Yueci Porcelain and Nishikino An had already reached their reserved private room.
Unlike the gleaming gold signboard outside, the interior was understated yet luxurious, radiating a rich, ancient elegance.
Since it was a two-person reservation, only two antique chairs sat slightly drawn together inside the booth.
A waiter swiftly filled the round table—occupying most of the room—with dishes.
Soothing music played softly. The amber lighting cast an intimate glow.
Yueci glanced at the food, then at Nishikino An, a flicker of confusion in her eyes.
She knew perfectly well that—
Nishikino An had already uncorked a bottle of premium red wine. The translucent crimson liquid slid down the glass walls, its ethereal trickle echoing through the quiet room.
"Shall I uncover the dishes for you?"
The door remained ajar. The waiter tapped politely, bowing slightly as he asked.
"No need."
Nishikino An lifted her wineglass, swirled it gently, and took a small sip.
"Enjoy your meal."
The waiter bowed again before closing the door behind him.
"Care for a taste?"
Nishikino An leaned back casually in her chair, dangling the wineglass near Yueci’s lips.
The rich aroma of wine enveloped Yueci’s senses.
She shook her head. Last time’s hangover had lasted hours. Her curiosity about alcohol had long faded.
Nishikino An had only been teasing. She withdrew the glass with a smirk, took another sip while tilting her head, her eyes slanting toward Yueci.
"Ordered so much. Can you finish it all?"
Yueci eyed the dishes worriedly. Plates covered nearly the entire table—at least a dozen.
But Nishikino An knew she didn’t eat ordinary human food…
So what was this about?
"Wanna lift the lids?"
Nishikino An arched a brow, eyes crinkling with mischief.
Every time she wore that expression, Yueci sensed trouble brewing.
But it was just uncovering dishes. What could go wrong?
Yueci reached for the nearest lid.
Strange—it felt cold.
Shouldn’t freshly cooked dishes be steaming hot?
Unless… this was meant to be served chilled?
She lifted the lid. Crimson flooded her vision—pig’s blood.
Stunned, she uncovered the next dish—duck blood. Then chicken blood. Goose blood.
Half the table held bowls of animal blood; only a few were normal dishes.
*Pfft…*
Nishikino An burst out laughing at Yueci’s dazed expression.
She knew a thing or two about Bloodlines. They rarely ate human food—it passed through them undigested, vanishing as if into thin air.
Though they craved human blood, animal blood was technically edible. Just far less efficient.
Human blood replenished a hundred units; the same amount of animal blood gave only ten or twenty.
Taste varied too. But when feeding, Vampires always prioritized human blood.
One could get *full* on blood alone.
"Well then," Nishikino An said, satisfied by Yueci’s shock. She picked up her chopsticks and served herself ordinary food. "Shall we begin?"
After the initial shock faded, Yueci didn’t get angry. Instead, she felt intrigued.
She’d never tasted animal blood before. Only Nishikino An would think up such a bizarre, amusing idea…
Yueci had always been drawn to untried novelties.
She might never try them twice—but before tasting? She wanted to try *everything* once.
A while later…
"Excuse me—I’ll be right back."
True to her no-waste principle, Yueci had finished every blood dish. She smacked her lips, savoring the aftertaste.
Definitely not trying these again.
Some had decent texture, but to her refined palate? They fell short.
Though careful, a few drops had splattered her clothes.
After informing Nishikino An, Yueci followed signs to the restroom.
Washing her hands, she checked her clothes for stains. Clean.
She left the restroom, heading back to their booth.
A girl brushed past her in the hallway. A faint lotus fragrance lingered in the air.
Yueci instinctively turned. An elegant figure in Light Private High School uniform walked away.
*Odd to see a Light student here… but not impossible.*
Yueci blinked, shaking off the thought, and continued toward her room.
—
The girl entered her own private room, where an equally poised woman sat waiting.
She appeared forty, yet time had barely touched her face—flawless skincare hid her age. Dressed in a tailored white suit, she looked sharp and statuesque.
But a jade hairpin coiled her hair back, softening her aura with classical grace.
"This place has been around for decades…" The woman scanned the room’s antique wall carvings, nostalgia in her eyes. "Haven’t been here in years."
She folded her hands on the table, her gaze gentle. "Yukiho, how’s school? Anything interesting lately?"
Yukiho Doi propped her chin on her palm, elbows on the table. Her cat-like eyes sparkled playfully. "Mmm… while you were away, a new scholarship student joined us."
"Quite pretty too." She grinned.
"Oh?" The woman feigned surprise, hand to her mouth. "Prettier than my daughter?"
"Mooom!" Yukiho turned away, flustered.
Before the woman could reply, her eyes caught something.
"Hm?"
Eiko Sakurai frowned at the slightly open door.
Voices drifted through the gap—drawing closer.
"Oh my…" Eiko’s lips curled into a knowing smile. "That sounds just like Officer Nishikino~"
"You know a police officer, Mom?" Yukiho asked, curious.
"Heh… she handled several cases involving me." Eiko tilted her head, rising with a warm smile. "Let’s go greet Officer Nishikino."
