Ruo Xiaoxi also turned over to face her. "What thing?"

"I won't say exactly what it is, but it's a toy I call 'Little Cutie.' I happen to have two, and since you've become a girl, I thought... maybe you'd like to try it out?"

"I'm too old for toys. I'm not interested, unless it's a posable figure with detachable parts."

"No, no, anyway, just don't move when I touch you later. You'll understand right away," Ruo Tianxin whispered.

Ruo Xiaoxi felt her sister's hand reach over under the covers, unsure what she was doing.

But the next moment, her body suddenly jolted. She opened her eyes wide in shock, her pretty face flushing red as she stammered to her sister, "Y-you... how do you have these things!"

"Shh... shh! Keep it down, do you want to get us killed? Don't make such a fuss." Ruo Tianxin's face also turned crimson instantly.

"I'm going to tell Mom and Dad that their good daughter secretly bought..."

"Don't you dare say a word...! Keep your voice down!" Ruo Tianxin quickly covered Ruo Xiaoxi's mouth with her hand to stop her from speaking. "It's not like we're doing anything illegal. It's a secret, okay? A secret."

"Then why did you bring these things in your suitcase over here?" Ruo Xiaoxi lowered her voice. Some secrets were better kept from their parents, but between sisters, they were best shared and understood.

So, after a few seconds of surprise, Ruo Xiaoxi showed understanding. Girls had their own personal needs, after all. She just hadn't expected Xiao Tianxin to hide it so well; she was only finding out today.

Now she had a secret of her sister's in her hands, too.

"I figured I had nothing else to do, so I brought them along. If I left them at home and Mom or Dad happened to see them, that would be even worse. So... want to try? You can use it now too..."

"Please don't refuse, I'm begging you! Otherwise, I'll be too embarrassed to face you tomorrow and will just pack my bags and go straight home." Before Ruo Xiaoxi could even speak, Ruo Tianxin hastily added.

"If you know it's embarrassing, why did you even take it out!" Ruo Xiaoxi muttered softly at her sister.

She could feel her sister's careful nervousness, waiting for her reaction. She was probably already regretting her decision in her heart. What a dummy.

Alright, it's decided. I'll make you so embarrassed tomorrow that you won't dare look at me.

"Uwuu~" Ruo Tianxin let out a pitiful, coquettish whine. Ruo Xiaoxi, who had been about to refuse, suddenly felt her heart clench. This girl... she was actually acting cute at her.

No older sister could resist her younger sister's coquetry.

"Then... let's try? I've never used one before, so you have to teach me..."

"Okay! Just relax, otherwise it'll get squeezed out right away."

"Didn't you say you have two? Then you have to join in too. Otherwise, I'll feel like I've been tricked into doing this alone. If we're going to be embarrassed, let's be embarrassed together!" The two sisters were ready to go down together.

In the pitch-black room, who knew how much time had passed, but there were constant soft sounds.

"Wah! This thing!" Ruo Xiaoxi's sudden delicate cry broke the silence, immediately followed by Ruo Tianxin's muffled, uncontrollable giggles from under the covers.

"Big sister, your voice sounds so nice, like a little lark."

"What is going on? How do I..." Ruo Xiaoxi sounded flustered and at a loss.

"Hehe, the remote is right here with me. You're now a little pet completely under my control!"

How could she miss this chance to tease her properly? Ruo Tianxin turned ruthless, pressing the remote repeatedly. The little lark was nearly driven to sing out in melodious trills.

"Darn it, you stinky sister! I... I..." Ruo Xiaoxi activated her vampire abilities slightly. Her night vision instantly became crystal clear, and with swift reflexes, she snatched the other remote from beside the pillow.

Ruo Tianxin was startled, and it took her a moment to realize the other one had been stolen.

"Ah! Y-you actually stole it! Oh no!"

"Come on... meow! C-come on, let's hurt each other!" Ruo Xiaoxi's face was bright red. Holding the remote in both hands, she refused to back down, determined to fight Ruo Tianxin to the bitter end!

If the neighbors upstairs could hear, they surely wouldn't understand.

Why were two girls downstairs fighting over a TV remote with such fiery passion? Come to think of it, they used to fight over the remote just to watch TV when they were little, too.

When it came to competitiveness, the two of them were like childish kids.

Beneath that same moonlit sky, with its sparse scattering of stars—

In a study, a pretty young girl rested her forehead in her hand, looking troubled. As she stared at the growing pile of Student Council tasks on her computer screen with the start of the new school year approaching, she couldn’t help sighing.

She’d only just finished her summer homework. At last, she’d had a little time to spend with her girlfriend, just the two of them—but now a mountain of work was already piling up again.

Maybe I should quit the Student Council next semester…

Sigh. At least there’s nothing I can do about it right now.

Xia Zhibai reluctantly picked up her phone. Its wallpaper showed a cute white-haired girl holding two ice cream cones and smiling at the camera from a tilted angle.

Whenever Xia Zhibai saw that adorable picture of Ruo Xiaoxi, warmth and sunshine filled her heart.

This time, she’d explain properly that she was busy and would do her best to make time to hang out. Last time, she’d just disappeared without a word. How was Ruo Xiaoxi supposed to know what that meant?

Looking at the photo, Xia Zhibai’s heart melted.

So she decided to send Ruo Xiaoxi a good-night message.

Then she’d explain that she might be busy again for a while. She’d also have to find a way to send her a gift in return, to show how much she cared. That way, Ruo Xiaoxi would know she mattered.

Right. That was the way to do it. Just like… a long-distance relationship?

Xia Zhibai carefully typed out a long message to Ruo Xiaoxi, then checked it and hit send.

【A-Xi is gaming. She’ll reply when she sees this.】

Right away, an automatic busy-status reply popped up.

What game is she playing? She’s always up so late playing online games.

Xia Zhibai sent her a few more messages. A string of 【A-Xi is gaming. She’ll reply when she sees this.】 replies followed. Ruo Xiaoxi had probably left her status on by accident. At this hour, she was likely asleep.

Just as Xia Zhibai was about to put her phone down—

A reply suddenly came through—

"Sister Xia, A-Xi really is gaming. She’s about to lose, so I’ll reply to you in a bit!"

"…???"