The first thing Jerry did as soon as he woke up was circle the entire house to note down every item they'd need for the month.
Most daily items had been stockpiled, but since most foodstuffs were perishable, a monthly ration was essential.
Looking at the note in his phone, he was quite pleased to find out that apart from food items, only a few other things were needed—which meant that today's journey would be a bit easier.
The servants' attitude to Jack was… unprofessional, to say the least. They were rude, condescending, and treated him like cow dung.
"If the plot is for real and not exaggerating, then there's a high chance I'll have to put on a show to get what I want."
According to the Fictional Narrative, Jack's caretakers had a hard time getting rations. They were the least of the least within the household, and if there was something all Beastmen loved, it was walking all over those lower than them for some superficial high.
At first, the servants were shameless enough to visit Jack just to establish their superiority, until some unlucky bastard stumbled in with a loud mouth while Jennifer was assaulting Jack's new caretaker.
Long story short, everything that could be broken was broken, and the bastard was paralyzed for life.
Dina sighed. Such a stressful environment. No wonder Jack retreated into himself. Not committing suicide already showed considerable mental strength for a child so young.
"First things first," Jerry smiled while reaching out to his cupboard to bring out a makeup kit and white wig which Dina had gotten from Zero for free!
As long as it wasn't artifacts (items with abilities) or any device that could disrupt the Transmigrator's mission—it was free! But only for the first world.
Dina mentally simulated a bunch of ways to reduce the problematic issue of getting rations and decided the best way was to appeal.
Something that even the Beastmen society couldn't escape was pretty privilege. If anything, due to the high rate of beauty among Beastmen and the correlation of beauty to high hierarchy, it was much more prevalent.
So Dina decided to take a risk and crossdress.
"Although alphas are the most revered, omegas are still the apple of the Beastmen society's eyes—and what's more fragile than an omega if not a female omega?"
With a brief makeover and bright lip gloss, the figure reflected had barely been touched yet perfectly mirrored the femininity of a woman.
Not only did Jerry have androgynous features, he leaned into the omega-like beauty type, and even without makeup or a wig he could put on a dress and fool 99.9% of people into believing he was a woman.
"The concept of primary genders is mostly ignored by the Beastmen society, and all omegas are seen as fragile creatures, yet female omegas are seen as more delicate than male omegas... Although by a tiny margin. How interesting."
Dina theorized that although Beastmen were more related to the Beastfolk, they still couldn't completely escape the humanity within them.
Feeling pretty, Jerry twirled around with an amiable smile, and picking up his phone, adjusted his back-length wig before stepping outside.
Was this risky? Yes. But was Dina going to do it anyway? Yes.
The reason this was risky was because Beastmen did NOT like being catfished, especially when the con artist turned out to be from a lower hierarchy.
This was evident with the internet picture scandal that happened to Jerry before Dina's arrival, despite being the victim through and through, the whole internet didn't hesitate to destroy his life just because they were catfished.
For now, only the bodyguard who had brought Jerry and the Jackson family knew he was a Normal, and he wanted to capitalize on this to siphon as much as he could until the deceit was eventually revealed.
By then, Dina giggled evilly, she'd know every nook and cranny of the servants' quarters—and even if they did bully them by giving only small rations, she'd put her… professional skills to the test.
"...."
'Don't say it!'
"Thievery isn't a profe—"
'Ugh, darn you, Zero!'
***
Just as predicted, as soon as Jerry arrived he was showered with immense kindness.
He had simply hovered around the entrance with a dazed look, only for a blushing guard to approach him and lead him in.
And then a kind aunty took him to the assistant manager, who immediately took note of what he wanted. No one even bothered to question his identity. All he had to do was smile and giggle cutely and have them hand over everything on a platter of gold.
He also got the assistant manager himself to give him a tour of the entire place, and almost as if possessed, the dude even gave him the master key and allowed him to roam anywhere he wanted.
Dina was left so utterly speechless that she doubted everything. Was this really okay? Could the keys be a trap?
Turns out it wasn't, and that pretty privilege in the Beastmen society was truly that powerful.
The supposedly troublesome event became a huge success, and not only was Jerry given an accurate amount of rations, but he was also gifted extra. After rejecting the oddly persistent guard, he wobbled home on his own with full hands.
Jerry entered the room, dropped off everything, and then slumped on the sofa with a loud sigh. That was… a marvelling experience.
Being pretty wasn't something recent to Dina, nor was pretty privilege alien to her. However, to this extent… she shivered. How terrific!
After shedding off the disguise, Jerry was back to cozy housewear before moving to unload the items.
"Anyways, our resources—even the food items—should last for this month and the following months after, if stored well."
Jerry hummed while arranging the newly sourced items in their rightful positions. He had on a pair of earpods (from Zero) with which he vibed to music.
By the time he was done, it was already noon, and he decided to see Jack.
***
"Young master!!" Jerry walked in on Jack, who was leisurely playing with his phone.
"I know you don't eat during noon, but I prepared something light for~."
On his left was a plate of potato chips with sauce, and on his right a choco fruit smoothie. Jerry casually settled down before placing the food before Jack, who frowned.
He was getting too comfortable. Before he could say anything, the male began his usual blabbing.
After the bullying incident, not only did he force him to eat three times a day no matter how little, he also had developed a yap session where he kept on talking until Jack had eaten a certain amount before he would leave.
Not only that, he was coerced to agree that he, Jack, would have a quick exercise pacing about the house every morning—allowing Jerry to clean out his room and him to get exercise. Two birds with one stone, as Jerry had said with boisterous laughter.
It was all so bothersome, but Jack went along with it anyway to have his peace of mind as soon as possible. But perhaps the real reason he did was because he knew that one of these days, even this caretaker would eventually "retire"… Until then, he'd simply endure.
Jack ate a salted potato chip with a straight face. However, the rate at which he consumed it, along with the half-drunk smoothie, made Jerry smile.
Of course, he had uncovered some of the teen's hidden traits. A salty tongue and a deep love of chocolate! He thought he could hide it with that unimpressed look of his, but was utterly betrayed by his body.
Jerry chuckled softly, garnering a glare from the little tsun chipmunk, who stuffed his mouth full of potato chips.
"You know," Jerry started, "I'm good at games too… wanna add me?"
"I don't play multiplayer games," a stone-faced Jack replied coolly.
"Oh… wanna try—?"
"No."
Facing such a strict refusal, Jerry faltered a bit before reloading his shameless meter right back to the top.
"Eh, then what's your favorite music?"
"Silence."
"Ahaha, that's funny… haha," Jerry laughed awkwardly, and inside Dina felt like burying herself in mud but gritted her teeth and pushed up the shamelessness meter right back up.
"Then erm, genre… You like most in books or movies… or…?"
"Being alone."
"..."
The fork-tongued teen adjusted himself leisurely. Although his face remained indifferent, for some reason Jerry could sense his deep satisfaction at shutting him down completely.
He squinted, but then he caught a glance of the rapidly diminishing chips and smiled secretly.
Almost on cue, Jack popped in the last chip before slurping at the smoothie with a deeply satisfied gaze. With a final sip, the smoothie cup gasped in emptiness.
A soft sigh of satisfaction escaped Jack's lips, and he placed down the empty cup near the empty plate without saying a word.
Jerry laughed, "Nice job, young master. I'll be leaving then."
"...What?"
A subtle look of confusion flashed on Jack's face, which was quickly replaced with a frown.
"I keep disturbing you," Jerry replied. "So since we're done, I'll be leaving!"
Jack's lips quivered and he whispered, a bit reluctant, "Suit yourself."
Jerry smiled at him before picking up the empty plate and cup and making his way to the door.
Jack's hands clenched the sheets. Did something happen? Normally, the male would ask if he wanted more… Why not today, when he did want more!
He watched as Jerry was halfway gone and, swallowing his pride painfully, called out.
"I… I want more!"
He wanted more salted chips and a coco drink. Why were they sooo good (＞_＜).
Jerry paused, and with the most brilliant grin Jack had ever seen in his life, spun harshly, "Really?! Is it that good??"
Jack was stumped. The male's eyes were as bright as gems, and his smile like the first beam of sunshine in early spring.
Clear and refreshing, with the accompanying bloom of beautiful flora.
Jack was so mesmerized that it was only when Jerry tapped him that he regained consciousness.
"Young master?" Jerry asked worriedly. The young teen had suddenly fallen into a daze, startling him.
He panicked. Had he gone too far?
After a moment of ear-cringing silence, Jack's face turned red at a visible rate, leaving Jerry shocked.
Oh! He must have been quite embarrassed due to having been forced to say his needs.
'Tsk, tsk, what a prideful child. Perhaps I shouldn't push him too far,' Dina thought.
Although she wouldn't deny she enjoyed watching him being humbled, she was more wary of it causing a strain on their relationship.
"Young master, you don't need to push yourself too hard," Jerry consoled. "If you want, I can give you my number instead so we can communicate through texts?"
It was a fleeting suggestion Jerry came up with after noticing how shy (prideful?) the teen was. He wasn't exactly banking on it to be accepted—thus he was pleasantly surprised when Jack did.
They exchanged numbers briefly, and picking up the empty tableware, Jerry finally left.
Within the silent room, Jack's face lowered as he went back to his game. The tips of his ears trembled, and a faint pink remained.
…Why WAS a Normal so absurdly beautiful?