Chapter 37: The Adorable Creature, White Princess

"Is that so? We've been here long enough, it's about time we left. You're not planning to team up with the Angel to stop us, are you?" Yuri could never figure out Yecheng. He was clearly one of the SSS, yet he always felt like he was on the Angel's side. Still, he never did anything to harm their group—in fact, sometimes he even lent a hand.

But with the Angel standing right there, Yuri wasn't sure whose side Yecheng would choose. If he and the Angel both tried to block their retreat, there would be no point in resisting. Even jumping out the window wouldn't help the rest escape.

"Eh? You're leaving already? Kanade was just pouring you all some juice—won't you stay for a drink?" Yecheng replied politely to Yuri's hurried departure.

Just then, Kanade came out carrying a few glasses of juice. Compared to the number of people in the room, it was far too few. But that was only natural—no ordinary girl's dorm would have enough cups for so many guests. Tilting her head slightly, Kanade said, "I've brought the juice, but there aren't enough cups. Is that alright?"

"It's fine, it's fine! If there aren't enough cups, then there's no need for juice. We really must be going now—thank you for having us!" Without waiting for Kanade or Yecheng to answer, Yuri fled the room as if escaping, the rest of the group eager to follow her out.

But just then, Bai Ji appeared, also carrying a tray, though hers held only a single glass of juice.

"Xingchen, did someone just leave? Well, never mind—here's your orange juice." She handed the glass to Yecheng, seemingly unconcerned about Yuri's departure.

"A goddess!" Hinata and the others, who were about to leave, stopped dead in their tracks at the sight of Bai Ji, their eyes wide, some nearly drooling. After a moment of daze, Shiina muttered, "How shallow... Yecheng, I haven't seen Xiao Bai in ages. Did you abandon her? If you don't want her, I wouldn't mind taking her in!"

"Are you calling me Xiao Bai? Only C.C. and Yecheng have the privilege of using that name. The rest of you should address me as Bai Ji." Hearing others call her by that nickname so often was irritating—if not for their connection with Yecheng, she might have already attacked.

So she chose another method. Ears and nine tails she had hidden sprouted into view, her black pupils tinged with pink light. She fixed her gaze on everyone present and declared, "Remember, from now on, call me Bai Ji."

Everyone except Yecheng and Kanade nodded blankly, their minds automatically rewriting the rule: she could only be called Bai Ji, never Xiao Bai. Bai Ji was quite pleased with herself for altering their thoughts, when suddenly she felt a strange sensation at her tails.

"Xingchen, what are you doing?" Bai Ji's tails were large and soft, easily able to wrap around several people at once. Now, both Yecheng and Kanade had nestled themselves within her nine tails, lying contentedly in the fluffy fur, each hugging a tail as if it were a pillow.

"Well, Bai Ji, your tails feel amazing—I can't bear to let go!" Before Bai Ji took human form, Yecheng had spent years with her fur for company: on cold days he used her tail as a scarf, at night as a pillow, sometimes even as a blanket—no ordinary quilt could compare. But since Bai Ji took on a human form, it had been a long time since Yecheng had held her like this. Now, faced with those familiar tails, his body moved of its own accord to embrace one.

"Everyone, out!" Bai Ji didn't mind Yecheng hugging her tail, but she disliked being watched by so many outsiders—even if they were under her control. She promptly ordered everyone out.

"You're welcome to visit again!" Kanade called after them, politely bidding farewell while stroking Bai Ji's tail.

"Hehe, Xingchen, isn't the tail soft?" Bai Ji's face flushed at first, but then, with a sly look in her eyes, she asked in a tone one might use to tempt a child, "Would you like to hug my tail every night?"

"It's wonderful!" Yecheng replied, eyes half-closed in delight. Kanade nodded, equally enchanted.

"Then listen closely: Xingchen, you like Xiao Bai very much. Xiao Bai is the cutest, the most charming in the world, Xiao Bai..." Seizing the moment while Yecheng's eyes were blissfully narrowed, Bai Ji began to weave her mental suggestion—though really, it was more of an overt declaration. Her furry ears twitched adorably, trying to leave a deep impression in Xingchen's mind.

Yecheng showed little reaction, but his free hand reached out to stroke Bai Ji's ear. The instant his fingers touched her, Bai Ji transformed into an utterly bashful little girl, her cheeks flushed, enchanting and delicate. "Xingchen, you can't just touch my ears like that..." she murmured softly.

"Bai Ji's tails are turning pink..." Kanade noticed that as Yecheng stroked Bai Ji's ears, the snowy fur slowly blushed with a faint pink hue.

"Ah, Xingchen, that's enough!" Unable to endure it any longer, Bai Ji's first tail glowed for a moment. Yecheng and Kanade felt a jolt to their heads, their bodies briefly immobilized. In that instant, Bai Ji slipped free from their grasp.

"Aw, I wasn't done yet," Kanade said with a hint of regret, reaching out but grasping only air.

"Bai Ji, considering our relationship, surely you can let me touch your tails now and then?" Yecheng blinked, seeing Bai Ji standing at a distance, cheeks still flushed. If not for the lingering restraint, the two of them might have pounced already.

Bai Ji was never good at refusing Yecheng. She swished her tails and relented, "Alright, but you mustn't touch my ears—or I won't speak to you again!"

"So cute! So adorable!" The moment the restraint lifted, Yecheng and Kanade pounced, nuzzling Bai Ji's cheeks. That night, Bai Ji's tails were played with for hours by Kanade and Yecheng. Not until deep into the night did they finally let her go, leaving Bai Ji completely spent.

Back in their own room, at Yecheng's insistent request, Bai Ji used her own tail as a quilt, giving Yecheng a warm and blissful night's sleep.