FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

For a student, nothing could come close to that feeling of freedom from schoolwork during the summer break. Some would spend it being idle at their homes, others with relatives from faraway places. The more outgoing bunch would spend it roaming around the metropolis or go for an adventure in the countryside. But the focus of this story would be two chaps who were part of the former: two guys named Kuro and Rai.

First, about Kuro. He was what you would call a wolf-man, and one with a large build to boot. Despite being a bit fat, his large muscles gave him a more powerful yet rounded appearance. The fur around his muzzle down to the front of his chest was white, contrasted by the black-colored fur surrounding it. Concerning his clothes today, he wore a grey tank-top with a pair of red chino shorts, a favorite combination of his whenever a hot day came. Appearances aside, the wolf was a rather reserved fellow, blushing and stuttering whenever he's around new people.

On this fine summer day, Kuro was inside the local penny arcade raging on the controls, gritting his teeth as he gave his all against the fighting game's AI character, both of them tied with a score of 2-2. Whether people were looking at him or not he did not mind. What was important that moment was the final fight happening. Then, seeing his opportunity as the CPU's life bar had an inch left, he performed a special move that gave him his victory. Sighing in relief, he was about to get up and leave when a tiger with a rather nervous smile went near him.

"Hey bud," the tiger said, scratching the back of his head. "Hope you don't mind, but can I play a round or two with you?"

For that moment, Kuro was stunned in his seat as he became mesmerized by the tiger's visage. The tiger was about as large as him, minus the inches on the belly. His yellow fur was complemented by brown stripes scattered all around it. For his clothes, he wore a red shirt with the Japanese word for "curry" written on its center and a pair of cargo shorts.

"Wow! He's really cute!" Kuro thought, himself spacing out. "Hot too."

"You alright?" the tiger asked, waving his hand in front of the wolf's face.

Snapping out, Kuro raised his brows. "Ah, yes. I-It's alright. I don't mind. Er..."

"The name's Rai."

"Mine's Kuro."

Finished with shaking hands and introducing themselves they started a round, growling in the heat of the moment as their characters exchanged blows with one another. Three rounds passed and Kuro felt a chill run through him as he saw the Rai leading him by two points despite him winning the first round. With the next one starting, the scene repeated itself, it ending in the tiger's win as Kuro hung his head down in defeat.

Rai threw up his arms in rejoice. "Man! That was a great game! Don't be so sad, you did good ba-"

Kuro interjected as he inserted a coin. "One more."

"Huh?"

"One more game!"

Not being one to back out of a challenge, Rai agreed with a grin. Once again their characters fought, except luck seemed to be on Kuro's side this time as he won the first two rounds. By the third one, the tiger managed to gain a point, although the joy was short-lived as the wolf managed to beat him with a perfect win in the next one. Proud of himself, Kuro turned to his side and found the tiger looking back at him with a smile on his face. Finding it cute, he couldn't help but smile in return, both of them laughing a moment later.

Free for the rest of the day after the game, the two went for a stroll around town and got to know each other more. Rai told the wolf that he was an amateur artist and drew sketches in his spare time. Kuro on the other hand told the tiger that he liked to read books and look at artworks which had Rai excited to show a sketch on their next meeting. As the sky turned purple and they were about to part ways, they learned that they lived two cities apart. Before saying goodbye to each other, they exchanged phone numbers to keep in touch.

The tiger smiled at the wolf as they put away their phones. "Nice meeting you today, Kuro."

"You too, Rai," Kuro said, bowing his head a bit, his cheeks turning red.

After a handshake, the two turned to each other's back and walked their own way.

The days that came after that, Rai and Kuro planned and did many activities together. Sleepovers, weekend beach trips, restaurant hunts, shopping for games and other stuff, and even going to museums. With every day and activity that passed by, both of them discovered more about each other's personalities.

***

One time that they were in a public library, Rai picked up a book on color theory while Kuro had Akutagawa's "Kappa". They sat down on a table facing each other as they read their books under a dim yellow light. Finished with one chapter, Rai turned to the wolf, seeing him reading with full immersion as if there was nothing in the surroundings. Interested, the tiger got up and sat next to him.

"How's the story?" Rai asked while tapping the wolf's shoulder, startling the latter.

"It's really good," Kuro said. "The main character's currently stranded in a world of kappas and trying to interact with the people there while finding a way out. You enjoying your book too?"

"Yeah. The thing about light and shadowing would be perfect for my next work."

"I see."

Just then, Rai leaned closer. "Hey, Kuro. Wanna go to the curry place I told you about later?"

"Sure. Let's just finish our books. Though I'm still surprised you can eat a lot of it the last place we went to," Kuro said, chuckling.

Rai crossed his arms. "Hmph! Never underestimate the iron stomach of Rai Kimura."

After getting scolded by the librarian for talking too loud, they spent the rest of the time silent as each read their own book. Rai wasn't one accustomed to much silence, but sitting by Kuro's side that moment as he read gave him a fuzzy feeling that caused him to smile for the rest of the time. Finishing their books, the two talked to each other in whispers.

"Hey Rai," Kuro said.

"What is it?" Rai asked.

"You sure you're just fine hanging out like this? I mean, this isn't too boring now, is it?"

Hearing that, Rai ruffled Kuro's hair. "I don't. For some reason, your silence calms me. And you knowing about a lot of stuff I don't is very interesting." he said, scratching the tip of his nose. "At least, to me."

Kuro smiled with a blush on his face. "Thanks."

Later on, they left the library and headed to the curry place to have their lunch.

***

Days passed by and as their friendship grew, so did their feelings for each other. Every time he would see the tiger's smile, he could feel a warmth coming from his the middle of his chest radiate to his entire body, causing him to smile in return. Rai pulling on his hand whenever he's being dragged off to a random place was enough to turn him into a blubbering mess, yet it felt just right to him.

As for Rai, whether its just reading books, roaming around museums, or being lost in an electronic world at the arcades, the tiger was at his happiest whenever he was with Kuro. He would notice the way Kuro's brow would rise along with a small grin whenever the wolf was interested in something, a tic he found to be very cute. One time they were in the park, he sat for minutes staring at Kuro as the wolf slept under the shade of a tree.

Even with this, these feelings of theirs were kept secret from each other as both were still unsure. Then, March 23rd happened.

A sunny March 23rd, Kuro and Rai were inside a clothing store as the tiger needed to buy a new belt for himself. As he looked at the leather belts in various shades of brown and black that were on display, the wolf approached him while holding a red linen scarf he found on the other shelf.

"Would this look good on me?" Kuro asked.

"Well, try it on," Rai said.

Just then, Kuro approached one of the mirrors and tried draping the scarf around his neck. He chuckled in delight as he saw the scarf on him, turning to his back as he tried to see how good it looked. A short while after, Rai went near with a mischievous grin on his face, making the wolf flustered.

"Enjoying yourself? Looking awesome there," Rai said, holding a brown belt.

Kuro smiled. "O-Oh. Thanks..."

"Want me to buy it for you?"

"Huh? But that's-"

"No buts! I'm buying it." Rai said, scratching his cheek with a finger. "Besides, I'm your best friend. It's the least I could do."

Blushing as he found the tiger's expression cute, Kuro took off the scarf and gave it to him. "Thanks very much."

With that, Rai headed to the cashier and paid for both his belt and Kuro's new scarf, the wolf wearing it right after they exited the store. Later in the evening, the two were seated in one of the city park's benches, them awaiting the start of the summer fireworks show. A moment later as they did so, Rai tapped on Kuro's shoulder.

"What is it?" Kuro asked.

The tiger twiddled his fingers as he felt a chill run through his back, him trying to avoid eye contact with his cheeks turning red. "Kuro, I've been thinking about this for a while and well-"

Their conversation was cut short when both of them saw their surroundings turn a bright purple as they heard a loud bang from a distance. It seemed like the fireworks show started already. Kuro looked up at the night sky and marveled as he saw the various fireworks paint the sky in various patterns and colors. Remembering that Rai was about to say something, he turned to the tiger when the latter pulled his face closer and kissed him on the lips.

Needless to say, Kuro was surprised. Even so, something inside him felt that that moment was just right, both for him and Rai. Closing his eyes, he hugged the tiger and pulled him closer. After the kiss, they let each other go and, both of them embarrassed at what they just did, exchanged sheepish "I love you"s. Not needing to hold back from each other anymore, Rai rested his head on the side of Kuro's chest while the wolf draped an arm over the tiger's shoulders as they enjoyed the rest of the fireworks show.