Chapter 48: Mù xi

I’m crazy. I’ve gone mad.

They’re crazy too.

Mu Xi collapsed, kneeling on the ground.

She picked up the sword, ready to pierce her own body.

At the moment it was about to run through her.

A tentacle wrapped around the sword, stopping Mu Xi’s suicide.

Mu Xi looked forward.

Mu Ming was slowly walking towards her.

She gently stroked Mu Xi’s cheek and pulled her into her arms.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m with you~”

“Mu Ming?”

She softly called Mu Ming’s name.

“Mm?”

Mu Ming let out her signature, sticky-sweet smile.

“Is this a dream…?”

“That’s right. You’re dreaming of your own memories—the real memories.”

“What are you trying to do?”

“Take a guess?”

Mu Ming smiled sweetly.

“You replaced me?”

“That’s right…”

“It’s tiring… isn’t it?”

Mu Ming gently lifted Mu Xi’s chin, meeting her gaze.

“So tired…”

“I don’t want to dream anymore…”

“Then just sleep for a while. Good night.”

Mu Xi was far less strong than she appeared.

She had always been a very fragile person.

Now, she only wanted to escape from this hell built from her own sins.

Collapsed to the point she couldn’t think straight, collapsed to the point she didn’t care what happened in reality, collapsed to the point she just wanted to sleep.

She’d never been strong. She wanted to run away from it all.

How long had Mu Xi endured all this alone?

Mu Xi fell into Mu Ming’s embrace, her eyelids growing heavy.

“Sleep peacefully. You’ll wake up again soon.”

“Good night, my dear… me.”

Mu Ming kissed Mu Xi’s forehead softly.

***

“Little Rou…”

“Little Rou~”

A familiar voice called out, reaching her ears.

Mu Yurou slowly opened her eyes.

“Sis?”

“Uu~”

Mu Yurou was still a bit dazed.

She glanced around and found she was still in the aquarium.

“Sis! Why are you here? It’s dangerous!”

“Dangerous? Where’s the danger? Isn’t this just an abandoned aquarium?”

Mu Xi poked Mu Yurou mischievously with her finger.

“And the witch?”

“Witch? Little Rou, what are you talking about? When I came, you and Huang Xi were just sleeping here.”

“If you’re going to sleep, you should do it at home. What if you catch a cold here?”

Just then, many footsteps sounded from behind, and Olivia entered the aquarium with Poppy, Wuwangwo, and the others.

A moment ago, Mu Yurou and Huang Xi’s watches could finally be located, so she quickly brought people over.

She looked at Mu Yurou.

Mu Yurou, codename Lily of the Valley, Abyssal-Class Magical Girl.

Her gaze shifted to the still-sleeping Huang Xi.

Huang Xi, codename Dandelion, Abyssal-Class Magical Girl, partnered with Lily of the Valley.

Finally, her eyes landed on Mu Xi.

And this person—who was she?

Olivia eyed Mu Xi warily, as she could very well be the true form of the witch.

Mu Xi turned to look at Olivia and her group, the corners of her mouth curling up.

Long time no see, Little Lily~

Or maybe this is our first meeting…

Olivia stepped forward, lowering her head slightly to look at Mu Xi.

“We are Magical Girls. This place was attacked by a witch. Please leave with us, and then tell us what happened here.”

“No problem~”

Mu Xi winked playfully at Olivia.

?

This person is so strange.

“Little Rou, wake up Xiao Huang Xi. Let’s get out of here first~”

After saying that, Mu Xi left the aquarium alone.

“Hey, Huang Xi, stop sleeping.”

Mu Yurou shook Huang Xi’s body.

“Uuuuu… Stop shaking, I’m up, I’m up.”

Huang Xi rubbed her eyes groggily.

She’d been asleep the whole time and had no idea what had happened.

“Guu~ Where am I?”

“Are you okay?”

Mu Yurou asked worriedly.

“Nothing much. Honestly, that was the best sleep I’ve ever had…”

With that, Huang Xi stretched lazily.

“Eh, wait! The witch?”

“I don’t know, maybe she ran away?”

Mu Yurou patted Huang Xi’s fluffy head.

Feels so nice…

“Are you two okay? What happened? Ever since the Amusement Park Incident began, we couldn’t contact you.”

Olivia asked.

“How did you find us?”

Mu Yurou countered.

“Your communication watches—the last signal suddenly jumped from the amusement park to here. We suspected a witch kidnapped you, so we mobilized many people.”

Olivia pointed behind her at Poppy and Wuwangwo.

The two waved at Mu Yurou.

Mu Yurou waved back awkwardly. So her true identity got exposed in front of her seniors…

“Let’s leave first. You need to be examined.”

Olivia helped the two up and led them toward the aquarium’s entrance.

Mu Xi was waiting outside for the others.

“You’re here? Let’s go home.”

Mu Xi took Mu Yurou’s hand and started to leave.

“Wait, we need to examine you and have some questions. Please cooperate, okay?”

Olivia called after Mu Xi.

“Of course, no problem~”

Mu Xi turned and smiled at Olivia. For some reason, that smile felt familiar.

“What do you want to ask? I’ll answer anything.”

Mu Xi rested her chin on her hand.

“What’s your name?”

“My name is… Mu Xi.”

***

“Little Lily of the Valley, are you two okay?”

Poppy looked at Mu Yurou with slight worry.

After learning the two were possibly kidnapped by a witch, she had already planned their funerals.

“We’re fine, Senior.”

Mu Yurou replied.

“What exactly happened in the amusement park? Tell us in detail.”

Wuwangwo adjusted her glasses, ready to listen seriously.

Mu Yurou recounted everything that happened in the amusement park, including the kidnapping by the witch.

“So you’re saying those two witches helped you in the amusement park, then one of them kidnapped you?”

“Yes, that’s right. But there’s something I don’t understand—the witch who kidnapped us said her goal wasn’t us. We were bait to lure others.”

“Who do you think she wanted to find?”

Mu Yurou looked at Huang Xi in confusion.

“Don’t ask me…”

Huang Xi scratched her head awkwardly.

“I was asleep the whole time…”

“She was probably after the other witch who appeared with her. But… why would the black-haired witch kidnap you to lure another witch?”

Olivia walked over, having just finished questioning Mu Xi.

The latter had insisted she was called here by her sister’s classmate using her sister’s phone.

“Lily of the Valley, is that person your sister?”

“Yes. Why?”

Olivia frowned but didn’t answer Mu Yurou, continuing on her own.

“The white-haired witch is highly likely to be Crystal Orchid.”

“Crystal Orchid! That Magical Girl Crystal Orchid?! Really?”

Poppy was excited. Who didn’t know the most powerful Magical Girl?

“But then who is the black-haired witch? She looks so much like Crystal Orchid Senior—could she be her sister or something?”

Wuwangwo speculated.

“No, not her sister.”

Olivia looked at Mu Yurou and shook her head.

“Now, I have an important question for you, Lily of the Valley. Why did the black-haired witch kidnap you two to lure Crystal Orchid?”

“Maybe she wanted to use Crystal Orchid Senior’s kindness?”

“No, that’s impossible.”

Olivia knew her teacher wasn’t that kind.

She wouldn’t risk exposing herself to save two unrelated Magical Girls.

Unless—these two Magical Girls were related to her.

“The black-haired witch’s goal was to lure Crystal Orchid to the aquarium. What she intended to do, we don’t know.”

“There are signs of battle in the aquarium, so the two must have fought here. Who won or lost, we don’t know.”

“But when you woke up, the first person you saw wasn’t either of the witches—it was Lily of the Valley’s sister.”

Olivia looked at Mu Yurou.

Even an idiot could understand what Olivia was implying.

“You mean…”

Mu Yurou stared at Olivia in shock.

“My sister is a witch!?”

“Your sister is one of the two witches.”

“No, that’s impossible. My sister couldn’t be a witch. She… she… she’s not even a Magical Girl. How could she become a witch?”

Mu Yurou argued.

“What if your sister is one? Just like she doesn’t know you’re a Magical Girl.”

“I… I still find it hard to believe.”

“It’s just speculation…”

Olivia comforted her. In fact, she had further suspicions she didn’t voice.

It’s possible that her sister, Mu Xi, was Crystal Orchid.

A witch—a corrupted Magical Girl.

Their personality could be replaced by a persona born of corruption.

They become witches.

They retain the same memories, but their personality drastically changes.

But sometimes, small probability events occur.

Olivia was very familiar with witches and had participated in many Witch Hunts, thus earning the title of “Witch Hunter.”

Once, Olivia had seen a report from about twenty years ago.

A corrupted Magical Girl fell into witchhood, her body transformed, but the original personality wasn’t replaced.

The corrupted persona even manifested physically and attacked the original.

In the end, the original lost, the corrupted persona took over the body, and she became a complete witch.

Her theory was that Mu Xi was Crystal Orchid, and the two witches were the same person, only with different personalities.

The purpose of kidnapping Lily of the Valley was also to lure her to fight Mu Xi and replace her.

But why would the corrupted persona help her teacher?

There were still many doubts.

The most important question—was the current teacher still herself, or had she already been replaced by the corrupted persona?

She didn’t want to tell Mu Yurou all this.

If this child learned her own sister might have been replaced, it would be too dangerous.

“You two rest for a while. Also, don’t raise suspicion—act normally around your sister so she doesn’t notice anything.”

“Okay.”

After learning her sister was likely a witch, Mu Yurou felt a bit down.

“That’s enough. Let’s get you checked and go. Your sister’s waiting for you.”

“Mm, okay.”

After Huang Xi and Mu Yurou were examined and found unharmed, they left with Mu Xi.

Olivia kept her eyes on the white-haired figure at the far right.

Teacher…

Morning sunlight filled the room.

Mu Xi slowly opened her eyes.

She sat up and stretched.

“Mm~”

She yawned beautifully, smoothed the white hair on her shoulder, and got out of bed to wash up.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she gave a genuine smile.

“I’m beautiful today, too…”

After a quick wash and brushing, she skillfully tied up her hair and headed for the kitchen.

From the fridge, she took out a cucumber and some toast, then grabbed two eggs.

She turned on the stove and sprayed a bit of oil into the pan.

When the pan was hot, she cracked the eggs in.

The eggs sizzled, and once one side was cooked, she sprinkled some salt, flipped them, cooked until crispy, then plated them.

She opened the toast bag, took out two slices, and toasted them in the hot pan.

Once the toast was crisp and fragrant, she plated them with the eggs.

First the toast, then the egg, a few slices of refreshing cucumber, then another slice of toast on top.

“Ehehe, it smells so good~”

Mu Xi sat in the living room and turned on the TV.

She picked up the egg sandwich and took a bite.

The salty egg and fragrant toast exploded in her mouth, and the fresh cucumber elevated the flavor to another level.

Most importantly—

“Crispy toast edges are the best~”

Mu Xi covered her face, her cheeks flushing with delight.

After breakfast, Mu Xi began packing her things.

Today, she would move back into the house she’d left five years ago and live with Little Rou again.

Mu Xi called a car with her phone and headed to Mu Yurou’s place.

Arriving at her sister’s door, she remembered she still had the house key.

She opened the door, and familiar scents washed over her.

Mu Yurou, sitting on the living room sofa, stared at Mu Xi in shock.

“Little Rou… Sis is home!”

Mu Xi happily spread her arms, embracing Mu Yurou.

“Sis? Why are you here?”

Mu Yurou opened her arms too, hesitated, then hugged Mu Xi back.

“Didn’t you always want me to move back? I’m home now.”

“Really?!”

“Of course it’s real! Why would I lie?”

Mu Xi headed for her room.

At that moment, Mu Yurou’s bedroom door opened.

Huang Xi walked out, her pajamas messy, yawning and half asleep, but her cheeks were a bit red. Looking closer, there were red marks on her neck.

“Little Rou… Who’s here…?”

Huang Xi yawned, then saw Mu Xi standing in the other room.

Amber eyes met crimson.

“Xi Xi Sis?”

“Just woke up, Xiao Huang Xi?”

Mu Xi smiled, eyes narrowing at Huang Xi.

“Eh? Why are you here?”

“This is my house, of course I can be here.”

“No no no, that’s not what I meant—”

“I’d like to ask~”

Mu Xi grinned mischievously, approaching Huang Xi.

“It’s early morning, and you’re walking out of my sister’s bedroom in disheveled pajamas. What did you two do last night?”

Mu Xi teased with a wicked smile.

Only then did Huang Xi realize her pajamas were undone, and the marks from last night hadn’t faded.

“I-I-I’ll go tidy myself up.”

“That red thing on your neck—what is it? Come, let me see, don’t hide—”

Huang Xi quickly retreated to the bedroom, making Mu Xi burst out laughing.

Mu Yurou watched everything, feeling like she’d been caught doing something bad by a parent. But the strangest thing was—

Her sister seemed different.

She didn’t seem like this before.

But the feeling she gave off was still—sister.

“Little Rou, you two need to take it easy. Otherwise, your bodies won’t keep up. I’ll buy you some supplements tomorrow…”

Mu Xi entered her own room.

After organizing her things, she locked the bedroom door, lay on her familiar bed, and closed her eyes.

Her body felt like it was sinking into the ocean.

Mu Ming opened her eyes to a pitch-black space.

In the center, a white-haired figure was bound by tentacles.

Mu Ming walked up to Mu Xi, lifting her chin.

She gently caressed Mu Xi’s soft face.

Mu Xi’s eyes were closed, lost in sleep.

Her brows were slightly furrowed, as if trapped in a nightmare.

She pressed her forehead to Mu Xi’s.

Mu Ming slipped into a place deeper than this dark heart—a soul space.

Within Mu Xi’s soul.

The space shifted, and she stood in a rain-soaked factory.

Mu Xi was breaking down, about to stab herself with a sword.

A tentacle shot from Mu Ming’s sleeve, snatching the sword away.

She walked forward, stroked the other’s cheek, and embraced her.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m with you~”

“Mu Ming?”

“Mm?”

Mu Ming smiled that signature, sticky-sweet smile again.

“Is this a dream…?”

“That’s right. You’re dreaming your own memories—the real memories.”

“What are you trying to do?”

“Take a guess?”

Mu Ming smiled sweetly.

I want you to be with me, forever…

“You replaced me?”

“That’s right…”

“It’s tiring… isn’t it?”

Mu Ming gently lifted Mu Xi’s face, meeting her eyes.

“So tired…”

“I don’t want to dream anymore…”

“Then just sleep for a while. Good night.”

I love the way you can’t resist me and can only obey.

If you stayed like this forever, you’d never wake up.

I don’t like that. I hope someday, you can truly, from your heart, like me, acknowledge my existence.

“Sleep peacefully. You’ll wake up again soon.”

“Good night, my dear… me.”

Mu Ming gently kissed Mu Xi’s forehead.