Buy You Out

a kusuriya no hitorigoto (The Apothecary Diaries): fanfic

By JustASweetbean aka LovelyGirlFromAVillage

summary

This is an Alternative Universe fic. I read the Shi Clan arc almost a year ago and it took me two weeks at most. Then, I don't think I have the brains to develop a story under a canon divergence. Plus, it's funnier this way.
This fic is just about my delusional wish of having Shisui blatantly flirt with Maomao and winning her over.

Author's Note

Ok, first of all, this my first KnH fic, and my first fic in general, in like almost ten years. So, please don't be rude. And this is my first attempt at writing in HTML (I failed, my BF saved the day). Also, as you might be used to it by now: English is not my first language.

In the beginning it was supposed to be just porn without plot, but maybe just a little plot for the sake of some fluff. In the end, this fic is just the result of my wish to write again, and make these two real, because I love the ship a lot and there seems to be too little people interested.

Enjoy

Taking care of children is not as bad as I thought, Maomao considered, her eyes laid deeply focused on the ginger baby playing in the sandbox.

At first, she wasn't eager to take the job because she hated children in general and didn't know how to treat babies at all. However, when she thought about her project of building a small pharmacology lab at home, she could do nothing but acquiesce. After all, Lingli was a well-behaved child, and she seemed to be interested in herbs at such a young age — or at least that's what Maomao reckoned by Lingli's interest in the park's flowers.

If she had learnt the basis at the tender age of four or so, Lingli, at two, was apparently at a good age to start learning names and shapes of the flora. Although, there wasn't much to see in a meagre park flora. If only could she take her somewhere else more enticing, would Gyokuyou mind?

Maomao mulled over for a moment before she noticed an empty space where it shouldn't be, right before her eyes — Lingli was nowhere to be seen. Her heart halted for a second. It was only minutes ago that the lovely baby was playing with sand and grass, she wasn't even able to walk without stumbling yet, how come she disappeared in thin air?

Just breathe, she must be somewhere close, how far can a baby walk, anyway? She tried to relieve herself whilst her eyes searched all over the crowded place, full of babies, strollers, mothers and children running amok. At least her baby had a unique hair colour — which, in fact, helped her find Lingli way faster than she expected, she sighed in relief and walked over to where the baby was.

Although, the closer she got, the less relief she felt; there was Lingli, peacefully looking at a crystal box with undiscernible specks inside, and a thin branch with its ends resting in each corner of the box. It was held by a young girl crouching in front of Lingli, the girl was smiling brightly at the baby, she seemed to be explaining something with such delicacy, even if the baby was oblivious of her words — was this girl going to kidnap Lingli?

"That baby is mine", Maomao finally spat in a worried tone. As if it were to work against any real baby-kidnaper.

The girl gazed up to answer Maomao's call. When their eyes met, the girl's honey-brown ones instantly shone up. Her smile going brighter and wider. “Is she? You seem to young to have such a big baby.” The girl got to her feet, not before picking Lingli up with one hand, while holding her box with the other — it was now visible, a box full of black widows.

"I'm taking care of her. Anyways, she's still one of my seniors' baby. So…” Maomao mulled for a second, the girl holding Lingli, still smiling at her. “Would you give me the baby, please? I need to take her back by now.” She extended her arms as to take the baby back. The girl didn't put any restrain, she obediently released Lingly with the utmost care, so to be cradle by Maomao's arms.

"I feel like I've seen you somewhere,” the girl wondered out loud, battering her long eyelashes in a fox-like gaze. She pondered for a while before a bright smiled printed again in her round face. “Of course!! You're from the pharmacology department. I think my sister is your senior from the same department. Most probably we've had some classes together. I'm from the biology department. You can call me Shisui. What about you?”

Maomao furrowed deep in thought. She felt like she'd seen this girl somewhere, too. Yet she couldn't guess precisely where she'd seen her. With a poor memory for things she didn't mind, it must certainly be true. And yet, how could she forget such a pretty face?

“Maomao,” she answered in a perfunctory tone, at last.

After hearing her name, Shisui's eyes went brimming in joy like a child after given sweets. Pleased, she bid farewell to Lingli by patting her head and pouting jokingly, as an outcome, she inevitably got closer to Maomao, and their breaths mildly mingled when Shisui drew up her view to bid farewell to the cat-like girl as well.

"See you at Uni, Maomao." At that, Shisui withdrew and turned around to walk further and further away until there was no sight of her.

Maomao stood there frozen for a while after Shisui left. Her mind stirred for no reason and her ears tepid warm at that last interaction. How can someone ever forget about seeing her before? With such soft-lotus pink lips, foxy eyes and charming curly hair in buns, a stunning sight to behold. How did she never notice?

In that instat, Lingly's crying brought her back to reality. She had forgotten of the child in her arms, who she had to take her home by now before her mother started to worry. Maomao sighed deeply, as if giving up in a fight she hadn't even started, and finally headed off to Gyokuyou's house.

Maomao had never been the kind to pay attention to people around her, unless these people were ill or injured, meaning she could have a chance to prove efficacy of any new concoction of hers. Yet, this week, she'd been particularly interested in everyone's face, unconsciously looking for a certain someone of alluring visage and fox-like eyes. A part of her felt quite pathetic as her eyes subconsciously kept their search every time there was a chance. She didn't even know how she wound up this way, somehow longing for someone she stumbled upon with, once.

Lost in thought, she inadvertently gazed downward; but soon, her blue eyes started sparkling like sun-kissed emeralds when she noticed a small patch of belladonna growing at the roots of a tree. A small gasp let out her mouth. It was a pretty common herb to grown in wild fields, but a tree behind a university building didn't count much as the wild, even if the buds were yet to bloom, it was a rare sight.

She squatted to see the buds better, not daring to touch them or else it could stunt their growth. Right when she was about to get a closer look, something (or more specifically, someone), fell onto her back, violently Pinning her down. Face to grass. Even though she wasn't able to breathe freely under whoever's pressure it was, a faint whiff of fresh berries suddenly assaulted her nose, inebriating her senses as it flooded freely into her nostrils.

"Gotcha!" A familiar voice rumbled through her ears, and whatever was weighing Maomao down, suddenly dispersed. She took the chance to roll over to her back again and face her perpetrator. After facing the one topping her, she found herself out of words. It might've been due to such a poisonous berry air, or something of the sort, but her mind simply went blank.

There she was, the girl who Maomao unknowingly yearned for the whole week. And at such an inconvenient — or rather convenient, angle. Shisui was straddling her, completely leg spread with a nonchalant smile and some kind of bug held between her thumb and index. Maomao's view wandered and stopped at certain point: she didn't remember Shisui having such plump... attributes. She instantly waved off the idea as her body heath increased unwillingly.

"Uhmm... Shisui... What exactly are you doing on top of me?" Maomao finally stuttered

"Oh yeah... I was just collecting a sample for my lab class."

"A grasshopper?" Maomao raised an eyebrow. Her ponytail sprawled over the grass.

"A locust," each letter sharp as a sword. Shisui drew closer and closer to Maomao, until her chest was graciously propped over Maomao's. Approached this near again, even if the cat girl was proficient at handling her liquor, this girl's scent was exceeding her limits, intoxicating her again.

The fox girl straightened up to pop the locust inside a sample cup and tightly close the cap. "See you later," Shisui hastily babbled before fully getting onto her feet and jogging towards the university building.

Upon Shisui's withdrawal, Maomao couldn't fight the strange feeling of emptiness. So, she strugglingly straightened up, propped on her forearms, and blankly stared at the small belladonna patch by her side.

The days after weren't quieter. Suddenly, Shisui went from someone she's never seen before to someone who would follow her around whenever possible, chit-chatting about random stuff — Mainly bug's facts. And claiming Maomao as a friend, without leaving room to protest.

She wasn't precisely used to have a friend in tow. She'd always been in resemblance of a lonesome stray cat. Neither following nor being followed by anyone, only answering to her own interests. Yet, having this girl lingering to her wasn't exactly unbearable, on the contrary, it was enjoyable.

Shisui would, most of the time, listen to her yapping about herbs, drugs and poison, while on the other hand, Maomao would also tend to listen carefully to Shisui's nonstop insect's fun facts, thus her company was mainly pleasant.

On the other hand, her company could also — although in an inexplicable way — be frustrating at times, specifically speaking, after their gym class. Shisui loved messing around with her, sometimes pinching, in a taunt, whichever bit of skin she caught from Maomao; sometimes simply draping on her neck when completely naked inside the bath, beating it up if things were to escalate.

Maomao, raised by a brothel's owner, wasn't a stranger to barely dressed women holding her in a tight hug, or pinching her cheeks while sensually waving their hips, mouth in a pout. She was basically aloof of shyness and completely unresponsive to similar stimuli. Her only problem was this girl, who rouse inside of her, a somewhat frustrating feeling. For every graze of skin there was this kind of feeling one experience upon not getting enough from something.

She reckoned Shisui as some kind of twisted child playing roughly with her toys, especially whenever she pinched her skin a little too hard. An aching sensation which Maomao soon found pleasant; even the aftermath tingling running through her fair skin, became some sort of newly developed addiction, a recently discovered poison. So that, she kindly let the girl mess around, binding her own hands for the sake of not being called a creep — or so she thought, and resolved to enjoy Shisui's masochistic games.

Who would complain, anyway? Having Shisui's naked soft warm body rubbing against her was a tad bit of a compensation. As well as peering at her rosy lips dripping forth bath water, then following the scented beads slid down to her cleavage — even if Maomao was bound head to toes and her mouth gagged with a towel, not being able to touch Shisui at all, just see… she had no room to complain.

Distilling was both the best and the worst thing to do at the lab. The best in regard that it was a homely way to get essential oils from some plants, meaning you'll be getting most of the useful components from them. The worst because building up a glass machine, which had to be both boiling hot and condensing cold, then having to wash it up. Being the lab hour the very last, on Friday evening, in a cramped room — who can be eager to such draining activity?

Just as Maomao was about to take her leave, and her whole lab team had already tidied up their space, a crash, followed by bickering sounds, brought everybody's attention to a weeping girl. It was Xiaolan, who started sobbing as soon as a guy from her team started berating her for being a “dumbass, good for nothing teammate”, and many more put down comments.

”Hey, you! Little piece of shit! It was an accident! Are you done yet screaming at her?” Not being able to keep seeing that random jerk screaming at her friend, Maomao meddled between the two. In exchange, she got a scornful laugh from the guy. Xiaolan sticking to her as if Maomao were to be her shield.

“Ok. Then… If you really want to help her, you both pay for what she broke!” The guy stressed each of his words, while almost jabbing his finger at Maomao's chest. So that, the guy packed his stuff and left the room in rage fit.

At the moment, everybody thought the same: It was nothing, accidents happen all the time, what the fuck was wrong with him?, but nobody spoke out loud, the students inside simply twisted their faces in disapproval and slowly left the room in a hush gossip.

Birds chirping and a light breeze amidst warm weather. It was the middle of summer and there, sitting under a small tree, Maomao was trying to soothe a crying girl. Xiaolan hadn't been able to stop her wailing since they left the laboratory. Maomao as she was, found herself at a complete loss on what to do; she wasn't good with words, so she mused that whatever she had to say would simply worsen her friend's mood, therefore, she remained silent all the while. After a moment of thought, though, she finally offered the only solution that came to mind.

"I'll pay for it. I've been saving some money to build a small laboratory myself. I have the money. Would that solve your problem?"

Xiaolan's weeping face outed from its hiding in Maomao's chest and cleavage. Her big, teary eyes stared at her friend in disbelief. Maomao heaved a sigh and repeated herself, "I'll pay for it, but please, stop crying for once," she was trying to act nice to her friend, however, her voice was still dry, and her words bold. Nonetheless, Xiaolan hugged her tighter than before and mustered a low "thank you," face burrowed in Maomao's chest.

Maomao knew her friend's monetary situation well, and she wasn't such a heartless person to let her keep worrying about money. Xiaolan was clumsy, usually behind the rest of the class, and struggled to get good-enough grades to not lose her scholarship. This lab mate of hers was rather tired of her clumsiness during practices and her usual lack of understanding, which meant his rage was sort of justified. Though it didn't mean he wasn't a dumbass jerk for yelling at her, of course.

"I thought you were trying to avoid me," a honeyed voice cast a chilling sensation up and down her spine. She'd been, in fact, trying to avoid him. In order to answer exactly why was she trying to avoid this God of beauty, we should go back in time a few weeks.

This handsome boy was an acquaintance of hers — or so she wanted to call him. They were more intimate than acquaintances, yet not friends exactly. But Maomao refused to tag their closeness in any compromising way, even when she knew well, he wanted to do so, that was precisely why she was avoiding him. Just as with Shisui, Maomao let this boy mess around with her, there were some differences, though. First of all, contrary to her passiveness with Shisui, Maomao did tease him back. Second was that he didn't exactly have a playful intention with his touchy moves; instead, he was clear as water: he liked her. That was the main reason why she never let him go further than kissing, biting and teasing, at least not until a few weeks ago.

At his birthday party, he'd taken her out of the party under the excuse of wanting some fresh air. As the most handsome guy at campus, he was inevitably hit on by both men and women; contrary to common belief, it wasn't his cup of tea to receive as much attention. Maomao wondered why did he take her and not Basen, but acquiesced to go with him. In the end, she enjoyed spending time with him, and she was equally tired of the ambience. They kept walking until the loud music was nothing but a muffled noise. There, under the moonlight, they started making out. Unlike any teen romance with this same scenario, what happened next was the following: their kissing session escalated a bit too much a bit too fast; Maomao noticed his weight crushing against her on the garden's damp grass, a hand swiftly slipping under her dress and setting aside her panties. Being both slightly drowsy by alcohol and arousal, it took her quite some time to realise that he was already unfastening his belt and a prominent bulge under the indigo fabric of his trousers.

Every drop of alcohol immediately drained from her system. Her eyes wide open in horror. "What the fuck are you doing idiot!?" She pushed him with all her might, upon this, the pretty boy froze in place to look at her in embarrassment, his face growing redder and warmer per second, his eyes pledging.

"I-I'm sorry... I got carried on," he quavered and tried to help her up until they both were on their feet. Drowsiness off, everything worsened the moment they noticed — although, ten or so kilometres away — some onlookers chuckling at them.

Days later, she received at her doorstep a pretty expensive gift. Neatly placed in a wooden box, there was a pair of crispy Oax Benzoars. A note sticking to the lid: "I'm so sorry, please, don't hate me :c," was written in it. There wasn't a name, but by the extravagance and fancy lettering, she knew who it was. Nonetheless, she still avoided him, partially out of shame, but mostly because rumour came that they were a thing — How childish, to claim they were an item just because of a drunk kiss. Or at least that's what she wanted to believe. Not anyone had the chance to kiss the most sought-after guy at uni, then, keeping in mind how many tried something that same night and how he was who looked for her. So, in order to stop the rumour, she resolved to stay as far away as possible from him.

"Jinshi..." Maomao said through her teeth. Xiaolan read the air and let her comfortable place to quietly sit beside her friend. Jinshi gracefully took a place as close as possible to Maomao.

"I brought you savoury snacks and Jazmin tea," Jinshi said beaming with a smile, shrimp crisps in one hand, a boba tea in his other.

"I wasn't... I was busy, that's all. Didn't you have terms, too, or something?" She took the crisps from Jinshi's hand and started to nibble on them.

"Yes, but they were over a week ago. I haven't seen you in three weeks."

"You count the time?"

Jinshi raised his eyebrow at her question, "it's not hard to tell how much time has passed, the las time I saw you was..."

Maomao cut him off before he could continue. "Anyway... What do you need? I don't think you've come here just to bring me a snack, right?" Now, she also started slurping from the boba still in Jinshi's hands.

"I did," he smiled again and Maomao shuddered at him, but it only invited the boy to lean closer and smile wider. Maomao shifted her head away from Jinshi. "How generous of you... Don't you happen to have one hundred to spare, by any chance?" She asked offhanded, yet he cocked his head in thought.

"Of course, why? Do you need money?"

Maomao startled, she glanced at him squinting her eyes until she remembered this boy was not only unfairly beautiful, but also stupid rich. "Will you give me one hundred just because I asked?" She sorted it out before jumping to conclusions. In fact, Jinshi's countenance suddenly became as solemn as if realising the unfairness of such trade. "No," he spat.

"What do you even need one hundred for?"

Maomao was about to answer when Xiaolan finally meddled in the conversation, "I broke a very expensive flask and Maomao is going to help me pay for it," her puppy eyes fixed on a very confused Jinshi.

His lips quirked up slightly in a mocking smile, "so, it's not even your problem?" Maomao glowered at his words, nevertheless, it had only aroused the God-like beauty more, so he pushed her harder: "Since when are you so soft-hearted?" He leaned in closer.

"Are you gonna lend me the money or not?" She jeered as her patience was running low.

"I. Will. Lend you the money," Jinshi said, making sure to stress the word lend.

"How greedy of you, weren't you the son of a CEO or something? Why do you even need your money back?"

Jinshi flickered for a second, his smile turning into a tight line, "I never said you had to pay with money," he stated, every word slowly closing the distance between the cat-girl and him.

Within Maomao's guts, an intense desire surged, the desire to kick his balls so hard he would remain incapable of using them ever again. Heeding her reaction, Jinshi clarified, "it's not a sexual favour." He withdrew a few inches and after a pause, he continued, "I want a date, a simple one, in a fancy restaurant or wherever you prefer; I simply want to talk to you, I have an important question..."

"I'd rather give you a head job."

Now, it was his time for wishing to smack her. He knitted his brows and asked hurt, "what's so terrible about simply going out with me? Aren't we friends?" He was on the brink of tears.

"I sure am your friend... However..."

"I'll give you one hundred s and the only thing you have to do is go out on a date. What's the deal with you?"

"A date with whom?" A crisp voice broke in, it was a female's voice, and one which Maomao was now very familiar with. Shisui sat facing both Maomao and Jinshi, her lips curved upward.

"Jinshi will give Maomao one hundred dollars to help me pay a debt of a broken flask. But she has to go out on a date with him, like going to the movies together and chatting," Xiaolan clarified, likely to make people know she was still there. Shisui cocked her head in amusement.

"Sounds like one of those bids where somebody offers themselves as a prize for a good cause," the girl wearing space buns said, trying to hold a chuckle. She nonchalantly dipped her hand in Maomao's shrimp crisps, a sly smirk formed on her face, "what if I offer one hundred-twenty, would you go out on a date with me?"

Jinshi was about to berate Shisui when Maomao's voice kept his words unspoken, "if you have that much, sure." Her short sentence left Jinshi dumbstruck, it was not beyond a twenty s difference, yet she had accepted this girl's offer with such ease, but not his.

"Well, not really. But this might compensate for those twenty." Shisui materialized from who knows where, an about-to-wither bouquet of bright red flowers, poppies. Maomao's blue eyes sparkled in glee as her hands tried to snatch the bouquet from Shisui's hands. At that, Shisui giggled tenderly, and her arm stretched out of Maomao's reach, "is that a yes?"

"Yes!" Maomao answered eagerly. A bouquet of poppies then filled her hands, her mind trying to decide what sort of concoction she would make first with her gift. On the other hand, Jinshi was shotting a glare at Shisui, albeit his eyes were brimming with hatred, the girl's only answer was shrugging, then smiled feigning innocence.

Jinshi left without bidding farewell, his beautiful visage in a sulky expression, like a boy throwing a tantrum. Xiaolan, by her part, was sincerely perplexed, so that, she didn't mutter a single word.

Dusk had fallen already, and reddish hues coloured the sky. Faint tangerine beams back-lit Maomao's face as she closed her book, it was time to go home. However, as soon as she left the classroom, a soft something stopped her exit with a thump, followed by a sudden waft of wild berries.

Upon being stunted on her walk, Maomao couldn't react further than gazing up, at that moment she felt speechless. Right in front of her was a stunning girl smiling playfully at her, Shisui. Maomao's guts unwarningly turned into a knot.

Shisui's outfits commonly ranged from sport wear to whatever gave her freedom to move. This time she wasn't wearing anything similar, instead, a red velvet, long skirt draped around her waist; she was wearing a sleeveless black top and chunky platform boots; her usual space buns were now a single messy bun, a pair of wavy tufts dangling from her temples. The black top cinched perfectly around her waist, consequently enhancing her half-covered breasts, which greeted Maomao, who wasn't tall enough to stare at Shisui face to face.

Under the sight's influence, Maomao's heart started to race, increasing up in pace the moment her eyes fixed on the velvet fabric tightly embracing Shisui's hips. Her face, rather than showing her increasing nervousness, remained sheepish.

"Are you ready for our date? Here's my fee," Shisui offered one hundred in cash, carelessly. Maomao eventually came to; she had forgotten about yesterday's events; at first, she'd thought this girl was toying with her as well as with Jinshi, turns out, she was pretty serious about giving money away just for a date.

Maomao took the cash without much heed. "So… you were serious about the date thing?" That was the most she could answer, she was trying to think of a good quip, but in the end, it fell flat. She mulled about her situation for a second then continued, "... I reek of chemicals... I think I need a shower. Can we rain check it?"

Shisui bent toward so she could whisper directly at Maomao's ear, "I don't think that's fair… I've paid my debt, now's your turn. You can come to my place, take a shower and grab a change, if you want," her voice as her skirt, velvet. Maomao swallowed an uneasy gasp as Shisui straightened up. Scarlet lips grinning lusciously.

“Well, you've paid…” Maomao wavered the cash flimsily, then smiled back. “In that case, I must comply with my services.” She bowed deeply, with her hands placed on her lap, like playing along in her role of servitude. Now, it was time for Shisui's cheeks to turn subtle pink.

Maomao's nervousness had faded only to rouse again the moment an overly fancy car picked them up, driver and all included. Maomao reckoned it wasn't a simple rental car since Shisui had acted so familiar at greeting the driver, even so as to call him by name. Although, the driver had called Shisui: Miss Loulan, instead. But Shisui didn't disagree with him at all.

Not beating any allegations, once they arrived at Shisui's place it wasn't a plain house, not even a humble large house. It was an enormous manor with a long stone path and a lush garden up front. Once the path ended, and the house's gates were visible, a gleaming pound lavishly greeted their guests; clear water seeping forth from a marble fox's mouth, sitting in the middle of the pond.

She'd never rummaged much about Shisui's background before; she wasn't the type to show off, nor she was known for being the offspring of some rich man — unlike Jinshi. However, put it in perspective, Shisui wasn't either modest when it came to clothing, accessories or anything in general. Not to mention her nonchalant attitude upon giving away one hundred s just to horse around with a random girl.

Who was this girl, exactly? Was Maomao being kidnaped? Would it count as treachery for the old hag if she ever was sex trafficked by these people?

Maomao's mind settled as soon as they arrived inside the manor. Shisui lead her to the kitchen, first. It was a spacious sleek kitchen coloured in dark shades, going from coal black to red wine, while the lightest palette there was stone-grey to cold pearl.

“I'll prepare something to drink before we go upstairs. You can roam around, just don't touch anything,” Loulan — or Shisui, declared while dipping her head inside the immense fridge to look for some juice and snacks.

“THORNAPPLE AND BLOWFISH'S POISON!!!” Maomao's sudden voice demonstrated how little care she took on Shisui's words. “What are these doing here?” Maomao was now holding a white flower and a tiny crystal bottle, her eyes shining in glee.

“Maomao, I told you not to…”

“Didn't your parents teach you not to touch other's belongings?” A stern voice cut Loulan off before she could continue. Its owner was a beautiful woman in her mid-20's, her gaze cold as ice and her jet-black hair framing it. She looked both scary and elegant even though she was wearing silk shorts and a feeble shirt.

“Suirei…” Maomao spout in a raspy voice. “Is it a new project? What is it about? I wanna know!!” If it was about herbs and poison, Maomao would forget everything about manners and shyness. Her blue eyes kept beaming at Suirei.

“So, you know each other…” Loulan said.

“None of your business …” Suirei started snatching away her ingredients from Maomao's hands.

“… And you get along really well…” Shisui almost whispered, then she interceded for her friend, “sis, could you please not harass my guest?” A pair of sweet brown eyes pledged to Suirei.

“Could you please not bring meddlesome guests?” After berating her sister, Suirei shot a glare at Maomao.

“Sis…” Shisui heaved a sigh, it seemed she wanted to answer back, but instead she got closer to her sister and asked, “Is… she at home?”

Shisui didn't elaborate more, nonetheless, Suirei understood. “Yes… But she won't be out from her room in a long time. You can hear music from outside and she's brought three new girls.”

Upon such answer, the small hairs in Maomao's nape stood up in fear… So, I'm going to be… Shisui instantly noticed her friend's uneasiness, so she grazed her arm to soothe her.

“It's just about my mother, don't mind it, she…”

“I'll be taking care of Chou-u, while you can have fun, too. Just like her,” Suirei spat after taking out a pretzel's bag from the counter.

“Sis — don't be like that,” once again, Shisui's eyes were teary, almost asking for her sister's mercy. Shisui grabbed Suirei's free hand, but the latter didn't do much more than flinch before leaving to a side room.

Now, Maomao was at loss. Maybe it was nothing, but family business and she shouldn't pry any further. Not like she could help anyways.

“Let's get you showered,” Shisui immediately changed tune. She was once again, beaming at Maomao. So that, in a haste, she seized Maomao's wrist and dragged her upstairs.

Whether she was in real danger or not, there wasn't anything she could do right now. In addition, she had remembered her father's words — Luomen had always told her not to jump to conclusions beforehand, so she didn't.

Maomao stripped herself off and took a well-deserved, peaceful shower. Out of the shower, she couldn't find her clothes anywhere. Therefore, she went out, heading to Shisui's room with ease.

There inside the room, Shisui greeted her by holding her hands and manhandling her to sit her on the bed.

Maomao was swaddled on a white towel, her hair still dripping wet. Her countenance was tense, but it seemed aloof. Even so, Shisui noticed, grazing her bare shoulders as an answer.

"Don't be so tense, I won't bite you," she said amidst giggles. "Even if I did so, it won't harm you."

Maomao startled a bit, Shisui had never been so bold before, at least not with words.

"How can I be sure?" Maomao retorted, seemingly to gain some strength.

Shisui softly pressed Maomao's shoulders, her long nails faintly jabbing her fair skin. "Let me give you a massage," she offered.

"Wasn't I supposed to be the one who gave you my services?" Maomao raised her eyebrow tauntingly.

"Let me show my skills to someone I..." Shisui's words couldn't scape her throat, she wasn't sure if there was a correct way to end such sentence. "...My mother used to make me give her massages, or else she'd scold me. I guess I can find a silver lining by using it as a parlour trick for guests."

"Would you give a massage to any guest?" This time, Maomao felt like having the longest side of the stick.

Shisui heaved a sigh and kneeled on the bed, facing Maomao's back. "Just close your eyes and breathe." At that, Shisui's slender hands started kneading Maomao's shoulders.

Her thumbs drawing tiny circles on her friend's smooth skin. They stayed there for a whole minute. Shisui's hands faintly quivered. "Is it okay if I continue to your lower back?" She asked in a soft whisper.

If Shisui continued, it would mean to strip her guest off of the only piece of cloth concealing the slim body beneath.

One may attribute her words to Maomao being fed up with feigning obliviousness, and so she said, holding her breath, "Shisui..." Then she released the warm air inside her lungs to continue, "I Hope I'm not mistaking this, but... First of all — I'm not to start a relationship of any kind..."

"Me neither," Shisui spat in giggles. "If it makes you feel better, I'll be leaving the city in three days. So, you'll be free of bonds."

Technically, it meant Maomao was free to fulfil her desires without a compromising aftermath. However, it wasn't an answer that eased her, instead, her heart stung in a little bit of sorrow.

Shisui grew embarrassed upon Maomao's silence. She cleared her throat, "you don't have to do anything if you don't want to... I'm so—"

Shisui was abruptly shut by a pair of warm smooth lips. Her mouth pried open, guided by Maomao's movements. So that, her friend's tongue could enter, then licked her teeth. Shisui reclaimed some agency with a tender bite.

They parted to catch their breaths. Shisui was the first one to speak, "this is my first time with a girl, I think I'll be clumsy."

Maomao mulled for a second, the towel was now off her body as well as inhibition. "Well... The old hag wanted me as a courtesan at first, even if I wasn't precisely taught to please women, I know some tricks."

Maomao burrowed her face in Shisui's neck, then began to drop melee kisses up and down to her cleavage, she didn't stop until the seam shaped by her breasts greeted her. A pair of icy hands slowly slid down the black fabric around Shisui's shoulders. In the blink of an eye, the fox-like girl was bare from the chest, only shabby lace holding her breasts.

Maomao's belly surged in heath, her breathing suddenly halting. Between her legs, it was tepid damp despite herself.

She unfastened the lingerie hindering her mouth from catching the pair of fluffy blossoms. Once free, Maomao's lips found their place around a pink nipple and started to suck fervently, an index and a thumb attending the other with a caring pinch and turn. Maomao's hips danced up and down in a rhythmic motion, her usual demeanour shifted from sterile to impassive, she was irredeemably inebriated by the wild berries sweat staining her all over.

Although lost in pleasure, breath hitching, Shisui tried to muffle her moans by biting her lips — a meek try to hide their deeds.

Maomao's free hand gripped the temping waist of her friend, drawing her closer. Fingers roamed intentionally to find the skirt's zipper, at first contact wit the metal zip, she dragged it down and got rid of the velvet skirt in a swift move, only the lace panties kept in place.

Maomao released the nipple off her mouth, she stared at her friend: Shisui was blushed, lusciously sweaty, her lips unintentionally open and swollen. A scorching sensation welled inside Maomao, it turned into a sort of tipsy joy, she didn't even try to restrain herself and renewed a make out session. This time, it was hungrier and fiercer.

Shisui tugged at Maomao by the waist, her cup size was prominently larger, which wound up in her smearing sweat and perfume all over Maomao's chest. The petite girl found herself manhandled, she was posed legs spread over Shisui's thighs, wetness smearing back at her in revenge.

Maomao broke the kiss, she was panting. Her parted lips glistering with saliva, she licked it out. Her usual cold blue eyes were now half lidded, a subtle flame lit inside.

A slim finger probed between Shisui's thighs. Maomao's thumb pressed against the lace fabric where there lay a jolting pearl, her thumb began to leisurely motion in circles; her palm gently massaging Shisui's lower lips. The blue emeralds of eyes fixed their attention to Shisui in astonishment,suddenly, her friend became an indescribable beauty, the most glorious sight to behold: Shisui's long lashes were drooping over her amber eyes, cheeks flushed into a carmine hue. She bit her lips to shut herself up, and yet, a muffled sound was still audible.

Maomao was feeling smug, she tried to fight the feeling, but how couldn't she be at least a little bit haughty after looking at the stunning girl melting in at her touch? She instantly felt aroused with pleasure, but it wasn't satiating enough, she shifted her pose to straddle only one of Shisui's thighs and began to rub herself over her friend's soft skin in a dancing motion. Her hand still diligently attending her friend's crotch.

Maomao ceased massaging the fleshy entrance, however, a confident finger pried open into Shisui's slit, once inside, came another, not without struggling. Shisui clenched around them, inside of her was dewy and searing. Maomao involuntarily let out a flimsy moan upon the intoxicating sensation. She started thrusting in and out of her friend. Shisui, unable to hold it any longer, howled a melodious moan. Given their position, it pierced right through Maomao's ears, forcing her to thrust harder and tremble.

After rhythmic motions and muffled moans, heath peaked at its highest; it held there up for a second, gradually drooping down into drowsiness. Both arrived their climax.

"I think it's too late now to go out... We can get a drink if you fancy, though." Shisui was facing at Maomao. Both girls laying by their sides, legs entangled.

Maomao shook her head as deny. "Is it okay if I ask you, why're you leaving?"

Shisui's eyelashes fluttered, a faint smile curving up on her face. "My father's a merchant, he made a better deal somewhere else. Just that."

"But you're an adult, why can't you stay and end your studies?" Maomao felt like it was a bit of overstepping their boundaries, but the words scaped from her mouth before she could stop them.

Shisui chuckled. "It's not about taking care of me," she stressed the word me, "it's rather about the people I have to take care of — like my sister. I know my mother doesn't like her... I wouldn't let her alone."

Maomao nodded in agreement, she didn't pry further. It was a fair answer.

In the end, Shisui still dressed her up as she pleased. Everything in her wardrobe was a too loose on the hips and chest, thus Maomao was fit into a pearl beige cotton dress that one could adjust with a belt. Her friend was making her hair when a sudden pinch stung her scalp.

“Ouch!” Maomao chided.

“Sorry, I found a cute hairpin in your things. I thought you look pretty wearing it.” Shisui prompted the cat girl to look at the vanity's mirror. The instant her reflect was visible, Maomao's eyes went wide open, she probed the silver ornament in her silk hair.

“Oh… That thing…”

“You don't like it? Can I have it? It's absolutely lovely.”

Maomao pursed her lips in thought, “I don't think that'd be correct; it was a gift.”

“From that pretty boy?” Shisui said with a cocky smile, as if it were a taunt. She hugged her friend and whispered, “I get it, no worries.” Then she kissed her cheek.

Night had finally fallen, its deep darkness dimmed by the streetlights and a colourful billboard above their heads; Verdigris House was read in it.

"Thanks for driving me home."

Shisui dipped her head as she answered, "I wanted to be sure you arrived safe and sound."

"When will I see you again?" Maomao stared deeply at Shisui. She was hoping for a soothing answer, albeit she wasn't sure exactly what it may mean.

"Not soon." Shisui moved her head side to side. Her lips became a tight line.

Maomao wasn't used to reckon her feelings, she wasn't sure exactly what it was, the only thing that mattered was the sudden ache in her chest.

"Suirei will be enraged."

"It's okay, I took it from the garden. Since we're moving soon, I don't think she can complain much." Shisui waved a hand nonchalantly.

Maomao took it in a perfunctory move. She mused for a second, until her visage illuminated as if a great idea had come up. Her fingers probed within her neat ponytail and swiftly removed the silver hairpin decorating it.

"Take…" The colourful neon lights bestowed a unique kind of shine while reflected over the thin silver surface. Shisui's amber eyes shone in glee.

"I thought it was special."

"It is — that's why I'm giving it to you."

Shisui's countenance softened. A sweet kiss on the forehead was granted in gratitude. None of the girls spoke a word after, they simply stared at each other for a long while. Shisui batted her long eyelashes in a hush good-bye, Maomao by her part, simply bowed and bid farewell with a waving her when the luxury car set off.

The weekend was over in the blink of an eye. Time came to resume a usual busy week. However, Maomao felt especially dread that Monday. She had avoided thinking much about Shisui — or should she call her Loulan? In her intent to hold the horses of a ruminating mind, she had spent the whole weekend helping the old hag as a waitress at night and making medicine for her father at the pharmacy from morning to evening.

“Maooomaooo!!!! Please don't kill yourself!” A whining shriek broke into the university's hall, it was Xiaolan, running straight to Maomao, ready to throw herself at the cat girl the moment they faced each other.

"I won't, how would I try new poison if I did." Maomao disengaged from Xiaolan, holding her by the wrists instead.

Xiaolan huffed in relief, "I'm so glad you think that way, after what happened to Shisui..." Maomao grew nervous at her words, she glanced at Xiaolan with concern. "... You didn't know," Xiaolan said in a tiny regretful voice.

"What happened?" Maomao inquired impatiently.

Xiaolan freed herself from her holding and started mustering until words finally made sense, "it happened last Saturday night. The Shi's manor — Shisui's home, was burned down. But... No one knows exactly who ignited the fire; all the evidence shows it was due kindled gun power. That's all."

Although her face remained unfaltered, Maomao's guts and heart stirred inside out. A sudden surge of nausea came up. She stood frozen in place.

Xiaolan continued, completely unaware, "there's also a hearsay, it has to do with your boyfriend..."

Maomao came to, "boyfriend?" Last time she checked, there was no one she could remotely call that.

Xiaolan shook her head in awe, "well... Zui, the pretty boy you call Jinshi."

Maomao burrowed her brows despite herself, "what about him?"

"Apparently..." Xiaolan warily looked over, it seemed she was about to tell a secret. "Apparently, mister Shi used to work for Zui's father. However, mister Ka had..." She stopped to make quotes in the air, "allegedly...," then continued in a whisper: "...stolen some ideas from him. Naturally, mister Shi tried to appeal and take back some actions from those ideas."

"Some people say the culprit behind the fire was your boyfriend's dad." Maomao rolled up her eyes at that last part. Despite her annoyance, she didn't try to correct Xiaolan, it wasn't the right time.

After Pinky-promising Xiaolan that she was fine and definitely not thinking about hanging herself out, the little woman finally ceased at pestering. Her problems didn't end there, though.Maomao was dazed. Her feelings were wreaking havoc, even after trying to shut them down with all her will and cold reasoning. She didn't have a name for whatever was happening. She didn't want to name it. Her lips were still hot and swollen. Her heart an aching mess.

"Can I sit?" A familiar voice roused her from the dwelling. It was the least person she wanted to face right now.

"Can you?" She retorted. However, the beautiful boy proved he, indeed, could.

"I usually hide from cat callings and sexual harassment..." He pursed his lips and look up to the searing sun. "Today I'm hiding because people think my father is a piece of shit and a murderer." He faced toward the petite girl by his side.

Maomao shot him a glare. "You're a piece of shit for yourself, don't let anyone attribute it to your father."

Jinshi laughed heartily. “Right! That's exactly what I needed. I'm glad I bumped into you today.” His words were strangely sincere. He was beaming for a second, but then his gaze turned somewhat sweet and solemn. “How're you feeling?”

Maomao rolled her eyes for a second time today. She propped her chin onto her palms, maybe it was a mighty try to avoid strangling him right there, right now. She kept her hands busy. “Did your father…” She knew it wasn't fine jumping to conclusion, it might have seemed straightforward, but it was her best way to know.

Jinshi shook his head and heaved a sigh. He didn't show a tad bit of being offended. His eyes looked over for hers. “I don't think so… Still, his alibi is pretty silly. My father's taken me as his personal assistant for quite some time,” he paused to ask: “remember Gyokuyou?” Maomao nodded.

“Well, she's my father's girlfriend. I booked them a suite in a fancy hotel from Los Cabos. They were back right this morning, and the press had already started a ruckus around our manor. Actually, I tried to call you to see if you could babysit Jingli for a whole weekend, but you didn't answer. So, I was Jingli's babysitter for the weekend and stayed at Gyokuyou's until this morning. I wasn't really aware of anything, Gyokuyou has a no-iPad and TV rule with Jingli, besides, I was really worried I might fuck it up if I got distracted. I simply ignored my devices the whole weekend; it was damn boring and frustrating.”

Maomao squinted her eyes, he was being honest, but there was more. Jinshi passed his fingers through his hair. “However, there's some truth behind the gossip; my father had, in fact, discussed a fairer split in their actions with your girl's father…”

“My girl?” Maomao said through gritted teeth. Her head cocked in a threating way. Jinshi raised his eyebrows and continued despite her humour, “this girl's father and mine had discussed about it, but nothing went further than that… Not as far as I'm concerned. Even he hides some secrets from me.” His brows furrowed in thought. “Although, this morning I found something strange in my gym locker, it was some documents proving Shisui's father was, in fact, the author of many products of which he didn't receive any revenue despite their sells in the market.”

“What are you going to do about it?”

“What am I supposed to do? Ratting my father away?” Jinshi glanced at her. They held their gaze at each other. Maomao's ire had subdued, she was well aware that not much would be solved if Jinshi were to play the honest saviour. In the end, the Shi family have vanished, and such information would only push the fault even further into Jinshi's father. If his family lost it all, the pretty boy wouldn't be able to survive there out; he was strong and smart, but also awfully pampered.

Maomao batted her eyelashes, “I understand.” This exchange had worsened her messy thoughts. Hatred and sympathy collided, then came mourning and… and she wasn't sure what else.

“I'm not quite sure where can we go to, but I sure need a drink. Wanna come?” Jinshi was visibly worn out. His skin wasn't as lustrous as always, purple bags under her deep black eyes, not to mention his ponytail was an unbrushed mess today. Despite the sight, Maomao didn't falter out of sympathy.

“Are you taking advantage of this?” She berated him.

The question jabbed right into Jinshi's heart. He had forgotten it wasn't a friendly invitation in this girl's perspective. He blamed himself for it. However, he made up his words, or so he tried; “don't be so wry.” It couldn't be helped, he was tired, that was his best try to convince her of his goodwill.

Maomao was about to slap him on the face, but it halted in mid-air. She had forgotten this boy surpassed her in strength, now she was entrapped by the wrist. His hand, as well as his words, were gentle even though she was glowering at him. “I'm not trying anything funny, just be your friend.” Jinshi set her free.

Maomao sighed deeply, she was about to give in. Not before a trial on his words, “I gave your gift away.” Jinshi flinched, a faint flame of rage was visible within his pupils. Maomao continued, nonetheless. “I gave it to Shisui.” Her blue eyes scrutinized his reactions. To her surprise, his reaction wasn't something she expected, it was hard to tell whether he was sad or simply moved. He smiled sweetly.

“I understand then…”

“Aren't you angry?”

“I'm a little bit disappointed — not surprised, just disappointed. And… heartbroken.” Maomao looked at him, puzzled. “I — I like you, you know that, right? I'm not a tyrant. You can like whoever you want, and they don't have to be me,” Jinshi's expression was one of clear resignation. He cleared his throat, “ahmn…”

“You can come at the Verdigris,” she wasn't patient enough to let him ramble more, he had proven his word by not throwing a tantrum. She hadn't reconsidered her words much. Jinshi's expression had changed to utterly confused the moment her offer was settled. “You wanted a drink, so it counts as a good place. Technically is closed at this hour and I'm pretty sure nobody will look for you in there.”

Jinshi nodded in agreement. Both stood up from their places and walked away in silence the whole trip. Each had a lot to solve by themselves, but maybe not today. Today, they would solely drink their sorrows away and ease the load with a friendly chat.

End Note

This fic is mainly just self indulgent. So... I'm sorry, I guess.