Who the heck was it? It's always the worst when someone comes to bother you just as you're about to sink into the world of painting.
Quite unwillingly, Yazuki got up and headed to the door.
He first checked through the peephole—if it was someone he didn't know, didn't recognize, or looked like they were here to start trouble, he'd just ignore it and pretend not to be home.
He peeked through the peephole. The hallway outside was empty—no one in sight.
His brow twitched. Was someone playing a prank?
Just as he was turning to head back, the doorbell rang again—not the usual buzz, but something more like the sound of an elegant musical instrument.
It was infuriating. Could it be one of the neighborhood brats from the same floor?
He checked through the peephole again, but still saw no one.
Most likely a brat too short to be seen, pressing the doorbell just to be annoying. He immediately returned to his room, grabbed a ghost mask, and was determined to scare the kid into crying.
Just as the doorbell rang once more, Yazuki flung the door open in one breath—lowering his gaze to spook the kid.
"UWAAAH—Huh?!"
A weird noise came from his own throat in surprise. Halfway through scaring them, he froze.
In front of him was indeed a small child.
She had slightly pinkish silver hair tied into low twin-tails and a criminally cute, round little face tilted up to look at him. Her big eyes, as clear as a tranquil lake, blinked at him with a dazed expression.
The tiny elementary school-aged girl wore a predominantly white and pink gothic lolita outfit with some foreign ethnic flair. Her chubby little legs were covered in white stockings, and she wore small red shoes.
Was he seeing things? A real-life anime-style little cutie?
"Awoo! Awoo!"
This adorable little creature wobbled her head slightly and opened her small mouth to let out a strange sound—but it was soft, sweet, and ridiculously cute. Not creepy at all—on the contrary, it was lovely.
No way. Where did this bundle of cuteness come from? Since when did something like this live in the same building?
Guuu~~~~
Another cute sound. Huh? That didn't come from her lips. He noticed her small hands rubbing her little belly.
She was hungry?
"I'm hungry."
The cute little girl declared confidently, without a trace of shyness.
"Hurry up and give me something to eat, or I'll tell everyone your secret."
She issued a vague but bold threat while trying to act a little fierce—though she didn't look threatening at all.
To Yazuki, she just looked extra adorable.
Wait, is it Halloween today? No, that's still a ways off.
A slightly expressionless loli had shown up at his home demanding food. This was too surreal. And seriously, who let such an adorable girl go hungry? That's a crime.
If they don't want her, let me raise her!
"Hurry up and give me food."
Apparently unsatisfied with Yazuki's lack of immediate action, the little girl puffed up her chubby cheeks and repeated herself with confidence.
"Yeah yeah, I'll get you something right now."
As he said that, he couldn't help but reach out to pat her cute little head.
But the moment his hand moved, she leapt back like a startled kitten. Her soft, slightly chubby little hands formed tiny claws as she let out a cautious growl—clearly on guard in case he tried to hurt her.
Too cute. He couldn't help himself—he still reached for that fluffy little head.
"Awuu!"
She actually bit him—her tiny mouth chomping on his hand with all the ferocity of a baby animal.
But it didn't hurt at all—no strength behind it. Probably because she was too hungry to bite properly.
"You're really too cute."
He was enjoying the moment when suddenly—his face stiffened. A sharp, freezing glare sliced through the air.
Looking up, he saw it—Yukinoshita Yukino. Already cold as usual, but now the air around her practically radiated frost.
The next moment, she pulled out her phone and started dialing immediately.
"Wait, it's not what you think...!"
After a long explanation—
"That's it?"
Her eyes still carried a hint of sharpness. Yukino clearly didn't fully buy his story—some kid was hungry and came to him for food?
A child? She looked down at the so-called child—only to freeze.
Wait… what is this creature? This is way too cute. No wonder that guy was staring at her like a creep—anyone would.
Although Yukino had a soft spot for Mr. Panda and cats, she also had a hard time resisting anything this adorable.
Before she realized it, her hand was reaching out to touch the little cutie—
But—
"Don't touch me, foolish human!"
The little girl immediately went on alert and rejected her, putting Yukino in a very awkward position.
"Pfft—!"
Someone chuckled on purpose.
It was Yazuki. He couldn't help but find Yukino's stiff, embarrassed face hilarious. Still, this little loli already had a serious case of chuunibyou.
So much potential.
Then again, why did he even feel the need to explain himself to her? It made him look totally guilty, like he'd actually done something wrong.
Guuu~~~
The little girl's belly made another cute gurgling sound. Yukino, glaring at Yazuki, pulled a chocolate bar from her pocket.
"Foolish human, don't try to bribe me with food."
The girl rejected her without hesitation, freezing Yukino's hand midair.
Even though she clearly wanted the treat, she refused to accept it from her.
"Hurry up and give me food."
She tugged at Yazuki's sleeve and demanded again.
"Wait a second! He's human too!"
Yukino protested in frustration.
"He's different. He's... well, anyway, not like the rest of you foolish humans. Tohru-sama told me humans are wicked and deceitful. Never accept food from them—it might be poisoned!"
The cute little loli gave another dramatic, anime-style line full of chuunibyou flavor.
Yazuki, who had been silently enjoying the show, nodded along—yes, humans are indeed wicked and deceitful. Wait, wasn't he human too?
Before Yukino could stop him, he took the chocolate from her hand, unwrapped it, and ate a small piece.
"No problem. It's safe."
He handed the rest to the little girl. She hesitated for a moment, then took it with her tiny hands.
"Awuu—!"
She devoured it in one bite.
As for Yukino, Yazuki could faintly see her beautiful face twitch ever so slightly.
This adorable creature—she only accepts food from him.