Go wash up. You’re still dripping.
A droplet clung to the tip of Justyn’s hair and fell right onto the bridge of Ries’s nose. He blinked slowly in surprise.
“Oh? Looks like you care.”
Tap, tap. Justyn’s fingers playfully brushed Ries’s nose. His gaze said he already knew exactly what Ries wanted.
Then, without warning, he leaned in and whispered—
“Wanna shower together?”
“?!”
Boing. Ries shot straight into the air, too shocked to even meow. His fur stood on end, and his tail puffed out like a firework.
With his jaw hanging open, Ries froze in place. Justyn actually laughed out loud this time, grinning as he scratched under Ries’s chin.
“Relax, it’s a joke. I’ll be back soon.”
With that, he disappeared into the attached bathroom. Only after the sound of running water echoed from behind the shut door did Ries manage to move again—albeit awkwardly. Flustered, he started grooming whatever spot his eyes landed on first.
…What kind of joke is that?
Though his eyes practically dripped with annoyance, he couldn’t say he hated it. If anything, it felt strangely… heartwarming.
Not long ago, he’d have been thrilled just to hear a few extra words from his master. But now, Justyn was the one initiating jokes. Sure, it was only when they were alone, but even that was a big change. The air around him felt lighter, like he’d finally started laying down some of the burdens that had weighed on him for so long.
As he smoothed down his fur, his mind settled too. He was just about to finish licking his front paw when—
—Enjoying yourself, huh? Looks like things are real sweet over there.
A grumbling voice broke through. Ries finally remembered the one he’d completely forgotten about.
He spun toward the voice in a flash.
Yep. He’s 100% sulking.
When Justyn had brought him back to the room, he’d tossed the doll—Sefiut’s vessel—carelessly onto the bed. Thanks to Ries’s desperate plea not to speak around Justyn, Sefiut had kept his mouth shut. The real issue? Ries had been so distracted, he’d forgotten all about him.
“Wngyaaah.”
Ries let out a sweet little mewl as he crept over to check on Sefiut… and then froze awkwardly.
—Ugh, this awful feeling again… Damn it. Can I just step out for a bit? Do I seriously have to stay trapped inside this damp, soggy body?
Sefiut’s voice crackled with irritation.
Sure enough, the doll—his physical form—was thoroughly soaked. Ries glanced at the moist, glinting eyes of the doll, then quickly looked away.
—Oh, so now you’re ignoring me? I said LET ME OUT.
“Nyaaah… Mmm…”
I… I don’t know how to let you out.
Rumble. An imaginary bolt of lightning struck behind Sefiut’s plush body in response to Ries’s utterly unhelpful confession.
He kept muttering under his breath after that—grumbling about humiliation, betrayal, and how he should’ve known better. It sounded like he was spiraling into a pit of regret and self-blame.
Ries let it wash over him, in one ear and out the other. Something else had grabbed his attention entirely.
…He’s really gotten filthy.
What caught his eye was just how grimy the doll had become.
It had been a while since Justyn crafted the doll for him. Though Ries had treated it with a bit more care once Sefiut moved in, the doll had seen its fair share of abuse.
Faint memories crackled at his feet. He’d dropped it on the floor, rolled it around for fun, even dangled it from a toy rod while playing with Justyn.
Honestly, the fact that it hadn’t turned black with grime already was a miracle. Ries swallowed dryly.
On top of that, today’s hectic journey had left it soaked from the rain. Now that he looked closely, it was also caked in dirt.
Sefiut’s eyes narrowed. Maybe he sensed something in the way Ries was looking at him, because he suddenly shivered. Pure animal instinct.
—I don’t know what you’re thinking, but you’d better stop. Right now.
If he’d had a mouth, he’d be baring his teeth. But Ries didn’t flinch. In fact, his resolve only hardened.
This thing had to be washed.
But Sefiut, the embodiment of pride and self-love, wasn’t going to just go along with that. Ries racked his brain for something convincing to say—and then had an idea.
“Myaang. Myak myak myak.”
Sefi, you smell bad.
—Ghhh…!
It hit him like a truck. The doll’s eyes scrunched up in pure horror.
—Smell…? No way…! Still, isn’t being kneaded and squashed like dough worse than this? …No. No no no. Reeking like a dumpster—this is MY body we’re talking about! I can’t accept—!
And just then—
Knock knock. A crisp, polite knock came just before the door opened. Ketir stepped inside.
His expression screamed that he had a lot to say—but the moment he entered, his eyes widened in surprise. He looked around the room, clearly confused, and then his gaze stopped at the sound of running water coming from the bathroom. His face grew noticeably more complicated.
“I could’ve sworn I heard voices…”
Hic. The guilt hit Ries like a reflex, making him hiccup on the spot. Sefiut, who had been fidgeting a moment ago, instantly went limp and posed perfectly still like a proper doll.
Ketir’s sharp black eyes, still swirling with doubt, landed on Ries. Ries quickly turned his back like he didn’t notice—but his twitching tail, betraying his nerves, wobbled all over the place.
“Hm. Maybe I was imagining things.”
Thankfully, Ketir didn’t seem to notice anything off. When he let out a long exhale, Ries felt the tension drain from his body as well.
Which might’ve been why he didn’t even realize Sefiut was being taken until it was already too late.
“This needs a wash… Ries, I’m taking this. I’ll dry it and bring it back tomorrow.”
Sefiut was snatched up by the tail like a daikon pulled straight from the ground. His round eyes, usually full of attitude, looked pitiful—tragically so.
Ries immediately understood that look. Sefiut was silently screaming for help, no doubt begging not to be taken… but shhk—Ries turned his head, pretending he didn’t notice.
“I’ll be back later.”
Completely oblivious to the silent, one-sided drama between cat and doll, Ketir left with a short goodbye and closed the door behind him.
I’m sorry, Ries apologized silently, knowing Sefiut couldn’t hear him. He had a strong feeling he’d be spending the next week trying to calm that stormy temper.
Only a few minutes passed before the bathroom door swung open like a baton being passed. Steam rolled out first, followed by Justyn in a thick bathrobe.
“Ketir came by, didn’t he?”
Unless the conversation had been whispered, there was no way someone with Justyn’s heightened senses didn’t hear what had happened from inside the bathroom. His eyes scanned the room once before striding right over to Ries.
Ries just stared. His eyes were stretched wide open, and if Justyn had looked closer, he’d have seen that his pupils were blown wide. Despite how desperately he tried, Ries’s gaze wouldn’t budge.
He’d seen Justyn post-shower plenty of times—always wrapped up in his usual black attire from head to toe.
But this? This was the first time seeing him exposed.
Gulp.
He swallowed, dry and loud, like thunder echoing inside his skull.
It wasn’t what you’d call a beautiful body. Like his face and hands, black curse veins covered Justyn’s torso, wrapping him in a twisted web. Even as Ries’s gaze trembled, he took the time to check how far the curse had spread.
Half his body was consumed by it. And judging by the fact that he never let anyone assist him during baths… this might be the first time anyone had ever seen him like this.
The sight was painful—visibly so. But that didn’t mean it wasn’t also… stunning. Even half-covered in curse marks, Justyn’s body looked like it had been carved by a master sculptor. Any statue in the imperial capital would’ve shattered itself in shame.
Ries said nothing, too in awe to speak.
Just look at that flawless skin.
White really did suit him.
And no—he wasn’t just blinded by love for his master. He’d bet his fur that anyone, male or female, would be floored by that physique.
The curse was the only blemish. But once they broke it—soon, very soon—that flaw wouldn’t matter at all. The fire already burning in his chest flared hotter.
“Ries.”
He jolted when Justyn softly called his name. Ears twitching, he perked up and locked eyes with him.
Now that he was really looking, Justyn’s eyes were unsettled—like leaves tossed in a storm. His emotions were tangled and scattered across his gaze, impossible to read cleanly. More than one feeling clashed beneath the surface.
Ries tilted his head slightly, trying to piece it together.
Ah.
Anxiety? Unease? He got that far—then suddenly, a lightbulb blinked on in his head.
He’s nervous.
