All done! I can go home today.
I wonder what's for dinner tonight.
Senko appeared suddenly one day, but now I'm used to having her around.
The scary thing about getting used to her is that I've also come to expect
that I'll have fluffy-fluff nearby all the time.
"Esthetic Massage"
I have to remember to show thanks for this special treatment.
Senko, do you mind?
You're incorrigible.
Hmm. I've been too indulgent lately.
I'm back!
Welcome home!
Another one?
"The Helpful Fox Senko-san"
"Episode 5: I've got a tail, too, you know?"
So, you're finally home, Nakano!
Um... yes.
My name is Shiro.
The renowned Inari demigod fox!
Sorry, Kuroto, I neglected to ask you,
but she said she wouldn't leave until she'd eaten.
Well, if you don't mind this small apartment...
A meal shared with others is more delicious!
I knew you'd understand.
Here.
Thank you.
Let's eat!
Wow...
Ahh...
All of this fluff is truly a thing of beauty.
Hmm! I feel a pair of wicked eyes on me...
Ah, no, it's just... Your tail is such a pretty, pure white!
Of course, I suppose it is my fault for being beautiful.
It's no surprise that it captivates you.
A pure white tail is proof of pure blood!
Ohh--
You can't talk like that with rice stuck to your face.
It does kill the mood a bit.
Thank you for dinner.
Thank you! Sen, your fried tofu was cooked just right!
Yeah, it was delicious.
Oh, good!
Of course it was! Sen is the best fried tofu cook of all the fox demigods!
I see. Is that so?
You're praising me too much.
No, I'm not!
I just love fried tofu, and yours is exceptionally good,
so I ate too much!
I am sorry about that.
So, foxes really do like fried tofu, huh?
--Actually, that's not quite true. --Mm-hmm.
Huh?
We're omnivores, so it's not as though we don't eat it,
but meat is what we like best.
Oh, really?
Fried tofu started being offered to us as a substitute for mouse tempura.
Mouse tempura...?
You mean you didn't know that?
Sorry.
We get so many fried tofu donations...
Oh, my!
And after having cooked it so many times,
it started to feel weird if we don't have it.
I see. It's a part of your routine now.
Yes, I suppose so.
Oh, but cooking it every day must be too much.
I'm always making you eat it.
I'll try to find other things to cook.
--It's fine. --Hmm?
You don't have to change a thing.
I'd feel weird without your fried tofu, too.
Are you turning into a fox yourself?
Uh, I'm not sure about the ears and tail part...
That's right! They wouldn't suit you at all!
Shiro, if you're satisfied, isn't it about time you went home?
Excuse me!
But I didn't come here simply to enjoy your cooking.
Huh?
Nakano! I have business with you!
With me?
That's right.
Those that serve me always look happy.
You look quite worn-out.
That's why I'm going to give you a treat...
I'll let you pet my head!
--Huh...? --Heh...
You really don't mind?
You're not going to get mad or summon lightning or anything?
Huh? I'd never do that!
Okay, then.
Very good!
Sh-She looks so happy...
It's like her happiness is flowing through to me when I pet her.
Let--
Let me join in.
Okay...
It's nice to be pet, too, huh?
E-Every now and then.
Two fluffy-fluffs right before my eyes.
Wh... What a happy sight!
What lovely petting! I like you, Nakano!
Th-Thanks...
I'll give you a little reward. What would you like?
A reward?
Shiro, stop that! Kuroto--
Stay out of it, Sen. You aren't satisfying him!
Oh, no, Senko being here has been more than enough help!
There's no need to hold back.
Just give in to it.
My eyes know all and see all, nothing can be hidden from them.
Shiro--
Release the hidden desires that dwell in the depths of your heart!
My desires...
Well, then!
Let me...
"Let me..."
--...fluff your... --"...fluff your..."
"...tail"?
That beautiful fur, like freshly-fallen snow...
I've wanted to fluff it from the moment I laid eyes on it!
Hold on! Not my tail!
Listen to me! Nakano, stop! Stop it!
Eek! Sen, help me!
--Bah. --Sen!
Fluffy-fluff!
The... The fluffy-fluff! It went through the wall!
Calm down.
Ugh, I'm done with this!
I just want to pet cats for the rest of my life!
Maybe I'll get an imaginary cat.
C'mere, little Tama!
"This is what happens when you stay up all night" C'mere, little Tama!
Hi.
Ta... Tama?!
Who's Tama? I'm Shiro.
Sorry for barging in.
Well, I guess I'm hallucinating now.
I'm done. Time to sleep.
Come on, cheer up. I've got a tail, too, you know?
Okay.
Aww, I wanted to fluff that white furball...
Look after that boy? You must be kidding.
I won't be pampering him again.
Bleh!
"The Helpful Fox Senko-san"
I'm back...
Welcome home!
Your bath water is ready.
Okay!
Kuroto, the bath is ready.
Oh, okay. Do you mind if I go first?
Not at all!
Actually, you do have a bit of a strong scent.
Please don't smell me!
I'm sorry, I couldn't shower while I was spending the night at work.
That must have been hard.
Once you've had your bath, it's off to bed with you!
Okay. Bath time.
Ouch!
I love baths. The heat works wonders.
If I could just fall asleep like this...
Kuroto.
Senko?
You must be tired! Let me scrub your back for you!
No, thank you.
Come now, no need to be polite.
Ahh!
You can't run away from me!
Just accept it already.
I guess I forgot.
Don't worry. I won't do anything strange.
I'm going to scrub your back, that's all.
Even if she's 800 years old, she's still a woman.
Hang on!
What is it?
At least put on a bath towel.
Do I really need to?
It's not like there's a lot to look at here.
Well, if you don't mind.
Let me scrub your back, too! You're always helping me, after all.
What a nice boy!
I'll be able to see the base of her tail!
♪ Mm, mm, mm! Mm, mm, mm! ♪
It's a little uncomfortable, the two of us in this tiny bath.
But nothing ventured, nothing gained!
Mm! Okay, I'm ready to scrub!
The warmth of her small hands...
Not too rough, not too gentle...
An exquisite balance of force!
Having these hard-to-reach places scrubbed so thoroughly feels amazing!
Ah, just a little to the right!
Here?
That's the spot! Wonderful!
Mm!
But that's not all.
I should feel so uncomfortable right now, and yet...
Why? Why do I feel so at ease?
I wonder if it's because it reminds me of my youth?
Yeah, it's just like family...
Are there any spots that need more scrubbing?
Nope!
All right, I'll give it a rinse, then!
It sounds like it was quite relaxing for you!
Yes, you're really good at that.
I'm glad to hear it!
Let's see if I can repay the favor!
All right, then!
Okay, here I go!
Mm!
You're quite good!
Leave it to me!
Looking at her like this, her back is so small...
And her skin is so soft and smooth...
And this tail...
Ahh, she really has one!
I'm going to rinse you off now.
Okay.
What's wrong?
You look as though you've just seen the world end.
The fluffability is...
Bathtubs sure are great.
Yep. I feel like we're family bathing together!
Hmph! Naturally, I'd be the mother!
Bathing as a family reminds me of a trick we used to do.
What trick?
Using your hands as a water gun!
Eep! What's that?
I used to do this a lot when I was little.
Give it a try, Senko.
Mm! Like this?
Yeah.
Ready, go!
I win!
You're quite good at it!
I sound just like a kid getting himself all excited.
To tell you the truth...
...you seemed so out of it, I was worried you'd drown in here all alone.
Don't push yourself too hard.
I made you worry, huh? I'll try to take better care of myself.
You've got it all wrong.
What do you think I'm here for?
Work has worn you out. You should just say so
and let me look after you.
Senko...
I'm here to keep you from drowning!
Thank you.
This bath is a little small for two people, though.
I suppose so.
Oh, I need to take you to the secret magical hot spring!
Is it the foxes' secret hot spring?
Yes! It's big and has a lovely view!
Ooh, that sounds like it'd be very relaxing! I can't wait!
Okay!
Ahh...
That was a nice bath, but I wonder if her tail will go back to normal?
"Wilt..." That was a nice bath, but I wonder if her tail will go back to normal?
Sorry to keep you waiting!
Mm! Hair driers sure are useful!
Y-Your tail is back to normal!
Of course it is!
Tails are very important to demigod foxes.
That's why I always take the time to carefully maintain it,
and make sure it's in tip-top shape!
--Fluffy! --Eep!
Sorry, I couldn't help it.
Goodness! Your love for fluff is a little troubling.
Do you mind?
Go ahead.
Lately, I've been thinking I indulge a little too much.
Still...
If it makes you feel better, then I'm happy to oblige!
Okay!
All right!
Here I go!
Please!
--Fluff! --Eep!
Eep!
I did a lot of fluffy-fluffing that night. Thank you, Senko!
"Super Senko-san Time"
Welcome home!
You've had another long day, haven't you?
Another full day of rain, and frightfully humid!
It made quite a mess of my tail!
You mentioned that its fluffability had gone down recently...
...so I thought I'd spruce it up a bit!
♪ Mm, mm-mm, mm-mm, mm! ♪
♪ Mm, mm-mm, mm-mm, mm-mm-mm! ♪
All right, how's that?
Go ahead, fluff it all you want!
My tail is sensitive, so touching it might give me a jolt,
but it's not a problem!
If it relaxes you, it makes me happy!
If this helps you recover from your hard work,
I won't worry over a little jolt!
Thanks for all of your hard work today.
Fluff my tail all you want, and when you're done, it's off to bed.