NOVEL NEXT ch3 - Costume Change
3: Costume Change (Winter Fur)
Good morning, fluffy.
What a wonderful wake-up. Buried in the pure white fur, oh no, I might fall back asleep again……
…It’s so cold!
As Fenrir spoke, a freezing wind blew over me! Shivering, I burrowed further into the fur.
Fenrir’s laughter made his body shake. Ugh, the cradle effect is making me sleepy again… but it’s so cold…
“Your breath feels oddly cold!”
Look around? …Wowwwww.
The entire area is covered in snow. What!?
The strange brightness I noticed must be the sun’s reflection off the snow. The cold is definitely due to the outside temperature. But there’s so much snow… When I first arrived in this world, the ground was dry, and I wasn’t cold even in my suit.
“Did I sleep through the winter…?”
Sleeping too much. Well, it’s shorter than I expected, but what’s happened to my body? It’s turned white. Ugh, that’s not what I meant!
I feel something strange on top of my head. Hmm?
Reaching up… there are… fluffy beast ears… No way!?
Panicking, I touch the sides of my face, and there are ears there too. Four ears!?
“Um, um! What’s this!? You know, right!?”
“Yeah, I figured that out! But it’s different!”
When I move, pearls scatter around me, and I’m stunned. …Ah, those are my tears!
“They’re scattered. What should I do with them?”
“Oh, can you do that?”
As Fenrir blew out a breath, glittering snow swirled around, and a magic circle of snowflakes appeared. From the magic circle… well, snow-colored fairies appeared. My consciousness was drawn into them. We’ll deal with the winter issue later.
< < < Lord Fenrir > > >
The fairies bowed gracefully. Wow, so cute…! They look like dolls. Sorry for the poor comparison.
< Collect the pearls and make an accessory for my beloved daughter. >
< < < Understood > > >
The fairies fluttered around me, gathering pearls.
< < < Make Snow Jewel > > >
They created a snow-colored, glittering thread and began weaving the pearls in mid-air. Impressive!
They wrapped a necklace around my head, and at the back of my neck… a sound like a kiss. Wow.
< < < Greetings, Winter Princess > > >
The fairies gave a graceful bow and then dissolved into the light.
…Is this a dream? No, it can’t be. When I touch my neck, the pearl necklace is still there.
< It suits you very well. >
“Ah, thank you. By the way, about the ears…”
< It’s grown. You’ve fully become Fenrir’s beloved daughter. It’s a sign that your heart has aligned with mine. Hehe, I’m so happy. >
“Wait a minute… um… what about the tail?”
< Perhaps it will grow in time. If you stay close like this >
Wow! I’m buried in the soft fur of Fenrir’s cheek. Four ears—doesn’t that seem odd? Although, I can hear better.
“Well, if it’s happened, there’s no helping it! Fine then!!!!”
< You’re quite spirited. >
I decided to stop overthinking it. When Fenrir turned away and exhaled, his breath froze the ground.
…Ah, I was going to ask about the winter scenery, but this is definitely Fenrir’s doing, isn’t it? I figured that out. Just to confirm:
“You made it winter, didn’t you?”
< Indeed. >
“It’s so cold, I can’t move from this bed state.”
< Ngh…! >
Huh? Fenrir is frowning and making a weird clearing of the throat… Is he troubled?
< You should change your clothes. >
“Wait. Are we going shopping?”
Or perhaps crafting something from leaves like a caterpillar’s cocoon…? That sounds very wild. But considering this forest area with many beasts, such a suggestion doesn’t seem out of place.
< The clothes you’re wearing now have become like fur to Fenrir. They should be able to change like summer and winter coats. >
“Are these my fur now!? Like part of my skin? It’s a suit!”
< Is it a suit? Well, don’t worry about it, just give it a try. >
Alright, a green light without much explanation—just go with the feeling. …I’m really bad at this kind of thing. I’m used to making multiple versions of presentations to avoid mistakes, getting judgments from my boss, and revising to meet picky demands…
Shut up, this isn’t an office!!
I got angry with myself. This energy feels important, it’s now or never. I’ll do it. Go!
< Don’t be afraid of failure. >
Fenrir’s advice came at the perfect moment, making me flinch. What!? It’s as if he read my mind… No, I probably just voiced my concerns out loud.
I’m just going with the impulse and throwing my arms up in excitement. What’s with these arms? They’re fun. Alright!
< Since you’ve become a half-beast, you’re like a newborn baby. It’s understandable to express your emotions openly. >
I’ve been confirmed as a mess. Fine, that’s just how it is. My shortcomings are sweetly forgiven. I’m on the verge of tears in every sense. Fenrir’s gentle gaze encourages my actions.
< Sensation. >
“Yes. So, we’re going to transform together?”
< Yes, indeed. I was about to change to my winter coat too. Since our magical energies synchronize, it should be easier for us to change together. >
“Thank you for your help! …I hope it doesn’t turn out that I look completely like a beast…”
< For you, that’s unlikely. >
Fenrir winked. How skilled!
< Visualize how your fur will change and repeat after me. “In summer, pure white; in winter, sacred silver. Winter’s blessing, desired by the queen of the magical wolves, Fenrir. Taste change.” >
“—Taste change.”
Um, oh no, I intended to go for a fluffy coat, but all I can imagine is something like a queen’s outfit…! It looks so cold! What should I do? The suit is already starting to change…!
No, no, maybe I can just change the material!
Like a heat-tech dress!
The jacket became transparent and spread out like an elegant cape, wrapping around me. The suit transformed into a knee-length dress that sparkled with silver. Snowflakes and ice adorned the outfit.
It’s a whimsical fairy-tale look!!
But with this appearance, it actually seems to suit me quite well…? Even though I’m 22 and ended up looking like a magical girl, please forgive me. The heat-tech material makes it look thin but keeps me warm. I’m doing great!
< What’s with that flimsy outfit…? It looks like a princess’s dress. >
“Huh? Princess? Stop it, it’s embarrassing… Haha, haha… I never thought I’d end up like this.”
< It’s the image you created, isn’t it? It’s still cold, though; I’m worried you might catch a cold. >
“Not at all! This material is really warm.”
< Is that so? >
“Yes. But more importantly?”
My eyes are probably sparkling with excitement right now. Right in front of me is a fluffy, voluminous, silver fur bedーー!
“Such wonderful fur!”
< Isn’t it? >
Fenrir proudly snorts. Oh, the gesture seems a bit more human-like. There’s a warmth in the eyes now that wasn’t there when we first met.
“I want to pet it!”
I buried myself in the fluff and moved my hands around. Ohhhhhh……!! What an, what an incredible, heavenly sensation!! My hands feel like they’re ascending to the heavens from the sheer luxury of it……!
< Truly, my beloved daughter. You’re quite good at this, aren’t you? >
“Really? Can I keep petting…?”
< Yes. >
Hehe. I’m probably wearing a very relaxed smile right now!
It feels so comfortable and gentle that I can’t help but grin.
Fenrir looks very pleased, with the corners of his mouth turned up in satisfaction.