A week has gone by before Hiroshi was discharged from hospital, leaving him now wandering the streets with a heavy sigh.

  Checking on the note left for him by Edith with an address to go to.

  “She could have at least escorted me,” he mumbled to himself in annoyance.

  On the way, he noticed a small grocery store and through the glass windows, a familiar cloud of hair crouched down by one of the aisles.

  Seeing he wasn’t in a hurry, he entered the market and went to greet the girl and maybe to get to know her better.

  As he gently raised his and and said "Hello" to her, she yelped in surprise and stood up in an instant.

  “Who? Oh, it’s Hiro!” she happily exclaimed with a mild russian accent, with tail wagging hard while keeping her hands behind her back.

  “Glad to see you are all healed up. Sorry for such an outburst at the hospital, just wish they didn't ban me from visiting,” she huffed, after all she did get scolded by the doctor pretty bad as her bounce on him could have led to greater injuries.

  He gave a gentle pat on her head and gave a reassuring smile. “I didn’t mind the outburst. But the doctor did say you would be allowed back if you learned to behave.”

  Tail wagging harder as she happily leaned into the pat, acting very much like a cheerful dog.

  Finishing with the pat, she quickly realized “I didn't introduce myself, did I?”

  “My name's Nata Smirnova. A samoyed demibeast. At your service,” she said with a smirk, as she jokingly saluted Hiroshi.

  “I’m Hiroshi Yasuda, a human.” he said in return, offering a handshake that took her by surprise.

  Taking a moment, she went for the shake with one hand still behind her. He was curious to ask, but didn’t have enough in him to pry.

  “So, going out to see Miss Hamilton?” she asked. After all, she was in the room when Edith suggested the job offer.

  “Yeah, but I am not sure if the address she gave is right,” he said, having checked on the map already.

  He was stuck on thinking it surely wasn’t right, as it said it was for the city’s police station. And considering she came in with a full suit, she didn't seem like any police official he could imagine.

  As she took peak at the note, she beamed up excitedly. “Oh, I know where that is! I can take you there if you want.” with clear intention to repay for his kindness, he couldn't deny the offer. “Thanks, I would appreciate it.”

  To his surprise, she happily took his hand and started to lead them out immediately.

  He didn’t resist it, presuming nothing of it up until they were about to leave.

  “STOP RIGHT THERE!” They could hear as the store owner came stomping towards them.

  Hiroshi having predicting something would come up, he tightened the grip on Nata as she was about to spurt away, but now ending nearly falling over with the grip keeping her in place.

  “Do you know her, mister?” the store owner asked him. “We are acquaintances, yes.” Hiroshi answered, wondering what was going on.

  Nata quickly stopped her attempts to flee after couple attempts at pulling, only to end up standing in shame with tail between her legs and ears lowered.

  “She is a serial shoplifter. Even if stealing small stuff, she owes me plenty. By looks, she was about to steal again.” As the news came as a shock to Hiroshi, it was clear she wasn’t much pleased with herself as she wasn't hiding it well either.

  She took the hand out from behind her back, revealing a snack bar she was about to smuggle.

  The store owner snatched the bar out of her hands with great anger, while Hiroshi still felt there seemed something more to be behind this, so in his curiosity he asked “So, how much does she owe you?”

  “Like, 50 euros. Enough for a criminal charge for that little thief.” the owner said with venom in his words.

  “If you don't mind, I would be happy to pay it off, and that snack bar as well.” he noted like it was nothing.

  Nata looked at Hiroshi in absolute shock as she tried to think why he would do something like that.

  Hearing he was willing to pay for it, store owner calmed down, gave a light sigh and agreed. “Sure, it works for me. But if she doesn't stop lifting stuff from my store, I will make sure to get cops on her.” and as they processed the payment at the front desk, Hiroshi gave the snack bar to Nata.

  Taking steps outside for some fresh air, she was left staring at the bar before looking back at Hiroshi.

  “W-why?” she asked, she owed him for saving her already, but also now this out of nowhere.

  He gave an awkward look, before looking away from the eye contact. “Well… I don’t get the feeling you are doing it out of the fun of it.” he said, clearly unable to process why exactly, but there was a feeling that she was innocent in some account.

  The answer left both in awkward silence, as she slowly got a warm feeling in her cheeks and chest from staring at him, before looking away.

  To make sure they didn't stay there too long, she took his hand again and continued to escort him.

  It took about fifteen minutes but they finally arrived.

  To his shock. he wasn't imagining it but Edith very much meant the police station, as Nata lead him inside happily.

  He was left to question why anyone like him could even be considered to work in here, until one of the officers by the counter saw them enter.

  “Ah, morning Nata. Hope you haven’t stolen anything today.” they said, before taking note of who she was dragging around. “Hey, are you Hiroshi Yasuda?”

  “Uhh… yeah?” he said in confusion. He was unable to take that this was seriously happening.

  “Good, Edith was waiting for you to arrive. I will call her in, so just sit and wait.” the officer informed him.

  Questions flooded his mind, taking note of the seats and sitting down to process the situation he was in, only to get his hand cuddled by Nata that sat down next to him.

  “You don’t need to stay with me,” he said in light discomfort.

  As if the statement offended her, she huffed at him before straight forwardly stating “No.”

  He tried to take it calm, but was left awkwardly sitting as she was more than happily clinging onto him like it was her lifeline, tail swinging around wildly.

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  Sight alone took notice from others that came and went at the reception, attention he never really had before and had a difficulty taking without feeling self-conscious.

  Before things got too awkward, back-doors swung open as Edith came through, arguing on her old flip phone.

  With an annoyed press, the call ended as she took look around for Hiroshi.

  Upon spotting the two, she was left frozen for a second as hiroshi gently waved at her with his free hand.

  “So… it seems I underestimated you.” She muttered out loud, leaving the words hanging in the air, only confusing him further.

  While monsters adapting to the human world have been mostly successful, there are still cases where they have trouble dropping their instincts or routines.

  Be it crow harpies' greed for shiny things and dragon’s hoarding any valuables they have interests in, or even dogs and cats act like they were dogs and cats, each one having their unique quirks.

  That’s why in recent years, there has been negotiations happening across multiple countries, and specifically in city-states with co-habitation as priority to find a way to tame these wild monsters and make them able to live in a world where humans exist.

  So with plenty of planning and considerations, a new force in these cities were formed that came to be called monster tamers.

  Since this job is very unique and very risky, as it needs lowered defenses to get trust from monsters with superhuman abilities. We are dealing with what are essentially wild animals, so one slip up can mean the end of anyone.

  So those who have been chosen to become monster tamers are ranked in 3 main characteristics.

  - Empathy

  You have to know and understand the monster you are dealing with and find a way to get in their good side

  - Passion

  You have to care for these monsters; even if they hurt you or others who would be willing to hurt them. You have to be willing to protect them with everything you have.

  - Wariness

  You have to be careful of what you say and do. What you expect from a human will either not interest them at all, or they may take offense to it. So you have to be prepared for danger.

  “So this is why you recited the history before” Hiroshi noted, as he was sitting on the couch with Nata still latched onto him, having no care in the world to what Edith and Hiroshi were talking about, other than to be by his side.

  “Essentially, yes,” Edith confirmed, as she turned off the projector and lights back on, lighting up her office.

  “When we had our little date, I could note you had very impressive instincts on wariness, especially when you rescued Nata. So I thought you could be an expert as a monster tamer.”

  “I see… wait, you thought I could?” He asked in confusion towards her last sentence, which only gave her a wide cheesy grin.

  “I had a test ready for you with a monster problem we have had for weeks now… and look who comes with the problem monster in his arms.” As she gently pointed towards Nata who was rubbing her cheek on his arm.

  “You aren’t an expert, you are outright professional at this stuff.” she said in teasing, as he couldn’t help but be slightly flustered from the complement.

  “I won't force you to join the crew, but I promise the pay will be great. And who knows, you might even get a couple of ladies visiting you from time to time.” She continued the tease, as the thought of working as a monster tamer was really hard for him to grasp but also to deny.

  As she quieted down to let him think, his gaze drifted to look at Nata, happily being on his side.

  She was clearly troubled in some way, and there was gut feeling in him to protect her, and as he considered even with the curse looming over him, she seemed just happy to be with him.

  There might be hope for connection that he hasn't had in a long time.

  With a heavy sigh, he admitted defeat “Fine, I will join.” after which he leaned on the couch. “So, anything I should know before work?”

  “Just a moment.” Edith said, before bringing up her phone to make a call.

  “Hello, I got that new recruit ready to meet you… yeah, i know… no… I SAID NO!… well, if you put it that way… jeez, you don't need to snap his neck for that… yeah, i guess that would work, but hospital bills are on you. OK, bye.”

  “Your higher up should be here soon to assist you.”

  “DON’T JUST MOVE ON FROM WHAT YOU JUST SAID!!!” Shouted Hiroshi, clearly disturbed by whatever kind of talk she was having on the phone.

  Him getting rowdy surprised Nata from her blissful attention giving.

  With her attention back to her surroundings, she realized she was getting hungry, so she took out the bar he bought her and started to eat it.

  “Just to inform you, you will be starting next Monday. So take it calm, maybe inform your family on the risks you are putting yourself… oh, and almost forgot.”

  She handed him a stack of papers from her work desk. “Some legal stuff I need you to fill out. I have to go, busy managing this whole circus, you know.” she said before disappearing behind the door, leaving him and Nata to relax in the office.

  Checking the paperwork, and taking a pen from the table’s cup. He went reading through and checking stuff out.

  It was mostly identifying stuff, payment affirmation and agreements on dangers he will be put through.

  When he was about to finish with signeratures, he could hear the door to be opened before being greeted by a harpy with brownish-grey wings and talons that went up until her knee that met with feathered thighs.

  Wearing shorts with a police uniform that was colored entirely in green.

  “Moi.” she said with a tired tone with no expression at all as she took note of Hiroshi and Nata.

  Even if he couldn’t read her face, there was clearly an undercurrent of annoyance.

  “Why is she here?” she asked, pointing at Nata. With light rush to answer, he said “She tagged along with me, and Edith didn’t mind.”

  It didn't stop her annoyance, but she endured it as she returned her look to him.

  “My name's Katariina Kokkonen. A tawny harpy. Just call me Kat.”

  “Nice to meet you," greeting her back as he offered a handshake, that only got ignored by her. “Just so you know, I am putting a lot of faith on Edith’s choice, but if you dare to do even one wrong move, I will send you straight to hell on an express ticket.”

  He could feel cold sweat coming, as her threat sounded honest.

  “Where is all of this coming from?” he asked, as he was unsure if this was part of the occupational hazards Edith mentioned or just his misfortune striking now.

  “To put it simply for you, Monsters have adapted to human civilization uniquely through the centuries being in hiding. It lead to most of the species to be 80% women, especially beast monsters. And seeing your job is to calm and befriend them, there are plenty of men who try to join just to get in their pants.” she said with clear undercurrent of judgment upon him.

  “I understand, I promise to behave then.” as he raised his free hand to swear, but Nata clinging on his other arm left it feeling half-assed

  “Anyways, since I will be your trainer, let’s get some basics down.” she said, as she sat down on the other side of the table, crossing her wings.

  “Our work will be 24/7 on emergency calls, but otherwise from 10 am to 4PM on weekdays we will be on patrol. We are not the police, we only work alongside them just like firefighters and medics, so if you see criminal activity, you are considered a civilian in those affairs. If you spot or get called on wild monsters, our job is to get anyone in the line of threat out of there, and subdue the monster peacefully for long enough to get them into station to get them on paper and the help they need.”

  “That seems simple.” He muttered, only to get dagger’s stared at him by Kat, not liking his calm mood. “Until you have to drag a colossal dragon girl that is on a moody swing, you have no right to say what is simple. Most cases can be simple and done over quickly, but the special cases where more than one tamer is needed is common enough to be a monthly occurrence, so just because some act nice doesn't mean you can get comfortable with 'simple' being the word for this work."

  Giving the example and her tone being stern, it gave cold sweats to Hiroshi. He did not consider the extreme cases thanks to the cuddly dog next to him. “There have even been some cases of having to work as negotiators on hostage situations or murder scenes. It isn't pretty, but most of the time monsters don't know what they are doing or if they do, they know it is bad and don't want to do it. When we have to deal with monsters that are mentally unprepared, 'simple' is an insult on their being.”

  After her heated explanation and letting her seriousness calm down, he asked couple questions to reassure him on things when they will meet up on monday, which Kat answered bluntly before leaving to her work.

  As he took in the last of the paperwork, he felt bad for under-estimating the seriousness of the job, but that is expected for a newbie.

  He knew he couldn't do anything now, than adapt.

  With the signatures finished, he returned the paperwork onto Edith's desk and headed off with Nata following his steps.