Butler Taming
"What?"
Cha Eunwol.
The crazy bitch always dragged into comparisons with me.
Get along with her? No way in hell could I swallow that request easily.
'Ah… maybe that was pushing it?'
As Cheon Yura just stared at me, a wave of unease started creeping in.
"Um… was that too much to ask…?"
The words slipped out in a dejected tone before I knew it. My perky ears drooped limply, mirroring my mood perfectly.
Seeing them sag right in front of her, Cheon Yura's shoulders jerked hard with guilt.
'…How the hell am I supposed to say no to that?'
She couldn't hide her fluster and blurted out a response.
"N-No… it's not that I can't… Ah, got it. Yeah, we'll get along."
"Really? Phew, that's a relief. Thanks so much."
Only then did I flash a bright grin and nod.
'Yeah, if we're gonna bump into each other a lot anyway, might as well get friendly. Gotta tell Guild Leader Cha Eunwol later too.'
With my mood lifted, my droopy ears sprang back up like coiled springs, fluttering lightly.
Cheon Yura stared blankly at that innocent smile and those adorably twitching ears, her pale face flushing red in an instant.
'C-Cute… ears…'
Her eyes darted around wildly, unable to settle. Her hands twitched repeatedly, inching toward my head before dropping back down over and over.
She was dying to grab and stroke it right then, but held back, afraid I'd hate it—her fingers just hovered in the air.
"Um… anywhere still hurt?"
Her standing there fidgeting endlessly baffled me, so I tilted my head.
Every little twitch I made sent her shoulders flinching. She clenched her fists tight, then in a tiny, hesitant whisper—watching my face carefully—asked,
"This might sound weird, but… could I pet your head? Just once?"
"Huh?"
What's with her all of a sudden?
I couldn't hide my bewilderment at her cautious plea.
Was her head still messed up from the pain? Asking a total stranger to pet her like that…
Well, thinking about it, for Cheon Yura the guild leader? Not that weird.
S-ranks all seemed a bit unhinged somewhere along the line.
Fine, whatever—a quick head pat wasn't a big deal.
Guild Leader Cha Eunwol did it to my cheeks and hair whenever she felt like it.
"Sure, go ahead."
I nodded casually, giving permission.
In that instant, Cheon Yura's eyes went wide, a pure, beaming smile spreading across her lips.
Didn't match her image at all… but damn, it looked way better.
That earnest, excited expression made her seem nothing like the intimidating figure from the guild earlier.
Hell, she even came off a little cute.
Cheon Yura reached out ever so carefully. Her fingertips trembled—she was seriously tense.
Finally, they brushed my hair softly.
"Ah…"
A tiny sigh escaped her lips, like a breath she'd been holding forever.
Overwhelmed by the fluffy, soft texture, her hand froze for a second—then began stroking my head, slow and gentle.
A body temp a tad warmer than a normal person's.
The silky strands slipping delightfully between her fingers.
Cheon Yura savored the cozy feel, her hand gradually sneaking toward the ears poking up from my hair.
Smooth.
Her fingertip grazed the outer fur of my white ear.
Flap.
The sensitive ear twitched reflexively at the touch.
That tiny, precious reaction made her grit her teeth—she couldn't hold back the cuteness overload.
'So… freaking… cute… squishy… warm.'
Judgment clouded by adorable overload, Cheon Yura gave in and boldly cupped my ear, petting it for real.
"Eek!"
The sudden tickle at my ear made me yelp, shoulders hunching as I froze stiff.
I asked for a head pat—why the hell the ears?!
I reflexively reached up toward my head.
My hand met not the hoodie, but my perky ear—and the back of Cheon Yura's hand fondling it.
'Shit… busted… no wonder she kept staring at my head more than my face…'
I turned to ice on the spot.
Then I remembered: after the kneading session, I'd yanked off my hoodie 'cause I was hot. Hood down meant ears out.
Whether I panicked or not, Cheon Yura was utterly enchanted by the ear's texture. She couldn't suppress her grin, beaming like the happiest person alive.
What now… play it off as a skill? Transformation skills are common enough… right?
"So… freaking… cute…"
As I scrambled in my head, her dazed mutter reached me.
Wait… was she one too?
I sneaked a glance up at her face.
Cheon Yura smiled with pure, blissful joy.
…Were she and Guild Leader Cha Eunwol really on bad terms? Their reactions seemed identical.
Did bread trigger the same in her?
She looked that happy—did I really need to kill the vibe?
Besides…
"Hnng… mm…"
Truth be told, her fingers growing smoother and more skilled on my ear sent shivers through me—and it felt good.
Never got this buzz petting myself.
I knew I shouldn't, but my body welcomed her touch like it was the most natural thing.
A lazy, pleasant moment drifted by.
"Ahem… ahem."
Cheon Yura suddenly cleared her throat loudly twice, pulling her hand away from my ear.
She'd snapped back to reality, realizing how lost she'd gotten petting away.
…Ugh, embarrassing for me too.
As I stood there awkwardly post-pet, she hacked out more coughs and rummaged in her jacket's inner pocket.
She pulled out a sleek black business card and thrust it at me.
"Here… my card. Call anytime you're free… no pressure…"
Cheon Yura bowed her head once more, thanking me profusely.
"…Thanks for healing me. I'll head out."
Face even redder than before, she turned and walked off.
Her final glance at my ears brimmed with longing.
Left alone in the park, I stared down at the card.
'…What a weirdo.'
I yanked my hoodie back over my head and trudged home.
The strongest booze craving since the TS hit.
Obviously… couldn't drink anyway.
"Haa…"
Back home, Cheon Yura flung off her outer clothes and collapsed onto her plush bed.
The chronic headaches that always ravaged her mind were gone like a lie—her head crystal clear.
How long had it been?
She'd figured it'd be temporary, but the pain hadn't returned.
Still, her nerves fixated elsewhere.
She slowly lifted her right hand.
The lingering sensation of stroking that soft hair and fluffy white ear-fur for so long still tingled.
That warm temp and velvety touch—she'd never forget it.
The cute ears drooping sadly.
Perking right back up with that radiant smile at her one reply.
…Even peeking nervously while asking her to get along with Cha Eunwol.
"Fuu…"
Maybe… that kid was the most dangerous of all hunters.
Gazing at her palm, a deep smile crept across Cheon Yura's lips.
That day—betrayed by her closest comrades, the heart she'd thought dead stirred back to life from just minutes chatting with that girl.
…Crap, forgot to get her name…
She brought her hand to her cheek, murmuring softly.
"Seriously… maybe just… kidnap her and keep her…"
Then… she'd cry, right?
Those squishy ears drooping, tears welling in those innocent eyes… It hurt to imagine, but god, she wanted to see it—just once.
