The sun was high when Natsumi Sakura woke up, feeling a lingering soreness and exhaustion. Even after sleeping, it was clear last night had been wild.
Her long hair fell messily behind her, and as she sat up, the blanket slipped from her shoulders, revealing marks on her neck and stomach—traces of tentacles wrapping around her.
Her legs bore similar marks, hidden by the blanket. Her disheveled pajamas lay discarded, and the crumpled bedsheet was stained with large patches.
Natsumi's face flushed—she knew those were her doing. Last night had been too wild. She hadn't been able to keep up, passing out near dawn.
Though exhausting—and her first time—it felt surprisingly good. No, not just good—out-of-this-world, waves of pleasure. And Muxiao had been gentle.
"But my first time was with a monster… Thinking about it, that's kinda weird. Am I really becoming a pervert?"
Natsumi cupped her cheeks, muttering in mock horror, but her eyes sparkled with joy. She was clearly in high spirits.
"You're right, Natsumi-senpai. You are a pervert."
"Who? Oh… Tohka?" Seeing Tohka Matsubara at the window, Natsumi glanced down at herself, quickly covering up with her robe and rummaging for clothes. "Why're you here again? Wait, about last night…"
"I already know. I was on the roof," Tohka said calmly, watching her. "So, Natsumi-senpai, how's it feel with a monster? Not gross?"
"Not at all," Natsumi replied unfazed, slipping on clothes and tossing on a jacket. She tied her hair into a high ponytail and flashed Tohka a smile.
"Last time, when Daisuke Hanaya threatened you, you were terrified."
Tohka narrowed her eyes.
"Are you kidding? Comparing Daisuke to Muxiao?" Natsumi reverted to her confident, sporty self, retorting coolly. "It's because he's Muxiao that I'm willing."
"…For love, huh? I get it. But Tentacle Lord's a monster, and you're human. Since you love him so much, why not become a monster too? You'd be the same kind. Want to try? I can help."
Tohka extended her tentacles.
"If Muxiao cared about that—if he rejected me because of his monster form—I'd become a monster for him without hesitation," Natsumi said, facing the monster girl fearlessly. "But he still… did it with me."
Her cheeks reddened. "So, I don't think it's necessary. But if Muxiao wanted me to be like you, Tohka, I'd become a monster without a second thought. It's his call, not yours."
Natsumi shook her head, her ponytail swaying, and looked up at Tohka with a bright smile. Despite her cheerfulness, her commanding presence was unmistakable.
That's Natsumi Sakura for you.
"Tch, you sure know how to talk," Tohka grumbled, irritated. This girl, whom she could kill with a flick, was getting under her skin. Maybe because she's provoking me, intentionally or not?
"Well, congrats on getting what you wanted, Natsumi-senpai. But even if you and Tentacle Lord are moving fast, as a normal human, you can't always help him. When new women flock to him, I hope you won't mind."
"No need for you to worry, Tohka-chan. I'm not some unreasonable girl. If it helps Muxiao, I'll support him fully. But you should keep a closer eye on your brother. If he keeps pestering me, it's annoying."
Just then, her mother's voice called from downstairs.
"Natsumi! It's noon, and you're still not up? Houichi-kun's here to see you~"
Natsumi and Tohka exchanged glances. Natsumi burst out laughing, blinking innocently, while Tohka's face darkened, a silent curse bubbling up.
Damn it!
"I'm heading downstairs. See yourself out, Tohka-chan~"
Infuriating!
Tohka jumped down, wanting to ring the bell but remembering her own tasks. Stomping her foot, she glared at her brother, exasperated, before storming off.
Upstairs, Natsumi flashed a victory sign, her smile radiant. She opened the door to head downstairs and saw her childhood friend, Houichi Matsubara, raising his hand to knock.
He awkwardly lowered it. "Natsumi, uh, I came to check on you…"
"Oh," Natsumi replied flatly. Taking a step, her legs wobbled, nearly tripping. She grabbed the wall, and when Houichi moved to help, her sharp glance stopped him cold.
His hand froze mid-air.
"Uh, Natsumi, you feeling okay? Maybe rest in your room?"
"No need. Just tired from last night." Thinking of the wild night, her face flushed, heart racing. "I just got up. Gotta freshen up."
"Oh, uh, I'll wait in your room then?"
"Sorry, that's not appropriate," Natsumi said, blocking him with a firm stance. "Houichi, go wait in the living room."
"…Okay."
Before leaving, Houichi caught a strange scent. What's that?
An uneasy feeling gnawed at him. He returned to the living room, lost in thought. When Natsumi emerged after freshening up, he barely had time to speak before she called someone on her phone.
"Hey, Muxiao, where are you?"
"Oh, I'm heading to Izuki's place for something. What's up, Natsumi?"
"Nothing, just… didn't see you, so I felt a bit… down."
"Who told you to sleep in? Ahem, not that I blame you… I'll catch up with you tonight."
"Okay, come back early…"
Seeing his childhood friend blush while talking, a strange boy's voice on the phone, Houichi's heart sank. Muxiao? That monster?
He can talk now?
Come back early tonight… Are they living together?
"Natsumi, who were you talking to? You're smiling weirdly."
Natsumi's mother approached.
"Huh? Smiling weirdly, Mom? You're seeing things," Natsumi said, rolling her eyes.
"Not just the smile—your tone was flirty," her mother said suspiciously. "That sounded like a boy. Who was it? Meeting tonight?"
"Emmm, well…"
How to explain?
"Boyfriend?"
"…Yeah."
Her mother had been teasing, but seeing Natsumi admit it, she was floored. Staring at her shy daughter, She really has a boyfriend?!
And it's not Houichi? Didn't she like him?
Her boyfriend's someone else?
"Who is it? Is it—"
She stopped, noticing Houichi's ashen face in the living room. Clearing her throat awkwardly, she sensed the tense atmosphere and pulled out snacks. "Uh, Houichi-kun, have some cookies. I made them."
"Thanks…"
Seeing the awkwardness between Houichi and her daughter, Natsumi's mother sighed. It was clear now—whatever the reason, her daughter had no romantic feelings for Houichi.
My daughter's fallen for another boy.