Yi Xiao stared, utterly dumbfounded, as the little demon used his own voice and tone to do exactly what he’d wanted—but never dared—to do:

"Um… Thanks for checking in. I was just about to eat… Hey, Xiaoyue, are you free tomorrow morning? I’d like to invite you over… Yeah, tomorrow morning. Maybe stay for lunch too… Convenient? Great! Let’s meet at nine tomorrow at the east end of Guandu Bridge… See you then."

Yi Xiao stood frozen like a statue, watching the entire invitation unfold. He wasn’t unwilling to stop it—he simply couldn’t move, couldn’t speak—until the demon shoved the phone back into his hand. Only then did he regain control.

He glanced at the phone, then at the little demon before him. Anger simmered inside, but he dared not speak. This was a being he couldn’t afford to offend—a flick of her finger could end him.

Still… this meant he could no longer avoid confessing tomorrow. In a way, it was for the best. As his deskmate Luo Ling had said: time to face his feelings like a real man and speak his heart.

"Done." Ling Luo clapped her hands, as if she’d just conquered a dragon. "Tomorrow, go to the meeting spot and pick her up. After that? Just follow my lead."

"I… I understand. But…" Yi Xiao trailed off.

"But what?"

"N-nothing…"

Yi Xiao’s home was near the east side of Guandu Bridge—and she’d chosen that exact spot. No coincidence. *How does she know where I live?* He wondered silently. Didn’t dare ask. Her temper was unpredictable. One wrong word, and he’d regret it.

"How strange," Ling Luo muttered. "Anyway—bye. See you tomorrow." She waved and turned to leave.

"Wait! I don’t even know what to call you."

"Oh. Right."

Ling Luo froze. Telling him "Ling Luo"? Unacceptable. She was a legendary Succubus now—she needed a name with gravitas.

That thought instantly ignited her utterly useless chuunibyou spirit.

Arms crossed, striking what she deemed a supremely dignified pose, she declared with theatrical solemnity: "Since you have asked with such sincerity, I shall graciously bestow my name upon you! I am Lilim Doragon Bureshika Stella Monroe! Etch this glorious name into your memory with gratitude!"

*(Lilim was a classic Succubus name. Doragon? Japanese for 'Dragon.' Bureshika? Short for BloodSeeker—aka Blood Demon. Both epic fantasy titles. Stella Monroe? Pure nostalgia: Stella, their ancestral surname; Monroe, Mom’s old nickname for her—mocked once for sounding like a faded Hollywood star. "Never forget your roots," they said… though that felt oddly human for a demon.)*

Catching Yi Xiao’s pitying, *are-you-okay?* stare, she cleared her throat. "Ahem. For a mere mortal, my full name is… a lot. Just call me Lady Lilim."

"Y-yes, Lady Lilim," Yi Xiao replied respectfully. *Do demons really have names this long? And so… chuunibyou?*

"Today’s work is done. Bye."

"Goodbye…"

Yi Xiao watched her vanish into the darkness. He exhaled—a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. Yet the whole encounter still felt surreal.

————

After a few steps, Ling Luo turned invisible and took flight. Night had fallen. Walking home as a little girl meant unsafe streets. Shifting into a boy’s form? Safer, but magic-draining. With hunger already gnawing at her, every drop of magic mattered. Flying? Efficient. Fast. Safe. Perfect.

Back home, she spotted her mom’s high heels neatly placed on the rack—Mom was back.

Stepping out of the entryway, she saw Mengya carrying a dish from the kitchen.

"Uh… Mom, you’re back?"

"My sweet daughter’s home! Dinner’s ready. Wash up and sit!"

"Okay!"

Hunger sharpened her appetite. She knew mortal food wouldn’t fill her demonic void—but whatever. Eat first!

They sat down. A warm, cozy scene… if not for the delicate wings and swaying tails adding a surreal twist.

Mengya ate little, mostly watching Ling Luo devour everything with joyful gusto, a soft smile on her lips.

Only after the last dish was cleared did Mengya ask, "Still hungry?"

Ling Luo glanced at the empty table and nodded sheepishly.

"Want more, dear? I’ve got plenty right here—" Mengya tapped her cherry-red lips. The meaning was clear.

"N-no! I signed a demon contract today. Once I fulfill his wish tomorrow, I’ll get spiritual energy soon," Ling Luo stammered, cheeks flushed.

"Oh? Already secured one? My daughter shines!" Mengya beamed, making no move to offer more.

"It was… not too hard," Ling Luo said, rubbing her nose—a telltale sign of flustered pride.

"Rest well, sweetheart. Mommy’ll wash up."

"Mom, you cooked! I’ll do it!"

Before Mengya could protest, Ling Luo swiftly cleared the table—tiny hands and nimble tail working in sync. Her tail, now as reliable as a third hand, made washing dishes faster than ever. Spotless bowls were stacked in minutes.

Returning to the living room, she sat beside Mengya on the sofa.

"Mom… there’s something I’d like to discuss with you…"