“Um, Little Flower, I have something to take care of. I’ll be back soon… probably.”
After dinner, Lianying had been sitting on the couch watching TV with Wuhua. She suddenly received a mysterious text message, left that line, hurriedly changed clothes, and rushed out.
Before leaving, she didn’t forget to stuff a cat-shaped doll from the room into her pocket—it looked like she was going off to act as a Magical Girl.
“Well. I’m all alone now.” Wuhua stared at the empty room, feeling an inexplicable loneliness. She had thought she was used to this kind of life.
‘Maybe, after spending time with Lianying, I’ve become more prone to being spoiled.’
The TV’s sound and images continued playing, but Wuhua had no mood to watch.
“Ruibi.” At her call, a rabbit plushie emerged from her pocket.
“What’s wrong, Wuhua? You don’t look in a good mood.” Ruibi noticed keenly.
“So you noticed that? Was I really that glum?” Wuhua gave a helpless smile.
“By the way. Doesn’t it feel stuffy and boring staying in my pocket? Wouldn’t it be better to come out and move around?”
“No, it’s fine. It looks like I’m coming out from there, but actually, most of the time, I’m not inside.” Ruibi said.
“Huh, huh? What does that mean?” Wuhua was puzzled by the confusing description.
“Specifically, I create a portal connected to reality inside your pocket. I only emerge when you need me, or when I need to find you.” Ruibi explained.
“That cat from the same tribe is in a similar situation. It just looks like it’s always staying in the room. It’s a bit hard to explain using human cognition. Anyway, you don’t need to worry about us.”
“I see… So then, those words I said to others…” Wuhua murmured, realizing something.
“Don’t worry. As long as your personal life doesn’t affect your activities as a Magical Girl, I won’t interfere or disturb you. That’s part of our Contract.” Ruibi added.
“I see… Speaking of which, Miao Ke and Lianying don’t seem to communicate much on a daily basis. They only act together when they’re Magical Girls.” Wuhua nodded in understanding.
‘Is this called user-friendly or convenient?’
‘The existence of Contracts and Fairies is like running a perfect program.’
‘Even after becoming a Magical Girl, there’s still a lot to learn.’
Wuhua sighed inwardly, flipping the TV from news to the social channel—ever since the existence of Magical Girls was exposed to modern society, this channel had been broadcasting content circulating online almost every day.
…
…
“…A huge Anomaly appeared at Binhai Park. The mysterious silver-haired Magical Girl who had shown up before once again solved the threat and protected the city. This time, her companion also appeared beside her. The above is footage recorded by citizens of the two resting on a bench…”
Not long after, Wuhua saw her transformed self on TV, as well as Qianhan, whom she had just met today, also transformed.
Because information spreads with strong timeliness, events that happen on a given day usually peak in reach and popularity on that very day.
And judging by the angle—a near-peeping-tom shot—the filming citizen was hiding in the roadside bushes, aiming the lens at Wuhua, who was chugging soda. Compared to her companion beside her, as a new face, Wuhua received more attention.
“Damn… I should have paid more attention to my appearance and image.” Midway through, Wuhua shyly covered her face with her hands, blushing, and peeked at herself on TV through the gaps in her fingers.
Although she didn’t care at all about how she looked or moved, and even her crossed leg nearly gave a wardrobe malfunction, her cute face and image plus the filter of being a Magical Girl made up for it—
Not to be narcissistic or boast, but even Wuhua, a former peeping tom (ex), felt that at that moment, she was undoubtedly the center of attention. If someone stumbled upon the video, they’d stop and watch, drawn in.
‘Damn paparazzi…! If they’d just told me, I wouldn’t have minded letting them take a few nicer photos.’
Fuming a little, Wuhua suddenly recalled that she used to be one of them.
“…” The anger that had made her want to bite a handkerchief vanished instantly. She almost laughed at her own transformation.
“The person who used to sneak photos of Magical Girls ends up becoming a Magical Girl getting sneaked photos of by others. Heh.”
Just as Wuhua was feeling a bit self-deprecating, lamenting how fate seemed to toy with her—
“Beep, beep, beep.” The concealed communicator she carried suddenly rang.
“Hey, Mingji? I’m busy fighting my past self right now. No time.” Wuhua spoke first after answering.
“What nonsense are you muttering this late…” Mingji sighed helplessly.
“Are you busy over there? Well, since you’re answering the phone, I guess you’re fine.”
“Yeah. Lianying went out to be a Magical Girl. I’m the only one at home.” Wuhua glanced at Ruibi lying in her pocket, and decided not to hide anything.
‘Ruibi said she won’t interfere or disturb me. So there’s no need to hide, right?’
‘After all, she doesn’t even care why I’m living with Lianying, and she didn’t ask.’
—
“Hmm… Maybe this is a good opportunity.” As Wuhua was thinking, the voice on the phone continued.
“Wuhua, right now, can you, or rather, is it convenient for you to track their whereabouts?”
Considering her current situation of living under someone else’s roof, Mingji could only ask tentatively. Wuhua understood—she was being asked to try working.
“Now? At night?” Wuhua looked out the window at the pitch-black darkness outside, with only the streetlights in the neighborhood and a few scattered lights from residents.
Just as Wuhua was about to refuse on the grounds of “easy to get exposed,” she recalled a brilliant idea she’d had this afternoon.
“Maybe I can give it a try…”
…
At dusk, the sky was gray and hazy. The gentle breeze carried the fragrance of damp flowers—
Today was the second time Wuhua stood on the open rooftop terrace, gazing into the distant sky.
“Save all Magical Girls, uphold Salvation and Hope! …Transform!”
In the darkness, the earrings flashed with a ring of light, illuminating Wuhua’s silver-white hair tips. Then, her body, along with her pajamas, was enveloped in a unique glow.
When the light dissipated again, the transformed Wuhua flew straight upward into the sky, above the clouds.
“But where should I start looking?” Ignoring the strong air pressure, Wuhua muttered to herself, casting her gaze downward—
If there were something as conspicuous as a Magical Girl or an Anomaly, even from high altitude, her enhanced Magical Girl vision could easily spot it.
“But Binhai City is huge. Without a precise range, it’ll take a lot of time.” Wuhua thought rapidly.
“Wuhua, having trouble?” At that moment, Ruibi, noticing Wuhua’s transformation, floated and followed beside her.
“Oh, right. I almost forgot you were here… Ruibi. I remember you can sense the location of Anomalies, right?” Wuhua asked.
“If I can’t pinpoint Lianying’s position, I can just track the city’s Anomalies. They’re heading to the same place anyway.”
She marveled at how, even at seven years old, she still kept the same sharp mind.
“Leave it to me. I’ll assist you with everything.”
With Ruibi’s help, she flew toward the possible location where Lianying might be.
Perhaps this would become the first contact between mother and daughter in their Magical Girl forms.
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