[Chapter 10] Constraints (1)

Gradually.
Sliiiide.
Gradually.
Sliiiide.

“…Xianjie, can you stop it already?”

“Aw, just a little fun~”

“Don’t—don’t bite… mm.”

From the slightly ajar bedroom door, a muffled moan slipped through.

Tidal closed her eyes, turning her head away—refusing to look at her arm, currently being nibbled on by Chen Xi.

—Pop.

After a long moment, a crisp sound marked the end of the kiss. Chen Xi finally pulled her lips away, reluctantly.

“Wow! Look, it really left a mark!”

Excited, Chen Xi held up Tidal’s arm like a discovery.

“…You’re impossible.”

Tidal sighed helplessly, staring at the dark red hickey on her inner forearm—complete with faint tooth marks.

They were in Chen Xi’s bedroom. After leaving the rooftop, Tidal had been “invited” here.

At first, they’d just been passing the afternoon idly.

Scrolling on phones, chatting about random things—just like they used to during their relationship.

But then, Chen Xi—apparently inspired by a romance novel she was reading—suddenly declared:

“Let’s run an experiment!”

“An experiment?”

Tidal looked up from her phone, turning to Chen Xi lying beside her.

“I want to see if a magical girl’s body can leave a hickey.”

“…Huh?” Tidal blinked, confused.

Chen Xi nodded.

“A hickey is basically damage—broken capillaries under the skin. You said magical girls’ bodies are made of magic particles, right? So, aside from appearance, can this form replicate all the details of a human body? Don’t you find that… interesting?”

“I don’t,” Tidal said flatly, shaking her head.

“No, I do.” Chen Xi quickly grabbed Tidal’s hand.

“Let’s do an experiment!”

“No, I don’t want to.”

“Too bad. I do. Take it off!” Chen Xi commanded.

“…”

With her secret in Chen Xi’s hands, Tidal had no choice. Silently, she removed her outer coat, revealing the ornate magical girl outfit beneath.

“Give me your arm,” Chen Xi ordered.

“Th-this feels wrong…” Tidal hesitated.

“If it leaves a mark, someone might see it and get suspicious, right?”

Her mind immediately flashed to You Xi and Mo Li’s judgmental stares.

“What’s wrong with that?” Chen Xi countered.

“When you left hickeys on my neck before, did you worry about that?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Her excuse crumbled. Tidal obediently extended her arm.

“Hehe~”

Chen Xi cradled Tidal’s delicate arm like a treasure.

Like a nurse preparing to give an injection, she gently traced the skin, searching for the perfect spot.

“Here’s good.”

Muttering to herself, Chen Xi pressed her lips to Tidal’s skin—without waiting for permission.

“It’s… ticklish.”

The wet, soft sensation made Tidal frown.

Then, she felt Chen Xi’s nimble tongue swirling across her skin, teasing every pore.

“It’s… hot.”

Was it psychological?

Human mouths shouldn’t be this warm—yet the heat burned through Tidal’s senses, making her blush.

“Isn’t… isn’t that enough?” Tidal pleaded.

The spot being kissed was going numb, feeling detached from her body. She used her other hand to gently push Chen Xi’s head.

But Chen Xi was lost in the moment—unmoved, even intensifying her actions.

—Ah.

Chen Xi closed her eyes, slowly clenching her teeth like someone savoring a delicacy.

“…Ah.”

Unexpected pain from the bite made Tidal let out a soft moan.

Was that… my voice? Can I even make sounds like that?

Tidal was stunned.

Amid shame and confusion, Chen Xi persisted, increasing the pressure.

“…Stop it, Xianjie.”

Tidal pushed harder, trying to pull away.

But without using magic, this body was as fragile as it looked. She couldn’t budge Chen Xi at all.

—Crunch. Crunch.

Bit by bit, Tidal felt the pressure on her skin growing heavier.

Just as the “discomfort” turned into real pain—Chen Xi, with perfect timing, released her teeth.

—Pop.

With a crisp sound, her lips left Tidal’s skin.

And thus, the scene at the beginning unfolded.

“…So magical girls’ bodies aren’t that different from humans after all. I wonder… if other places are the same… hehe.”

Chen Xi examined her “work” with satisfaction, nodding.

“You’re so childish.” Tidal shot her a glare.

“This is research. Academic pursuit.”

“Whatever.” Tidal sighed, then cautiously asked:

“…So… does this mean you’ll keep my secret now?”

“Like that?” Chen Xi widened her eyes, incredulous.

“How long were we together again?” she asked.

Why bring that up now? Tidal felt a pang of guilt.

“Compensate me.”

“…What?”

“You have to compensate me.” Chen Xi said firmly.

“I am sorry for that,” Tidal said, lowering her eyes.

She forced out the next words from deep in her throat:

“If it’s something we can do…”

“You can.” Chen Xi nodded.

“We dated for four years. So you’ll fulfill ten of my requests.”

“After ten requests, we’re even. We can keep dating, or go our separate ways. Whether you’re Tidal or You Dong won’t matter to me anymore—and I won’t tell You Xi your secret.”

Her tone was light, as if it didn’t concern her at all.

But… four years, and only ten requests? Tidal asked.

“Hmm. Then twenty.”

“No, ten is fine…”

“Then… what are these requests?” Tidal asked.

“I’ll think of them as I go. Haven’t decided yet, haha.”

“Then I’ll go home. Call me when you’ve thought of one.”

Tidal tried to escape, but Chen Xi blocked her.

“Wait,” she said.

“Is there something else?”

Chen Xi didn’t answer. She walked out of the room, heading to the living room—like she was getting something.

Meanwhile, Tidal faintly heard the fridge door open and close.

“Eat this.”

Soon, Chen Xi returned, holding a box of chocolate.

“I’ll feed you.”