A Fox in Maid's Clothing

There had been a strange misunderstanding for a moment, but I was able to clear it up quickly. It was about the definition of taming. The girl seemed to have interpreted it in quite a lewd way. It was a good thing I hurriedly added an explanation…

'I almost got labeled as a pervert.'

If she took our relationship that way, what was I supposed to do? Of course it meant becoming friends. Had she never read a single fairy tale in her life?

I stared at the fox with my eyes narrowed to slits.

"......"

Irene sat there, deliberately turning her gaze away. She was pretending to be indifferent, but the tips of her ears had already flushed bright red. Her tail flicked about restlessly. She seemed embarrassed about having those naughty thoughts all on her own.

Watching her fidget like that, I couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. Was this what they called gap moe? She gave off such a fierce aura, yet crumbled the moment you poked her.

I spoke up.

"You have an unexpectedly cute side, don't you?"

The mischievous jab made Irene flinch, her shoulders jumping. She immediately shot me a fierce glare.

"......I already said I was sorry."

"This is revenge."

"No..."

"To think you were entertaining such perverted fantasies in your head. My poor shocked heart simply refuses to calm down."

"......"

In the end, the fox sank. Seeing her hang her head low, my lips twisted into a smirk. A sly smile spread across my face.

'This is fun.'

Teasing her was surprisingly entertaining. In the original story, moments like these were exactly why she had been so popular. The chemistry she shared with the eccentric Little Prince in particular had drawn explosive reactions from the players.

Those were the comments left on my video. A few strange ones were sprinkled throughout… but I decided to ignore them.

Regardless, Irene's impact had been considerable. During the popularity poll for The World Seen by the Little Prince, she had proudly taken third place.

'I voted for Regia, of course…'

Still, seeing her in person like this, I could understand how the fans felt. Tsunderes were always in demand. Her appeal was the complete opposite of Regia's gentle personality.

"Miss Irene."

"......What."

"Cheer up. I'll stop teasing you now."

I reached out and patted the fox's head a few times in a soothing manner. A low, angry hiss reached my ears, but I ignored it and smoothly withdrew my hand.

"The conversation was drifting off topic. Let's return to the main subject."

Clap, clap!

I clapped my hands to refocus her attention. Irene glared at me with her pride thoroughly wounded, yet she couldn't bring herself to lunge at me. She was clearly seething inside.

I continued in an innocent tone.

"I told you, didn't I? That I would guarantee the children's safety."

"You did."

"In return, you promised to become my 'friend,' Miss Irene."

"I don't really know what being friends means… but if it means I can protect the children, I'll do anything."

"Anything?"

"......Within reason."

"Hehe, of course. Please set your worries aside."

I gave a light wave of my hand. Though I was treating Irene playfully, this was nothing more than a one-sided advance. She must still be afraid of me. Suspicious, too. But that wasn't really a problem. We had plenty of time. Since we would be together from now on, I could simply build up her trust.

"Then, Miss Irene."

"What now."

"This is my first request as your friend. By the way, I won't accept any refusals."

The snake flicked its tongue. The dangerously glittering golden surface looked ready to swallow the fox at any moment. I whispered lightly.

"You must come with me to the academy."

It was time to step into a new chapter of the story.

Meanwhile, at Galimar Academy.

The week-long entrance examination had finally come to an end. Once the score calculations and tedious paperwork were all finished, the faculty gathered in the dean's office for a meeting. They were reviewing the results of this year's exam.

New students received plenty of attention every year, but this particular batch was on another level. The overall quality of the applicants was exceptionally high, and it included several promising talents hailed as geniuses.

The First Princess of the Empire, Charlotte Little von Staufen. The twin siblings from the Vanity Ducal family—Emilia Vanity and Ruska Vanity. And even a commoner capable of summoning a wyvern as a familiar.

It was a season where all the once-in-a-generation prospects had poured in as if by appointment.

The professors had been overflowing with anticipation, but…

"This is unacceptable!"

"We cannot accept this. Such arbitrary decision-making is truly disappointing."

"It must be corrected immediately!"

The atmosphere in the dean's office was chaotic. Agitated voices rang out.

At the center of the faculty stood a white-haired elder seated at his desk with a tired expression. He rubbed his forehead and calmed the professors.

"Everyone, please settle down."

"But, Dean...!"

"Enough."

"......"

His firm rebuke silenced the room. Once the commotion died down, the dean looked down at his desk with heavy eyes. A thick, sealed document lay before him.

"Haa......"

A sigh escaped on its own. The old man rubbed his dry face, desperately swallowing his dizzying emotions. What the professors were collectively protesting was the content of this very document.

"This ranking makes no sense!"

"Not only did Her Highness the Princess miss the top spot, but to place someone so far below the standard in her place?!"

"We were present at the examination site as well."

"While he may be from a prestigious family… his skills were barely mid-tier at best!"

"Frankly, we cannot accept these results."

Yuda Snakers. The biggest talking point of this entrance exam. Despite showing somewhat lacking scores, the boy had somehow taken the top position.

The dean quietly turned his head.

"......"

The person standing there was a woman. Her purple hair cascaded softly. Her red eyes sparkled with captivating allure. Her expression was utterly indifferent, as if she had no interest whatsoever.

"......Selena."

Selena Drunkard. The academy's chief professor and the person in charge of overseeing this entrance examination. The dean let out another sigh.

"Selena."

"Yes, Dean."

"Explain what happened here."

"It is exactly as you see."

Her answer was bold. The strong scent of alcohol clung to her; she had clearly been drinking again.

"Didn't you give permission for this, Dean?"

"Selena. Even though I delegated all authority regarding the entrance exam to you, this is..."

"I simply fulfilled my assigned role."

Selena replied nonchalantly. The dean felt his head spinning. He had ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠been accommodating her, but wasn't she being far too brazen?

As the old man mulled over his doubts about his disciple, the professors' complaints buzzed around his ears like a swarm of bees.

"You cannot let this slide this time!"

"We cannot help but question Professor Selena's handling of affairs. Last time she graded the exams while drunk and the rankings became completely jumbled, didn't they!"

"That only happened once."

"Once is already a problem! Professor Selena!"

"Hm?"

Selena tilted her head as if she genuinely hadn't known. It only scratched at the already irritated nerves of the faculty. At this rate, it might turn into an emotional shouting match.

The dean swallowed a weary groan and forcibly brought the messy situation under control.

"That's enough from all of you. We will conclude the matter of the new students' top ranker here."

"But, Dean...!"

"Do my words sound like a joke?"

"......"

"Besides, there is a separate class placement exam coming up. If there was a problem with Selena's judgment, the rankings will shift then."

"......Understood."

The dean's demeanor was resolute. He would allow no further chatter. A strange tension lingered in the air. Only then did the faculty realize they had become overly excited and withdrew.

Only Selena maintained her detached composure.

"Selena."

"Yes, Dean."

"I will let it pass since the document has already been approved… but even I have my doubts about this matter."

"I apologize."

"Do not take the position of chief professor lightly."

"I will keep it in mind."

The dean furrowed his brow. He wanted to end the lecture here, but the other faculty members' dissatisfaction was obvious. This issue could not simply be overlooked.

"The student who took the top rank this time. Do you remember him?"

"Yes. They call him the son of a snake."

"If that student fails to stay in the top ten during the class placement exam two weeks from now… I will strip you of your position as chief professor. Since this was your responsibility, it is only right that you bear the consequences."

"I will accept it gladly."

"Good. Everyone, this should satisfy you, yes?"

The other professors remained silent. It meant they would follow the dean's decision. Though his tone ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had been somewhat scolding, the underlying meaning was that he would remove her from the position.

The princess who had entered in second place this year was an unparalleled genius. There was no way a student with merely mid-tier skills could stand against her. She would likely suffer a crushing defeat.

'It's over.'

'What a shame.'

'Serves her right. Acting all high and mighty while riding on the dean's coattails.'

'She was truly talented too. If only she didn't drink so much...'

'So this is how it ends.'

The faculty harbored various thoughts. The professors glanced briefly at Selena before turning their eyes elsewhere.

Because of that, none of them saw it.

'Class placement exam, huh. I'm looking forward to it.'

A faint smile passed across her lips for the briefest moment. Clear anticipation shone in Selena's smile.

The fox rescue incident!

A week had passed since then. The fluttering calendar pages had already turned to the day of the academy entrance ceremony. The point where the original story truly began.

"I'm so excited~ I'm so excited~!"

"......Can you be quiet?"

"How could I possibly be quiet! It's the first day of the academy!"

I answered Irene's scolding brightly. The two of us—Irene and I—were walking toward Galimar Academy.

"Hehe."

A pleasant laugh bubbled out of me. Was it because my heart was pounding? My steps felt much lighter than usual. The spring breeze was especially refreshing today.

I calmly steadied my heart, which was colored with excitement. As I walked with light steps, a strange groaning sound suddenly came from beside me.

"Ugh......"

"Miss Irene? Is something wrong?"

"You... are you seriously asking that...?"

Her voice trembled. When I turned my head, I saw a girl whose face had turned bright red. A stinging glare pierced into me. I deliberately responded with a calm face.

"Hm? I don't know what you mean."

"You're the worst..."

"Now, now, Miss Irene. Such harsh criticism isn't very nice."

"Then don't make me wear something like this...!"

Irene finally exploded. Her short skirt fluttered along with her violently swinging tail. The black-and-white color scheme. The tight design that boldly revealed the curves of her entire body. The girl was wearing a maid uniform.

"It suits you very well."

I tossed out a light compliment. But even that seemed to be a critical hit for her. The fox ears on her head twitched in response. She looked incredibly embarrassed.

"......You perverted bastard."

There were even tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. Irene chewed on her shame and anger, directing strong hostility toward me.

"Friend, my ass… This was your goal from the very beginning, wasn't it?"

"How hurtful."

I was starting to worry she might actually come to hate me. I added an explanation.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Didn't I tell you? That this was the only way for you to enter the academy with me."

Irene could not enter the academy. To be precise, she had missed the timing. The entrance exam was already over. To enter as a student, she would have to wait at least another year.

Therefore, I chose the next best option.

-I will employ you.

-From now on, you will be my exclusive maid.

In other words, keeping Irene as a servant. While the academy's principle was that it was a space exclusively for students, there were some exceptions. Each student was allowed to bring a few servants. It was likely a consideration for the children of noble families.

-I'm alone, after all.

The servant position happened to be vacant. Since my family hadn't assigned anyone, there would be no problem if I hired someone myself.

And so Irene had become a maid.

"B-but still...! Th-this tight, shameless outfit is just...!!"

"It's the latest trending design. I picked the most popular one from the shop."

"I don't understand human society at all......"

"What do you think? Isn't ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it as naughty as the inside of your head, Miss Irene?"

"Shut up!!"

Irene finally threw a punch. I lightly dodged the attack and continued to tease her mischievously. She really was entertaining when she got prickly.

After we bickered back and forth for a while, Irene, who had been fuming, suddenly pressed her lips together. It was as if something had occurred to her.

"Miss Irene?"

The mood suddenly grew heavy. Her expression stiffened. The girl hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

"......The children are really okay, right?"

"Ah."

It seemed she was worried about the little foxes. Since we couldn't bring them to the academy, we had to leave the children somewhere else. From Irene's perspective, it must be unsettling. She couldn't stay by their side to protect them.

"Please don't worry."

I spoke to ease the girl's anxiety.

"I called some people I know. They are reliable, so they will definitely take good care of the children."

"The fact that you called them… makes me trust them even less."

"Oh dear."

"They're not dangerous people… right...?"

"They should be fine. They follow my orders without question."

"......That sounds dangerous."

"There you go again with the hurtful words."

I brushed off the question with a sly smile. Although Irene looked at me with suspicious eyes, I managed to divert her attention by teasing her a few more times.

I muttered to myself inwardly.

'Now that I think about it… it's been a while since I last saw them.'

The last time had been the letter I sent half a year ago. I wondered how everyone was doing. I just hoped they hadn't caused too much trouble in my absence. I should show my face soon.

'Astro.'

The infamous criminal organization of the slums. I mulled over the name for the first time in a while as I continued walking.