Sunlight filtered through the leaves at an angle, and the scent of fresh grass tickled my nose with every breeze. It was a quiet and beautiful mountain.

...Of course, back then, I wasn't there to admire the scenery.

Since it was a mountain rarely visited by people, it was overflowing with medicinal herbs. For an apothecary like me, there was no better place... except for one thing: the rumor that a massive tiger lived on this mountain.

But what of it? I thought I could just run away if I met a tiger, but I soon realized to my core how foolish and arrogant that thought was.

A low, relaxed voice drifted over.

When I looked up, a massive tiger was looking down at me. In that moment, I understood exactly what it felt like to be 'prey.' My feet were frozen and wouldn't move; I could only look up at him, trembling like a leaf.

Back then, I really didn't know.

That I would be kidnapped by the tiger I met that day, and that we'd end up living in the same house, eating together, drying herbs, and bickering over trivial things.

Looking back, it's truly strange. That the tiger I was so terrified of then is now right by my side.