"It hurts, it really hurts. Please, take off the handcuffs first..."

"Don't think I don't know you're trying to run. You little green tea bitch who loves getting pounded—is this how you like to date? You like swapping partners one after another? Let me show you what's what."

Xia Zhibai led Ruo Xiaoxi all the way back to her home via back alleys.

Standing at the door, Ruo Xiaoxi refused to go in no matter what, because she knew that once she stepped inside and the door closed behind her, she'd truly have no escape today.

But she wasn't as strong as Xia Zhibai. She was scooped up around the waist like a small animal, limbs dangling helplessly, and carried through the doorway. The door shut with a thud.

"Xia Zhibai, wait! Listen to my explanation—I really didn't mean to...!"

"Didn't mean to? You 'accidentally' went on a date with another girl, 'accidentally' started dating her, 'accidentally' kissed her, and 'accidentally' ended up in her room?"

"W-what? Xia Zhibai, you were stalking me! I'm calling the police!!" Ruo Xiaoxi struggled, her little legs kicking wildly.

"Keep acting. I'll watch how far you take this." Xia Zhibai pulled her down onto the living room sofa. The house was empty, eerily quiet.

Without further ado, Xia Zhibai began preparing herself. She picked up nail clippers from the coffee table to trim her overgrown nails, then tied her hair up high with a hair tie.

Not long ago, on this very sofa, Ruo Xiaoxi had leaned against her shoulder, saying she loved her more than anyone.

She'd been such a fool to actually believe it. If she hadn't happened to run into them today, she would've been kept completely in the dark by this little slut.

"Know why I left my pinky nail long? You've been too slick, lacking some discipline. I'm going to scratch you good so you'll remember how I feel—and think of me every time!"

"W-what? That'll hurt!" Ruo Xiaoxi's face went pale as she instinctively scooted backward.

The more Xia Zhibai thought about it, the angrier she got. She grabbed Ruo Xiaoxi by the shoulders and pinned her down on the sofa.

"Now you're afraid of pain? All that talk about loving me most, all those lies—is this how you love me? Were you having fun with that other girl?"

Ruo Xiaoxi's snow-white hair cascaded across the sofa like a waterfall. Scolded by Xia Zhibai, her big, dewy eyes filled with innocence as she murmured softly, "But I really do love you most..."

Xia Zhibai froze for a moment, then quickly shook her head to clear it. Not this time! That harmless, adorable act was her ultimate weapon.

"I almost fell for your innocent act again! Your sweet words won't work on me anymore. Who knows how many women you've said that to."

"O-only to you..." Ruo Xiaoxi lied. She couldn't help it—she needed words that would please girls and deepen their bonds.

Only when they grew close could she sneakily draw a little blood while they slept to fill her belly. Being hungry was truly unbearable—people who never worry about food wouldn't understand...

"How many girls have kissed those pretty cherry lips of yours?! How many women have those white-stockinged legs seduced? I'm furious, and you still won't admit it!"

Xia Zhibai felt a mix of love and hate. She grabbed Ruo Xiaoxi's ankle; those delicate, jade-like feet were like exquisite glass art, tempting her to hold them and toy with them as she pleased.

This fragile little cutie pinned beneath her was enticing in every way, making anyone fall hopelessly under her spell. That was what angered Xia Zhibai most—precisely because she loved Ruo Xiaoxi so much, she ground her teeth in frustration.

"You look so sweet and cute, just became a high schooler, yet you're already picking up bad habits, playing the green tea game like others, and still won't admit fault. You little green tea bitch—you need to be taught a lesson!"

"What green tea? They're all just good little sisters to me!" Ruo Xiaoxi remained defiant to the end.

"Still talking back? Explain yourself—why did you fall for another woman? Last week you were all lovey-dovey with me, and now you've flipped?" Xia Zhibai demanded sternly.

As for the reason, to Ruo Xiaoxi... it was because she'd already drained Xia Zhibai's blood!

She couldn't feed again for a while; a human body couldn't withstand the loss. But she'd get hungry again during that time, and without food she'd starve to death!

She'd only told one online friend about being a Vampiress—and that was after three years of chatting. She definitely couldn't tell anyone else.

Since she couldn't easily expose her identity as a vampire, she had to make up an excuse.

"Maybe... because she's prettier than you?" Ruo Xiaoxi said clumsily.

"Wha—" Hearing this, Xia Zhibai froze as if struck by lightning.

"No no, maybe she's gentler than you!" Seeing Xia Zhibai's expression darken, Ruo Xiaoxi immediately realized appearance was a bad angle and quickly switched excuses.

"..." Dark lines formed on Xia Zhibai's forehead. Her silence was even more unsettling.

"Maybe... she has bigger boobs? Longer legs?" Ruo Xiaoxi asked tentatively, shrinking back.

It was like stepping on mines blindfolded.

She couldn't say the other girl was inferior to Xia Zhibai and still claim to like her—that made no sense logically, and it wouldn't cover up her blood-draining; it might even raise suspicion!

But nothing she said seemed right! What to do!?

"Can't we... just date without being girlfriends...? Can I just crave your body (meaning your blood)!?"

That final line from Ruo Xiaoxi.

Completely enraged Xia Zhibai, who'd just been emotionally deceived. Like a candle dropped into oil, it ignited a blazing inferno!

"You little bitch! I'm going to discipline you thoroughly today until you learn your lesson!!!"

"Waaaaah!"

Before Ruo Xiaoxi could react, the entire loli was scooped up and carried straight into Xia Zhibai's bedroom. Helpless as a doll, she was tossed around at will.

"Tell me—who's prettier now!?"

"Kyaaa!!! Y-you! You're prettier!"

"Who's gentler? Who has bigger boobs and longer legs!?"

"Uwunya!! You do! You're better at everything!! Nooo! I said it, I already said it!"

From the locked bedroom came Ruo Xiaoxi's mewing cries. She'd never dare provoke Xia Zhibai again. Never had she imagined that as a tiny Vampiress of the vampire clan, the first thing she'd release...

—would be such intense Tidal Magic.