"You're kidding."
[Current Female Lead Candidate: Mirei.]
"Yes, I'm aware."
[However…host interference has destabilized the narrative. Primary Task Assigned: Become the Female Lead.]
Ah, yes. The system has said something of this sort before. Yurame paced about, and pointed to herself.
"I am the Villainess. The book is already halfway through."
[Correction: Host is the most active narrative variable.]
"Wow, I stand corrected."
[Step One: Change Public perception.]
A new notification appeared.
[Quest: Attend the Festival.]
"Seriously, you don't have to make it a quest."
[Objective: Make the public think you are less terrifying.]
Yurame stared at the screen, wanting to wring whatever it called a neck.
"People think I'm evil. How exactly…" She cut herself short and rubbed her temple. "This is crazy."
[Host behaviour historically supports this claim.]
"Motherfu…"
[Recommended Strategy:]
Smile
Do Not Complain
Do Not Threaten Anyone
Do Not Kidnap Anyone
Do Not Kill Anyone
Yurame choked on her saliva. "...Those are very specific rules."
[They are based on Host's history.]
"I just got here!"
[The body did not.]
Yurame groaned. "God, I hate you."
[The System is slightly offended.]
Yurame shook her fist in front of the screen. "Why, you…"
[If Host does all these things, Host will move closer to becoming the Female Lead.]
She gritted her teeth. "I do not want to become the female lead!"
[Warning! Warning! If Quest is not accepted, Host will die in 48 hours and never return to her world.]
'Honestly, it's better if I just die.' Yurame thought darkly, 'But then, I want to go back to my world'
Her shoulders dropped, "...Fine."
The system chimed softly.
[Quest Accepted.]
Yurame sat back down to reply to the invitation that she would gracefully show her presence.
"But if anyone throws tomatoes at me," she added darkly, "I'm starting a fucking war."
[System strongly advises against war.]
Yurame stood up with the scroll, and headed for the door. "We'll see how the festival goes."
She reached the sitting room to see Akuma sitting obediently and uptight.
"Okay." She called his attention. "We're going."
Akuma stood slowly, then paused. "You said we."
"Yes."
"Why?
Yurame rolled her eyes. "Because you're coming."
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
"But you never bring me. Why tonight?"
Ah, yes. This must be so suspicious for him, Yurame thought and handed him the scroll. She wanted him to go so he can meet Mirei on time and she could save him from her hands, but she couldn't tell him that.
"Because today is my birthday.
Silence.
"What's a birthday?" He asked, and Yurame smacked her forehead. How could she forget? She wasn't back in her world again.
"Forget it." She waved her hands. "You're coming either way, Akuma."
Akuma could hardly believe his eyes…or his ears. Wasn't this the same woman who locked him in a shed anytime she wanted to go out till she came back? Now she was inviting him out? What game is she playing?
And then, Yurame had never called him by his name before. It was always "you fool", "Idiot" or "Bastard", never his name. And her voice sounded so gentle.
Then she did the only thing he never thought he could see. She smiled. Although it was a small smile, it was still there. She actually smiled. His eyes softened on their own.
Yurame noticed him looking at her and started to feel uncomfortable. In her past life, any time a handsome man stared at her, it meant bad news. Either he was about to play her or try to harass her.
"...what?"
Akuma cleared his throat, and bowed. He had to leave immediately or else, he would spasm from the shock of the new Yurame. He bowed without a word and turned to leave.
Yurame saw him leaving but something caught her eye. His back.
The poor fabric of the robe shifted as he moved, revealing dark bruises spreading across his skin. Some were old. Some were…angry red. Not new.
Yurame frowned. That woman was so evil. She hardly even let him heal.
"...Wait."
Akuma stopped and slowly, he looked back at her. His golden eyes were calm, but cautious.
"Yes, My Lady?"
She hesitated for a second, then gestured for him to hold on. She walked into the other room, and brought out the Healing Vial.
[Host has no injuries, what is she doing?]
"Do shut up."
She walked back to him, and held out the vial.
"Take it now." She said, but he didn't move. His eyes just dropped to the vial in her hand and his face turned ugly. Was she openly trying to drug him now?
"No."
Yurame's eyes narrowed, then widened. Oh. She opened it and took a small sip. Instantly, she felt every fatigue and stress relive her. She felt tempted to take the whole liquid but she stretched it back to him.
"Those injuries are recent," she said. "It'll heal them faster."
"You gave me those injuries." Akuma said, and Yurame's eyes dropped. She stretched it out to him again and before she could blink, he snatched it from her hand. He took it all in one gulp.
"I'm sorry!" Yurame said suddenly, and Akuma choked on the liquid. His eyes widened like he'd seen a ghost.
He barely even noticed his damaged flesh and wounds closing up, or his torn muscles tightening and knitting back together. He barely noticed that his bruises and wound had completely vanished from his skin.
"W-what?"
She apologized? Yurame actually apologized? A woman as cruel as Yurame would never say "Good morning to him", talk less of apologizing.
"Oh, look!" She reached out and touched his skin gently. "The bruises are all gone."
"You apologized."
Yurame looked up at him, and dropped her hands. "Yeah, don't make it weird."
He nodded once and turned to leave, but turned back again. "Red Foxes possess natural healing abilities."
Yurame blinked. What now? In the original book, Yurame as a red fox was talentless and skilless. Other foxes could turn impersonate any other creature, run fast, sing and well, other things.
All except Yurame, the Devil Fox. That was one of the reason why she was so bitter. So what is he saying?
"They can heal others using their body fluids. And they have fast regeneration abilities."
"What fluids?" Yurame asked before her mind could catch up.
"Blood, saliva, tears, even their…"
"Yeah, yeah!" She waved her hands in front of him. "I got it."
For the first time, the corner of him mouth twitched very slightly.
"The Red Fox is rare but special."
"How do you know this?"
He stopped replying, and shifted his feet. Yurame smiled faintly.
"It's okay." She said, and turned her back. "Thank you."
His eyes softened than ever before.
[New Flag Detected: Akuma's affection increased by 2%]