"Good evening, Miss Matsubara, and… this is?"
Shima Izuki's probing gaze lingered on Natsumi Sakura. Her eyes gleamed, clearly recognizing Natsumi's charm. No doubt, this woman had taken an interest in the ponytail girl.
"I'm Natsumi Sakura, nice to meet you," Natsumi said, already aware from Muxiao that this woman was the organization's secretary. Seeing her in person, Natsumi was taken aback. Compared to students like herself or Tohka, this tall, mature, and sensual woman exuded far more femininity and allure.
Look at that figure… it's unreal.
She's practically a vixen!
Natsumi felt an inexplicable sense of crisis. After introducing herself, she added, "I'm Muxiao's most important person."
"Miss Sakura, it seems you have quite a special relationship with the President," Izuki said, noting the hostility in the girl's eyes. She tapped her lips lightly, radiating the calm elegance of a mature woman, like a vibrant rose. "In that case, would you consider joining the Himegami Society? It could bring you even closer to the President…"
Smack!!!
"Ahh~~"
Muxiao, his expression darkening, lashed out with a tentacle, delivering a sharp whip. But instead of pain, Izuki seemed to revel in it, letting out a sultry moan that sent shivers through Natsumi.
Is this the charm of a mature woman? So jealous.
"President, next time you whip me, it's best done in private. If others saw me like this, my dignity would be ruined."
"…"
"Looks like Tentacle Lord's into this," Tohka Matsubara chimed in, fanning the flames. "Natsumi-senpai, you'd better watch out. Miss Izuki knows how to handle men. Careful, or she'll steal the one you like."
Natsumi's face twitched, her sense of crisis skyrocketing.
"No, no, I'd never steal someone Miss Sakura loves. In fact, seeing how devoted you are to the President makes me thrilled," Izuki said.
These two—Tohka Matsubara and Shima Izuki—were no pushovers. Their back-and-forth left Natsumi red-faced and speechless.
Swish, swish, swish—
Tentacles swiftly bound them tightly and shoved them into the car. "Shut up. Keep picking on Natsumi, and I won't be polite. And Izuki, whether Natsumi joins the Himegami Society is her choice—you don't get to pull any strings."
"Yes, yes, President, you're so biased. After all you've done to me…" Izuki started, but a tentacle stuffed her mouth shut, cutting her off.
Muxiao wiped nonexistent sweat from his brow, glancing at a bewildered Natsumi before dragging her into the car.
Izuki took the driver's seat, Tohka the passenger seat, while Muxiao and Natsumi sat in the back, gazing out at the city's dark nighttime scenery.
It was almost midnight. The black sedan sped along. Natsumi, leaning against Muxiao, grew more curious the longer they drove. "This road looks… familiar. Where are we going?"
"To find the monster location Tentacle Lord's interested in, of course. It's the basis of our cooperation," Tohka explained with a smile.
"It's a private hospital…" Izuki began.
Natsumi cut her off, her expression odd. "The private hospital you're talking about… it's not Nishikino Hospital, is it?"
Muxiao froze, his ears perking up.
"Oh? Miss Sakura knows it?" Izuki asked, curious.
"…I was there this morning for a check-up. It's supposed to be a well-known private hospital around here," Natsumi said to Muxiao, her expression uneasy, tinged with fear. "There are monsters there too? Ugh, this world's getting scarier."
Nishikino Hospital?
Why does that sound familiar…
The car stopped at Nishikino Hospital's entrance. Muxiao stepped out, blending into the darkness as he surveyed the hospital building. Likely due to the late hour, it was quiet, with most patients asleep and only patrolling nurses around.
"There've been paranormal incidents here before, but they were chalked up to thefts, mistaken for human crimes. I investigated nearby but didn't dare enter since it's a prestigious private hospital. I don't have detailed info," Izuki said.
Muxiao waved a tentacle, pointing at the building. His tendrils suddenly extended, and his agile body shot upward.
"We'll use the front entrance," Izuki called.
Natsumi, who'd been here that morning, wasn't unfamiliar with the hospital. The lobby and corridors were silent, save for the occasional nurse or footsteps, creating an eerie calm.
But as they climbed the stairs, the quiet was shattered by loud, chaotic voices—unusually disruptive in the late-night hospital.
"What a joke!! This is a private hospital! Staying in a place like this and saying you have no money… Are you messing with me?! You've got to be hiding cash somewhere! Where is it? Where's the money?! Hand it over!!"
In a hospital room, a red-haired, sickly beauty lay in bed, her stunning face pale with illness. Despite her frailty, she faced the ranting man beside her with a cold, unyielding expression.
But…
Seeing her ex-husband's hysterical madness, a flicker of sorrow passed through her eyes.
A nurse tried to intervene. "Um, Mr. Muto, this is a hospital…"
The man, Muto, ignored the nurse, continuing to yell at his ex-wife. "Reina! You've got money stashed somewhere, right?! Please, I'm desperate. I need cash now! Otherwise, Tomie will leave me. I can't lose her, I can't! Reina, give me the money!!"
Cough, cough—
The bedridden beauty turned her head, staring at the man—screaming one moment, sobbing the next. She couldn't believe she'd ever married such a repulsive person.
Reina thought of her five daughters. After divorcing this man, she'd raised them alone. Life was tough, but they were happy. Then… she fell ill.
She didn't know how much time she had left with her daughters. As for money, even if she had any, she'd never give it to him!
Seeing him now, uncaring about their daughters and only trying to exploit her, Reina felt nothing but cold disappointment.
"Muto, I don't have any money. Even if I did, I wouldn't give it to you. We're done," Reina said coldly, her face devoid of emotion. "Leave."
"You—"
"What a pathetic man," a sultry, enchanting voice cut through from the darkness, carrying a magnetic allure that could ignite any man's deepest desires. As a graceful figure with a flawless face stepped into the light, everyone froze.
Her perfect features were breathtaking, a beauty mark under her eye adding a seductive charm. Her cascading black hair framed her face, though her haughty, disdainful expression was off-putting.
Yet it did nothing to diminish her stunning, captivating beauty—she was a natural focal point, a femme fatale capable of upending the world.
Izuki and the others, initially dismissive, thinking it was just a family dispute, froze when this woman appeared. Even the yandere Tohka stiffened, her eyes narrowing with wariness as she stared at her.
Tohka sensed an immense threat from this woman…
Muxiao, hanging outside, was equally stunned.
Holy crap, the monster Izuki mentioned… it's not Kawakami Tomie, is it?!