"Eh? You mean the owner of that house is a true-born capital native? Oh dear, oh dear—that’s huge! I heard just the other day that the Imperial Princess’s sweetheart was somewhere down south. Could it be… she’s the Princess’s beloved?"

Mei Yige’s gossip instincts flared up out of nowhere. After swiftly checking in, she asked Larin if she’d ever seen anyone resembling the house’s owner—only to get handed royal scandal instead.

Gotta admit, it was wild gossip.

"I doubt it’s true, but she seems like she’d make a good roommate. That’s all for now, Sister Larin."

"Got it! If you ever need herbs or magic tools, just say the word, Mage-sama. I’ve got connections."

Larin slapped her chest, sealing the promise with a thump.

"Absolutely."

Smiling, Mei Yige bid Larin farewell, swallowed hard, and turned back to her new home.

Shiren was definitely not human.

She was certain: Shiren was a Demonic Being.

Her adventures with the Hero had made Mei Yige hypersensitive to demons. Though Shiren hid her aura well, Mei Yige still caught that faint trace of demonic energy clinging to her.

A demon hiding in this quiet town? Larin was right—Shiren had powerful backing.

*Official protection… I’m not risking the market square over this.*

That certainty had sealed Mei Yige’s decision to rent.

Again: the rent was practically charity. What more could she ask for?

Steel yourself.

Mei Yige pushed the door open again. Her new roommate still lounged on the sofa, legs sprawled carelessly—a picture of lazy ease.

*There’s no such thing as a free lunch. I just wonder what she’ll want from me…*

Wary of the world’s harshness, Mei Yige crept toward the sofa.

"Um… do you have any rules for roommates?"

Best to know the boundaries before getting kicked out for no reason.

"Oh? Just don’t get in my way. Help with chores. Kitchen and bathroom are free to use—I’m not picky."

Shiren yawned, glancing sideways at her new roommate. "And relax."

"A-ah, got it. How should I… address you?"

"Didn’t I already tell you my name?"

Shiren’s brow furrowed slightly. She slid off the sofa, stepping close to Mei Yige. "Tch. You’re tall."

Barely five-foot-two, Shiren tilted her head up, smirking coldly.

"Do I need to repeat my name?"

"N-no! I meant—what title should I use? Miss… or Sister?"

*She’s definitely older than me. All demons are ancient,* Mei Yige thought, falling back on stereotypes. Seeing Shiren’s widened eyes, she rushed to explain:

"Your rent’s so cheap—I want to show respect. Someone’s gotta set the hierarchy here. You… you can treat me like a servant if you want."

"Oh~ Is that so? Then why not just call me ‘Master’?"

Amusement flickered across Shiren’s icy face. This earnest fool actually *wanted* to be a servant? Perfect. She adored bullying the gullible.

"Master? Like that? Okay."

"Wait—you’re actually calling me that?!"

Shiren’s teasing jab backfired. Mei Yige’s dead-serious compliance cracked her composure.

"You’re not… a professional servant, are you?"

Mei Yige shook her head.

"If it makes you comfortable, it’s nothing. Paying just one silver coin a month for this huge, cozy house? I’d feel guilty otherwise."

It was just peace of mind. Like choosing between a handout and earning your keep—the more unequal the exchange, the harder it sat in your stomach.

"Make me… comfortable? I…"

Shiren sighed, defeated. "I just had an empty room. Needed someone to share chores. Don’t overthink it."

"How about ‘Miss’ then?"

"Absolutely not."

"Not ‘Master,’ not ‘Miss’… how about… ‘Master’?"

A bizarre impulse struck Mei Yige. The word slipped out—and froze Shiren mid-breath.

"?"

"*Master~*"

Mei Yige’s voice dripped with obedient sweetness. The title, rolling off such a striking beauty’s tongue, turned the ancient demon—accustomed to gorgeous mortals—into stone.

*How did she even land on ‘Master’? And say it so naturally?!*

She looked so young. ‘Little sister’ would’ve made more sense…

"So… you hate that too, huh…"

Mei Yige scrambled through old memories, searching for a title that’d please someone *and* feel natural on her tongue.

"Wait, I said don’t—"

"Daddy? How’s that?"

"*What?!* Sister, who *raised* you like this?!"

Shiren—the centuries-old Blood Demon who’d hidden in this town, killing and feasting sparingly, never caught—finally faced a cultural shock that crossed worlds.

"Just tell me what you *do* like! Please? Let me ease my conscience…"

The old Mei Yige would’ve choked on such a pleading tone.

But thirty years post-adventure in this world—and the Hero’s rookie mistakes—had long eroded any lingering pride or masculine bravado from her salaryman past.

What remained was pure, unfixable desperation.

"You… you—fine! If ‘Shiren’ feels awkward, just call me ‘Sister.’ I’m older anyway."

"Got it, Sister Shi! I’ll rely on you from now on."

No hesitation. ‘Sister’ rolled off Mei Yige’s tongue like second nature.

"Mhm. Go unpack. I’m napping."

*Can’t talk to her anymore. Something’s gonna break.*

Listening to Mei Yige’s footsteps fade, Shiren buried her face in a cushion. Slowly, she lifted her head, biting her lower lip.

"*Damn it. My appetite’s stirring… How does she call anyone ‘Sister’ so naturally? It’s cheating… If I want to eat her later, this’ll make it messy…*"

Agony.

Pure agony.

Great Lord Blood Demon Shiren lived here quietly, savoring the hunt—rarely killing locals, never leaving evidence. Taking roommates was just stocking the pantry and keeping the house occupied.

This time? She’d gotten someone delicious-looking… and absurdly entertaining.

*I’ll wait. No rush to eat her.*

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Mei Yige’s cool face calling her ‘Sister,’ ‘Master,’ even ‘Daddy’ (?!). This ancient demon couldn’t take it.

As Shiren drifted into troubled sleep, Mei Yige—delighted by her own victory—rolled happily on her new bed.

*I knew she was a sweetheart.*