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Chapter 27: The Side Only for You

“I told you, I’ll make sure you enjoy it.”

“Mm!”

With her cat in her arms, Charlotte lifted her head, a happy flush still on her face.

Perhaps lost in the cuteness of the cat, the girl temporarily forgot her poise, squinting in delight as she candidly said, “Thank you, this gift is really amazing!”

She had never openly mentioned her fondness for cats, yet the other person had sensed it in advance and made preparations.

Little did Charlotte realize that her joy stemmed not just from the gift itself, but from the sentiment Roy intended for her.

So the one she smiled at wasn’t the adorable creature in her arms, but the young boy beside her.

Her sweet smile floated into Roy’s heart like a fragrant cup of red tea, momentarily catching him off-guard.

It’s true what they say: adorable creatures attract one another.

However, his feelings weren’t just a façade; he wasn’t completely selfless either.

Seeing Charlotte undoubtedly take the crown, Roy couldn’t help but smile secretly.

The script went exactly as he had arranged, and victory was merely a stepping stone to the real spectacle—his painstakingly planned cat café event’s true purpose!

“Congratulations to this young lady for winning the final victory, meow~”

Unsurprisingly, Charlotte, who had captured ninety percent of the cats’ attention, claimed the title.

When it came time for the award ceremony, this kind of shop event wasn’t a formal competition—it was essentially a way to attract customers, and almost anyone who participated received a reward.

Most prizes were vouchers or coupons meant to encourage returning customers.

For the customers, the fun of the event itself was the main attraction; the prizes didn’t carry too much weight.

So Charlotte wore a satisfied smile, ready to accept her final gift.

Especially since she suspected that Roy had organized everything; she wouldn’t be picky, cherishing even the most ordinary little gift.

However, when the white-haired cat girl calmly presented the winner’s gift, Charlotte’s smile froze.

“Congratulations to our winner for receiving a store-exclusive, handmade cat ears and tail, meow~!”

“Now, our winner, please accept this honor by posing adorably to thank your partner for the journey together, meow~!”

In the beginning, Vanilla had rejected the task.

As a high-ranking member of the support club, how could she stoop to help rival factions?!

Unless Roy allowed her a day off.

Since Alice had previously maintained overpowering advantages, Vanilla’s heartbeat had become markedly different; her gaze toward Charlotte was now filled with pity rather than jealousy.

Alright, Princess, since you’ve known His Young Master the longest, I’ll begrudgingly help you just this once—after all, even so, you’ll still be far behind Alice!

Cat girls aren’t uncommon in Academy City.

Beastfolk are one of the few races that inherit extraordinary traits from their ancestors from birth. Naturally extraordinary beings, they often plateau due to their bloodline’s limitations, unable to reach high levels.

In summary, cat girls aren’t rare; otherwise, Roy wouldn’t have been able to get so many waitresses.

Nevertheless, the popularity of cat girls is indisputable.

Wanting to be a cat girl or simply wanting to see one’s favorite girl as a cat girl needs no further explanation!

In an instant, the girls were squealing with excitement, while the boys were too excited to scream—fearing a calamity.

Compared to any vouchers, the opportunity to cosplay as a cat girl was everyone’s ultimate wish!

Even though it was a pity that they couldn’t personally experience it or enjoy seeing their girlfriend, her cute looks were certainly eye candy!

An appreciation for cute things transcends gender; it’s a shared sophistication of humanity!

And no one in the venue was more eager for this moment than Roy.

After battling the Scarlet Bloodfire Dragon, Charlotte had once dressed as a cat girl to reward him.

Since then, Roy had never forgotten, but after that, Charlotte wouldn’t budge—each time he brought it up, she looked like she would explode from embarrassment.

It was probably due to being witnessed by Alice during the cute scene, leaving a massive social trauma…

But now, the time had finally come to recreate that limited-time skin!

The cat café’s setup and fun activities were all for this moment!

He even prepared an expensive projection stone, ready to capture Charlotte’s meow-meow-meow moment!

However, the very Charlotte, cradling the cat ears and tail, was thrown into chaos, her little face growing warm, her eyes spiraling.

Who am I? Where am I? I’m becoming a cat girl? Is this real?!

Wait, wait, wait, wait!

Now, at this moment?!

What a joke! Just because I like cats doesn’t mean I want to be one! I’m a princess, the future queen of a nation—wearing this stuff in public?!

There’s no way I could…

“Come, learn from me, facing your male companion.”

Vanilla slightly bent down, twisting her waist and tail, raising her hands in playful fists, she winked and sweetly meowed, “Nya~”

“I can’t do that!”

With a pff, fireworks exploded above the girl’s head, and she suddenly jumped up, fleeing the scene with a trail of flames before Roy could even react.

Later on.

Roy finally managed to follow the smoke to catch up with the girl’s steps.

The red-haired girl walked ahead in silence, looking quite dismal.

Uh-oh, looks like the trauma of social awkwardness isn’t easy to heal.

I didn’t offend her, did I?

Roy scratched his head, not even lamenting the missed chance to see the cat girl skin, only managing a bitter smile.

People have various levels of acceptance.

He wasn’t about to force someone he liked to accept something they didn’t.

The closer you are, the more you can endure for the people you cherish.

But precisely because of this, Roy didn’t want someone he treasured to force themselves for him.

Not everything follows a clear script; even after spending so long together, Roy couldn’t claim to fully understand every girl—living beings are complex.

Catching up to Charlotte, Roy sincerely said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you disliked it so much.”

“If I don’t like it, then forget it. Let’s pretend that prize never existed.”

Unexpectedly, Charlotte suddenly halted, nearly causing him to bump into her.

“Who said I didn’t like it?”

“Huh?”

“Come here!”

Without giving him a chance to respond, Charlotte suddenly stretched her hand and yanked him into a nearby alley.

The distant chatter faded, leaving the narrow alley oddly quiet.

Roy noticed that she still held the red cat ears and tail in one hand.

“I didn’t say I disliked it; it’s just… I can’t do that in public.”

“…Then why not just go back to the carriage?”

“Enough already!”

Charlotte kicked him fiercely.

But then, she shyly lowered her head, her gaze drifting down, stammering softly, “I just need a little… mental preparation…”

Roy smothered his growing excitement, forcing calmness: “If you don’t like it, no need to force yourself.”

A light punch landed on his chest, sending Roy’s heart racing.

“I already said I don’t dislike it; it’s just… but I am a princess.”

“You can only see that side of me.”

Her sparkling crimson eyes brimmed with the shyness and feelings the girl found hard to express.

 

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