Everyone, Go Ahead and Pluck Those Feathers!

Seven-spot ladybug bottom x sparrow top

Human x demon

Qi Chong has lately been dreaming that he has turned into a bug, with a bird always chasing him in the dream.

The bird doesn't eat him. It just torments him, leaving Qi Chong dazed for a long time every time he wakes up.

Maybe the dreams have been happening too often. One day, after coming home from work and stepping inside, he finds a sparrow perched on the windowsill in his room.

The sparrow tilts its head, its bead-like eyes shifting. The moment it raises a claw, Qi Chong freezes. That feeling of being tossed around all over again comes rushing back.

*

Shu Que has also been dreaming a lot lately. In his dreams, he turns into a bird. He can't remember much about the surroundings, only that there's always a ladybug in them.

The bug is especially fun to tease. Whenever it sees him, it reaches out its feelers, then scrambles away on all six legs. The moment he touches it, it tucks its feelers into its shell and plays dead.

The dreams feel so adorable that they bring back memories of teasing ladybugs in the countryside as a child, something he hasn't thought about in ages.

After having so many dreams, one day he opens his eyes and finds that his field of vision has widened. No, he's gotten smaller. Before he can even react, Qi Chong appears in front of him.

They stare at each other, wide-eyed. Qi Chong's reaction reminds him of the ladybug in his dream, spreading its wings to flee. The spots on those wings are so regular and eye-catching.

*

The man and the bird settle into a routine of meeting at night and parting in the morning. Qi Chong becomes more and more convinced that he has PTSD when it comes to this bird. Otherwise, why would he panic as soon as their eyes meet?

Shu Que, meanwhile, notices that Qi Chong avoids him not only during the day, but also hides in a corner whenever they meet at night. He can't make head nor tail of it.

After they learn that they share dreams...

Shu Que is confused. Shu Que understands. Shu Que grins with his beak.

Just as he's spreading his wings to tease the man, his beak gets caught in Qi Chong's hair. The world spins, and Shu Que, completely naked, lands squarely on top of Qi Chong.

Without his feathers, Shu Que feels completely exposed. He scrambles onto the bed and wraps himself tightly in the covers.

The smile doesn't disappear. It just moves to Qi Chong's face.

[Reader's Guide]

1. I came up with the seven-spot ladybug and sparrow setup on January 22, 2026, based on a dream I had last night. There was a little bug in it. I remember it very clearly, and there was a bird too. I've forgotten what happened, but I remember their interactions were incredibly adorable, so I couldn't resist starting this story on a whim. Pure impulse!

2. A purely sweet short story.

3. The top turns into a sparrow in real life. The bottom only turns into a bug in dreams.

4. I'm currently writing this blurb with my teeth clenched because I can't remember the details of my dream.

5. A story about a wage slave who only pretends to lack emotions, and a boss who genuinely lacks them~

6. If this sounds interesting, please add it to your collection~

Theme: Face problems with a positive attitude.