Chapter 3 Two

Early the next morning, Elsa cried for a long time when she discovered the wolf was gone from her bed.

She even ran to her brother's room and turned it upside down searching. In the end, she had to accept the fact: Simba had left on its own.

There were no signs of any dissected small animals in Steve's room, but there were claw marks on her windowsill left by the departing wolf.

She was heartbroken because she had always believed the little wolf liked her, just as she liked it.

She didn't agree with Steve's assertion that it was just her wishful thinking.

---

Three years passed quickly. Steve had started secondary school two years prior and left home to be a boarder. Although Elsa was now in the third grade, her language barriers and inherent aloofness kept her as lonely as ever. She grew quiet, and those who didn't know her well mistook her silence for coldness and found her difficult to approach.

One day, Elsa went to Rome with her mother, Rachel, to run some errands.

After finishing their business, her mother took her to a piazza. There, she sat with her mother at an outdoor café, watching street performers and vendors weave through the crowd, listening to her mother and a friend exchange gossip.

Naturally, this gossip held no interest for nine-year-old Elsa, but the piazza's fountain captured her attention.

Seeing her daughter engrossed in the scenery, Rachel seized the moment to change the subject. "Elsa, Mom knows you're young but already interested in fashion design. Italy will be a great place to cultivate that talent. But first, you need to learn the language. You can't just cover your ears and eyes like a little ostrich, pretending nothing's wrong whenever there's a problem."

"I'm not a little ostrich, Mom. I just don't like talking to people I'm not familiar with." Elsa turned her head away, clearly not liking this topic.

"Elsa, how about this?" Rachel held her daughter's soft little hand in hers. "I'll hire a tutor for you, specifically to practice Italian, French, and German with you."

"I don't want to!" She pulled her hand back, her face unhappy. "Mom, you know I hate being with strangers."

Rachel sighed, having to set this troublesome matter aside for now.

"Elsa, the Mid-Autumn Festival is almost here. This year, your brother has exams and won't be back, and your father has a business trip to Venice. It will be just the two of us at home. I'll make lots of traditional dishes for you then..."

Her mother's voice continued at the café table, but Elsa's mind had already wandered.

So fast, another year had passed?

Every year around this time, she thought of that little golden-furred, blue-eyed wolf. The little golden wolf she had possessed for just one night.

Propping her head on her hands on the table, she tilted her head in thought.

That night felt distant now. Sometimes she couldn't help but think that the little golden wolf was just an illusion born from her loneliness.

---

Today was Elsa's day to be on duty, and it seemed to be her unlucky day.

First thing in the morning, she couldn't understand the teacher's instructions and sent materials meant to be kept into the shredder. After standing in punishment for half the morning, she then missed the lunch bell and didn't get to eat. So by the time P.E. class came around in the afternoon, her stomach was empty.

Another important duty was to collect the sports equipment after class. So after all the other students left, she and another girl had to stay in the gym to gather the balls-they had volleyball today.

Less than two seconds into cleaning up, the girl named Grace said something in Italian to Elsa, waved her hand, and left. Elsa watched her retreating back without a word and continued her task. She was used to this treatment. Not being proficient in Italian and not knowing how to stand up for herself meant most classmates took advantage of her. After all, she wouldn't tell the teacher or throw a tantrum.

She was like an ice sculpture-hard to figure out, without much emotional fluctuation.

Soon after she bent down to organize the ball basket, a loud rumble of basketball shoes and voices erupted from outside the door. A group of tall foreign boys, wearing the school basketball team uniforms, entered. It seemed it was after-school activity time, and the gym was now the basketball team's domain.

Distracted, a basketball flew straight towards Elsa, hitting her on the head. Pain shot through her as she fell to the ground. Empty stomach, stars in her eyes-she was on the verge of losing consciousness.

In the moment before she blacked out, she vaguely felt a tall, golden figure scoop her into its arms.

Strange, it should have been a golden human figure, but in her heart, she inexplicably superimposed that image with the little golden wolf from three years ago.

Maybe it was because they both had that beautiful golden hair or fur.

How could a person and a wolf be confused as one?

Before this absurd thought could be clarified, a fog descended, and Elsa lost consciousness.

---

Even before opening her eyes, Elsa could hear Italian murmuring beside her. To avoid trouble, she kept her eyes shut, pretending to be asleep, planning to wake up only after everyone had left.

Time ticked by. The room grew quiet. She cautiously opened her eyes and instantly fell into a vast, boundless azure ocean.

Oh! It wasn't a real ocean, just a pair of a man's blue eyes. Deep, sapphire-blue pupils like the sea. They were so close because the owner of those blue eyes was leaning over her, his face inches away, close enough to share breaths.

Startled, she widened her eyes and scrambled backward against the headboard. Thump!Her head hit the iron railing. A new injury on top of the old one. The pain made her cry out, tears welling in her eyes.

"Don't tell me you're trying to knock yourself stupid." The owner of the blue eyes laughed lightly.

Hearing his voice, Elsa rubbed her head and stared, feeling something was odd.

The tall, handsome foreign boy in front of her, wearing a basketball jersey, had blond hair and blue eyes. But the language he spoke was her mother tongue. Though accented a bit strangely, it was genuinely a language she understood.

The shared language made her relax slightly. She stopped rubbing her head and asked curiously, "Who are you?"

"Jack Folger. Fifth grade, two years above you."

"Hi! Hello!" Elsa seemed a bit flustered, but the brightness in her eyes didn't diminish. My god, a boy who spoke her language, who she could communicate with?! A seemingly friendly, easy-going foreign boy-would he be her first friend in this country? "My name is..."

"Elsa."

He accurately spoke her name. The two syllables slid smoothly from his lips, clearer than any other words he'd said, as if practiced many times.

"You know my name?" She was surprised again.

"There aren't many Asians in this school."

"Do you like Asians?"

Jack lowered his head and glanced at Elsa. He had no intention of answering that question. She'd had a rough day already; he didn't want to scare her further. Nor could he tell her he wasn't that broad-minded; he'd learned the language because, since three years ago, a girl named Elsa had begun to occupy his thoughts.

"Is your head feeling better?" he asked with concern.

"Mm, it doesn't hurt anymore."

She gave a soft, slight smile, want to tell him that knowing she might have a new friend made any pain insignificant.

She had thought today was an unlucky day, but now it seemed God was still merciful.

Seeing her smile, his heart first swayed, then turned to apprehension. He still couldn't forget his first, flustered transformation experience in front of her.

She was an angelic human girl, and he was a Therianthrope boy who could turn into a wolf at any time.

Since that night, he hadn't been able to forget her, yet he had to remind himself to keep his distance. He knew he should fancy Therianthrope girls, as that would avoid the complications his transformation could bring to a relationship. Yet, over the years, he had still learned her language and studied her culture and customs.

Now, fate had used a ball to push her right in front of him.

And he, should he continue to hide and avoid?

Jack questioned himself, struggling for a long time before finally extending his hand to her.

"Let me take you home."

Elsa nodded, without a second thought, she reached out and took the hand he offered in friendship.

But they didn't go home immediately. Hearing the sounds from her stomach while she was unconscious, he decided to feed her first.

Riding his bicycle, Jack took Elsa onto a country path. On both sides stretched endless vineyards and olive groves. Elsa had seen these sights many times before, but now, in her good mood, even the breeze felt especially refreshing and beautiful!

Jack parked the bike in front of a shop. It was the most famous local gelateria, with ice cream in all sorts of flavors, renowned for its quality and popularity.

After eating two hot dogs, Elsa stopped in front of the ice cream counter, her lovely eyes dazzled by the dozens of flavors. Besides the usual vanilla and chocolate, there were many new fruit flavors she'd never tasted or heard of-various berries, citrus, etc.

"I don't know which flavor to choose."

Elsa sighed and looked at Jack, her face troubled by indecision.

She looked at him, genuinely perplexed. He only saw the uniquely charming, childish appeal in her dilemma, just like the stubborn childishness she'd shown when forcing little Simba to take a bath.

"Do you often get like this," Jack leaned against the counter beside her, "not even sure what it is you really like the most?"

"I do not."

She pouted, somewhat indignant but unable to completely deny it. She did tend to be a little greedy and willful at times.

He ignored her and proceeded to order samples of all the flavors she had considered.

Faced with the ten-plus varieties of ice cream that required two large trays to hold, Elsa's childish eyes widened.

"Can we finish all this?"

"Don't worry," he carried the trays and led her to a table facing the lake, setting all the ice cream down. "I have a big stomach. You try them all. Finish the ones you like, and I'll take care of the leftovers."

"But that means," facing the numerous choices, Elsa was excited but also felt a slight apology towards Jack, "you'll have to eat what I've already tasted?"

"Do you have any contagious diseases?" he asked casually.

"Probably not." That... probably wasn't the point, right?

"Then it's fine. Eat up." Jack pushed the colorful cups of ice cream towards her. "They won't taste as good once they melt."

Elsa finally dropped her reservations and showed a childlike smile, tasting them one by one.

"The green mango is good, the cranberry is a bit sour, the sweet orange is so fragrant..."

She happily gave her verdict with each spoonful, eating and playing simultaneously. It was a while before she noticed Jack sitting opposite hadn't touched a single bite, his gaze fixed on her face and her happy tongue.

"Why aren't you eating?"

She temporarily reined in her excitement, reminding herself not to get carried away and neglect her hard-won new friend.

"You eat first. I need to save room for the leftovers later."

"Don't be like that!"

She scooped a spoonful of the sweet orange ice cream and delivered it into Jack's mouth, not noticing it was the same spoon she had just licked.

"Sweet?" she asked expectantly, looking up at him.

"Sweet!"

Jack gave her the answer she wanted, knowing in his heart the sweetness came from the spoon that had touched her tongue.

"Giving me so many choices," Elsa sighed and shook her head, "aren't you afraid my tongue will freeze and go numb, and I won't be able to tell which one I wanted most?"

"Giving you so many choices," he shrugged nonchalantly, "is to prevent you from having the regret of missing out."

She looked at him, deep emotion rising in her eyes. "Jack, do you have any younger brothers or sisters?"

"No, why do you ask?" He stared at her sharp little tongue, reddened by the ice cream, reminding him of a budding rose.

"You're like a big brother, very good at taking care of people." Elsa showed a satisfied smile.

"Really?" He shook his head, not agreeing. "No, I don't. No younger siblings, no older siblings either. I'm an only child."

"Then," she showed an eager, expectant smile again, "you must really want a little sister, right?"

He didn't answer, because he knew the answer she wanted, but had no intention of satisfying her.

He might not have a sister, but he knew very well in his heart that for her, he definitely had no intention of just being a brother.

"Having a brother doesn't mean you won't be lonely." Jack looked at Elsa, reminding her.

"That's true. I have a brother," she sighed, her smile fading, "but that really doesn't mean I'm not lonely."

"Your loneliness comes from being withdrawn and the language barrier. It has nothing to do with having a brother or not."

"You seem..." admiration crept into her eyes, "...to understand me very well?"

"Your loneliness," he reached out and gently tapped the tip of her nose, "is written plainly on your face."

---

On the way home, Elsa sat on the bicycle carrier, her arms around Jack's waist. They talked about everything under the sun, not feeling like they had just met, but like old friends reunited after many years.

When they arrived home, and Elsa learned that Jack's house was on the same street as hers, she was shocked once more.

"Your house is so close to mine?"

She looked up, following his pointing finger towards the old mansion at the end of the street, shrouded in an aura of mystery by the locals.

Mom had said the people living there were a reclusive family that didn't like socializing. Rumor had it they were descendants of a medieval noble family, arrogant and looking down on ordinary people. Who would have thought such a family would raise a boy as approachable as Jack?

"I've lived here for almost three years, and we," Elsa found it incredible, "have never met before?"

Jack remained silent. Actually, he often couldn't resist watching her from afar in secret, but she was completely unaware.

"Starting tomorrow, I'll pick you up and drop you off from school. It'll be a good chance to practice your Italian too."

Without consulting her, he made the decision for her. Uncharacteristically, unlike her usual aversion to strangers getting close, she accepted his suggestion.

She was even somewhat looking forward to his care and protection.

"Jack, you're so good to me. Are you my guardian spirit?"

Elsa spoke sincerely. The refreshing taste of over a dozen ice creams still lingered on her taste buds, and her heart felt sweet as honey from being valued.

"If I am," he looked at her, "then, what else do you want?"

She thought for a moment, then revealed a childlike smile.

"I know this might sound a bit strange, but since you live around here..." her eyes shone with memory, "...have you ever seen a very cute, very beautiful little golden wolf? Oh, no, it's been three years, it should be bigger now. Its fur is a lot like your hair, golden and shiny. Sorry, I'm not saying your hair is like wolf fur, I mean..."

She scratched her head, flustered, unable to continue.

"You like that little wolf? Remember it? Want to find it?" he scrutinized her.

"Yes, yes!" She nodded vigorously. "In fact, I even gave it a name, 'Simba'. It's a bit stubborn, a bit proud, but really, really cute. I think it probably remembers me too."

"It's strange. You look as delicate as a little rabbit. Why would you want to keep a wolf as a pet?"

"Not a pet," Elsa explained hurriedly. "Although I really had that thought once, I figured it out later. For a wolf, the vast outdoors should be its home. I'm just very worried about it. I really want to see if it's safe and sound."

Jack looked at her for a moment, then slowly spoke. "Here, watch closely, learn this." He placed his palms together against his chest, forming an inverted triangle with his hands.

"What's this?" She stared, dumbfounded.

"It's a secret magic passed down from ancient times. Here, copy my gesture."

She stretched out her hands, imitating him, making an inverted triangle against her chest. "And then?" she asked dumbly.

"And then?"

He looked at her, dead serious. "You must close your eyes, chant the spell, and state your wish in your mind. Soon, that wish will come true."

"Slow down, Jack," Elsa looked anxious. "You said it too fast. Say it again."

"Not that I want to laugh at you, Elsa, but your language skills really are a bit lacking."

Receiving her glare, Jack calmly repeated the spell he had just made up.

He wanted to laugh; she did not. He could see the girl was very serious about making a wish.

He sighed. Because of her sincerity, because he was her guardian spirit, perhaps he should help grant her wish.

---

Three days later, as her mother Rachel had forewarned, her father and Steve were absent. It was a quiet evening.

But just before bed, as Elsa was about to close the window, a flash of brilliant gold in the yard caught her attention. She ran downstairs, not even bothering with a robe, just in her thin nightgown.

"Simba!"

She cried out happily, rushing forward and bending down to hug the golden wolf that was now almost chest-high.

Oh, no! Simba was no longer a little wolf.

Although its beautiful golden fur remained, its body had lengthened and showed signs of majesty, a size between a cub and an adult wolf. There was a ruff of darker brown fur around its neck, its four legs strong and powerful, its expression proud and untamed. Its eyes held a domineering air, and its slightly bared white teeth looked fully grown.

Any wild beast emitting such a fierce aura would frighten anyone, but not Elsa. Seeing it only made her feel reassured and happy. From the feelings it conveyed, she was convinced Simba would not harm her.

"Hmm, the magic Jack taught me really works! Tomorrow I must thank him and ask him," Elsa hugged and kissed Simba, again seeing its almost blushing reaction, "if he wants a god-sister or not?"

Simba let out a low grunt, as if exasperated by the suggestion.

"Hey, Simba!"

She hugged the golden wolf and sat down with it on the grassy lawn under the bright, full moon.

"Where have you been all these years? Have you been well? Made any good friends?" She bent down, sniffing its golden fur. "It must be because of that time I bathed you. You've become a very clean wolf."

"See the moon in the sky? Today is a very important festival in my country. This festival symbolizes reunion. So on this day, we must be with the family we love. If you understand me, you must come see me every year on this day, okay? Otherwise, I'll miss you terribly."

Holding Simba, she chattered on and on. The golden wolf was surprisingly tame, nestling in her arms, letting her pinch and poke.

"Simba, you must think I'm very noisy!"

She laughed. She often had very childish impulses, but usually controlled them well, rarely showing them in front of people. But Simba was different; it wouldn't laugh at her.

"Can't help it. Being a little mute all day at school, I don't know how long it's been since I've talked properly. But don't worry about me. Next time you come, I won't be like this, okay? I have a new friend now. His name is Jack. He even promised to practice Italian with me! Next time you come, maybe I can speak Italian to you!"

That night, they played frisbee and hide-and-seek. The grown Simba could even carry her on its back, darting and leaping through the deserted alleys late at night, making her cling to its back, gripping its long fur tightly.

A girl and a wolf played almost wildly under the bright moonlight.

Later, seeing Simba covered in mud, Elsa wanted to bathe it. She giggled, instructing, "Don't go. I'll go get some things and be right back. Wait for me!"

She was back in just a minute, carrying a large towel, a bristle brush, and shower gel.

But this time, Simba didn't intend to let her have her way like three years ago. The moment it sensed Elsa's intention to bathe it, it fled in a panic.

Elsa, returning to the yard, was left staring at the empty garden, a sudden sense of loss washing over her.