Me and the Tigress Volume 1 Chapter 4 part2

The final part of chapter 4.

The moment I opened my eyes in the tiger's den, the first thing I did wasn't persuade Rangii, or calm her down, or apologize. Before that, I dove to the ground. A huge tiger paw flew above my head, missing it by a hair. My hair was fluttering because of the wind.

"How did you get here?!"

Lifting my head, I saw the same woman with the biggest breasts, Jeongmi, wielding the club and retreating from Rangii who had already transformed into a tiger.

Huh?

"How'd you get here so fast?!"

"You're not the only ones who can use shukuchi!"

Sorry. I can't use that.

I got up, but was stuck in place. Because Rangii's paw was coming this way again. This time it was coming from above.

"Dodge!"

Boom!

Rangii's paw hit the place I was just at. A cloud of dust exploded outwards. If Jeongmi hadn't grabbed me by my collar and thrown me out of the way, my name would have changed from Kang Sunghoon to ground beef. Despite that, I couldn't help but let my curiosity get the better of me and asked a question.

"What?"

"Our sole enemy is the tiger!"

"Put your hand against those gigantic breasts of yours and think about what you said just a few minutes ago!"

"There was no helping that! More importantly, you need to dod…… kugh!"

Jeongmi blocked Rangii's accurate strike with her club and pushed it back. I had the vague, stupid thought that not only does she have a huge rack, but she's super strong too.

"Go back for now!"

Jeongmi held me by the waist and retreated. Seeing the Bear Clan members following, and feeling an insanely ample and soft feeling on my chest, I thought to myself ah, so she's not a human. ……No, what have I been thinking about since before?

Even if Jeongmi is exactly my type, now isn't the time for that!

After she dropped me off behind the rest of the Bear Clan members, she fell to her knees and threw up blood.

"Cough, cough!"

"Oi, are you okay?"

Yes. I'm worrying about the health of the one is the prime cause for the current situation.

"I'm okay. More importantly, it seems the tiger has gotten even more violent after seeing you. It seems like it's even aiming at you."

Ah, I was hoping that was just my imagination, but it seems that was true. Not even paying attention to or attacking the Bear Clan members, she didn't move from her place, and,

Rooooooar!!

She shouted and looked at me as if she wanted to kill me.

"It seems like that's true?"

"It seems like you've done all kinds of things to really piss it off if it's attacking you instinctively even while insane. Did you attack it while it was sleeping?"

"I'm not in the mood to joke around."

I know I did things to piss her off; that's why I came here. But I never imagined that Rangii would be hurt. The beautiful white fur that Rangii was so proud of was dyed red. Seeing that was enough to make me angry.

"Are you the ones who hurt Rangii?"

"……Are you crazy? We were just waiting for the seal to break until now. She did that to herself while trying to get free from the seal."

Then that must mean the Bear Clan's plan is to attack Rangii after she's weakened from breaking the seal.

……In that case, I still have a chance.

"Hey."

"……Just so you know, please remember that I am at least three years older than you."

How narrow-minded.

"Okay, okay. I understand, noona." (noona means big sis. Can be used by young guys to older girls. Also spelled nuna)

I should go along with what she says since now isn't the time to argue about this. But why are you blushing?

"I'm going to ask you one thing. It's your, no. Ungnyeo's goal is to kill Rangii, right?"

"That's right."

"And that's because Rangii might be interested in Hwanung."

She nodded.

"Then that means if Ungnyeo knows that Rangii doesn't have any interest in Hwanung, and that she's in love with someone else, that woman won't have a reason to try to take Rangii's life?"

Jeongmi was initially surprised, maybe because she realized what I was thinking, but she immediately smiled brightly.

"You are correct. But Ungnyeo-nim is not one to be swayed by words alone."

"Who said I'd only use words?"

I'm going to show her through my actions.

"I'm going to show Ungnyeo some undeniable proof, so the rest of you back off. Because you're the head, noona."

I spoke quickly since time was short, but realizing the true meaning of my words, she was shocked.

"You are going to die."

"That's not for you…… no. That's not for Noona to decide. Deciding that."

I pointed at Rangii and said,

"Is between her."

I pointed at me.

"And me."

"……You don't think that doing that looks cool, do you?"

Shut up.

"Well, that's fine. There is still time until the seal is broken, and it is of no concern to us if you die. Most of all……"

Jeongmi bit her lip.

"If you show her that evidence, then I, my little sister, and everyone else will be able to go back to our normal lives."

Jeongmi looked away as she said that. She was looking at a similar-looking young girl with vacant eyes. Ah, does that mean she's Jeongmi's sister? Does Jeongmi want to go back to her normal life as well?

The head of the Bear Clan and I were in agreement. (not exact)

And so, I stood in front of Rangii. I was standing at the very edge of the safe zone that she couldn't get to because she was bound by the seal. Rangii was just a few footsteps away from me, creating winds as her paw working furiously to get to me.

Honestly speaking, I'm scared. If I get hit by that, I'll be dead in an instant. I'm saying I'll die immediately. I'll die before I can say anything. The surreal self-portrait

I'm saying if I get hit, I will become the answer to the question how much can the subject of a self-portrait's human body be messed with in a surrealistic piece of art. However, I took a step forward. If my thinking is correct, Rangii can't kill me.

Why, you ask?

Rangii said so.

'Listen well. We phantoms most fear humans who believe in themselves and think they can do anything. Even great phantoms such as I cannot injure humans without having a material form.'

I don't think my feelings are weak when I'm thinking about Rangii. Paternal love? Affection? Lust? Desire? Now isn't the time to be joking around like with those last words. I don't know what kind of feelings these are, but at the least, I'm confident that that my current feelings won't lose to anyone.

'I do not plan on causing distress to the one who will become my husband'

And also the feelings of Rangii who's thinking of me. Rangii has never, even once, intentionally been a bother to me. Rangii has never hurt me with her actions even once. Because,

'I love you, Sunghoon.'

No, saying that is too blunt so skip that. Skip it!

'I love you, Sunghoon.'

I'm telling you to skip that! Shit!

I like you too, so skip it!

I summoned up my courage and took a step forward.

And I was able to feel Narae's emotions.

Whooosh.

Swept away by a typhoon, I was unable to make a sound like an ant and hit the cave wall. I heard something break in my body, and I wasn't able to think of who I was, where I was, or what I was doing. I couldn't see in front of me because of the dust, and I felt something hot coming up my throat so I spit it out.

"Kuweek!"

Ah, it's blood. ……Huh? Why did I throw up blood? Did I just sing with a perfect voice? Then I must have been practicing to become a singer…… No, I came here to leave my handprint on Rangii's soft behind, but Rangii's paw hit me and I crashed into the cave wall. And I'm alive.

"Heh—."

I smiled. My entire body is screaming with pain, but my mouth moved on its own because of that fact. I'm happy. I ignored my body's urge to collapse and got up. There's no way I can black out when I'm this far. Look. It doesn't even hurt anymore. Let's go. I can go.

There's no way I could sit here when I'm so confident because of this.

Rangii tried not to kill me even when she lost all reason, and even if I only had these dazed thoughts of bringing Rangii back, I survived that terrible blow.

I'm glad that we understand each other. The tiger brandishing her terribly huge paw is still Rangii on the inside.

And so I shouted.

"Bumii!" (Bum is another word for tiger. Like Ho Rangii)

Rangii's name that Saehee told me. Rangii's true name, blessed upon her from heaven.

Bumii. The 'bum' from the word for 'tiger' and 'ii' from the word for 'person'. That name fits Rangii perfectly. A tiger human. She's exactly that.

Maybe she got angry because someone called out her true name, or maybe it was just because I shouted loudly, but this time Rangii lifted her arms to crush me. I just watched without any thought of dodging. There's no way she can hurt me, and there's no way she can hit me.

I ignored her paw and walked towards Rangii.

"The husband has come to pick up his bride!"

Rangii's paw was pressing down on me. No, it pressed down on me. But Rangii's paw couldn't hurt me, and it just stayed suspended above my head. As if a wall above my head. I turned my head. I couldn't see Rangii's face. Her paw is in the way. I raised my hand and pushed Rangii's paw upwards. Anyone who was watching wouldn't believe what they were seeing, but I pushed Rangii's paw aside as if it was the easiest thing in the world to do. Jeongmi's shocked voice spread from within the cave.

"No way!"

Yes way.

Roooooooar—!!

Bumii roared and bent down. Her expression of surprise was obvious. I spoke while approaching Rangii.

"But how can a wife look like that when her husband's here?! Are you planning on consummating while you're in that form? Are you thinking of becoming a widow on your wedding night?"

I even mixed in some jokes. But Rangii was crouching, growling as she was ready to strike at me at the first opportunity. Ah geez. If I said this much, listen to what I have to say. Because even if it's just a little, I'm losing my breath.

"That's why you're like a kid."

After I sighed and readied myself, I pointed at Rangii and shouted angrily.

"You brat! How dare you ignore your supreme husband's command?!"

Feminists will probably try to kill me.

"I'll listen to what you have to say when we go back home, so let's go!"

Rangii's eyes had an inexplicable look of fear as she stared back at me. Ah, I probably look pretty bad to little kids like Rangii. I was covered in dust, and because I threw up blood, my clothes were covered in blood as well. I felt something run down my cheek, and as I touched it, sure enough my hand came back red and sticky. I have no feeling in my entire body. That's why I need to take Rangii home quickly and go to the hospital. I raised and placed my hand on…… what I think is her cheek and rubbed it,

"I said let's go. Your place isn't in this gloomy cave; it's in my house, no, it's by my side."

I put my lips to Rangii's mouth, her eyes full of fear.

I was helped by all the fairy tales I read when I was a kid. The story of a prince's kiss lifting a princess's curse isn't only used by princes. ……Although Rangii being under a curse would be nothing. (not exact)

Rangii changed from the a huge tiger to her human form. She's totally naked just like when I first saw her. The only thing different were the two streams of tears falling from her eyes…… No. She's different. There's more of something.

"Uwaaaaaaang!!"

Before I could realize what was different, Rangii ran to me. I embraced Rangii with my arms outstretched and hugged her tight. With her face against my chest, she hit my body repeatedly, her body shaking. Rangii cried.

"Why! Why'd you come, why!"

No, is it a good thing that she's screaming?

"Brat, how can you say that to the one who risked life and limb to see you?"

"I tried not to see you! I tried not to see you! My resolve weakens when I see your face!"

She's saying something I can't ignore. I hit her on the head.

"Awuk!"

I laughed at Rangii's confused face, as if she never expected me to hit her in this situation.

"What do you mean your resolve weakens? You're not thinking of sending me away and dying after you break the seal, are you? As the man who might become your husband, I can't allow that."

"……I feel like you added something strange to that."

What a sharp brat.

Even when she's crying like this, she really listens well. But still, what a relief. Because Rangii stopped crying. But seeing the tears still around Rangii's eyes made my heart ache. So I did something to Rangii I wouldn't have if I was in my right mind.

"Kyak?"

I bent over slightly and licked near Rangii's eyes. It's salty. Then again, it's natural for tears to taste salty.

"Wha, what are you doing all of a sudden?!"

"Shut up. It's your fault for crying. And I'm going to spank you on the butt when we get home."

"Wh, why my butt all of a sudden?"

"Since long ago, kids who did bad things would be educated by being hit on the butt. And your speech style changed."

Rangii went shoot and spoke to seem more like an adult.

"M, my speech style was always like this! And are you saying I did something wrong?!"

It's adorable, but with this I could finally tell. She doesn't naturally talk like that. She's without a doubt talking like that to seem more like an adult. Well, I guess I should ignore that for now and explain what she did wrong.

"You tried to die."

"……Uk."

"Ah geez. I can't even explain. You brat, did you think I was the kind of guy to just lie down and let you kill yourself?"

"But if I'm here, then Sunghoon, you'll be……"

"I'll be glad. Happy. Joyful. This place would get warm."

I spoke with my finger against the left side of my chest.

"I don't even want to think about how I'd feel if you died."

Because it really would be terrible.

And I don't like the expression Rangii has on right now. I forced her face to my chest.

"And believe in me a little. Aren't I the man you chose? Even if you don't do that, I can settle everything on my own."

"Hue? How?"

Showing off to Rangii, I spoke to Jeongmi who was just staring, dumbfounded.

"Oi, noona! You saw, right? What just happened here, tell her everything! That Rangii isn't interested in her husband! Because she's mine! So tell her to stop bothering us!"

"……Okay."

Why did it take her so long to answer?

"So now there's no more reason to attack me?"

"I am not completely sure, but if I tell her what happened here, then that will probably be the case."

The not completely sure and the probably bothered me a little, but that's enough for now.

"You saw, right? The Bear Clan won't be after my life anymore."

Rangii lifted her head to look at me.

"……But you might end up in danger again because of me."

Are you saying there're some other small problems to worry about?

"Then all you have to do is protect me."

That's not for a man to say.

"But don't you like…… love Narae?"

"That's right."

I should be honest. I can't lie.

"But I like you too. I love you too."

"……Where does that make sense?"

I don't know either.

"Right here."

"That's stupid."

For me to hear that that's stupid from you.

"That's what's called a person's heart. I definitely like Narae, but I like you too."

"……I'm against having concubines."

"You brat, that's different from what you said before?"

"That was because I didn't know what love was back then."

Uh huh? So you're saying you know all about it now?

"I don't know what it is even now. So teach me. By my side. Without going anywhere else."

Rangii's brow, eyes, and lips all contorted.

"You, you're really…… So greedy!"

All men are that kind of creature.

"However, that is just like my husband!"

And crying anew, she buried her face in my chest. I rubbed her head and calmed her down. But wasn't that last thing you said something weird? I feel like you called me some weird word? I looked down to talk about the title she used to refer to me when……

That's when I knew. Why I felt something was weird when Rangii changed into her human form. I grabbed Rangii's shoulders and forced us apart.

Uwa, there's a huge change. Even a beautiful girl will have her features wrecked when she's crying. And there was even snot flowing out…… but that stuff's not important.

She grew taller. No, her body actually grew taller! Before, she was the size of a third grade elementary schooler, but she grew and looks only a little younger than me! ……Sadly, her breasts haven't grown even a little. But still, that…… She's overflowing with destructive power. Enough to naturally make me think I don't want to bother this sniffling beautiful girl! But despite her dangerous sudden growth, Rangii was rubbing her eyes, sniffling, and she was looking up at me with innocent, pure eyes.

Uwak. My body's burning up from thinking those dirty thoughts.

"Uu, uuu. What's wrong? I'm in a bad mood. I want to be embraced by my husband a little more."

I couldn't stand to look at Rangii when she's naked so I took off my t-shirt. It's amazing how blue my body has turned.

"Hurray."

"Hurray?"

I dressed Rangii while her arms were up in the air. Even if it's stained with blood and torn in places, it's better than nothing. But while it covered all the way to her thighs before, now it was barely covering an important place.

"It's dirty, but wear that. How can a woman be naked?"

If you stay like that, then I, I can't hold it in anymore.

"More importantly, how did your body grow?"

"……Huh?"

……Did you not know? Rangii looked at her lengthened arms and legs, and she turned her head to look at her back…… Her tail lifted up the t-shirt and her peach-like butt wasn't slightly poking out but in plain view.

I quickly turned my head. Sh, she's dangerous. I can't treat her like a little kid anymore.

Is it possible for her to have stayed just as cute but grown taller, for her arms and legs to get longer, her hips to get narrower, her butt to get bigger, and for her breasts to remain the same size? She's clearly a genuine woman.

"I've grown."

Rangii gave that conclusion after looking over her body.

"I've grown, I've grown, I've grown!"

She shouted, emphasizing that point. And she jumped in place with her arms in the air. Her t-shirt was fluttering. With superhuman endurance, I stopped my gaze from going downwards. I, I didn't see it.

"Look, Sunghoon!"

I'm saying I can't loooook!

"My body's grown!"

"I, I know."

I can't look because you've grown.

She spun around me.

"Don't turn around!"

I took the initiative to have her stay near me.

"Don't hug me!"

"……Do you really love me?"

After Rangii asked me that with her tail and ears drooped, I realized I made a mistake. It hasn't even been an hour, no, 30 minutes until I said something mean to Rangii. But right after Rangii changed into a human again, I never thought about how Rangii would think if I acted so coldly- even though this is how I usually act. Ah geez, this idiot.

"I, I really do l, like you."

I answered while avoiding her eyes; even my ears were red.

"Why're you saying that while avoiding eye contact? You couldn't be lying for my sake, right……."

I could tell even without looking. She's about to cry. I'm saying I can feel that. So there's no helping it.

"Y, you're too uh…… lovely so I can't look at you at all. Because I'm embarrassed."

My hands! My feet! Why do my hands and feet feel like this?! My hands and feet are tightening so I couldn't open them! There're goosebumps all over my body!

"R, really?"

Don't ask. It's embarrassing.

"TH, then say it one more time."

"……S, say what?"

"I mean my name."

The name she's talking about probably isn't Rangii. I whispered that name in Rangii's ear.

"Bumii."

"Yes, husband!"

So I didn't mishear before?

After Rangii called me husband, she ran and jumped towards me. In the end, it had the opposite effect. I'm saying I might die. Please spare me.

With Rangii dangling on my neck, I tried to hold her up…… huh? I can't put any strength into my legs. Why?

……Ah. Rangii hit me when she was in her tiger version. And while she didn't kill me, she did send me crashing into the cave wall. I heard bones break.

And strangely enough, even now I don't feel any pain. Am I in a really dangerous situation right now? Based on common sense, if I got hurt this badly, I should be dying of pain. But it doesn't hurt at all. I just didn't have any strength in my body. Is it just because all my tension is gone? No, my body wouldn't be this exhausted then.

My legs went out from under me, and I collapsed. I fell stupidly, my face burying itself into Rangii's ample belly. I tried to stop myself with my hands, but they fell too.

I suddenly felt sleepy. I was naturally falling asleep as if I just ran a marathon at school, came back home, took a hot shower, and was watching boring TV on the sofa.

"H, husband?"

Rangii was holding me up, and I could dimly see her confused face.

Rangii. You were right. I feel like I'm falling asleep faster because you're hugging me. My heart feels warm. So I'm going to take this chance to sleep. Because I haven't slept properly in the last few days. Don't wake me up.

I fell asleep as if I was dying.

"Husband!!"

But…… this doesn't……. feel like…… I'm simply…… going…… to sleep……

Chapter end