"Because of you, I had to change into a high-collared outfit. Help me get dressed first. I'll punish you later." Kurumi Tokisaki chose a red high-collared qipao with daringly high side slits, paired with sheer white pantyhose and crimson heels, instructing Inori to assist her with dressing once again.
Of course, Kurumi could have erased the mark with her time powers—but she didn't.
Seeing the faint mark on Kurumi's neck now hidden by the high collar, Inori felt a pang of pain deep in her chest. The thought of Kurumi, dressed so beautifully, going on a date with Shu Ouma made her heart twist with jealousy and sorrow.
"As punishment, you'll be my little maid for the day. Go to the head maid and get yourself a pink maid outfit. I'm heading out first." Kurumi looked at her reflection in the mirror—serene, elegant, every bit the embodiment of charm. Dressed in the qipao, she had transformed into a true Eastern beauty.
But just as she was about to leave, a pair of trembling hands grabbed hers. Kurumi turned, frowning slightly as she met Inori's tearful eyes. "Inori, don't make me angrier than I already am."
"Kurumi-chan... Kurumi-chan..." Inori's voice trembled as she looked up, tears streaming down her cheeks. Moments ago, she had stubbornly refused to cry despite all embarrassment—but now she was sobbing uncontrollably.
Kurumi sighed softly. "You still don't understand my heart after all this time?" she said helplessly.
Her hand gently stroked Inori's head, her tone turning gentle. "Listen carefully—I'll only say this once. I don't like men. The reason I agreed to go on a date with Shu Ouma is because one of my clones, Origami, overheard something interesting. I'm just playing along with a plan. The date, the flirting—it's all fake. I'm only teasing him, nothing more. Understand?"
Inori nodded immediately, her tears vanishing as a smile blossomed on her face, her pink eyes lighting up with relief.
"Good. Then go get your maid outfit," Kurumi said, her tone rising again, the proud, imperious air returning to her face.
Inori nodded briskly, then hurried to the door, opening it and standing there quietly, waiting for Kurumi. The meaning was clear. Kurumi smiled softly, walking toward her in graceful strides. The red qipao shimmered as she moved, her every step radiating allure beyond mortal measure.
She lifted a finger and pressed it gently against Inori's lips, smiling playfully. "Since you left that mark on me, I won't erase it. But from now on, you'll have to use this mouth of yours to serve me properly."
Tilting her chin proudly, Kurumi looked every bit breathtaking before vanishing elegantly through the doorway—leaving behind Inori, blushing deeply, both hands covering her burning cheeks as a dazed, enchanted look overtook her face.
...
"You're not going to feed me weird street snacks again, are you?" Kurumi asked, dressed in a stunning red qipao, holding a small bamboo parasol painted with pine and cypress trees.
"I've learned my lesson," Shu Ouma said grimly. Just remembering how Kurumi had been reduced to tears—and Hare fainted in shock—made him feel like a victim of some massive conspiracy.
"This one's been really popular lately. Let's skip the snacks and go watch this movie instead." Shu pulled out two tickets and a promotional flyer.
Kurumi took the pamphlet and began to read aloud. "The Legend of the Four Divine Beasts—The most stunning, most thrilling film in history. A masterpiece that will leave you in awe from start to finish."
"What kind of advertisement is that? It doesn't even say what genre it is or mention the plot. It calls itself a 'masterpiece,' yet doesn't list a single actor." Kurumi frowned, clearly intrigued and skeptical.
"Four Divine Beasts? Never heard of it," Shu admitted. "The theater staff were promoting it like crazy, so I figured it must be good and bought the tickets without thinking."
"I've heard the Four Divine Beasts are part of Eastern mythology—the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, and Vermilion Bird. Maybe it's a mythological fantasy film," Kurumi mused.
"Sounds promising," Shu said, growing eager.
Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Tsugumi sat in a theater beside Segai, who was casually playing with his phone.
"The Angel will be delayed at the luxury district. We still have time. I want to see how your film turned out," Tsugumi said suspiciously.
"Be my guest. But don't expect us to stay and watch," Segai replied with a smirk.
And so, Tsugumi entered the dark theater alone—ready to see just how terrible their 'masterpiece' really was.
An hour later, the theater staff entered the cinema and carried out Tsugumi—her entire body pale gray, face gaunt, eyes unfocused, and expression hollow, as if her soul had fled her body.
The staff quickly began cleaning her up, clearly accustomed to this sort of aftermath. After twenty minutes, Tsugumi finally regained consciousness, though she still looked deathly ill, as if one strong breeze could end her life.
"You win... That was the worst movie I've ever seen. No plot, no meaning—just pure nausea from start to finish. Those so-called 'Four Divine Beasts'? Absolute trash, a total assault on sanity." She spat out the words before collapsing forward, fainting again. Segai merely shrugged, his face the picture of smug satisfaction, as if to say, Welcome to the club.
...
"What kind of gift do girls like?" Shu Ouma mused aloud. "Kurumi already has everything elegant and luxurious, so maybe something cute and simple would surprise her."
After a moment of thought, his gaze fell upon a small accessories stand along the street. Among the many trinkets, a series of tiny animal charms caught his eye—they were adorable.
"Kurumi, what kind of animal do you like?" Shu asked gently.
Kurumi tilted her head thoughtfully before replying, "Cats, I suppose. They're solitary creatures—independent, elegant, and content even when wandering alone on the streets. Dogs, on the other hand, are pack animals. A stray dog usually meets a tragic end. And besides, cats can be so cute when they're playful..."
"Kurumi, you really do like cats, huh?" Shu smiled as he listened to her chatter, then walked into the accessory shop. A kind-looking young woman behind the counter smiled warmly and reached up to take down the small cat-shaped charm.
"Shu-kun, are you buying something weird again?" Kurumi's tone sharpened instantly, her crimson eyes narrowing with suspicion. Shu didn't need to ask—yesterday's 'incident' had clearly left a psychological scar.
"It's fine! It's just a cute little gift. Don't worry—yesterday was just an accident," Shu said quickly, turning back with a reassuring smile.
"Shu... could it be that you're actually that beast in human skin? Such a clean-looking face hiding such depravity," the shop lady said, her expression twisting into something strangely amused. Then, instead of the cat charm, she reached for another box that was already wrapped and tied with a ribbon...