Archive of Our Own ^beta

 "A marriage proposal from the Lynxley family? Absolutely not!"
 
 I crossed my arms and turned my head away with a huff. I’d gone out of my way to visit my parents’ house despite my frantic work schedule, only to be told I should go on a blind marriage interview. To make matters worse, the eldest Lynxley son, Cattrick, is in his late thirties. I’m still in my mid-twenties; no matter how prestigious the Lynxley name is, there’s no way I’m saying yes.
 I’m currently thriving as a career woman, my life sailing on smooth waters. My hard work is finally being recognized, and I’ve even started handling major accounts. If I marry into the Lynxley family, I’ll end up as nothing more than a trophy wife to be paraded around at parties. Or worse, I can only see a future where I’m used up as a mere vessel to produce an heir. I wanted absolutely none of that.

 "The thing is, it seems the request came specifically from Pawbert," my father said. "He’s only thirty. Minette, he’s not much older than you, right? Just meet him once, for my sake?"

 With those words, my father pulled out a formal, mounted photograph and slid it across the table toward me.

 "Pawbert? I thought the Lynxley children were just the twins, Cattrick and Kitty."

 My curiosity about this unknown second son outweighed my reluctance, and I found myself picking up the photo.
The person in the picture was a handsome lynx. However, his good looks were completely overshadowed by his stiff, insecure expression. It was so awkward I almost wanted to snap, “Is this really supposed to be a matchmaking photo?”
 When I thought of the Lynxley, I imagined someone with a commanding presence like the current head, Milton, or someone wealthy and narcissistic like the eldest son, Cattrick. The Pawbert in the photo was neither.

 In a good way, he looked approachable.
 In a bad way, he looked incredibly clumsy.

 "See? He looks like a gentle soul. Just one meeting is fine—if you don't hit it off, we'll turn them down then, okay?"

 My mother moved to my side, placing a hand on my knee and peering into my face.
 Until about a hundred years ago, our family, the Lincells, was a prestigious house on par with the Lynxleys. But in my great-grandfather’s time, he apparently managed to incur the wrath of Ebenezer Lynxley—the family head at the time. Because of that, we fell from grace. Honestly, it wouldn't have been a surprise if we’d been driven out of Zootopia entirely, but thanks to Ebenezer’s "mercy," we were somehow allowed to remain.
 That’s why a direct marriage proposal from the Lynxley family was something we couldn't realistically refuse. But my parents weren't forcing me. I could feel that they were trying to prioritize my feelings. I had no choice but to swallow my pride as an act of filial piety.

 "…Fine. But just one meeting, okay?"

 I answered with a sigh. The two of them looked at each other, visibly relieved.

 "They said they’ll adjust the schedule to suit you, Minette. Let me know when you're free, and I’ll contact them."
 "I’ll get back to you then. I have a meeting with a client after this, and then I have to head back to the office. See you later, Dad, Mom."

 After a moment’s hesitation, I tucked the matchmaking photo into my bag. Leaving it behind felt… wrong.
 Though, if my boss or colleagues saw it, I’d never hear the end of it. If they found out that I—the woman who always claimed her "career was her lover"—was going on an arranged date, they’d tease me mercilessly.

＊＊＊

 A few days later, I found myself in a private room of a high-end hotel restaurant in Sahara Square, dressed in my best formal dress.
 On the day the proposal was brought up, I had messaged my father a list of my days off after getting home from work. Within minutes, the Lynxleys had replied, picking the earliest possible date from my candidates.
 It was true they had said they would "adjust to my schedule," but didn't Pawbert have his own plans? We’re both working professionals. I had expected the scheduling to be a struggle, but everything moved along so swiftly—date, time, and venue were settled in a heartbeat—and here I was.

 "O-oh! Sorry to keep you waiting! Um, I’m Pawbert. Pawbert Lynxley. It’s an honor to meet you—really, thank you so much for making time for me today!"
 
 Guided by a waiter, Pawbert didn’t even sit down; he stood by the entrance and blurted out his greeting in one frantic breath. Once he finished, he gave a sharp ninety-degree bow and thrust his right hand out toward me with intense momentum.
 The waiter, a black panther, stood there unable to close the door until he let out a small, polite cough. Pawbert finally seemed to realize the situation.

 "Oh! My apologies! Sorry, I’ll get out of the way!"
 "Not at all, sir. Please, take your time. I shall bring the welcome drinks shortly."

 With that, the waiter closed the door and withdrew. I rose quietly, clasping my hands in front of my waist, and gave a graceful, formal bow.

 "It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Minette Lincell. The honor is mine, Mr. Pawbert."
 "…Ah, er, right, yeah… Um, ah, right! The handshake! Yes, the handshake!"

 He was so incredibly awkward that I couldn't help but look worried, wondering if I had said something offensive. Noticing my bewildered expression, he thrust his hand out again as if to cover his embarrassment.
 Is this what a marriage interview is supposed to feel like? I wondered, though I accepted the handshake as I would in any business setting.

 "I have prepared the champagne for your welcome drinks."

 There was a knock at the door, and we finally sat down across from each other. In the midst of the indescribable, delicate tension, only the waiter's voice and the sound of popping champagne bubbles echoed through the room.

 "We will be serving the full course today, but please do not hesitate to call if you need anything. …Of course, I’d be more than happy to come by even if you don't need a thing."

 The same black panther waiter from before directed a smile and a wink at me as he poured the champagne. "Yes, thank you," I replied, forcing a polite smile while thinking to myself, Well, he’s certainly a bit over-familiar.

 "Um, well then... cheers."

 Pawbert, having lost his momentum right at the start, looked completely dejected. It seemed he wasn't used to these kinds of formal settings, or perhaps he was just bad at talking to women—likely both. He kept stealing glances at me over his glass, looking like he had something to say, but the words just wouldn't come out.

 "…If you have something to say, please just say it clearly."

 It was all so tedious that I drained my champagne glass in one gulp and blurted it out. I didn't care how this matchmaking session ended. My parents had said "just meeting him is enough," so it wasn't an exaggeration to say my mission was already accomplished.
 Once today was over, I’d be saying goodbye to Pawbert forever. I didn't care what he thought of me. If that was the case, there was no need to put on an act—I might as well speak my mind.
 Because I took such a sharp tone, Pawbert’s eyes widened in surprise. But then, to my shock, his expression softened with pure joy, and a gentle smile spread across his face.

 "That's exactly why I wanted to meet you."

 His gaze was so direct and intense—a far cry from the timid, stuttering man from a moment ago—that I was caught completely off guard. The sudden heat rising in my body made me flush with embarrassment.

 "What do you mean, 'wanted to meet me'...? In the first place, why even ask for a match with someone like me? Surely there were plenty of women from more prestigious families for a Lynxley."

 I told myself the heat was just from downing the champagne. Tracing the rim of my empty glass with a finger, I tried to act nonchalant as I continued the conversation.

 "Well... that's, uh... you see, once before—"
 "Forgive the wait. Here is your appetizer for the course."

 Whether it was because Pawbert was taking too long to speak, or because this waiter simply couldn't read the room, the answer I was looking for remained unheard.
 Even as he explained the appetizer, the black panther waiter directed his words only to me—almost as if intentionally ignoring Pawbert's existence. Perhaps Pawbert was used to such treatment; he didn't speak up, offering only a troubled, awkward smile.
 Emboldened by his passive reaction, the waiter pulled a business card from his pocket, scribbled something on the back, and held it out to me.

 "If you're interested, perhaps you’d like to grab dinner with me sometime?"
 "...Oh, really?"

 While it’s common for customers to flirt with staff, a waiter hitting on a guest was absurd. Especially considering we were, for all intents and purposes, here for a formal matchmaking interview. I’d never heard of anything so unprofessional. Even Pawbert tried to intervene this time.

 "Wait a minute...! She's currently—"

 But before Pawbert could even stand up, I thrust the card back at the waiter without so much as touching it.

 "Hitting on a client while on the clock... I can’t tell if you’re incredibly brave or just incredibly thoughtless. This is a clear violation of your duty to remain professional. Shall I mention this to your proprietor?"

 The waiter’s face instantly drained of color, and he began to stammer, visibly shaken. He had probably done this many times before and gotten away with it. He might have been prepared for a rejection, but he certainly hadn’t expected a lecture on professional ethics.

 "We will pay for the full course, but that will be all. We’re leaving."

 As I stood up with those words, it was Pawbert’s turn to turn pale.

 "Wh-what? Wait! Don't go! I still wanted to—"
 "Come on, Mr. Pawbert, let’s go."

 I started walking, still gripping the hand of a seated Pawbert. At the reception desk, a jaguar who appeared to be the manager rushed over, bowing frantically.

 "I-I am terribly sorry! I will make sure to discipline that employee immediately...!"
 "It's a pity about the meal; we're sorry too. I’d love to visit again under better circumstances. Could we have the bill, please?"
 "No, no! We couldn't possibly accept payment!"
 "Please, this was our decision to leave, so we must pay properly."

 As I reached into my bag for my wallet, Pawbert’s hand gently but hurriedly covered mine.

 "I was the one who invited you, so please let me handle this. I had always intended to."

 With that, he pulled his wallet from his pocket and handed a shimmering black card to the jaguar.
 The moment the jaguar saw the name engraved on the card, his eyes nearly popped out of his head. He looked back and forth between the card and Pawbert’s face, turning even paler than before.

 "N-no... Could it be? The... the Lynxley family?! My deepest apologies! I don't even know how to begin to apologize!"

 With the jaguar looking like he might drop to his knees in a full dogeza at any moment, the attention of the entire restaurant began to shift toward us.

 "No need for change! Thank you for the meal!"

 I snatched Pawbert’s card from the jaguar’s palm, replaced it with enough cash to cover everything, and pulled Pawbert’s hand again, hurrying out of the restaurant.
 Even as we cut through the lobby, the hotel owner himself appeared, bowing and trailing after Pawbert.

 "Mr. Lynxley! Please, accept our sincerest apologies for this incident!"

 At first, the restaurant staff had treated Pawbert as if he were invisible, but the instant they realized he was that Lynxley, the 180-degree turn was spectacular. Now, it was my turn to be invisible to them.

(So this is the power of a Black Card... or rather, the power of the Lynxley name?)

 I wasn’t hurt. If anything, I was impressed, experiencing firsthand the staggering weight of his family’s reputation.
However, just before we reached the exit, Pawbert stopped dead in his tracks.

 "Whoa—?! Mr. Pawbert?"

 Having been the one leading him, I nearly lost my balance when he suddenly halted. But I was saved from falling by Pawbert, who drew me close and wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

 "…Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to her. She’s the one who was made to feel uncomfortable by that harassment!"

 The palm of his hand on my shoulder tightened with a firm grip. I couldn't tell if the slight trembling I felt was from anger or from the sheer courage it took for him to stand up to someone. Regardless, the fact remained that he was speaking up entirely for my sake.

 "My deepest apologies! To your guest, we—"

 At Pawbert’s words, the owner finally seemed to register my presence.

 "She’s not just a 'guest.' Her name is Minette. Minette Lincell."

 With that final word, Pawbert didn't wait for the owner’s response and marched out of the hotel. This time, it was he who took my hand, leading the way with determined strides.

 —His large palm completely enveloped mine.

 For a split second, my heart fluttered, but unfortunately, I didn't have the luxury to enjoy the moment.

 "Wait... you're going... a bit too fast...!"

 Struggling to keep up, I called out to him, my breath hitching slightly.
 By nature, we lynxes aren't particularly well-suited for the heat. Coming to the hotel by taxi had been fine, but now, jogging through Sahara Square in a tight dress, I was quickly succumbing to the temperature.
 Seeing me out of breath, Pawbert realized he had been dragging me along at his own frantic pace and began to panic.

 "?! Oh, ah! I’m so sorry! Are you okay?"
 "Sorry... Can we... just rest on that bench for a bit?"

 I sank onto a bench shaded by a palm tree, struggling to catch my breath. Pawbert took off his jacket and started waving it like a fan to create a breeze for me. However, it only sent the lukewarm air of Sahara Square fluttering through my fur.

 "Wait right here!"

 With a quick shout, Pawbert dashed off somewhere. A few minutes later, he returned with a chilled milkshake in his hand.
 The moment I took it, the coldness seeped through my paw pads—it felt heaven-sent. I took a sip through the straw, and the gentle sweetness of the milk spread through me, soothing the frantic chaos and frustration from earlier.
 
 "…Are you feeling better?"
 "Yes, thank you."

 Sitting beside me, Pawbert peered into my face with concern. Now that the heat had subsided and my breathing had steadied, I gave him a small smile to show I was fine.
 Relieved, the tension finally left Pawbert’s face, and he let out a long sigh. But a moment later, he slumped over, clutching his head.

 "I’m so incredibly sorry. You went out of your way to come here today... I was so excited to meet you that I’ve been a disaster from the very first greeting. Because I’m so pathetic, you had to deal with that harasser and feel terrible. And then, to top it off, I dragged you along and made you run..."

 With his ears flattened back, Pawbert poured out a stream of self-reflection and apologies. He looked like a small child being scolded by a parent.

 "…Oh! And the restaurant! I ended up letting you pay! I’ll pay you back right away—wait, oh no! I don't have any cash on me...!"

 He hunched his shoulders and curled into a small ball on the bench, muttering about how "uncool" he was. I couldn't hold it in any longer—I burst out laughing.

 "…Pfft. Ahaha!"
 "Wh-what is it? Are you so fed up that you can only laugh at me?"
 "No, it’s just... hee-hee!"

 I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye and turned toward him. Our eyes met—his ears were still flattened, and he looked at me with total bewilderment. For the first time, I noticed his eyes were a beautiful, sunrise orange.

 (I want to know more about him.)

 It was strange. I’d only accepted this interview because my parents asked me to. By all rights, it should have been over the moment we met in that private room.
 And yet, this man—who didn't get angry when he was being belittled—got furious for my sake when I was treated the same way. And now, here he was, sobbing over his own blunders. Before I knew it, I couldn't take my eyes off him.

 "Say, Mr. Pawbert. There’s a cafe near here I’ve been curious about. Want to go?"

 I pulled my phone from my bag and showed him a bookmarked website.

 "We missed out on our meal, after all, and I’m starving. If you’re still worried about the bill from earlier, why don't you treat me there?"
 "…You’re not... disillusioned with me?"

 Pawbert looked up at me, his face full of disbelief.

 "Well, if you turn me down now, I might be."
 "! L-let’s go! Right now!"

 At my mischievous grin, Pawbert scrambled to his feet and hailed a passing taxi. He took my hand and led me toward the car—but this time, unlike before, he walked slowly, mindful of my pace.

 —His large palm completely enveloped mine.

 I had no choice but to admit it: my heart was racing.

＊＊＊

 "Pawbert, sorry to keep you waiting!"
 "No, not at all. I just got here. Shall we go?"

 As I hurried over to him, Pawbert gave me a soft, crinkly smile. Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he reached out his hand, and we set off, our fingers firmly interlaced.
 We’ve met like this several times since the day of our formal introduction. Neither of us has said the words "I love you" out loud yet. But since our relationship started with a marriage interview, it’s no exaggeration to say we’re seeing each other with marriage in mind.

 —Well, in short... it means I’m in love with him.

 I don’t actually know how Pawbert feels. Or rather, since the proposal came from his specific request and not just the Lynxley family’s whim, it should mean he’s liked me from the start. ...Probably. Hopefully.
 Now that I’ve fallen for him, I’m terrified that if I ask, "Why did you pick me?" I might get an entirely different answer. That fear has kept the question locked away.
 At one point, wondering if he just wanted a mistress, I even invited him to my apartment to test him. But we just watched a movie, ate dinner, and he went home without even trying to stay the night. The expensive lingerie I’d splurged on never saw the light of day.

 "Acquaintances" feels too shallow for us.
 "Friends" doesn't capture this quiet intimacy.
 "Lovers" feels like it's missing that one final, deciding factor.

 So, I wasn't even sure if "date" was the right word for our meetings.
 Our date (provisional) today was supposed to be a casual stroll through town for some window shopping. Buying daily essentials, looking at new clothes—things like that. There was even a moment where I had to frantically stop him from whipping out that card when I tried to buy a skirt I liked after trying it on. But even that was part of the fun.

 "I really wanted to buy that for you as a gift."
 "Nope! No using your 'Lynxley Power' for this!"

 Walking beside me, Pawbert was still pouting slightly. Despite being older than me, he has a childish streak that’s just so adorable. Before I knew it, I had fallen for that side of him, too.

 "...Just having you carry my bags, or how you subtly move to the street side when we walk—those little acts of kindness are more than enough to make me happy."

 Lacking the courage to say "I love you," I poured all my feelings into the word "happy." Feeling suddenly embarrassed by what felt like a confession, I clumsily rushed toward a donut shop that caught my eye to hide my blushing face.

 "Those look delicious! Hey, Pawbert, which one are you going to get?"
 "Let’s see... I think I’ll go with the white chocolate one."
 "Then I’ll take the strawberry!"

 After having our chosen donuts packed into a box, we sat down side-by-side on a bench in a nearby park.

 (Phew... calm down, Minette. I’m supposed to be a cool, composed woman, remember?)

 I gave myself a stern mental talking-to, trying to soothe the heat in my flushed cheeks. I was glad we were in a park. If we had been somewhere with a romantic night view, I might have gotten swept up in the moment and blurted out that I loved him. Since it was a weekend, the park was lively and noisy in a good way. There were animals out for a run and families playing—it was a scene entirely unsuited for a confession, and looking at it helped me regain my composure.

 "Here, Minette. This is for you."

 Pawbert broke his white chocolate donut in half and offered one piece to me. I did the same, handing him half of my strawberry donut.
 Sharing like this had become second nature to him now, but not too long ago, it was a different story. Back then, whenever I asked what he wanted, he would repeatedly answer, "Whatever you’re having." Curious, I eventually asked him why he always ordered the same thing as me.

 "Because... I don't want to be different from anyone else. Especially from you."
 "Why? It's perfectly fine to be different. I get that being the same as everyone else feels safe, but being different is often more fun! Look, if we order different flavors and share, we get to enjoy both!"

 After that exchange, he started ordering what he actually liked, and eventually began offering to share on his own. And it wasn't just about food. It was about favorite places, hobbies—sharing worlds the other hadn't touched before, expanding our horizons together. I truly enjoyed that... getting to know his world.

 "Mm! The strawberry is delicious, too."

 Pawbert licked a stray sprinkle from his fingertip, his face brightening with a smile.

 "See? Being different from someone else isn't so bad, right?"

 Watching him, I felt a swell of happiness. I took a bite of my own donut. "Mmm, so good!" I murmured. But then I realized Pawbert was staring at my profile so intently that I started to feel self-conscious.

 "…It’s a little embarrassing having you watch me eat like that…"
 "Oh! Ah, no—sorry! …Wait, stay right there!"

 With that, he dashed off again. I watched blankly in the direction he had vanished, only for him to return a few moments later, slightly out of breath. In his hand, he clutched a single yellow flower.
 Then, he dropped to one knee before me and took my left hand in his.

 "To be honest, I wanted to give you a proper ring somewhere with a beautiful night view, but..."

 Pawbert gently tied the stem of the flower around my ring finger. His hands and his voice were trembling.

 "...I just couldn't wait any longer to tell you."

 The yellow flower blooming on my finger looked more radiant than any gemstone.

 "Unlike the rest of my family, I can't seem to do anything right... I’m not like the others, and I know I’m flawed. But I will cherish you more than anyone, more than anything in this world. ...So, would you... would you be my wife?"

 With his hands shaking, Pawbert gripped my fingertips tightly. Still kneeling and looking down, he looked as if he were offering a desperate prayer.
 I slowly slipped both my hands out of his grasp. His shoulders flinched, and he hung his head even lower. I reached out, cupped his soft cheeks in my palms, and gently lifted his face to meet mine.
 His sunrise-orange eyes were blurred, shimmering behind a veil of anxious tears. Drawn in by his gaze, I leaned closer—and gave him our very first kiss.
 After a lingering touch of our lips, I opened my eyes and pulled back slightly. Still held between my palms, Pawbert was wide-eyed and speechless with shock. He reached out to touch me, but his hands only hovered in the air, hesitating. That clumsy lack of coolness at such a critical moment was just so him, and a wave of affection washed over me.

 "The answer is 'YES'."

 The moment those words left my lips, Pawbert sprang to his feet and swept me up into his arms. He wrapped his arms around me in a crushing embrace, and I threw mine around him in return.

 "Congratulations!"
 "Best wishes to the happy couple!"
 "Woo-hoo! Get a room!"
 "Look, Mommy! Those two were kissing!"

 In the next instant, a chorus of cheers, blessings, and playful heckling erupted from all around us, making our ears twitch in surprise.
 That’s right—we were in the middle of a bustling park on a busy weekend. We looked at each other and—unable to help ourselves—burst into laughter.
 And so, watched over by a crowd of fellow animals, my future as a bride of the Lynxley family was decided.

 The formal introduction to my family ended with anticlimactic ease.
 My father welcomed us with a look of pure internal conflict—torn between the sadness of giving his daughter away and the sheer nerves of hosting a Lynxley. It was a bit ironic, considering he was the one who brought me the proposal in the first place. Watching the two of them exchange the stiffest, most awkward greetings imaginable was so ridiculous that my mother and I couldn't help but giggle.
 My mother looked back and forth between my face and Pawbert’s. "He’s a good man," she said simply, before shedding happy tears.

 "See? I told you it would be fine," I said as we stepped out of the front door. I gave Pawbert’s hand a firm squeeze. He nodded, still looking tense but wearing a faint expression of relief.

 —Now, finally, it was my turn to be the nervous one.
The Lincell family—my family—is a clan of purebred lynxes. However, our fall from grace was caused by my great-grandfather’s blunder against Ebenezer Lynxley. While it has nothing to do with us directly now, the Lynxley family might still view us as an unpleasant reminder of the past.
 The moment we arrived at the Lynxley estate and I saw the sheer scale of the mansion, my hands began to tremble with anxiety. Could someone like me really be accepted here?

 "It’ll be okay. I’m right here with you... though, I’m the black sheep of the family, so keep that in mind."

 Pawbert squeezed my hand back, trying to blow away my fears with a self-deprecating joke. The fact that he didn't say something grand like "I’ll protect you" was so typical of him, and it only made me love him more.

 "Hehe. You’re right. I feel like as long as we’re together, we’ll be just fine."

 I squeezed his hand back, and together, we stepped inside the mansion.

 "Welcome home, Master Pawbert. And a very warm welcome to you, Ms. Minette."

 A sheep butler greeted us and led the way to the drawing room.

 (I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen a real butler...)

 The mansion was colossal, with countless rooms and a hall that looked like it could easily hold hundreds of guests. In the gardens visible from the windows, hedges were planted in a complex maze. Seeing all this, the reality that Pawbert was a true high-society heir finally started to sink in, making me more nervous by the second.

 "My, my, my apologies for keeping you waiting."

 A short while later, the current head of the family, Milton Lynxley, entered the room. Following behind him, as usual, were Cattrick and Kitty.

 "…It is an honor to meet you. My name is Minette Lincell, eldest daughter of the Lincell family. Thank you very much for granting me the time to greet you today."
 "Ho..."

 I could sense the three of them exchanging surprised glances. It’s okay, I haven’t been rude. Even though we had fallen from grace, my parents had educated me thoroughly so I would never bring shame to the Lincell name. I would perform my role as a lady perfectly.
 Milton’s lips softened into a smile, and he reached out his right hand. It seemed I had passed the first hurdle. Internally, I breathed a sigh of relief as I accepted the handshake.

 "I am Milton Lynxley. This is Cattrick, and this is Kitty."
 "Nice to meet you."
 "A pleasure."

 The twins followed their father’s lead, shaking my hand with smiles on their faces.

 "I am well aware of all of you. I had the privilege of reading your interview in Furbes recently. Tundra Town—no, Zootopia itself—would not be what it is today without the Lynxley family’s dedication. It is truly an honor to meet such distinguished individuals."
 "Well, well. To think such a fine young lady would marry my foolish son. The honor is ours. Please, have a seat."
 Prompted by his gesture, I sat down on the sofa.

 "Um... so, Dad. I... I’m going to marry her."

 Pawbert finally spoke up. Instantly, the warm gazes the three of them had directed at me sharpened into blades, piercing right through Pawbert. The change was so drastic that even though the glares weren't aimed at me, I felt a cold shiver run down my spine.

 "A failure like you would never find another soul willing to pick you up. You’d better take care not to let her grow sick of you."
"Y-yeah. Thank you, Dad. I’ll be careful."

 Pawbert accepted the cold stare as if it were the most natural thing in the world, offering nothing but a troubled smile in return.

 "Who would've thought you would be the first to get married?"
 "Honestly. It’s nothing short of a miracle, right, Dad?"

 Both Cattrick and Kitty scoffed, looking down their noses at Pawbert.

 "Miss Lincell. We look forward to having you with us."
 "Y-yes. I am still inexperienced, but I look forward to it as well."

 On the sofa, I sat bolt upright, my posture stiff. While the gaze they turned back toward me had softened, the air in the room remained incredibly tense and suffocating.

 "We are quite busy with preparations for the Zootennial Gala and the Tundra Town expansion project. My apologies for not being able to spare more time. Oh, that reminds me—as Pawbert’s fiancée, you should attend the gala as well. That is all."

 With that, Milton stood up and left the room, followed by Cattrick and Kitty just as they had arrived.

 "I humbly accept your invitation, Mr. Lynxley."

 I bowed to see them off. The moment the drawing room door snapped shut, the thread of tension finally broke, and I sank back into the sofa, feeling lightheaded.

 "Th-that was so nerve-wracking!"
 "…I’m sorry. I said I’d be by your side, but I couldn't do a thing."

 I gently placed my hand over Pawbert’s as he dejectedly flattened his ears. The way the Lynxley family treated him... it was anything but pleasant. I felt like I finally understood why his self-esteem was so unusually low and why he was so terrified of being different from others.

 "…I promise, I’m going to make you happy."

 I gave his hand a firm squeeze and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.

 "Minette…"

 Pawbert’s orange eyes melted into a sweet, lingering gaze as he looked at me. The sofa creaked as he closed the distance between us. He started nuzzling his nose against mine—it seemed his "lovey-dovey switch" had been flipped.
 But getting intimate in his family’s drawing room on the very day of my formal introduction was a bad idea. Even in his private room, it would be risky. If I wanted that family to respect me, I couldn't afford to walk such a dangerous tightrope.

 "…Not here. Wait until we get home, okay?"

 I whispered softly into his ear. Pawbert looked reluctant to let go, but he nodded eagerly with a frantic bob of his head. His sheer cuteness made my heart skip a beat.

 "Oh, but before that, can we stop by a dress shop? I need to buy an evening gown for the Zootennial Gala."

 I tapped my paw pads together and stood up from the sofa.

 "We’re officially engaged now, so maybe we could get matching colors? Come on, let’s go!"

＊＊＊

 Lately, Pawbert has been acting strange.

 At first, I thought it might be pre-wedding jitters, but apparently not. He suddenly went out and got a motorcycle license, and he’s started corresponding with someone via letters.

 (Could it be... he’s having an affair?)

 No, someone as clumsy as him would never do such a thing. Besides, I know for a fact that I am deeply loved. But even taking that into account, his behavior was suspicious. At this rate, I’m the one who’s going to end up with a case of cold feet.
 I knew it was wrong, but I had to clear this lingering doubt. Before I knew it, I found myself knocking on the door of his home—the Lynxley estate.

 "Ms. Minette. Is something the matter? Master Pawbert is still at work in the mailroom at this hour..."

 The sheep butler tilted his head in confusion as I stood at the entrance.

 "I need to consult him about the wedding. Would you mind if I waited in his room?"
 "Certainly."
 "Thank you."

 I offered a bright smile and made my way toward Pawbert’s room with the familiar stride of someone who knew the layout. I had visited the mansion several times since our formal introduction. That said, the areas I was permitted to enter were strictly limited to his room, the library, the kitchen, and the gardens.
 I walked down the hallway with a nonchalant expression, acting as if I had absolutely nothing to hide. I didn't fail to offer my usual smiles and greetings to the maids I passed.

 "Excuse me..."

 I opened the door to Pawbert’s room, calling out softly just in case. I felt a wave of relief to find it empty. If his "other woman" had been in here, it would have been an absolute nightmare.
 "I don't have anything to hide from you, so feel free to do whatever you like," he had told me the first time I visited. I had laughed it off, saying I wasn't the type to prying or be possessive, but he went out of his way to show me that none of his drawers were locked, opening them one by one to prove it.
 He had always been completely sincere with me. To suspect him of cheating... I really must be losing my mind.

 —And yet, now, one of the drawers was locked.

 My heart gave a violent thud against my ribs. I knew I shouldn't, but I had a terrible premonition. It wasn't just about an affair; it felt like something much bigger... something I’d regret forever if I chose to ignore it now.

 (Does he carry the key with him? ...Even if he does, there must be a spare somewhere.)

 He wouldn't hide it where he might forget it; it had to be something he looked at every day. I scanned the room, my eyes searching for anything that stood out. They landed on the photo frame on his bedside table. It was a picture of us, taken by one of the onlookers during his proposal in the park. We were both there, our faces crumpled into messy smiles of embarrassment and joy. I had the exact same photo displayed in my own apartment.
 I didn't know for sure, but my intuition screamed that this was it. I picked up the frame, flipped it over, and fumbled with the metal tabs.

 Clink.

 A small key slid out from the gap between the photo and the backing board. I was terrified of my own premonitions coming true. Still, driven by the need to know, I inserted the key into the drawer’s lock with a trembling hand.

 "Letters?"

 What caught my eye first was a letter made of clipped-out magazine letters. It looked so much like a cliché ransom note or a formal challenge that I almost felt a sense of anticlimax.

 "Show me the 'Lynxley Journal' displayed at the Gala. ...Gary De' Snake... A snake?!"

 Beneath the oldest letter, several others followed. Since Pawbert’s own sent letters were with the recipient, I couldn't know the full details, but I could piece together their exchange from the replies.

 Pawbert was planning to smuggle Gary into Zootopia.
 The true mastermind behind the Weather Wall was Gary’s great-grandmother, and the two of them were trying to bring that truth to light.
 Ebenezer had murdered a maid and pinned the crime on Gary’s great-grandmother.

 "Is this... is this why Pawbert has been acting so strange lately?"

 Getting the motorcycle license was to make transporting Gary easier. The increased correspondence was for coordinating with Gary, who was outside the country. It all made sense. But I felt there was more to it. Suspecting another motive, I searched the drawer one more time. There, in the very back, was a small box.
 Several syringes of snake venom and an injector. The tip of the injector was a needle fashioned to look like a snake’s fang. Ebenezer, who had framed a snake—and now, this poison right in front of me. I wasn't young or naive enough to misunderstand what this implied. —Pawbert is going to betray Gary. He’s planning something terrible.

 "Ah... so you saw it?"

 My mind was so flooded with the worst possible scenarios that I hadn't even noticed Pawbert had returned to the room.

 "?! Paw—"

 He cut me off by covering my mouth and pinning me down onto the bed. No matter how much I thrashed, he held both my wrists above my head with one hand, and the weight of him pinning me down made it impossible to move.

 "Going through my drawers without permission... I did say you could, but I never imagined you'd actually find the key."
 "Mmph! Mmph!"
 "Ahaha, there’s no point in struggling when I'm covering your mouth. ...If you promise to be quiet, I'll let go."

 With tears in my eyes, I nodded frantically, promising to stay silent.

 "Wh-why...? Why are you doing this...?"

 I looked up at Pawbert as he hovered over me, my voice trembling.

 "I’m going to find the original patent and destroy it. Once I do, my family’s secret will finally be buried in the shadows forever. ...Then, my family will finally accept me as one of them—as an equal!"

 Afraid of being different, striving to be the same as everyone else... the Pawbert before me had reverted to the man he was before we met. It felt as if all the time we’d spent together, everything we’d built, had simply vanished. The sheer sorrow and frustration of it made tears spill from my eyes.

 "It’s okay to be different from the others...! Because we’re different, being together expands our world... you can be yourself, and I can be myself. It was you, and no one else, that I fell in love with!"

 His grip on my arms tightened. With his brow furrowed and his lips bitten shut, he looked like he was on the verge of breaking down.

 "To make you happy, I have to be accepted by my family first! Because if you ended up being mocked or looked down upon by my family... or by the world, all because of me... I couldn't bear it!"

 Tears overflowed from his eyes, dripping onto my face and soaking the fur on my cheeks. Releasing my hands, Pawbert pulled me into a crushing embrace.

 "It’s for your sake... You understand, don't you?"

 He whispered into my ear, his voice thick with desperation.

 "For my sake...? For my sake, you’re going to betray someone? And if anyone tries to get in your way, you’re going to kill them...?"
 "…! It can't be helped. For us, for you and me—"

 I didn't wait to hear the rest of his answer. Gathering every ounce of my strength, I shoved him away.

 "Don't touch me! ...I don't ever want to see your face again!"

 With that, I bolted from the room. I’d left my bag and my phone back in his room, but luckily, my wallet was still in my pocket. I hailed a taxi and fled back to my apartment like a fugitive.
 The moment I got inside, I collapsed onto my bed and wailed. By the time I finally looked up, both the world outside and my room were shrouded in darkness, and my sheets were soaked with tears. The reflection in the mirror was hideous—a face so wrecked I couldn't bear to look at it.

 (I can't go to work looking like this. Thank god tomorrow is my day off. ...I left my phone behind, too. I’ll have to get a new contract.)

 Even in a moment like this, a part of my mind remained strangely calm. I wondered if I was actually the type to bounce back surprisingly fast.

 (…Right. I should probably move out, too.)

 I didn't know if Pawbert would come to see me after the way I’d rejected him and bolted. But there were too many memories of him here—too many to let me forget.
 I grabbed a trash bag to start clearing out the clutter, tossing his things in one after another. Our matching mugs, his toothbrush, his clothes. As I worked with such cold efficiency, a self-deprecating smile flickered across my lips. Maybe I really am a cold-hearted woman.
 ...And yet, when my hands touched the photo from the proposal and that pressed-flower ring, the dam broke. Tears overflowed once again, and I couldn't stop them.

 "I really did love you so much..."

 Clutching the photo and the pressed flowers to my chest, I sat alone and wept until my tears finally ran dry.

 A month has passed since then.
 I’ve decided on a new place, but it will be a while longer before the movers can come. For now, I’ve taken only the bare essentials and am staying in a monthly furnished apartment near my office as a temporary home.
 I’m not a teenager anymore. I let my sobbing end on that fateful day and have returned to my usual daily routine. Fortunately, I had only told my parents about the engagement, so there hasn't been any awkward change in the way people around me treat me. My life has simply reverted to the days before I met Pawbert. That’s all there is to it.
 The only thing that weighs on my mind is his plan. I debated whether to report it to the ZPD, but ultimately decided against it. My reasoning was simple: even if I did, the evidence would surely have been moved by now. Besides, even if it were in Pawbert’s private room, there’s no way Milton Lynxley would ever permit a house search. I could only assume that with the Lynxley family’s power, any report would be hushed up instantly.
 The Lynxley influence is no joke. Their reach extends through both the legitimate world and the criminal underworld. That is the kind of clan they are.
 Thinking of that, it makes me wonder even more why they ever proposed a match with me. In the end, I never got to ask Pawbert, so the answer will remain in the shadows forever.

 (No, no. Don't think about what’s over!)

 To change my mood, I absentmindedly turned on the TV. But of course, the screen showed none other than the Lynxley estate. Grimacing, I reached for the remote to change the channel.

"...But tonight we put our differences aside and celebrate at the Zootennial Gala, where the Lynxley Journal, will be on display for the first time in a century, following an infamous reptile attack.

 At the reporter's words and the footage of the venue, my hand froze.

 (Right... the Zootennial Gala is tonight...)

 That meant the plan Pawbert and Gary made... and Pawbert’s own secret plan... both were likely set into motion today.
 I am probably the only person who knows.

—And the only one who can stop him from hurting someone.

 The emerald green gala dress I couldn't bring myself to throw away because it felt like a waste. I never imagined it would actually see the light of day.

 "It’s not like I’m going there to see Pawbert or anything. Right. I just want to prevent a crime from happening, that’s all."

 With no one there to hear me, I repeated my excuses over and over as I reached for the dress.

＊＊＊

 The Lynxley estate, adorned with radiant lights and the echoing voice of Gazelle, was more magnificent than ever. I moved stealthily along the red carpet, hoping to blend in with the sea of invited guests and slip inside.

 "Your invitation, please."

 As expected, the security was tight. Without an invitation in hand, I was stopped at the entrance by a mouse working the reception.

 "Oh, um... now where did I put it?"

 I made a show of rummaging through my clutch bag. Suspecting something was off, the mouse signaled to a nearby ZPD hippopotamus officer on guard duty.

 "ZPD Officer Bloats. Is there a problem here?"
 "This young lady doesn't seem to have her invitation."

 I found myself surrounded by Officer Bloats and her partner. At this rate, instead of infiltrating, I was going to be hauled off as a suspicious intruder by her. Even if the misunderstanding were cleared up quickly, what if the journal was stolen in the meantime?

 "…Ms. Minette?"
 "Ah..."
 
 Just then, a sheep butler happened to be passing by. His eyes widened in rare surprise when he spotted me, and he hurried over.

 "She is an associate of the Lynxley family. You may let her through without issue."
 "Our apologies, then."

 With a polite nod to the mouse and Officer Bloats, I stepped into the Lynxley estate for the first time in a month.
 I was grateful to have been saved from being escorted away, but running into someone so close to the family right at the start was a stroke of bad luck.

 "I had begun to think we wouldn't see you here again."
 "Well, I thought so too..."
 "After you left that day, Master Pawbert was deeply distressed."

 The fact that Pawbert had been pining for me made my chest ache slightly, but I kept my voice neutral as I gave a short, "I see."

 "It may be untoward of me to speak this way about the family I serve... but none of them truly care for Master Pawbert."

 I had only met them once, but the way they treated him was vivid in my mind. If they were like that in public, it was easy to imagine how much colder they were behind closed doors.

 "You were his only support. I know I am overstepping my bounds, but... would you consider staying by his side?"

 I love him. ...No, I loved him.
 The man who can't even recognize that committing a crime is wrong isn't the Pawbert I fell for. But, if I could stop him, and if he could go back to the way he was before—

 "…I’ll think about it. It was good to see you today. Have a pleasant evening."

 There was no point in dwelling on "what-ifs." Giving the butler a noncommittal answer, I left him behind and headed deeper into the hall.
 The Lynxley Journal was on display at the far end of the hall, perched atop a raised stage. Surrounding the glass-domed journal were several snow leopards in black suits and sunglasses. I wondered if I should advise them to increase security even now. As I kept darting my eyes toward the stage, a rabbit caught my attention, skipping light-footedly up the stairs.

 (No way...! Officer Hopps?!)

 She was dressed in a vibrant yellow gown, but there was no mistaking her. It was definitely Officer Judy Hopps. Could it be that she knew the journal was being targeted and had come to provide security? If it was the same officer who had captured former Mayor Bellwether and cracked the case, she would surely be able to prevent anything from happening. If the journal remained safe, Pawbert’s plan would fail. He wouldn't have to get his hands dirty. With that faint glimmer of hope, my eyes followed her.

 "Pawbert...!"

 Then, Pawbert appeared on the stage as well. Seeing him for the first time in a while, his fur looked somewhat dull, and he seemed thinner to my eyes. He was wearing a green suit—a matching set to mine. When we bought them together, I never imagined things would turn out like this. My heart ached with another sharp pang of grief. But this was no time for sentimentality.

 —Pawbert and Judy had made contact.

 The two of them glanced toward the journal, seemingly engaged in a pleasant conversation.

 Does she know Pawbert is after the journal?
 Or is it just a coincidence?
 Is Pawbert on guard because she’s a police officer?

 I watched the scene unfold with bated breath, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Milton, Cattrick, and Kitty appeared on stage, ushered Pawbert away, and that seemed to be the end of it.

 (What should I do? Should I keep following Pawbert's movements? Or would it be better to stay and watch the journal?)

 After much hesitation, I chose to stay at the venue. I had a feeling that Gary—the snake—would show up to steal the journal.
 Following Mayor Wind-Dancer’s speech, Milton began his address. It was then that someone draped in a red cloak suddenly dropped from the ceiling onto the stage. Emerging from the cloak was—a snake. It had to be Gary. Everyone froze in shock, lost for words. It was no wonder; even I, who had anticipated his arrival, forgot to breathe at the sight of my first-ever snake. The silence was shattered by Mayor Wind-Dancer’s scream.

 "There’s a SNAKE!"
 That shout triggered an immediate panic throughout the hall. Amidst the chaos, Gary—clutching both Milton and the journal in its case—slithered skillfully through the crowd, with Judy hot on his heels. A split second later, I started running too.
I knew that if I showed my face, it would only complicate things. Instead, I slipped into the room adjacent to where Gary had fled. I pressed my ear against the wall, listening intently to the exchange leaking through the half-open door.
 I had to grasp the situation through sound alone, but the result was chaotic: Judy and Nick ended up seizing the journal and making their escape. Then, someone on a motorcycle swept in, picked up Gary, and sped away. Though their face was hidden by a helmet, I knew without a doubt it was Pawbert.
 I quietly slipped out of the room, careful not to be noticed, and left the Lynxley estate behind. Back at my temporary apartment, I stripped off the constricting gown. I filled the bathtub and tried to plan my next move while warming my body.

 (Officer Hopps and her partner getting the journal was an unexpected twist.)

 Pawbert must be thinking the same thing. If so, he and Gary will surely go after Judy and Nick. This means that if I can track Judy's trail, I will inevitably find Pawbert—and maybe, just maybe, I can stop him. But how was I supposed to find out where Judy was hiding?
 Stepping out of the bath, I turned on the TV while drying my fur with a towel. Every channel was broadcasting breaking news about the incident at the Gala. A snake attack for the first time in a hundred years. The fact that Zootopia’s heroes, Judy and Nick, were allegedly involved was so sensational that the media was in a feeding frenzy. The ZPD was likely putting all their resources into apprehending them at this very moment.

 "That’s it!"
 
 The fastest way to reach Judy—was through the ZPD. Fortunately, through my work, I had a few minor connections within the police force. If I used them wisely, I might be able to stop Pawbert. Better yet, I might even be able to recover the journal before anyone else. There was no time to lose. I got dressed immediately and headed for ZPD Headquarters.
 With an incident involving all of Zootopia unfolding, the outside of the ZPD was swarming with cameras and reporters eager to deliver the news first, even though midnight had long since passed. I pushed my way through the crowd. Inside the station, scores of officers were rushing to and fro, looking frantic. However, since it was an hour when few civilians would visit, the person I was looking for was sitting all by himself, leisurely munching on a donut.

 "Good evening, Clawhauser."
 "Minette! Wow, it’s been a while! How’ve you been?"
 "I've been... alright, I guess. And you?"
 "As you can see, I'm super busy! ...Well, everyone else around me is. I'm just my usual self."

 He offered me the box, asking if I wanted a donut, but I laughed and declined.

 "Actually, I need some help from the ZPD... specifically from you, for a case I'm handling right now."
 "Ooh! What kind of case is it?"

 Clawhauser leaned eagerly over the reception desk, his curiosity piqued.

 "I can't say much because of confidentiality... but listen, could you let me see the footage from the officers' body cams? Real-time, if possible."
 "For you? That’s a piece of cake! This way, come on, follow me."

 Clawhauser waddled along, leading me to a space tucked away in the back of the IT department. Although it was within the same ZPD facility, it was dark and quiet here—a perfect place to work undisturbed.

 "Feel free to use the coffee machine! Well then, enjoy~!"

 Once the bubbly Clawhauser left the room, the only sound remaining was the rhythmic clack-clack-clack of keys being tapped. After a small, polite nod to the other technicians in the room, I took a seat.

 (Now then... I'm pretty sure the officer I saw back then was called Hogbottom... There she is.)

 I clicked on her feed. It appeared she was back at the station now, holding a strategy meeting with her team. Hippos, goats, and zebras surrounded her. They would likely be tracking Judy’s whereabouts all through the night.
 I stole a glance at the clock on the wall.

—2:30 AM.

 This was normally the time I’d be asleep. The silence and the clicking of keys were more than enough to invite drowsiness. Taking Clawhauser up on his offer, I decided to help myself to some coffee.

＊＊＊

 It wasn’t until morning that the ZPD officers finally made a move.

"The rabbit and the fox are at Marsh Market!"

It seemed Captain Hogbottom was issuing orders to the force in place of Chief Bogo, who was currently hospitalized.

 "Marsh Market. Makes sense," I muttered. Indeed, Judy and Nick had no way of knowing Pawbert and Gary’s full plan. It wasn't strange for them to visit Marsh Market to dig up information on the snake. Pawbert and his associate likely anticipated that Judy and Nick would head there as well.

 (I have to get there, fast.)

 I grabbed my bag, thanked Clawhauser, and hurried out of the ZPD. I hailed a nearby taxi and told the driver to head for Marsh Market.

 "Lady, are you sure that’s the right place?"

 The otter driving the cab looked at me through the rearview mirror with a worried expression after hearing the destination. 
 "Yes, that’s correct..." I replied, fastening my seatbelt. I felt a slight tug of unease at his question, but since he didn't press further, I didn't give it much thought. The gentle vibration of the car coaxed my suppressed drowsiness back to the surface, and I leaned against the seat to doze off.
 After several dozen minutes, the car slowed down and pulled over to the curb. I woke up at the driver’s call, paid the fare, and gathered my things to get out.

 "Thank you."
 "…Look, this might be none of my business, but please be careful."

 The driver gave me one last concerned look before closing the door and pulling away. Before I could ask what he meant, the taxi had already vanished into the morning rush hour traffic.
 As I walked into the district with the "Marsh Market" sign flickering in the corner of my eye, I immediately experienced firsthand what the driver had been trying to warn me about. People stealing glares at me, others whispering under their breath—I was being pelted with hostility from every direction.

 "Scouting the Tundra Town expansion, are we, baby?"

 A pair of hippos leaning against the bar counter sneered as they called out to me. Knowing that getting involved would only lead to trouble, I tried to ignore them and pass through the bar, but the two of them blocked my path.

 "What, you won't talk to us because waterfolk are beneath you?"
 "No! I've never thought that!"
 "I wonder about your leader, Milton Lynxley, though. He’s planning to tear this place down, yet the man won't even step foot here because he can't stand to breathe the same air."

 Sandwiched between the two, both far larger than myself, I found I had nowhere to run. I searched the room for help, but no one moved. Their eyes all said the same thing: This is your fault.

 "We’ve got no personal grudge against you, sweetheart, but don't take it personally. Being a lynx is just your bad luck—"
 "You two, what are you doing?"
 "Gah! Higgins and Bloats!"

 I let out a long sigh of relief as the ZPD uniforms caught my eye. After shooting a stern glare at the thugs, Bloats—the female officer—turned her attention toward me.

 "Are you all right? ...Wait, you’re that lady from the Lynxley family."

 She likely remembered meeting me at the Gala entrance the night before.

 "Hello again. And thank you... for helping me."

 I offered my thanks to Bloats. Behind her, the officer called Higgins was lecturing the two thugs, but they continued to raise their voices, snapping at me.

 "Hey, lady! So you are a Lynxley? I knew it! You really do look down on us, don't you?! Huh?!"
 "I don't look down on you! I... I have nothing to do with the Lynxleys anymore!"

 That was the truth—I had no connection to them now. The denial burst out of me louder than I intended.

 "…I’m sorry. I’m in a hurry."

 With that, I hurried away, but Bloats followed close behind.

 "Wait. It's too dangerous for you to be walking this district alone right now."

 Her voice was low and controlled. She wasn't scolding or threatening; she was simply stating a fact. Her words reminded me of the piercing stares I was still receiving from every direction.

 "…Is it because I’m a lynx?"

 My voice was surprisingly small. Bloats hesitated for a split second, then nodded slowly.

 "I can't deny that. To begin with, many of the waterfolk here don't have the warmest feelings toward landies"
 "But why...?"

 It wasn't that I couldn't accept it; it was that the reason hadn't even occurred to me.

 "There’s no point in me telling you this, but... I suppose it's because many landies see us and the reptiles as 'lesser'."

 She didn't sound accusatory or angry. Her tone was matter-of-fact, which only made it feel more painfully real.

 "…I never once thought of it that way. I didn't know anyone felt like that..."

 I never thought of it. I didn't know.

 The fact that I hadn't known meant that, until now, I had never needed to know.
 Bloats lowered her eyes slightly.

 "To the people here, that mindset is exactly what makes you look like you're 'from the land side'. ...Alright, you should be safe from here on. That area back there is one of the rougher parts of Marsh Market."
 "…Thank you."

 With a wave of her hand, Bloats headed back toward Higgins. I wondered if this place was home for her, too. If it was, it wouldn't have been strange for her to hate me. I watched her receding back, wondering what had gone through her mind as she chose to save me.
 In history class, I learned that this place was separated when Zootopia was built. To me, it was never anything more or less than a historical fact. But now, I can’t help but think—is that really the truth? They separated them... no, they discriminated against the watergfolk, treating them as something "other." And now, they’re trying to bury this place in snow, completely ignoring the lives being lived here.
 For a while, I stood at the entrance of Marsh Market, silently gazing at the town.

 (...I should probably go find Officer Hopps and Wild now.)

 The moment that thought crossed my mind and I took a step forward—

 "A snake!" a voice screamed, followed by frantic cries in the distance.
 A snake... if Gary was here, that meant Pawbert was here too. The commotion seemed to be coming from the direction of the tubes. Swallowing my rising anxiety, I hurried toward the scene.

 "Excuse me! Let me through! Sorry, please!"
 
 By the time I pushed through the crowd and reached the tubes, Gary was already gone. Judy, Nick... and Pawbert were nowhere to be seen.

 "A rabbit and a fox chased the snake into the Red Line..."
 "They won't be able to breathe... those poor things..."

 I could hear the onlookers whispering around me.
Normally, they would have suffocated. But I couldn't imagine Judy and Nick dying like that. Those two were quick-witted; they must have found an emergency exit valve and hopped off somewhere along the way.
 The ZPD seemed to share my intuition. They were questioning an otter—the Red Line supervisor—about whether there were any signs of an emergency exit valve being opened. I crept closer to eavesdrop on their conversation.

 "A valve five kilometers from Copenhoofen was opened just seconds ago!"

 The otter pointed to a flashing red spot on the monitor.

 "You heard him! The rabbit and the fox are near Copenhoofen! Move! Get the cars going now!"

 Captain Hoggbottom barked orders into her radio to the other teams before sprinting off with her boar partner.
 I slipped through the crowd unnoticed and stepped outside the Marsh Market. Captain Hoggbottom and her team piled into their police vehicles, disappearing in an instant with sirens wailing. Finally, I managed to hail a taxi and told the driver to head toward Copenhoofen as fast as possible.

 "Any specific spot?"
 "Um... if you could drive along the Red Line to a point about five kilometers before the station, that would be great."

 I fastened my seatbelt as I gave the instructions to the driver, an elderly goat.

 "Five kilometers out, eh? Ah, that’s right around Honeymoon Lodge."
 "Honeymoon Lodge...?"

 The name felt familiar. I repeated it quietly, trying to place where I’d seen it recently.

 "It’s an abandoned lodge now. ...Just between us, they say it used to be a hideout for snakes back in the day."

 Was it just a coincidence that Judy and Nick escaped the tube there? I couldn't say for sure, but with Judy’s uncanny instinct for trouble, I could practically see her stopping there.

 "Please make that our destination!"
 "You got it. Leave it to me."

 The goat driver flipped on his blinker and pulled away.

 "Sightseeing?"
 "Haha... yeah, something like that."

 If only it were actually for sightseeing. I couldn't very well tell him I was trying to prevent a crime. I gave a strained smile and played along.

 "Honeymoon Lodge is a ghost town now, but not too long ago, it was exactly what the name suggests—a place where newlyweds went for their honeymoons. Truth be told, I spent my own honeymoon there with my wife decades ago."
 "That’s... lovely."

 It was a painful topic for me right now, and I could only manage a polite, hollow response. However, I didn't want to make things awkward in the cramped space of the taxi, so I tried to keep the conversation going.

 "...Is there anything around the lodge?"
 "Nothing at all. But there are fields of flowers stretching out everywhere. It’s truly a sight to behold."

 Honeymoon Lodge and flowers.
 Finally, I realized why the name rang a bell.

 "And the name of those flowers is—"
 "Liebenflower (The Flower of Love)..."

 The single flower Pawbert had slipped onto my ring finger that day in place of a ring. When I had opened a guidebook to find out its name, I must have seen Honeymoon Lodge listed as its habitat. It had only been recently, yet it felt like a lifetime ago.
 Pawbert—unreliable at times, but so kind, the one who swore to cherish me above all else.

 —"To make you happy, I have to be accepted by my family first! Because if you ended up being mocked or looked down upon by my family... or by the world, all because of me... I couldn't bear it!"

 (Pawbert... what made you start thinking that way?)

 I didn’t know what had caused Pawbert to change so much. But he said he was doing it for me—even if it wasn't what I wanted. And yet, I had rejected his ideas and run out of the room that day without even trying to listen.

 I didn’t know what he was truly feeling deep down.
 ...No, it was more than that.

 The fact that there are still people being discriminated against today.
 The way those people feel.

 It wasn’t that I didn’t know; it was that I never tried to know. Today alone has made me realize that more painfully than ever. I felt so pathetic that tears began to well up in my eyes.

 "You know the Liebenflower, don't you, young lady? Did someone special give it to you once?"

 The driver caught me giving a small nod in the rearview mirror and offered a warm, gentle smile.

 "Then I’m sure that person must love you very much."
 "But... I didn't try to truly understand him... I’m a terrible fiancée..."

 Every time I opened my mouth, the tears I’d been holding back spilled over. Once they started, they flowed like a dam had burst.

 "It’s m-my fault he changed...! What if... what if I’m too late!?"

 By the time I reached Marsh Market, they were already gone.
 What if I’m too late again?
 What if he’s already hurt someone?

 Despite my sudden, childlike sobbing, the driver continued to smile kindly at me through the mirror.

 "Then you just have to chase after him again. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to chase after my own wife. Those were the days."

 As if reminiscing about the past, the driver narrowed his eyes with fondness and joy. His gentle aura and words seemed to loosen the knot that had been tightening in my chest.

 If I don't make it in time, it’s all over.

 I had been bound by that thought, sprinting forward at a breakneck pace. I was convinced that if I tripped once, I’d never be able to get back up.

 If I’m not in time, I’ll just chase him again.
 If I don't know something, I’ll just try to learn it.

 I finally realized something so simple and obvious.

 "...Is it too late to try and really talk to him, even now?"
 "Of course not."
 "...Even if it's 'too late,' can we start over?"
 "As long as you have the will to start over, you can make anything work."

 The goat driver probably thought he was just giving advice on a lover's spat. He had no way of knowing what Pawbert was planning or what I was trying to stop. Perhaps that’s why his words were able to lighten my heart so much.

 "Oh my... goodness gracious."

 The goat driver’s eyes widened as the Honeymoon Lodge finally came into view. I looked up at the cliff from the window and was speechless at the sight of the wreckage. It must have been an old building to begin with, but the destruction was horrific. There was no doubt now—Judy and the others had been here, and something major had happened.

 "This is fine, you can stop here. ...Thank you for listening to me."

 I paid the fare and thanked the driver as I stepped out. Even if I was too late again this time, it was okay. I would just keep chasing him as many times as it took.
 I hurried up the path leading to the Honeymoon Lodge. Getting out of the taxi had been the right call. Waiting there were the ZPD, a captured Nick... and the Lynxley family. If I had arrived right in front of them in a taxi, they would have spotted me instantly. I crouched behind a thicket and quietly watched the scene unfold.

 "Where are they, Mr. Wilde?"

 Milton questioned Nick, who was locked inside an animal control vehicle, but Nick remained silent. Looking irritated, Milton turned to give orders to Cattrick, who was standing nearby.

"Begin the expansion, freeze Marsh Market, flush everyone out. Waterfolk, like foxes, are lesser mammals. If I say they helped a dangerous snake, no one will care what we do."

 Bloats’s words echoed in my mind.
 —"Many landies see us and the reptiles as 'lesser'."

 The Tundra Town expansion project that the Lynxleys were pushing for... I had assumed there was some greater purpose behind it. Now I finally understood—there never was one. I bit my lip in frustration.

 "Dad. Fur... from whoever’s helping the bunny and the snake."

 Kitty showed Milton an evidence bag containing grey and black fur. I knew at a glance it was Pawbert’s. So he had been at the Honeymoon Lodge. He must have taken Judy and fled the scene.
 If that was the case, I was the only one who could get Nick released. Our ultimate goals might be different, but we were heading for the same destination. I might be able to find a way for us to cooperate.
 The animal control vehicle was likely headed toward Sahara Square, where the Zootopia jail is located. If I started the paperwork immediately, I might be able to do something. But just as I went to leave the thicket, a dry branch snapped under my foot, the sound echoing through the air.

 "Who's there!?"

 As Milton whipped around toward me, Cattrick and Kitty grabbed my arms and dragged me out from behind the bushes. I was forced to my knees in front of Milton, pinned down by the two of them.

 "Well, isn't this perfect? Miss Lincell—I assume you’re aware of Pawbert’s little scheme. Otherwise, I see no reason for you to be here."

With a cloying, oily voice, Milton knelt in front of me, grabbing my chin to force my gaze upward.

 (They don’t know. They don't know what Pawbert is actually planning.)

 Pawbert had said he was doing it for me, for his family. He intended to burn the patent to finally earn their respect. Knowing his family would never listen, he must have been moving forward with his plan in total silence. Feeling the weight of his isolation hit me all at once, making my chest ache.
 If I revealed his plan to the Lynxleys now, they would surely lend him a hand. They might even finally "accept" him. But if I did that, Gary’s family and all reptiles would be misunderstood forever. And Pawbert would have to live the rest of his life carrying the weight of that sin.

 "Didn't you know? Our engagement has been called off. I came here because I’m on my own mission... to bring the 'truth of the journal' to light."

 I glared at Milton, speaking with a deliberately provocative edge. At the mention of "the truth of the journal," the Lynxleys exchanged wary glances.

 "It seems no matter how far we go, a Lincell will always be an obstacle to us Lynxleys. Fine then. We have much to interrogate you about. I’ll keep you alive until then."

 "Put her in the trunk," Milton barked. Before I knew it, Cattrick and Kitty had hauled me up and shoved me into the trunk of their limousine.

＊＊＊

 It was already dusk by the time we arrived at the Lynxley estate.
 I was taken to Pawbert’s room. Cattrick and Kitty roughly threw me onto the floor, ransacked my bag and pockets, and snatched away my phone—no doubt to prevent me from calling my family or the ZPD for help.
 Just before closing the door, the two of them looked down at me with cold eyes.

 "So, if you’ve called off the engagement with Pawbert, how about me? You’re young and cute. If you change your mind and stop defying the Lynxleys, you’re welcome in my arms anytime."

 Cattrick leered at me with a smirk, making Kitty grimace in disgust.

 "Stop it, Cattrick. She’s our brother’s ex. Have you no pride? ...Besides, I was against a Lincell from the start. Especially her—"

 They continued their conversation as they slammed the door shut, the sound of the lock clicking into place echoing behind them.
 I pushed myself up off the floor and threw my weight against the door as a last resort, but this was the Lynxley mansion after all. The door didn’t budge an inch. Rubbing my sore shoulder, I had no choice but to sink onto the bed.
 Wondering what to do, I let myself fall backward. Suddenly, I was enveloped in Pawbert’s scent. Despite the situation, the overwhelming sense of nostalgia made me bury my face in the sheets.
 As I looked up, my eyes caught a framed photo of us on the bedside table. Even though I had rejected him and walked out that day, he was still treasuring our memories. The thought made my chest tighten.
 Just as I reached for the photo, something else caught my eye and made me freeze. It was the bag I had left behind.

 (Wait, my old phone might be in here!)

 I pulled out the phone, but the battery was dead, so I hurriedly plugged it into a charging cable. After a few moments, the screen flickered to life. I tried to call the ZPD, but then it hit me—

 "I canceled the plan... it won't work..."

 I had deactivated this phone when I got my new one. Now it was nothing more than an expensive paperweight; I couldn't call for help. Desperate for any solution, I tapped aimlessly at the screen.

 (Wait... there’s a voicemail?)

 I tapped the notification. It was a message Pawbert had left before the service was cut off. He must have called before realizing I’d left my phone behind. Checking the date, it was from just minutes after I had bolted out of the room that day. Heart pounding, I played the message with trembling fingers, wondering what he had tried to tell me.

 "Minette! I'm so sorry for scaring you earlier...! But I really was thinking of you... I truly love you! You don't have to understand right away... just, please, let me talk to you in person."

 (Pawbert... he was trying to talk to me too...)

 The goat driver’s words echoed in my mind.
 —As long as you have the will to start over, you can make anything work.

 We can still fix this. I’m sure of it. Once that thought took hold, I couldn't sit still for another second. I had to escape this room, no matter what.
 The door was a dead end—I’d already confirmed that. What about the window? It wasn't locked, but this was the third floor. Even with the snow outside and my physical abilities as a lynx, there was no guarantee I’d land safely.
I scanned the room, searching for anything I could use.

 "This is it!"

 I stripped the sheets and curtains, tearing them into long, ragged strips. My plan was to braid them into a makeshift rope and escape through the window. Tear, tie, repeat. I worked in silence, focused entirely on the task.
 I’m not sure how much time passed, but just as the rope reached about half the length I needed, there was a knock at the door.

 "Lady Minette? It is I. How are you feeling?"

 I heard the turn of a key, and the sheep butler stepped into the room. No doubt Milton had sent him to check if I was behaving. If he saw the rope, I was finished. I hurriedly shoved it under the bed. The butler looked around at the messy room, then noticed the rope peeking out from beneath the bed. He sighed and shook his head, picking up the clumsy cord with a troubled smile.

 "Were you planning to escape with this?"
 "I have to... I have to stop Pawbert."
 "And once you stop him... what then?"

 I clenched my fists and looked him straight in the eye.

 "I’m going to slap him for doing something I never asked for. And then... I’m going to tell him that he’s fine just the way he is. I’ll tell him that I love him for who he is—not because he’s like his family, or like me, but just as himself."

 The butler remained silent, simply watching me.

 "You truly do care for the young master, don't you?"

 He spoke softly, as if savoring the words, a genuinely happy smile spreading across his face.

 "Weren't you the one who told me, 'would you consider staying by his side'?"

 I muttered, looking away to hide my embarrassment.

 "I spoke out of turn. Please, forgive me."

 Though his words were formal, he bowed with a playful chuckle. As he stepped out and prepared to close the door, he let out a pointed "monologue," raising his voice just enough for me to hear.

 "Oh, how clumsy of me. I seem to have forgotten the key. I must go back and fetch it."

 He stole a quick glance at me, whispered a soft "Good luck," and closed the door without locking it. It was his own way of helping me, despite serving the Lynxleys. Grateful for his kindness, I stood up and quietly slipped out of the room. The fact that not a single maid was in sight told me he had cleared the hallway for me as well.
 At any rate, I had to get out of the Lynxley estate. As I crept down the long corridors of the mansion, I heard voices coming from one of the rooms. I had never stepped foot inside, but I was certain it was Milton’s study. The voices of three people and audio from a device were leaking out.

 "She’s going for the door! She’s going for the door!"

 Milton and the others were peering at a computer screen. The voice coming from it was Captain Hoggbottom’s. They must have been watching the live feed from her body camera.

 "What is in that wall?"

 Milton, seated in an armchair, turned to Cattrick and Kitty standing on either side of him.

"Power control room."
"But for like some old part of Tundratown."

 (The wall... the power control room... Pawbert and the others are at the Weather Wall in Desert Tundra Town!)

 I slipped out of the estate, "borrowed" a snowmobile, and raced toward the Wall. Upon reaching it, I found a door and headed inside. The massive hum of machinery echoed deep and loud—it seemed they had just released the exhaust heat from the giant air conditioning units toward Sahara Square. Amidst the roar, I heard Nick’s voice calling out for Judy.

 "Judy? Judy?! Nibbles? Do you see her?"

 It seemed he was searching for her with an ally. He didn’t seem to know she was in the power control room. I considered telling them, but I wasn't sure they’d trust me. Time was too precious, so I decided to head for the control room alone.
 After climbing what felt like an endless labyrinth of steel stairs, I finally spotted the "Power Control Room" sign and threw the door open.

 "Oh... no..."
There lay Judy, collapsed on the floor, and Gary, frozen and unable to move in the snow. I rushed to Judy and pulled her into my arms. Seeing the snake-like bite marks on her neck, I understood instantly.

 —Pawbert had injected her with venom.

 "Paw...bert...?"

 Judy seemed to mistake my silhouette for his. Her consciousness was fading, but she was still breathing.

 "Officer Hopps! Stay with me!"

 With unfocused eyes, Judy turned her gaze toward the monitor. I gasped at the sight on the screen. On the rooftop of the Weather Wall, Pawbert and Nick were facing off.

 "Nick..."

 Judy murmured his name like a prayer in her raspy voice. I held her small body tight.

 "It’s okay. Everything’s going to be okay...!"

 I repeated it as if to convince both Judy and myself. Then, I turned to Gary.

 "Do you have an anti-venom?"
 "Partner... Pawbert took it."

 Gary gestured with the tip of his shivering tail toward the monitor. A strange pouch was hanging from Pawbert’s waist. Through the half-open zipper, I could see several pen-like objects. One of them was shaped like a cute snake's head. That had to be the anti-venom.

 "I’ll get it. Just wait here."

 I picked Gary up and gently placed him beside Judy. Stripping off my jacket, I draped it over his frozen body, then sprinted toward the rooftop.
 The sound of my claw clanking against the steel stairs echoed sharply. My heart was pounding so hard from exhaustion and panic that the thumping seemed to fill my entire head, vibrating right against my ears.
 As I pushed open the heavy door, the scene came into view through the blizzard: Pawbert and Nick were scuffling on a jagged ice ledge jutting out over the abyss. Pawbert had Nick pinned down, a venom injector gripped in his hand.
 The moment I stepped onto the ice to rush toward them, a dull, ominous crack rang out. If I put any more weight on it, the whole thing might shatter. I recoiled, and instead, I screamed at the top of my lungs.

 "The anti-venom pen! Throw it to me! Please, it’s not too late...!"

 Judy is still alive. It's not too late—Pawbert can still turn back. At the sound of my voice, both Nick and Pawbert froze for a split second.

 "Minette...!?"

 Pawbert’s eyes widened in shock at the sight of me. In his confusion, his grip on Nick loosened. Seizing the opening, Nick snatched the anti-venom pen and tried to toss it toward me. But it was knocked away, skidding uselessly in the opposite direction... toward the very edge of the cliff.
 Cracks were spreading across the ice; it looked ready to collapse if either Nick or Pawbert moved even an inch. Despite that, the anti-venom pen continued to roll, teetering on the brink of the precipice.
 Should I dive for it, even if it brings the whole cliff down? The thought of dying—or worse, causing the deaths of Pawbert and Nick—made my legs lock up in terror.
But Nick was different. Without a second thought for his own safety, he lunged forward just to save Judy. He grabbed the pen and hurled it down toward the power control room where Gary was waiting. At that exact moment, the ground beneath Pawbert and Nick gave way with a deafening roar.

 "Quick, take my hand!"

 I reached out to Pawbert, who was trying to crawl back toward the entrance. A flash of hesitation crossed his face, but he reached out to grab my hand.
 —But he fell just short. Pawbert plummeted into the depths.

 "PAWBERT!!"

 I leaned over the railing, staring down into the vast void. The swirling snow blurred everything into a wall of white, and I gripped the cold metal until my knuckles turned white. Finally, the air cleared enough for me to spot him. True to the physical prowess of a lynx, he was alive, though he seemed to have injured his leg. Limping, he began to run toward something in the distance. Whatever he was chasing with such desperation... it had to be the real patent. He hasn't given up yet.
 I scrambled back down the stairs, desperate to catch up with Pawbert, but halfway down, I ran straight into the ZPD team who had been pursuing Judy and Gary.

 "You?! What are you doing here?"
 "Officer Bloats...!"

 Bloats, who recognized me, asked with a look of pure bewilderment. It made sense—the Weather Wall staff had long since fled or been evacuated for the investigation. My presence here was suspicious, to say the least. Torn between treating me as a victim or a suspect, the ZPD officers moved to take me into custody.

 "Please, you have to help! We have to stop the Lynxleys... we have to stop Pawbert!"

 I shook off the officer's hand and clung to Bloats, pleading with her. Startled by my near-hysterical state, she placed her hands on my shoulders to steady me, her voice softening.

 "Deep breaths. Tell me exactly what happened."

 I told her everything in one breath.
 How the original designer of the Wall was Gary’s great-grandmother. How the Lynxley family had stolen the credit and used it as a pretext to drive all reptiles out of Zootopia.
 And how the sole piece of evidence—the original patent—was about to be destroyed by Pawbert at this very moment.

 It must have been an incredible story for the ZPD officers to swallow on the spot. Yet, driven by their trust in Judy’s instincts and their awareness of the Lynxleys' abnormal obsession, they didn't dismiss my words.
 The team split up: Captain Hoggbottom and Truffler headed off to pursue Pawbert, while Bloats, Higgins, Chèvre, and Bûcheron prepared to raid the Lynxley estate.

 "Leave the rest to the ZPD. Head out toward Sahara Square; you’ll find Zebros—the zebra buddy—there. I’ll ask them to take you into protective custody."

 Bloats reached for her radio to give the order, but I grabbed her hand and looked her in the eye.
 
 "...I’ve been chasing this case the whole time. That’s why I was at Marsh Market. I’m sorry I kept it from you. But I can’t just be a bystander anymore! I’m tired of saying 'I didn’t know'..."

 I’m no hero like Judy or Nick, and I never will be. But I am a part of this... I was the spark that set Pawbert in motion. I have to see this through to the very end with my own eyes.
 Bloats hesitated, her professional pride warring with her personal feelings for a moment.

 "...Fine. But you have to promise me you’ll only watch from the sidelines."

 Shaking her head in resignation, Bloats gave me her permission to go.

 "Thank you, Officer Bloats!"

 I scrambled down the stairs and hopped onto the snowmobile I’d left outside the Wall, racing after Pawbert. Beyond the garden at the rear of the Lynxley estate, a lighthouse I had never seen before emerged from the snow. Sensing they were there, I steered the snowmobile toward it without hesitation.
 At the bottom of the lighthouse’s dim stairs lay a door. Beyond it, a vast city unfolded—as if time had frozen a hundred years ago, preserving bits of ordinary life. Laundry left out to dry, tall socks, and deckchairs set out for sunbathing. This had to be the lost city of the reptiles. Despite the urgency, the sight was so beautiful and haunting that I walked through it as if to verify every detail, burning the image into my memory. Among the buildings, a single house glowed with light. I peered at the nameplate.

 (De' Snake... this is it.)

 The real patent Pawbert was searching for had to be here, and Judy and the others surely were too. I eased the door open and slipped inside. Faint sounds drifted from a back room, and I moved toward them as if drawn by a thread.

 (Pawbert!)

 There he was, staggering unsteadily toward the room. And right behind him were Hoggbottom and Truffler, watching for the perfect moment to apprehend him—likely waiting for a decisive act to catch him red-handed.
 Pawbert stood at the entrance of the room and hurled the oil lamp he was carrying into the interior.

 "I’M GOING TO BURN IT ALL TO THE GROUND! I’M A REAL LYNXLEY!!! HAHAHAHAHA—"

 As Pawbert let out a triumphant laugh, Hoggbottom knocked him flat from behind with a frying pan. Pawbert lost consciousness and slumped forward onto the floor. The oil lamp he’d thrown sputtered out quickly, leaving the patent unharmed. I breathed a long sigh of relief.
 Before Hoggbottom and the others could move in to restrain him, I knelt quietly beside Pawbert’s limp form. Looking at him—unconscious and completely worn out—I gave a troubled, lopsided smile, my eyebrows knitting together in pity.

 "Honestly... you went and passed out before I even got the chance to slap you."

 And just like that, the case was finally brought to a close.

 "---And that’s why, in the end, I couldn't really do anything. I didn't put my life on the line or contribute to solving the case like Officer Hopps and the others did. When you look at the big picture, I was just running around all over Zootopia."

 Inside an interrogation room at the ZPD headquarters.
A few hours had passed since the incident, and Minette was being questioned as a witness. Facing Officer Bloats, who had become a familiar face by now, Minette had no choice but to lay everything bare. Because she was being grilled about her connection to the Lynxleys, she had to go all the way back to the beginning—starting with how the arranged marriage with Pawbert had been brought to her. And now, she had finally finished recounting the events up to the case’s conclusion.

 "Don't ever do anything this dangerous again. And from now on... if anything happens, you consult the ZPD immediately. Understood?"

 Having finished the report, Bloats pressed her fingers against the bridge of her nose, looking at Minette with a mix of exasperation and disbelief. She likely had a mountain of things she wanted to say, but there was no point in dwelling on the past. In reality, Minette hadn't participated in any crime, nor had she committed one. At most, she was a private citizen who had overstepped her bounds. In fact, considering she had been kidnapped and confined by the Lynxley family, she was technically a victim.

 "I'm very sorry..."

 Seeing Minette hunch her shoulders in dejection, Bloats’s expression finally softened.

 "That concludes the paperwork. You’re free to go. It’s been a long day; you should get some rest."

 It was a generous offer, but Minette still had one thing left to do. She might not have been the one to solve the crime, but taking care of the aftermath was, in a sense, Minette’s "true calling."

 "I’d love to do that, truly... but could you let me go to the holding cells first?"
 "I’m sorry, but I can’t let you see Pawbert Lynxley—wait, you don't mean..."

 Bloats stared at Minette as if she were seeing her for the first time. She hurriedly flipped back through the pages of the official report, her eyes darting between a specific line and Minette’s face. That line was the "Occupation" field.

 "Yes. I will be acting as his defense attorney."

 Minette Lincell.
 ---She was a lawyer.

 The reason she was already on familiar terms with Clawhauser was simple: she was a lawyer.
 Officer Bloats let out another exasperated sigh, stood up from her chair, and gave a reluctant "Follow me." Leaving the interrogation room, Minette walked behind Bloats through the corridors of the ZPD, heading toward the holding cells. They stopped in front of a door that looked little different from the room they had just left.

 "Alright, I’ll be right outside. Call me if anything happens. Understood?"

 With that, Bloats opened the door to the visitation room for Minette.

 "Minette...?! Is it really you?"

 The moment he saw her, Pawbert bolted upright, dragging his injured leg as he scrambled toward her. He looked as if he couldn't believe she had actually come to see him; the hand he reached out to touch her shoulder was trembling violently.

 "Pawbert..."

 Minette slowly reached her hand toward his face—and then—

 SLAP!

 She gave him a full-force strike across the cheek.

 "Huh? Wh-what?"
 "You idiot! You big, stupid idiot!"

 Thanks to the thick fur characteristic of a lynx acting as a cushion, her heartfelt slap didn't do much physical damage. However, the sheer shock of being struck left Pawbert wide-eyed and speechless. Minette then dove into his chest, her small fists beginning to rain frantic, rhythmic thumps against him.

 "You said you did it for me, but I never asked for any of that! Do you have any idea how terrified I was? Thinking you might kill someone... or that you might die yourself! I was so scared!"
 "I... I'm so sorry..."
 "If 'sorry' fixed everything, we wouldn't need the ZPD!"

 Minette glared up at him from his chest, leaving Pawbert completely flustered. His hands hovered awkwardly in the air, unsure of where to land or what to do. This flustered, clumsy Pawbert was exactly the same as the man who had proposed to her that day. The familiar sight brought a wave of relief and nostalgia, causing hot tears to well up in her eyes.

 "...But I’m sorry, too. I didn't listen to you properly—about your loneliness, or why you suddenly changed. I didn't even try to understand..."

 Not wanting him to see the tears filling her eyes, Minette buried her face back into his chest. She could hear his heart thumping—thump-thump, thump-thump.

 "So, from now on, I want you to tell me everything. Everything you're thinking, everything you're feeling. This time, I’m going to be the one to make you happy."

 She slowly lifted her head and gazed into his orange eyes. Pawbert’s face was contorted, looking as though he might break into sobs at any moment.

 "I did something irreversible...! I tried to kill Judy and the others, and I betrayed Gary. I couldn't be part of my family, and now... society will reject me, too. Even after all that, you’re still staying by my side?"

 Pawbert had grown so used to loneliness that he had resigned himself to it, accepting it as his only reality. Minette was the only one who could fill that void. It wasn't pity or self-righteousness; it was simply—

 "The answer is 'YES'."

 Her answer was exactly the same as the one she gave during his proposal. Realizing this, Pawbert pulled Minette into a crushing, desperate embrace.
 The first time was in a noisy park in the middle of the day.
The second time was in a holding cell. Neither was perfect, and both were far from ordinary... but that was simply the shape of their love.

＊＊＊

 ---Several seasons had passed since that day.

 "Ms. Minette, thank you so much for agreeing to this interview today."
 "Not at all. It's a pleasure to be here."

 Surrounded by a reporter and several cameras, Minette looked a bit tense, but she adjusted the lapel of her suit and took a seat on the sofa.

 "Let’s dive right in... First of all, your recent achievements have been absolutely remarkable! There’s no doubt that your leadership on the front lines, fighting for the rights of reptiles and waterfolk, is changing the lives of many citizens."

 The zebra reporter proceeded according to the script. Though she had expected the praise, being complimented to her face made Minette scratch her cheek bashfully with a shy smile.

 "I don't feel like I'm doing anything particularly special. To be honest, I'm ashamed to admit that... I simply didn't know. I didn't try to know."

 Until she went to Marsh Market, she hadn't known. She hadn't understood the feelings of the reptiles and waterfolk, or the struggle Gary and his great-grandmother had endured to prove their innocence.

 "But if you don't know, you start by learning. That’s the mindset I have while I work. That’s really all there is to it."

 The reporter nodded with a warm smile at Minette’s words. However, as he looked down at his script for the next question, the atmosphere turned slightly more serious.

 "...It seems that the more successful you become, the more some citizens voice their doubts, asking 'Why him?' regarding your choice of husband. How do you feel about those opinions?"

 Minette gently touched the ring on her left hand.

 "I think their questions are perfectly valid. But what I want people to understand is that I'm not working solely for the sake of 'waterfolk' and 'reptiles'."
 "And what exactly do you mean by that?"

 The reporter leaned in, intrigued.

 "Agnes De' Snake, the founder of Zootopia, envisioned a city where all animals could join hands and help one another. I believe that applies not just to species, but to different ways of thinking and individual differences as well."

 Minette took a small breath and continued.

 "It’s okay to be different from your family. It’s okay to be different from everyone else. Because that’s how the world expands. Isn't it more fun to share a variety of flavors rather than everyone eating the exact same kind of donut?"

 As if remembering something fond, Minette allowed a small, tender smile to grace her lips.

 "I want to help create a world that is that kind. If someone who has made a mistake truly wants to start over, I will never stop helping them. It’s as simple as that."

＊＊＊

 "Thank you very much. That concludes the interview."

 With the reporter’s words, the red lamps on the cameras switched off. The tension in the air finally dissipated, and Minette let out a quiet sigh of relief.

 "...Did I manage to speak okay?"
 "Yes. Very much so."

 At the reporter’s reassuring reply, Minette smiled with a hint of bashfulness.
 She changed out of her professional suit in the dressing room and left the studio. The moment she stepped outside, her phone vibrated.

 <Finished?>

 She smiled at the short message displayed on the screen. As she walked along, tapping out her reply, a small parking duty cart pulled up beside her.

 "No texting while walking, Counselor."
 "Judy!"

 The voice, tinged with a playful tone, belonged to Judy. She hopped out of the cart with a nimble pop and ran over to Minette with a bright, beaming smile.

 "It’s been a while. I’ve been keeping an eye on all your hard work."
 "Thank you."

 Since the incident, the two had built a unique relationship. One might expect it to be complicated—after all, Judy was the victim whose life was saved, and yet Minette was the lawyer who had defended the man who nearly took it.
 During the trial, both Judy and Nibbles had requested leniency for Pawbert, on the condition that he work under Minette to improve the rights of reptiles. Thanks to their support, he was able to be released from prison early.

 "Minette! ...Gah! Judy, what are you doing here!?"
 "Oh, hello, Pawbert. And what is that supposed to mean?"

 Pawbert, who had come to pick Minette up, rushed toward her with a joyful expression—only to have his inner thoughts slip out the moment he spotted Judy, who had been tucked away in Minette’s shadow.

 "Ah... hey. Long time no see. You doing okay?"
 "Yes, no lasting side effects, thank you."
 "Ugh... I said I was sorry."

 Judy always made a point of teasing Pawbert by bringing up that day. Normally, one could never forgive someone who had tried to poison them. However, Judy’s character, combined with the genuine will to reform that Pawbert himself had shown, had allowed the two of them to reach a place where they could trade lighthearted barbs like this.

 "Oh, Minette, I have already finished shopping. I was thinking we could just have yesterday’s leftovers with a few light side dishes. Does that sound okay?"

 Pawbert held up a paper grocery bag for Minette to see.

 "Let’s do that. Thanks as always, Pawbert."

 Watching the two of them exchange such casual, domestic words, Judy let out a soft, warm smile.

 "You know, Pawbert, you really suit being a house-husband."
 "I think I'm better cut out for this than the Linxley family business or working in the mailroom."

 It seemed Judy’s praise didn't bother him; instead, Pawbert gave a small, bashful laugh. Minette gazed at him, a happy, beaming smile on her face.

 "Well, I’d better go pick up Nick. Stay happy, you two... Mr. and Mrs. Lincell!"

 Returning to her small cart, Judy sped off, her long ears fluttering in the wind.

 "Being called 'Lincell' still feels a bit strange," Pawbert murmured, staring in the direction Judy had gone.

 —That’s right. He was now Pawbert Lincell.

 After Pawbert’s release, the two had officially registered their marriage, and he had chosen to take Minette’s surname. Part of the reason was that the name 'Linxley' drew too much attention... but more than anything, Minette had wanted to free Pawbert from the name that had kept him imprisoned for so long.

 "Usually, I’m the one who would have changed my name to Linxley. ...Do you actually regret it?"

 Minette took Pawbert’s free hand and peered into his face. She felt a pang of anxiety, wondering if he had secretly hated giving up the Linxley name.

 "No, not at all! I’ve finally started to feel like... it’s okay to just be me. It’s okay to be different from my family and everyone else."

 As if to ease her worries, Pawbert gently squeezed her hand back and gave her a blissful smile. His words and expression filled Minette’s heart with warmth, bringing a smile back to her lips.

 "Oh, but..."

 Pawbert added, as if a sudden thought had struck him.

 "I’d like to keep the same last name as you forever, if I can..."

 Pawbert looked away, his voice trailing off with a lack of confidence. Minette cupped his cheeks with both hands, forcing him to look at her. Then, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.
 
 "The answer is 'YES'."

 Pawbert’s eyes widened at the sudden kiss, but at her words, his face softened into a tender expression, and he pulled her into a long, tight embrace.