick someone else entirely, but they want the lineage to continue; they won’t back anyone who wasn’t born to our father.”
Jeez, why do things always have to be so complicated...?
“And you know what? Some people even said we should call you back. You’re as tough as any of the males, but you’re as tolerant and broad-minded as any of the females.”
Well, I had thoughts about that.
What. Are you for real? Now those old farts want to have their way, after all I’ve been through? Tell them to go dig themselves holes to die in.
“Brother, brother, no need to lose your cool. And look—it’s not like I don’t agree with you.”
You’re damn right, I told him.
“By the way, I hear you’ve been walking out in the open of late. The humans are in a real panic about it.”
I told him he was most definitely mistaken!
■ June ╳╳
I’m not even doing anything bad! Why do I always have to be in hiding?! It’s not like I chose this life! I never asked to be an outcast! If I had my way, I’d be just another member of my pack!
It doesn’t make any sense! They call me an outcast and they flee, or they attack me, but I’m not doing anything!
■ June ╳╳
Boy, what I would give for a friend. Every now and again I’ll get a slime or mandrake come to visit, but...just waiting around in cramped hiding spots is so depressing. I think I kind of understand why some of the other purple snow wolves just decided to sacrifice themselves to the snow birds.
But I won’t do that! I’m too annoyed by it all!
■ June ╳╳
I don’t know how to describe it! My heart was racing all morning! I just had this feeling like something good was going to happen! I was wandering all over the place because I just couldn’t sit still, and then I felt it approaching. It was so different from the usual slimes and bugs and plants!
I started to wonder if it was what they sometimes talked about. You know, a soulmate? Oh, that would be so wonderful! I was just beside myself wondering what species they might be!
And what a surprise! It turned out to be a human! A human! And that made sense. It was more believable than just making friends with another magical beast.
He’s a real looker too!
We’re too different in terms of species so I don’t really know about his face, but the guy’s aura just screamed “real man”! The woman with him had strangely colored hair and a mysterious aura about her, but she seemed okay too!
And the surprises kept coming! They came to see me?! They wanted to ask me some questions?! I couldn’t believe it, but I was all for it.
Ask away, guys!
■ June ╳╳
The man who came to ask me some questions turned out to be my soulmate. He said he’s going to take me to see the outside world! His name is Alec, and he gave me my own name. Humans have a culture of naming themselves, and I was just so excited to get a name of my own!
My name’s Violid! That’s my name! It’s inspired by flowers and a legendary hero! How wonderful!
I was so surprised, though. Humans totally understand me way better than magical beasts. Not that that’s everything. I mean, there’s so many of them, so I’m sure there are also lots of things that make them totally annoying too.
Still, I’m so excited! I’ve been cooped up on that mountain for so long, so I’m going to live this new life to the fullest! Mom, dad, brothers: You don’t have to worry about me. I’m going to have a wonderful life! Thanks for everything! It’s all because of you that I met this excellent new friend.
I love you guys, and I always will.