Cotton Candy on My Tail
Levi Nas, who had approached me amid the cat supplies, suddenly grabbed my tail. Knowing exactly what she wanted, I had no choice but to step back.
"King, Levi Nas needs a tail!"
"To make cotton candy...?"
"Yeah!"
Making cotton candy with my tail? It was the kind of idea a kid would come up with. It was weird, but probably more efficient than a wooden stick.
"My tail's gonna get all sticky."
"Levi Nas will wash it clean!"
"Uh, um..."
Levi Nas looked up at me with pleading eyes. She must really want to try it that badly. Since today was the day to play with Levi Nas, I decided to go along with it.
"...Okay."
"Yay!"
Levi Nas, clutching my tail, plopped down in front of the cotton candy machine. I twisted my body slightly and sat beside her.
"King, do it?"
"Yeah. But make sure it doesn't touch the machine, just in case."
"Got it!"
Levi Nas nodded enthusiastically. She had beastkin reflexes too, so it shouldn't accidentally touch even by mistake.
Just as she inserted my tail into the cotton candy machine, Han Yeoreum and Jeong Yu-na arrived beside us, having walked over slowly. The two women stared at me and Levi Nas with wide eyes before bursting into giggles.
"Oh my, tail cotton candy?"
"Yeah! Levi Nas discovered it!"
"Wow, that's genius."
Click—
Han Yeoreum snapped a photo of me and Levi Nas with her smartphone. Jeong Yu-na cast some mysterious spell on my tail.
"Magic?"
"Yeah. Just in case, I put a protection spell on it."
"Ah."
If it was Jeong Yu-na's magic, there was no worry about getting hurt. And so, I sat still, waiting for the cotton candy to finish.
Yeomyeong Guild HQ, first floor— the magic stone sales counter.
Sophia was working part-time there. Her shift was about four hours, and she could handle all her tasks while seated. It was the guild's consideration for her discomfort on land.
"Sophia."
Yu Sang-ah, sitting next to her, poked Sophia's shoulder playfully. Sophia naturally looked up at her.
"What is it?"
"Well, you see."
Yu Sang-ah knew Sophia was much older than her, but her childlike cuteness made it impossible not to smile warmly. Having such an adorable coworker made work hours something to look forward to.
"Want to see the video that went up on the guild's SNS today?"
"A video?"
Sophia's gaze shifted to Yu Sang-ah's smartphone. On the large screen, two familiar children appeared. It was filmed from an angle that avoided showing their faces clearly, but Sophia knew it was Winter and Levi Nas.
"It's so cute you can't stop watching, right?"
"Hm..."
Levi Nas was making cotton candy with Winter's tail. It was an adorably heartwarming sight that brought a smile to anyone's face.
They're playing happily. That's a relief.
She'd felt a heaviness in her heart seeing the young one struggle so much. It was good to see her playing like a child her age. Sophia couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"A delightful sight."
"Right? So lovable, isn't it?"
"Hm."
Sophia nodded silently. Yu Sang-ah then showed her another video. It was of Levi Nas from behind, munching on the cotton candy wound around Winter's tail.
"King!"
"Yeah?"
"Levi Nas's favorite King has cotton candy on him! Today's Levi Nas is the happiest in the world!"
Levi Nas clumsily expressed her joy with her limited vocabulary. Winter's tail swished happily, perhaps pleased by her pure heart.
"W-whoa..."
Levi Nas tried to eat the cotton candy, but the wagging tail made it impossible. The fluffy strands just smeared stickiness all over her face.
"Wow, King, can you stop your tail for a sec? Levi Nas can't eat the cotton candy."
"Can't stop it right now, sorry..."
"Ugh, okay..."
The video ended with Levi Nas bobbing her head every which way. Her tail wagged too fast, and she ultimately failed to get a bite. The comments were exploding with reactions, just as cute as the video itself. Sophia naturally scrolled through them.
Maybe it was because they were pure, innocent children untouched by the world. There were no negative comments. Sophia thought perhaps even the hardest hearts might melt at this. They were that lovable.
"Good to see the children enjoying themselves."
"Yeah. Why don't you head out now, Sophia?"
"I'm fine. Still about twenty minutes left."
"But the kids must be waiting for you?"
The kids are waiting. Those words stabbed at her heart, making Sophia flinch. Yu Sang-ah noticed.
"It wouldn't be right for me alone to leave early while everyone's working."
"The kids are happier with you there. And seeing them happy motivates the guild members too."
"Hm..."
Playing with the kids boosts guild morale? It felt odd, but not wrong. The children were showered with love from everyone in the guild.
"The guild's morale rests in your hands, Sophia!"
"...I'm not a child, so I'd prefer you not speak to me that way."
"Ah, yes. Sorry."
Sophia rose from her seat, watching Yu Sang-ah bow her head. She was grateful to work with such considerate people.
"Then, if it's no trouble, may I go ahead?"
"Yes! Go right ahead!"
"Thank you."
Sophia leaned on her cane and headed to the park where the children were. She appreciated the guild scheduling her for quieter hours.
My tail was sticky. Levi Nas's hands and face were just as sticky.
"Kids, time to wash up."
"Yeah, we should."
I grabbed shampoo and soap from the container house. Since it was just faces and tails, we decided to wash in the pond.
"Winter, in the pond?"
"Yeah, it's closest."
The pond water was purified in real-time by a magic item. A bit of shampoo or soap wouldn't pollute it.
"U-uh... I don't mind, but..."
"But...?"
"...Never mind. Sis will lower you to the pond, so no jumping, okay?"
"Okay."
Han Yeoreum went down to the pond and reached out to me. She carefully slipped her hands under my armpits and lowered me to the water.
"Yeoreum! Levi Nas too!"
"Coming. Over here?"
As Han Yeoreum moved toward Levi Nas, I dipped my tail in the water. I rinsed it like laundry, then scrubbed off the stickiness by hand.
That's when Han Yeoreum's flustered voice rang out.
"Winter, isn't this cat shampoo...?"
"Yes, it is."
"For ears and tail...?"
"Yeah. I bought it for ears and tail."
"Y-you bought it?"
Gulp.
Han Yeoreum swallowed hard. She seemed tense, as if expecting some horrific reason from me. Of course, it wasn't as shocking as she imagined.
"But buying two kinds—regular and cat shampoo—feels like it'd run out too fast. So I just use this for my hair too."
"W-with cat shampoo...?"
"Yes."
Han Yeoreum came closer and fiddled with my hair, running her fingers through it or rubbing strands between them.
"I raised cats as a kid, so I know—washing your hair with cat shampoo makes it super stiff. How's yours so soft?"
"I-I don't know...?"
Did that mean Han Yeoreum had tried washing her hair with cat shampoo too? As I felt an odd sense of camaraderie, the familiar tap of a cane drew my eyes outside the pond.
"Probably fine."
"Is it?"
Han Yeoreum turned and asked Sophia. Standing behind her back felt awkward, so I waded to her side.
"Beastkin and human hair are different. Should be no issue."
"Ah..."
Han Yeoreum looked convinced. But it only raised more questions for me.
"So it's okay for me to use cat stuff?"
"Cat stuff...?"
"Yeah. I checked when buying shampoo—it's way cheaper."
Han Yeoreum and Sophia exchanged glances, starting a silent conversation. Han Yeoreum spoke first.
"Winter, even so, no eating cat food...?"
"It's not even ten thousand won per kilo?"
"Please, it's my dying wish..."
"Um... okay..."
No go, huh. I'd heard pet food was nutritionally perfect for humans too. Even in zombie apocalypses, people ate it. Disappointing, but I gave up. Deep down, I knew it was weird.
So cheap though.
Less than ten thousand won for 2kg. Wish human food was that price. Shoulders slumping in regret, Sophia cleared her throat.
"Winter, when I get paid, I'll buy you lots of tasty things..."
Sophia's face was full of guilt. It wasn't her fault I sought cheap food, yet she looked so sorry. I could only bow my head in shame.