"Rem… what did you just say?" Shichen blinked, wondering if he'd misheard.
"Rem said… I want to eat you, Shichen~." Rem gave him a playful smile.
"…"
Shichen slipped his arm from around Est and pressed the back of his hand to Rem's forehead. "No fever."
"Rude," Rem pouted.
"And this isn't a dream."
"Shichen, Rem is going to get mad."
"If you get mad, you won't be cute." He pinched her cheek—soft and smooth.
Rem's pretty, round face didn't have sharp lines; up close it was adorably chubby, the kind that made you want to knead and squish.
"Shichen, Rem is serious." Her blue eyes turned earnest in the dark as she held his gaze.
"Why?" he asked just as seriously.
"Because Rem can't hold back her heart anymore."
"Can't hold back…?"
"Mhm. Finishing off the Witch Cult today finally settled Rem's wish. That chance was something you gave me."
"The Cult is more than just that lot."
"It's fine—we'll take the rest slowly. But the feeling that I want to eat you right now… won't calm down."
"…Only you could say those two things in one breath."
"That's just Rem being honest~." She turned her cheek against his chest, rubbing happily.
"Honest, huh." He smiled at her.
"Shichen, do you not want to?" Rem lifted her small face, nervous eyes fixed on him.
"Rem's this cute and this forward—how could I not? But the setting isn't right~."
If Est and Betty weren't here, he'd already be answering Rem's initiative.
"It's fine~."
Rem grinned. "There are plenty of guest rooms. Rem cleaned one before bed."
"Planned this in advance, did you?" He tugged her cheek with a smile.
"Mm… I really can't wait~."
"If you can't wait… then a reminder: it won't be you eating me. It'll be me eating you."
"Mm!" She only nodded, delighted.
"Then take me there." He slid an arm around her waist and sat up.
Rem, in her nightdress, was soft and sweet-smelling. He could clearly feel she wore nothing underneath.
This world does have undergarments… right?
He hadn't noticed any on Emilia either.
He'd better prepare some for them; small now, perhaps, but they'd grow soon enough—shaping matters.
"So excited~." Rem couldn't help pecking him.
"In a hurry, huh."
"Heehee~."
They slipped off the bed; Rem took his hand and tugged him toward the door, steps light.
A bit too proactive.
He couldn't deny he was looking forward to it; with Rem offering herself like this, how could he refuse? Besides, the restraint with Emilia earlier had left him aching.
Still, initiative comes with a price—he'd show Rem what "terrifying" meant.
They ghosted out the door. Shichen glanced back at Betty, then closed it.
The moment it clicked shut, Betty rolled over and opened her eyes, pouting at the doorway. Rem's movements—how could they not wake her? She just pretended to sleep. Only carefree Est truly slumbered on.
Looked like it'd be the two of them huddling for warmth tonight. She'd half expected it, but Rem had moved even faster than last time.
And of course, last time, Shichen had handled things differently.
…
Rem chose the room next door. As she pulled Shichen inside, he quietly layered a barrier over the walls.
Her "singing" might get loud; best not to let it carry.
"Shichen…"
At the bedside, Rem finally grew nervous, a blush blooming—enthrallingly so.
"I'm not letting you run," he said, drawing her into his arms.
"I won't run… I just don't know why I suddenly got nervous."
"That's the normal part. You not being nervous earlier was what felt wrong."
"It wasn't!" she huffed.
"Oh? Want to take the lead then?"
"Rem take the lead? How?" she asked, dazed.
"Well… let's play it by ear."
"Eeeh~ tell Rem~." She wheedled.
"Nope, that's for you to discover."
"Mm…" She puffed her cheeks, miffed.
"Heh."
He poked them—they were so soft he couldn't help himself.
"Shichen… could you, um, bite Rem first?" she asked suddenly.
"Why do you want me to?"
"Because Lady Emilia was bitten by you." The jealousy was not subtle.
"I see. You know there are… aftereffects, right?"
"It's fine. In fact, perfect timing…"
"Then I won't be polite." He eased her back onto the bed and covered her, kissing her.
Rem closed her eyes and let him do as he pleased, even guiding his hand to where he could feel her thundering heartbeat.
His fingers moved without thinking.
Rem was farther along in her development than Emilia—that couldn't be helped; Emilia had slept for so long. But not for long—she might soon overtake Rem.
After a while they parted and he nuzzled her neck; fangs slid gently into porcelain skin.
"Mmm~"
Rem breathed a little sound, looping her arms around his neck and holding him tight as he drank.
Her blue eyes glazed, misting over.
Though she was of the rare oni clan, her "aptitude" wasn't enough to awaken a new familiar—perhaps her sister's was. But Shichen had no interest in her sister.
And he wasn't obsessed with familiars at the moment—none of them could compare to Rem's sweetness now.
Her blood was rich—like a smooth, fragrant coffee—lingering, addictive.
He accidentally took a little more than intended, then let a little of his own flow back.
With his blood, Rem would be able to control her oni state completely.
When he withdrew, a red thread stretched from his fangs before snapping, a drop sliding down her neck—a vivid slash against snow-white skin.
He licked it clean.
"Shichen…" Rem squirmed; it tickled.
He lifted his head, saw her dazed expression, and kissed her again.
Rem tasted her own blood—shot through with his—and for some reason found it a little sweet.
Warmth stirred through her; her heart danced. She hugged him tighter and took the initiative, their tongues entwining.
After a long moment she ran out of air and pulled back, eyes dewy, face flushed.
"Shichen… please… help Rem undress…"
"Mm."
The nightdress was one piece; he had to catch the hem at her calves and lift it slowly.
The room was dark, but moonlight poured outside. It didn't reach the floorboards—yet its glow seemed to paint everything faintly silver.
Rem wore only a pale-blue underthing; her skin shone like moonlight—breathtaking.
In the "moonlight," two faint blossoms of cherry seemed to open.
His breath caught. He finally gave in and pressed a kiss to moonlit skin—
—and to the "cherry."
Rem only cradled his head and let him wander.
At some point the blue underthing fell away; a soft cry followed.
Then a low, lilting "song" began to ripple through the room—beautiful and lively.
Shichen drowned in it.
…
"Shichen~ Shichen~"
At first light, Rem woke him.
He opened his eyes to her round, adorable face—bright and laughing.
"Rem? What is it?" he mumbled.
"We should tidy up. It's a little messy."
"Hm? It's still early, isn't it?"
"Not really. Sister will be up soon."
"Haah~." He yawned and pushed himself up.
As Rem whisked away the sheets, a small red blossom caught his eye—not a drop from his bite.
Smiling at the corner of her mouth as if nothing were out of the ordinary, Rem said gently, "Shichen, go back to your room and sleep a bit more. I'll wash up."
"Mm…"
He staggered to his feet. Rem steadied him and led him out, then headed off humming to clean herself.
Est and Betty were still fast asleep. Shichen crawled back into bed, wrapped an arm around them both, and closed his eyes.
Then they snapped open again, thoughts racing.
What time was it?
Hadn't he just fallen asleep?
How did Rem have that much energy?
Didn't she sing all night?
So this was the oni clan?
That recovery… terrifying.