Shared Bedroom and Puppy Shenanigans
Master... When Veronica and I arrived at the workshop, Cecil was brewing potions. Her face was serious, a stark contrast to her usual beaming smile. But the moment our eyes met, her expression lit up, and she came toddling over, throwing herself into my arms.
"Sha'a-nim! You're back?"
"Y-yeah... Making potions?"
"Yes! Veronica-nim said it would be good for me to do so!"
"I see."
I glanced at Veronica, who was looking at me with a strange expression. It was like she was eyeing something suspicious. Unable to figure it out, I shrugged and stroked Cecil's head. She let out a delighted kyarruk.
I told the giggling Cecil there was no need to call me Sha'a in front of Veronica and sent her back to the table.
"Something weird?"
When I asked, Veronica shook her head, saying it was nothing. Must've been my imagination.
I showed Veronica around the workshop and the house. She had to live here for a while, so it was only natural. She's loaded. That was her verdict. Her eyes sparkled at the shower facilities, though.
"Deeper inside, there's a bathtub too. Haven't used it much, so I should check it..."
Veronica furrowed her brows. "Then why build it?"
"...Wanted to use it, but I've been too busy to relax in it."
"..."
Avoiding her pitying gaze, I inspected the tub. Thankfully, the big investment paid off—it was just dusty but intact. After running some water a few times, it looked ready to use right away. But now wasn't the time, so I postponed it and continued the tour.
After a rough look around, Veronica asked with an incredulous face, "...There's only one bedroom?"
"As you saw... But two beds..."
"S-so you're saying I have to sleep in the same room as you...?"
Struggling to accept it, Veronica's face turned red.
"If it's uncomfortable, I can sleep in the parlor for a bit."
"N-no! It feels like a dorm, kinda nice. A-and for any emergencies, better to be in the same room, right!"
"...Yeah? If you're okay with it."
Veronica nodded vigorously. I chuckled inwardly. Next thing you know, she'll suggest a pillow fight.
...Not that I've ever done one.
As the basic tour wrapped up and I turned to head back to the workshop, Veronica grabbed my tail.
"...Told you not to touch."
"Sorry, grabbed it without thinking to stop you."
I pulled my tail free and asked, "So, why the sudden stop?"
"Nothing big... What do you want me to help with? Cecil seemed to be handling things fine already. As a fellow alchemist, anything I know... you'd already know too, right?"
For someone who'd playfully grabbed my tail, it was a surprisingly heavy topic. Her face was the most downcast I'd seen since arriving.
What was getting to Veronica like this? She was academy runner-up graduate—should be proud anywhere.
Proving it, she had her own workshop too, as far as I knew. Tough topic to broach casually. I felt a bit awkward.
"You didn't slack off after graduating, right?"
"W-well... not exactly...?"
"Then with your talent, you'll help somehow. I guarantee it—we took classes together."
"..."
Veronica gave me an odd look. Her narrowed eyes scanned my body, then she shook her head with a sigh.
This time, my mood soured. Like she was pitying a pathetic fool. My tail flicked irritably.
Seeing it, Veronica smirked. "...You're so consistent. You."
"What?"
"Nothing. So, what can I help with?"
My ears perked up. "...Nothing much."
Veronica's face flushed deeper as she listened quietly. Finally, she burst out, covering her modest chest with her arms.
"S-sexual harassment!!!"
"W-what the hell?! W-when did I say anything about touching? I-I just want your impressions and improvements."
"Y-you can just try it yourself! Y-you're a girl now too!"
Her words brought back memories. Breasts squished against the floor... Asking Cecil to milk me in the bathroom... Next day, in bed with two of them...
My face heated up. My stomach clenched oddly. Ever since the tail and ears, I'd felt that pull often.
"Why the sudden freakout?"
Veronica tilted her head, puzzled.
I shook it off and explained calmly. "...I tried it, but the effect's too strong—hard to judge. Cecil tried too, and her reaction differed a lot from mine. Need one more tester..."
After pondering, Veronica asked out of nowhere, "...So, what do you like about it?"
"Huh?"
"...Never mind. You tried it? Seems small for that."
Her crimson eyes flicked to my chest. I grinned sheepishly. "It's the shrinking type."
"Brutal."
...Of course, the goal was natural reduction, but the unforeseen side effect was needing to milk to shrink. I'd patched it as best I could—results pending this test.
"Anything else?"
"...Not right now."
Still flushed, Veronica muttered in resignation. "...Can't just mooch like a parasite, so I'll help... But next time, something normal."
"What? This is full of hope and dreams."
Of course... laced with my personal desires.
Veronica nodded reluctantly. "...Hate how I can't say no."
We agreed to test tomorrow—she was tired. Sweaty from everything, she headed to the bath. After seeing her off, I checked progress in the workshop.
Cecil had diligently brewed without slacking; nearly done with her quota.
Filling the last vial, she stretched and cheered. "All done!"
Her cuteness made me chuckle. She turned, then toddled over to report again.
"Good job."
"Hehe... Cecil's gotten used to it—finished quick. Asha-nim!"
"Great news."
Time for tougher tasks soon... But later. I stroked her head. She beamed, fidgeting her fingers.
She wanted something.
Soon, a hesitant voice. "Asha-nim..."
"Yeah?"
"Cecil has a request."
"Request?"
Rushed quota for a reward?
"Cecil wants tail and ears like Asha-nim."
"Uh...?"
"Is it no good? Cecil wants to match Asha-nim..."
Cute request. For a mood boost, giving it to her instead of me would've been better. Perfect timing—I was curious about reactions to other potions too.
"No reason not to. Wait a sec?"
"Yes!"
Bouncing excitedly, she waited as I rummaged the preservation box. Had some fun-made ones left... Messy box reminded me of storage rooms doubling as warehouses. Forgotten tools, fixtures... mystery boxes.
Maybe tidy with Veronica here... Nah, overwhelming.
Finally found it. Label showed... different from mine.
Troubled, I scratched my cheek.
"Asha-nim! Found it?"
"Y-yeah, found it... but different type from mine."
"What's different?"
Cecil tilted her head curiously.
"Mine was feline... this is more canine."
"Dog?"
"Kinda... opposite, in a way."
Not really, but image-wise.
Cecil pondered, finger to lips, then declared brightly. "If it has tail and ears, Cecil's fine! Doesn't have to match Asha-nim exactly. Similar is good!"
"Alright then..."
I hesitated handing it over. My tail and ears twitched suddenly.
"Asha-nim?"
Watching her demurely outstretched hands... I placed it gently. Should be fine.
Beaming, Cecil gulped it down. Setting the empty vial on the table, she squirmed, itchy where ears and tail would sprout.
"S-something tickles. Asha-nim."
"Normal—just endure. Effect's fast this time?"
Unlike breast potion, instant reaction. Intriguing—what differed? As I pondered, cute animal ears popped atop her silver hair. Her dress fluttered as a fluffy tail emerged.
"Woof!"
Then Cecil stood on all fours. Like... a dog.
...Huh?
She wagged her lush, fluffy tail wildly, rubbing her head against my thigh. Whining on all fours like kying-kying.
No human words—just doggy sounds.
...Mixture went a bit... wrong. Like mine.
I extended a hand; she licked it eagerly. Wonder when she'll snap out of it? Before tomorrow, hopefully.
Unlike my dismay, Cecil seemed thrilled.
...Cute enough. Veronica's here too.
I stroked her even fluffier head.