The discussion with the King, which ended up like a childish quarrel, was over, but Scott didn’t mention Kousuke’s name until the very end.
Perhaps the King also noticed that Scott was deliberately avoiding mentioning it, as he didn’t press the issue.
He knew that if he were to ask, it would be an order.
After finishing the discussion about the Tamers, Scott concluded his conversation with the King after a brief report on recent events.
Although it had been a while since Scott had spoken with the King, he felt he had accomplished his objective properly.
He had been able to provide the necessary information without directly mentioning Kousuke’s name.
It was possible that the King might realize something from his attitude and words, but that was that.
Scott hadn’t stated anything definitive, so even if the King arrived at the answer, it would still be mere speculation.
And then came the long-awaited day of reunion with Kousuke.
On that day, both Scott and Renka were excitedly waiting for their guest’s arrival.
They were so restless that Renne repeatedly admonished them to “Calm down a little.”
Then, after receiving a report from the butler, Scott and Renka rushed towards the mansion’s entrance like startled rabbits.
When Scott and Renka emerged into the mansion’s hall, Kousuke and the others were already being guided by one of the butlers.
“Kou… Mr. Kou! Welcome.”
Scott, who had almost called him “Kousuke-sama,” suppressed it with his willpower before bowing his head.
Seeing this, Renka also hurriedly bowed.
Unlike Renka, who was flustered, Scott didn’t forget to greet them, which could be said to show his experience.
However, it wasn’t something to be proud of.
While Scott had the advantage in the initial response, Renka had the momentum afterward.
“Lord Kou! Hurry and go see the wolves!”
“Ah! Wait a minute?”
As Renka forcefully pulled his arm to lead him outside, Kousuke looked at Scott with a perplexed expression.
He wasn’t sure if he should just go along with what Renka was saying without properly discussing it.
Scott nodded at Kousuke with a wry smile.
“It’s fine. The wolves will be happy too, so please go ahead.”
While feeling inwardly that he had lost to Renka, Scott said so with a smile.
As they were having this conversation, Renne also came from the back of the mansion.
However, Kousuke was already being pulled by the arm by Renka towards the exit, so he couldn’t properly greet her.
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Kousuke was guided to the mansion’s backyard, still with Renka holding his arm.
It was a garden with neatly maintained turf, and a hut stood there.
However, this was not a hut built by an amateur; it was clear it had been crafted by skilled artisans.
Its size was ample enough to comfortably accommodate five wolves.
From Kousuke’s perspective, it was a building that seemed to ensure they wouldn’t feel cramped.
Noticing Kousuke looking at the hut, Renka said with a slightly lonely expression,
“If it were possible, I would have liked to let them roam freely in the garden all the time.”
However, since the backyard was used by several people, including the gardener, such permission was not granted.
Therefore, Renka had become convinced that she was making the wolves feel cramped.
Kousuke shook his head at Renka and said,
“No, no. I think it’s a sufficient size for them to spend their daily lives. You do take them hunting, don’t you?”
“Of course! …Although, I can’t accompany them hunting, so I just give them permission to go into the forest.”
“That’s perfectly fine. Rather, if you were to accompany them, Renka-sama, it would lose its meaning.”
When Kousuke said that, Renka looked puzzled.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Originally, wolves are creatures that hunt as they please. If a person were to accompany them, it would only be a hindrance. Of course, it’s also good to hunt together sometimes.”
Normally, Kousuke didn’t go hunting with Nana either.
Of course, Nana would always want to go hunting with Kousuke, but if he completely matched Nana’s pace, Kousuke wouldn’t be able to keep up.
The wolves entrusted to Renka were in different situations and environments, so there was no need to make them exactly the same as Kousuke’s.
“I see. But sometimes I want to go along too?”
“That would be better once you’ve learned to properly protect yourself, Renka-sama.”
Renka, who looked like nothing more than a young lady, didn’t seem capable of accompanying the wolves on their hunts.
Of course, one could hunt according to Renka’s level from the start, but that might prevent the wolves from releasing their stress.
In conclusion, as Kousuke said earlier, it was better to let the wolves hunt as they pleased.
Renka, listening to Kousuke’s explanation with admiration, removed the lock on the hut’s door and opened it.
Then, as if waiting, Reja and Roja pounced out and playfully jumped on Renka.
And then, as if noticing Kousuke was there, they immediately lay down on the spot.
“Hmm? What’s wrong?”
Normally, they wouldn’t have stopped playing for a while after jumping, but seeing the two calm down so quickly, Renka tilted her head.
While Reja and Roja were lying down, Hol, Hel, and Hope approached from deeper within the hut.
These three, unlike Reja and Roja, didn’t pounce but approached Kousuke with slightly quickened steps.
“Hey. Have you been doing well?”
This was their reunion after about a week, so it hadn’t been as long as before, but it was still a gap in time.
As Kousuke spoke and stroked each of their necks, the three wagged their tails happily.
Watching them, Renka said with a troubled expression,
“Mmm. How can I become able to pet them that naturally?”
“Hahaha. There’s nothing for it but to get used to it.”
Kousuke himself had been handling hundreds of wolves for over twenty years.
He embodied the saying that experience is the best teacher.
Renka, unaware of this background, still looked unconvinced.
As she stood there, Floria, who had been silently following them, placed a hand on her shoulder and offered advice.
“Renka. It’s fine to try and catch up to him, but it’s better to refrain from trying to do exactly the same thing.”
“That’s right. It’s better to tackle what you can, one by one.”
Following Floria, Silvia also chimed in with a smile.
Perhaps something about seeing Silvia and Floria’s faces struck her, Renka nodded after a moment of thought.
“Mmm, I understand. I’ll do that.”
Silvia and Floria looked pleased with Renka’s straightforward reply.
Watching their exchange, Kousuke looked at Silvia and Floria with a wry smile.
“I feel like I’m being treated like some kind of dangerous item?”
To Kousuke’s slightly resentful words, Silvia and Floria nodded simultaneously without showing any sign of being moved.
“I see. That’s a very apt description.”
“Yes. To those who see him, he is indeed a dangerous item. In the sense that if one tried to do the same thing, they might lose their life if they weren’t careful.”
If others tried to act in the same way as Kousuke, they would undoubtedly be in danger of losing their lives.
Finally realizing this from their words, Kousuke’s shoulders slumped.
You can use Kousuke as a reference, but don’t try to do exactly the same thing! (Dangerous item)
This was the story w
