ロン！　立直、一発、西、混一色、ドラ3、16000！

Ron! Riichi, Ippatsu, Seat Wind - West, Half Flush, Dora 3, 16,000!
You're incredible, PLAYER! You even managed to make a comeback in this situation.
Haha, I just got lucky.
After putting the scoring sticks away, I rise from fourth place to first place and become the ultimate winner of this game. I nod at the other two players in the game and stand up contently to stretch my body after sitting at the mahjong table all afternoon.
Damn, if I kept that Red in the tenth turn, then I would've been able to win two turns before you.
Are you still reviewing the log of the previous game? You can't always be so serious. You've got to learn to relax too, so get some rest now and start working hard again tomorrow.
Sigh... I guess you're right.
Ein stands up obediently and prepares to go outside with me for some fresh air, but he keeps talking about the game, and even his tail, which is usually raised high in the air, is hanging low behind him. It's obvious to anyone that he's unhappy about what happened.
Hmm, Ein is still as persistent as ever when it comes to mahjong-related things... I should try to comfort him first.
With this thought in mind, I quicken my pace to catch up to Ein so I can rub his furry tail and deliver my carefully considered message in a gentle tone to try to cheer him up.
Ein, you've had quite a high winning percentage today, so you've done great... Huh? What's this...?
My hand on his tail freezes suddenly after feeling something unfamiliar. I open my palm in disbelief and pick up a strand of messy orange-red animal fur.
PLAYER, why did you stop suddenly? Did you forget something?
I was trying to cheer you up, but now it seems that it has backfired... I feel a little complicated now.
Huh?
I sigh deeply in my heart as I look at Ein, who still hasn't reacted to my words, and motion for him to look back at his tail while showing him the fox fur in my hand in front of him.
Where's the fur at the tip of my tail? Ahhhh! Th-The thing in your hand! Could it be?!
Yes, you're right. It's fur that you've just shed.
Although this might sound a little offensive... I feel like I need to give you a reminder since we're such good mahjong buddies. Ein, you may have a serious fur loss problem based on the amount of fur you lost when I touched your tail gently.
Immediately after I finish speaking, Ein's big, furry tail disappears quickly behind him. Avoiding my eyes, Ein stands up straight and spreads his arms to try to cover the bald tip of his tail with his body.
You've got it wrong. Th-This is quite natural. Foxes have a molting period every year, and even the warriors of my tribe are no exception.
Although you sound very sincere, I still suspect that you're hiding something from me.
Did Zechs say something to you? Ahem, well...
This has nothing to do with Zechs. It's mainly because I played with a little fox at Countless Springs for a long time when I was there a few days ago, and it didn't look like it was molting at all.
If foxes do molt around this time of the year, then you should both be molting around the same time since you're both foxes, right?
Well... umm... er... a-actually, every fox has their own difficulties, so...
Judging from how you're stuttering, did I guess right?
...
With his amber-colored fox eyes, Ein looks at the sky, the ground, the mahjong table next to him, Ichihime who is busy with something, Wanjirou who is chatting, the scenery outside the door, and the noisy children. However, he doesn't look at me. Guilt is written all over his face.
Ein, listen to me...
PLAYER, actually, this is what happened.
After a short silence, Ein and I speak at the same time. We share a glance and a smile after realizing we were thinking the same thing, which sweeps away the awkward atmosphere. Ein then graciously acts like a gentleman.
You go first.
I just want to tell you that fur shedding isn't such a serious problem, so you don't need to hide anything, Ein. There's nothing to be afraid of. I'll help you find a solution to help you recover.
Are you saying that you'll keep me company the whole time?
Yes, because like you said, we're best friends.
I understand. PLAYER, you want to share my joys and sorrows.
It's said the mood of an animal is reflected by the actions of its tail, and Ein seems to be proving the veracity of this statement right now as his tail, which he has been deliberately hiding behind his back, is now standing straight and trembling slightly. It's obvious that he's in a very good mood right now.
But I still have some lingering concerns when I recall what happened the last time I shared his joys and sorrows... especially when I look subconsciously at a bare patch of flesh-colored skin at the tip of his tail, which forms a strong contrast with the orange-red fur all around it.
I don't want him to become bald!!!
Ein, the bald patch on your tail is so obvious that any member of the Furry Conservation Association would go crazy if they saw it. Hmm, if we go to the hospital, it would be bad if someone who knows you sees you there, but how else can we treat your fur shedding problem, Ein...?
It's not actually that urgent. New fur will grow on my tail after a while.
New fur... I know what we can do!
Clerk
Er... Welcome to Wellness & Happiness Pharmacy. How can I help you?
If you see two customers wearing hats, sunglasses, and large black coats enter the store during the evening shift, most people would wonder if they should call the police, but this clerk is still serving us with a smile. That's some serious professionalism.
The authorities will come after us soon if you keep mumbling and acting suspiciously. I'm only doing this to protect your privacy. After all, Mr. Fox, you don't want anyone to know that you've come to buy hair growth serum, right?!
Is that a threat? It is, right? Where has my naive, cute, kind, brave, intelligent, and warm-hearted PLAYER gone?!
If you keep dawdling like this, you'll soon know that I can follow up my threats with violence.
Encouraged by my "kind" smile, Ein finally reluctantly asks the clerk about the item we've come to buy.
I... We want to buy a bottle of... hair growth serum. Is there any product you would recommend?
You've come at just the right time. We've just stocked a new anti-hair loss serum. Buy two bottles and you'll get one more bottle for free. It's also 20% off right now.
I don't need it, but...
I saw the promotional poster in the window. What's special about this hair growth serum?
Please give me a few minutes to introduce this product to you. This serum is formulated with ginseng and oriental arborvitae, which effectively controls oil secretion and reduces dandruff. The company holds a special patent, and many influencers have recommended it on CatChat.
I see. So this is basically a trending product promoted by Internet celebrities.
Please don't let yourself be biased because of this. When a product becomes popular on the Internet, it's usually because it has features that people really like. You don't need to worry about this at all.
What's more, you can get a free trial pack if you buy it today, but it's only available on a first-come, first-served basis while stock lasts.
Now I understand why sales-related part-time jobs usually have higher pay. It's because very few people can resist buying something if they are guided bit by bit and lured with offers.
Haha, you're really good at making jokes. I'm just recommending a product to you. But since you said that, have you already decided to buy it?
I... We need to think about it. We'll let you know if we need more help.
Sure thing. Please take your time.
After the clerk walks off, I move closer to Ein and ask him a question in a low voice.
Ein, is there something you don't like about it?
No, no, no. I just have some doubts and want to know more about this product. The feelings of uneasiness I've had since entering this store have also been validated.
Huh?
After waving his finger at me to signal me to come closer, Ein puts his phone in front of my face and motions for me to read something together with him.
PLAYER, this is some information I found online about this hair growth serum. Can you see anything strange about it?
Let me see. There seems to be nothing wrong with its composition, factory of production, official certification, or patent certificate... What is strange about it...?
Look over here! This company develops a hair growth serum, but the top of their chairman's head is bald! This doesn't make sense at all!
Ein points at the photo as he speaks indignantly and gestures excitedly with his hands. His eyes are also full of distrust.
This really is strange. Is it possible that the chairman hasn't used his own company's product?
You agree with me, right? I have good reason to suspect that this hair growth serum isn't as effective as advertised, so we have absolutely no reason to buy it.
Ads usually exaggerate the effects of products, but that doesn't mean the products won't work at all.
B-But I don't need this type of thing at all!
Look at your balding tail. You've lost so much fur that it'll go completely bald sooner or later if you don't do anything about it.
But...
Seeing that Ein has started hesitating, I decide to give him an extra push.
I've come here to buy a hair growth serum with you during the precious time that I usually spend playing mahjong. You won't let my good intentions go to waste, right?
N-No way. I won't do anything to make you sad. It's just a hair growth serum. I'll buy it now.
As if he is afraid that I'll misunderstand him, Ein straightens his back and pats his chest. The determined look in his eyes even makes me think that he is about to participate in the finals of a mahjong competition at the Mahjong Soul Shrine.
Wonderful! That'll be 12,000 Coppers. Will you pay by card or by cash?
The clerk appears suddenly and smiles brightly while handing over an already-packaged hair growth serum gift box to Ein.
12,000!!! I-I'll pay by cash, thanks. Sigh, I'm paying such a heavy price so that you get to stroke my furry tail again, PLAYER.
In that case, I'll need to check up on you more closely after this. Remember to follow the instructions closely and use it at the right time every day. Start using it after you get home tonight. I'll check up on you.
Ignoring Ein's distressed look, I lead him away forcefully without giving him any chance to regret anything. It isn't until after we part ways that I remember he was also about to tell me something when we were at the shrine.
Hmm... it shouldn't be that important, right? I'll ask him the next time I see him.
I was thinking of checking up on Ein every day, but I was caught up in other things, and a week had passed before things slowed down again.
I wonder how Ein is doing. He should be at his part-time job right now, so maybe I should wait a little longer before...
PLAYER, what a coincidence, haha.
Oh, speak of the "fox," here he is. A familiar figure appears in front of me as hearty laughter rings in my ears.
It must be my lucky day to run into you right after I left work today. Do you want to play mahjong together at the shrine? I won't lose to you today.
Before that, let me take a look at your tail.
Huh?
Ein, who was just so happy that his head was shaking around, suddenly seemed to be paralyzed. He opens his mouth to say something, but only a few incomprehensible sounds come out.
Wait! Wait! People will think we're doing something strange if you get too close to me.
This is the most secluded part of the whole street, and very few people pass by here. It won't take very long to check up on your tail anyway. You just need to cooperate with me and turn around.
Don't be shy. It'll be over soon.
To make sure Ein won't be able to run away, I forcefully trap him between myself and the wall, then grab his tail and examine it carefully.
The bald part at the tip of your tail looks almost the same as last week. Ein, have you really been using the hair growth serum every day?
Umm, I... I guess so. I followed the instructions and applied a cold compress after using the essence.
Hmm? I remember the instructions clearly state that you should apply a hot compress for half an hour before using the essence.
!!!
Ein, you're usually so meticulous when it comes to other people's affairs, so why are you so careless about your own affairs?
As I already know that Ein is reluctant to use the hair growth serum, a seed of doubt quickly takes root in my heart when I see how ambiguous he is acting while trying to explain things and think about the mistake he made and his tail, which hasn't improved at all.
Ein, did you really use the hair growth serum to treat your fur shedding problem?
Upon hearing my words, Ein's face turns as red as a beetroot, and he pulls his tail out of my hands with a little force. I don't know if it's because he is angry or embarrassed, but the color of his body gradually becomes the same color as his orange-red hair.