Yearning for Home

CHAPTER 2- Yearning for the Familiar 

A previous life, like a fleeting illusion, dissipated in an instant. Upon awakening in this realm three days prior, her gaze met a sky painted with azure and cotton-white clouds. 

Such clarity is a rarity in the imperial city, a place usually shrouded in mist and rain. Yet, it was this serene day that welcomed her as she traversed worlds. 

"Behold! The little bunny stirs!" 

"Awakened, has she? Allow me a glimpse~" 

A tender hand reached out, testing her breath, a touch of warmth amidst the chill of uncertainty. 

"An unfamiliar sight on these grounds." 

"Remarkably distinctive!" 

"Her ears, they mirror those of a rabbit." 

"Could she be a newly cultivated breed? Perhaps our professor's fascination with cat maidens has waned." 

"The origins are unclear, but she seems a naturally rare specimen. Such a pet is beyond the capabilities of our magic tower." 

"Undoubtedly a rarity of the highest order! By my family's esteemed legacy, I declare this breed unseen until now!" 

"She bears little resemblance to rabbits; perhaps her lineage traces back to ancient, venerable creatures…" 

"Her cuteness is overwhelming, a temptation to caress her ears! Would she take offense?" 

"Ah, that remains uncertain! Without acquaintance, she may indeed resort to a nibble." 

"A cat maiden once bestowed upon me a similar gesture~ Her teeth, however, failed to breach my skin, much to my amusement!" 

In that instance, the subject of their fascination, the little one, gently parted her eyelids, revealing eyes brimming with bewilderment. 

Surrounded by a coterie of golden-haired, azure-eyed noblewomen, clad in the academy's uniform, badges gleaming, they held their wands with grace as they speculated about this newcomer. 

"Awake, you are! The language scroll should render our words comprehensible to you." 

"Pray tell, what name do you bear?" 

"Ah, she appears somewhat bewildered. Might a sip of water bring solace?" 

(What is this place…) 

(Where have I found myself?) 

Confusion took hold as she surveyed the strange surroundings and the eager eyes that met hers. 

Was this a dream, or had she indeed crossed into another existence? 

A verdant lawn cushioned her, with a cerulean lake stretching yonder, flanked by the imposing isolation walls. 

Her attire, a robust ensemble with hues of crimson and onyx, bore the hallmarks of a uniform, albeit showing signs of wear. 

With tentative hands, she endeavored to rise, seeking stability in this new world. 

A sensation of powerlessness swiftly rose within her, setting her arms to quiver like leaves in the wind. 

Was it the lethargy of awakening that left her so enfeebled? 

Her gaze fell upon her delicate, ivory fingers as they flexed, their strength so diminished they struggled to grasp one another. 

(What transformation has befallen me?) 

With a sense of alarm, she endeavored to rise, yet the alien shift in her center of gravity nearly cast her down upon the earth. 

The branches laden with heavy fruit seemed to bow under their weight, while her arms, slender as nascent twigs, appeared ill-suited to bear such load, lending an odd beauty to the scene. 

Such a physique was not typical of humanity, where sustenance is more uniformly allocated. 

Memories of half-heard whispers floated back to her. 

("A new breed, cultivated for purpose?") 

(Cultivated?) 

(Am I… of the pet kind?) 

She fought to find her footing, to acclimate to the balance of her form, her steps tentative as those of a child learning to walk, until she reached the water's edge. 

The lake, a mirror of tranquility, reflected her charming countenance. 

Eyes, the hue of deep ocean gems, stared back at her, filled with confusion. 

Who is this reflection? 

Brows knit together, lips parted in silent query. 

Her small nose drew in deep breaths, the air laden with the essence of verdant fields. 

Her alabaster skin bore a blush tinged with the pallor of illness, perhaps a reaction to the chill, moist air. 

Locks of ebony hair tumbled in disarray, cascading to her polished shoulders. 

There, in the water's embrace, she beheld the fluid grace of her form, each motion casting a spell of allure. 

Her heart fluttered with an unexpected pace. 

She could scarcely admit to the stirrings of her heart at the sight of her own reflection, a yearning to merge with the image before her. 

(Why does this unsettle me so?) 

In her perplexity, she knelt by the water's edge, her fingers tracing circles upon the surface, disrupting the stillness. 

In that moment, the fervent gazes of the elder sisters became clear to her. 

If there was a silver lining, it was that her form bore resemblance to that of humankind. 

She had, it seemed, transitioned into a member of a sub-human race. 

But it was the elongated ears that crowned her head, almost matching its length, that marked her as other. 

Blush-tinged and supple to the touch. 

Without thought, her hand rose to caress the ears that were now her own. 

Her tactile sensitivity brought forth a pleasure that was unspeakable. 

A mere caress of her fingers sent shivers through her being. 

An involuntary exclamation escaped her lips. 

"Ah~" 

The sweetness of her own voice, so beguiling, left her in disbelief. 

She bit her lip, vowing to remain silent henceforth. 

Yet, the aristocratic young ladies lurking in the shadows approached once more. 

"Wow! Little darling, could you utter that sound again?" 

"Just once more, dear, your sister longs to hear it." 

"Come now, I'll treat you to something delightful, may I caress you in return?" 

The little rabbit maiden recoiled in fright, darting into the woods with all her might, soon out of sight. 

"Alas, Katie, your clumsiness has frightened her off." 

"But cat maidens often revel in a few mews." 

"Was she admiring her reflection by the lake just now?" 

"It appears she doesn't recognize the image as her own, why else would she gaze so intently?" 

"Perhaps she's but a youngling, still naive to the ways of this world." 

"Indeed! I've bestowed upon her the gift of language through a scroll, surely she can decipher the signs? She won't find life at school too daunting, will she?" 

"Ah, it's uncertain. Stray cat maidens have perished in the cold before." 

"Let us return on the morrow, I yearn to offer her sustenance." 

... 

The little rabbit girl knew not how long she had run. 

Only when the afternoon class bell tolled did she emerge from the woods. 

Some teachers and students, free from lessons, strolled in pairs and trios along the sun-dappled path strewn with golden leaves. 

The lawns were less crowded, a few cat-eared maidens seemingly basking lazily in the sun. 

The rabbit girl meandered to the central plaza of the school. 

There stood a large bulletin board, plastered with resolutions and voting items from the student council. 

"Seeking your valuable opinion on the management of unclaimed pet species within the campus…" 

"Should dog girls uniformly wear muzzles to prevent scavenging and biting?" 

"Should expulsion or extermination measures be taken against large dog girls who refuse management and severely disrupt pet order?" 

Capture, extermination??? 

The little rabbit girl was terrified. 

At that moment, she finally understood what "pet species" truly meant. 

To have ears, a tail, or horns meant one's status was that of a pet, at the mercy of others. 

This world was too frightening. 

Whimpering… 

She felt she might be the most useless of all who had crossed into another world. 

Other transmigrators, regardless of their strength and talent, always sought joyously to carve out their own place in a new world. 

Even if they gave up, they wished to retire leisurely in this other realm, not to return to their old world to toil over studies or work. 

But she longed to go home. 

To her warm little abode. 

With snacks, drinks, a smartphone. 

With endless tests and exercises, and her mother's nagging. 

Yet also with the rich and colorful world of the internet! 

Today, she could delve into a fantasy novel; tomorrow, she might wander through magical seas. 

Let the protagonist struggle on her behalf; wasn't it better to enjoy the story from the comfort of her bed? 

As she pondered, the rabbit girl's ears drooped, her delicate face etched with melancholy. 

Perhaps this was all a dream, and pain would awaken her. 

She pinched her cheeks hard, but nothing happened.

Well...it seems like this is not a dream after all.