Welcome to the Family

Dawn Island.

Beneath the setting sun, the sea of clouds surged in golden-red waves, cradling the entire island within a molten halo of light.

Dawn descended from the sky and landed before the courtyard, the enormous snow-white wolf in his arms nearly as long as his muscular body.

The wolf-like creature slept peacefully, its silver-white fur drifting gently in the breeze. Every so often, it gave a contented whimper and buried its head deeper into Dawn's chest.

Suddenly, the courtyard gate was pushed open.

Stella stood in the doorway, her pale golden hair floating like silk threads in the breeze. The anticipation in her azure eyes froze the moment she saw what Dawn was holding.

She took a deep breath and tried to raise the corners of her lips, but the flicker of disappointment in her eyes was impossible to conceal, like a shooting star.

"Welcome back, Arata."

Her voice remained soft, like petals drifting through the courtyard, but her slightly stiff shoulders and unconsciously clenched fists spoke plainly of how she felt.

Dawn chuckled and stepped closer. His tall figure stretched long beneath the sunset, almost completely enveloping Stella.

"Jealous?"

Stella turned her face away and looked toward the blooming flowers in one corner of the courtyard.

"Who would be jealous over something like that?"

"If you don't mind, I can hold both of you at once."

Dawn said it frankly, with his usual carefree tone.

"My chest is pretty broad. If that's still not enough, I can use Life Return to make myself bigger."

Stella finally turned back, so irritated that she laughed.

"You always make being fickle and greedy sound so natural. Is that really something worth bragging about all the time?"

"Can't help it. That's just my personality. I say what I mean." Dawn shrugged, and