Neria's Naked Apron Surprise
Did I do anything nice for Neria lately? I racked my brain quickly, but nothing came to mind. If anything, it felt more like I'd been rough on her rather than kind. Especially during Dorothy's observation session. She started off trying to act all ladylike, but ended up back in her usual embarrassing position. Sure, afterward Neria seemed to tease Dorothy leisurely, but that hardly warranted a "special reward" like this. If anything, she'd probably punch me with a Neria special while whining that it was embarrassing because of me—but an award? No way.
And yet, she told me to come late today, then greeted me in this outfit. …Even mixed in with the delicious aroma was a faint burnt smell. What on earth had gotten this prideful girl to don just a flimsy apron?
I gathered my scattered thoughts and closed the front door first. Judging by her hips peeking out from both sides of the apron, Neria was truly wearing nothing underneath—not even panties. Plus, she'd recently caught my cold and suffered through it, so nothing could be worse for her than December's winter chill.
"…What is this, Neria-nim?"
"For you."
Who wouldn't know that? Swallowing my absurd reaction, I took off my shoes. Then Neria approached me again.
"Hey. You should at least put your shoes away properly before coming in."
"S-Sorry…."
"Whatever. That wasn't what I was gonna nag you about anyway."
Flustered, I backed away to give her space, and she neatly organized my shoes in my place. This was the girl who usually tossed even her Crocs around haphazardly. The entrance was spotless today, so she'd probably stashed everything in the shoe closet before I arrived.
"Anyway, Nam Dowon. You haven't eaten lunch, right?"
"Yes. You told me not to when you texted earlier…."
"Good. Lead the way to the kitchen, quick."
Me? Shouldn't you, standing right there by the door, be leading? That natural retort died the moment I glanced at her outfit again. She couldn't lead because it'd flash her bare skin at me. Honestly, after all the sex we've had, did she really need to worry? But I kept quiet. A little tension was better than getting too familiar.
Stuffing all my questions, I did as she said and headed to the kitchen first. What I saw there was…
"You made this yourself?"
"Duh."
"…Impressive. You can cook too."
"Just followed some internet recipe, but turns out I might have a talent for it."
The kitchen was a mess from cooking, sure. But more eye-catching was the small pot brimming with manduguk, steaming away on the table. Surprisingly well-made for her, and it looked decent enough. Wisely aware of her limits, she'd picked something basic—low difficulty, somewhere between beginner and easy. No handmade dumplings instead of frozen ones, no from-scratch broth. That stuff would've been too complicated for Neria. Probably just store-bought broth, some seasonings, dumplings, egg, green onions, and done. Her words were a bit curt, but as I said, it looked appetizing. And smelled amazing.
"I'll grab the utensils, you get the rice. I prepped that too."
…But what exactly got burnt in all this? Not the manduguk, so maybe she botched something else and tossed it?
I glanced around the kitchen, chaotic from Neria's antics, but decided to follow her orders first. Scooping rice into bowls was easy since I usually handled lunch. I knew the portions.
"Um, Neria-nim."
"What?"
But with this sudden weird phenomenon, we couldn't just end with "And so the two lived happily ever after, eating manduguk." Watching her still trying not to flash me, I set the white rice in front of her seat and asked.
"Why the sudden gift? The manduguk you made yourself, the apron… Did something good happen?"
Neria paused briefly, pursing her lips. It didn't last.
"…Whatever, anyway—how's my outfit? Like it?"
Instead of a straight answer, she tossed a question back. I played along with her deflection.
"Honestly, it's hard to know where to look."
"I wore it so you could look."
"…So it's okay to stare?"
"Yeah. Guys like this stuff, right? Total perv bait."
"Frankly, yeah, I think most would prefer it…."
That was just male instinct. But why are you doing this all of a sudden? Wondering if she wanted some newlywed roleplay, I couldn't hold back and asked.
"Got a concept in mind today? Like, a couple who just got home from work."
"…Dunno. If you want, I could play along a little."
"…Pardon?"
The fact she was going along with me so easily said it all. This was no ordinary anomaly. Had I secretly saved her life or something?
Still baffled, I pulled out a chair—then she sidled right up beside me and murmured.
"…L-Like, you wanna eat me first…?"
"……."
…My head still hurt. But I got a rough idea of her "newlywed" fantasy. The lust-filled kind where you skip showering after work and jump straight into sex. I'd once told her to prep with dirty books or whatever for future fun, and damn, she must've binged them.
"W-What're you doing? You wanted a concept, right? I'm playing along—why're you just standing there like an idiot!"
"I was asking if you wanted to, Neria-nim…. Anyway, that's not the point…."
…Wait, but wasn't it? She said okay, so couldn't we actually do the newlywed sex thing? Gasp for breath while whispering "get pregnant" and creampie her over and over? My desire spread like a contagion, but I forced my gaze away from the view under her apron and snapped out of it.
"Why're you being so nice today? You're a great witch usually, but not this nice."
Neria, you didn't secretly screw up and get in trouble, did you? I swallowed that thought.
"J-Just! Does there have to be a reason?"
"…No."
"Then shut up and eat. Tell me if the seasoning's good."
I couldn't think of anything special I'd done. So she must've messed up somehow. But nothing had happened to me yet…. What did she do?
I sighed softly, inaudibly.
"You're always working hard, so I'm taking care of you. Got it?"
"…Ah, yeah. Thank you, Neria-nim."
"Plus, you're a working adult now. Gotta be days your boss chews you out. Your boss is my master's friend, right?"
"Yes. Eve Rikaon."
"Witches can be kinda weird personality-wise…."
Eve Team Leader? I doubted I'd get scolded anytime soon. Maybe if she caught me in some embarrassing erotic story roleplay and it went wrong. I chuckled wryly without thinking.
"Our team leader's as nice as you, Neria-nim. I hardly ever get in trouble."
"Hardly. So yesterday was fine? And today?"
"Yesterday and today…."
Yesterday, Eve caught me with Dorothy by chance. But she praised us. Today was uneventful. Just met Marie-nim and chatted briefly about a new apprentice witch.
"Pretty normal, I guess."
"…? What? Normal?"
"Yes? Uh, yeah."
But at my words, Neria's face turned cryptic. Moments later, she stepped closer abruptly.
…Looking ready to grab my collar, I flinched a bit. She just came close, though.
"R-Really nothing? No scolding at all?"
"N-No? It's usually harmonious. Even if I'm the only subordinate…."
Better than some other guy joining and making it "harmonious." As that obvious thought crossed my mind while eyeing her, Neria slowly lowered her gaze. Then, after a breath, she looked up at me again. Her eyes turned brazen as she cleared her throat.
"So you were enjoying work, and I, who didn't know, even encouraged you?"
Technically, yeah. No words left, I nodded faintly, and a sly smile crept under her brazenness.
"They've always said if someone gives, you gotta give back. Right?"
"Y-Yeah…."
"Pay grudges and favors back a thousandfold. Heh."
Then she tugged lightly at my pants pocket and added.
"So it won't be a problem if I use you more often, yeah?"
Grinning playfully, Neria turned off my smartphone.