A reality check for a master

So, this is a very chill chapter that has no sex in it and really just serves as character development and worldbuilding. Still, I think it's pretty good, so check it out. We are slowly reaching the end of this story, but if you want more, do check out my new story, 'Elly has a tail'

https://chyoa.com/story/Elly-has-a-tail.71151

Or join my discord for very infrequent news and perhaps some AI pictures:

https://discord.gg/kEK7rCsxXH

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The bar was already bustling with people as Michael entered, some 2000s rock barely audible over the busy chatter. He quickly made his way further in, spotting his friends sitting at a booth to the far side of the room.

Making his way over, he was soon spotted by Josh, who winked him over with a smile. Next to him were two others, one of whom he immediately recognized as Reeze. The other one stumped him for a moment. Next to Josh sat a red-haired puppy girl who flashed him a strangely familiar nervous smile. Did Josh invite his girlfriend?

It took him another few steps to get a better look at her face before his mind managed to connect the dots. He froze for a moment, the surprise too much for him to just brush away. Then he continued with a grin. Good for her.

His brief surprise must have registered, because she looked even more nervous and alarmed now, the pair of floppy red dog ears upright and tense.

"Hi, it's so great to see you!" Michael said as soon as he came close enough. Josh rose for a hug, and Reeze turned to face him as well.

"It's really been too long", he said while Michael and Josh hugged it out. Michael agreed with a wry smile and a nod. Ending the hug, he turned to his final uni friend, who still looked very uncomfortable.

"Hi, how have you been?" he simply asked with a gentle smile, hoping that she would warm up to him once it was clear he wasn't being weird about her new identity. For a brief moment, the puppy girl he'd once known as Ian looked surprised, then she returned his smile.

"As you can see, I've changed some things. Never been better though." Her floppy ears also relaxed. "I'm now called Ianna by the way," she added with way more confidence than she'd exuded just a moment ago.

"Well, I'm very happy for you, Ianna," Michael replied honestly.

He took a seat, and they ordered a round before going into what they'd missed off each other's lives in the few years since Uni.

"Well, it's been pretty sweet to be honest," Reeze told them with his trademark cocky grin. "Everyone always moans about having issues working in a female-dominated field, but once you get to it, that just means you are surrounded by really hot women who might be interested in a guy with at least some brain!", his bravado evoked some chuckles from the rest of the group. Reeze had been in a league of his own even during their days in Uni. Turns out an easy-going confidence was all it takes to turn a socially unorthodox career choice into something that others find attractive.

"I think that's squarely a you experience," Ianna countered with a shake of her head. "As you can see, not everyone who enters web design as a man comes out the other side as a womanizing gigachad."

They laughed about that for a while, listening to more of Reezes' stories before Josh got his turn to tell his epic tale of how he managed to climb ranks in his company to become design lead. When it was Michael's turn to speak, he just grinned.

"Well... I've got a job at a small design firm," he began slowly, feeling a little giddy about the bomb he was about to drop. The others could hear the teasing in his voice and leaned in closer. "And well... I'm sort of dating my boss, who is also my pet."

That left them speechless for a moment. The moment they regained their composure, the congratulations rained in, followed by the obvious questions.

"So how long has this been going on?" Reeze asked, the curiosity written all over his face.

"The past few weeks, though technically we are still in an experimental phase." he answered. "That said, I'm 99.9% sure that we will continue. Things have been better than great."

"What kind of pet girl is she?" Ianna asked next.

"A cat girl. More agnesian than anything else, though we are experimenting with how much we are comfortable with."

More questions followed, and as he answered them all, he could feel himself relax in a way he didn't know he hadn't in a good while. These were really good friends, all of whom were obviously happy for him even though he had sort of ghosted them years ago. It was something he had missed without really realizing it.

Soon enough, he was done answering questions, and the attention switched to the last person who hadn't really told a lot about herself. Ianna took a while to get started, but after another round of drinks, she started talking.

"So... as you can obviously see, I've not only transitioned but also started pet dressing. Pretty much started right after Uni, so it's been a few years now," she shrugged her shoulders.

"I'd lie if I said that it was all easy or fun, but I've certainly felt a lot better since." A grin stole onto her lips. "And I'm certainly looking a lot hotter and cuter now," she winked at Reeze, who let out a quiet wolf whistle. The whole table laughed at that.

"And well, someone had to become a pet for the statistics, right?" she joked.

They spent another hour in the bar, and even after he left, Michael felt a lot more energized than before. On the way to the bus station, he got out his phone and texted Emi.

'On my way home now. Do you know when you'll be back?'

The reply came a few minutes later when he was already waiting at the bus station.

'In an hour, probably. You can go to bed without me, though. Love you!'

'Nah I'm waiting. Love you more.'