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Ding-ling-ling~~~
The familiar chime of a LINE notification echoed through the quiet room.
Max picked up his phone—a message from Akashiya Moka.
Moka: "Morning, Max! You're up already, right? Got any plans today?"
Smiling a little, Max typed back:Max: "Good morning, Moka. Not really, nothing planned yet."
For the past few days, Moka hadn't come by. They'd just been chatting through LINE every day.
Moka went to school near the border of Suginami and Setagaya wards.
Moka: "Then… can I come over later?"
Max: "Of course."
Moka: "See you soon then!"
Max: "Yeah, see you."
Meanwhile, in Suginami—
"Yes!"
Moka cheered as she slipped her phone into her pocket, grinning ear to ear. Then she spun around and hurried back to her room to change.
She was still wearing her pajamas.
After a few minutes of indecision in front of her closet, she finally picked a white round-neck T-shirt and a matching knit cardigan.
The shirt curved gracefully over her chest—enough to make any man's eyes widen—paired with light-blue straight jeans that showed off her long, straight legs.
She grabbed a reddish-brown shoulder bag with a silver chain strap, tossed in her phone and wallet, and headed out the door.
About twenty minutes later—
Ding dong~
Max, lounging on the couch and scrolling through his phone, heard the doorbell and stood up.
He opened the door—and there she was.
Moka Akashiya.
For a second, Max's eyes lit up.
The soft blue-and-white outfit made her look fresh and full of life, and her figure—well, "stunning" didn't even begin to cover it. That perfect balance between innocence and allure… she could make angels jealous.
"Max!!"
Her eyes sparkled as she saw him, and a radiant smile bloomed across her face.
Four days' worth of longing flooded her chest all at once.
Before she even realized it, Moka threw herself into his arms.
Her hands wrapped tightly around him.
Her cheek pressed against his chest—listening to his strong, steady heartbeat—breathing in his scent.
The crimson gem at the center of the cross pendant on her chest shimmered faintly.
Her gaze grew hazy, a strange hunger flickering like fire in her eyes.
"Max… you smell so good."
Her pale cheeks flushed pink as she whispered the words.
Then, without thinking, her arms slid up around his neck, her toes lifted off the floor, and her soft chest pressed against him.
Her lips parted slightly—and she leaned in toward his neck.
Max: "(;￣▽￣)?!"
The moment he realized she couldn't resist her vampire instincts any longer, he quickly dropped his physical defense—otherwise, she might've chipped a fang.
Moka: "Mmph~"
Her lips met his skin, and she bit down gently.
A rush of warmth flooded her mouth as Max's blood touched her tongue.
It was like an electric current ran through her whole body—tingling, intoxicating, impossible to stop.
Moka closed her eyes.
After about ten seconds, Max noticed her pink hair slowly fading to silver-white.
Another ten seconds passed before she finally pulled back, her soft lips leaving his neck.
"Gotcha," Max said suddenly.
Moka's eyes widened in surprise—her lips were suddenly blocked.
Before she could react, Max kissed her.
Last time, she'd stolen a kiss from him.This time, he was just returning the favor.
When he started to deepen the kiss, Moka pushed him away slightly, feigning a cool, angry look.
"You've got some nerve."
Her voice was colder now—the voice of Inner Moka.
If the pink-haired Moka was a sweet, innocent girl,the silver-haired one was pure elegance and danger—an icy queen.
"This is called returning the favor," Max said calmly, meeting her gaze with a small, confident smile.
Inner Moka stared at him for a long moment, then her silver hair faded back to soft pink.
"Eh???"
Outer Moka blinked, looking adorably confused.
She remembered feeding on him—but suddenly, they were apart?
Max chuckled. "Come on, Moka. Don't just stand at the door. Come in."
"Oh, right."
She slipped off her shoes and followed him into the living room.
"Want some tomato juice?" Max asked, already prepared.
"Actually… I'm full already," Moka said softly, cheeks turning pink again. "Sorry, Max."
Her voice trembled slightly with guilt and nervousness.
She still felt embarrassed—she hadn't even asked permission before jumping him and biting his neck.
What if he was mad?
But Max just smiled, reached out, and gently patted her head.
"Why apologize? I already told you—I don't mind if you drink my blood."
His tone was warm and kind.
"Max… you're too nice."
Hearing that, Moka's worry melted away, replaced by warmth and joy.
Her emerald eyes shimmered like sunlight over mountain springs, gentle ripples spreading through their depths.
Max looked into those eyes, filled with affection, and one thought came to him.
So he said it outright—
"Moka, do you want to become my familiar?"
"Eh?!"
Moka froze, blinking in disbelief.
"Max… what did you just say?"
Inside the pendant at her chest—Inner Moka, who shared most of her memories, opened her crimson eyes slightly, the light within them flickering.
Max looked straight at her, serious this time.
"I said… Moka, will you become my familiar?""So we can be together—forever."
"...!"
Moka's eyes widened, her pupils trembling.
A rosy blush spread across her pale cheeks, like sunset clouds painting the sky.
Her heartbeat quickened—so fast it felt like a tiny dinosaur was rampaging inside her chest.
Shock, joy, excitement—a storm of emotions tangled inside her.
'Was that… a confession?'
'That was a confession, right?!'
'Max wants me to be with him forever?!'
'Should I say yes?'
'I think… I like him too.'
'Then should I…?'
Her mind spun in circles, thoughts colliding one after another.
Two Mokas appeared in her head—one pink-haired, one silver.
Pink-haired Moka beamed: "Say yes! Say yes!"
Silver-haired Moka smirked coolly: "Not a bad offer."
As all the memories of her time with Max flashed through her mind—like a film reel spinning faster and faster—her heart only beat louder.
"....."