"Don't get too excited yet... let go!"

An Li reached out, yanked me off her calf, and lifted me by the collar like a little chick. After a quick glance around, she set me back on the sofa.

"Sit properly and listen. Or I leave."

I instantly snapped back into that prim elementary-schooler posture and nodded obediently. "O-Okay, go ahead, go ahead."

"What's with the 'O-Okay'?" An Li frowned. "Let’s be clear—I know exactly what you were like back when you were a guy. I’ve seen your first impression. Don’t try acting cute with me."

I shook my head with a trace of grievance. "I’m not acting cute. It’s just... this new voice system. Some sounds come out unclear."

I’d meant to say "Oh," but it somehow twisted into "O-Okay."

Is *that* considered acting cute?

"Fine. Just don’t *deliberately* act cute."

I nodded eagerly. "Understood... re?"

...

She knew it wasn’t intentional—but messing up *right after* being warned felt suspiciously convenient.

An Li took a sip of water, pretending she hadn’t heard, and continued.

"First: following me isn’t safe. Wait—do you turn every 'le' into 're'?"

She *had* to clarify. If every sentence ended like that, she wasn’t sure she wouldn’t accidentally shoot this little loli someday.

"No," I said carefully. "Only in very short phrases... and only when it’s the *last* character."

Huh. Actually pretty strict conditions.

"Good. Barely acceptable." An Li’s shoulders relaxed. "You’ll follow me to work. If something happens? Blame your luck."

I rubbed my hands together. "What kind of work?"

"Didn’t you see last night?" She patted her smooth, fair thigh. "This is my work."

She wasn’t showing off her leg—she meant the spot where that massive-barreled revolver *should* have been holstered. The one pressed to my head last night.

A flicker of doubt: "But... weren’t vampires extinct? Why’s there still work?"

"I’m not *just* a vampire hunter. Dark creatures, bigger threats—if they cause trouble, I handle them."

Right. From what she’d said earlier, this world was *full* of them.

An Li pulled a stool close and sat facing me. "Dangers covered. Now the rules. We need ground rules."

*So many?* Others only get three.

I didn’t dare protest. Just nodded. "Go ahead."

"First: sleeping arrangements. You saw last night’s setup. No objections, I assume."

I froze. "N-No! I think I can... negotiate this?"

Sofa every night? My back would revolt.

"Are *you* suggesting *I* sleep on the sofa?"

"Not at all! Look—the bedroom bed’s huge!" I stood, tugged my oversized shirt hem, and spun. "I’m tiny now. We could... squeeze together?"

I’d woken up in only this shirt. The pants had pooled on the floor—waistband far too big. Thankfully, the shirt fell mid-thigh, revealing slender, fair legs.

Wait... if the pants wouldn’t stay up, the cheap boxers definitely...

And yeah, a definite chill down there.

"Don’t even *dream* it. You think I’d let you in my bed?" An Li sneered.

I blinked my crimson eyes innocently. "But I’m not a guy anymore."

Heaven knows—I just wanted comfort. In my current state—easily snatched as someone’s plush toy—*how* could I be scheming?

...Though hugging her thigh *was* smooth and supple...

*Ugh!* Focus! Survival negotiations!

"You’re *shaking* your head. Still think you sound convincing?"

An Li crossed her fair legs, radiating authority. "My rules. No debate. Oh—and your name?"

I shrugged. "Luo Xiao. The 'Xiao' in 'hero'."

"Too arrogant. Change it. More feminine." She didn’t wait. "From now on: Luo Xiaoxiao."

Same sound, softer tone, two characters—undeniably girlier.

"But... 'Xiaoxiao'? A bit much," I said earnestly. "You saved me, but that’s a personal attack!"

Sounds like a stage name. Seriously?

"It’s a cover name. Doesn’t matter. Besides—" Her gaze swept over me. "Where exactly are you *not* small?"

Speechless.

...She had a point. *Everything* was small now. Down there? Gone.

Could I really say, "I *wasn’t* small before"?

"Fine," I muttered, nodding. "Your call."

At least two "small"s might cancel out.

"Second rule: no deliberate cute acts. Other rules later."

"I’ll follow everything. But please..." I yanked my shirt hem down desperately. "Could you... find me panties that actually *fit*?"