“That’s… a bit strange.”
Ye Xingyao turned his head to exchange a glance with the girl beside him. He shook his head and moved his gaze back to Fumier’s face.
“Um… is something wrong?”
A look of confusion appeared on Fumier’s face as she tilted her head. She likely hadn’t heard what Ye Xingyao had just murmured.
“It’s nothing… Miss Fumier, you should take a bath and get some rest early. Shiyue and I have to head home. If you’re uncomfortable staying here, let me know anytime, and we’ll find a new place… Oh, and for everyday clothes and such…”
“Then just let me know your size, Miss Fumier. I’ll have Sister Hongye bring a few outfits for you,” Yi Shiyue added.
Ye Xingyao calculated in his head if he had missed anything as he planned what he and the girls needed to do next.
“Okay.”
Fumier nodded. While reciting her measurements, she hopped off the bed and began preparing to bathe.
Then, Ye Xingyao gave Yi Shiyue a look, and with her support, he slowly made his way to the door.
“By the way, Sister Xingyao, will you two be coming tomorrow? Is there anything you need me to do right now? Fumier will definitely do her best!”
Seeing the two girls about to leave, Fumier hurriedly asked as if she had suddenly remembered something.
“Well, there’s not much to do. To be honest, I still don’t know what a Star Elf is supposed to do… Anyway, Miss Fumier, just rest and recuperate today. We’ll come to see you tomorrow.”
Ye Xingyao rubbed his hair and spoke with a hint of embarrassment.
“Fumier understands. Then, goodbye, Sister Xingyao and Sister Shiyue~”
“Goodbye, Miss Fumier.”
“Yeah, goodbye, Miss Fumier.”
With that, Ye Xingyao and Yi Shiyue left the safehouse.
‘Hmm… So Sister Star Elf and Sister Moon Elf live together… And there are family members at home who don’t know their identities… It’s probably better if Fumier doesn’t disturb them.’
‘Still, Sister Star Elf is this kind of person… She seems much easier to get along with than the majestic, authoritative figure I imagined…’
Fumier turned on the shower head, her mind wandering as she bathed.
***
A night without stars or a moon shrouded Satellite City, but it seemed no different from any other night. The neon lights and the faintly glowing aerial tracks continued to dutifully emit their light.
The two girls walked down the street where the nightlife had just begun, supporting each other.
“Heh, we really look like parents leaving home and giving instructions to their child…”
Yi Shiyue reminisced about the conversation they just had, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as she whispered.
“Hmm? Shiyue, what did you say?”
Ye Xingyao didn’t quite hear what the girl beside him was saying. Seeing her smile, a bit of a smile unconsciously appeared on his face as well.
“Hmm? I was just wondering if Little Sister Xingling is getting impatient waiting for us.”
The smile in Yi Shiyue’s eyes deepened. Her beaming expression made Ye Xingyao feel like there was some ulterior motive behind it.
However…
Sister?!
A look of urgency appeared in the depths of Ye Xingyao’s eyes.
‘Shoot, I think I forgot to tell Ye Xingling that we’d be back late!’
“Hmm? Xiao Yao, why do you suddenly have that expression? Did you forget something?”
“Oh, no, it’s not that. I’m just thinking about how to explain things to my sister in a bit.”
Ye Xingyao waved his hand, signaling her not to worry.
After all, that idiot sister of his had a history of leaving the lights on and waiting for him all night until she fell asleep on the sofa… He hoped his idiot sister wouldn’t be too stubborn today…
‘Wait! I really did forget something…’
‘Little sister, your big brother hopes you definitely won’t be too stubborn today!’
“Hey, Shiyue, did I forget to change back into men’s clothes?”
Ye Xingyao looked at Yi Shiyue as if facing a formidable enemy. His solemn tone made the latter pause for a moment.
Ye Xingyao felt a wave of intense regret. Why had both he and Shiyue taken it for granted that he should wear women’s clothes? Could it be that his subconscious was starting to forget his original identity, and he was gradually becoming accustomed to being a woman?
Even… ‘No, I can’t keep thinking like that. Even if I’m a genuine beautiful girl right now, the heart of a chuunibyou youth still lives inside me! Yes! That’s definitely how it is!’
This time, it was just a temporary oversight!
“It seems so… How about we go nearby and buy a cheaper set? I brought my phone.”
Yi Shiyue pulled out her phone and waved it in front of Ye Xingyao’s eyes, indicating that there was no need to worry at all.
‘How about it? Don’t you think your childhood friend is very reliable right now?’
Yi Shiyue teased him in her heart. Unfortunately, her Xiao Yao had yet to realize what she was thinking.
“Phew… That works.”
Ye Xingyao breathed a long sigh of relief. Fortunately, he hadn’t used Disguise Magic to turn back into his male form while still in the safehouse; otherwise, he didn’t know what that little girl Fumier would have thought of him…
In the end, after a series of twists and turns, the two helped Ye Xingyao change back into men’s clothes. They put the discarded women’s clothes into a shopping bag and hurried back to their home.
After the sound of the door opening…
“Wow, you two actually realized you should come back!”
The voice arrived before the person. Just as Ye Xingyao opened the door to his home, his sister’s familiar complaining drifted over from the living room.
Although he hoped his sister would be sleeping soundly at this time, having someone welcome him home… Well, it could probably be counted as a welcome… Anyway, there was still an indescribable feeling of warmth, especially after a hard-fought battle.
Or rather, the vast majority of his reasons for fighting monsters were for things like this…
Even though Shiyue was now involved, at least his sister still needed their protection, didn’t she?
“Yeah, we’re back.”
Ye Xingyao nodded. He rolled his eyes at Yi Shiyue, who was watching the scene with a smile, then changed his shoes and walked into the house.
“Ugh… It’s so annoying how you act like you knew I’d say that and just ignore my resentment…”
Ye Xingling climbed up from the sofa, staring somewhat indignantly at her brother’s eyes, which were identical to her own.
“Yikes, what’s with that look…”
“Hey, little sister, that’s very impolite, you know?”
Seeing his sister’s reaction, Ye Xingyao felt his teeth itch with irritation. The tenderness that had just been brewing in his heart vanished in an instant, replaced by an urge to smack her behind.
“Whoa, big brother’s eyes just got really scary! Sister Shiyue, save me!”
The look in her brother’s eyes sent a chill through Ye Xingling’s heart, and she quickly ducked behind Yi Shiyue for protection.
“…Alright, that’s enough. It’s already very late. Xingling has school tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah, yeah! Sister Shiyue is right!”
“…I’ll let you off the hook today.”
Ultimately, Ye Xingyao abandoned the idea of smacking his sister’s behind. After all, his current identity was the “big brother,” and he couldn’t be that close to his sister, could he?