「Foooooooohhhhhhhhhh!」
Kukuri-sama let out a roar-like cry from her prone position, arching her body like a shrimp as it jerked and spasmed violently.
Then, as if all strength had left her, she turned her face toward me and collapsed back down onto her stomach. Her eyes had lost their light, drool spilled from her mouth and stained her clothes and hair, yet she seemed to have no energy left to care. She continued letting out soft, trembling 「Ah……」 and 「Uu……」 sounds while her body shook in tiny, rhythmic tremors.
……How did it come to this!
※ A short while earlier
Ah…… no matter how many years one lives, parting is always painful.
Even if it is not a final farewell in this life, when it is with someone dear, the pain only grows deeper.
「Um, um…… isn’t it about time……?」
「Just a little longer…… please, just a little more……」
I wanted to burn this sensation into my soul. The feeling of holding her tightly, the feeling I could only experience while she had her tail.
Yae also nestled gently in my arms, as if she too was reluctant to part and wanted to stay close a little longer…… How warm.
We had managed to meet everyone we wanted to see in Amatsukuni, enjoyed the food to our hearts’ content, and Mizera should already be missing us, so we decided it was time to return home. Naturally, that meant the farewell with Yae had arrived.
But when the moment actually came, the loneliness hit hard.
I had grown so used to having the tail that it felt completely natural…… and now it would be gone again……
「M’lord～? This is really getting bad, you know? At this point it’s just clingy, and we’re all being left behind over here……」
「I know it’s bad, but……」
Ugh, I do understand, but I can’t stop. I can’t let go…… No, I am an adult.
I need to steel myself.
I slowly released Yae from my embrace and faced her straight on.
「……See you again.」
When I swore we would meet once more, I felt as if Yae nodded, and my chest tightened painfully.
Maybe I should just take her with me…… No, at least one more hug…… Damn it, I’m losing control again and it’s going to end the same way…… While I struggled with that thought, Yae turned into light and was absorbed back into Kukuri-sama, safely returning to her.
「Fuu…… Welcome back. Having all eight really does feel more settled…… Did you enjoy yourself? I see, that’s good to hear. Ah, the others are angry that only Yae got to have all the fun, so a lecture is waiting for you. Eh, mercy? No, I won’t show any.」
Uuu…… It really is nice to be able to talk with Yae the way Kukuri-sama can……
Even though it was natural, I could only understand her vaguely before……
Anyway, there is no point staying down forever.
We still have something fun waiting for us after this!
「Now then, since you will be returning home, I believe you have already received the souvenirs?」
「Yes. We received them properly. Thank you very much.」
We really got a huge amount, from rice and sake to soba flour and other powders, dried fish, pickles, and so much more!
Ah, I plan to keep the rice contract with Gouki-dono as it is, but for other types of ingredients I think I will go buy them directly.
Still, if I visit too often, the existence of space magic might get exposed…… and having merchants find out is scary!
「No no. Since we caused you trouble, please do not worry about it. I am glad you enjoyed them. Yae also seemed to have a very good time, so I am sorry for the inconvenience regarding that matter as well.」
「Not at all. You even let us borrow a room, so that is perfectly fine too.」
Fufufu. This part is huge!
When I explained the circumstances with space magic and such, Kukuri-sama arranged for us to borrow a room in the castle.
Now we can come anytime using Point Gate.
Of course it will be useful for dates with Mizera, but it would also be fun to bring Hayato and the others, Makoto, or Hikari-chan.
Besides, I want to visit boss Kagetsu and Gouki-dono again, and we have not seen everything there is to see for sightseeing yet, so being able to come whenever we want is incredibly helpful.
By the way, Tachibana-san was extremely wary and strongly opposed it, but that is only natural.
Perhaps because she has gotten a little closer with Shiro, when Shiro stared at her she somehow got cornered and gave permission!
Well, since Kukuri-sama said it was fine, there is no problem in the end!
……And now I can come see Yae again!
The fact that Shiro also asked for it probably means she wants to come 「play」 again.
「……Then, shall we fulfill the other promise now……」
「Yes! Please leave it to me!」
The other promise…… was to let me groom all eight of her tails!
There was no way I would forget! I had been looking forward to it so much!
I had even prepared new tools just for this!
I flexed my knuckles again and again, doing warm-up exercises.
「Hmm. Then everyone, get out.」
「Eh? You are going to leave fox shrine maiden-sama alone with a man? This person is a beastkin killer, is he not? As her attendant, I cannot possibly allow that……」
「Hmm…… I told you before, there is no danger. If you are thinking about Kukuri-sama, I believe it would be kinder for you to leave the room.」
「Yeah…… This is master’s groomingssu…… For the sake of Kukuri-sama’s honor, I think it would be better if Tachibana-san, who is close to her, doesn’t watchssu.」
「Au au…… What exactly is going to be done to me? Even though it is a promise, I am starting to feel anxious……」
「No, it is just tail grooming, though……」
「R-Right. It will be fine, yes? Yes. Yae and the others are happy about it and looking forward to it, so it will be okay…… right?」
It will be fine, so please do not be so scared.
I really am only going to groom the tails.
Well, with the new tools I obtained, I can promise you the ultimate pleasure, though!
「Hmm. Lord’s grooming is the best. It is fine, so get out. Nothing bad will happen.」
「Eh, wait, Shiro-dono!?」
「Can I stay? I want to see what happens to Kukuri-sama when m’lord goes beastkin killer mode!」
「No. I owe Kukuri a debt.」
「Ah, hey, do not pull me by the collar!? At least push me out the same way as Tachibana-san!」
Shiro dragged Tachibana-san and Shion out of the room by force, and the others followed them out.
Finally, Shiro poked her head back through the doorway……
「Kukuri…… If you can endure it, I will respect you from the bottom of my heart. Do your best.」
「What do you mean!? It is just the tails, right? You are only making the tails beautiful, correct!?」
「Hmm.」
With a sharp thumbs-up, Shiro left without answering Kukuri-sama’s question.
And so, the only ones left in the room were me and Kukuri-sama……
「Au au…… Why is this happening? My spine is trembling……」
「Well, having someone else, especially a man, touch your tails would naturally make you feel resistant……」
「N-No…… That is not it. As I said earlier, Yae and the others seem very excited about it…… In fact, they look like they are about to rush in first, and holding them back is quite difficult……」
Ah, so they almost jumped in from behind again.
That fluff paradise is the best, but for grooming it would probably lead to a bad situation both in terms of posture and rationally, so please keep holding them back.
「Ah, and since there are eight tails, it will probably take quite a while, so I think it would be better if you finish drinking water and using the toilet beforehand.」
「Au au…… I-I am fine. I took care of everything before everyone arrived……」
Oops. In my desire to do everything perfectly, I even worried about the preparations beforehand, but that ended up lacking delicacy.
「Suuu…… haaa…… Then, please take care of me…… What should I do? Should I take off my clothes……?」
「Ah, no, you can stay as you are. Please get into a comfortable position, either lying face down or on all fours, and turn your tails toward me.」
The tails are fully visible even with clothes on, so there is no need to undress.
Well, when I reach the base it might get a little in the way, but I will manage somehow.
「Understood. Then I will lie face down…… Um, p-please go ahead……」
「Yes……. I will begin now.」
Kukuri-sama lay face down, her body slightly tense from nervousness, but I started anyway so she could gradually get used to it and relax.
Let us start with Ichibi right away.
First, it is time for the silver ball brush.
The silver ball brush has wide spacing between the pins, so I will use it to clean and sanitize while roughly aligning the direction of the fur.
「Ah…… nnu…… Oh, you really have skilled hands. The pressure is perfect, and it feels incredibly pleasant…… It is completely different from when I do it myself…… Ichibi is so happy it feels like I might fall asleep……」
「If you feel sleepy, you may go ahead and sleep.」
「No…… I am properly awake…… But, but, even if I do fall asleep, please continue. No matter what happens, I will keep my promise, so feel free to do as you like……」
「Understood. Then I will change brushes now.」
「Yes…… fuu!!?」
Next is the jewel brush from the Brush Tree for increasing sensitivity and restoring condition.
This one has very fine bristles, so I will also catch and remove any loose or tangled fur.
Kukuri-sama’s tails have many fine strands with high volume, so quite a lot of shed fur seems to be caught and tangled within them.
「Fua…… nn!? Th-This sensation…… It is similar to what happened before……っ!」
「Whoops, are you okay? Your hips are lifting up……」
「Au au…… I-I am fine. Please continue as you are……. It is okay. I can still endure it. Compared to what happened before, this is nothing……」
The latter half was spoken too softly for me to catch properly, but I did hear the part about “it’s nothing.”
Hmm…… Is it not feeling that good?
It is true that because these are the tails of Kukuri-sama, the most important person in Amatsukuni, I might have been a little nervous and overly cautious.
……That would be rude after she kindly allowed me to touch her tails.
Yae and the others were also looking forward to this…… All right.
In that case, I will focus like I do with alchemy and go all out at full power.
This is where I get serious.
The third comb, the one made by the boss, is the strongest comb.
Thanks to the Master of Fingertips effect, my own skill level also matters. I will pour every ounce of my concentration into this, the strongest comb I own, and make Kukuri-sama feel incredible pleasure while making her tails beautifully groomed!
……And that is how we arrived at the current situation.
Before I knew it, Kukuri-sama was arching her back like a shrimp and screaming.
Yet somehow, six of her tails had become incredibly beautiful and radiant, each strand of fur sparkling as if made of platinum or gold.
Of course that was not actually the case, but in contrast, the remaining two tails that should have been beautiful now looked somehow dull.
「Um…… Shall I continue?」
「!! N-No wayyy! It’s impossibleee! I can’t take any more! Nooo, I-I can’t……! I really can’t!」
……I thought so.
She did say she would keep the promise no matter what, but this is clearly too much……
If possible, I wanted to finish all the way to Yae, but…… would another day be no good?
No…… but leaving it like this also feels wrong……
「Hmm…… Kukuri-sama, there are only two more tails left.」
「Two more is impossibleee! I can’t do it! If you do two more I’ll dieee! My head will go completely blank and explodeee!」
Ooh…… Her speech is slightly slurred like she is drunk, but it is a cry straight from the soul, full of real emotion……
……At this point, I feel like I really should stop, but……
The still-ungroomed Nanabi and Yae have each wrapped themselves around my wrist and refuse to let go.
They are tugging insistently, as if saying “Hurry up and do me!”
「Au auu…… What is this? What exactly is happening? Is it because of the comb? Or is it your unique skill? Did you trick me by disguising it as something called 『pocket money』?」
「I didn’t trick you, I didn’t trick you……」
Uuu…… I really am sorry.
My unique skill really is just 『Pocket Money』.
Ah, I’m truly sorry.
Please don’t look at me with those teary eyes and plead like that.
What should I do…… If we decide by majority vote, then I have to continue……
「Uuuu…… It’s supposed to be just the tails, so why is it like this…… nnu…… Eh? I can’t do it…… Even if you call it punishment, I really can’t…… I’m going to cry, okay? I’ll really cry, you know? Nanabi and Yae are going to hate me…… Eh? Just do it anyway? That’s so mean…… S-See, the problem is that it feels too good…… It feels way too good…… It’s true that if I were in the position of the tails, I would definitely ask for it…… Au au…… But still, showing any more shameful behavior in front of a man is…… Eh? It’s already too late? W-Well, that might be true, but……」
It seems she is having a conversation with Nanabi and Yae, so I will quietly wait for the result.
As for me, I am not exactly unsatisfied…… but visually, seeing six out of eight tails shining beautifully while the remaining two look dull is quite unbalanced and makes me restless.
「Au au…… Even if I am an adult in age, there are things that are simply impossible…… Eh? Ah, yes…… S-Sorry! Yes…… Yes. No, I was being serious…… Yes……. You are right. As the leader of the country, if I cannot even keep a single promise, how can I protect the country? I am truly sorry! Yes…… I have steeled my resolve with the same spirit that Nanabi and Yae have for the nation!」
No, she is definitely being tricked.
I do not understand the details, but I am sure she is being tricked.
Nanabi and Yae are probably high-fiving behind the scenes.
「I-I am fine. I am the fox shrine maiden. The proud guardian deity of Amatsukuni! Since I can remain calm even in battle, there is no way I would lose to something like grooming that is not even combat! If I know it is coming, I should be able to endure it! Come!」
「Ah, yes. Then I will continue.」
It seems she is ready, so I will take her at her word…… or rather, obey……
「Aaaaaah! No wayyy! I really can’t do it! There is no way I can endure something like th—— Nnaaaaaah!」
Um…… I am still using the Brush Tree’s jewel brush and the superior comb made of diamond and Japanese oak, though……
Perhaps because of the repeated grooming, her tails have become far more sensitive……
「Wh-What should I do……?」
「Uuuu…… Yes. I will not lose……! Kukuri is a good girl, after all……! Please just finish it in one goooo!」
All at once, huh. Maybe that would actually be kinder.
All right. I will not stop midway. I will focus and finish everything in one go.
Concentrate once more…… For Kukuri-sama’s sake, I will be thorough, careful, and go at full speed……!
「Foooooooohhhhhhhhhh!」
……Haa…… haa. Somehow, I managed to finish.
My arms are trembling……
Doing it quickly yet carefully builds up this much fatigue……
As for Kukuri-sama, her face is pressed against the floor, her breathing is ragged, and she remains with her knees bent and only her hips raised, her body still twitching and shaking.
But the result of the tails…… is on a level that inspires awe.
All eight tails are shining brilliantly, truly worthy of Kukuri-sama, the guardian deity.
There is no way I could be unsatisfied with this outcome……
「Au au…… uu…… ah…… Is it over? Is it finally over……?」
「Haaaa…… Yes. It is finished……」
Kukuri-sama’s words sound somewhat floaty, but ah…… I focused too hard and now my vision is flickering……
I feel something like magic power depletion, and my body is about to collapse…… In fact, it is collapsing……
「Haa…… haaa…… Ah, everyone is happy, aren’t they…… I cannot see the result, but…… Fue? Master-san? That is my butt, you know…… My butt!? Your face is……! No, that is no good! Especially right now, that is absolutely no good! Au au, I cannot move……!? Everyone, quickly pull Master-san away, why are you hugging him!? Please let go of my butt right nooow!」
I feel like I am surrounded by something soft, fluffy, and slightly damp……
The fluff is voluminous yet silky smooth, with a luxurious feel that even the finest silk would lose to. The slightly moist, springy texture is faintly warm, and it feels so dreamy that I simply close my eyes and let my body rest.
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