Chapter 203

I went to see my master for a massage today.

Everything was fine at first, and my master even said I was in great health.

Until a few hours after the massage.

My hands are shaking right now, and my shoulders are really sore.

Thanks for the invitation. I feel like I'm about to go to heaven.

This situation makes it a bit difficult to write, so I'll ask for a day off.

P. S. On another note, when my master was working on me, he often had to go up and down on the massage bed. Once, when he was massaging my lower back, his knee almost crushed my OO.

Luckily, I sensed something was wrong and shrank back to avoid this disaster; otherwise, I would be lying in the hospital right now.

In short, I'm taking a day off today, January 9th, 2023. It took me five minutes to type out this two-hundred-word leave request.

2023, ahhhhhh!!!

Hmph! Hmph! Hmph! Aaaaaaaahh...

192 Combing the tail

The anomaly in Texas was quickly discovered.

The main reason was that Shirou kept glancing around distractedly, which made Sora, who was sitting in front of the two of them, notice something was wrong.

What puzzled Shirou was why Sora didn't stop Texas after seeing this, but instead looked satisfied and waved her phone downstairs.

"Hmm... would you like me to comb your tail?"

Disturbed like this, Shirou could no longer concentrate on his book and had to close it and ask Texas for her opinion.

"...Um."

Upon hearing Shirou's words, Texas lowered its tail and its ears twitched slightly before responding.

Shirou still couldn't figure out what the other person was thinking, but Texas was always like this, making it hard for others to understand her thoughts.

Since I can't concentrate on reading anyway, it's good to change my mood by taking a break.

A long time ago, Shirou had been very interested in those fluffy tails, but based on his past knowledge and what he had read in books, he understood that horns, tails, and ears were a sore spot for some people, so Shirou didn't bring it up in particular.

As for now... Texas kept slapping him with her tail for some reason, so he took the opportunity to bring up this idea.

"Shirou, do you know how to comb your hair?"

They helped me retrieve the entire set of hair-smoothing products from the cabinet next to me, and I asked them a few questions with some concern.

Sometimes she would help Texas comb her tail, so she had some experience with these things and felt she could give Shirou some guidance.

And that Texas even slaps people with its tail, it's so cute!

Although I wasn't able to take photos directly, I still took quite a few pictures.

It smells so good!

"I know a little bit, so I'll start combing from the tail, right?"

Pulling a chair around, Shirou placed a towel on his lap and carefully put Texas's tail on it.

This was his first time brushing someone's tail, though he had previously helped brush the fur of puppies and kittens at Ryuudou Temple.

If you comb them straight down from the root of their fur or the base of their tail in one go, you can easily hurt them.

So you have to start combing from the ends and slowly loosen the knots, then start combing from the middle, and finally from the roots.

This way, you won't get stuck when you encounter knots while combing.

Incidentally, the technique for combing women's hair is similar; Shirou remembers combing Sakura and Miyu before.

"Wow! Shirou, you know a lot! But I suggest you spray on this lint-softening spray first!"

Upon hearing Shirou's words, Sora sighed.

As expected, you, Shirou, are still Shirou, proficient in everything and skilled in everything.

However, even someone as powerful as Shirou can overlook small details. For example, Shirou seems unaware that this can contains a hair-softening spray.

This is understandable, since Shirou doesn't have that kind of need.

Looking at Shirou's clean head and back, Sora couldn't help but feel a little envious.

You should know that taking care of these places every day takes a lot of effort!

"I see."

Shirou took the spray from Sora. Although he didn't quite understand what it was, he figured Sora said to use it if he wanted to.

The transparent spray can contained a transparent liquid. Shirou remembered that this spray can was a free gift he received when he bought something from the Dagu Shopping District.

The sprayed liquid has a faint floral scent, so Shirou probably intended it as a product for women.

Shirou had seen quite a few of these types of hair-smoothing products, but since Texas and Sora would buy the products they liked, Shirou didn't research them much.

As for buying for others...

Aside from the children in the shop, Shirou really couldn't think of anyone else he could buy things for. However, he simply gave everyone in the shop a quick wash with water and foam. People with tails were ultimately just a small group of people, and he couldn't give them special treatment.

However, now that he has more money in his pocket, Shirou feels he can make a purchase in this area.

"Let me make this clear first, I've never combed anyone's tail before, so my skills might not be very good."

After completing the preliminary steps, Shirou first gave Texas a heads-up.

Although I have experience combing people's hair or grooming cats and dogs, this is truly the first time I've ever combed a real person's tail.

After all, no one in his original place had a long tail.

...It should be said that, at least in his knowledge, it did not exist.

Thinking about the mystery of Magecraft that existed on his side, Shirou felt that perhaps some people really did have animal ears.

It's better not to say things so definitively.

"Understand."

Upon hearing Shirou's words, Texas nodded obediently and adjusted her position to make herself more comfortable.

She still had her Pocky stick in her mouth, and a cold drink was placed next to her.

"Let's begin then."

It was the first time Shirou had ever brushed someone's tail, so he was inevitably a little nervous.

The comb in my hand slowly combed from the tail of the fur.

Hmm... the feel is quite unique, very different from combing human hair or grooming small animals.

It's probably because Texas regularly grooms and brushes its fur, so there aren't many knots; it's mostly just brushing off loose fur.

"Whoa whoa..."

Exusiai had come over to join in the fun and was recording it on her phone, expressed her amazement at Shirou's technique.

This doesn't look like someone's first time using a comb to comb someone's hair!

Shirou, why are you so skilled at this!?

Ahem, I've gone off-topic.

"Shirou, your technique is quite good. You can apply a little more pressure. This comb has a massage function on it."

After briefly observing Shirou's methods and Texas's current state, Sora offered some appropriate suggestions.

Okay.

Upon hearing Sora's words, Shirou increased the pressure on his hands slightly.

Shirou could clearly feel the tail in his hand tighten slightly, so he reduced the pressure a little.

Ultimately, the force in Shirou's hand was so strong that it would tremble slightly after combing, but not to the point of shrinking back.

Although Shirou himself couldn't see Texas's appearance, the three members of Penguin Logistics nearby could see it clearly.

"..."

Texas was curled up in a chair with her knees drawn up to her chest, was glaring at Exusiai, who was recording her.

She is unable to speak now, fearing that even her words will tremble.

However, that didn't stop her from thinking about what to do with the other person after the grooming was over.

We'll have to figure out a way to unplug this light bulb person.

"Oh, not bad, Miss Texas! Come on! Tell me your thoughts! This is a grooming session from Mama Emiya, and it's Shirou's first time!"

Seeing Texas's current state, Exusiai knew she had to say what she wanted to say now.

Otherwise, once Shirou is over, Texas will probably be chasing after her with her Originium lightsaber.

Oh no, it's them.

Croissant nearby, was also taking photos with her phone, saying she wanted to compile them into an album to resell to Sora.

They're really calculating things!

"Huh? Exusiai, what did you say? I think I heard some words that shouldn't have been said?"

While Texas was unable to speak due to some indescribable factors, Shirou didn't have this problem.

He had been called by Lappland several times today, but because they weren't familiar with each other, he hadn't bothered to teach her a lesson.

However, he has plenty of ways to deal with Exusiai.

Salted meat pie is just the basics; to get a bit more advanced, he could make a savory Apple Pie or a sour Apple Pie made with green apples.

In short, he can make all kinds of Apple Pie except for the regular Apple Pie.

"Ahem... Mom... Mr. Shirou, you misheard me. I didn't say anything just now, so please put your mind at ease!"

Looking at Shirou's frightening smile, and that malicious smile, Exusiai felt a chill run down her spine.

So she begged for mercy.

"It's okay, I'm just wondering whether or not to make Apple Pie."

Shirou spoke with a bright, sunny smile.

"Really?"

Exusiai's eyes lit up when she heard Shirou's words.

"Really? It's just a green Apple Pie made with green apples."

Shirou, revealing his true colors beneath his sunny smile, said...

In Exusiai's eyes, Shirou at this moment was like a Sarkaz.

Just hearing the words "green Apple Pie" from Shirou, she could picture Shirou with Sarkaz horns and a tail holding a green apple and a green Apple Pie.

"No way! This is even more unacceptable than bacon pie! At least bacon pie has nothing to do with Apple Pie! Green Apple Pie, seriously?!"

Just thinking about that Exusiai feel terrible.

What kind of cult is Green Apple Pie!?

While some people enjoy its sweet and sour taste, Exusiai cannot!

Apple Pie should be sweet! At most, cinnamon is acceptable!

"Then we'll see how you do next time."

Seeing Exusiai being punished, Shirou snorted and turned his attention back to Texas's tail.

Although he had been verbally disciplining Exusiai, Shirou's hands did not stop moving.

As time went on, Shirou also began to comb his fur from the roots.

Shirou always felt that whenever he moved to the base of the body, his tail would tremble more violently.

So Shirou chose to apply light pressure at the base and gradually increase the force as he brushed the middle section.

Texas seems quite satisfied with this pace.

At least Shirou didn't feel the tail in his hand making any other movements.