World Bubble.
The crimson moon outside the window hid behind the clouds, like a hazy, bloodshot eye.
In the bed, Yuexia, covered by a quilt, frowned tightly. Glistening beads of sweat formed on her forehead as if she were trapped in a nightmare.
"It's been so long. Is that guy even reliable?"
Dark Seele's incorporeal form leaned against the wall, her arms crossed, tapping her foot lightly.
After meeting Ye Feng in person, her opinion of him had only worsened.
"As long as we can get in, Brother Ye Feng will definitely have a way."
"Oh? You sure trust him a lot."
"...It's less about trust and more that Seele thinks Brother Ye Feng is amazing, like he can do anything."
"Huh? Isn't that an even higher evaluation? Hey, wait, what's that?"
The quilt covering Yuexia suddenly began to emit a bewitching red light, a light so penetrating it shone right through the fabric.
"Ah, it was a success," Seele said cheerfully.
However... her own light seemed to be brighter?
Seele had a strange feeling, as if there were some kind of resonance between them.
Yuexia slowly opened her eyes. The ferocity and crimson glow in them had faded. Though her pupils were still scarlet, they were now exceptionally clear.
Evidently, her reason had returned.
"Did I... drink blood again?" Yuexia murmured, staring at the ceiling, a trace of sorrow hidden in her eyes.
It had been like this ever since she ran away from her sister.
Yuexia would desperately force herself to hold back, but her body's instincts would effortlessly shatter her efforts. When she came to her senses, only the fresh bloodstains on the corners of her mouth could replace her memory and tell her what she had done...
"You didn't drink any blood," Seele's gentle voice reached her.
Yuexia turned her head to look at Seele.
It's her...?
Yuexia's mind was a bit muddled.
She felt as if every time she opened her eyes, she was in a different place.
It was a dreamlike, illusory feeling.
Seele said, "Miss Yuexia, your bloodlust impulse was really suppressed by Brother Ye Feng."
"...Suppressed?... Ye Feng?"
Yuexia remembered a man named Ye Feng who claimed to be her attending physician.
The young girl's fingertips lightly touched the area around her rosy lips, then she brought them to her eyes.
Thank goodness, it's not blood.
Did I really recover without drinking blood?
Yuexia's memory was hazy, but she felt as if something was lingering in her mouth...
It was very bitter, with a strong, fishy taste.
But... it also had a slightly sweet aftertaste.
Like a cup of high-quality tea.
Yuexia turned her head to look at the young girl before her, who was as clear as the ocean. From what she was saying, it seemed that Dr. Ye Feng had cured her bloodlust?
And I thought that guy was trying to take advantage of me. It seems I misjudged Dr. Ye Feng.
Did he give me some kind of medicine? Is that how he suppressed it?
"Where is Dr. Ye Feng?"
"...Eh? Brother Ye Feng isn't here."
Dark Seele couldn't help but chime in. "Don't you know we're shuttling between two worlds?"
"??"
Yuexia tilted her head.
What did that mean?
Seele was also surprised. "Miss Yuexia, you really don't know?"
"What am I supposed to know?"
"Well..."
Seele and Dark Seele exchanged a glance and began to explain about Ye Feng's world.
---o---
On the other side.
The sunflowers on the windowsill shelf turned with the sun.
By the messy bed in the hospital room, Mobius and Elysia had thoroughly exchanged their opinions and returned to their respective areas.
Ye Feng arrived at the church. Under the golden light, the voluptuous Aponia knelt before the statue of the goddess in prayer.
Aponia opened her eyes. Within her compassionate and tranquil pupils, a ripple of enchanting charm appeared.
"Little Feng."
"Don't get up. This is fine."
In the solemn and majestic church, beneath the statue of the holy goddess, Ye Feng skillfully rested his head on Aponia's lap pillow.
"Eh? Not here..."
"You always say that, Aponia. I'm starting to suspect you do it just to heighten the mood."
The answer, of course, was no.
No matter how much Aponia doted on Ye Feng, she could never forget her instincts as a nun.
This was her subconscious reaction.
It was Aponia's piety, a penitence akin to atonement.
Even after experiencing it countless times, the nun would still feel... sin.
But,
I sin ≠ I won't do it.
I repent ≠ I won't consent.
It wasn't just Aponia herself; even the church in her Deep End had long been stained with Little Feng's scent.
Ye Feng lifted Aponia's habit. Underneath was a layer of tight, black silk stockings, constricting her curves into a perfectly shaped teardrop.
"Aponia, why didn't you come earlier? Even if you don't like Snake, shouldn't you come see your best friend, Elysia?"
"Ngh... Little Feng."
Aponia's praying hands clenched tighter. She wore a pure white head veil, her eyes downcast, like a violated Madonna from a mural.
"Little Feng, don't make things difficult for me... Also, I do not dislike Mobius. It is just that our paths are different."
Aponia naturally knew what Ye Feng was thinking.
"Paths?"
Ye Feng blinked and smiled. "They certainly each have their own merits, but all roads lead to the same destination. And they're all very comfortable."
"..."
Aponia shot Ye Feng an indignant glare.
"Little Feng, this is a church. Don't always say such things... Ungh~~"
"Oh, then let's just do it."
Ye Feng applied a gentle, spiraling force.
The kneeling nun's body instantly tensed up. Her calves trembled, and the toes within her shoes and stockings first curled tightly, then shot out straight.
"...For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me."
Aponia murmured in a low voice.
The moment Mobius and Elysia had left the hospital room, Aponia knew Ye Feng would come for her.
But knowing this, the nun not only did not avoid him, but... she even felt a faint sense of anticipation.
"Mama Aponia, even knowing it will turn out like this, you'll still keep trying your best."
The nun caressed him lovingly. "Once, someone else said the exact same thing to me. At that time, she too rushed headlong towards a foregone conclusion. I could not change anyone. I could not save anyone. This is my sin. This is my fate. I will never flee from it."
"If that's the case, why are you hiding here? Do me a favor, Mama Aponia."
"..."
Aponia fell silent once again.
She knew very well what Ye Feng had come for.
In fact, from the very beginning, she knew what Ye Feng wanted to do most.
"Please, pretty please, Mama Aponia."
Aponia looked at Ye Feng's expectant eyes. She truly could not utter the words of refusal.
—This was her sin.
"Please... give me a little more time."
"Alright!"
Ye Feng shot up in excitement. "I knew Mama Aponia was the best to me!"
As for what it was they were talking about, although neither of them spoke of it, they both knew it in their hearts.
Of course, it was to throw a party.