At night, a black sedan sped along the highway. Reina gripped the steering wheel with a serious demeanor, skillfully navigating curves, her posture focused and composed.
But a closer look revealed that the seemingly solemn beauty's exquisite face was flushed, her features vibrant with lingering afterglow.
Reflecting on it, Reina couldn't believe she'd done such a thing—taking the initiative with Muxiao. This time, there was no incense or treatment excuse; it was purely for pleasure, an intimate act with him.
How to describe that feeling… Though embarrassing to admit, she was truly satisfied. Her newly recovered body couldn't last long, however, unused to such intensity after so long.
The shameful intimacy was something a woman like Reina wasn't accustomed to, especially nearly being caught by her daughter. She put on a stern face, deliberately acting cold toward Muxiao to express her dissatisfaction.
Even if I started it, Nino showed up, and he still let me embarrass myself… He did it on purpose.
Muxiao, lounging in the back seat, ignored Reina's resentment. Instead, he sighed wistfully, gazing at Tokyo's nightscape. "Feels like, in the end, Shima Izuki got her way."
"What?"
"Miss Izuki recruits believers, pulling you into the cult to get us to do this kind of thing—to turn the Himegami Society into some erotic cult," Muxiao said, tentacles covering his face. "We schemed to take her secretary role, but it still played into her hands."
Impossible to guard against.
"No wonder she didn't care about losing her position. She probably knew you'd end up like this as my secretary."
We fell for it.
Shima Izuki, that scheming woman.
"It's fine to let things happen naturally," Reina said, unperturbed, glancing at the rearview mirror. "What I did… was my choice, voluntary, nothing to do with her."
"Miss Izuki thinks I'll fall into a pit of desire. If this is falling, I'm willing—as long as I stay true to myself."
"Reina…"
Muxiao's cartoonish eyes sparkled with effects, gazing at her warmly. "You say I'm good with words? Your talk of love is just as heart-stirring."
"Was that a love confession…?" Reina averted her gaze, cheeks burning, hands unsteady on the wheel, heart pounding. Is this what falling in love feels like? Like she was back in her shy schoolgirl days. Despite Muxiao being a tentacle monster, he sparked romantic flutters in her.
Watching Reina's shy avoidance, her face glowing with affection, Muxiao couldn't focus on Izuki's schemes anymore.
Reina's just too beautiful.
Damn you, Izuki, picking such stunning women to join the cult, messing with my resolve!
Sighing inwardly, Muxiao sneakily extended a tentacle under the seat, brushing her thigh. Reina shivered, flustered and annoyed. "Muxiao!"
"Ahem, your shy look was too much…"
"Stop it! Leader, this is workplace harassment," the driving woman said, embarrassed yet amused, her lips curving upward. "I'm heading back to the cult tomorrow. Want me to pick you up?"
"Sure, I'll go with you."
Mainly, he worried she'd face trouble at the cult, having just joined and indirectly crossed Izuki.
Reina seemed to sense his concern, her refined face smiling brighter. She didn't resist the sneaky tentacle caressing her thigh, letting it glide freely.
Good thing Muxiao's not that reckless while I'm driving… Blushing, Reina parked at the Sakura residence.
"See you tomorrow, Reina."
"Tomorrow…"
As Muxiao's figure vanished onto the rooftop, Reina patted her cheeks, still warm and tender. The night breeze cleared her mind.
"Phew…"
"I'm too old to act like a lovesick schoolgirl," she murmured, regaining her mature, composed demeanor. Glancing at where Muxiao left and then at her healthy body, she whispered, "A new… life?"
"Mom, I'm taking my food to my room."
"Summer, you've been eating in your room lately. Are you hiding something?" Natsumi's mother asked suspiciously.
"No way! I'm just… catching up on studies, eating while reading. I'm working hard, Mom!"
"Speaking of studies, Summer, there's something…"
Natsumi dashed upstairs with her food, her expression complex as she watched the tentacle monster eagerly devouring it. Propping her chin with both hands, she said, "Muxiao, I'm starting at a new school tomorrow."
It was just an excuse to study, but her mom actually made her go to school.
Understandable—after the school invasion, staying home to recover was fine, but she had to return eventually. Natsumi just regretted Muxiao couldn't join her.
Otherwise…
Living together and going to school, always side by side—wouldn't that be like being a married couple?
Muxiao had no idea her thoughts had spiraled to marriage. "School? A new one? That's good, better than staying home all day."
"But I can't be with you," Natsumi said, inching closer, leaning against him. "You can't come with me."
"Ugh, I'll visit you at school when I can. There aren't many survivors from your old school—they all transferred to the same one."
"Mm…"
Natsumi responded distractedly, her hands quietly caressing his round, meaty body, pressing her fragrant form against him, arms wrapping around, resting on his head.
Subtly, she rubbed her full chest against him. "Muxiao~~"
Her voice dripped with seductive charm, wordlessly hinting. Muxiao glanced at her. "Summer, you're so flirty. Be more reserved."
"What!" Natsumi's cheeks flushed, indignant. "I just cherish our time. I'm not some loose girl!"
Just then, a knock came at the door.
"Summer, you in there?"
"…"
Houichi Matsubara again? So persistent.
Natsumi was irritated—not because she hated her childhood friend. She'd said they couldn't be lovers, but friends were fine. She just disliked their private time being interrupted.
"Ignore him. Let's continue."
"Muxiao, love me~"