Chat and dress (part 1)

"Mgh..."

I woke up in the middle of the night because it was a bit chilly... I guess fall is coming.

Sleeping in just my underwear doesn't help, not that I'm going to change that soon. I just use my trick, wrapping my tail around the edges of the blanket to drag it up, cover myself, and go back to sleep.

What a useful thing!

... Anyway, it's early morning now. I tie on a cute apron and start cooking while Nicole is still asleep. We have a lot of food, but I need to learn more recipes. You can never have enough recipes.

Also, I must remember to go shopping for ingredients later.

I feel like I've been overthinking my cooking lately, yet I always end up making the first thing that comes to mind. Something simple is good, too. I slice some bread, top it with fluffy scrambled eggs, and sprinkle on a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mm, just a little bit, finished with some parsley leaves. I leave a few condiments and sauces nearby in case she prefers to use them.

We'll pair it with coffee and milk. It's best served piping hot and drunk right away, so I should go wake her up. My ears swivel toward the hallway, picking up nothing but the absolute silence of the house.

I reach her room and find her exactly as I left her... Hasn't she slept most of the day? She must have been working too hard. I want to spoil her more, but it's not a healthy habit.

"Nicole... Hey... Nicole! Wake up!" I shake her shoulders for a while until she finally stirs.

"Ugh... I'm awake. Please stop shaking me."

"Alright, good morning."

"Yaaawn... good morning."

"Please go take a bath while I get you some clothes."

"Okay..."

At least I can help with a few steps of her morning routine so she gets downstairs for breakfast faster. I watch as she gets up, does a few stretches, and then... unhooks her bra and pulls down her panties.

Eh, I wasn't expecting that so suddenly. Unfortunately, she doesn't give me much time to enjoy the view as she leaves the room and heads for the bathroom. My gaze remains fixed on her seductive bare behind, my tail puffing up slightly in surprise.

"W-Wow." Huh, did I say that out loud? It just slipped out. I hope she didn't hear me.

At least this confirms I'm definitely picking up some bad habits from her.

Anyway, I grab the underwear she just took off to toss in the laundry. The fabric is still warm, and my nose easily catches her lingering, sweet scent. I know I've said before that I feel nothing but familial love for Nicole, and it's true, but she's really hot. The urge to press these against my face is no small thing.

'Was I always this much of a pervert? I'm not usually like this. Oh, could it be that these days I—eh, never mind.'

With a willpower I didn't know I possessed, I refrain from embarrassing myself and quickly carry her clothes to the laundry room before my fragile resistance shatters.

Back to my task. Picking out an outfit for her is easy. Most of her clothes are pretty basic: shirts and pants, with the occasional dress or coat. She's very practical when it comes to fashion, but somehow she still manages to look great on special occasions.

Today she'll wear black, I guess.

Now, let's move on to the drawers. Let's see... Not here. Not here either... Ah, here it is: her underwear. Of course, there are no matching sets in sight. As far as I can remember, my sisters never matched theirs either. Am I the only one who cares about matching? Not that anyone would notice anyway. She'll be wearing a white bra and green panties today. Oh... why does she have that!? And... huh, where can I get one?

I leave Nicole's clothes in the bathroom and wait for her in the kitchen. A few minutes later, she appears... completely dry and dressed.

"Good morning," I say, remembering that I didn't say hello earlier.

"Morning," she doesn't look as exhausted as before, but her voice is softer than usual.

"You dried yourself with magic again, didn't you? I don't know if that's good for your hair."

"You worry too much."

Mmm, well, her hair has always been messy, so I guess it works for her style.

"Hey, um, I found some... interesting underwear in your drawers," I say, deciding to omit the part about the other stuff I found.

"Interesting?"

"Y-Yeah. You know, the kind that, um, you'd only wear for a few minutes before taking it off. Or that you don't have to take off at all." My ears fold back flat against my head in embarrassment.

I shouldn't have asked!

"Oh~ hehe." A mischievous smile plays on her face.

"Why do you have something like that if you have no one to show it to?" Her smile disappears, heh.

"Ugh, hitting right where it hurts first thing in the morning, huh? Mmm, self-esteem, I guess. It's like a guy keeping a contraceptive in his wallet even when he's single."

"Huh..."

"I like to wear them from time to time. Some are memories of my youth."

I wouldn't say she's that lonely in that sense, but she doesn't have an official partner as far as I know.

"Eh, I have a feeling I shouldn't ask what you were up to. Besides, you're twenty-nine. You're still young."

"Yeah, but after a certain point, it feels like time just flies by, you know? Anyway, not to pressure you or anything, but I'm starving."

"Oh, right, sorry."

I take off my apron and serve our food along with the coffee... Huh, how strange, I feel more relaxed today. Could it be because I willingly slept next to Nicole last night, instead of her just randomly appearing in my room? The warm, roasted aroma of the coffee definitely helps to settle my nerves, too.

"So..." She pauses to take a bite of her eggs. "... are you still going today?"

"Ugh, yes."

"Mm? You don't sound very thrilled, but you agreed yesterday."

"I know, but, um, how should I put it? Yesterday it sounded like a good idea. You know, to earn some money. It was a long day, but I still had momentum going, so to speak."

"Now that you're calmer, are you feeling lazy?"

"It's not laziness... It just sounds like a hassle, and I'll probably have to talk to a lot of strangers."

"Heh, it'll do you good. Besides, you can't back out now. I already confirmed with Ilona that you accepted."

"Fine... Wait, you already confirmed? Haven't you been home since yesterday morning?"

She takes a long sip of her coffee instead of answering. Suspicious.

"Haah... I love coffee. Hmm? Oh yeah, just think about the gifts you'll be able to buy, and you'll be fine."

"Mmm, well, that was my motivation yesterday. I was also in a good mood because—OH!"

I remember! I haven't told Nicole the good news yet. We're having a nice chat. Now that she's eating, she looks more awake and rested than usual. She looks prettier, too. I hope it's because I helped her sleep well. 'Wait, don't get distracted, me! Now is the perfect time!'

"What's wrong?" she asks. Just the tone of her voice tells me she's worried by my sudden outburst. Her eyes are still half-closed, and her hands haven't stopped bringing food to her mouth.

"I made friends!" I announce, my tail immediately starting to wag enthusiastically behind me.

"From a new book you're reading?"

... Ouch.

"No, flesh-and-blood friends!"

"... Are you sure?"

"Yes! Two beautiful elven sisters! I helped them beat up a noble yesterday while you were sleeping!"

"What?"

"After Ilona took him away, I helped them clean up the debris from the restaurant, and we chatted for a while. Oh yeah, Sarisa wants to meet you."

"Wait, slow down. You assaulted a noble? You realize they could execute you for that, even if you are my cousin, right?"

"Ilona said it was fine."

"Just because Ilona said... mh, you know what? Let me finish my meal, and then you can tell me everything from the beginning."

"... Fine," I totally understand, but I'm a little annoyed anyway. Just a little.

"By the way, the food is simple today, but delicious as always."

Dear cousin, I forgive you.