After a flustered explanation from you and a cheerful one from Taehyung, Hobi dismisses Taehyung and leads you to what appears to be his office.

He perches himself on the edge of a large, wooden desk and nods at you to take a seat at the plush leather chair in front of it.

"So, how did it go?" he asks, smiling.

"I... think it went well? Taehyung seemed to like me... and I'm definitely still 100% certain that I want to adopt him!"

Hobi nods.

"I'm glad the screening meeting went well," he says, walking around to behind his desk. "Now, on to the next step!"

Hobi takes out a brown envelope from one of the desk drawers and hands it to you.

"Here. I've included the list of requirements too, as promised. Once you're ready, please let us know your decision."

You take the envelope and stare down at its blank surface, then look back up at Hobi with a frown.

"But I already told you, my mind is made up. I'm definitely adopting Taehyung."

Hobi bites his lip, looking worried.

"Please," he implores, "Please read the file first."

Something in his tone gives you pause.

You look at Hobi closely and see something in his eyes that makes a shiver run down your spine.

Fear.

'Is he... hiding something?'

Hobi clears his throat, gaze averted.

"As I'm sure you've noticed, Taehyung is very special," he looks back up at you, eyes softer, "In the two years I've known him, I've come to love him as if he were my own brother," he smiles softly, "His mind is full of wonder and curiosity, and he has such a gentle soul. Sometimes I even think Taehyung is too pure for this world that we live in."

Hobi falls silent for a moment, looking lost in his own thoughts.

Then, he stares into your eyes intently.

"Please remember all of this as you read his file. Can you promise me that?"

"Y-yes, I promise."

His shoulders relax, and a slight smile returns to his lips.

"Thank you," he scratches the back of his head, "Sorry if that was too much," he laughs, cheeks pink, "I got a bit carried away."

"No, I understand," you assure him, "You're just looking out for Taehyung."

"Yeah," Hobi nods, "He deserves the best that the world can give," he sighs, then fishes something out of his pocket, "Here," he hands you a small slip of paper, "This is my personal number. Feel free to contact me for any concerns. If you end up adopting Taehyung as you say, I hope we can be friends, too."

You take the slip, your earlier apprehension forgotten.

"Y-yes, definitely!"

Hobi smiles that bright, heart-shaped smile once more.

"Thank you for visiting Homes for Hybrids! I hope to see you again soon."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

You stare down at the envelope on your lap during the cab ride back home, your head filled with questions.

But though you're feeling an overwhelming mix of emotions, your resolve remains firm.

As soon as you get back to your apartment, you waste no time in gathering the requirements.

'I guess it's lucky that I applied for a new job and a lease just a few months ago. I still have every document on the list on hand.'

You quickly upload the files to the website link provided. As you turn away from the screen, your eyes fall on the envelope.

'I might as well read what's in there while waiting for the files to finish uploading.'

You know there is nothing that envelope might contain that could possibly change your decision, but you still want to learn as much as you can about Taehyung.

You open the folder, take out the sheaves of paper held together by staple wire, and start leafing through the pages.

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File: [Last Name Unknown] Taehyung
Panther Hybrid, Male

Date of Birth: Unknown
Place of Birth: Unknown
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Amber
Blood Type: AB-H
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 70 kg

Interests: art, music, photography
Likes: comics, animals, film
Favorite Food: burger, japchae, strawberries, potato pancakes, jajangmyeon
Known Hybrid Abilities: "vibe check", night vision, enhanced senses and reflexes, high levels of speed, strength, and agility

Background

Close to nothing is known about Taehyung's past. He was found unconscious in an alley, with nothing but the clothes on his back. He appears to suffer from retrograde amnesia.

Personality / Psychological Profile
by Jung Hoseok, Psychologist

Taehyung's test results show above-average proficiency across all intelligences. He displays high levels of empathy, as well as intra- and inter-personal skills.

Taehyung has the ability to make friends with anyone within just a few minutes. He is particularly good with children and animals, both of whom trust him intuitively. He is also a favorite among the elderly as he is polite and well-mannered.

Taehyung has a childlike innocence and optimism that draws people to him. He is easily amazed, and it doesn't take much to make him smile or laugh. However, he exhibits great maturity and wisdom when the situation calls for it.

Taehyung is extremely creative and imaginative, always thinking out of the box. He views the world through a unique perspective full of curiosity and wonder.

IMPORTANT!!! PLEASE READ!!!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Huh? What's with this all of a sudden?'

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Taehyung, being a panther Hybrid, possesses panther-like traits. This includes keen instincts, as well as enhanced strength, speed, and agility. Taehyung has night vision, and his senses are much sharper than that of any human's.

Panthers are nocturnal creatures. They are hunters who prowl in the dark. That said, we have noted instances of Taehyung exhibiting irregular behavior at night.

In particular, he shifts into another "persona" that calls itself "V".

We have observed that V's personality appears to be the opposite of Taehyung's. V has an intimidating aura and has never been observed smiling or laughing. He rarely speaks, often just observing from a distance with his piercing gaze.

Rest assured, V doesn't appear to be dangerous and has never shown violent tendencies.

Taehyung normally has no recollection of what happens while V is in control, and the trigger for the "shift" remains unknown. We continue to gather data on V.

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You shove the file back into the folder with shaking hands, processing what you had just read.

'Taehyung has... a split personality??? One that calls itself "V"??? Isn't this the type of thing you would see in the movies???'

Your decision hasn't changed. You're still fully determined to adopt Taehyung.

But you can't help but wonder...

'How do I deal with this other persona? This... "V"?'

Suddenly, a shrill noise pierces the silence.

RRRIIINGGG!!! RRRIIINGGG!!! RRRIIINGGG!!!

You look at your phone screen.

[Incoming call]
[Bestie]

'Oh, it's Seokjinnie.'

You quickly pick up.

"Seokjin-aaaahhhh!"

"Huh? How did you know it's me?"

The sound of your best friend's voice, clear as bells even over the phone, instantly warms your heart.

"I have your number saved in my phone, duh."

"Waaah," Seokjin exclaims in mock amazement, "technology really is so amazing these days!"

"I am rolling my eyes so hard right now," you retort while actually rolling your eyes.

"Careful it doesn't roll all the way back into your head," Seokjin jokes, "How will you be able to see my handsomeness then?"

"Even with my 20-20 vision, I don't see it!" you joke back.

"Only because I'm a thousand miles away right now."

"Pfft... Anyway, why did you call?"

"Yah, this kid!" he exclaims, "Can I not just want to check in on my best friend?"

You suddenly feel a suspicious stinging in your eyes accompanied by a lump in your throat.

You and Seokjin grew up together, mainly because your houses were right next to each other and both your parents were really close friends too. Up until you moved to the city, the two of you were inseparable.

'I miss him so much. I miss home. I miss my family.... But I also know that this is a necessary step for my growth. I need to learn to depend on myself. To stand on my own two feet.'

"Hello. Hello. Are you still there? Hello?"

You snap out of your musings.

"Ah, yes!" you respond, "I'm here."

"Your voice sounds weird. Did you catch a cold? Are you taking care of yourself properly? Are you eating well?"

Seokjin sounds so genuinely concerned that it makes the urge to cry just a little bit stronger.

'I can't cry right now. I need to be strong. I can't make Seokjin worry.'

"Yes, I'm fine," you clear your throat, "I'm adjusting to city life pretty well. How are you? How are things there?"

"Everything has been exactly the same since you left. Except of course for the fact that you're not here anymore. You know that nothing ever happens in this town. It's frozen in time."

"Yeah, which is exactly why I left."

You both lapse into silence. A loaded one.

You're the one who breaks it.

"Seokjin-ah..."

"Yes?"

"Haven't you considered moving to the city too?"

A beat passes.

"You miss me that much, huh?"

You chuckle. Typical Seokjin to try to lighten things up whenever a conversation is at risk of becoming too serious.

"Oh, please. I only feel sorry for you being stuck in that boring old town."

It's another beat before Seokjin responds.

"Actually... I have been thinking about that..."

"Really???" you exclaim, "I swear, Kim Seokjin, if this is one of your stupid jokes---"

"I'm serious. I've been trying not to bother you too much, since I know you moved so you can live out your "strong independent" fantasy, but I am worried about you, all by your lonesome in an unfamiliar place."

'But... soon I won't be alone anymore. Soon, I'll have Taehyung living with me.'

But for some reason, you can't bring yourself to say this out loud to your own best friend.

"I'm honestly doing well here on my own," you say instead, "But I won't lie. It would be nice to have you here in the city, too. Not just for me, but for you too. You deserve better than that old, musty town of ours."

"I still have to talk to my parents about it, but I don't think they'll stop me. I'm old enough to make my own decisions about my own life, after all. In any case, I'll definitely see you soon, even if it's just for a visit. So look forward to seeing this handsome face again!"

"Fiiiine... I'm looking forward to it."

"Ha!" Seokjin shouts, and you flinch away from the phone, "So you finally admit it! You think I'm handsome!"

He laughs his weird laugh that only someone as handsome as Seokjin could make seem charming, and you can't help but join in.

"Anyway, I need to start cooking dinner," he says after you both manage to stop laughing, "Take care of yourself, okay? Eat well. And don't hesitate to call me whenever you need a laugh. Or even if you just want to talk, okay?"

"Yes, thank you. I will. And also please do the same."

"Yeah, I will."

Silence descends once more.

Even though you've both stopped talking, neither one has ended the call.

"Seokjin-ah?"

"Yes, brat?"

You take a deep breath.

"I miss you."

You hear him take a deep breath of his own.

"I miss you, too."

You smile.

"See you soon, okay?"

"Yeah. See you soon. Bye."

"Bye."

You end the call and hold your phone close to your chest.

All of a sudden, you feel exhausted. The weight of loneliness presses in. You realize just how alone you are in this big, unfamiliar city.

But tomorrow...

Tomorrow is a new day.

'Starting tomorrow, I won't be alone anymore.'

Tomorrow, the rest of your life begins.

'A brand new life with Taehyung, my panther Hybrid.'

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A/N: Things are starting to pick up from here, as those of you who have read MHD before know! And for those of you who are first-timers, I'm excited that you get to experience this journey with fresh eyes!

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