Damon had never thought much of Yurenka.
Her first impression had been that of a scheming girl — clever, manipulative, dangerous.
And yet…
When a smart person deliberately tries to please you, to read your mood, to make you comfortable in every possible way — the experience is different. Addictively different.
So, Damon enjoyed their "service."
Yes — service.
When he played games, Yurenka would stand beside him with tea in hand, gasping dramatically at every critical hit or close call.
She washed fruit, fed him during intense moments, and even finished his homework for him.
Thankfully, she was bright — despite not having attended high school, she could figure out most questions through self-study. After finishing his assignments, she'd quietly start her own.
It was strange — the same girl who once had others do her homework was now obedient and focused.
Meanwhile, her mother, Jenny, busied herself cleaning the apartment top to bottom.
By dinner time, she'd changed into one of Damon's white shirts, tied on an apron, and started cooking.
"Mom, Brother Damon likes Chinese food," Yurenka chirped. "I found some recipes and videos for you!"
Jenny, unfamiliar with Chinese cuisine, fumbled through the process — awkward but earnest.
Her progress was visible by the minute.
A natural-born homemaker, Damon thought dryly.
Her talents seemed perfectly tuned for three things: the kitchen, the bed, and presentation.
In short, Jenny was the kind of woman who lived to please.
Damon's shirt barely fit her — loose enough to slip, tight enough to distract.
Whenever she bent over, the fabric strained, revealing glimpses that were... inconveniently visible from his 3D system view.
Yes, with the Map Editor's perspective control, he could rotate his vision freely — no one else the wiser.
Yurenka, catching his wandering gaze, smiled in that familiar way — pure on the surface, wicked underneath.
When Madison excused herself to the restroom, Yurenka leaned in and whispered quickly,
"Brother Damon, Mom's struggling with the recipes. Maybe you could… help her out?"
Damon paused mid-game, met Yurenka's eyes, then glanced at the kitchen.
Jenny, sensing his gaze, turned with innocent confusion.
"Sorry," she said apologetically, "I think I'm doing something wrong again."
Whenever Yurenka was around, Jenny seemed to lose her independence — following her daughter's cues without question. Even when she didn't understand, she obeyed, smiling all the while.
"Well," Damon said, smirking, "then I'll lend a hand."
After all, since the mother and daughter were living under his roof… collecting a little "advance rent" seemed fair, didn't it?
He joined Jenny in the kitchen, demonstrating how to handle carrots properly while he personally worked on the wood ear mushrooms.
"Rule of thumb," he said. "Never soak them too long. Once they're wet, you've got to use them fast — otherwise, they turn toxic."
Jenny watched him work with wide-eyed admiration.
Her exaggerated reactions made him chuckle — she really was just like Yurenka.
Deciding to impress her further, Damon showed off some "true culinary technique" — his so-called mortar arts.
Meanwhile, in the living room, Yurenka sat at his gaming setup, slaughtering enemies like a veteran soldier.
Blood splattered the digital walls in elegant, floral bursts — headshot after headshot.
She was only ten, yet her reflexes and precision were terrifying.
When Madison returned, she frowned.
"Huh? Why are you playing? Where's Damon?"
Yurenka smiled innocently.
"Mom's still struggling with the Chinese food, so Brother Damon went to help her. Dinner should be ready soon!"
Madison nodded — she was cautious, but not suspicious enough to imagine the truth.
Before she could press further, Yurenka suddenly gasped,
"Oh no! I died again! Madison, can you help Brother Damon? They're too strong for me!"
Without waiting, Yurenka grabbed a headset and slipped it over Madison's ears.
"Okay, I got this," Madison said, gripping the mouse. "Let's show them who's boss!"
Something felt… off. The game's sound was deafeningly loud, and the player stats were insane — dozens of golden skull icons across the board.
But Yurenka's dramatic commentary pulled her in, and soon Madison was charging into battle, screaming with excitement.
All the while, Yurenka smirked quietly to herself.
From the kitchen, faint rhythmic sounds mixed with Jenny's soft laughter and the gentle clatter of dishes.
Everything was so harmonious — disturbingly so.
By the time Madison finished the match, flushed and exhilarated, the "Game Over" screen appeared.
"Wait, that's it? One more round! I can totally win next time!"
Then she glanced at the clock — an hour and a half had passed.
"Wait— what about dinner?"
Ignoring Yurenka's protests to keep playing, she hurried to the dining room.
The table was full of freshly served dishes.
"Did you order takeout?" Madison asked, noticing Jenny's flushed face and teary eyes.
Damon didn't even blink.
"Jenny made a small mess earlier and got the kitchen soaked. We ran out of time, so I just ordered food."
He added kindly,
"It's fine, everyone has a first time. Don't cry over a little mistake. Come on, let's eat."
Jenny nodded meekly, obedient as a doll.
[Anomalous Object "Jenny" successfully recorded.]
[+300 Anomaly Points.]
[Map Editor upgrading to Version 2.0…]