The morning classroom was clear and tranquil.
Although the air carried the unique chill of winter, Lady Hanabi's attire was exceptionally light.
She wore a sleeveless kimono that exposed her legs, and a large expanse of her smooth, snowy back was bare, with red cords crisscrossing over the tender, pale skin to alluringly secure the crimson fabric.
Hanabi sat on the cold, hard surface of a desk, elegantly extending her jade-like feet. The tips of her delicate, shapely feet playfully hooked Ye Feng's chin.
"Double it? Hehe, is that all you've got?"
Ye Feng remained defiant, as if he would rather die than submit. Hanabi paused for a moment, then smiled.
"Little small-fry, yesterday I ran into a rather silly girl who told me I've been hypnotized by you… Hehe, tell me, are you enjoying what I'm doing to you right now?"
"Hehe, of course."
"Oh, really? Is that so!"
A sadistic glint appeared in Hanabi's eyes. "Then I'll just have to make you even more comfortable!!"
As a Masked Fool, she obviously didn't believe him.
To her, Ye Feng's response sounded more like a provocation, a mockery of her own incompetence.
Hanabi's beautiful, jade-white foot arched, pressing against the hollow of Ye Feng's throat before slowly slithering down like a snake… coming to rest on his firm, powerful forearm.
"Hehe, heeheehee."
Hanabi's gaze was fixed on Ye Feng, a look that was part scrutiny, part amusement, as if toying with a plaything. The corner of her mouth curled up. "From now on, no begging for mercy, okay?"
Hanabi let out a sharp laugh, her silvery voice echoing through the empty morning classroom.
The girl's toes moved like butterflies flitting through flowers, elegant and nimble.
Her feet began to move in a rhythmic, dance-like motion…
---o---
By the fountain, Luna Kindred wandered about listlessly.
The little vampire was in a rather foul mood today.
While it wasn't to the extent that "that classroom has become her sanctuary," spending time there with Ye Feng did bring her a certain sense of spiritual peace.
Besides, a vampire's territorial instinct is incredibly strong.
Although she hadn't "marked her territory by urinating," even someone with a poor sense of smell should know to stay away, right?
Otherwise, they were definitely looking for trouble.
Just as Luna Kindred wouldn't go to Mobius's suburban cottage, Aponia's chapel, Big Duck Duck's company and penthouse, and so on…
She had been to Seele's palace, but that was only because Seele had invited her.
And now, some clueless woman had suddenly appeared in the classroom of Class 3-A. The most infuriating part was that Ye Feng actually seemed to be enjoying it…
Luna Kindred was not pleased.
But the more this was the case, the more she felt the need to rise to the challenge. No vampire would ever cede their territory by choice.
Clack, clack, clack. Miss Luna Kindred hadn't changed into her indoor shoes. The heels of her shoes struck the hallway floor, producing a crisp, impatient sound.
The winter sun had only just begun to rise; she was the third student to arrive at the classroom.
Even before stepping through the door, Luna Kindred witnessed a scene that made her blood boil.
That detestable transfer student was defiling her food!
How could this person be so wicked! Using her feet to step on him—how was she supposed to eat that!
Alright, so Luna Kindred had stepped on him too, but how could that possibly be the same?
Who would find their own feet disgusting? Besides, Mr. Ye Feng had even said that her own little feet were fragrant and soft, food-grade… Aah, what was she thinking!
Luna Kindred turned back, retrieved an item from a locker in the hallway, and hid it behind her back.
Then, she stormed into the classroom, planting herself menacingly in front of Hanabi. She glared fiercely at her, her crimson eyes glowing with a bloody light as her voice dripped with ice.
"What are you doing?!"
"Oh, it's you, little bat."
Hanabi shifted into a more comfortable position, leaning back slightly and supporting herself on the desk with her hands. Her pair of snowy-white, tender feet reflected a crystalline luster.
"Just as you see, I'm in the middle of an interrogation. Hehe, the scene might be a bit brutal, not suitable for children."
"You… you're the little brat!"
Luna Kindred's blood-red eyes flashed as she angrily turned to Ye Feng, who seemed to be frozen in place by a spell. "Say something!"
Ye Feng nodded and said, "Motto motto, put a little more force into it."
"?"
"?"
Hanabi and Luna Kindred simultaneously manifested question marks.
The look in Luna Kindred's eyes was one of utter disbelief, like seeing your idealized first love suddenly lift her skirt to reveal thighs completely covered in writing.
As for Hanabi, her shock was akin to seeing the little small-fry she'd been toying with suddenly leap up and slap her across the face with its tail.
The reasons were different, but the result was the same. For both of them, the immediate emotion that followed was anger.
Shing!
Luna Kindred whipped out a fire axe from behind her back. The sharp blade reflected a cold light that was chilling to the bone, irresistibly bringing to mind the image of Luna Kindred the killer demon.
"Oh my, oh my, what is this? I'm so scared."
Hanabi didn't stop the movements of her feet. Instead, she added fuel to the fire, tapping her cherry lips with a finger as she looked teasingly at the "powered-up" Luna Kindred.
Luna Kindred's gaze turned cold. Expressionless, she swung the fire axe downwards.
Even at a time like this, however, she was careful to avoid Ye Feng… After all, she couldn't damage the food.
But the axe passed directly through Hanabi's calf.
"?"
What was going on?
An afterimage?
Luna Kindred snapped her head up, only to see Hanabi standing at the doorway with Ye Feng.
Luna Kindred's blood-red eyes narrowed. Pushing off with her feet, she leaped high into the air and pounced again, the axe aimed straight for Hanabi's forearm.
But this time, too, it struck nothing but an illusion.
"Over here, over here, heeheehee."
Hanabi stood further down the hallway, beckoning to Luna Kindred with her finger.
"Damn you!"
Luna Kindred gripped the fire axe tightly, grinding her teeth as she charged forward.
In reality, Hanabi and Ye Feng had been in the back row by the window the entire time.
Watching Luna Kindred chase after the illusions, Hanabi covered her mouth and chuckled softly. "What an energetic little bat. Alright, she's far away now. No one will disturb us anymore, hehe. Hmm? Ah—!"
Hanabi's face was struck by a sudden force, and her vision blurred.
She touched her cheek. The skin there felt even smoother and more supple, as if she had just applied facial cleanser.
"How useless, little small-fry. You couldn't take it anymore?"
"…"
In Hanabi's eyes, Ye Feng looked as if he couldn't bear the humiliation, turning his head away, his teeth clenched, as silent as a stone washed over by water.
This only made Hanabi more excited.
"Yes, yes, that's the expression. Weren't you so stubborn before, little small-fry? What about now?"
"Hehe, is that all you've got?"
His reply was still the same.
But this time, Ye Feng truly meant it.
Hanabi's methods were far too monotonous.
"Is that so?"
Hanabi's smile vanished. From beneath her skirt, she produced a permanent marker and uncapped it.
She viciously drew a single, horizontal line on her own thigh.
The black ink stood in stark contrast to her smooth, snow-white skin.
"For every moment of extreme agony you endure, I will write one stroke. I'm dying to see just how many you can take."