Five years pass in a heartbeat.

Learning how to walk was really easy!

I guess it's because I still have the memories from my previous life.

...And my Mom's milk too.

Having these advantages certainly helps!

My Mother taught me how to talk, read, and write.

But,

For some reason, I struggle with this world's language.

I have trouble with pronunciation, and it makes me shy.

Speaking up makes me self conscious.

My Father is barely home, but when he comes home, he brings delicious food!

It's probably from his job.

I find it a bit odd that Mom doesn't cook, but then again, she has her hands full taking care of me.

Nevertheless, both my parents seem to care for me a lot.

It's so warm and pleasant – I just love it!

I feel incredibly spoiled.

Also,

They named me!

They named me,

...Kyouko.

That's right! I'm Kyouko!

Not only that, but I've also figured out their names.

My Father is... Senji.

...And my mother?

Kitsuna!

I get up from my bed and walk towards the mirror in my room.

Standing in front of it, I look at my reflection.

It's hard to believe that I've grown this much.

I look so...

So like my Mother!

I'm a cute, small, and fluffy girl.

My hair is white and long, reaching halfway down my back.

I have two different eye colors, like my mother.

My left eye is a brilliant blue, and my right eye is a deep, fiery red.

My skin is pale and smooth, and my cheeks are slightly rosy.

...I have fox ears too!

And a bushy fox tail, just like my mother's!

They're so cute!

I'm so cute!

I love the way they look.

It makes me feel special, like I'm not just any ordinary girl.

I'm a unique and beautiful Kitsune!

...

I giggle to myself, feeling a rush of joy and excitement.

I suppose my fox ears and tail will grow bigger and fluffier as I get older.

I can't wait to see how they look when I'm fully grown!

My gaze shifts to my flat chest

"Mother's breasts are so big... Will I also have breasts like those?" I mutter to myself.

In my original world, I had relatively large breasts.

But compared to my mother's, they're nothing.

Even for someone who just had a child, my mother's breasts are gigantic.

Will I have breasts like those?

I already had issues with my old ones...

"...Will I really walk around with those?"

I'm lost in thought, trying to imagine what it would be like to have breasts that big.

...

I should focus on learning how to speak properly.

Perhaps Mother could teach me a few tricks!

Excited, I run towards the kitchen to ask her.

...

When I arrive, I find my parents arguing.

I'm not sure what they're arguing about, but my Mother is really upset.

She looks frustrated and annoyed.

Scared, I hide behind the wall and listen.

"Senji, I thought we agreed you would leave that life behind! You promised me!" Kitsuna's voice is filled with anger and frustration.

"I know, Kitsuna, but it's not that simple. I need to make sure we have enough to protect ourselves." Senji replies calmly, though there's a hint of urgency in his voice.

"Senji! Please!"

"You're putting your family at risk! Is that what you want? Is that what our daughter deserves? To live in fear and worry?" Kitsuna's voice grows louder.

"...I don't have a choice. We have to protect what's ours. If I don't do anything, then they'll just take it away from us." Senji says with determination.

"No! No! That's not an excuse! I thought... You were doing regular jobs, like everyone else. I thought... We were safe... But you're still... Senji. You're still..."

"Regular jobs don't pay enough, Kitsuna. You know that. We're not like everyone else; we're different. We need to protect ourselves."

"No! No! That's not true! That's not true! You're... You're just..."

Kitsuna places her hands on Senji's chest, her eyes brimming with tears.

"I thought I could trust you... I thought we were past this..."

"I can't help it, Kitsuna. It's who I am. It's what I do."

"You promised me, Senji. You promised me... I don't want this life for our daughter." Kitsuna pleads, her voice quivering with emotion.

"I'm doing this for Kyouko. The Red Moon wants us dead, Kitsuna. They won't stop until they've killed us all." Senji's says with a serious look on his face.

"And what if they catch you? What if something happens to you? What will Kyouko do then? What will I do?" Kitsuna's voice is filled with anguish.

"I won't let anything happen to you or Kyouko. I promise. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

I already lost track of what they're arguing about.

I feel a sudden convulsion in my left arm, my hand drifting to my chest unconsciously.

My heart races, and the sound of my rapid breathing fills my ears.

I'm...

Scared.

Please... Please don't abandon me!

I don't want to be alone again.

I don't want to be abandoned.

It hurts! It hurts so much!

My heart feels like it's being torn apart.

I can't let...

I can't let this happen again.

I can't!

I walk towards them, my heart thumping in my chest.

"Don't... Don't abandon me."

Both my parents look at me in surprise.

"Kyouko, what are you doing out of your room?" Kitsuna asks, her voice filled with concern.

I try to make up words, but I can't.

"I... I..."

I can't... I can't form the words.

But in that moment▬▬▬I look at both my parents.

I feel a sudden warmth in my mind, a surge of understanding that I've never experienced before. It's as if a door has been unlocked, allowing me to comprehend the language that has always been beyond my reach.

My eyes flash with fierce, unshakable intensity, as if my very soul is forging an unbreakable resolve.

For a moment, my gaze locks with theirs—a scorching, undeniable challenge that speaks louder than words.

"I've found my family, and I won't lose you again. Not ever."

My voice is filled with determination, my words cutting through the silence like a sharp blade.

My parents are startled by my sudden outburst, but they quickly regain their composure.

"Kyouko, how are you feeling? You're talking so clearly all of a sudden!" Kitsuna exclaims, her eyes wide with surprise.

"I... I don't know. I just feel like I can talk now. Like my words are working." I say, my voice filled with wonder.

Kitsuna looks at me with a mix of pride and concern.

Senji remains silent, his eyes locked on my face as if he's trying to understand something.

Kitsuna runs to me and hugs me tightly.

"I'm so proud of you, Kyouko! You're doing so well."

"Why are you and father fighting?"

She looks at me with a mix of surprise and guilt.

"Kyouko, we're just having some grown-up problems. But we'll work it out, okay? We promise." Kitsuna says, her voice filled with reassurance.

"You don't have to worry about anything, sweetheart. Right, Senji?" Kitsuna asks, her gaze shifting to Senji.

Senji nods slowly, his eyes still locked on me.

"Yeah... We'll figure it out."

"...Can I help? Can I do something? I don't want to see you fighting..."

"Kyouko, you're already making us feel better just by talking to us. You're making us so proud." Kitsuna says, her eyes shining with pride.

"You don't have to worry about anything, Kyouko." Senji adds, his voice softening.

I feel a small smile form on my lips, but I know there's still something troubling my parents.