Welcome to the Family

Dawn Island.

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

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

The wolf-like creature slept soundly, its silver-white fur fluttering lightly in the wind. Now and then, it let out a contented whimper and buried its head deeper into Dawn's chest.

Suddenly, the courtyard gate opened.

Stella stood in the doorway, her light golden hair drifting like silken 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 fleeting disappointment in her eyes was impossible to conceal, like a shooting star.

"Welcome back, Arata."

Her voice remained soft, like flower petals drifting through the courtyard. Yet her slightly stiff shoulders and the fists she unconsciously clenched spoke more plainly than words 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 flowers blooming 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 frankly, with his usual casual tone.

"My chest is pretty broad. If that doesn't work, I can use Life Return to make myself bigger."

Stella finally turned back, so annoyed that she laughed.

"You always make being fickle and greedy sound so perfectly justified. Is that really something worth constantly bragging about?"

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