~ The moment she heard about going to the station, Cissia instantly panicked.
What a joke!
I just got out of there a few days ago, I don’t want to go back in.
Her originally fierce aura softened again, and she pressed her hands together in a pitiful plea.
“Please~ Kind cat girl miss~ I haven’t eaten for three days, I’m really hungry, can you let me try a bit of the little cake~ Just one bite.” Furina pursed her lips, unable to bear seeing this starving little snake show such an expression.
After glancing reluctantly at her own brownie cake, she hardened her heart and pushed it over to Cissia.
“Forget just one bite, that would make me look stingy.
This piece of cake is on me…” In an instant, Cissia froze.
She looked at the brownie cake on the table, then raised her eyes in disbelief to look at Furina, who was elegantly savoring a matcha cake.
She seemed to be glowing.
Is she an angel?!!!
With this thought, a smile spread across Cissia’s face.
She wanted to step forward and hug the other, but was stopped by Furina’s outstretched hand.
“Alright, alright, don’t come any closer~ Just eat the cake.” “Hehehe…
Thank you~ You’re so kind~ By the way, what’s your name~ I’m Cissia, as you can see, a Snake Thiren.” As she spoke, the tail beneath Cissia flexibly wrapped around Furina’s leg.
A cold, slimy sensation washed over her, and Furina shivered, quickly glancing down.
“Don’t…
your tail, control your tail~!” “Sorry, sorry…
It’s just that since you treated me to cake, I couldn’t help but want to get closer to you.” The little snake had nothing like Furina’s elegance.
She shoved the cake into her mouth in a couple of bites, chocolate sauce smearing across the corners of her lips.
Seeing her mess, Furina shook her head and pushed the tissue box beside her over.
“Hehe, don’t worry, I’m not the kind of snake that’s threatening, so don’t be scared~” Of course I know what kind of snake you are, but I can’t help feeling instinctively panicked in my heart…
“Um…” Cissia pulled out a tissue.
Looking at the white-haired cat girl in front of her, who was unhurriedly holding a fork and eating cake, she finally asked the question that had been puzzling her.
“Um, are you a young miss from some noble family?
Or a famous star…?” Hearing this, Furina paused mid-bite, her lips curling into an almost imperceptible smile, and the speed of her tail wagging behind her quickened.
“Hmph~ My status is far too great…
It’s a secret you aren’t allowed to know.
I am an existence far more noble than any young miss of a noble family or celebrity you mentioned.” Our little snake was completely intimidated.
Her gaze instantly filled with a hint of respect as she looked at Furina.
So strong?!
Hiss…
After finishing the matcha cake, Furina originally wanted to have another slice, but alas, her wallet was feeling a bit shy.
She’d have to wait until her funds were more abundant.
With that, she rose, picked up the small blue top hat beside her, spun it once, and placed it on her head.
“Well then~ I’ll be taking my leave…” Walking with an elegant stride to the front counter to settle the bill, Furina left the dessert shop without lingering.
Cissia finally snapped out of it.
She felt this was a golden opportunity to cling to Furina’s thigh.
Even if that failed, she had to at least get on her good side so that the next time she ran into her, she could get treated to a meal again.
Her red eyes flashed with determination for a moment.
Cissia quickly rose, wiggled her snake tail, and followed after her.
“Hey!
Wait up, wait up…” “Do you have any other business?” Turning to look at the blonde girl who had drawn close to her, Furina took a small step to the side, her tail drooping behind her in fear.
She couldn’t help it, she was just terrified of snakes…
“I still don’t know your name.
I’m Cissia~ What about you?” “…You can call me Furina~” “Mm-hmm, okay~!!
Furina…
Huh~ Your name and mine both have an ‘i’ sound in them.
What a coincidence~” Cissia tried to lean in closer, but seeing Furina take another step to the side, she puffed out her cheeks.
“Do you hate me that much…” “Uh, no, you must have misjudged~” “Hmph…
You’re just scared of snakes, and yet you claim to be some noble personage…” Blinking, Furina reflexively retorted.
“How is that possible?
Just you?
I’m not scared at all~” “Then I’ll come closer, and you don’t dare hide.” Stopping in her tracks, Furina placed one hand on her hip and slightly tilted her head up, appearing quite relaxed.
But as soon as Cissia drew near, those red eyes staring at her, and the faint sound of a tongue flicking came from the small white snake around her neck, Furina still couldn’t help but shiver.
“Hmph, are you trembling?” “N-no, not at all, it’s just a bit cold.” “Really?
Then how about this…” With that, Cissia reached out to touch Furina, only to have the gesture forcefully shaken off.
Straightening her clothes, Furina flicked the tail behind her and spoke with great decisiveness.
“That’s enough!
Stop messing around, I have things to do.
Bye~” Watching the retreating figure, Cissia chose not to back down.
Her sharp intuition told her that if she just followed this cat girl, she wouldn’t have to worry about what to eat tonight.
Glancing back out of the corner of her eye, Furina felt a wave of complex emotions upon seeing that “what-kind-of-snake-is-this” still following her.
Great, she’s clinging to me now.
Just like that, Furina walked all the way to the general store, pulled open the door handle, and went inside.
Seeing this, Cissia paused.
She quickly wriggled forward, pressing against the glass to peer inside, but as if by some magic, she couldn’t see a thing.
Giving herself a pep talk, she approached the store entrance, about to reach out and push the door open.
Swish~ Before her hand could even touch the door handle, the wooden door swung open by itself.
Furina and a frozen Cissia stared at each other, and the scene fell into a weird stillness.
Furina was the first one to speak.
“Why are you following me all the way?
Didn’t I already give you a piece of cake…” Scratching the back of her head, Cissia gave a silly chuckle.
“Hehe…
I was just thinking if there’s anything I can do to help you.
I can’t just eat your food for free~” Hearing this, Furina rubbed her chin and sized up this “what-kind-of-snake-is-this”.
It just so happened that she was cleaning the shop and was short-handed.
Since you’re so enthusiastic, then I, Lady Furina, will not hold back on the formalities.
“Alright, I just took over this shop, and it’s a mess inside right now.
Since you want to help, let’s clean it together~” “Ah, okay, okay.” “I’m going to buy some cleaning tools and daily necessities…
You can go inside and wait a bit, or go play somewhere else by yourself.” Nodding, Cissia naturally chose the third option: continuing to follow her.
This immediately made Furina unhappy.
What’s wrong with this snake(?), are you some kind of little tail that follows people everywhere…
It was hard to criticize her; after all, if she looked at her with those pitiful eyes again, it would just be a hassle.
Upon arriving at the store, Furina had a clear objective.
First on her list was a bottle of insecticide, followed by a broom, a mop, cleaning agents, and rags…
Then she hurried to the household goods section and bought a set of bedding, towels, a change of pajamas, and various shampoos and body washes.
As soon as Cissia followed her inside, she darted straight for the snack section.
Though she had no money and couldn’t afford anything, she could still feast her eyes and snag a few free samples.
After making her purchases, Furina carried two large bags of items, struggling slightly as she walked back toward the general store.
Seeing this, Cissia showed her quick wit by approaching right away.
“Um, I-I’ll help you carry that~ Hehe…” Nodding, Furina didn’t try to be stubborn or anything, decisively handing a bag over.
Shortly after arriving at the general store, Furina led Cissia inside.
Looking at the dilapidated interior covered in a layer of dust on the floor, Cissia asked with some curiosity.
“Why is it so dirty here?” “Because no one has been inside for a very long time.” “Then you…” “I am the new owner of this general store, and I am preparing to reopen for business~” “Didn’t you say you were a high-ranking VIP?” “Hmph~ You just don’t understand.
Do you usually read novels or comics?” “I’ve read some, so what?” “Hmph, generally, hidden masters choose the identity of a general store owner to live in seclusion.
Besides, this is Lumina Square!
You should see how the property prices in this area have been driven up to over a hundred million.” Over…
over a hundred million…
Gulp.
Cissia swallowed hard, quickly pushing the thought out of her mind.
Looking at the slightly disheveled white-haired cat girl standing before her, the only thing she wanted to do right now was break into a song about a hopeless admirer stumbling into the presence of a beautiful empress.