The clock had ticked past 6:30 PM. The sun dipped below the horizon, stretching shadows long—including that of a certain little cutie standing on the rooftop.

"Could Yi Xiao really have chickened out at the last minute?!"

Arms crossed, Ling Luo scanned the area around the unfinished building, her toes tapping the ground restlessly. She’d waited nearly twenty minutes. Even with traffic, he should’ve been nearby by now. Yet no sign of him. Had he stood her up…?

The more she thought, the angrier she grew. Her cheeks puffed up like a balloon.

Just as she was about to snap, a figure emerged from the distant bus stop, striding quickly closer. As the distance shrank, she recognized him.

"Finally…" A weight lifted from Ling Luo’s chest. "Making me wait this long? You’re gonna get it later!"

She muttered the threat, but kept her limits in mind. Push too hard, scare him off—it wouldn’t be worth it.

Meanwhile, Yi Xiao hurried toward the skeletal half-built structure. He’d zoned out on the bus and missed his stop—proof of his lingering nerves.

"This late already? Gotta hurry, or it’ll be dark soon." He checked his phone and quickened his pace.

At the base of the building—bare walls, overgrown weeds, utterly abandoned—he hesitated. Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside.

"This place… feels like no one’s set foot here in ages…"

Silence hung thick, broken only by his echoing footsteps. His unease deepened.

"Feels like a courage test…" he muttered. "But if I pull this off… maybe I’ll finally have the guts to confess to her."

He cleared his mind and climbed resolutely toward the second floor. Twilight deepened inside.

"Gotta move fast, or the sun’ll vanish," he murmured.

He didn’t believe the urban legend—but as ritual, he’d follow it precisely.

"Face away from the sun… This spot works."

Confirming his shadow stretched beneath his feet, he turned his back to the fading light. His right hand dipped into his pocket and pulled out the coin he’d fiddled with all ride.

Just as he raised it to toss—hesitation struck. The deepening gloom stirred fear.

"Surely it won’t actually summon a demon… right?"

A scientific materialist he was, yet the unknown unnerved him. The swallowing darkness sapped his courage. He dared not close his eyes—what if something lunged out?

Staring at the coin, he whispered, "Am I really such a coward?"

Then—a familiar voice brushed his ear:

"Thank you…"

*Xiao Yue?!*

He whirled around. No one.

"Guess I’m so nervous I’m hallucinating…" He gave a dry chuckle.

But that voice—he knew it. The first words Lin Xiao Yue spoke after he caught her from tripping.

Whether real or not, courage flickered back.

Clenching the coin, he pressed his knuckles to his nose, took a sharp breath, and gently tossed it into the dark.

One second. Two. Three…

No clink.

*Didn’t throw it far… Why no sound? Is this place haunted…?*

Just as paranoia tightened its grip—a petite figure emerged from the shadows.

Jet-black twin tails swayed beneath bat-wing hair clips. A porcelain-doll face wore a mischievous smirk. A bulky headset hung around her slender neck. Her outfit—a tube top, micro skirt, black thigh-highs, long gloves—was undeniably revealing. And behind her, a slender tail swayed hypnotically, teasing his gaze.

*She’s… a little devil?!* Yi Xiao’s mind short-circuited.

She drew closer, twirling a coin. Stopped before him. He swallowed hard.

Looking up, she chirped in an adorably crisp loli voice, "Mortal, were *you* the one who summoned me?"

Her voice sent a shiver through him—but the coin she waved deliberately stole his breath.

*Is that… mine?!*

Stunned, he pinched his arm. *Ouch!* Not a dream.

"Hey! I’m talking to you! Don’t ignore me!" Ling Luo shouted, straining her neck upward. For a 140cm loli to crane up at a 184cm giant—it was torture. *Ugh. Even as a guy I had to look up. Now in my true form? What does this guy eat?!* she fumed inwardly.

"Uh… h-hello… Who are you?" Yi Xiao stammered, brain scrambled.

"Don’t play dumb. Weren’t *you* the summoner?"

"So… you’re the wish-granting demon?" He scratched his head, incredulous.

"Correct. State your wish. Now, mortal."

"Heh. Little girl, cosplay’s fun—but don’t get too carried away."

"You don’t believe me? Fine. Experience it yourself."

Ling Luo slashed her left hand downward. An invisible force slammed Yi Xiao into a crouch. His worldview shattered.

"Phew. Finally talk without craning my neck," she said, rolling her shoulders.

He tried moving—locked solid. Only his mouth worked.

"Th-this…"

"Humans always wear the same stunned face," Ling Luo sighed with feigned impatience. She leaned in, eyes locked on his. Pressure thickened the air.

"So? After *feeling* my power… do you believe me now?"

"I… I believe you…" Yi Xiao stammered, sweat beading on his brow.

"Good. No time to waste—let’s talk business."

*Snap.* The restraint vanished. He stood.

"Who said you could stand?!"

Her sharp yell made him drop back down. In that motion, he noticed her headset.

*Why does that look so familiar…?*

"I, uh… Did we meet this afternoon?" Yi Xiao ventured cautiously.

"Eh?!"