"Yukiho-chan, over here～"

Hachisu Inori beamed sweetly, rising onto her tiptoes to wave at Yukiho Doi across the street, beckoning her into the boutique.

The high-end clothing store glittered with racks of expensive garments in every cut and style.

But "expensive" was relative—for these two girls, price tags meant nothing.

"Yukiho-chan, I think this dress would suit you～"

Hachisu’s eyes crinkled with warmth as she pointed to an elegant black satin gown.

Yukiho nodded. A nearby clerk immediately fetched her size.

Nestled in the heart of the luxury district, this mall catered exclusively to the wealthy.

Local elite circles rarely changed, so boutiques and shoe stores shared members’ measurements for seamless service and custom tailoring.

"Your birthday’s next week, isn’t it? I still haven’t ordered my gown～"

Yukiho’s gentle smile never wavered as she chatted casually.

For a zaibatsu heir like Hachisu, birthday galas were less celebration, more high-society networking.

Still, invitations had gone out to classmates—even acquaintances—near Hachisu.

Eiko Sakurai, as Light Academy’s principal, naturally received one too.

"There’s still time～"

"I’m *so* looking forward to seeing you in formal wear, Yukiho-chan～"

Hachisu covered her mouth, giggling, her eyes dancing with delight.

"Hm?"

A familiar figure flickered at the edge of her vision. Hachisu’s interest sparked.

"Anzawa-san?"

A voice like mountain springwater drifted from the store. Anzawa Kazuko froze mid-stride outside, then hurried back to the entrance.

Her eyes lit up when she confirmed it was Hachisu—but dimmed slightly at Yukiho’s presence.

For Ko-inori’s sake, she ignored Yukiho completely.

"Ko-inori! What a surprise! Shopping here too?!"

Anzawa bounded over in three quick strides, trembling with excitement.

Hachisu smiled, glancing at Yukiho’s subtly stiffened posture.

"I’m shopping with Doi-san～" She tilted her head, radiating warmth at Anzawa.

"Good evening, Anzawa-san."

Yukiho’s expression smoothed into perfect poise as she offered a polite greeting.

Anzawa forced a stiff nod back—manners demanded it, even for *her*.

"Hachisu-san, perhaps you and Anzawa-san should continue alone?"

"I just remembered—I haven’t fed my kitten."

Yukiho shyly covered her mouth.

"How careless of me... Mother won’t be home tonight～"

"If I’m late, she’ll go hungry～"

She signaled the clerk to ring up her selections; the items would be delivered shortly.

Hachisu’s gaze lingered on Yukiho, amusement deepening in her eyes.

*How fascinating.*

"Mm～ Take care on your way home, Yukiho-chan～"

"Don’t let your kitty starve～"

Hachisu’s smile was honey-sweet.

Watching Yukiho disappear down the street, Hachisu turned to Anzawa’s eager face.

Her own smile turned knowing.

"Well then～ Anzawa-san, shall we shop together～?"

---

Chaos.

Chaos.

Chaos.

Yueci Porcelain felt herself falling through utter darkness.

Her body felt alien, flesh and soul torn apart.

Her spirit seemed to fray at the edges—

Voices roared in her ears.

Her mind was pure static.

Yueci woke to chaos.

But awareness hadn’t returned.

Her soul hadn’t settled back into her body; her thoughts were formless fog.

The room should have been pitch-black—yet to her, it blazed like noon.

A rough concrete ceiling filled her vision.

Unkempt walls crawled with cobwebs.

A beetle skittered across her field of view.

Her mind held only blankness. No thoughts. No memories.

Deep night had fallen. Moonlight and streetlights streamed through a nearby window, illuminating her corner.

Her neck itched—a strange, rapid knitting of flesh.

Slowly, sensation returned to her torso, but her limbs remained numb.

Joints prickled as flesh regrew, section by section.

Thirst clawed at her throat.

Hunger gnawed her stomach.

When the growth finally ceased, she struggled upright, every muscle protesting.

Her mind was thick sludge, unable to focus.

She blinked at the sea of crimson rose petals covering her body. They slid away, revealing her completely bare skin.

Moonlight made her flesh gleam faintly.

Brow furrowed, Yueci forced her eyes to focus on the surroundings.

The chair holding the corpse sat far off—but she recognized this derelict building.

"Ugh..."

A wave of nausea crashed over her. She gasped on the floor, parched and starving.

A ravenous hunger surged from her core.

*Hungry.*

*Hungry.*

*Hungry—*

Before she realized it, crimson bled into her irises.

Two sharp fangs descended from her upper gums.

Trembling violently, she bit her lower lip hard.

Blood flooded her mouth.

Two thin rivulets traced down her smooth chin.

Just as hunger blurred her mind, footsteps echoed nearby.

*The killer... hasn’t left...?*

Yueci’s pupils contracted.

Her will dissolved. The approaching figure wasn’t a person—

It was *food*. Fragrant, warm, *delicious* food.

Vampire instinct seized her. Bloodlight flashed in her eyes.

She coiled, ready to pounce the moment it drew near—

But the figure didn’t give her the chance.

Instead, soft arms wrapped around her.

Clarity pierced the haze.

Gardenia-scented warmth filled her nose.

A tender, heartbroken voice murmured against her ear:

"Porcelain-san... are you alright?"

Moonlight spilled into the ruin.

Yukiho Doi’s cat-like eyes glistened like liquid amber in the silver glow.