My Tail Thrills at the Foot Jelly
I clutched the tail that kept flicking behind my back between both my hands.
“This… is way more stable than I expected.”
The moment my thumb shifted, this was possible too.
The soft fur brushed against my fingertips with vivid warmth.
I never noticed before, but those ten fingers really are convenient tools.
Still gripping my tail, I twisted my body left and right, examining this brand-new form.
I wagged my tail playfully and looked down at Haetae kneeling so obediently right in front of me.
“Kyaaau… do I even know when I’ll go back to normal?”
“The exact timing is unknown, but once your internal sacred energy and vessel align once more, you will return to your original self.”
“It’s temporary…”
At those words, I secretly started fiddling with my fingers.
This really is handy… hm
“Right now, because growth is still underway, it’s temporary, but once your rank is complete, you’ll be able to freely switch between human form and divine beast form whenever you like.”
“Really?”
At that, my eyes sparkled and I gently stroked my own chin with one finger.
‘… Then once the rank is finished, I can secretly snack on pork ribs without Kylian knowing.’
“U-um… excuse me, Lord Blanc.”
Haetae’s voice calling my name trembled just a little.
When I turned to look at her, her cheeks were flushed bright red as she gazed at me.
“Why did you call?”
“It’s just… if it’s all right with you… could I… could I touch your cheeks once?”
Touch my cheeks?
I tilted my head.
That’s easy. Back when I was in white tiger form, I could touch them all I wanted.
“Sure. They’re not going to wear out or anything.”
I leaned my face closer to Haetae.
‘… I made Mama White Tiger get way too possessive of Haetae last time.’
The moment my permission was granted, Haetae carefully extended her hand and gently poked my cheek with the tip of one finger.
Tap.
“……!!”
Haetae’s eyes went wide the instant her fingertip made contact.
“T-this can’t be…”
Her body trembled at the sensation felt from the tip of her own finger.
She thought her own chest had a wonderful texture. But… compared to this cheek…
Haetae carefully cupped both of Blanc’s cheeks and began slowly kneading.
Squeeze. Squish. Squeeze.
“…I’ve never felt such a sensation before.”
“Krrruung…”
My facial muscles relaxed in delight at Haetae’s touch, and I unconsciously half-closed my eyes and tilted my chin upward.
“Urrruung… Gyaarung…”
A satisfied purring song spilled from my lips on its own.
The tail attached to my rear wagged happily side to side, and the white tiger ears on my head perked up in joy.
Satisfied with Haetae’s touch, I fully entrusted my face to her hand.
‘Yeah, right there. Scratch a little under my chin too. Ah, perfect.’
“……!!”
Haetae, who had been kneading my face vigorously, suddenly froze and stopped touching my cheek.
“What? Why did you stop?”
I frowned, glancing at Haetae who pulled her hand away right when it felt good, and tilted my head.
“Ah, um… I was afraid I was touching too carelessly…”
“It’s fine. If you want to touch, keep going until the end… don’t stop right when it feels best.”
I pouted my lips in dissatisfaction and flicked the floor with my tail.
‘It was so good when I was just relaxed…’
Well, I can’t do anything if she decides she doesn’t want to touch me anymore.
Just as I glared at Haetae who was carefully watching my reaction, a thunderous sound echoed from my stomach.
Kurrrlluk!!
‘… Timing is seriously artistic.’
For some reason, suddenly feeling hunger hit like it had when I shifted to human form.
“Ah… I’m hungry.”
Haetae’s eyes sparkled once more at my words.
She extended her hand toward me very politely.
“Given your sudden growth, you must be famished. If it’s all right with you, would you like to go eat a midnight snack with me?”
“… Can we go eat midnight snack right now?”
“Yes, I’ll take full responsibility.”
There was no reason to refuse when she said she’d personally take responsibility.
I perked up my ears and nodded my head.
“Then let’s go! Come on.”
I grabbed the hand Haetae offered and led the way toward the kitchen, my tail wagging vigorously.
We reached the kitchen, but all the lights inside were off.
Yeah, it was late at night. It was weird that anyone would still be here.
“Ah… nobody’s around.”
I looked at the empty kitchen and let my shoulders slump in disappointment.
With no one around, a sudden wave of loneliness hit me. My tail, which had been wagging earlier, drooped straight down to the floor.
‘… I’m really hungry.’
The hunger that usually hit me twice as hard combined with the current situation made the loneliness even worse.
“I guess the head chefs all went to sleep…”
Feeling dejected, I muttered to myself. Haetae smiled faintly and rolled up her hanbok sleeves.
“Don’t worry, Lord Blanc. If the chefs aren’t here, I’ll just cook it myself, won’t I?”
“… Really?”
‘Now that I think about it, I loved the galbi-jjim she made last time.’
“I marinated the short ribs yesterday. Would you like me to make galbi-jjim?”
“Galbi-jjim…?”
The moment “galbi-jjim” reached my ears, my tail wagged so fast it broke its own rhythm.
“Yay! I love it!! Cook it right now!”
I dashed to the dining table in front of the restaurant, my tail whipping around like crazy, and sat down very obediently.
Blanc sat on the chair, both hands resting on the table, and stared at Haetae with sparkling eyes.
“Please wait just a moment. I’ll bring you the best galbi-jjim right away.”
For a brief moment, Haetae looked more reliable than Grandpa.
Not long after, the rich, savory aroma of soy sauce began wafting through the kitchen from a crack in the wall.
“Kyaaau… this is it.”
I tapped the table with my fingers and thumped the floor with my tail, my patience running thin.
“It’s been a while, Lord Blanc.”
Haetae appeared carrying a large silver tray.
On it sat a towering mound of freshly steamed white rice and, beside it, succulent galbi-jjim glistening with brown soy glaze.
‘… This is what life is, and this is power.’
“Hurry up and give it! I… I’m starving.”
I looked at the galbi-jjim Haetae had gently set down, immediately snatched a massive rib bone with my bare hands, and took a huge bite.
“Aaaang.”
I didn’t even need to chew.
The moment the meat entered my mouth, the bone and flesh separated smoothly, and sweet-savory broth swirled in my mouth.
The meat was as soft as cotton candy, and the soy glaze carried the pure taste of various fruits and vegetables.
“Kyaaang… this is delicious!”
I was so happy I pounded the table with both hands and cheered.
Since I was especially hungry, it tasted twice as good as usual.
I tore off a piece of rib, picked up a spoon, scooped up a huge mound of hot white rice, and stuffed it into my mouth.
The subtle sweetness of the perfectly steamed rice combined with the rich flavor of the rice to create a heavenly taste with the galbi-jjim.
“Eat slowly. You’ll… get full soon enough.”
Haetae pulled her chair close beside me and watched me eat with a happy expression.
She took out a clean cloth and gently wiped the soy around my mouth and cheeks.
“Mhm… right there below.”
“Yes, I’ve wiped it.”
‘Kyaaum.’
Having demolished a mountain of galbi-jjim and a tower of rice, I patted my full belly and let out a satisfied burp.
“Ah, so good. My stomach’s going to burst.”
I leaned back against the dining chair and stretched lazily.
My belly was full, so sleepiness crept in.
Normally I’d be asleep by now, but because I’d walked around and grown so much, sleep hit me harder than usual.
And my belly was stuffed too…
“Kyaaauuam… sleepy…”
With half my eyes closed, Blanc started nodding off.
My tail drooped limply to the floor.
“Lord Blanc, it would be best to head back to your sleeping quarters soon. You seem very tired.”
“Umm… yeah. But my belly’s so full, walking’s a pain.”
Blanc’s sleepy grumbling on the chair made Haetae glance around quickly.
Haetae’s cheeks flushed red again.
After confirming no one else was around, she suggested carefully in a trembling voice.
“Lord Blanc has no attendants around to help. If you don’t mind, could I carry you back to your quarters myself?”
“Yeah… carry me.”
Blanc, overwhelmed by drowsiness, spread both arms toward Haetae while still sitting in the chair.
The usual fidgety behavior was nowhere to be seen; this was a gentle version.
Seeing Blanc’s grumpy pouting, Haetae took a deep breath and held her rapidly beating heart so she wouldn’t hear it as she carried him.
“P-please excuse me…!”
Haetae calmed her racing chest and approached, then carefully lifted Blanc and cradled him tightly in her arms.
Haetae’s embrace carried a warm, pleasant scent.
I buried my head in Haetae’s shoulder, wrapped my tail loosely around her arm, and let my eyes close.
“Urrruung… Gyaarung.”
Haetae’s heartbeat sounded softly in my ears.
“… You like it.”
“Y-yes…?”
