The Dawn Tea Party
We arrived at the convenience store, its soft lights spilling out to illuminate the surroundings.
"What would you like?"
"Huh? You're buying for me too?"
"You're my employee now, so it's the least I can do."
Honestly, I wasn't rolling in money, but snacks were no big deal. ...Just as long as she doesn't pick anything too pricey.
"Let's go inside and decide."
"Yes! Heehee~"
As Bori and I stepped into the convenience store, it was empty inside. Not bad at all. If there had been a clerk, I might've had to explain her ears and tail. Still, it felt a bit awkward. Just five years ago, there would've been the owner or some part-timer at the counter... Of course, it was the dead of night, so unmanned made sense. During the day, maybe someone would be there greeting customers.
"What are you staring at like that, Daesung?"
"Nothing."
Bori, oblivious to my thoughts, seemed to be staring intently at the empty counter spot. I must've looked like some weirdo. Hmm.
"Pick something to eat—a bag of chips, a drink. That's what I'll get you."
"Okay~! Hmm~"
With my permission, Bori's tail started wagging excitedly as she headed to the snack aisle with me. I grabbed my usual potato chips—simple ones with just salt, no fancy flavors. I was about to pick up a can of beer, but...
"Ah, no alcohol! It's bad for you!"
"...I'm buying it with my own money."
"Still no! Have a soda instead!"
Unfortunately, Bori stopped me. I could've ignored her and grabbed it anyway, but I didn't feel like pushing it, so I settled for a zero cola. Seeing that, Bori beamed and picked out barley tea—fitting her name perfectly.
"Barley tea?"
"Yes! I like tea in general."
"There are plenty of other teas—why barley tea specifically?"
"...I figured you'd know, Daesung. Hehe."
It had to be because of the name I gave her. Sure enough, she clutched the barley tea bottle tightly with both hands, rubbing her cheek against it and wagging her tail furiously to show how much she loved it.
"That good, huh?"
"It's the name you gave me—how could I not love it?"
That much? I wouldn't know. My parents named and raised me, but I never adored them like Bori seemed to. ...Maybe I'm just too embarrassed to show it. Expressing love is pretty mortifying. Especially to your parents—it's even harder. No idea why. Just sending a simple "I love you" text makes my toes curl.
"Doesn't it embarrass you to say you like it... out loud like that?"
"Huh? Saying I like it?"
Bori picked out onion-flavored chips—similar to mine but with extra flavor—and answered.
"Yeah, like earlier, saying you love the name I gave you."
"Oh, that... Yeah! It's not embarrassing at all?"
"What's shameful about saying you like something you like? Hehe..."
So, saying what you like is just natural—no shame in it. Got it.
"...I kinda envy that about you."
"Huh? You want to be like me, Daesung?"
I took her chips and barley tea to the self-checkout. Two bags of chips, zero cola, barley tea. Perfect late-night snacks.
"Let's eat outside and keep chatting."
"Yes! It feels just like a tea party~!"
"Tea party?"
Chips, cola, and barley tea as a tea party? It didn't quite fit... but she had snacks and drinks, so maybe not wrong.
"Not wrong. Snacks and drinks."
"Hehe, I did something like this once in the Maid Community... Oops."
"...F-forget I said that. Ahem."
What was this Maid Community that made her keep clamping down on her own words? I'd already heard it, so her backpedaling was kinda funny.
"Shall we head out and eat?"
*
Stepping out from the cozy convenience store, a chilly autumn breeze hit us. Fine for me alone, but was Bori okay?
"Kinda chilly— you good, Bori?"
I glanced sideways at her. Luckily, she smiled her usual smile, tail swishing as if it was nothing.
"Yes! I'm fine! Oh, are you cold maybe...?"
"I'm good too. Just checking on you. If no problem, let's sit and eat."
Confirming she was fine, I sat at the bench and table out front, setting down our chips and cola. I tore open the bags fully on one side, spreading them like plastic bowls for easy eating. Original salt for me, onion for her. Then I cracked open the zero cola—the black fizzy liquid bubbled up and settled slowly.
"Cheers?"
"Ah, if you're offering, I'll gladly accept!"
I held out my bottle first; Bori shyly opened hers, gripping it tightly with both hands, and extended it.
"Cheers."
"Cheers!"
Bori clinked hers against mine with a bright smile, and we both took a sip. "Puhah." Then we each grabbed some chips and crunched away. Crunch. Crunch. The crispy potato shattered in our mouths with satisfying sound and texture. Salty for me, salty-sweet for her. Another sip.
"Suit your taste?"
"Puhah, yes! I've had it before, but it's way better with company. Hehe..."
She grabbed more chips, crunching happily.
"You keep mentioning that Maid Community."
"You ate with the folks there, huh."
"Keheng!!"
As expected, mentioning it got a big reaction from Bori.
"Th-th-th-that's, um..."
"What kind of community is it?"
"Keheng!"
Pressing a bit more, she trembled, avoiding my eyes. Was it that taboo? She kept bringing it up herself, though.
"Uhh... th-that's..."
"If it's trouble, no need to say."
"N-no, it's not that! Just... um... well..."
Not forbidden, but she hesitated like it needed thought.
"...Fine. Tell me when you want to, later."
"Just don't mention it till then. Makes me curious."
"...Got it! Understood!"
That should encourage her to spill when ready. She nodded, covering her mouth with her black-gloved hands.
After that, no more talk—just crunching chips and sipping drinks. The vibe got awkward after the community mention.
"Um, uh, hey."
Bori broke the silence.
"What do you think of foxes, Daesung?"
"Out of nowhere?"
What a random question.
"Is that about you, or actual foxes?"
"Uh, just foxes?"
"Just foxes, huh. Hmm."
I sipped my cola, pondering. Never really thought about foxes. ...Since meeting Bori, I've gotten a bit interested, but. From those fox videos that popped up on NewTube via algorithm...
"...Cute?"
"Keng."
"Not sure what's so fun about that 'kehng' cry, but them acting all cutesy and clinging to people is adorable."
"Ke, keheng..."
Honestly, yeah, kinda cute. Those tiny fluffballs scampering around with their puffy tails... heart-healing stuff. Different charm from dogs or cats—something enchanting.
Why was Bori blushing, though? Come to think of it, foxes reminded me of something from my factory days.
"Wonder if that one's doing okay."
"...Pardon?"
"Ah, nothing. Just mumbling."
Chatting about foxes eased the awkwardness. Bori perked up more than during the community talk, so the tea party was a success, I guess.
The one issue...
"What're you doing?"
"Wh-what do you mean?"
On the way home, Bori kept wrapping her thick tail around my arm.
"Why with the tail..."
"Y-you might be cold! Weather's chilly, so sharing some warmth...!"
"Never said I was cold..."
Of course, the feel was amazing. Soft, fluffy tail wrapping my arm—it warmed body and soul. Maybe that's why I didn't shake it off right away like usual. It stayed till we got home.
"...We're here."
"Ah, y-yeah, looks like..."
Arriving home, an awkward air hung between us. Not like the community talk—more like mutual shyness.
"Th-that arm..."
"Ah, s-sorry... Ahem..."
Pointing it out, she finally unwrapped her tail. My arm, once cozy, chilled in the cold air. Part of me wanted more.
"Walking around made me sleepy."
"Ah, good...! Then..."
"...Yeah, see you tomorrow daytime."
Bori might be bummed, but time to part. We'd meet again tomorrow anyway.
"Oh, right—my clothes..."
"Oh yeah, hmm."
She was still wearing my stuff.
"Change inside and bring them out. I'll wash 'em."
"Ah, gotta take 'em off...?"
She clutched the clothes reluctantly but nodded—had to return them.
"Be right back. You should rest too, Daesung..."
"Take your time."
I punched in the door code, let her in first, and waited. Soon, she emerged in her maid outfit.
"Thanks so much for the walk today, Daesung."
"No need to be so formal over a stroll..."
"Hehe... Heading in. Rest well!"
She waved goodbye and hurried off quietly. I waved lazily and went inside.
The borrowed clothes were neatly folded on the table I'd overlooked yesterday welcoming her. No need since I'd wash them anyway. Maids gonna maid, I thought, picking them up—and noticed the sleeves were damp.
"...Huh? Why are the sleeves wet?"
"Spilled some barley tea earlier, maybe."
Brushing it off, I tossed them in the laundry, brushed my teeth, and hit the bed. The walk and snack did the trick—sleep hit fast. This method's foolproof. Satisfied with the night's stroll, I drifted off dreamlessly.
"Kehk."
And the next day, I caught a cold. It seriously wasn't that cold. This is unfair.