Gomtangi's Grand Return and the Pink Mansion
Before the cold vibes hit on our way back to Hamel, the young lady and I had stopped by a pet hotel on the outskirts of the capital to pick up Gomtangi, whom we'd left there.
I'd figured a place like a pet hotel wouldn't exist in this world, but sharp merchants had caught on that the trivial hobbies of luxury-loving nobles could turn a profit. The capital was full of surprisingly specialized shops beyond what I'd imagined. Pet hotels, companion animal training centers—stuff like that, which existed as leisure concepts in my previous life, were pretty common here too. Maybe because this possessed world was a romance fantasy, but when it came to dating or travel, things were developed almost as nicely as back home. That's why we hadn't faced any major hurdles deciding on the capital trip; we'd enjoyed a smooth, comfortable journey.
And now, here we were at that pet hotel. It charged a shocking 100 gold per day for lodging, but the services matched the price, so I'd gritted my teeth through the painful expense and left Gomtangi in their care.
After I'd finished settling the bill, there was Gomtangi, wagging his tail in front of me. He seemed a bit sulky from not seeing his owner for so long, but the sparkle of recognition in his eyes made the money feel well spent.
Grroooom!
"Had a good time?"
Grrooooom!
Gomtangi looked thrilled to see us after so long. His fur was fluffy and well-groomed, his ferocious fangs neatly trimmed, and even his sharp claws had been properly filed down. Seeing him strut around like royalty eased the sting of that hefty bill.
Something felt a little different since I last saw him, though. Had he put on weight? Not just sideways—he seemed bulkier all over, more solid. I wondered if he'd met a fine stud here, but glancing at the other boarded dogs cowering with tails tucked and whimpering around him dashed that thought.
"Hey."
Kyle, standing beside me with a serious look, spoke up. He'd come to see us off on his day off, but he always frowned whenever he saw Gomtangi. Was it because he was just too cute? Nah, the skeptical vibe he gave off corrected my rose-tinted view.
"This is a dog...?"
"Yes."
"Where do you see a dog in that?"
Kyle eyed Gomtangi, who was gnawing on the heads of the other boarded dogs like they were candy.
What kind of puppy plays like that? Isn't the thing you're raising right now basically slobbering over emergency rations? That's what Kyle's stare seemed to say.
Grooom...
Kiiing... kiiing...
I shrugged and fired back with a question of my own.
"They look like they're getting along, don't they?"
"That...?"
"Yeah."
Kyle, unable to grasp Gomtangi's charm, just shook his head.
"Unbelievable."
"Sure, our Gomtangi's got bigger front paws and a larger face than most puppies, but isn't he cute? The young lady loves him too."
I glanced at the young lady, who was petting Gomtangi's head nearby.
"Ung?"
Hearing talk about herself, she tilted her head with a question mark practically floating above it.
"Gomtangi's cute, right?"
"Ung."
She nodded, backing up my opinion even after Kyle had shot it down.
"He'd taste good all grown up."
"...Pardon?"
"You didn't raise him to eat?"
"You said you wouldn't eat him last time."
"I thought you were lying."
"I meant it."
Losing interest, she eyed Gomtangi's plump belly with regret, then wheeled her chair over to my side.
Kyle let out a sigh.
"This is worrying."
"It's fine."
"I'm more worried about everyone else than you."
"That's fine too. Gomtangi doesn't bite people."
Kyle tilted his head and shot a glance at the young lady beside him.
"Doesn't look that way."
Before I knew it, Gomtangi was chomping on the young lady's head with an ang.
Kyle watched their fierce tussle and gave me a dubious look.
"Eeeeek!!! Let go! You're not eating me!"
Grroooom!!!
"He's drooling! Ricardo! This guy's trying to eat me! Rub some chili sauce on him!"
I flashed an awkward smile and offered Kyle an embarrassing excuse.
"He's still a good boy at heart."
"...I'll take your word for it."
We shared an embarrassed chuckle and exchanged goodbyes. With a quick "See you next time, stay healthy," we drew the curtain on our capital stay.
*
Inside the carriage heading back to Hamel.
The young lady watched Gomtangi's hefty rear waddling alongside the horse, running with a goofy gait, her face full of wonder as she exclaimed in admiration.
"Ricardo."
"Yes."
"He looks like a bear."
"...Yeah, he does."
I'd thought his size had just grown while we were apart, but... my old assumption that I'd get used to it over time was starting to feel shaky.
Something was...
Grroooom!
Off. I was getting the feeling I'd picked up something seriously weird.
Even groomed, those front paws looked ready to shred a person. The savvy way he eyed the horse's rear while it galloped ahead. And what the pet hotel staff had said.
Gomtangi's owner, we're truly sorry, but... what breed is Gomtangi?
Why do you ask?
We're never taking this breed again. He belongs in the wild, not a pet hotel.
Are you telling me to abandon him?
No...! Not at all, it's just... the mountains would suit him better.
It had irked me a bit then, but watching him bound along like that now, I started to get the exhausted look on that staffer's face. Should've tipped them.
His stamina was inexhaustible even on walks. Even I, with my blinders on, was starting to think Gomtangi wasn't a dog. Judging by his growth spurt still ahead, he'd probably triple in size. If he got any bigger, I'd have to ditch any plans of keeping him indoors, just like the staff said.
With a trembling voice, I shyly asked the young lady, who was fighting off sleep.
"Young lady. Gomtangi... he doesn't seem like a dog, does he? Like he inherited some luxurious bloodline..."
She gave me a matter-of-fact look and replied with total conviction.
"He's a bear."
"..."
"I told you I was right."
"...But he's cute, so it's okay, right?"
She shook her head firmly.
"He looks like a bear."
"Not cute?"
"Yeah. Delicious-looking."
Well, that's a relief then. Being "delicious-looking" was a compliment in its own way.
I tossed Gomtangi some well-wishes, hoping he'd live long and healthy.
"Grow up strong. I won't let you go hungry, so don't bite people."
About an hour passed chatting about Gomtangi. As the carriage climbed a slope, the young lady's head started bouncing around like a rubber ball from the vibrations.
"Hyaak...! Gravity...!"
"Hweeeek!! It's rejecting me!"
"The world's spinning... hyaak!"
Her head flailed in dazzling arcs, like billiard balls ricocheting across a table.
Worried she'd get motion sick, I sidled up and offered my shoulder.
Leaning her head on it, she smiled contentedly and looked up at me.
"Ung... So fluffy."
"It's an expensive shoulder. Please use it wisely."
"Ung. Expensive shoulder, so it's mine alone."
She flashed a mischievous grin, beaming cheekily. That smile was against the rules.
I held my breath, my face flushing at the feel of her slender breaths on my neck. And the glimpse of her deep cleavage made my heart pound wildly.
This is why I serve the villainess.
Thrilled with my employee perks, I smiled happily as we raced toward Hamel.
As the sun set and darkness fell, the familiar mansion came into view in the distance. Not the haunted-looking wreck, but our newly remodeled home.
The young lady blinked awake, her eyes widening at the fresh look.
"Whoaaa! Ricardo!"
She shook off her drowsiness, eyes sparkling as she pointed at the now-pink mansion, snorting excitedly.
"It looks like beef!"
"What kind of metaphor is that?"
"A compliment. Super pretty."
"Really? I put some real effort into it this time. Glad you like it."
Seeing her satisfied smile at the expensively renovated mansion, I was relieved I hadn't just patched the holes. The walls punched by Pexri No.1 were now adorned with cute round patterns and vines, painted pink. The eyesore of Hamel—our young lady's mansion—had transformed.
"Do you like it?"
"Yeah. Love it!"
Good, she approved. Heart swelling with anticipation, I stepped down from the carriage, stretched, and took a deep breath of Hamel's air for the first time in ages.
The rich scent of manure. The crisp Hamel breeze felt thick and welcoming. It was the same air as the capital's, but coming home made it hit different.
"Yaaawn... Good work... cough... cough."
Ah... It's cold. Must be winter.