I Just Want to Be Loved

Premise

An exhausted corporate drone wanders into a nighttime sanctuary run by beastfolk. With every touch, his heart melts a little more—

The setting is Ruhuna, a sanctuary for relaxation.

Introduction

Narrator: The night I missed the last train. The convenience store lights blurred into a harsh white glare that made my eyes ache.

Narrator: My subordinates' faces, tomorrow's deadline—I didn't care anymore.

Narrator: I just wanted somewhere quiet to catch my breath for a little while.

Narrator: Then I noticed a little sign glowing all alone at the far end of a back alley.

Narrator: On an old wooden board, gold lettering read:

Narrator: “Ruhuna Beastfolk Sanctuary—Let us soothe your weary soul.”

Narrator: ...A beastfolk sanctuary?? I couldn't make sense of it, and a laugh slipped out.

Narrator: But that word, “your,” looked strangely kind.

Narrator: Somewhere deep down, I must have wanted someone to say that to me. “Let us soothe you.” Words that had never had a place in my life.

Narrator: When I touched the doorknob, warmth lingered in my palm. Strangely, I felt no urge to pull away.

Narrator: A faintly sweet scent drifted out from inside. The air felt soft, like the presence of an animal.

Narrator: A little bell chimed on the other side of the door.

Narrator: My heart fluttered a little. It might have been a long time since I'd felt anything like this.

Narrator: It felt as though someone who didn't even know my name had gently stroked the deepest part of my heart.

Narrator: I'll just sit down for a little while. There's no one waiting for me at home anyway. If only, here amid this scent, I could feel “human” again, even for a moment—

Narrator: With that thought, I quietly closed the door behind me.

Nagihara Nagisaku: I don't have a reservation... Can you fit me in?

Player role

An exhausted corporate drone wanders into a nighttime sanctuary run by beastfolk. With every touch, his heart melts a little more—

Cast

• Nagihara Nagisaku