It was just before eight in the evening, not yet bedtime. Houichi Matsubara and Natsumi Sakura had once been close childhood friends, so it wasn't odd for him to visit at this hour.
Since the school invasion incident, everyone knew Houichi's intentions and feelings toward Natsumi—even her mother could see it.
But the situation had flipped.
Before, Natsumi had a crush on Houichi. Now, he was the one relentlessly pursuing her. Unfortunately, after Natsumi fell for Muxiao Xiao, his efforts were too late.
Of course, Houichi didn't think it was too late. No matter what Muxiao was, he was a bizarre, misshapen creature. Natsumi would surely come to her senses!
"Mm—"
A strange sound startled Houichi outside the door. It sounded like Natsumi, but her voice was… odd, almost sultry.
"Summer, you in there?"
"Phew, Houichi, do you need something? It's late… mm~"
"Tomorrow's your first day at the new school, right? I thought we could chat…"
"Mmm…" Natsumi struggled to suppress her voice. To Houichi, separated by the door, it was muffled, but something felt off.
"I'm… busy right now."
She truly was. Behind the door, her room was filled with a pink, intimate, and romantic atmosphere. The beautiful girl unleashed her charm, her face radiant with spring-like allure.
And with Houichi knocking outside, it felt… even more thrilling!
Outside, the young Houichi had no idea what his childhood friend was doing, unaware she was blooming in a tentacle monster's embrace. If he knew, he'd probably collapse in despair.
Even so, the faint sounds from inside gave him a bad feeling, his heart pounding inexplicably.
Inside and outside the door—two different worlds, two different moods, two different… fates.
"Summer, what are you doing?"
"I… mm, nothing. Let's talk tomorrow. I'm about to rest… ugh."
Houichi snapped alert. Wait, is it just Summer in there, or is that monster with her? The realization hit, paired with her reluctance to open the door.
Her evasive, dismissive tone.
And those unclear moans…
Houichi's mouth fell open, his heart clenching. He pressed his ear to the door, straining to hear, but it was still too faint.
"Ah—!"
Natsumi's sharp cry rang out, then silence. Houichi's jaw dropped. In that moment, he had the urge to barge in, but he knew doing so would shatter not just any chance with her, but their years of friendship.
Maybe I'm overthinking?
Maybe it's a misunderstanding? She could just be putting on makeup, getting a massage, or exercising…
Rubbing his face, Houichi tried to calm his pained expression. He stood at the door, dazed, unsure whether to barge in or leave, tormented by his bitter emotions.
"Houichi, want some tea?" Natsumi's mother called from downstairs. Houichi nodded, gave Natsumi's bedroom door one last deep look, and turned to go.
In that moment, hearing her mother's voice, he briefly wanted to tell her the truth. If he did, and she stormed in, the truth would be revealed.
Her family would never let her stay with a monster.
But Houichi didn't dare. Recalling Natsumi's cold expression and intimidating aura that day, he had no doubt that if he did this, it wouldn't just end their friendship—she'd hate him forever.
From childhood friends to enemies.
Swallowing his words, his face twisted in anguish.
Seeing the boy who'd grown up with her daughter so dejected, Natsumi's mother shook her head helplessly. She hadn't expected this. Houichi's feelings for Natsumi were so obvious.
Yet now, Natsumi loved someone else.
Such a pity…
In the room, the passionate fire had settled. Natsumi sprawled lazily on her bed, enveloped in the scent of intimacy, her face glowing with lingering affection.
Her eyes sparkled with joy and deep happiness.
A stark contrast to the forlorn Houichi downstairs.
"Muxiao," Natsumi suddenly looked up nervously, her disheveled hair spilling over the sheets, beautiful and seductive yet tinged with panic. "I… could I get pregnant? Will I…?"
She touched her stomach, anxious and conflicted.
"Don't worry. I'm not like those perverted monsters. Forget reproductive isolation—my terrifying genes mean you won't get pregnant."
Oh.
"Never ever?"
Hearing "reproductive isolation," Natsumi didn't relax but felt a twinge of disappointment.
"…"
Muxiao dodged the question, unsure what he'd evolve into later. He changed the subject. "You really not going to see the guy outside? He's your childhood friend."
Facing Muxiao's question and his exaggerated expression, Natsumi nestled into her pillow, gazing at him softly. "Muxiao, do you want me to see Houichi?"
"You said he's just a regular friend, and I trust you."
It wasn't flattery—he genuinely trusted her. Natsumi couldn't describe the feeling. She wanted Muxiao to be jealous out of care, but his trust felt good too.
"I don't know why… I still see Houichi as a friend, but him coming every day is getting annoying. Being hounded by someone you don't like is such a bad experience."
She kicked the sheets with her dainty feet, her cute toes curling around them. "I never imagined I'd get tired of Houichi… Muxiao, do you think I'm a cold girl? Will you hate me?"
Natsumi worried.
"If you were like that with me, you'd definitely be a cold, bad girl. But with others," Muxiao's tentacles clapped, grinning cheekily, "I'd be thrilled, not hate you."
"Ugh, you're so biased, Muxiao," Natsumi giggled, delighted. "Don't worry, I'd never get tired of you."
"But I'll be at the same school as Houichi… ugh, I hope he faces reality soon. I've told him so many times, but he won't give up."
Glancing at Muxiao, then at her door, she blushed. "I wonder if Houichi heard anything just now."
Embarrassed, shy.
"Should've been louder."
"…"