“However, for a tsukumogami being a messenger princess for Inari-sama, that’s quite something.”
When I praised her in that way, Ms. Mayudama said, “It’s not that much really,” while her face, already blushing from the hot water, turned even redder.
“You see, originally I was a cocoon ball dedicated to Inari-sama. That’s why I was used as a messenger princess for Inari-sama as is.”
“Cocoon ball?”
“Yes, in regions where silkworms are raised, it’s the round thing offered in hopes of getting a good silk yield.”
Ahh, I’ve seen that before. It’s like a red and white ball made to look like silk worm cocoons, that’s hung on tree branches.
“Ho, so why the Arctic fox then?”
“About that, the child who made me, see, was crafting a cocoon ball for offering to Inari-sama and just decided to shape it like a fox. Then, some knowledgeable old man was like, ‘This looks just like an Arctic fox.'”
Indeed, if you make a fox out of a white cocoon ball, it would resemble an Arctic fox.
“But then, why do you usually transform into a fox-child based on a normal fox?”
“Imagine if the Arctic fox was the base for turning into a human… What do you think?”
Hmm? An Arctic fox-based fox-child… Umm, a fluffy white tail, small white ears.
“That would be even more like a dog. A dog-girl, huh?”
“Right, ain’t it?”
Well, surely there’s an issue with fox identity there.
“Also, you know, I always admired regular foxes. That golden fur, the sharp and big ears… they’re the best.”
I can somewhat understand that feeling.
Surely Ms. Mayudama herself does not think that ordinary foxes are more fabulous than Arctic foxes. Evidence of this is that when she transforms into a fox mode, she faithfully becomes an Arctic fox. But more than anything else, she must be concerned that she is an artificial fox.
The artificial nature of her being, coupled with the form of a fox not native to Japan, seemed to reaffirm that.
Indeed, perhaps she often envied other foxes, those who were simply foxes by default.
Hmm, but still…
“I think you, as an Arctic fox Mayudama, are quite beautiful and adorable.”
When I casually said this, Mayudama stood up as if startled, gracefully hiding her nakedness with her tail as she stepped back.
Aha, the tail can be quickly extended or retracted in an instant.
“Wh-wh-wha-what are you talking about, master?!”
“It’s just an honest opinion.”
“You id-id-idiot!”
And so, as we were teasing each other in good fun, there was a rustling in the bushes behind us.
Mayudama reacted faster than I did to the sound.
“Who’s there?!”
With both ears and tail bristling, she glared at the bushes. True to a Tsukumogami, her stature did command a certain divine presence. However, she was undeniably naked. And in a hot spring, no less.
It was rather comical, arguably due to the enchanting effect of the hot spring.
As I was pondering this foolish thought, out from the bushes came… Hmm???
Long blonde hair to the waist, a high nose, white skin, large blue eyes, and above all… pointed ears. This was…
“An elf??”
An elf girl, clearly.
As I stood up in surprise at this unexpectedly fantastical development, the elf girl suddenly screamed.
“Leflebarindo! Baaaaadeshooooo!!”
It was gibberish.
I didn’t understand her words, but I quickly realized that the cause was my own indiscretion in standing up while unclothed, evident by the fact that the elf girl was screaming while covering her face with one hand.
And with her other hand, she aimed a rod embedded with a jewel at us.
“Master, get down!”
Ms. Mayudama shouts while fumbling with her fingers at her chest.
Upon being told so, I have no choice but to get down, but as I was about to, the elf girl screamed loudly.
“Lightning Bolt!”
With that — a chant clearly composed in English — a torrent of light surged from the tip of her rod towards us. And in sync, Ms. Mayudama coldly shouted,
“Shield!”
Instantly, a wall of light formed around Ms. Mayudama and me, blowing away the elf’s attack.
“Ms. Mayudama… what in the world is this?”
“Weren’t you properly explained by Mr. Inari? About being sent to another world.”
Come to think of it… I feel like something like that was mentioned.
“So, then this means…”
To my flustered self, Ms. Mayudama flashed a mischievous smile and coolly said,
“That’s right, this is the current situation. You, who died over there, have been sent to this fantasy-like place.”
“You should have said that earlier.”
“You were the one who said it could wait until later, Master.”
That’s right. One should readily heed good advice.
“And another thing, Master.”
“What now?”
Ms. Mayudama, while glaring at the elf in a state of shock from her magic being repelled, said this with a look of amusement,
“It’s extremely irritating when people show up fully dressed while someone’s enjoying a hot spring!”
A full smile. Yes, that’s right, I agree!
“Ha ha ha, you’re getting the hang of it, aren’t you?”
“Yes, all thanks to you, Master.”
And with that, Ms. Mayudama, showing the reliability of her small back, moved towards the elf with determination.
“I’m relying on you too, partner!”
“Stop it, save that kind of talk for later.”
What’s with the “stop it”? While coyly waving that cute little tail attached to her little behind.
“Besides, I’m not your partner, I’m the one taking care of my master.”
Caretaker, huh? Well, that’s alright.
At least, I’ve understood that it’s going to be fun.
That much, I’ve incredibly, thoroughly understood.
And then an elf appears!
