The Herrscher of Thunder wrapped her arms around Mei from behind, watching Mei's possessive gaze with a satisfied smile. "Yes, he's yours."
Floating above the mental space, the Herrscher of Thunder quietly watched as Mei put on her performance…
After regaining control of her body, Mei looked down at the unconscious Fu Lin. Her mind was still filled with the scene of the Herrscher of Thunder kissing Fu Lin with her body, causing a flush to rise on her cheeks.
Mei subconsciously touched her soft lips, as if she could still feel the lingering sensation of Fu Lin's breath between her lips. Shyly, she whispered, "So… this is what a kiss feels like?"
Herrscher of Thunder, "… Pathetic!"
----------------------------------
Mei knelt beside Fu Lin, her fingertips gently brushing against Fu Lin's lips, and said, "Fu Lin, I'm going to kiss you… If you don't agree, just nod your head."
Fu Lin, ...
"Then I'll take it as you agreeing."
However, just as Mei was about to kiss him, due to the Honkai energy inside Fu Lin being drained by the Herrscher of Thunder, he could no longer maintain his human form and reverted to his cat form.
Mei froze for a moment, then looked at the bulge in her clothes, reached in to pull Fu Lin out, and said with grievance,
"…I haven't… kissed you yet???"
"…I see!"
The Herrscher of Thunder seized control of the body again, glaring at the little cat who stole her Honkai energy every night, her teeth grinding in frustration. At this moment, she wanted nothing more than to strangle him with her bare hands and snap his neck.
The Herrscher of Thunder narrowed her eyes coldly, ignoring Mei's pleas in her mind, and tightened her grip on Fu Lin's neck little by little.
As Fu Lin's pink tongue stuck out and he looked like he was about to suffocate, the Herrscher of Thunder's lips pressed into a thin line. Her heart softened for a moment, and she casually tossed Fu Lin to the ground like garbage.
Her gaze slanted as she quietly watched Fu Lin's chest rise and fall on the ground, and she coaxed,
"Mei, do you wish for your Little Li to never leave you? If you make him your familiar, he will obey your every word… even in death, he will never betray you."
Mei watched the Herrscher of Thunder warily and said, "I don't need that. You almost killed Little Li just now!"
The Herrscher of Thunder relinquished control of the body to Mei and disappeared, her voice echoing in Mei's mind, "Alright, what a pity. One day, you'll regret this."
Mei picked up Fu Lin from the ground, held him in her arms, gently stroking him, and murmured, "Little Li…"
Perched on a tree, Bianca's face was brushed by the cold wind. Even though she could no longer see Fu Lin and Mei, she still dutifully observed every movement in Mei's villa's living room…
Including Raiden Ryoma, lying on the ground like a corpse, forgotten by his precious daughter.
At that moment, Otto's voice came through the communicator, "Bianca, I've purchased a villa in Nagazora City in your name. I've sent the location to your phone. Remember to get some rest."
"…Got it." Bianca nodded in response and leapt down from the tree. After a brief sprint, she arrived at the location Otto had given her — only two villas away from Mei's.
But as Bianca stared at the brightly lit villa, she hesitated for a moment. Looking down at her phone showing the confirmed location, she scratched her head and muttered,
"It should be here…" As Bianca entered the gate code, there was a click, and the gate opened. A familiar voice came from inside, "Welcome back, Lady Bianca!"
Bianca's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Rita, who was busy in the kitchen. "Rita?!"
Rita glanced back with a gentle smile, looking at Bianca, who was now seated in a chair, and explained, "I asked the Lord Bishop to transfer me here."
Bianca's nose twitched as she caught the scent wafting from the kitchen. Curious, she asked, "Rita, it smells so good… What are you making?"
"Basque cheesecake. Would you like some?" Rita poured the caramel sauce over the cheesecake, then placed it on the table in front of Bianca. She quietly watched Bianca, her eyebrows curving into a pleasant arc, and a sweet smile lingered on her lips.
"…Should be fine… right?" Bianca stared at the enticing cheesecake in front of her. Just as she was about to cut off a piece to taste, the image of Raiden Ryoma collapsing to the ground suddenly flashed through her mind.
Seeing Bianca hesitate, Rita asked softly, "Is it not to your liking, Lady Bianca?"
"It's nothing…" Bianca cut a piece and put it in her mouth. Her eyes immediately brightened — the cake was smooth and rich, the unique sweetness and intense cheesiness lingering on her tongue, stimulating her taste buds.
Bite after bite, Bianca quickly finished the cake. Taking the napkin Rita handed her, she wiped the crumbs from the corner of her mouth and said,
"It's delicious, Rita."
"As long as Lady Bianca likes it. Would you like some more?"
...
The next morning, a sharp cat's cry echoed through Mei's villa…
Mei sat up from the bed and saw 'Fu Lin' standing on the floor, arching his back and baring his teeth, growling threateningly. Her eyes were full of confusion.
Then, she raised her arm and noticed fresh claw marks on her smooth skin. Her pupils contracted suddenly, and then, excitedly, she extended her tongue to lick the blood oozing from the wound.
"Little Li…" 'Fu Lin' stared at the woman before him, who was radiating a terrifying aura. His tail fluffed up instantly, swaying from side to side, revealing his intense fear and unease. He slowly backed away.
Until his backside bumped into the bedroom door, producing a sharp sound. In a panic, he squeezed through a narrow gap and disappeared from the room with a whoosh.
Mei panicked when she saw 'Fu Lin' disappear. She quickly put on her shoes and chased after him…
But all she saw was Raiden Ryoma leaning against the door, sitting on the ground with a sorrowful expression, holding his head in his hands. The surrounding atmosphere felt hazy and dim…
Mei rushed to Raiden Ryoma and anxiously asked, "Dad, did you see Little Li?"