Chapter 53: A Smiling Face

Mu Yurou thrust her spear into the attacking Wolf-shaped Magical Beast.

The beast collapsed instantly, dissolving into powder in the wind.

Just a few minutes ago, Mu Yurou had received a message—a Magical Beast attack had occurred here.

When she arrived, the area had already been evacuated.

Only a few Magical Beasts remained, rampaging through the street and destroying everything.

Mu Yurou turned.

Another Magical Beast charged at her from behind.

She raised the Starlight Spear in a flash to block—the Wolf-shaped Magical Beast’s strength was immense, numbing her grip.

Suddenly, a pure white Magic Arrow shot through the head of the Wolf-shaped Magical Beast.

More arrows followed, piercing the Magical Beast struggling against Mu Yurou.

The beast twitched on the ground, then turned to powder.

“Are you okay!”

Huang Xi landed from above, looking at Mu Yurou with concern.

“Right on time…”

Mu Yurou let out a light sigh, then spun her spear and took up a stance.

“Awooo~”

Of the three remaining wolves, the Alpha Wolf in the center let out a long howl.

The two wolves beside it seemed to swell with power, their bodies expanding.

The three wolves began to surround the two girls, forming a circle.

Mu Yurou and Huang Xi stood back to back, weapons ready, every sense focused to guard against a sneak attack.

Suddenly, two wolves charged at them.

The Alpha Wolf opened its massive jaws, drool flying, and lunged for Mu Yurou.

Mu Yurou dove forward, narrowly avoiding its bite.

The wolf spun, trying to attack again—but Mu Yurou was faster.

Her spear struck, piercing its belly.

The beast rolled and fell.

Mu Yurou twisted the spear tip, and the beast let out an ear-splitting howl.

She quickly pulled out the spear, then plunged it into the Magical Beast’s head.

Mu Yurou looked over at Huang Xi.

Huang Xi had also dealt with the Magical Beast attacking her, but her arm was bleeding.

Mu Yurou rushed over and checked Huang Xi’s wound.

A row of savage bite marks stretched across her arm.

“Are you okay?”

“It’s nothing serious—just hurts a bit…”

Huang Xi gripped her arm, cold sweat breaking out on her forehead.

The Alpha Wolf and the last wolf edged closer.

Mu Yurou shielded Huang Xi behind her, spear pointing at the nearest Wolf-shaped Magical Beast.

The Magical Beast opened its jaws and charged.

The Alpha Wolf attacked from behind.

At that critical moment, a burning ray of light pierced through the nearest wolf.

A wall of water rose, blocking the path and stopping the Alpha Wolf in its tracks.

Looking up, they saw Poppy and Wuwangwo descending from above.

“Sorry, we’re late.”

As the water wall faded, Poppy landed—only to see the terrible bite marks on Huang Xi’s arm.

“Oh no, are you okay?”

Poppy gently lifted Huang Xi’s arm, warm red Magic Power glowing as it began to heal.

The wound wasn’t fully healed, but at least the bleeding stopped.

The Alpha Wolf tried to advance, but a sphere of water formed around it, trapping it in place.

The sphere compressed, water pressure building.

With a bang, the Alpha Wolf’s body exploded.

The crisis was over.

Mu Yurou accompanied Huang Xi to the Magic Association for treatment.

In the Ward, the sharp smell of disinfectant hung in the air.

Huang Xi lay on the bed, arm bandaged, as Mu Yurou peeled an apple for her.

Mu Yurou finished and handed the apple to Huang Xi, who took it with her uninjured hand.

“Thank you, senpai.”

Huang Xi took a bite—the sweet and sour flavor exploded in her mouth, easing the pain in her arm.

The Ward was silent except for the sound of Huang Xi chewing.

The two exchanged awkward glances.

“Um, senpai, can you keep me company for a while? It’s lonely lying here alone.”

Trying to break the tension, Huang Xi spoke first.

“Uh, sure. What do you want to talk about?”

Huang Xi liked this senpai who cared for her, so she decided to bring up a topic only two close girls would discuss.

“Let’s talk about romance!”

“Romance?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Huang Xi couldn’t hold back her excitement—in truth, she had something she wanted to ask her senpai.

“How do we talk about that?”

“For example—senpai, do you have someone you like?”

“Someone I like?”

Mu Yurou thought of Huang Xi.

Were her feelings for her that of ‘like’?

Even if she did, would the other person feel the same?

We’re just friends… right?

“I don’t think so… what about you?”

“No? I actually do like someone~ But… I’m too scared to take the first step.”

“You haven’t confessed?”

“Mm… I’m scared.”

If Xiaorou doesn’t like me, maybe we can’t even be friends anymore.

And if two girls date, would she find it strange?

“Why?”

“Because if I take that step, and she doesn’t feel the same, maybe we can’t even be friends anymore…”

“Senpai, what would you do?”

“Me? Are you friends with her now?”

“Yes…”

“You get along well, but you’re afraid to take the first step, afraid of losing her, right?”

“Yes…”

Just like me.

“Then… if it were me, I’d keep things as they are. At least I wouldn’t lose her, right?”

“That’s true…”

Huang Xi lowered her head, a bit downcast.

“But… that way, there’s always a little regret, isn’t there?”

“Then, when you feel like you might never see each other again, take that step. Whether she responds or not, at least you won’t regret it.”

Mu Yurou smiled.

She spoke not only to Huang Xi, but also to herself.

It’s okay to keep things the way they are.

“I understand. Thank you, senpai. I’ve decided to at least keep things as they are for now—at least we’re still friends.”

Huang Xi smiled again.

The two joked around for a while longer.

It was getting late.

Before leaving, Mu Yurou picked up a marker and drew a Smile Face on the bandage around Huang Xi’s injured arm.

“This way, it shouldn’t hurt as much.”

“You’re so silly. Of course it still hurts—haha.”

Huang Xi said that, but her smile chased away the pain.

After saying goodbye, Mu Yurou left the Ward.

The next day, Mu Yurou went to School as usual and met Huang Xi.

Huang Xi was as bright as ever.

The two often went to their Rooftop Secret Base to share their thoughts.

At lunch, they gathered on the rooftop, two little girls chatting away.

Mu Yurou took a piece of Tiramisu from her bag and handed it to Huang Xi.

She knew Huang Xi loved sweets.

“Thank you! Xiaorou really understands me~”

Huang Xi habitually reached out with her right hand to take the cake, but pain shot through her arm, and she lost her grip on the Tiramisu.

The cake fell to the ground.

Huang Xi clutched her right arm, cold sweat beading on her forehead.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

Mu Yurou gently touched Huang Xi’s arm, rolling up her sleeve.

She saw a bandage wrapped around Huang Xi’s arm—and on the bandage, the Smile Face Mu Yurou had drawn when visiting yesterday was still there.