Chapter 34: Mom’s Suspicions and Trial!

Late into the evening, Serena and Wuming lounged listlessly in the living room.

Crosti had already rushed home for her stream, and Wuming had shed his male disguise, returning to his true form. The two sat at opposite ends of the sofa.

“Yaaawn—”

“Being in my real body really is the most comfortable.”

Wuming squinted in contentment, then glanced toward Serena on the other side. She was still desperately fighting back that intense craving!

So want… so want to pounce on Wuming!

Serena wailed internally. 

That invisible, tantalizing fragrance teased her every single second.

Even though she was already full, Serena still yearned for the blood flowing through Wuming’s veins!

She tensed her entire body, eyes squeezed shut, trying to force the desire out of her mind.

But suddenly—

The scent grew abruptly stronger. Serena’s eyes snapped open to find Wuming already right beside her.

“Serena~” Wuming’s voice carried a lazy drawl. “What should we play next?”

That deadly wave of fragrance hit her full force—Serena felt like slamming her head into the wall just to escape it!

Why did Wuming suddenly come so close!?

Didn’t she know I’m trying my absolute hardest to hold back!?

“I… um… I…”

Serena instantly devolved into incoherent stuttering. The churning desire in her brain made it impossible to form a proper answer.

“W-we could play Street Fighter! How about Street Fighter, Wuming!?” 

Serena desperately tried to redirect her attention with a game.

Though Wuming agreed that gaming was a good idea, she…

“Don’t feel like that one.” 

Wuming shook her head, then her eyes lit up with sudden inspiration. 

“How about we try a new game instead, Serena? What do you think?”

“A new game?”

“Yeah! Wanna give a new one a shot?”

“…”

The “new game” Wuming had in mind was a Galgame—a visual novel where the player romanced various beautiful girls.

Wuming wanted to watch her play it.

At first Serena had zero interest in a game that advanced purely through dialogue choices. 

But after a little while… she gradually… got completely hooked.

“So that’s how you confess in this situation!?”

“This game is actually super fun!”

As time passed, Serena sank deeper and deeper into it. Wuming sat beside her, enthusiastically pointing out different routes and strategy guides.

Sure, I’ve never been in love myself, but I’m a pro at this game!

I could totally be a love master at this rate!

Just as the two were fully immersed—

Wuming’s phone pinged with a new message.

【Kiddo, send me a pic of you in a bunny girl outfit, yeah?】

【I miss seeing my cute little baby~】

“…”

Haaah—????

Reading her mom’s message, Wuming let out a long, bewildered, utterly incredulous sound that immediately caught Serena’s attention.

“What’s wrong, Wuming?”

“N-nothing…” Wuming mumbled evasively, quickly turning her body to block the screen from view.

Her fingers flew across the keyboard.

【Is this really you, Mom?】

【This isn’t Viviti using your phone, is it?!】

Her mom replied instantly.

【Both of us want to see, kiddo.】

“…”

【No way!】

There’s no way I’m wearing that thing!

But before she could even catch her breath, her mom’s next message made Wuming suck in a sharp breath.

【Then let’s do a video call instead, kiddo.】

【Those photos you sent last time only made me want to see you—and the house—more. Especially my adorable daughter form, hehe~】

And she even attached an excited emoji.

Isn’t this just pushing me off a cliff?!

Why is Mom suddenly so obsessed with this?!

Wuming was completely thrown. Neither of her mom’s two demands was remotely acceptable!

A video call? Mom would definitely ask to look around the house—Serena living here would be exposed in an instant!

And the other request…

“Are you kidding me?! This concerns my dignity as a man! Wearing a bunny girl outfit?! Is that something a mighty, dignified man like me should do?!” 

【Kiddo, you’re not hiding something from me, are you?】

That single line from her mom sent alarm bells ringing. If she didn’t pick one of the two options, Mom would definitely suspect something was wrong at home!

As for which one to choose…

The answer was painfully obvious—only the option Wuming would rather die than pick.

【Fine fine fine, I get it, Mom.】

Wuming was forced to compromise and reluctantly agreed to wear the outfit as requested.

【I’ll wear it, okay.】

My macho pride…!!!

After sending the message, Wuming quickly turned off the screen. Her gaze shifted to Serena beside her; the corner of her mouth twitched uncontrollably.

This time—absolutely! Absolutely cannot let her see!

Not even if I die!

“Serena, I’m heading back to my room for a bit.”

Wuming said with a smile, careful not to arouse any suspicion.

“Hm? Oh, sure.”

Serena, still engrossed in the game, didn’t even turn her head—just gave a vague reply and kept watching the story unfold.

Wuming rose from the sofa and hurried back to her room.

Click—

After making sure the door was securely locked, Wuming walked over to a cabinet that hadn’t been opened in ages. 

She took a deep breath, then pulled the doors open.

Inside was an entire wardrobe’s worth of cosplay outfits her mom had bought for her—every style and theme imaginable, all crammed onto Wuming’s side of the closet.

Even the outfit they’d seen together at the cosplay exhibition yesterday was right there among them.

Staring at the dazzling, nine-parts-revealing array of clothes, Wuming felt her cheeks and the tips of her ears slowly burn bright red.

…Do I really have to… put this on…

Her heart pounded wildly, threatening to leap out of her chest as she looked at the outfits.

She took another deep breath, then reached out and pulled the pink bunny girl costume from the rack.

Even though she’d answered Serena so confidently earlier, the moment the cold leather texture settled into her palm, an overwhelming wave of shame flooded her heart.

The feel against her skin constantly reminded her: she was about to wear this.

It’s just a task…

Just Mom’s little assignment…

Wuming repeated the words to herself over and over. If it weren’t for Mom, there’s no way she’d ever wear something like this!

She slipped out of her usual clothes and awkwardly began the process of dressing.

First came the matching black stockings, then she unzipped the bunny suit and stepped into it like putting on pants.

The chilly material pressed against warm skin; every movement brought a fresh surge of indescribable embarrassment.

Finally, the agonizing ordeal was over.

Wuming stood stiffly in front of the full-length mirror, forced to confront her reflection.

W-wearing it…

This outfit… barely covers anything at all!

The exposed sections boldly displayed her chest and back; the tight fabric hugged every curve of her body.

The visual impact blanked Wuming’s mind completely.

“Mm…”

A tiny, involuntary whimper escaped her throat.

Almost instinctively, her hands flew to cover the most “dangerous” areas—her chest and the tops of her thighs. 

Her body curled forward slightly from sheer mortification, waist bending, legs pressing tightly together and turning inward into an awkward pigeon-toed stance.

Wuming wanted nothing more than to shrink into a ball. 

The face in the mirror was so flushed it looked ready to drip water; her glistening eyes brimmed with helplessness and barely-contained shyness.

Just… just take one photo for Mom…

Then get this thing off as fast as possible!

Wuming slowly picked up her phone from the bed and returned to the mirror to snap the picture.

Now all she had to do was send it to Mom…

Just as she was about to do so, something caught her eye in the mirror’s reflection—

A pair of twin-tails suddenly appeared without warning on the wall behind her!