"B-but what's gonna happen to you now? Because of me, you'll lose not only your job but also your place to live, right?" I said, sniffling.
Even though he was the one having a hard time right now, he still tried to stay calm…
…for me, just to comfort me.
"Well, it's not that bad. I was more angry at my boss's behavior and arrogance than about losing the job itself. I still can't believe he expects such blind obedience from his employees and doesn't forgive even the smallest mistakes. Anyway, I saved up enough from my time as a hero that I can afford not to work for now. So it's not the end of the world." He smiled widely .
"O-Oh t-that's nice," I said, pulling away a little. "Do you maybe have a tissue?" I asked, still sniffling.
"Yes, hang on," he said, standing up and heading to the kitchenette. He came back with a pack of tissues.
He sat next to me in silence. I didn't say anything for a while, I just needed to calm down and wipe away my tears.
Lumi respected that, like he could somehow sense when I wanted to talk and when I didn't. It was… really surprising. Like we'd known each other for ages. And honestly, it was so kind of him too.
When the heavy emotions finally faded and the air grew calm again – warm and peaceful, the type of peace that made me feel safe – Lumi suggested going out together.
"You know, I need to grab some groceries at the nearby market. Maybe you'd like to come with me? I don't want to leave you alone, and besides I'd love to find out what food you like."
"H-huh?" I was so surprised but at the same time so excited about it that I couldn't hold back my emotions. "I mean, I'd love to go shopping with you, b-but… people might stare at me, maybe someone will want to hurt me and I…" I lowered my head. "I-I'm just scared," I muttered under my breath.
"I've thought about that," he admitted with a bright smile. "And I think I found the perfect outfit for you, something that'll hide your antennae and wings."
"R-really? But w-what about my fur? Won't it s-stand out too much?"
"There are all kinds of beast people out there. It's just insectoids who get discriminated so harshly," he said, sounding genuinely sad. "Anyway, I hope you'll like it," he added, then walked over to his wardrobe.
He pulled out a big, black, slightly worn hoodie on a hanger, then reached for a red wool beanie from an upper shelf. He handed them to me to try on.
His hoodie was so huge on me it looked like a dress, hanging almost down to my knees. Once I folded my wings, they stayed completely hidden under it. It was wide enough to cover everything, and the hat hid my antennae naturally — like I just had a lot of messy hair underneath.
Lumi told me to check the big mirror in the hallway, the one hanging near the bathroom. I hadn't noticed it before.
I stared at my reflection for a while. I looked like someone else, like an ordinary half beast.
I couldn't stop smiling. Finally, I could go outside without fear of being judged or attacked.
And besides, Lumi was there with me.
His presence calmed me, slowly soothing the constant fear I'd lived with for so long.
"Lumi, this looks great! And it's so comfy!" I said with joy. "Thank you so much."
"Oh, that's awesome. So, time for a little shopping?" he asked with a warm smile.
"Yes, but… there's one more thing I wanted to ask you," I said, blushing and staring down at the floor again.
I didn't know why, but asking him for anything made me feel like I was doing something wrong. Lumi had already done so much for me, and I felt ashamed to ask for more.
"Go ahead, don't hold back."
"D-do you have sunglasses? I'm a moth, so my eyes are super sensitive to light, and the market ones can really hurt… I might get a headache if I don't wear them."
"Oh, of course. It's been ages since I last wore any, but I should have a pair somewhere."
"If we don't find them, it's still fine. Maybe I'll manage somehow," I added shyly, watching as Lumi started rummaging through his big wardrobe.
*
Lumi pushed the shopping cart while I looked around the store in amazement.
The shelves were full of colorful food, I didn't even know where to start.
I felt happy and safe… and yet, a little sad.
Insectoids had to fight for every single bite, scavenging whatever they could find just to survive. Meanwhile, humans and beast people had everything right within reach.
It's so unfair…
I realized I'd zoned out staring at one of the shelves.
Lumi called me over — he was already at the end of the aisle, while I was still in the middle. I walked a bit faster to catch up.
I could feel some people staring at me, judging.
One of the couple passing us by said loudly:
"Look at that weirdo."
Lumi shot them a sharp glare. With his size and presence, they quickly moved along.
"Don't worry about it," he said after a moment. "People will judge us no matter what we do. That's part of living in society. What matters is finding the voices that support you – the ones that see your real beauty and kindness."
I looked straight into his eyes. His warm words and even warmer smile made my heart beat faster.
I've already found my voice, I thought, then quickly looked away, blushing.
"Yeah, you're right," I muttered shyly. "Thank you…"
"Don't mention it."
Then a thought crossed my mind.
"Hey, Lumi… do you have someone like that too?" I asked after a moment of silence between us.
"Huh? Sorry, I spaced out. Could you repeat that?"
"I-I asked if you have someone like that. You know, a voice that tells you how amazing you really are."
Lumi smiled faintly, looking ahead as we passed the bakery section.
"That's hard to say. I used to think being a superhero would replace that kind of voice, but then I realized it wasn't about being a hero at all. It was about just… helping people."
S-so he doesn't have anyone like that either?
I want him to know how wonderful he really is.
I want him to know how much his help means to me, how it's changed my life.
I want him to know I notice every little kind thing he does for me, but…
… I don't have the courage to tell him. Not yet.
I looked at him, wondering what led me to meet him in the first place.
Do I even deserve someone like him? Even as a friend, let alone…
My face burned as I realized what I was thinking – that our relationship could ever turn into something deeper.
N-no, that could never happen.
He's such a beautiful person… and I'm just a disgusting insectoid.
While those thoughts filled my head, we reached the fruits and vegetables section.
"Pick whatever you want," Lumi said with a smile. "Since you don't eat meat, I'll make sure you get plenty of greens, heh."
I felt like I was in paradise.
There were so many round, sweet-smelling treats that I didn't know where to start, but eventually, I made my choices.
I grabbed a basket of peaches, some lettuce, a few apples, and tomatoes.
The rest of the shopping went by quickly, in a calm and cozy atmosphere.
We talked and joked around and it felt like a pleasant dream I didn't want to wake up from.
I never thought I'd live to see a day like this.
My life used to be nothing but a nightmare.
Before, I would've begged for someone to end it…
… it's amazing how much one meeting, one person can change everything.