A Reincarnated Sage Should Raise Natsume [Book of Friends]

November is very, very busy. I might not have time until December.

A few words before we begin: Are gentle people gentle simply because that's their nature?

Perhaps gentleness is not innate at all, but a choice and an attitude in the face of life's hardships.

This is a story about saving each other (whether it's heartwarming or heartbreaking depends on the reader).

Blurb: Tired of so-called protection and punishment, Delia, known as the strongest sage, chooses to be reincarnated in another world.

After her parents die unexpectedly, she turns down her relatives' offers to help manage the family estate and takes over a zoo on the verge of closing in the suburbs, hoping to enjoy a few peaceful days.

But then a bunch of fools come along and eat her animals.

Delia: ...

Since you ate them, you'll work off the debt.

As more and more little rascals show up at the zoo to work (and mooch food and lodging), Delia gets fed up. One day, while out for a stroll to clear her head, she picks up a delicate, easy-to-push-around young man.

Looking at the gentle youth who blushes whenever she teases him, Delia gradually realizes he isn't as fragile as she thought.

Later, under the young man's deliberate campaign of tenderness, she realizes her numb heart seems to have started beating again.

P.S.:

This story was previously titled [Natsume Zoo].

Western fantasy setting, female lead.

Female Alpha and male Omega. The male lead is gentle, not a fragile decoration, and gets his moment to shine later.

Lots of original worldbuilding.

Look for the sweet moments in the details in the early chapters.

Theme: True love for animals