Watching messages pop up one after another on Zhou Jiuyu’s phone—chats with her so-called “best friend”—the arrogant expression on Akizuki Airi’s face froze solid.

Slowly, it melted into silence.

She averted her prying gaze, bit her lower lip lightly, and sat quietly in the chair, head bowed.

Zhou Jiuyu wasn’t about to let her retreat like that. Why did he agree to add that little “green tea,” Lu Simo, in the first place?

He turned to Airi with a smile. “You’re covering for your friend, smoothing things over… but she doesn’t seem to see you as one.”

Airi kept her head down, pulling out her hair tie. Her smooth golden hair cascaded to hide her turned-away face.

“I… I know.”

Zhou Jiuyu raised an eyebrow slightly, amusement deepening. “Surely no one’s being a simp? Wait—simps at least have friends. Airi-chan… you don’t even have one?”

“No way, no way, right?”

“Urusai! Shut up! Who are you calling friendless!” Airi glared at him.

“Then open your contacts. Let me see the prowess of ‘Master Airi,’” Zhou Jiuyu chuckled.

“Mmph…” Airi’s expression stiffened again.

But Zhou Jiuyu just smiled wider.

“Whether I have friends is none of your business!” Airi huffed, turning away, refusing to look at him.

Leaning back in his chair, Zhou Jiuyu murmured playfully, “Someone’s shedding little pearls~”

In his sightline, Airi’s hands clenched tightly on her thighs. A faint, barely-there sob trembled in the air.

The once haughty brat was utterly speechless.

Broken. Completely shattered.

“But… I can be your friend, Airi. A real one.” Zhou Jiuyu spoke again—softly this time, no smile.

Airi’s fists loosened. After a long pause, she turned to him.

Red-rimmed eyes. Tear tracks at the corners.

“Y-you’re serious?” Her gaze held embarrassment… and a flicker of hope.

“Yes. But you must accept one condition. No exceptions, or I won’t be your friend.”

“Y-you pervert! I knew you were up to something!” Airi snapped, turning away again. “Who wants to be friends with you! I’d never agree to a creep’s demand!”

“Then forget I said it.” Zhou Jiuyu slipped his headphones back on and settled in.

Airi stayed silent the rest of the ride.

“…”

Soon, the high-speed train arrived.

They walked out together—wordless. Airi trailed behind him, head low, lip caught between her teeth.

Just as Zhou Jiuyu raised a hand to hail a taxi, Airi stepped forward and blocked his path.

He removed his headphones, watching her silently.

Her face burned with shame and shyness. Fingers twisted her skirt hem. Lips pressed tight. Words stuck.

“What do you want? Don’t block me. We’re not close. Don’t think you can hitch a ride.” He moved to leave.

“W-wait…”

She tugged his sleeve, lifted her chin—determination warring with crimson blush.

“J-just state your condition… as long as you’ll be my friend…”

She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing like she’d be violated next.

*I’m going to be tainted… He’ll make me his slave… I’ll become nothing but a plaything…*

Damn it!

But… no choice. She wanted a friend. Someone to talk to. She had none.

“Delete Lu Simo. And her boyfriend. One’s rude. The other’s a ‘green tea bitch.’ Friends like that drain your spirit—they don’t heal it.” Zhou Jiuyu smiled.

This time, the smile drew no glare, no scoff, no cold huff—only stunned silence.

“This… is your condition?” Airi whispered, disbelief softening her voice.

“What else? Real friends don’t watch you waste time on trash,” he said plainly.

“I… I thought you’d make me your… toy…” Airi murmured, face flaming.

Zhou Jiuyu almost facepalmed. He let out a low chuckle. “I’ll leave it to you to decide who the real pervert is.”

“Die!” she hissed, cheeks blazing.

A moment later, gaze dropping, teeth releasing her lip, she clutched his sleeve and whispered, “You… thank you…”

“‘You’?” Zhou Jiuyu arched a brow.

“J-Jiuyu-kun… thank you.” Mortification flooded her.

That morning, she’d despised this stranger moving into their home—cold, haughty. Now… calling him *Jiuyu-kun*? Aaah… damn it!

Zhou Jiuyu walked behind her, watching her flustered yet hopeful expression. A faint smile touched his lips.

*Heh… so easy.*

This psychological play beat any pink spray or forced assault. Let her realize she chose it—then sink deeper. The shame of willingly lowering her own boundaries… the blush of her own quiet corruption… that was the real thrill.

Why do brats act so arrogant?

Lonely. Friendless. It’s the only way they know to be seen.

So… correcting that arrogance… wasn’t that also a kind of *training*?

Zhou Jiuyu considered himself a genius.

…

Not long after, they reached home.

Marina Tsukizuki blinked in surprise at Airi trailing Zhou Jiuyu so obediently—their quiet harmony like a shy new couple.

“G-good night… Jiuyu-kun…” Airi whispered from behind the half-closed door, hiding her petite, curvy frame.

“Good night.”

Zhou Jiuyu smiled gently and closed the door.

Marina watched her sister’s oblivious, silly grin. Her expression shifted—brows furrowing, eyes narrowing. Was that… hostility?

What passed between the strange sisters outside, Zhou Jiuyu—already in bed—would never know.

He cared far more about what that silly maid of his was thinking.

Eyes closed. Memory of last night’s black-stockinged foot stepping from the bathroom.

He drifted to sleep…

… and back into dreams.