Chapter 54: Protect Those Who Love Me, and Those I Love

In Mu Yurou’s mind, the face of that junior Dandelion and the face of Huang Xi before her gradually overlapped, eventually merging into one.

Only then did Mu Yurou realize that Dandelion and Huang Xi were actually the same person.

In her mind, Mu Yurou compared Dandelion’s face with Huang Xi’s.

Only then did she notice—they looked exactly the same.

Why?

The two looked identical, so why hadn’t she recognized them as the same person?

Mu Yurou also suddenly remembered that her own appearance after Transformation was no different from before, except for the clothes.

Although their faces were the same, she hadn’t thought to associate Dandelion with Huang Xi.

It was as if some force was manipulating her thoughts.

“I accidentally scratched myself yesterday. It’s nothing.”

Huang Xi pulled down her sleeve to cover the bandage, interrupting Mu Yurou’s thoughts as well.

“Mm… as long as you’re okay…”

She said yesterday… that she liked someone…

As expected, she doesn’t like me…

At least, we’re still friends…

Mu Yurou’s eyes dimmed slightly.

“It’s getting late. We should go.”

With that, Mu Yurou stood up.

“Mm, let’s go.”

The two left the Sky Terrace together.

Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was after school.

After Transformation, Mu Yurou went to the Magic Association as usual, but this time she found herself at the door of Zhang Xia’s Office.

She had a question for this experienced former Magical Girl.

She knocked on the door.

But there was no response from inside.

She knocked again, still no reply.

“Excuse me…”

Mu Yurou gently pushed open the door and saw Zhang Xia sitting at the desk, staring at a photograph in her hand.

“Aunt Zhang?”

Mu Yurou called softly.

“Aunt Zhang?”

“Hm? Lily of the Valley? When did you come in? Why didn’t you knock?”

Zhang Xia snapped back to reality, put down the photo, and looked at Mu Yurou.

“I knocked, but you didn’t respond…”

“What’s wrong? Is there something you need?”

“There is… it’s about the new Magical Girl.”

“You know who she is?”

“Eh? How did you know…”

“She was there on the day you officially became a Magical Girl, and the two of you seemed to have a good relationship, didn’t you?”

Zhang Xia poured a cup of tea and motioned for Mu Yurou to sit down.

Mu Yurou sat at the desk, her hand wrapped around the warm teacup.

“Yes, she’s my classmate. How did she become a Magical Girl?”

“We brought her back that day for an examination and discovered she had the potential to become a Magical Girl. Awakening was only a matter of time.”

“Can—can she not become one?”

Mu Yurou asked a very selfish question.

She didn’t want Huang Xi to become a Magical Girl.

The image of Huang Xi’s injured arm from yesterday was still vivid in her mind.

“No, she must voluntarily apply to withdraw. Why don’t you want her to become a Magical Girl?”

Zhang Xia took a sip of tea, the faint bitterness spreading on her tongue.

“I don’t want her to get hurt. Being a Magical Girl is a dangerous job.”

“I understand, child. But it’s still not possible. She has to apply herself.”

Mu Yurou knew it was impossible for Huang Xi to voluntarily give up becoming a Magical Girl.

Since childhood, Huang Xi had yearned to be one.

She would not give up this opportunity.

“So it’s impossible after all…”

“I have one more question.”

“It’s just… why couldn’t I recognize that Huang Xi and Dandelion, who look exactly the same, are the same person?”

Zhang Xia pushed her glasses up.

“Many people have asked me this, but it’s not easy to explain.”

“Actually, it’s an Identity Protection Ability of Magical Girls.”

“Before Transformation, they look exactly the same as after. That means, under normal circumstances, if Magical Girls don’t cover their faces, they’d be recognized.”

“But Magical Girls have an ability even they aren’t aware of. The reason they don’t know is because they’re also affected.”

As she spoke, Zhang Xia poured another cup of tea.

“This ability makes it so that even if people who know your real appearance see you after Transformation, they won’t connect the two, even if you look the same.”

“So why was I able to break through this ability? Why did I recognize that Dandelion is my classmate?”

“If you witness her Transformation, or notice a shared trait, like an injury in the same spot, the ability is nullified, and you link the two together.”

“I see…”

“So? How do you plan to tell her? Reveal your identity? You know, that’s against the rules.”

“No, I just want things to stay as they are… Thank you, Aunt Zhang. I’ll be going now.”

Mu Yurou left Zhang Xia’s Office and headed to the Training Room.

“27, 28, 29, 30!”

Xiao Huang Xi’s little magic staff was desperately firing arrows, though the last few were already bent and limp, barely flying a few meters.

“Not bad. You broke your record again.”

Wuwangwo watched her from nearby.

“That’s enough for today. Let’s continue tomorrow…”

Wuwangwo handed Huang Xi a bottle of water and left.

Mu Yurou walked over to Huang Xi, pretending not to notice anything.

“Tired? Take a break.”

Mu Yurou supported Huang Xi, and the two sat on the bench nearby.

Huang Xi gulped down water.

She was sweating, and if not for her Magic Attire, her clothes would have been soaked.

“Thanks. Training really is exhausting…”

“Can I ask you something?”

“What’s up? Go ahead.”

“Why do you want to become a Magical Girl? It’s fine if you don’t want to answer.”

Huang Xi thought for a moment.

“Because Magical Girls are cool, strong, and beautiful.”

“Is that all?”

“Actually, at first it was. But then, I was attacked by a magical beast, and my friend risked her life to save me. If she had died, I would’ve blamed myself forever. So, I decided to protect her.”

“So, I gained another reason to become a Magical Girl: to protect my friends, those who love me, and those I love.”

“And you? Why did you become a Magical Girl, senpai?”

Mu Yurou pondered, meeting Huang Xi’s amber eyes.

“The same as you.”