"Ahh—!"
By pure coincidence, Natsumi Sakura, carrying coffee upstairs, caught the moment Miss Reina kissed Muxiao. She'd kissed him herself before—a sweet kiss between a beauty and a monster, not creepy but oddly romantic.
Natsumi wasn't the type to get jealous over a kiss, but seeing Reina's disheveled clothes and exposed allure, it was clear they'd done more than just kiss.
"What are you two doing?!"
Natsumi was used to Muxiao's naughty tentacles roaming her body, even during baths—after all, they'd already been intimate, so such closeness was no big deal. But Reina was different!
Does Muxiao like her?
Sure, Sister Reina was beautiful, mature, and seductive—far more so than a student like her. But she was a mother with daughters! Did Muxiao not care?
"Summer, jealous, huh?" Reina adjusted her clothes, smiling faintly. This was the second time, though the first was due to the aphrodisiac incense.
This time was just a light tease, with tentacles gliding over her skin. Still, for the stunning Reina, it was thrilling—especially paired with the warm, healing sensation of her body recovering, blending into something extraordinary.
Her once-weak body was regaining vitality, her heartbeat growing stronger, and her desires burning hotter…
Seeing Natsumi barge in, stomping and pouting jealously, Reina felt no hostility, only amusement. Perhaps because, as a teacher, Natsumi's age reminded her of her students.
Back in school, she'd seen plenty of cute students fall in love, and even had boys confess to her—only to get scolded.
Raising her five daughters alone had been tough but joyful.
Now… she was joyful too.
"Summer, I was just treating Reina's illness. You know how serious her condition is," Muxiao said, giving Natsumi's rear a playful tap with a tentacle, making her firm cheeks ripple. The spirited ponytail girl blushed.
"I-Is that so? My mistake," Natsumi said, unconvinced. Mistake, my foot. I'm not an idiot. What was with Reina's flushed face and that kiss?
So much emotion, no technique.
Natsumi saw herself in Reina—her old self, so devoted to Muxiao.
"No wonder Sister Reina's looking so radiant. You must be recovering well," Natsumi said, surprised.
"It's temporary. Reina's illness can't be cured permanently—it'll need regular treatments," Muxiao explained.
"…"
?!
Natsumi knew something was up between them. The tap on her rear sent tingles through her, quickly drowning out her jealousy. What can I do? I can't let Reina die. She's already pitiful enough.
Sighing bitterly, she pouted.
Why's a monster like Muxiao such a chick magnet?
"I called Reina here for her treatment. Since she's doing alright," Muxiao sipped his coffee, "she can officially become my secretary now."
"Then, Leader, your secretary would like to visit her daughters at home. Is that okay?"
"What, am I some slave-driver boss?" Muxiao remembered her raising quintuplets alone. "Go ahead, I've got nothing urgent here."
"Actually, I was wondering…"
Reina adjusted her clothes, leaning forward with a smile. "Would you like to visit my home, Muxiao?"
"…"
Reina drove skillfully, though with her finances, she couldn't afford a car. This was the Himegami Society's vehicle—public property for private use. As the cult leader, Muxiao surely had that privilege.
As his secretary, having a car was normal, especially for his travels.
"You're bold, inviting me to your place," Muxiao said, peeking from the back seat. "Not worried I'll scare your little princesses?"
"I just want you to visit as a guest. As for scaring them… you wouldn't hurt them, so a little fright's no big deal."
What a mom, throwing your daughters under the bus!
"Besides, after everything I've been through lately, I've thought a lot… Izuki's right about one thing: this world's not simple. Ichika, Nino, and the others might face similar things someday. Better to prepare them now."
Fair point.
But these things take time.
Reina's apartment was in the old district, mostly home to seniors. The car stopped before a rundown two-story building. The red-haired woman glanced around before signaling Muxiao to get out.
The tentacle monster zipped into the stairwell. Reina's long lashes flickered as she stepped onto the creaky old stairs.
"Mommy—!!"
Several small heads poked out the door, identical, delicate, and beautiful faces, strikingly similar to Reina's—not just in looks but in their near-identical red hair. It was impossible to tell them apart.
Muxiao, hanging from the ceiling, studied the quintuplets. He couldn't distinguish them either.
"Yotsuba, Itsuki," Reina hugged the two girls who rushed to her, accurately identifying her daughters. "Mommy's fine now, don't worry."
"Is Mommy really okay?"
Ichika and the others piled on, bombarding her with questions and joyful expressions. Reina didn't explain much, just nodded with a smile. The girls, not understanding much, didn't press further, simply thrilled to see their mother healthy.
"Really okay?"
"I'm fine, fully recovered. I can even lift you now," Reina said, scooping up Yotsuba and Nino. "Let's go home—Mommy's cooking."
Leading her delighted daughters into their simple yet warm home, Reina glanced around, catching a fleeting shadow on the ceiling, and smiled.
"Pretty humble place," Muxiao thought bluntly. It's poor. Patched clothes, a basic bedroom and kitchen—this was Reina and her daughters' rented, rundown apartment.
Yet the meal was lavish. Muxiao, perched outside the window, didn't disturb their family time. Watching their joyful, heartfelt smiles warmed his heart.
Fruit, tofu, vegetables, fried chicken—not expensive but beautifully prepared dishes filled the table. A tentacle, unnoticed, sneaked over and swiped a piece of chicken.
Soon, the food-loving Itsuki noticed the missing food. Her eyes darted around, and she shouted nervously, "Mommy! Someone's stealing food!!"