Hajime watches Chun Bu from a safe distance, hidden in the corner of the lustrous ballroom.
Chun Bu: “Xian Xu, this one is pleased that you participating on this grand festivity unharmed.”
Hajime glances at the cold beauty and mutters:
Hajime: “That one can truly take someone’s breath away… in more ways than one.”
Just as he says that, the cold beauty snaps her freezing gaze toward Hajime’s corner with a noticable glare.
Hajime (teases quietly): “Sharp ears you got there cold one but shouldn’t you properly handle the man standing directly in front of you?”
She shifts her attention towards Chun Bu.
Xian Xu: “Un.”
A single, emotionless affirmation.
Valiant: “Ohhh, that’s a dangerous one for his harem.”
Caladblock: “Something is strange about her… If I were madly in love with someone, I wouldn’t give even a speck of attention to a random guy in the far corner.”
Hajime (thinking): That’s true… this is a deeply concerning development.
He whispers again, still teasing towards the cold beauty:
Hajime: “That wasn’t a proper response…”
Suddenly, Xian Xu speaks.
Xian Xu: “Be gone, pest.”
Chun Bu instantly slashes a really tiny divine fly that was peacefully flying by.
Chun Bu: “Yes, I was terribly worried about that pest. Don’t worry, Xian Xu—I’ve taken care of it.”
Hajime stares blankly at his friend.
Hajime: “Is he that shameless of a man… or is he just completely deluded?”
The cold beauty cracks the faintest smile.
Chun Bu lights up like a festival lantern at her reaction.
Chun Bu (internal): It’s working! I’ve never seen her smile like that in all of these 800 years!
Hajime watches with mounting dread.
Hajime (thinking): A cold beauty smiling… something is seriously wrong here.
Valiant: “Better stop mumbling. I feel something amiss here Hajime.”
Hajime: “Agreed. A cold beauty who’s kind and girly? That shouldn’t be the template here…”
Xian Xu turns toward him again, eyes sharpen like daggers.
Hajime: “Oops. I need to practice my inside voice.”
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She giggles—a sound soo terrifying beyond words for me.
Hajime freezes, horrified, and immediately retreats from Chun Bu.
He will need to warn his friend before this situation becomes completely catastrophic.
Chun Bu, none the wiser, continues speaking passionately to a cold emotionless wall.
Hajime returns to his corner—only to find Autumn already there sniffing.
Autumn (to no one): “His scent is concentrated here… but where is he!?”
Hajime immediately turns around and leaves the area without hesitation.
He relocates to where the Furrutopiad crowd is gathering.
Valiant: “Why are we here? Shouldn’t you pick another dark corner?”
Hajime: “Its a precautionary measure. I’m hoping the musk from these beast's masks my own.”
Valiant: “…Smart. But they’re really partying hardcore overthere.”
The Furrutopians are guzzling Wolfbrand Mead, mixed with shampoo-scented collar fashion ads.
There are advertisements everywhere: best petting zones, butthole dewormers, premium pet shots for your favorite mutt edition. Its a frenzy of apocalyptical animalistic designs!
Hajime silently regrets his existence, only for 5 seconds.
Suddenly Deus’ voice fills the ballroom.
Deus: “As you all know, fellow patrons, CEOs, entrepreneurs, talents… blah blah blah…”
Hajime’s mind shuts off the moment she starts talking—just like listening to his old principal.
She continues talking… and talking… oh wait, she said stocks…
Finally she ends announcing:
Deus: “See you all tomorrow for our hero’s grand debut! May the greediest talent win!!!”
Thunderous applause echoes through the room.
Hajime yawns like a dying walrus.
The guests exchange cards and leave on masse in an orderly fasion.
Hajime waits thirty minutes because they all cram into that damned single elevator.
Hajime: “What a terrible citadel design…”
Once the coast is clear, he finally enters the cursed thing.
Just as he presses the button to go down:
Autumn (shouting): “I’ve got you now Hajime!!!”
A fox-girl voice shrieks from the ceiling.
Hajime: “…Of course. This damned elevator only brings trouble.”
He looks up at the fox girl.
Autumn is hanging from the ceiling with her tails—like a fluffy spider.
Hajime: “Get down from there Autumn… your panties are white today.”
Autumn: “K-K-Kyaaaaa!!!”
She slips, lands on the floor, face bright red as an apple.
Autumn: “P-P-Pervert!! Where were you looking?!”
Hajime: “The roof.”
A second later—SLAP—a tiny paw-print forms on his cheek.
Autumn: “D-Did you like the style…?”
Hajime: “Excuse me???”
Autumn: “N-Never mind! Just watch the Furrutopiad Industry Ad Compendium for me!!!”
She holds up a cute fox-themed ad—thirty minutes of pure time wastage...
Hajime: “Nah. I’m good for now. See you tomorrow.”
The elevator doors open, but Autumn grabs him with force.
Autumn: “Oh no you don’t! You’re not escaping from me this time!”
Hajime: “Her grip is insanely strong! What do I realistically do now?!”
Autumn: “Proclaim your undying fandom for me—NOW!!!”
Hajime sighs, completely done with this bullshit. A cursed idea pops into his head...
Hajime: “Your tail… is the fluffiest thing I’ve ever touched.”
Autumn: “K-K-Kyaaaah?! Why are you saying that NOW of all times?!”
She turns beet red, trembling and ventilating.
Hajime: “Please, Autumn… don’t tempt me with this. I’m trying to control myself… I may touch all the tails at any moment…”
(A bit of drool leaks out)
Autumn: “I-I’m not ready for this yet! It’s too fast!!!”
She pushes Hajime out of the elevator and pushes the close button with mind-blowing speed.
Hajime escapes successfully— yet again!!!!
Valiant: “My tail is fluffier than hers Hajime-kun… you’ve dug yourself into a bigger pit now.”
Caladblock: “Honey, I expect compensation for my patience…”
Whalescalibur: “WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU DONE?! She’s committed now!!!”
Hajime’s left eye loses several points of vision from stress and shambles ever onward to Zeus innocent embrace.
