The Wolf's Surprise Eggs and Tail Grooming
The person beyond the door, who seemed suspiciously sincere, turned out to be a familiar face. Glossy black hair shimmered in the morning sunlight, topped with fluffy animal ears that looked as plush as ever today. Among the people I could introduce like this, she wasn't an unwelcome guest. It was Claudia.
She was dressed comfortably today—a plain white shirt and simple pants. Maybe because they weren't too tight? Her voluptuous yet toned figure was on full display. And for some reason... it felt a little erotic. What am I thinking? Must be from lack of sleep.
While I was observing Claudia, she was staring right back at me. Those sharp golden eyes, usually twinkling with mischief, now looked flustered and full of questions. After scanning me silently for a moment, Claudia finally spoke.
"...Every time I see you, you've got something new attached."
She's talking about the tail and ears, huh... A wave of embarrassment hit me, and I scratched at one ear as I replied.
"W-well... something like that happened. Anyway, what brings you here so suddenly...?"
"Don't be like that. We're not the type who only meet when there's business, right?"
"... "
We kinda are, though?
Claudia pouted sadly, rubbing the corner of her eye, a basket in her hand. It was covered with a cloth, hiding the contents. Noticing my gaze, she chuckled teasingly.
"Curious what's inside?"
"No... I just glanced because it caught my eye."
"I thought you'd guessed already."
"...What is it?"
Nothing came to mind. The packaging was too plain for anything I'd be interested in, and if it wasn't that, I drew a blank. As Claudia playfully swung the basket side to side, my eyes followed involuntarily. Before I knew it, my own tail was swaying along with it.
Claudia grinned like she was watching an adorable creature. Embarrassment flooded me, my face heating up. I hurriedly grabbed my ear and turned my head away. Then I snatched my fidgeting tail...
"Hngh!"
A strange sensation surged through me. My lower belly tingled, my thighs quivered. I nearly lost my balance and toppled to the floor, but Claudia's hand caught me just in time, hoisting me up.
Dangling helplessly from her grip, I at least avoided a faceplant. It hit me anew just how strong this adventurer was.
"You okay?"
"...Thanks to you."
Hanging there from Claudia's hand, our eyes met. We were closer than I'd realized. She smelled like sunlight.
"Tails are more sensitive than you'd think. Be careful with it. Who knows how long it'll stick around."
"...Yeah."
As I mumbled awkwardly, Claudia sniffed the air. I tensed, suddenly paranoid she'd sniff out last night's escapades.
"You showered? Smells nice. But..."
Thankfully, that wasn't it—her expression darkened for another reason.
"Your ears are still damp? You didn't dry them properly?"
"Oh... d-did I not?"
"Look—it's not just the ears... You can't do this, Sha'a. Even if it's temporary, you gotta take care of it while it's there."
She launched into worries about infections and such. It was heartwarming concern... but not ideal while dangling in midair.
"Um... could you put me down first?"
"Oh, sorry."
Finally, my feet touched ground again. I straightened my clothes, cleared my throat, and invited Claudia inside. The vibe wasn't one for sending her away empty-handed.
The cloth stayed on the basket the whole time. I asked her to wait in the parlor, but she shook her head.
"You haven't had breakfast yet, right?"
"Not yet."
"Then watch the shop while I head to the kitchen and whip something up."
"...Suddenly?"
Stunned by the abrupt offer, I blinked as Claudia unveiled the cloth. Inside were large eggs.
...Familiar-looking ones. Memories flooded back, making my stomach twist in phantom pain. I rubbed it without thinking.
"The harpies said to thank you and pass these along. Freshly laid, still warm."
"...Looks like it all worked out."
"Yeah... thanks to you, Sha'a."
It was just a job for the pay... Still, I wasn't one to turn down freebies, so I nodded readily.
"That's why you came so early?"
"Kinda? Among other things."
"...Got it. I'll head to the kitchen then. But... there are two other people here besides me. That okay?"
"Huh? Another assistant? Oh, did Lady Astalote return?"
I pondered how to introduce Veronica. Her current look could pass for a friend, but... better to say she was Ariel's acquaintance. If Claudia knew her, it'd get weird.
"Nah, she's a friend of my master's."
"Huh, fancy that. Doesn't matter to me. One extra serving's no big deal."
"Then... thanks."
"Leave it to me."
Leaving Claudia to the kitchen, I went to fetch Veronica. But... where was she? Last seen in the shower, so I searched the house. No luck—even after checking the bedroom. Cecil was missing too. Peeking toward the kitchen suspiciously...
Sure enough, all three were there. The two watched Claudia cook with envious eyes.
Why the kitchen...? Cecil made sense, but Veronica not knowing her way around was surprising. Or maybe not—noble upbringing meant no kitchen duties. Made me the odd one out, with memories from two lives.
Priority now: remind Veronica that Claudia didn't know I was Asha. That's why I'd sent Claudia ahead.
Creeping closer cautiously, I called out.
...Hard to get the words out.
"V-Veronica... ma'am."
"Huh?"
Veronica blinked blankly at me, then stared dumbly. Quick-witted Cecil saved the day, dashing over from beside Claudia.
...Her wagging tail suggested she was just excited.
"Sha'a-nim! You're here!"
"...Ah."
Veronica got it, smirking slyly. I relaxed—proof she hadn't spilled anything problematic to Claudia.
"Sha'a's here."
Claudia glanced back from her cooking.
"Y-yeah."
"Almost done—just set the table?"
"Got it."
Claudia dove back into cooking. Secret safe.
As I set the table, I whispered to Veronica, glancing at Claudia.
"...Why are you in the kitchen...?"
"Making... breakfast?"
Her awkward reply clashed with that sly grin earlier—she looked flustered when I shot her a pointed look. Hoping no drama, I finished up as dishes hit the table.
The savory, aromatic scents revived my weary body. I'd missed them earlier, distracted by policing Veronica's mouth.
Sunny-side-up eggs and salad. Not the cute little omelets from before, but big ones. Crisply fried bacon. Leftover soup rounded out a hearty spread. Especially the egg dishes—harpy eggs—wafted an intoxicating richness.
We all sat quietly, too entranced by the harpy eggs to chat. Only after cleanup did we properly introduce ourselves.
Hiding my identity from Claudia tangled things a bit, but no issues. More pressing: Claudia fixated on our ears and tails.
Even temporary, poor care could cause problems, she fretted—then couldn't resist touching ours. She dried the still-damp ears and tails properly, then pulled a comb-like tool from her waist pack to groom them.
It felt good... Veronica and Cecil, first in line, dozed off on the bed with contented sighs before I knew it.
As I watched, Claudia moved to the next bed and beckoned me.
"Sha'a's turn last."
"...You're awfully practiced."
"How else would my tail feel this good?"
"...True enough."
Recalling touching her tail, I sat on the bed. Claudia began drying my ears—gentle hands.
"And... you get used to it whether you like it or not. Before adventuring, I did this for the village kids a lot."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Feels like home today."
Her voice turned wistful. I surrendered to her care. After softly drying my ears and tail, she opened her pack for the comb. Up close, a sweet, refreshing scent wafted out—invigorating, mood-lifting. I sniffed instinctively.