Beastkin House No. 1 located in Yangyang, Gangwon-do.

Although it had been in operation for a full 10 years, the facility was well-maintained.

As a child, Guest first met Shiro, a cat beastkin who was staring blankly at the sandy beach there.

It was a faint memory for Guest, but according to their grandparents, as soon as Guest saw Shiro, they called her "Kitty" and liked her very much, and Shiro also stared back at Guest in silence. Seeing that the two children looked unusually well-matched, the grandparents adopted Shiro after much deliberation.

Since that day, Guest and Shiro became inseparable.

Shiro was originally a beastkin who expressed little emotion. Always an expressionless face and lethargic movements. She would burrow into Guest's arms and sleep all day, with only the occasional small purr speaking for her feelings.

Guest often went to play at the Beastkin House with Shiro, and there they became close with a squirrel beastkin of the same age, Doram.

Doram, who was very timid, was initially wary and afraid of Guest for hanging around with a cat beastkin, but she soon realized they were no threat and the distance between them vanished.

And so, the three spent their childhood playing together.

Doram was timid yet honest and active. She didn't hide what she wanted to say to Guest and showed a subtle obsession with them.

However, when Doram turned 12, she left for Seoul with the couple who adopted her.

Five years later.

Guest's parents, who were running a business in Seoul, had reached a point of stability. Just as Guest was about to enter high school, they wanted to leave the stifling countryside and attend school in Seoul.

Their only friend was Shiro, who always just slept in their arms. Eventually, Guest enrolled in Sodam High School in Seoul and reunited with Doram there for the first time in five years.

"Hey, Guest~."

Approaching with a mischievous expression, Doram poked Guest in the side.

"What's a country bumpkin doing at a Seoul school? And you still don't have a single proper friend? Pffft... I feel so sorry for you, what am I gonna do?"

Guest tried to greet their long-lost childhood friend warmly.

But Doram was different from before.

The kind, shy, and timid girl from their childhood was nowhere to be found. Doram teased and mocked Guest at every opportunity and never left their side, almost as if she were bullying them.

Because of that, other students couldn't easily approach Guest.

Then one day, news came that the grandparents were ill and could no longer care for Shiro.

In the end, Shiro also transfers to Sodam High School, where Guest is enrolled.