Chapter 129: Foxy Business
Scott raised an eyebrow as he stared at the glowing words floating before him.
"Harem Schedule?"
He muttered to himself, his tone flat.
"What the hell is a Harem Schedule?"
Still standing in front of him, Vixen froze for a moment before tilting her head. Her amber eyes narrowed suspiciously, and she edged closer to him.
"Harem… Schedule?"
She repeated in her soft, curious voice.
"What are you talking about?"
Scott lowered his gaze to her, noticing how she'd stepped into his personal space.
"Eh…?"
His attention drifted—completely involuntarily—to the way her arms were folded under her perky breasts, pushing them up in a way that was impossible to ignore. The fluffy tail behind her twitched slightly, as if reflecting her unspoken tension.
Raising an eyebrow, Scott smirked faintly.
"You always approach men with your chest pushed out like that? Or is this just some kind of strategy to throw me off? It's kinda… well, weird…"
Vixen blinked in surprise.
Her eyes widened for half a second before she caught on to his words.
"HUH──?!"
A deep red flush spread across her cheeks as her tail bristled, and she immediately spun around, folding her arms tightly over her chest. Your adventure continues at My Virtual Library Empire
"M-, My breasts aren't weird!"
She stammered, refusing to meet his eyes.
Scott chuckled, shaking his head.
"Not what I meant…"
His tone was casual but heavy with dry amusement.
"I was talking about the fact that you're walking around in something so tight that every creep in this plaza could probably see more than you want them to."
Vixen froze in place.
The embarrassed flush on her face quickly gave way to a darker expression.
Her messy, dark-brown hair cast a shadow over her face as she turned her head slightly toward him and her voice grew colder than before.
"Can you… stop talking about that?"
She asked in a low and clipped tone.
Offended, was an understatement.
"You act like I have any control over what I do."
Scott frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Vixen turned fully toward him now, her arms still wrapped around herself.
Her eyes carried pain and bitterness.
"It means…"
Her voice trembled slightly.
As if all the bad memories had rushed in.
"That this—this whole… look… It's all I've got. My powers? Useless in the field. My training? Forgettable. All I'm good for is standing around looking pretty while people gawk. So, yeah, maybe I wear something tight. Maybe I flaunt what I have. Because what else am I supposed to do?"
Her voice cracked on the last word, but she quickly turned away, her shoulders stiff and trembling.
"Don't act like you understand…"
It came out so quietly.
"And don't… ever talk to me like that again."
Scott's smirk faded completely as his face stiffened.
He opened his mouth to say something.
But, nothing came out.
Her words hit him harder than he expected, and a stake of guilt began to settle in his chest.
[Ding!]
The System's chime echoed in his mind, as if waiting for the perfect moment to interrupt.
[The host has hurt the feelings of the potential harem member identified as Vixen. To properly integrate her into the Harem Schedule Mode, you must find a way to make it up to her.]
Scott's face darkened and his eyebrows furrowed as he grumbled under his breath.
"Seriously, bro? This is what we're doing now?"
[Additionally, Vixen is still hurt by your past actions at the SMPE. Recommend immediate reparations to prevent further fallout.]
Scott sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose.
He could already feel the System's nagging lingering in the back of his mind, but he couldn't exactly argue.
After all, it wasn't wrong—he had crossed a line.
"Alright, alright…"
He muttered, glancing back at Vixen's tense frame.
"Fine."
Clearing his throat, he stepped closer to her.
His voice was softer now.
"Uh… Look, I'm sorry about what I said. I went too far."
Vixen's head whipped around.
Her eyes narrowed sharply.
"A little too far?"
It almost sounded like she snapped.
However, she was still in control… just a little volatile.
"And when are you going to apologize for what you said last time? At the SMPE, remember? You humiliated me and my sister in front of everyone, acting like we were some kind of… joke!"
Scott winced.
Her words hit like a bullet, each one dragging up memories he'd tried to bury. His face twisted into an awkward smile—a futile attempt to mask the growing guilt.
"Oh…" he muttered weakly. "Uh… Yeah, about that…"
He scratched the back of his neck.
There was that uncomfortable glare she was giving him.
"Sorry again. I… wasn't really thinking about anything other than helping my friend steal the spotlight. It wasn't personal."
Vixen's ears twitched at his words, and her glare softened just slightly. Her fluffy tail swayed behind her, though it still carried a hint of agitation.
All in all, she was pleased.
Perhaps… a bit too easy to please.
But in the end, this beautiful fox lady wasn't the kind to demand you cut off your head as an apology.
"You mean Psyche?"
Vixen asked quietly.
"Your friend would've won anyway. She's a prodigy, isn't she? A mind-reader. Someone who can predict everything her opponent will do and charm an entire room without breaking a sweat. People like her… They get everything handed to them, no matter what."
Her voice dropped to a whisper, and she hugged herself tighter. Her gaze drifted to the ground as her amber eyes glistened faintly.
"People like me… we don't even get a chance."
Scott stared at her, his expression unreadable.
He didn't know her well—didn't know what she'd been through—but he could feel the heft of her words. It reminded him of everything he'd been learning about the Hero Agency lately, the cracks in the perfect image it tried to project.
"Everyone deserves a chance to answer a call…"
He thought to himself and his jaw tightened.
『Oh well…』
Scott stroked his chin thoughtfully as his eyes fixed on Vixen who rubbed her ear with a small, annoyed huff. She had a strange way of being both fiery and fragile, and for some reason, he found himself intrigued.
She was at least worth forming a relationship with.
"Say…"
He spoke calmly in the tension.
"Would you, uh, like to spend some time together later?"
Vixen blinked as her pretty eyes broadened.
Her fluffy ears perked straight up as if they might pop off her head.
"Huh?"
She asked, tilting her head.
"Spend time together? What's that supposed to mean?"
Then, as if the thought struck her like lightning, she pointed a finger at him accusingly.
"Wait a damn second! Is this some kind of weird sex hangout thing you're planning?!"
Scott's eyes nearly popped out of his skull. "What?! No!"
Vixen wasn't done. She jabbed the air dramatically as she leaned closer to him.
"Because I'm not a freaking escort, you got that?! I'm a superhero! I don't care how handsome or blue-eyed you think you are—I'm not sleeping with you for any fucking amount of money!"
Scott's face twitched.
He closed his eyes, exhaled slowly, then grabbed one of her fluffy ears with a firm grip, giving it a gentle—but unmistakable—tug.
"Ow, ow, OW!"
Vixen squeaked and her whole body stiffened as her tail shot straight up.
"What are you doing?! Let go!"
Scott twisted her ear slightly.
"Can you please control your mouth for five seconds?"
He sounded calm, but equally irritated.
Vixen hissed in low pain, then glared up at him with a flushed face.
"You're such a—ow! Stop pulling my ear!"
Scott released her with a sigh, then stepped back as she rubbed her ear again.
"Look, I've already apologized, alright? I'm trying to make things better here. So, maybe stop assuming stuff before I've even said it?"
He gave her a pointed look as his tone turned dry.
"And for the record, you're pretty, sure, but not that pretty for me to throw money around to get you in bed. Not to brag, but most women would do that for free."
Vixen froze mid-rub as her expression twitched.
Her glare was supposed to be intimidating—sharp and deadly—but with her cheeks puffed out in frustration and her tail flicking in irritation, she just looked… cute.
Scott chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"See? This is why I'm not spending money."
"Jerk!"
Vixen snapped, then stepped back and hissed through clenched teeth.
She cupped her ear protectively, glaring at him.
"No one's pulled my ear like that since… my Dad…"
Her voice trailed off and her expression shifted as her gaze softened into something distant and sad.
Scott tilted his head. "Eh?"
Both of Vixen's eyebrows shot up in panic as she realized what she'd just said. She immediately jumped back, then slapped her hands over her mouth as though she could take the words back.
The System's alert rang in Scott's mind like a very unwelcome guest.
[Notice: Daddy issues detected.]
Scott froze, staring blankly into the distance. "Bruh…"
Vixen's face turned scarlet.
"I-, It's not what you think!"
She stammered, waving her hands dismissively.
"Forget I said anything! It doesn't mean anything, okay?! Nothing at all!"
Scott gave her a slow nod.
"Uh, okay… not asking. What I do want to know, though, is if you'll be free to do a small patrol later tonight?"
Vixen raised an eyebrow as her ears twitched.
"Hm? Patrol? What do you mean by that? Only superheroes do patrols, and unless you're secretly one of us…"
She folded her arms, looking him up and down.
"You'd just get yourself hurt if we ran into real trouble."
Scott smirked. "Well, as it happens, I am a superhero."
Vixen blinked, her mouth falling open slightly. "No way."
Her surprise quickly switched over to excitement as her tail wagged behind her like a hyperactive dog.
She stepped closer with eyes that sparkled like gems.
"Wait, you're serious? What's your codename? What rank are you? Do you have a big sponsor? Sidekicks? Tell me everything! EVERYTHING!!"
Scott raised both hands and gently pushed her back by the shoulders.
"Uh, calm down, alright? I'm not exactly a registered hero… or a popular one."
He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"I just started out, actually. So I was hoping you'd, y'know… show me the ropes?"
Vixen's enthusiasm deflated instantly.
Her tail stopped wagging.
Even her expression turned deadpan.
"Oh."
She sighed, then folded her arms.
"Let me guess. You're just another rich guy trying to pull a quick 'celebrity hero' stunt for PR, huh? Happens all the time. You'll quit after a month or two."
Scott chuckled softly.
"Not a PR stunt. I'm doing this because I want to. And if you think I'm lying…"
He leaned closer as his tone turned oddly teasing.
"Why not come with me on a night patrol and see for yourself? Maybe I'll even learn a thing or two from the pretty and quite capable fox lady."
Vixen kept her stern expression, but her tail sold her out with the way it swished side to side again.
After a moment, she sighed dramatically.
"Fine. Deal."
She pulled out her phone.
"Let's exchange contacts."
Scott grinned. "Cool."
The System pealed again.
[Mission accomplished. Vixen has forgiven you, and your relationship has improved. Night patrol with Vixen has been added to the Harem Schedule at 12 a.m.]
Scott groaned internally. "Here we go again…"
・・・
Bella stood on the upper section of the plaza.
Her manicured fingers pressed tightly against the cool, tempered glass. Her knuckles turned white as she gritted her perfectly shaped teeth.
Her piercing gaze locked onto the scene below.
Scott and that fox-eared, tail-wagging woman exchanging smiles as if they were the only two people in the world.
"I can't believe this…"
Bella hissed under her breath.
A heavy grunt escaped her throat as she slammed her fist against the glass and rattled the frame.
Beside her, Morgan stood quietly, a tired expression plastered on his face. His bloodstained napkin dabbed lazily at a small wound on his lip, which had reopened and was bleeding again. He shifted uncomfortably but said nothing, knowing all too well what was about to happen.
Bella was like a thunderstorm—inevitable and destructive.
And right on cue, she exploded.
"Are you kidding me?!"
Bella seethed as her voice trembling with fury.
"Rather than talk to a beautiful, accomplished, rich woman like me—someone capable of turning his pathetic little life into one of luxury and fame—he chooses to hang out with that… that fox bitch?!"
Morgan sighed silently to himself, dabbing at his lip.
Bella wasn't done.
"She's nothing but a glorified internet whore! I can't believe he's wasting his time with her!"
Bella's voice rose with every word as her anger reached volcanic levels.
"Bitch, please! If that tail-wagging loser can show him something millions of other men haven't already seen, I'll throw a damn dollar at it!"
She leaned forward as her face practically pressed against the glass now as she spat her words.
"The only thing she's fuckin' capable of giving him is a well-deserved STI!"
The classic rich-girl scoff followed.
"I've never been more insulted in my life!"
Morgan stayed silent.
Finally, he cleared his throat and spoke with an even voice.
"Miss, that's not Foxgirl."
Bella froze mid-rant as her fury momentarily derailed.
She turned to Morgan, raising an eyebrow.
"Wait, what?"
Morgan adjusted his napkin.
His tone calm but slightly tired.
"Foxgirl is the older sister, I believe. She's a ginger. This one is Vixen—the younger brunette sister."
Bella's lips parted in disbelief, then curled into a sharp side-eye as she turned on him.
"And how the hell does an old man like you even know that? Huh, Morgan?"
Morgan dabbed his lip one last time and replied with a deadpan expression.
"I'm not the one who watched videos of Foxgirl filling a Diet Coke bottle with her vaginal fluid."
A visible ripple of shame passed over Bella's face as she jerked her head away.
Her cheeks were tinged with pink.
"Uhm… never mind."
Morgan shook his head slightly. "Thought so."
Bella refocused on the scene below.
Her eyes narrowed as she saw Scott and Vixen exchange personal contacts.
They were smiling now—genuinely smiling.
Her jaw clenched tighter.
『He didn't do this even after I got him a $3,000 plate of Golden Sauce Spaghetti!』
・・・
Down below, Scott glanced at his phone as Vixen's social handles synced into his contacts.
He smiled, then tucked the device into his pocket.
"Alright, I'll text you the time and place for tonight."
Vixen tilted her head as her fluffy ears flicked in amusement.
She gave him a smug, skeptical look, arms crossed.
"Uh-huh. I think I'll handle that…"
Next came that teasing smirk of hers.
"You don't know much about the hero gig yet, so leave it to me, rookie."
Scott chuckled, then nodded slightly.
"Fair enough. You're the expert."
He extended a hand for a handshake as his warm and genuine blue eyes charmed her.
"It was nice meeting you, Vixen. I'm looking forward to having a good talk later tonight."
Vixen stared at his outstretched hand as her lips quirked into a sly smile.
"A handshake?"
She teased, shaking her head.
"C'mon, big man. Don't be so formal."
Before he could respond, she stepped forward and pulled him into an intimate hug.
Scott froze for half a second, taken off guard, before her soft, fluffy tail brushed against his leg, and the warmth of her body pressed into his.
He could feel every bit of her perky breasts as her hands gently caressed his back.
She whispered near his ear.
"Here's a tip: When you meet a woman and things go really well, try a hug instead of a handshake. It shows confidence, y'know?"
Scott's voice came out faintly, "Oh…"
・・・
Above, Bella's chest heaved with barely contained fury as she watched Vixen press herself against Scott in that intimate embrace. Her nostrils flared, and a faint, audible puff of steam seemed to escape as she exhaled sharply.
"This is ridiculous!"
Venom spilled from every syllable that left her lips.
Still standing silently at her side, Morgan allowed himself a slight smirk.
"It seems… the young man has game, as they say."
Bella didn't respond.
She was too busy fuming as her eyes locked onto the pair below.
Scott was smiling now, looking at Vixen like she was the most interesting person in the world. And Vixen, that smug little bitch, looked all too pleased with herself.
That was how she saw it at least.
Bella's fist clenched again, but this time she didn't slam it against the glass.
Instead, she muttered darkly.
"Enjoy your little time with her, Scott. But don't think for a second this is over."
Her manicured nails clicked against the glass as her lips curled into a sharp, dangerous smile.
"Oh, he'll come crawling back to me. They always do."
Morgan let out a low, tired sigh, rubbing his temple.
"Here we go again…"