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"Alright, let's go inside."
Max didn't linger on the earlier topic. He changed the subject with a smile:
"Since you're a guest at my place, let me cook up a proper feast tonight."
"I'll let you try my cooking."
"Hm? What's wrong?"
As he spoke, Max suddenly noticed something off about Moka Akashiya.
She was staring at him, eyes burning with a heat that made it seem like she wanted to bite right into him.
He knew that look all too well.
It was the same way she'd gazed at him whenever her bloodsucking instincts kicked in before.
Don't tell me… she wants my blood again?
"Ah…"
Startled by his voice, Moka snapped out of it.
Her eyes darted away, her cheeks flushing pink.
She gave a slightly awkward smile and said, "Sorry, I zoned out for a second."
By now she realized what had just happened.
That instinctive craving for his blood had crept up on her again.
Thankfully it was still under control, so she forced it back down.
"I see…"
Max gave her a look, then chuckled and said,
"Alright, don't just stand at the door. Come inside."
"Then I'll be imposing on you."
Moka smiled, nodding lightly.
Max grabbed a brand-new pair of house slippers from the shoe cabinet.
The two of them slipped into them at the entrance and stepped one after the other into the bright, spacious living room on the first floor.
One side of the room was lined with a massive floor-to-ceiling window, giving a full view of the beautiful garden outside.
That garden alone was worth a small fortune.
Max slid the window open, then turned to her.
"Moka, what would you like to drink?"
"Mm… plain water's fine."
She blinked, thought for a second, then gave her answer.
"Got it, one moment."
Max raised an eyebrow, then walked toward the kitchen.
If he remembered right, Moka usually liked tomato juice because the color reminded her of blood.
But he didn't have any here.
Maybe that's why she asked for water instead.
The sun slowly sank beyond the western horizon, giving way to dusk.
Darkness spread across the sky.
The stars scattered like silver dust, and the Milky Way shimmered across the heavens.
With Moka's help, Max finished preparing dinner.
She insisted on helping, and he couldn't bring himself to refuse.
Soon enough, the two of them sat together at the dining table.
Max placed the final dish on the table, then sat across from her with a smile.
"Alright, let's eat."
"Let's dig in!"
They both pressed their palms together, said the words in unison, and picked up their chopsticks.
The food they'd made together filled the table.
Crispy tofu in tomato sauce—crunchy on the outside, silky soft inside, with a sweet-and-sour tang that made the mouth water.
Golden tempura shrimp and vegetable tempura—each bite light and crispy, the textures similar yet distinct in flavor.
Steamed spare ribs with garlic—the aroma rich, the meat tender and juicy, falling cleanly off the bone.
There was also braised chicken with potatoes, crispy potato rings, jade-white vegetable rolls, garlic broccoli, chilled cucumber salad…
A full spread of homestyle dishes, perfectly balanced with meat and vegetables, rich in color and flavor.
Moka picked up a piece of tofu and took a small bite.
As she chewed, her heart swelled with warmth and satisfaction.
Her expression said it all.
Her delicate brows curved like crescent moons, her lips curled in a soft smile.
The food in front of her was so delicious, it felt like it surpassed every meal she'd ever had before.
And she knew why.
Her gaze shifted, landing on Max across the table.
Close enough to touch, yet in that moment he felt both near and impossibly far away.
Little by little, the food disappeared from the table. Before they knew it, it was past seven o'clock.
The night pressed close outside the window, while warm lights filled the room.
After soaking the dishes in water, the two of them settled on the sofa, quietly watching the garden through the window.
Neither said a word.
They just sat together, enjoying the peaceful fullness of the evening.
A few minutes passed before Max suddenly turned his head toward Moka, as if remembering something.
"Moka, have you ever seen an evil spirit?"
"An evil spirit? No, never."
She blinked, surprised, then shook her head.
"Never?!"
Max was taken aback.
Sure, this world didn't have quite as many ghosts as the one in Mieruko-chan, but based on what he'd seen these past couple of days, there were still plenty.
Moka had been living in the human world for three years—how could she not have run into a single one?
But she said no, and he had no reason to doubt her.
Which meant there had to be an explanation.
Max thought for a moment, then asked,
"Moka, would you mind if I examined your body?"
"Go ahead."
She smiled, agreeing without the slightest hesitation.
Though inside, a flurry of thoughts rushed through her mind.
Examine her body? How exactly?
Was he going to… use his hands?
Her cheeks burned red at the thought.
Had she agreed too quickly? Did it sound a little… suggestive?
"Alright, here I go."
Closing his eyes, Max released his spiritual power and let it flow over her body.
As the King of No-Color, his mental strength was immense.
When the seven authorities fused into the Supreme Authority, the power of each transformed into something greater.
Combined with the Third Magic's ability to materialize the soul, his spirit was on par with a god's.
And not just any god—one of the strong ones, not those barely divine beings.
The moment his invisible force wrapped around her, Moka froze slightly, almost against her will.
A faint glimmer of red flickered in her pupils.
And the instant his spirit touched her, Max saw another version of her.
In a world drenched in blood.
A scarlet moon loomed in the sky, casting an eerie crimson glow over everything.
The ground was littered with crooked cross-shaped gravestones and twisted, leafless trees.
Instead of leaves, countless bats hung upside down from the branches, crowding together.
There, seated on a throne woven from vines, was Inner Moka—silver hair, crimson eyes.
Her right hand propped her chin, her right leg crossed over her left.
Her expression was blank, chin tilted up slightly, radiating a languid air—like a queen surveying her realm.
When Max saw her, she seemed to notice him too.
Her gaze sharpened, cool and deep.
Then, almost imperceptibly, the corner of her lips curled.
A wordless message flowed into him.
Back in the living room, Max withdrew his power, now understanding the truth.
Even though Moka's true abilities were sealed, she was still a vampire with the power of a Shinso.
And under Inner Moka's control—
Whenever an evil spirit came within fifty meters, she automatically released a special, invisible aura.
A deterrent that drove them away in fear.
That was why Outer Moka had never encountered one in all her years in the human world.
"All done?"
Moka blinked, snapping back, looking at him uncertainly. She hadn't felt a thing.
"All done."
Max nodded with a smile.
Her wide eyes fixed on him, curious as ever. "So? Did you find out anything?"
"Yes. Here's the thing…"
He explained it in simpler terms—
Her Shinso bloodline naturally gave off a warding aura whenever spirits came near, forcing them to stay away.
That was why she had never seen one.
"....."