The Fox Demon guided me all the way to a cosmetics store. Aside from scattered whispers and curious glances shot my way, the walk passed without incident.

“This young lady, may I ask—”

Before the shop assistant could finish, my eyes—now glowing deep crimson—flashed faintly. Her gaze turned hazy; the polite smile on her face melted into a vacant stare.

“Lipstick, foundation, eyebrow pencils—get me the most expensive set of each. One lipstick in every shade. Understood?”

The Fox Demon spoke through me in her own voice. As a being from millennia past, she knew nothing of modern cosmetics—her knowledge came only from sifting through my memories. And honestly? I barely knew more than “lipstick” and “eyeshadow.” So she just demanded one of everything, planning to test them later.

“Y-yes…” the clerk murmured softly, then hurried off to gather the priciest items.

“Hey! We agreed—no crimes!” I wrested back my mouth just enough to whisper. *One lipstick? Fine. But the whole premium lineup? That’s easily ten grand!* Walking out with that much unpaid… I’d go to jail!

*“Steal? Rob?”* the Fox Demon scoffed inwardly. *“Has this queen stolen or seized anything? No theft, no force—where’s the crime?”*

Unbothered, she picked up a display item covered in Korean script she couldn’t read. It looked like perfume. A press released milky liquid. She spritzed her wrist, sniffed—

“Achoo! What *is* this? This scent gives this queen a headache.” With a grimace, she tossed it aside.

“Taking things against someone’s will is robbery… Just buy one thing… plea—" My voice shrank to a whisper. While I spoke, her control tugged my hand upward—slowly hiking my skirt hem. One more word, and she’d bare me right here in public.

*“What was that? This queen didn’t catch it.”*

“I said… whatever makes you happy…” I forced a strained smile. Against her threat, I crumbled instantly.

*Wah…* Seventeen years as a model citizen—no theft, no bullying, reputation spotless. Ruined. By this fox demon. Forced into a dress. Made to swindle. *Please, let no one find out… or it won’t just be my conscience.*

“Is anyone here?”

*Of course.* The door chimed. That voice… familiar…

“Senior Shan!”

I spun around and gasped. *Yushan?! In a cosmetics store?! Is he… also into cross-dressing?! He can’t recognize me! DOOM!*

*Stay calm. Stay. Calm.*

“Who called me?” Yushan glanced around, baffled. He never suspected *me*—in skirt and stockings, looking every bit a girl, yet the shout had been my natural voice.

“Strange… No staff?” He turned. Our eyes met. He froze, scratched his head, and stepped closer.

*Oh no oh no oh no!*

*“Don’t panic. Your test begins now.”* A faint smirk played on the Fox Demon’s lips; crimson eyes glinted.

“Young lady… you look familiar. Have we met?”

Cliché? Absolutely. The kind that makes girls roll their eyes.

But my heart hammered like it’d burst. My face burned. *Flustered. Charmed.*

*HEAVENS. I’m blushing over Yushan?! The gaming otaku who picks his nose in class and scratches his butt after school?! I’M DONE.*

“Um… I’m Su Su’s fraternal twin sister. I’m Su Su too. You must’ve seen my brother?” The Fox Demon softened my voice, cheeks flushed—a picture of shy innocence.

“Twin sister? I only heard he has a cousin…” Yushan blinked, scanning me again—his gaze lingering half a second too long on my legs.

“He’s just shy…” she murmured sweetly. “Our parents divorced. We rarely meet. So he calls me his cousin outside the family. Heh… such a silly older brother.”

Her voice dripped honey—delicate, dreamy. Even *I* almost believed I had a sister this cute.

“Ahem! I’m Yushan,” he finally stammered, straightening up. “Su Su’s deskmate. His closest, most trusted friend.”

“I’m Su Su,” I whispered, head down, fingers twisting the hem. “Brother said he’d introduce me to a boyfriend today… named… Yushan… I think…”

*Kya… Kawaii…* I melted inwardly. *I just got charmed by myself.*

————————————————————

Not far down the street, Class Monitor Hanhan gripped a weathered ancient compass, eyes locked on its trembling needle.

“The demonic energy… identical to what’s clinging to Su Su. That demon *has* come out to cause trouble!”