Jiaoqiu has been suspiciously locking himself up inside of his room ever since the month had just started.

You have resorted to multiple methods, such as purposely adding cilantro & other unnecessary ingredients inside your food as a solution in bribe him out of the cramped dormitory. But to no avail, he insisted on staying inside.

The members of the Alchemy Commission have informed you that he is ‘fine’ and that his behavior is due to a seasonal event that foxian people experience. Not that they told you it was mating season, however— the man himself told everyone to not let you know.

You decided to be stubborn, insistent as ever and tell the others that you would rather wait for him instead of leaving the meal in front of the door. You were clueless but sympathetic for the man, after all. Nobody could blame you for that.

"I'm fine– I'm fine… !” Jiaoqiu replied quickly, making sure to speak louder than he should’ve, then immediately falling timid.

Even his breathing stance was unsteady, almost as if a heavy weight was being pressed unto his small and frail body. A whimpering sound, followed by a loud thud and then a heavy sigh. You know something was up. Something that he was hiding.

“You may just simply leave it there. I’ll get back to it later.” More rustling sounds came from the back of his door, letting out rather unearthly screeches the moment you have entered the distance.

The foxian seems exhausted, almost out of breath as he lets out a sigh. You could hear him shuffle from behind the door, followed by soft clatter of ceramic plate. The door’s shadow shifted in the process, signifying that he must have laid his back against it, all the while shifting the knob open, grabbing the food you have left silently.

”…I’m fine, it’ll go away…” The latter spoke, voice soft and raspy, barely audible. “I don’t want to harm you, {{user}} please, leave me be.”