"L-let go..."

I could finally speak, but Qiuyuchen kept smiling as he stroked my chin, refusing to release me. Damn him! If I could move, I’d knock his teeth out—probably.

"Oh? That tone sounds just like Xia Bing’s. But why’s your face so different? Another one of that guy’s illusions?"

After all the trouble I went through to save him, he thought I was a witch’s fake? My fingers twitched slightly.

"I-I’m not Xia Bing. I was just asked to rescue you."

Qiuyuchen finally pulled his hand away, then froze for a moment.

"Ahahaha... You saving me like this? I should be saving you! These ears are cute—oh! And so soft. Are cosplay props this realistic now?"

Uh-oh. This tingling feeling... Stop touching! I was swaying on my feet.

"This tail’s insane too. Wear it in winter, skip the blanket. Wow! Feels better than cotton candy. Why’s your face so red? Sick?"

I couldn’t see my own cheeks, but they burned hot enough to fry an egg. Stop it! Don’t touch there!

"Huff... huff..."

"What’s wrong? Fever?"

"I said don’t touch there!!!"

Shame exploded inside me. I punched that pervert Qiuyuchen—who’d been fondling my ears and tail—so hard he flew ten meters, slamming into a wall.

"I-I never expected you’d be such a creep! How could I be blind enough to save you? Pervert! Creep! Hentai! Die!"

I didn’t worry or regret it. A monster like him could survive Laozi’s Eight Trigrams Furnace. All my effort entering this painting—for nothing!

"Whoa! Beauty, that punch wrecked my jaw."

"Hmph! Serves you right!"

"Hey, you know the way back, right? Sorry, I’m hopeless with directions."

"Tch! Aren’t you capable? Find your own way. A monster like you won’t die here. I’m leaving. Figure it out."

No way—he really couldn’t leave? Divine luck! Perfect. Let this body-molesting jerk stew here for hours—no, days! He won’t die. Let him reflect.

My body turned light and airy. Soul and spirit almost home.

Then something grabbed my tail.

"You’re so annoying! I said find your own way out. Let go of my tail!"

"Nope! Finally someone to lead me out. I’m starving! No food, I’ll die here!"

I wanted to kick this rude guy off, but his grip was so tight I felt weak, barely standing. Stop clinging!

Helpless, I dragged him out of the painting. Through pitch-black paths, my soul finally settled back into my body...

"Oh wow~ Never expected you’d look this good."

N-no! He woke too fast. I was still sprawled on him—awful position! Worse, my hair, ears, and tail were exposed. What to do? Kill him to keep quiet?

I scrambled off Qiuyuchen, standing aside. My face burned tomato-red. So embarrassing! Could I even beat him?

"Xia Bing, you were—"

"I-I-I’m not Xia Bing! Wrong person. I just look like her."

"How’d you get into my house?"

"Xia Bing gave me the key."

"Then you—"

"Her friend!"

"You—"

"My hobby!"

"Your name?"

Oh no—too many questions. How to invent a name now?

"Anyway, not Xia Bing."

My brain crashed. How could I say that? So naive. So inexperienced.

Qiuyuchen stared, scanning me up and down. Uncomfortable—like being stripped bare.

"Uh, but you look exactly like Xia Bing."

"No! I’m really not!"

"But—"

"I said I’m not!"

The door swung open. A chic lady in a white shirt and bag walked in.

"Auntie Cute, you’re back?"

"Mm. Headmaster scolded me again. So sad! Xia Bing, dinner ready? Starving. Heal my heart with your glowing cooking."

"Oh, I’ll go—"

Crap! Habit made me reply.

"Why dressed like this? This fox tail feels real. Cosplaying?"

Disaster! Everything exposed!

"Yeah, Xia Bing and I are cosplaying. Auntie Cute, rest up. We’ll handle dinner."

"Right. Exhausted. Lying down."

Cute Teacher left for her room. Only Qiuyuchen and I remained—awkward silence thickening.

"Xia—"

"I said I’m not! Problem?"

"Xia Bing! Inside? How’s it going? Need help? Just shout!"

Ugh~~ Shout your head off, Brother Moyan! Worst timing ever. Ruined!

That evening, we ate together. I’d returned to human form, but why did Qiuyuchen stare while chewing? How could I eat?

"Classmate Xia Bing, your makeup today was magic. Shame I didn’t snap your earlier look. Ta-da! Five comic con tickets. Me, my bestie, Yuchen—you take Xia Bing."

"The fifth?"

"Figure it out. Xia Bing, dress extra cute!"

What? Comic con? In my true form? God! Spare me!