A Sore Awakening and a Bargain Struck
I awoke to a plush, enveloping softness cradling my entire body. This gentle embrace... it was unmistakably the feel of the bed Master had bought me just recently. Relief washed over me—no slick, treacherous bathroom floor dragging me into its mire. And thankfully, no rigid rod pressing down on me either.
I let out a sigh, and my body twitched, then shuddered violently.
"Hahk..."
With the excitement faded, pain screamed through my limbs. My waist, my legs—nothing was spared. Especially my arms, which had slammed into the floor so many times; they stung like bruises. Lifting one with effort revealed a bluish-purple mottling.
That triggered the memories: floating in the air, tossed about by that rod, sensations hazy like a mirage. My body jerked again, pain lancing in response.
Footsteps approached from afar. The door creaked open, revealing silver hair. Crimson eyes, brimming with worry, widened at the sight of me.
"Asha-nim! You're awake!"
"..."
Cecil rushed in with a tray—sandwiches, presumably, and a bottle of milk. I worried she'd trip, but her innate balance kept the tray steady as she set it before me and hesitantly spoke.
"Asha-nim...? Are you alright? Is anything hurting?"
Her silver hair, carrying my own scent, brushed my skin. The aroma of her body—savored so thoroughly as she pounded into me from behind—filled my nose, and my lower belly clenched in illusionary response.
As I trembled silently, Cecil fidgeted anxiously, waving her hands.
"A-Asha-nim? Are you still in pain?"
"...Just needed a moment to think. I'm fine now. Thanks for worrying."
"That's a relief!"
Hearing her ask if I was hurting made cold sweat bead on my skin. Not that it would happen, but... if I was still in that 'painful' state, she'd whip out the rod hidden under that dress.
I shook my head inwardly and glanced at the tray. A sandwich, clumsily mimicking my recipe. It looked so haphazard, like it might derail and take flight at any moment. But knowing she'd made it for me—and paced anxiously until I woke—tugged at my heartstrings.
"You made this yourself?"
Cecil's eyes trembled, a rare sight.
"Yes... Asha-nim. But Cecil couldn't make it properly..."
I could guess the unspoken words. Reaching out to stroke her hair, I felt a slight tug. My breasts, noticeably smaller than at first taste, were the culprit. Even after all that sucking, they were still this ample—stronger effects than I'd predicted.
With trembling arms, I finally lifted a hand to pet her warm head.
"I haven't taught you how yet, so of course it's not perfect. Don't worry about it."
"Is that so...?"
"Yeah. I'll eat it gratefully. So, how much time has passed?"
Cecil mumbled around a bite before replying.
"A day has gone by. The sun is overhead now."
"Got it."
I gathered the sandwich and chewed. My body quivered. Without intervention, I'd be bedridden for a while. But... I couldn't afford that. The losses...
Problem was, no healing potions. As I pondered, a visitor chime sounded.
"Who is it...?"
"Cecil will check."
"...Yeah. If it's for me, come back and let me know."
"Yes!"
Cecil bounded out energetically. I expected her back soon, but time dragged. Unease crept in. Then footsteps returned—multiple sets.
The door opened to Cecil's pouty face and Claudia's annoyed one.
Ah, right—Claudia's regular visit day.
Her furrowed brow smoothed at the sight of me. A strange feeling stirred.
Claudia waved cheerfully, approaching. Her limp tail wagged furiously.
"Hey, Sha'a."
"...Claudia."
"Dia."
"Fine, Dia."
I had no idea why she obsessed over the nickname, but if it earned goodwill, no harm in indulging.
Claudia grinned satisfiedly. "Master still hasn't returned?"
It stung a bit, but I nodded affirmatively.
"Then you'll handle it in Master's place?"
"Yeah. Nothing changes."
"Cool. Works for me. The potions from last time got rave reviews. Your skill matches Master's? Or pre-made stock?"
"...I've learned all I could."
Talking with Claudia always left me a bit down. She didn't know I was Astarote Asha, but the disconnect... Just a gender swap, and yet.
"What's wrong? Something bugging you?"
"...No."
"Alright then. So what'd you do to end up stuck in bed?"
"...A little accident."
"Accident?"
I stopped Cecil from speaking. Sitting her beside me, I stroked her hair and whispered it was our secret. She whispered back, Understood! with a smile.
Come to think of it, I needed to talk with Cecil too. Later, after sending Claudia off.
"Whatever. But..." Claudia shrugged, eyes scanning my chest. "Been bugging me... Why the sudden growth? Said you weren't interested. Pretty big for that, huh?"
"...A mishap during an experiment. It'll shrink back."
Claudia sniffed. "Smells sweet somewhere."
I waved her off to distract. ...Ow. My brow furrowed. As I clutched myself, Claudia gently gripped my arm.
"Sha'a, what's with your body?"
"Part of the accident."
"...Heartbreaking. That's why you're bedridden? Eaten yet?"
"Just had a sandwich."
Her gaze hit the tray—one clear bite mark.
"...You didn't call this mud pie a sandwich, did you?"
"...Cecil made it."
My mutter reached her; Claudia flinched. Cecil beside her bowed her head darkly.
"..."
Claudia looked awkward, scratching her cheek. "Well, uh... Dammit, wait here. I'll whip something up. Can I borrow the kitchen?"
"You cook?"
"Basic skill."
Thinking back, she seemed into that stuff at shops we'd visited.
As Claudia turned for the kitchen, Cecil grabbed her. Sudden move—we both tilted our heads.
Cecil spoke calmly. "Beast... no, beastkin..."
"What, tail... no, assistant."
Cecil chewed her words. "Teach Cecil to cook."
"What?"
"Huh...?"
We both stared, stunned. "...Beastkin can't cook, as you say. But Cecil wants to make tasty things for Asha-nim. So teach Cecil."
Claudia eyed her oddly, then chuckled. "Teaching's fine, but for free?"
"Free?"
"Why teach without compensation?"
Cecil fidgeted, glancing at me. "But Asha-nim teaches anything without..."
"'Cause you're Sha'a's assistant?"
...No need to explain fully. Felt like dousing with cold water. Even I thought it a bit much.
"Then what should Cecil do for the beastkin?"
"Dunno..."
Claudia stroked her chin, smirked, and looked at me. "Sha'a pays instead. With a date."
"...Dia."
"Date?"
"No fitting payment from an assistant... so her boss, Asha-nim, covers it, right?"
Claudia grinned mischievously. As I scratched my head, Cecil asked dubiously,
"Beastkin, is compensation always necessary?"
"Of course. World runs that way. Even Sha'a charges for potions."
Cecil nodded silently. Made sense—she'd never handled money matters; I'd always done it.
"Deal, Sha'a-nim? Healing potion core ingredients as bonus now."
"...Got other stuff."
"You'd have used 'em already."
Her smug reply hit home. Core ingredient shortage was the issue. Natural healing... how long? Temples? Not keen— not free anyway.
Losses piled up. Cecil couldn't brew it; I'd have to.
"...Fine."
"Smart choice. Alright, assistant—to the kitchen?"
"...One more thing: no repeats of last time."
Claudia giggled, nodding. Cecil eyed me worriedly.
"...It's nothing. Learn well and cook tasty stuff, Cecil."
"Yes! Asha-nim!"
I could've taught cooking, but potion ingredients mattered more. Obtainable if healthy, but my emergency stock was rare.
Felt like Claudia roped me in. Still, the two former snarlers getting closer... reassuring. They'd see each other often; constant growling wouldn't do.
I sank into the bed, awaiting their return. The plushness felt wonderful.