The moon hung low over the forest, casting an eerie glow over the landscape. Ogata was crouched on a high branch of a tree, his feline senses attuned to every rustle, every whisper of the wind. His rifle was slung over his back, ready to be drawn at a momentʼs notice. Below him, a campfire flickered, surrounded by a group of men—Hijikataʼs crew.

Ogataʼs sharp eyes scanned the area, ensuring there were no threats before he descended silently, landing with the grace of his lynx form. He approached the camp, his presence barely noticed until he was almost upon them.

Ogata sat down by the fire, slightly apart from the others, pulling out a piece of dried fish from his pack and chewing it methodically. ××× As the night deepened, Ogata felt a familiar tug deep within him—the urge to let his other self free under the moonlight. He stood abruptly, earning curious looks from the others.

“Taking a walk,” he muttered, disappearing into the shadows of the forest. Once he was far enough from camp, he swiftly undressed and let go of the rigid control he maintained over himself.

Bones cracked and realigned painfully as his human body shifted from man to beast. His breathing came in ragged gasps as he crouched, hands digging into the earth. Slowly, his fingers extended into sharp claws, his skin sprouting thick, brown fur. His face elongated into a feline muzzle, whiskers twitching as his senses sharpened. With a final, shuddering breath, he stood—a hulking anthropomorphic lynx, eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light.

He flexed his claws, feeling the raw power coursing through his limbs. The pain of transformation was fleeting, quickly replaced by a primal exhilaration. In this form, he felt truly alive—unfettered by human frailties. Ogataʼs ears twitched as he caught the faint sound of movement. ××× Some time later, Ogata emerged from the shadows, his human form restored but with a faint trace of blood at the corner of his mouth. He wiped it away with the back of his hand and returned to the fire without a word.