Jushii is watching me.
I'm watching Jushii too.
"Um, um um, Wof. Good evening."
"Good evening."
I greeted her. Jushii bobbed her head in a little bow, wagging her tail and wiggling her dog ears.
Then she moved in close and sniffed at me with her nose. She scowled in displeasure.
"Um um, Wof. You smell like lots of other females."
"What?"
"Um, that's been there for a while, woof. But it's been especially strong lately."
"That, that's…"
Jushii grabbed my arm. She started dragging me along.
We ended up at a storage shed. One of the many sheds scattered around the mansion, probably.
Inside, it was dim. Futons, pillows, sheets, and other bedding were stacked up in piles.
It wasn't pitch-black because starlight and moonlight were filtering in through the window.
"Woof!"
Jushii let out a small bark and hugged me.
A soft, fluffy sensation with a pleasant, warm weight to it washed over me.
Then Jushii began pressing and rubbing her body against mine.
"Ju-Jushii?!"
She said nothing, her voice stifled as she pressed herself against me with aggressive insistence, rubbing her body against mine.
Oh, this is a marking ritual. Wait, Jushii-san’s hair, ears, and tail have turned completely white.
No way, that can’t be true!
“W-Woof, woof-woof-woof, nngh, Master Wof…”
Pseudo-Apocalyptic Relic “Fenrir”—this is bad…!?
I hurriedly shifted into my “Generous” form.
My purple-haired, purple-eyed “Generous” self gazed at Jushii-san in her “Fenrir” state.
Fenrir Jushii-san hugged me even tighter.
Her tail was wagging so hard it looked like it might snap off.
“…Jushii-san.”
I slowly stroked her head, running my fingers through her pure white hair and touching her large dog ears.
Her chest was pressed firmly against my torso. Even through the clothes, the elasticity was enough to make one melt.
Everything else was different too, in various ways… compared to Shiro-san, whose body temperature was pleasant and lukewarm.
Jushii-san was warm.
We could only stay like this until time ran out.
It wasn’t just me; she couldn’t be exposed either.
I was starting to get flustered myself.
The room was sealed off and had futons, so maybe the heat was trapped inside.
Jushii-san was the same.
She was sweating, clinging to me, unmoving except for her tail.
Sweat had begun seeping from my forehead too, rolling down my cheeks in heavy droplets.
*Lick...*
Jushii suddenly licked my cheek.
"Wh—!?"
"Woof, um, I licked you... it's salty."
She looked up at me, her purple eyes glistening softly, and smiled with a shy flush.
"Of course it's salty. It's just sweat."
In my confusion, I blurted out something dumb.
"Um... um, Wof... woof... I've always wanted to stay like this..."
"...Jushii..."
I stroked her head. I gently touched her ears.
And then we held each other close.
Eventually Jushii calmed down, and then I did too.
We both laughed.
Then we sat down and talked.
About everyday trifles. About the fire dungeon and the event.
About the Haiyaan business.
"Um, are you going to mass-produce that light orb?"
"I figured the demand would be pretty high for that."
"Oh, that makes sense! As expected of Wof!"
"It's not that big of a deal, really. Oh, I heard Tasan's villa is recruiting maids."
"Um, yes. We're having trouble finding enough people."
"If that's the case, then maybe. I think Munieka may have already mentioned it, but Torquetam has proposed hiring Menosdor as a maid."
"Um, wh-what exactly is Menosdor?"
I gave them a brief explanation.
"That's the gist of it. What do you think?"
"Um, wow. That's very reassuring. I'd really appreciate it."
"Along with that, I'll connect the villa and my house with a gate."
"Wait, um, to Wof's house!?"
"Yes. Is that a problem?"
"N-no, no, no, if that's the case, then that's wonderful news! I'll definitely, um, make sure to convince Sister Dova and everyone at Torquetam!"
"I-I'd appreciate it."
For some reason she was fired up. I could feel an extraordinary intensity from her, so it would probably be fine.
The conversation naturally drifted to the topic of sisters — Suu and Sedichi.
When I mentioned that I'd met the two of them, Juushii said she knew about it.
"Um, Suu-chan and Sedichi-chan told me about it."
"The two of them aren't at the party today, are they?"
"Um, Sedichi-chan is asleep because it's her bedtime. And, um, Suu-chan can't really attend parties because of, you know, her appearance."
"Ah, yeah, her appearance is certainly..."
"Yes. Um, Suu-chan has been kidnapped or attacked numerous times since she was little because of how she looks... and people definitely make moves on her."
"That sounds rough."
"Um, um, um, woof. Syuu-chan is a fan of the witch."
"Huh? A fan of the witch?"
"Y-yes. Um, that's why she wants to become a delver. She's got the skills too. Syuu-chan doesn't have a Relic and nearly died fighting bare-handed, but she's beaten lower golden-rank monsters before."
"Wait, bare-handed… a lower golden-rank…!?"
What a monster. That appearance with that kind of power. She's clearly got first-rate talent no matter how you look at it.
"Y-yes. Um, but because of her personality, it's hard to get approval. I think if she calmed down a bit, they'd approve her."
"Her manners aren't the greatest, I'll give you that, but Sheshu's the same way."
"Um, um, um, Sheshu has a gentle personality, but Syuu will punch anyone regardless of their position or rank if she doesn't like them. The fourth prince who tried to use his authority to force a marriage on Syuu… she nearly beat him, along with his whole entourage and guards, to death."
"…I-I see."
"Um, um, um, and this has happened more than once."
Total thug behavior.
Even if the other party was completely in the wrong, someone of that status should have been restrained with half-measures at most.
That's what I'd have done. That's what I would do.
Still, she really must suffer with those looks.
Can't blame her for hating men.
"Oh, by the way, about Sedichi…"
"Um, yes. Woof. About Sedichi-chan?"
"She was called 'Vortex' — do you know what that's about?"
"Woof. I've been told that too."
"Juusii too?"
"Yes. Um, I've been told I'm 'a vortex gracefully drifting through the starry sky.' What did they call you, Lord Wof?"
"Hmm, a vortex that changes shape, big or small. Something about being impossible to read, apparently."
"Um, um, Lord Wof. Woof. I... I want to become a vortex that stays close to your vortex!"
"You're already staying close to it."
"Woof!"
She beams with the brightest smile. Juusii's smile really does lift your spirits.
The conversation drifts to the other sisters, and naturally comes around to why she'd been with Arveld.
"A courtesy visit?"
"Oh, um, yes. Kuun Hunt is the biggest clan in this city, so the Tasan house was paying their respects and such. I was accompanying him. That's why I was so startled."
"I was startled too."
Honestly, I was shocked, and it did sting.
But, well, setting aside whether I like them or not, Kuun Hunt is indeed the biggest clan in this city.
That's unfortunately just a fact. I hate them.
Even setting aside Arveld, there were plenty of other reasons, so I hate them.
"Um, um, the one who attacked you... was it Arveld?"
Juusii looks at me with undisguised hostility.
She already knows I was defeated, too.
She figured it out, huh? I'll be honest.
"Yes. He attacked me, and I was utterly and completely defeated."
"Um... Lord Wof."
"But next time, I'll win. I'll definitely win."
That's why I'd been desperately mastering techniques and training, and finally made it this far.
But — even so, I might still not be able to beat him.
In experience and skill, it's frustrating, but Arverud is far ahead.
And to make up for that — the last piece I need to reach even one step closer to him, I still haven't found it.
I feel like there's not much time left before our rematch.
I know it's definitely closing in.
Am I the only one who feels it?
Maybe Arverud feels it too.
"Um, um, woof! You'll be fine, Lord Wof! You'll definitely win!"
"Thanks."
Yeah. I got my courage up.
Juushii, with her smile as warm and dazzling as the sun, turns to face me seriously.
"Um, today, woof, I'm really glad I got to meet you, Lord Wof. Your body. Your smell. Really, really, woof-woof, it was so much fun!"
"Then I'm happy too."
I haven't done anything wrong, so why... what is this feeling of guilt?
Haven't done anything wrong? Is clinging to me like this not wrong? Wait, how does that work?
We're just hugging... or is it?
"Um, Lord Wof...?"
Juishii looked at me blankly.
I gave a wry smile.
"Let's head back soon."
"Woof!"
Juishii barked.