*Tuk* *Tuk* *Tuk*
The crisp sound of footsteps echoed in the corridor.
At this moment, Aki's heart was filled with curiosity and wonder.
She had been entrusted with a heavy task—to approach August, to interact with him, become friends, partners, companions, and, if she wished, even a lover.
The last part was not mandatory, but from Finn's attitude, she could sense something.
She was the beautiful girl among the beautiful girls, and the target of this hony trap was the newcomer August, who had just joined the familia.
What shocked her even more was that the one assigning her this task was her most respected Captain Finn.
Moreover, from Finn's implications, this was also the will of the Goddess Loki.
This made her curious about August. Both Loki and Finn valued him so much, to the extent of having a level 4 adventurer like herself approach him. What kind of person was he?
While contemplating, Aki arrived at the door of August's room.
Since she had come with Finn before, she knew August's room and was one of the first people in the familia to interact with August.
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
Taking a deep breath, Aki knocked on the door.
In no time, the door opened, and a sleepy-eyed August appeared before her.
Admittedly, August might not be described as extraordinarily handsome, but he was still in the good-looking category, especially after becoming an adventurer, with improvements in various aspects. In modern terms, he could be considered campus heartthrob material.
"Who is it?"
In his drowsiness, August looked at this girlat the door, feeling quite puzzled.
He didn't recall knowing such a pretty cat lady. What could she want with him?
"Hello, I'm Anakitty Autumn, your companion. This is Captain's idea."
"Companion?"
"You can also understand it as a guide or consultant."
"I already have an adventurer consultant, signed up at the guild."
"That doesn't conflict. We are companions in the same familia. In terms of safety and secrecy, we're better than the guild!"
"Oh, an experienced guide for a newcomer?"
"You can say that!"
Aki smiled, and although her words were calm, her gaze continued to assess August.
As a demi-human of the cat race, she could keenly sense many signs of fatigue on August. Obviously, even though he slept during the day in the familia, he had not experienced a day of virtual rest.
"Please come in, sorry, the room is a bit messy."
Entering the room, Aki also noticed that it was too simple inside.
Apart from the basic furniture that was originally in the room, there were only a few more beddings. Other than that, there was nothing else.
But this was normal since August had only joined a few days ago.
"I only have some hometown drinks here. I apologize!"
August took out a glass of coke. After all, someone came to visit, and he couldn't offer plain water.
"Thank you."
Aki took the coke, looking at the brown-black liquid still bubbling in the glass, feeling a bit hesitant.
She had never seen such a drink, and it had an unpleasant first impression due to its color.
However, she then smelled a scent similar to lemon from the drink, and this fragrance came from the unknown beverage in her hands.
With a hint of curiosity, Aki took a sip.
Then, she tasted a feeling she had never experienced before. Different from any drink or even alcohol she had ever had, it was a completely different sensation.
"What is this?"
"Uh, Coke."
"Coke? Drinking it does make realy great!"
Saying so, Aki finished the glass of coke. After all, it was just a beverage, and it was sweet.
"I like it!"
"If it makes you happy."
August also noticed that people from Orario had not drunk this kind of carbonated soda before, so the first time they drank it, it felt novel.
Because of the good mood, Aki's tail swayed slightly behind her, giving August the feeling of wanting to pet it like a cat.
Cat-eared girls, among beast races, were one of the cutest.
As a self-proclaimed cat lover and cat slave, seeing this oversized cat, August felt a bit itchy.
Subconsciously, August placed his hand on Aki's head and started rubbing it.
"Mmm~"
While Aki made an instinctive sound, somewhat coquettish and charming, August felt a sudden impulse.
Not only that, but perhaps influenced by the habits of the cat race, while having his head rubbed, Aki also rubbed against August's palm, as if she were a real cat.
However, in an instant, Aki realized.
She wasn't at home, and her mother wasn't rubbing her head.
Raising her head, when she saw August reaching out to rub her head, she instinctively felt displeasure. How could a girl's head be touched so casually.
But, when she saw August's expression of being "healed" and "pleased," her mood stabilized.
"Good to pet?"
"Yes, very comfortable!"
"Do you want to continue?"
"I want to keep going."
Hearing August say this, Aki suddenly blushed. This was almost the same as a confession.
However, at this moment, August also snapped back to reality, looking at Aki in front of him and his own hand, and suddenly felt a bit guilty.
What did he do? He rubbed someone's head as soon as they met.
"Uh, I'm really sorry, Aki. You are just too cute, I couldn't help it."
"Do you treat other girls the same way?"
"How is that possible? Then I would be a pervert. I just..."
"Just what?"
"I just couldn't resist~"
Saying that, August's gaze was a bit evasive.
Touching someone's head without holding back was almost the same as being a pervert.
"Do you know that a girl's head is a sacred place and should not be touched?"
"I'm really sorry!"
August looked embarrassed. His hands were indeed too unruly. Why did he act on impulse like that?
However, at this moment, August still had some thoughts. He also noticed that Aki's attitude toward him had not changed. Even though he did such a thing, she wasn't angry.
This made him a bit excited. An intimate contact with a cat lady.
Thinking like this, August found himself daydreaming again.
"Having done such an excessive thing, what do you plan to do?"
Aki smiled slightly and said so.
She never forgot her mission, which was to become August's partner, friend, and, if possible, a lover. Whether they could become a couple would depend on fate.
After this brief contact, her first impression of August was positive.
Most importantly, compared to that log-like Raul, August seemed much more outstanding.
Being in the same period, she knew a lot about Raul.
Especially, this guy often lingered on coke, and it wasn't as simple as once or twice.
If it weren't for that, she would have given Raul some hints long ago.
However, for Raul, she only had some vague favorable feelings. If it came to liking someone, it hadn't reached that level.
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