Chapter 35 A New Everyday
It's been a while since the monster attack incident, and summer has arrived.
The overly decorated dress has been tucked away in the back of the closet, and I've started to prefer wearing lighter fabrics this season.
I'm crouched in the shade of the Granbell Family garden, groaning.
"Ugh..."
In front of me is a stray cat.
It stares back at me with a wary gaze.
In front of that cat, I'm trying out my newly developed magic.
Performance magic, Beast Out.
Its effect is...
"...meow."
It gives me cat ears and a cat tail (an illusion).
Hey, don't call it cosplay beastman; I'm being completely serious here.
I've worked hard to get as close to an animal's appearance as possible, and this is the result.
Well, at first, I completely transformed into an animal, but since the only monsters that look like human-sized cats are actual monsters, people passing by were super shocked.
The animals also only recognized me as a monster.
So, this compromise led to this beastman cosplay-like transformation.
With this, I aim for even more cuteness.
That's right, I want to be loved not just by people but even by animals, aiming to be the perfect pretty Yummy!!
"Meow meow meow♪."
Imitating a cat's meow, I slowly reach out to the stray cat.
I cover my hand with a paw glove illusion to make it look like a cat's paw as I approach...
"Meow."
The stray cat ignores me and jumps over the fence, leaving. Ugh.
No, no, just the fact that it didn't get scared is a big improvement.
If I keep this up, that stray cat will surely open its heart to me...!.
"Yumie, what are you doing?"
"E-Elder Brother!"
I immediately react to the voice from behind and run towards its source.
Elder Brother greets me with a smile.
"Whoa, haha, you seem lively today, Yumie."
"Hehe, as long as Elder Brother is by my side, I'm always full of energy!"
I said this with a big smile while rubbing my face against Elder Brother's chest.
Since that attack incident, Elder Brother's stock has been skyrocketing in my mind.
I mean, he showed up out of nowhere when I thought I was done for after being attacked by a monster and saved me, right? Of course, I'm going to like him more.
So, I've been relying on Elder Brother even more than before... and since he seems to enjoy it, I'm practically glued to him all the time.
I sneak into Elder Brother's bed at night because I feel anxious being alone, and I even tried to take a bath with him.
Well, I did get scolded for trying to follow him into the bath, but it wasn't Elder Brother who got mad; it was Mother, Lisa, and another "guest".
Because of all this, we've become such a close brother-sister duo that people around us are not just envious but actually amazed.
"So, let me ask again... what were you doing?"
"I was practicing getting along with animals. You see, with my skills, I can't beat monsters no matter how hard I try, but if I can use my magic to 'charm' them, maybe I can get through without fighting."
That's why I did the (beast out) thing, and I wiggled the cat ears I made with illusion magic.
Yeah, Elder Brother's expression is always relaxed and goofy, so at least I seem cute to humans.
As for animals, I haven't seen any results yet.
"Sure, with Yumie's cuteness, even animals and monsters might fall for you. I'm cheering for you, so do your best. But don't do anything dangerous, okay?"
"Yes!"
I replied cheerfully while hugging him tightly.
As I was soaking in Elder Brother's warmth and relaxing like that... a new voice suddenly interrupted the atmosphere.
"Hey, you there! What do you think you're doing, getting all cozy without me!?"
When I turned my gaze away from Elder Brother, there stood a crimson noblewoman.
It was Monica, the daughter of the Belmont family.
Yes, she is the "guest" currently staying with the Granbell Family and one of the people who lectures me about my overly affectionate relationship with Elder Brother.
"What's the big deal? We're siblings, after all. Besides, what do you mean 'without me'? There's no room for you here!"
"There's plenty of room, you know!! I'm a Belmont lady, after all!?"
"That doesn't matter right now, does it!? This situation has nothing to do with Belmont!"
With a lot of shouting, Elder Brother and Monica started arguing.
Elder Brother was being pretty harsh with his words towards a member of the Duke Belmont family, but this is what Monica herself wanted.
After that attack incident, it was highly likely that Monica was targeted by someone inside, so she was being sheltered in this safe house until the investigation was over.
Given her position as a guest, there was no need for her to be humble.
Up until now, she had never once retracted that declaration, and she and Elder Brother have been bickering daily, which could be seen as a sign of their friendship.
That's a good thing.
"Anyway, Ms. Yumie is mine, so Mr. Neil, please keep that in mind."
"What do you mean 'mine'!?"
"Ms. Yumie is my knight. Right, Ms. Yumie?"
"Ah, yes. I'm the sword that protects Lady Monica."
I nodded in response to Monica, who was stroking me while asking.
With just that, Monica turned to Elder Brother with an overly smug expression.
"Got it? Ms. Yumie is mine!!"
"That's not gonna happen, right!? If you want Yumie, you gotta take me down first!!"
"Oh my, Mr. Neil is trying to silence a delicate lady with violence? That'll just make Ms. Yumie dislike you, you know?"
"Ugh, grr, grr...!?"
Elder Brother, easily outmatched and silenced, has Monica letting out a villainous laugh, "Ohohoho".
Yeah, these two really get along well.
They're the same age, and they actually make a pretty good match, don't they?
""That's not true!!""
Oops, looks like what I was thinking slipped out, and they both shot me down.
As I hurriedly covered my mouth with both hands, Monica and Elder Brother relaxed their expressions when they saw me.
"Ah, Ms. Yumie is so cute... I just want to take her back to the Belmont house like this."
"Absolutely not!"
Elder Brother cuts down Monica's wish without hesitation.
Right, Monica is temporarily staying with us due to circumstances, but that's about to end soon.
After spending over a month here, it seems like she's reluctant to leave and keeps trying to take me back with her.
I think to myself, what is she saying? But I feel the same sense of loneliness.
Since we're at it, I want to make a few more memories.
"I can't go with you, but... instead, how about spending today, Ms. Monica? Let's have a picnic together; the last one got ruined, so it's a revenge outing!"
"Oh, that sounds nice! But it's a shame that Mr. Neil can't join us."
"That's what I was gonna say."
Sparks fly between the two.
I chuckle, thinking they really are in sync.
"I don't think going far is a good idea, so let's do it in the yard. Alright, let's go!"
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