Chapter 10
There was a brief strange misunderstanding, but it was quickly corrected.
The definition of taming. The girl seemed to have taken it in a rather improper sense.
Fortunately, I hastily added an explanation...
'I almost got labelled as a shameless person.'
How could she interpret a relationship like that?
Of course I meant becoming friends. Has she never read a fairy tale in her life?
I gazed at the fox with narrowed eyes.
"......"
Irene was sitting with her gaze averted.
She was pretending to be indifferent, but her ears were already flushed red.
Her tail was fluttering nervously.
She seemed quite embarrassed about having such an improper imagination on her own.
Watching her fidget uncomfortably, I couldn't help but smile.
Is this what they call gap moe?
While giving off a sharp vibe, she crumbles when poked.
I open my mouth.
"You have unexpectedly cute sides, don't you?"
A mischievous remark.
Irene, who flinched for a moment, soon glared at me fiercely.
"...I said I was sorry."
"This is revenge."
"No..."
"To think you were having such naughty thoughts in your head, I can't calm my surprised heart."
"......"
The fox finally sinks.
Seeing her bowing her head deeply, the corners of my mouth twist involuntarily.
A lecherous smile spreading across my lips.
'This is fun.'
The taste of teasing is quite good.
She was popular in the original work because of moments like these too.
Especially when showing chemistry with the whimsical Little Prince, she drew explosive reactions from users.
A while had passed since the fox rescue incident!
A week had gone by since then.
The calendar fluttering briefly was now pointing to the date of the Academy entrance ceremony.
The point where the original work truly begins.
"I'm excited~ I'm so excited~!"
"...Be quiet."
"How can I? It's the first day at the Academy!"
I answer cheerfully to the fox's reproach.
Irene and I. The two of us were walking towards Gallimar Academy.
"Huhu."
A laugh escapes pleasantly.
Perhaps due to my excited heart. My steps were much lighter than usual.
Whoosh-.
The spring breeze is especially refreshing.
I calmly try to settle my heart colored with anticipation.
As I'm taking such cheerful steps, suddenly a strange groaning sound comes from beside me.
"Ugh......"
"Miss Irene? Is something wrong?"
"You... are you really asking because you don't know...?"
A voice trembling intensely.
When I turned my head slightly to look, there was a girl with a face dyed bright red.
A sharp gaze pierces me.
I deliberately respond nonchalantly.
"Hmm? I don't know why you're acting like this."
"This is... the worst."
"Tsk tsk, Miss Irene. Such blatant criticism isn't good."
"Then don't make me wear clothes like this...!"
Irene finally explodes.
Following her violently shaking tail, a short skirt flutters.
A color scheme of black & white. And a tight-fitting design boldly revealing the curves of her entire body.
The girl was wearing a maid outfit.
"It suits you well."
I casually threw out a comment.
But even such praise seemed to be a critical hit for her. The fox ears on top of her head react with a twitch.
She looked quite ashamed.
"...You pervert."
Eyes that even had a bit of tears pooling in them.
Irene chews on her embarrassment and anger, showing strong hostility towards me.
"Friends, my foot... This was your goal from the start, wasn't it?"
"What hurtful words."
Am I really going to be hated at this rate?
Feeling worried, I added an explanation.
"Didn't I tell you? This was the only way for us to go to the Academy together."
Irene couldn't enter the Academy.
More precisely, she had missed the timing.
The entrance exam had already ended.
To enter the Academy as a student, she would have to wait at least a year.
So I chose the next best option.
-I will employ you.
-From now on, you'll be my exclusive maid following me.
That is, to keep Irene as an attendant.
Basically, while the Academy is supposed to be a space only for students in principle, there are some exceptions.
Each student can bring along a few attendants.
I suppose it's a consideration for the children of noble families.
-I'm alone, you see.
Coincidentally, the attendant position was also vacant.
Since my family didn't assign anyone separately, there shouldn't be a problem if I hire someone at my discretion.
That's how Irene became a maid.
"B-but still...! Such a ti-tight fitting, sha-shameless outfit...!!"
"It's a design that's trendy recently. I got the best-selling one from the store."
"I don't understand human society......"
"How is it? As naughty as what's in your head, Miss Irene?"
"Shut up!!"
Irene finally throws a punch.
I lightly dodge the attack while mischievously toying with her.
She really was a fun person with prickly reactions.
As we continue bickering for a while, Irene, who had been getting heated, suddenly closes her lips.
As if she had just remembered something.
"Miss Irene?"
The atmosphere sinks dramatically.
A somewhat stiffened expression. The girl hesitates for a moment before opening her mouth again.
"...The children are really okay, right?"
"Ah."
It seems she was worried about the little foxes.
Since we couldn't bring them along to the Academy, we had to leave the children somewhere else.
From Irene's perspective, it must be unsettling.
Since she can't keep them by her side and protect them directly.
"You should put your worries aside."
I spoke to ease the girl's concerns.
"I called some people I know. They're reliable folks, so they'll surely take good care of the children."
"Because you called them... that makes me trust them even less."
"Oh my."
"They're not dangerous people, are they...?"
"They should be fine. They're guys who follow my orders absolutely."
"...That sounds dangerous."
"Such hurtful words again."
I dodge the question with a glib smile.
Irene glanced at me with suspicious eyes, but I diverted her attention by teasing her a few more times.
I mutter to myself inwardly.
'Come to think of it... it's been quite a while since I've seen those guys.'
The last time was the letter I sent half a year ago.
I wonder how they're all doing. I hope they haven't been causing too much trouble without me around.
I should show my face soon, even if just once.
'Astro.'
The infamous criminal organization of the slums.
As I chewed on that name after a long time, I continued my steps.