When I pushed open the wooden door of the changing room, the scent of camphor balls mingled with the fresh fragrance of fabric rushed to greet me.
The Maid Outfit hanging from the hook glowed with a soft, milky white sheen under the ceiling light.
The collar of the camisole was adorned with three layers of ruffled lace, and the bowknot at the chest was made from a gradient pink satin.
The black cross strap at the back was tied into a delicate cross-shaped knot at the waist, and the pleated skirt fluffed out like a cloud, its length just barely covering the tops of my thighs, with shimmering silver cat paw embroidery stitched along the hem.
I stared at that light, airy pile of fabric. Just imagining wearing such a light skirt in a moment made my cheeks flush.
I reached out and touched the ruffled edge at the shirt sleeve; an icy, silky sensation flowed through my fingertips.
I picked up the outfit and held it against my body. My heart suddenly began pounding like a drum, and my cat ears shot up uncontrollably into airplane mode. This is so revealing—surely only a specialty shop would sell something like this!
“Ugh, how can I wear something like this…” Biting my lower lip, I yanked the uniform down, and the friction of the fabric against my fingertips sent a shiver through me.
A flash of Ning Dongya’s threatening expression appeared in my mind. If she saw me wearing this, nothing good would come of it.
But then I remembered the way she looked, so full of confidence when she threatened me. The tip of my tail swept against my ankle, sending a shameful, itchy feeling coursing through me.
I suddenly tossed the uniform onto the long bench, the metal hook clattering with a harsh sound. My heart was filled with reluctance.
Why should I let myself be controlled by that woman? Yet, as soon as the words “bad review” appeared in my mind, my ears drooped instantly into triangles.
The hooks in the changing room rattled quietly. I stared at my own shadow on the floor, my Adam’s apple bobbing. I only got the shirt halfway on before it got stuck, and my cat paws fumbled anxiously at the collar, accidentally pulling the bowknot loose.
As the lace grazed my collarbone, my body shuddered as if struck by lightning. Even though I was so embarrassed I wanted to crawl into a hole, a strange heat started to well up in my lower belly, and even my breathing grew hurried.
Ugh, could it be that I’m… excited from wearing a dress for the first time?
With that thought, I hurriedly covered my face with my small hands, only to notice that the little catgirl face in the mirror was already so red it looked like it might drip blood.
“Damn it…” I wound my tail around my wrist, forcing myself to calm down, but when my fingers touched the cross strap at my back, I found myself tightening it unconsciously.
The blurry outline in the mirror reminded me of those cross-dressing manga characters I’d drawn before. Back then, I thought that trope was so forced—now I finally understand how torturous that contradiction between resistance and indulgence can be.
No, I—I’m not indulging!
“Damn…” I shut my eyes and pulled on the pleated skirt. The instant the skirt hem fluttered up, the skin on my inner thighs was suddenly exposed to the air. The cool fabric slid up above my knees, and every step made the skirt rub against my thighs.
Seeing my reflection in the mirror, I quickly covered my face, my fingers hooking onto the white pantyhose’s opening. The chilly, smooth feeling spread from my ankles all the way up to my thighs.
Biting my lip, I pulled the stockings up, and when the lace trim left faint red marks on my inner thighs, my body shivered again as if electrified. So this is what it feels like for girls to wear stockings? My cat paws instinctively curled up, only to spring open again at the feel of the slick fabric.
The apron was draped carelessly over the back of the chair, its white satin glimmering under the light. I picked it up and remembered what a friend had said before—the apron is the soul of the Maid Outfit.
When the satin ribbons crisscrossed and tightened at my back, the sudden constriction around my waist made my breath hitch. The shirt hem peeked out from the edge of the apron, tracing an unexpectedly slender waistline.
“Damn…” I tugged hard at the strap, but the moment I heard the bell’s crisp ringing, my tail uncontrollably curled around my calf.
When I tried to re-tie the bowknot, my fingers brushed my feverish cheeks, and in the mirror, I saw my own eyes rimmed red.
My heart thudded in my chest, filled with the humiliation of being forced to wear girls’ clothes, but also with a secret excitement surging through my veins. Ugh, why did it turn out like this!
The Cat Ear Hair Clip on the dressing table stabbed my eyes painfully, so I grabbed the ordinary Pearl Hair Clip instead. The cool touch of the metal clasp made my cat ears quiver. Originally, I should have used the Cat Ear Hair Clip, but because I already have cat ears, Shiyu just gave me a regular hair clip.
When I clipped my stray hair behind my ear, the pearls grazed my burning earlobe. I adjusted the crooked hair clip in the mirror. After quickly fastening the leg ring, I figured I should be ready now?
Looking into the mirror again, I instinctively stepped back half a pace, feeling like the heat from my cheeks could melt the Pearl Hair Clip.
The lace collar of the milky white shirt accentuated my delicate collarbones, the cross straps at my back defined a seductive waistline, and the pleated skirt swayed gently with the light movement of my tail. Even the faint pink marks of the lace on my thighs looked like meticulously crafted decorations.
Is this really me?
I raised my hand and gently touched the reflection in the mirror. When my fingertips pressed against the cold surface, my cat ears suddenly trembled out of control. The little catgirl in the mirror, with her red-rimmed eyes and Pearl Hair Clip nestled in her soft hair, was clearly dressed in a shamefully cute Maid Outfit, yet exuded a charm even I didn’t recognize. The leg ring hugged the softness of my thigh just right, adding a subtle hint of allure.
My heart pounded ever faster in my chest. Shame washed over me like a tide, yet it was strangely enveloped by a secret thrill. I never expected that, now that I’ve become a catgirl, a little dressing up could make me look this cute.
Realizing this, the heat that had already been roiling in my belly grew even more intense.
It seemed like it was almost time. I should head out, or else they’d get impatient waiting outside.
I just don’t know—when I step out, what kind of reaction will Ning Dongya and Ling Xiaoxiao have?
Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the changing room door. The cold air made me shiver. As I walked near the bar counter, I heard Ling Xiaoxiao gasp. The menu in her hand fell to the floor with a “clatter,” and her eyes went wide and round.
I knew Ling Xiaoxiao must be shocked. After all, just last night I was still a hopeless homebody curled up at home drawing.
Right now, my face felt so hot I could fry an egg. My cat ears pressed flat against my head, and I didn’t dare look up.
But Shiyu ruffled my hair with a smile, her teal fox tail swaying gently behind her. “It suits you so well. As expected, cute kids look good in anything.” She pushed the tray with two cups of coffee toward me, the silver coffee spoon clinking crisply against the cup. “Go on, the customers are still waiting.”
My hands were shaking as I picked up the coffee. The steam rising from the cup blurred my vision. Honestly, I was so afraid I’d spill it by accident.
But even with the steam curling between us, I couldn’t help but notice the way Ning Dongya’s lips curled into a sly smile. Surely, she’s already plotting her next wicked move…