…Ah.
Her stomach finally felt warm and satisfied.
Even though the porridge had cooled a bit—
It was still really good.
Those fried snacks and milk tea could bring great satisfaction to the taste buds—but as a source of energy… not so much. After all, the ingredients used to make them contained things she had never absorbed before—strange, unfamiliar substances.
Anya lay on the sofa. By now, she could at least lift her arms a little.
Lirina stood by the cooking counter, washing dishes.
Mm… after eating, I’m getting sleepy…
…Well, I did faint and fell asleep about an hour earlier. No wonder I’m still tired.
Let’s sleep.
Listening to the deliberately softened sound of running water, Anya slowly closed her eyes.
Kasa hopped down from Lirina’s shoulder. Lirina placed a few grains of rice she had been holding onto the table.
“Huff.” Kasa pecked at a grain, then sighed. “Lirina, you’re just like when you were little—a kind child.”
“Mm.” Lirina sat down, resting her chin in her hands as she watched Kasa eat.
“That angel… isn’t a bad child either.” Kasa flapped his wings slightly, clearly pleased with the taste. “Looks like she had a rough childhood. Well, as a crow demon, I probably shouldn’t say things like that—but I am your guardian, after all.”
“Kasa… hehe, I know you’re the best!” Lirina smiled and grabbed him—only to be promptly pecked on the hand.
“…Don’t grab me while I’m eating… little princess, are you trying to choke me?!” Kasa flapped his wings indignantly. “Anyway, fine—I’ll keep your secret. But next time I visit, you’d better prepare some bugs for me!”
“Ah… o-okay.” Lirina rubbed her reddened hand, nodding with an awkward smile.
“Mm… though it’s not just because I’m indulging your whims that I agreed to keep this secret,” Kasa continued, pecking at the rice. “Lirina, you know… an angel’s love is no ordinary thing.”
“Mm. Mm? What?” Lirina blinked, wondering if she had misheard.
“…That angel has no one to rely on right now. If something develops between you—or if you want to maintain such a relationship—it won’t stay hidden forever. A succubus and an angel living together… that’s not exactly normal.”
Kasa finished the rice and looked up at her.
“Ah… how could that be…” Lirina was at a loss for words.
Kasa smoothed his feathers with a wing. “Still, what you choose to do is up to you. I promised you, little princess, so I’ll keep my word… though something this outrageous won’t happen again.”
“Uu…” Lirina slumped onto the table.
“…Lirina, you’re a good child.” Kasa’s tone grew serious. “I’ve served Lady Naliena for many years. Back when you were little, I often saw those brats at the demon school bullying you. I wanted to step in… but Lady Naliena believed you needed to grow through your own strength.”
“I know. You’re the one who asked Mom to let you become my guardian in the human world,” Lirina said, lifting her head.
“Mm.” Kasa closed his eyes. “Lady Naliena is a powerful succubus, but she’s not someone who indulges recklessly. As her daughter, even if you’ve never absorbed anyone’s desire, you still possess strong succubus power… you just don’t know how to use it.”
“Mm… Kasa, are you praising me?” Lirina touched her small horns. “I just… feel like stealing people’s feelings is wrong…”
“Fool!” Kasa tapped her head with his wing. “Who told you a succubus has to seduce people and steal love or desire? Your power can also deepen love, make affection more intoxicating, make intimacy more comfortable!”
“Mm!” Lirina’s face instantly flushed red. “Kasa, Kasa! Why are you saying things like that…”
“Honestly…” Kasa looked exasperated. “Let me put it simply—you’re naturally attractive. That’s your succubus charm unconsciously leaking out, shaping your appearance and aura.”
“Eh? But I…” Lirina looked down at herself in panic. “I never thought about that…”
“Mm, I know.” Kasa hopped onto her head. “That’s because your bloodline is strong. Why do you think your figure is so nice and your face so cute? It’s not just inheritance—it’s your power.”
“I-is that so…” Lirina blushed, glancing at her figure beneath her clothes.
“…And that angel too. When you got close to her, she was already just a tiny bit drawn to you,” Kasa said.
“Eh? So Anya was being nice to me because my succubus power charmed her?!” Lirina grabbed Kasa and started shaking him.
“W-wait—gah—little princess, let go, I’m not finished—!” Kasa flailed, nearly unleashing a blade of crow feathers.
Lirina snapped out of it. “Ah! I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Kasa!” She quickly set him back down.
Kasa wobbled for a moment. “Ugh… you don’t have the ability to control minds yet. What I mean is—she already thinks you’re a good person. That’s natural. Anyone would feel that way if you treat them kindly. Your little bit of charm just makes it… easier.”
“I see! So it just makes people feel I’m friendlier and easier to get along with, so we become friends faster!” Lirina scratched her head. “Sorry, Kasa, I got too worked up earlier…”
…That’s not exactly what I meant… but fine.
Kasa shook his head lightly, watching his cheerful little princess.
What I wanted to say was… you might even end up pushing that angel down someday…
But at this rate, things will probably develop naturally anyway.
A succubus who conquers an angel… aside from Lady Naliena, maybe only my little princess could…
—So Kasa thought. But he never imagined just how wrong he would be.
Much later, he would watch his little master, cheeks flushed, being held tightly by a mischievously smiling angel—and regret not teaching her how to take the initiative.
But that was a story for another time.
No matter what, the tale of this “useless” succubus who couldn’t charm others, and this overworked, unhappy angel—
Could only be written by the two of them.
…
Anya woke up. She had a nightmare.
Her eyes opened slowly, her brows furrowing.
…It was her mother’s voice—scolding her for being reckless, for failing to meet expectations.
As the memory lingered, tears began to fall.
Anya clenched her teeth, wiping them away roughly—but the pain in her chest kept pulsing, and the tears wouldn’t stop.
Damn it. Don’t cry. You’re not trapped in that house anymore.
She buried her face in the blanket, muffling her sobs, breathing in Lirina’s scent to calm herself.
Yes… right now, the only one by her side was that silly succubus who didn’t act like a succubus at all.
…When will morning come? If I see her smile, I’ll probably forget all of this.
Though her body was still exhausted, she had no desire to sleep again.
Anya stared into the darkness, quietly breathing.
Lirina: “Anya? Your face looks… are you unhappy?”
Anya: “It’s nothing. Don’t worry about me. Didn’t you finish your homework yet?”
Lirina: “Mm… but you look upset…”
Anya: “Alright… go finish your homework. I’ll stay here.”
Lirina: “Mm… hehe. Does this make you feel a little better?”
Lirina: “Okay, I’ll go do my homework now… sigh, I wish I were as smart as you, Anya. You finish so fast…”
Anya: (blushing) “Wait… come back. I—I meant a kiss on the lips, not the cheek…”