The original order of the first consultation in the afternoon was Luna. However, looking at the names of the two individuals floating on the tablet, I paused for a moment to think.
While Alice might be inscrutable, there didn’t seem to be any apparent problems on the surface. Her consultation would likely not be long. On the contrary, the consultation with Luna was likely to take more time.
In that case, it would be better to switch the order. It would be more comfortable for Alice rather than having to wait.
I pressed the button on the intercom.
“Could you please inform the next consultant, Alice Hunter, to come in?”
– Knock, knock.
Not even a minute later, a light knock was heard at the door.
“I’ll come in~”
Without waiting for my response, the door swung open with a cheerful voice. She had thick gray hair contrasting with bright red highlights that crossed between them, along with a pair of rabbit ears perked up on top.
It was Alice.
She entered quietly, her footsteps silent. Just like Luna, it seemed to be a trait of the rabbit hybrid species to walk softly and quietly.
Alice naturally plopped down into the chair across from me. She gazed at me with an intriguing look, as if she had found something fascinating to watch.
“…….”
The corners of Alice’s mouth turned slightly upward, and her red eyes were wide open. As I received her pointed gaze, I quietly used my power.
[Alice]
[Main Stance]
[I came here because I felt a strong curiosity about you, the cause of the big change I saw in my sister yesterday. Actually, it’s a double benefit because I can legally skip a bothersome task scheduled for the afternoon. Even better.]
[Appropriate Response] [Satisfaction Suitability 90%]
[Out of courtesy, ask why she came.]
I stifled a laugh at the second part. Well, I had no worries anyway, so asking was not incorrect. Nodding, I met Alice’s gaze. Her red pupils sparkled like rubies under the lights.
“Alice Hunter, is there something you are troubled about that made you request this consultation?”
I asked in a genuinely soft tone, simply out of courtesy. Alice tilted her head for a moment, and then nodded as if realizing, ‘Oh, right. This is a consultation office.’
“Ah….”
She let out a deep, long sigh and propped her chin on the desk, beginning to speak. Her perked-up ears drooped as if filled with sorrow.
“Actually… I….”
“Yes.”
Pretending to take notes, I pulled out my notebook and pen. However, what followed was.
“Lately, I’ve been in my instinct manifestation period….”
“…….”
– Snap.
The sound of a fan breaking echoed throughout the consultation room. Holding the pen, I froze in place.
I knew very well what it meant to be in an instinct manifestation period.
I slowly lifted my gaze to meet hers.
The sad expression that had seemed to bear the weight of the world just moments ago was nowhere to be found.
Alice was now smiling seductively, clearly satisfied with my reaction.
I silently set the pen down from my hand. Though I felt flustered, I didn’t want to be led by her pace.
No matter what her essence and inner self were, Alice was my client at that moment. Being swayed by a client is a mistake that a counselor should never make, a disqualification.
The first thing a counselor learns is the warning regarding such ‘transference’ phenomena from their clients.
I immediately wiped away personal feelings and nodded calmly, responding in a businesslike manner.
“I see. You are in your instinct manifestation period. That must be very difficult for you.”
“Yes…? Ah… yes….”
Alice’s eyes slightly wavered at my unexpectedly calm response. Undeterred, I continued with my diagnostic questions.
“May I ask when those symptoms started occurring?”
“Since, uh, birth….”
Alice struggled to maintain a provocative pose, but her voice wavered more than before.
“I see.”
How like a rabbit, really. I clicked my tongue inwardly and threw out the next question.
“When that period arrives, do you experience any changes in your psychological state or mood?”
“… Yes, I feel… very good….”
She barely managed to reply, but I kept the questions coming without pause.
“Then, what are the specific symptoms?”
“… Yes…?”
This time her retort bore evident signs of panic. As I had thrown out a random bait for her to consider, she couldn’t help but be taken aback when I dissected it with a scalpel.
I repositioned the pen and explained in a very friendly and professional manner.
“Symptoms. Aside from ‘feeling very good,’ specifically what aspects of your daily life are challenging due to the instinct manifestation? I lack experience with the instinct manifestations of hybrid beings. The more details you provide, the more accurately I can help.”
At my words, the seductive smile that had been on Alice’s lips finally disappeared completely.
“Ah… ah… yes… so, um, it’s that… my ears… perk up, and my cheeks flush… and my lower abdomen feels tingly….”
With each word she spoke, her voice grew softer. Finally, she lowered her head completely.
Her once perked gray ears drooped like wet paper.
“I’m sorry….”
She finally declared her surrender.
“Why did you tell such a lie…?”
“Just… out of curiosity….”
[Alice]
[Main Stance]
[Unknowingly revealed the traits of her species’ instinct manifestation. If she keeps joking around, it seems she will put herself in danger.]
Wait a second.
So, those symptoms she just rambled on about really are the symptoms of rabbit hybrids? It feels like I’ve stumbled upon a secret that I shouldn’t know.
Alice seemed to be an honest rabbit, albeit a troublesome one.
And the ability presented the next choice.
[Appropriate Response] [Satisfaction Suitability 100%]
[Go and bring your sister back.]
‘Bring her back’ is casual speech. However, the 100% floating next to it made me stop thinking.
This means it’s obligatory.
But given my personality, saying ‘bring her back’ feels a bit off. I decided to wrap it up in my way.
“Could you go and bring your sister here?”
I asked with a smile, taking a small macaron box out of my bag. It was a handmade macaron that I had bought the day before at the most famous patisserie in town for Luna. I was grateful for my foresight for having bought two of them that day, for some reason.
I opened the box. Inside were a red strawberry macaron and a white vanilla macaron placed side by side.
Without hesitation, I picked up a thickly cream-filled vanilla macaron and held it out in front of Alice.
At that moment, my ability cheered.
[!! That is a more excellent choice!!]
Thanks.
Alice’s red eyes were fixed on the macaron. Her gray ears perked up unconsciously.
“Yes….”
She answered quietly while reaching out her hand toward the macaron. I thought she would take the macaron and go fetch Luna as promised.
However.
“…….”
– Rustle.
“……?”
– Rustle… Sniff, sniff….
Alice took the macaron, tore the bag open, and began to smell it.
– Crunch.
Then she bit into it.
“Yum, yum.”
“…?”
Why isn’t she leaving?
Alice sat there, savoring the taste with a happy expression.
After about half of the macaron was eaten, she finally let out a satisfied sigh. Her drooping ears had perked up again, filled with vitality.
Seemingly in a better mood, she was wiggling her legs, and finally opened her mouth.
“Hmm… I owe you for the macaron, right? Isn’t that right, teacher?”
“No, it’s fine.”
Despite my response, she painted me with another seductive smile and leaned forward.
“Since I think you might have some trouble because of my innocent sister, let me give you an important tip about hybrids.”
This sounds a bit interesting….
Excluding the fact that it comes from Alice, it seemed like a story worth listening to. I inquired, maintaining my caution about her true intentions.
“… What is it?”
“There’s a compliment that we hybrids use only among ourselves… it’s a very pleasant greeting.”
Then, suddenly, Alice lowered her head and pointed her long, perked gray ears toward me instead of her face. The line of her white nape was exposed without defense.
– Perk, perk.
Her ears moved lightly as if to entice me.
“Right side… so, from your perspective, if you stroke the outer side of my right ear like this… whoosh, that’s a pleasant greeting among our hybrids.”
Hmm….
I immediately checked Alice’s state. I had to make sure I could trust her.
[Alice]
[Main Stance]
[This act is known in hybrid society as a ■ compliment and a ■ pleasant greeting. You want to use this on Luna.]
What is going on?
The words intermittently flickered as if affected by noise and became hard to see. However, the context of compliments, pleasant greetings, and the intent to use it on Luna conveyed an overall good vibe.
“Understood. Thank you.”
Regardless.
– Whoosh.
I had to confirm it.
To check her words, I gently stroked the outer side of Alice’s right ear with my palm.
With a prime specimen right in front of me, it would be strange not to do it. Luna is delicate, so everything should be tested first.
‘Wow….’
I felt an unbelievably soft and warm sensation at my fingertips. It was quite addictive.
“!”
At that moment, Alice’s body trembled as if an electric current flowed through her and froze. Her cheeks turned slightly red…. and finally, she nodded her head.
“Yes… just like that. You’re doing… well?”
Her voice had an elevated tone compared to earlier.
As I observed Alice’s expression, she did not seem displeased. It indeed felt like genuine information.
“Thank you. That was very useful information. However… before that, getting Luna to show her ears in front of me should be the priority.”
She nodded at my words.
“Ah? You’re right…. Okay, good luck….”
Suddenly, Alice hastily grabbed the half-eaten macaron and awkwardly clutched her lower abdomen. Then she practically fled out of the consultation room.
She came in freely, and now she left on her own whims.
I smirked wryly, watching Alice leave, and picked up the intercom.
“Could you inform Luna Hunter that it’s her turn now?”
Ultimately, the main client was Luna.
***
“Haah… haah….”
Alice dashed out of the consultation room, leaning against the cold hallway wall, gasping for breath. She clutched her lower abdomen, where the thrill and shocking sensation had not yet faded since his broad hand brushed her ears.
Glancing up slightly, her face reflected in the hallway’s glass was flushed bright red. And her perked ears were trembling uncontrollably, regardless of her will.
“…… Could it be… that he was going to do that to me…?”
She had her doubts.
But she had stroked her ears without any hesitation.
She barely held herself together. Almost giving way, just managing not to let out a strange sound right there was an impressive display of willpower.
It was good that she had darted out quickly.
But at that moment.
“Alice, what are you doing?”
With a calm voice from around the corner, Luna, the white rabbit, appeared.
“Uh? Ah, no… I suddenly had a bit of a stomachache….”
Alice quickly smiled with her usual relaxed expression, forcing a smile. But Luna wasn’t fooled. Her red eyes narrowed with suspicion.
“You’re not causing any trouble for the teacher, are you?”
Luna questioned Alice intensely.
“No, it’s nothing. Absolutely.”
‘I’m the one in trouble.’
Alice shook her head. Then Luna’s gaze turned toward the half-eaten vanilla macaron clutched in Alice’s hand.
“Is that… from the teacher?”
“Yes. It was delicious.”
At those words, the corners of Luna’s mouth lifted just slightly. She nodded slightly and headed past Alice toward the consultation room.
And her steps had become lighter and more cheerful.
‘Today… is it macarons?’
Macarons were one of Luna’s favorite desserts.
Luna was in a better mood.
