The next morning, the sky had only just begun to brighten, yet Lion lay awake, staring blankly at the ceiling with bloodshot eyes.
She hadn't slept at all. And the reason was simple: the not-so-direct date invitation Jun Hao had given her yesterday.
Excitement, anticipation, nervousness, and a faint, unexplainable unease twisted together in her chest, keeping her restless throughout the night.
With a quiet sigh, Lion pushed herself up, walked over to the window, and pulled the heavy curtains aside.
Soft morning light spilled into the room, faint but enough to illuminate the lion plushies scattered all around.
She stepped toward the largest one and gently poked its soft belly.
"Hey... tell me, how do you think the Commander will really invite me out?"
Naturally, the plushie gave no response. Aside from her quiet murmuring, the room remained silent.
Time passed slowly as Lion, already dressed, paced back and forth across the room. So absorbed in her thoughts, she didn't even notice the door open.
"Um, Lady Lion, you're up quite early today. Perfect timing—I brought your breakfast. You should eat while it's still warm."
The one who entered was Cleopatra, the dark-skinned maid with beast ears.
-CLEOPATRA-
Hearing her voice, Lion turned her head and glanced at the wall clock.
"Is it really that early already?"
"Lady Lion, is something wrong? Your complexion looks a bit..."
Lion gave a small, bitter smile.
"It's not that I woke up early… I just didn't sleep at all."
Cleopatra's expression shifted instantly to concern.
"You didn't sleep at all? Did something happen?"
As far as she could remember, Lion had never looked this unsettled, not even when facing the Arbiter of the Siren.
Lion quickly shook her head.
"It's not what you're thinking," she said, her voice tinged with embarrassment. "Actually… the Commander kind of invited me out yesterday. So today… I'm a little nervous."
Cleopatra blinked in surprise, but after a brief pause, a gentle smile spread across her lips.
"So that's it~ I never imagined the ever-composed and heroic Lady Lion—so calm on the battlefield—would have a moment like this~"
Being teased so openly, a faint blush crept across Lion's cheeks.
"I'm just... not used to it yet!"
Even she knew how weak that excuse sounded.
Cleopatra's smile only grew wider.
"Of course, of course, you're absolutely right. But since this concerns Master, you can't afford to be careless."
She stepped closer and carefully examined Lion's face.
"These dark circles are quite noticeable. You can't meet Master looking like this. It's fine, let me help you get ready today, Lady Lion. I'll make sure you look your absolute best."
Lion met her sincere gaze and let out a soft sigh.
"...Alright. I'll leave it to you, Cleopatra."
"Mhm! Leave everything to me!"
With a bright smile, Cleopatra guided Lion to sit in front of the vanity.
An hour later.
The basic preparations were finished. Holding a small tube of concealer, Cleopatra carefully covered the faint shadows under Lion's eyes.
"There we go, Lady Lion. See? Doesn't that look much better?"
Lion lifted her gaze to the mirror. The dark circles that had been so obvious before were now completely hidden, and her complexion looked far more refreshed.
"Mhm... Not bad. As expected of you."
Her voice remained calm, but the slight curve of her lips gave her away.
"It's my honor to be praised by you."
Cleopatra set the concealer aside and picked up a comb, gently running it through Lion's long, smooth flaxen hair.
"By the way, Lady Lion… what are you planning to wear for your date with Master? Would you like me to choose something for you?"
Lion froze mid-step as something important suddenly crossed her mind.
'Right... clothes...'
She had been so consumed by her nerves that she'd completely forgotten such an important detail.
"I... I haven't decided yet. Maybe I'll just wear what I usually do."
Cleopatra paused, clearly at a loss for words. She had expected that answer.
"No, no, that won't do. Let me take a look… Hmm, this black evening gown suits your temperament, but it's a bit too formal. And this white dress feels too delicate; it doesn't really match your usual style."
She spoke thoughtfully while sorting through the wardrobe.
Watching Cleopatra's busy figure, Lion found herself feeling oddly at ease. Having someone help her decide like this wasn't so bad.
"Ah, what about this one?" Cleopatra pulled out a wine-red slip dress. "This color suits you beautifully. It carries the presence of a ruler while still retaining your feminine charm."
Lion's eyes lit up the moment she saw it.
"Then... let's go with that one."
With Cleopatra's help, Lion changed into the dress. Standing before the mirror, she could see exactly what Cleopatra meant—she gave off a commanding presence, yet still retained a soft, elegant charm.
"Mhm! Absolutely perfect, Lady Lion!" Cleopatra praised her sincerely. "I'm sure the Commander will be pleasantly surprised when he sees you like this."
Lion's cheeks flushed again.
"I… I should get going."
With that, she hurried to the door and pulled it open. But the sight that greeted her made her freeze in place.
At some point, a huge, fluffy, standing "lion" had appeared right outside her door. The "lion" plush was taller than a person, its body golden, with large round eyes set in a face framed by a thick brown mane.
It looked both adorable and harmless.
"..."
"Bang!"
She immediately slammed the door shut.
'This has to be because I didn't sleep at all... I'm too tired. I must be hallucinating! Yes... that's definitely it!'
She shut her eyes tightly and pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to steady herself. Just then, another knock sounded.
"Knock, knock!"
This time, it was followed by a voice she knew all too well, though slightly muffled.
"Lion? Why did you close the door again? Do you… not like this fursuit? If you don't, I can take it off right now!"
'So it wasn't a hallucination!'
Lion quickly pulled the door open again.
Sure enough, the giant lion plush was still standing there.
This time, one of its "paws" was raised, as if it were about to remove the oversized head.
"Don't take it off!"
Without thinking, Lion rushed forward and grabbed the fluffy "paw," stopping Jun Hao before he could remove the headpiece.
"You… you've got it all wrong, Commander… It's actually the opposite. I… I like this suit a lot!"
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Novels Available:
-> Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street. (Translation)
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