Chapter 34: Is it too late to regret?

Bai Yao felt she’d said too much about the rewards.

Sweet talk, hand-holding, hugs… and Greedy’s most anticipated kisses…

Was it too late to back out?

Help!

Urgent!

“Yao~ Can I get an advance on those rewards?”

Greedy bit her lip, staring intently at Bai Yao’s lips.

Bai Yao instinctively pursed her mouth, shaking her head slowly.

Greedy stepped forward, pinning Bai Yao against the wall, the bags in her hands dropping to the ground.

One hand gripped Bai Yao’s cheeks; the other used a flicker of magic to bind her hands.

“Yao~ I’m just telling you, not asking~”

Bai Yao’s eyes widened as she kicked at Greedy’s stomach.

But as a human, her strength was no match for a witch./

The kick felt like a tickle to Greedy, oddly pleasant.

“Wow! Mommy, look!”

A little girl with a bun hairstyle, wearing a frilly dress, gaped at them, her chubby face full of shock.

“Baby, close your eyes, you shouldn’t see this.”

The mother quickly covered her daughter’s eyes, though her own curiosity lingered.

Wow~

Young people these days were so bold—two girls like this?

Wouldn’t their elders disapprove?

The woman, open-minded, didn’t find their behavior offensive, just surprising in a crowded mall.

“Ahem!”

She coughed loudly as a hint, then left with her daughter.

Out of options, Bai Yao tapped her magic ring to confront Greedy with magic.

“Let me go!”

“Yao~ Yao~ You’re like a sweet, soft strawberry cake~”

“Cake, my foot! Let me go! There’s too many people!”

Bai Yao was frantic, but Greedy’s grip was unyielding.

Seeing tears well in Bai Yao’s eyes, Greedy reluctantly ended the sweet little scene with a hint of regret.

Picking up the bags, she pulled Bai Yao away quickly.

She paid no mind to the strange looks from passersby.

Life’s about your own happiness, not others’ opinions.

In a deserted corner, Bai Yao yanked her hand free.

She regretted this!

“No rewards for you, you bad woman!”

Bai Yao pouted, tears shimmering, her face flushed with shame from being gawked at.

“Yao~” Greedy smiled, eyes crescent-shaped. “Kids who don’t keep their word aren’t good kids~”

From Greedy’s narrowed eyes, Bai Yao felt the chill of being preyed upon by a beast.

Greedy, true to her name.

She didn’t just want to possess what she desired—she wanted it all.

She’d make Bai Yao wholly hers, filling her heart with only Greedy.

Whether Bai Yao would bend to Greedy’s will depended on Greedy’s strength.

“Fine, let’s pretend that didn’t happen~”

Greedy opened her eyes, the dangerous aura vanishing.

Bai Yao, hearing this, knew Greedy was playing dirty and exploded.

“You’re the one not keeping your word!”

“Yao~ Don’t get it twisted. You broke your promise first~ I’m just going along with you, right?”

Bai Yao’s frustration was unspeakable—she’d been outplayed.

She never expected Greedy to be so cunning!

Damn it!

Master manipulator Bai Yao ×

Foolish woman Bai Yao √

The more she thought, the angrier she got, feeling utterly cheated.

Her irritation made her magic flare out uncontrollably.

Greedy raised an eyebrow, surprised. Was she losing control?

“Okay~ Just teasing you. As a witch, how could I break a promise?”

Greedy pinched Bai Yao’s cheek, leaning in to savor the soft sweetness again.

“You…!”

“Don’t get mad yet. This month, I’ll help you—no, the magical girls—handle six pollution entity incidents.”

Greedy pressed a finger to Bai Yao’s lips, her warm breath making a promise.

“And of course…”

She stepped back, twirling, her short skirt flaring to reveal… absolute territory?

Just kidding—Greedy wore safety shorts!

“Our monthly date stays, or I’ll get upset~”

Her smile was sweet, but Bai Yao sensed danger.

This woman was threatening her!

Of course, she’s a witch!

And I thought I could boss her around!

What was I thinking!

Bai Yao’s heart sank with regret. If she hadn’t suggested this, none of it would’ve happened.

“Yao~ Don’t overthink it. Even without your suggestion, I’d have kissed you today~”

Bai Yao’s heart skipped—Greedy could read minds?!

Her secrets were exposed!

“Secrets are nice~ Like how you just called me a bad woman in your head—that’s a secret I shouldn’t know~”

Greedy’s smile was playful; Bai Yao’s face paled.

She felt stripped bare, inside and out, under Greedy’s gaze.

Bai Yao lowered her head, silent, her thoughts stilled.

Tears in her eyes finally fell.

Plip! Plop!

Seeing Bai Yao cry, Greedy’s heart ached sharply, and she instinctively reached to comfort her.

But she was a witch!

The bad, bad Greedy Witch!

‘My dear Yao~ I’m so sorry for making you cry~’

‘You’ll understand my love for you someday. Besides Feifei, I’m the one who deserves you most.’

Greedy didn’t console her, didn’t say a word.

She stood quietly, fully embracing her role as the bad woman.

She’d reaped the benefits as a witch, but her human self hadn’t yet.

Would Yao, bullied by a witch, confide in her human self at home?

Greedy couldn’t help imagining Bai Yao, wronged, seeking comfort in her arms.

Yao~ Yao~ Yao~

My adorable Yao~ You make me dizzy with delight~

It’s about time, my lovely Higanbana~

Your turn to take the stage.

I hope you’ll enjoy the next act of this puppet show.

Greedy set the bags at Bai Yao’s feet, speaking softly.

“Yao~ It’s getting late. Be careful of bad guys on your way home~”

She opened a portal in front of Bai Yao, stepping through and vanishing.

Boom!*

The mall shook violently, a deafening roar echoing outside.

It snapped Bai Yao out of her dazed, heartbroken state.