A Fox's Maid (11 page)

“
I love you! I love you so much, Kevin! I know you don’t love me back. I realize that, but I… I don’t care!” Lilian shook her head, her hair whipping about her face like flames caught in a breeze. “I don’t want to leave you! I want to stay with you forever and ever.”

While Lilian poured out her heart and soul to him, Kevin could only stare at her in abject shock. He had always known about her feelings for him―the gods knew she’d told him plenty of times already. But, until this moment, he’d not realized the extent and depths of those feelings.

Part of him had always assumed that Lilian was just enamored because he had rescued her when she was in her fox form. It had made sense at the time. He was one of the first humans that she hadn’t needed to use her enchantments on, and thus, one of the only humans that she’d truly interacted with.

He knew that wasn’t the case now. No one could fake emotions like that. Kevin doubted anyone, even a kitsune―a master at manipulating the emotions of others―could fake the intensity in her stare, the pure form of unadulterated emotions in her gaze. That the girl in question was one of those very kitsune wasn’t lost on him.

But then, this was also Lilian, a kitsune who was surprisingly honest with her thoughts and feelings. Innocent. That’s the word he was looking for. Everything that she did, from her attempts to seduce him to her love for nerd culture and sheer joy at experiencing new things was overwhelming in its purity.

A strange dichotomy, considering she wanted to screw him into a coma.

“
How can you feel so strongly about me?” he asked. It was, in all honesty, the only question he could think to ask in that moment. He had several others, but for whatever reason, they refused to come to him. “We… we hardly even know each other. I know that I helped you when you were injured, but…”

The smile Lilian gave him was soft and gentle, but there was a tinge of sadness to it, like his words were slowly breaking her heart. It made him feel like the biggest prick this side of the multiverse.

“
Several years ago—ten, I think it was—I met a young boy,” she said.

Kevin nodded. “I think you told me about him.”

“
I did. Anyway, this human boy had gotten lost in the forest that separates our village from the resort. When he found me, I was very distraught. I had just overheard a conversation between the matriarch and a member of th
e
Shénshèng Cla
n
. The matriarch was trying to set up mating arrangements between me and a member of that clan. I was crying.”

Kevin was able to conjure an image of Lilian, a little younger than she was now, lost within a forest and shedding tears of sorrow after discovering that her matriarch was trying to use her in a power play. His chest began to ache.

“
You can imagine my surprise when this little boy walked up to me,” Lilian continued to weave her tale, her smile soft and her eyes tinged with gentle amusement. “There are barriers put in place around the village to prevent humans from stumbling upon it. They create a very powerful illusion that makes whoever is trapped in them think they’re walking around in circles. This, however, did not happen to the boy. Somehow, he managed to not only breach the barrier, which should have been impossible, but also find me.”

“
I suspect this was due to his age,” she added when Kevin opened his mouth, correctly interpreting his question before he could ask it. “He was so young that the barrier probably couldn’t detect him, allowing him to slip inside somehow.”

“
So what happened after that?” Kevin asked, enraptured by the story.

“
He came up to me and asked why I was crying. I don’t know why, maybe it was because I was so distraught, or maybe I just wasn’t thinking clearly, but I told him everything. I told him about how the matriarch wanted to force me into a mating arrangement, about how I didn’t want to be forced into a relationship with someone I didn’t love, and how I wanted to be with someone for love and not because the matriarch told me to.”

“
Do you know what that little boy said to me?” When Kevin shook his head, Lilian’s lips curled beautifully. “He said, ‘you shouldn’t care what other people want. If you don’t want to mate with someone, then don’t mate with them.’” Lilian’s laugh was very lyrical, even if there was a hint of melancholy tinging it. “I remember telling him that I couldn’t defy my matriarch. He just stared at me like I was some kind of idiot, and then asked me why I couldn’t just say no.”

Lilian walked over to the window to stand beside Kevin. He followed her with his eyes as she looked up at the stars. Her smile entranced him.

“
And after he asked that question, I couldn’t help but ask it myself. Why? Why should I mate with someone I didn’t even know, much less love? Why should I follow the laws of my matriarch when it was abundantly clear that she didn’t even care about me? And do you know what answer I came up with?”

“
I can take a guess,” Kevin said, “I imagine you decided that you shouldn’t be forced to mate with someone you didn’t know, right? That you wouldn’t allow yourself to be… mated off?” He paused for a second, then shrugged. “Am I right?”

Lilian’s nod told him that he’d hit the nail on the head.

“
Yes, you’re right. I decided that I wouldn’t be the matriarch's pawn. That I would live my life the way I wanted to.”

A moment of silence passed between them.

“
So what happened to the boy?”

“
The boy and I talked a bit longer. I’ll admit, he kind of grew on me. I suppose you could say I felt a kinship with him. He was so adorable and earnest that a part of me wanted to take him back home. A search party the matriarch sent out eventually found us, and the boy was taken back to the resort while I was escorted home. I never saw him again.”

“
That’s kind of depressing.”

“
It is,” Lilian agreed. “Still, even though I never saw that boy again, I kept what he had told me close to my heart. Whenever the matriarch set me up with someone from th
e
Shénshèn
g
clan, I would do everything in my power to sabotage her efforts.”

Memories of dozens of meetings flashed through her mind—and of how those meetings ended with the other party being thoroughly humiliated. Her lips twitched in amusement as she remembered how some of those kitsune had been ranting as they stormed out of the Pnév̱ma compound in shame.

“
The matriarch used to set me up with mating candidates every chance she got. I was forced to endure meetings with almost every male member of th
e
Shénshèng cla
n
, be they from the main family or a branch member, old or young. I was even forced to meet with a kitsune who was seven-hundred years older than me! Can you imagine? A young kitsune who had just gained her second tail, barely one-hundred and forty-nine years old, sitting in front of stuffy old men who were expressing an unhealthy interest in her. My breasts were still growing at the time!”

“
Do you really have to mention your breasts?” Kevin asked dryly.

“
I remember doing everything in my power to sabotage those meetings. I would wear the ugliest clothes imaginable. I spoke out of turn. I even did embarrassing and disgusting things in front of my potential suitors, all so they wouldn’t want to mate with me.”

“
Embarrassing and disgusting things? Like what?”

“
Never mind that,” Lilian said, blushing. She quickly continued before he could question her further. “I would also play pranks. I remember one that I played very clearly. I drugged his tea, stripped him naked, covered his body in tar and feathers, snuck him out of the compound in the middle of the night, and hung him from the top of a flagpole in the middle of the human resort.” Her grin was rueful and showed a side of her that Kevin had never seen before. It was surprisingly appealing. “I remember the fiasco that caused. All of the humans had to have their memories erased, and the suitor I pranked wanted nothing to do with me afterward.”

“
I can see why.” Kevin shuddered. “You can be surprisingly vicious when you want to be.”

Lilian thrust out her chest as if he’d just complimented her. “Of course I can. I am a kitsune, you know.”

“
I suppose that’s true.” Kevin paused. “So I’m guessing your antics worked?”

“
For the most part. Very few of the suitors I met ever wanted to see me again. Out of all them, only one has persisted.”

“
Who?”

“
The youngest son of Shinkir
o
Shénshèn
g
, Jiāo
ào
.” Lilian scowled. “He’s the heir of th
e
Shénshèn
g
Clan, next in line to become the Bodhisattva after his father steps down and Inari gives him the ninth tail. He’s one of the most persistent jerks I’ve ever met. Despite everything I’ve done to him, he just keeps coming back.”

Lilian clenched her fists at the thought about that arrogant fool. Oh, how she hated him. She hated him so much that her tails shuddered in revulsion at the mere thought of him.

“
I’m still not sure I understand.” Kevin’s eyes still blatantly showed his confusion. “Don’t get me wrong, it was a nice story, and I’m glad that you decided to take control of your life. I’m just not sure what it has to do with me.”

The look Lilian gave him was so crestfallen and dejected that his heart lurched. It made Kevin regret ever opening his mouth.

“
No,” she said softly, her shoulders slumping and her tails dangling limply, a reflection of her despondency. “I guess you wouldn’t.
”

Chapter 4

Meet the Runners

Kevin stepped out of the shower, an exhausted yawn escaping his lips as water dripped onto the tiled floor. With his hair matted against his face, he walked over to the sink with slumped shoulders and a staggering gait.

He hunched over, hands on the marble countertop, and stared into the mirror. His reflection stared back. It had certainly seen better days, his reflection. His eyes were slightly sunken in, with dark bags hanging underneath them. He didn’t look like death warmed over or anything, but it was obvious he hadn’t slept well last night.

After running a hand through his wet hair, he turned away from the mirror and walked out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist.

The hallway was mercifully clear, with no sign of Lilian or his newest guest in sight. Judging from the scent wafting in the air, one or both of them were in the kitchen. He wondered what they were cooking.

The bedroom was empty when he entered, and Kevin wondered if Lilian was the one making breakfast. A headshake dispelled those thoughts as he put on his running clothes—light blue shorts, a white shirt with blue trim and his school’s mascot—a cactus—on the front, and a pair of socks.

Lilian was sitting on the couch in the living room when he entered. The shirt she wore that morning was several sizes too large and did an admirable job of covering her thighs, which he was grateful for. Kevin didn’t know how much longer he would’ve been able to deal with her sexy panties. Her ears and tails were also out, which his eyes were inevitably drawn to.

Lilian stared at the TV, her legs tucked under her bum. Kevin couldn’t see the screen from where he stood, but judging from the noise, he could tell she was watching anime.
White Out
, most likely. That was her current favorite. She seemed to have a thing for hot chicks wielding oversized butcher knives.

For just a moment, Kevin felt entranced as he stared at the beautiful fox-girl. She really was the most gorgeous example of a female he had ever met; perfectly proportioned, flaming red hair that went down to her small, shapely butt, killer legs and an amazing chest. Not to mention her ears and tails…

Kevin shook his head vigorously.

Ugh, her ears and tails? Am I really so enamored with animals that a girl with animal parts turns me on?

Damn his love for animals! Or, maybe he should blame it on his love for anime? A combination of both?

“
Oh, Kevin.” Lilian noticed his presence and gave him an expression so sunny he was nearly blinded. “Good morning.”

“
G-good morning, Lilian.” Kevin coughed into his hand several times, his blush quickly receding. “I take it Kotohime is in the kitchen?”

“
Yep.” Lilian went back to staring at the television. “She’s been in there since before I woke up, so I’m guessing breakfast will be ready soon.”

“
Actually, I have just finished preparing breakfast, Lilian-sama,” a voice said from the kitchen. Both human and kitsune turned their heads to see the femme fatale looking at them from the kitchen entrance. Kotohime wore the same kimono as yesterday, but with one new addition: a frilly white apron.

Kevin knew he hadn’t bought something like that, and wondered if this was more of that storage space stuff.

“
I’ve made enough for the both of you.” Kotohime’s eyes lingered on Kevin, who felt a shiver crawl down his spine like an insipid worm. “I hope you’re grateful.”

“
O-of course,” Kevin stuttered. Why did it feel like he was staring into the face of his impending death whenever this woman looked at him?

“
Stop frightening my mate, Kotohime.” Lilian’s voice was cold, obviously not amused by her servant’s actions.

Kotohime stiffened, but quickly bowed in apology to Kevin, though the action seemed to take quite a bit of effort. “My apologies, Kevin-san. I did not mean to frighten you.”

Kevin frowned at the comment, but couldn’t dispute her. It was true. She did scare him, and there was no denying that. However…

“
Kevin-san?” He gave Lilian a queer look, as if asking,
“
what the hell?”
to the younger of the two supernatural creatures taking residence in his apartment.

Lilian giggled.

“
Just go along with it,” she suggested. “It’ll be easier if you simply go with the flow and don’t ask questions.”

Kevin slowly nodded. It would probably be easier to just accept this as another kitsune quirk or something. Easier, and safer for what little sanity he’d retained since Lilian appeared in his life.

Kevin and Lilian moved over to the kitchen table. Lilian sat on Kevin’s immediate right while Kotohime stood off to the side, left hand holding her sheath while her right tenderly caressed the handle of her katana. Kevin did his utmost not to gulp.

Instead of staring at the creepy yet beautiful swordswoman, he turned his attention to the breakfast.

A large drop of sweat left a glistening trail as it rolled down the side of Kevin’s head. Steamed rice, miso soup,
natto
(fermented soybeans), broiled salted salmon and
umeboshi
(pickled plums) greeted his vision. The smell was divine, truly mouth-watering, but his thoughts were on something other than how appetizing the meal looked.

“
This… this is a traditional Japanese breakfast…” Seriously, a traditional Japanese breakfast in America? Who did that?

“
Considering I am Japanese, I felt it was appropriate,” the kimono-clad woman stated with the utmost poise. If it weren’t for the katana in her hand and the wakizashi hidden under her obi, she would have looked exactly like a Japanese maid. “I hope you do not have a problem with the meal that I have laboriously prepared for you.”

“
U-urk!” Kevin made several choking sounds. “N-no! I don’t have a problem! Of course not! I love Japanese food! Ahahahaha!”

Kotohime stared at Kevin for a bit longer, her predatory eyes watching as he laughed nervously. The laughter petered away until he grew silent, looking anywhere but at the maid-slash-bodyguard.

“
I am glad to hear that, as I would be most… displeased if you didn’t enjoy my cooking.” Kevin’s gulp caused her to smile. It was, admittedly, a very beautiful smile, but it still freaked him out. “Now then, please, enjoy the food that this humble Kotohime has prepared for you.”

“
R-right.”

Kevin and Lilian began to eat. Or at least, Lilian did. Kevin tried to, but he’d never been very good at using chopsticks. Every time he attempted to grab some rice or salmon, the food would fall from his tenuous grip.

Lilian noticed his predicament. “Having trouble?”

“
A bit.” Kevin’s face flushed at this shameful admittance.

“
Here, let me show you how it’s done.” Kevin nearly shrieked when Lilian’s ample chest pressed into his back after she stood up and moved behind him. She wasn’t wearing a bra, and it took every ounce of willpower on his part not to flip out.
“
First, hold the upper chopstick like a pencil, about one-third of the way from its top. Just like that. Next, place the second chopstick against your ring finger and hold it with the base of your thumb. Move the upper chopstick with your thumb, index, and middle fingers like so. Good! Now, grab the food between the lower and upper chopsticks.”

Kevin focused on Lilian’s hands as she held his, so much more delicate and fair than his rougher, sun-kissed ones. Was it odd that he thought she had really pretty hands? Probably.

As he thought about Lilian’s hands, an image appeared in his mind, a delusion, a fantasy the likes of which he’d only started having recently.

“
Thank you for teaching me how to hold these chopsticks, Lilian,” he said.

“
You’re welcome,” Lilian smiled at him. She was wearing a French maid outfit again.

“
However, I think I would prefer it if you fed me by hand.”

Lilian blinked, but accepted his desire readily enough, her lips curving with delightful artistry.

“
Very well, Master.”

Acting with the grace of a pole dancer and using him as her literal pole, Lilian spun around to face him. She sat down, straddling his thighs, and grabbed the bowl of umeboshi. She plucked one of the pickled fruits and held it to his mouth, feeding him.

Before she could pull back, he gently grabbed her wrist. She looked startled, but he just smiled.

“
You’ve got some juice on your fingers. Please, allow me to clean it for you.”

She didn’t get a chance to say anything before he placed her fingers in his mouth, swirling his tongue around each one to suck them clean. Her delighted gasps spurred him onwards. They were like a siren’s call. Each gasp released, every moan that sounded out, made him grow stiffer than a dancer’s pole and hard enough to cut diamonds. Her erotic voice drove him to continue well after he’d finished his task.

“
M-Master…” Lilian whimpered as Kevin finally allowed her to withdraw her hand. She looked at her wet fingers, then back at him, her eyes hooded and her face flushed. She seemed incapable of forming coherent thoughts, but still managed to find her voice.