ROAR ROAR ROAR ROAR ROAR ROAR ROAR ROAR ROAR ROAR
ROAR ROAR ROAR ROAR?!!!!!
Inside the pitch-black, eerie artificial set, a beast’s head—full of fangs, covered in wounds, bloody and mangled—suddenly popped out via a mechanism.
Although the materials and makeup techniques used were quite crude, the smeared bloodstains and exposed wires and metal looked more like recycled scrap from some movie prop—
Eeek?!?!
However, the effect was surprisingly strong. Lianying, who had been holding Wuhua’s hand and slowly moving inward just a moment ago, suddenly let out a cute scream and then crouched down to hug Wuhua.
“L-Lianying, are you okay?”
The young Wuhua, instead, remained calm, rooted to the spot. She let Lianying wipe her made-up face against her clothes.
“Y-You, if you’re scared, don’t suggest coming to the haunted house, okay…”
Not much better than Lianying, Qinglan was also hiding behind Xicheng’s back.
“Little Wuhua isn’t scared?”
The two equally calm girls said in unison. “Ghosts and monsters.”
“…Of course not. I’m already a big kid.” Wuhua raised her arm confidently. “I’ll protect Lianying.”
However, the truth was.
‘I can imitate and disguise the words and actions of a seven-year-old girl… but my reaction to being scared is another matter.’
‘It might easily backfire.’
“Guu… what a failure.” Having recovered, Lianying seemed a bit disappointed.
“I was planning to have Xiaohua get scared, then I’d step in and show off.”
“…So that was your plan. Xiaoying really is something.” Xicheng wasn’t surprised.
“N-No way! I have to turn this around!” Fortunately, Lianying quickly perked up. “Next, let’s go on the roller coaster!”
“You’re really persistent.” However, before she could feel happy for long, Qinglan’s words had barely fallen.
A zombie-like doll, made from something resembling a laboratory mannequin, rushed out from a corner.
“Give me back my life!!!!!!!!!”
The same scene played out again, identical to before.
—!?
For a moment, the narrow space echoed with Lianying’s highly recognizable and immersive screams.
…
…
A few minutes later.
“F-Finally back in the light.” Lianying, helped out of the haunted house exit by Wuhua, looked like she had just escaped from Shawshank.
“You’re exaggerating, Lianying. How about we rest under that tree over there?” Wuhua pointed to a set of tables and chairs provided for visitors.
“Perfect, I’m a bit thirsty. What would everyone like to drink?” Xicheng suggested. “Though the stuff in here is a bit overpriced.”
“I’ll go with you. No need to ask Lianying.” Qinglan followed. “Definitely that regular-sugar milk tea. The kind that dilutes your blood when you drink it.”
“Regular-sugar milk tea is the normal kind, you know. 70% or 50% sugar is the heresy.” Lianying found a place to sit with Wuhua.
“Oh, Qinglan. Remember to buy a glass of fresh milk for Xiaohua.” She didn’t forget to remind. “Kids need to drink something healthy.”
“Eh, no need to go through all that trouble.” Wuhua waved her hand dismissively. She wasn’t going to make others go buy separately.
“…Always ordering people around. Fine, for Wuhua’s sake, got it.” Despite complaining, Qinglan separated from Xicheng and walked toward the convenience store.
Once the two were far away, Wuhua and Lianying sat together quietly. Though it was already autumn, this southern coastal city was still as hot as ever. It felt like there were only two seasons: summer and winter.
Close to the shade of the trees, they gazed at the visitors coming and going under the blazing sun. They could hear children playing and birds chirping. The lively scene, blurred and hazy under the high temperature, looked like a dream.
“Xiaohua.” Lianying broke the silence that had lasted less than half a minute. “Did you have fun today?”
“Um… Lianying.” Wuhua knew what she meant but couldn’t help saying, “We haven’t even been here that long, have we?”
“I just… wanted to ask that.” Lianying twisted her hair awkwardly. “Because you don’t seem very enthusiastic.”
“Enthusiastic… you mean like Lianying was earlier?” Sniffing, Wuhua’s face still smelled of Lianying’s scent.
“Please… just forget about that.” Lianying lowered her head, as if in repentance.
As the two chatted idly, passing the time, a murmur of conversation different from before—like discussion or whispering—came from a distance.
Lianying and Wuhua both looked in that direction. There, in an open area with no attractions, an unusual number of visitors had gathered, as if watching something.
“Weird. There shouldn’t be a float parade today.” Lianying stood up curiously, but it was too far to see anything.
“Hmm… let’s go check it out, Lianying.” Wuhua played along.
“Eh, but—”
“I’m curious about what’s happening there too.”
With Wuhua saying that, Lianying, who already wanted to go, didn’t hesitate any longer.
They squeezed through the packed crowd and found a spot to slip in.
Soon, what appeared before them was.
“Report 08. No suspicious persons or magical traces found here. Over.”
“Report 09. 08 and I will remain on-site and continue surveillance in this corridor. Over.”
In the shadow of a pillar supporting the overhead walkway, two girls ignored the curious visitors around them and spoke to themselves.
They wore identical, special uniforms—a skin-tight, form-fitting material. It covered everywhere except the thighs, chest, collarbone, and shoulders. Non-sensitive areas had a certain transparency, faintly revealing bare skin and body curves. Vulnerable parts had extra-thick fabric for protection.
Despite being somewhat revealing, it didn’t feel cute or sexy. It made one wonder if it was some kind of odd cosplay.
Besides the barely-there bodysuit, they wore police-style riot helmets with built-in communicators, only showing half their faces. The overall look gave a top-heavy contrast.
The helmets clearly displayed a series of number codes and three prominent letters: “MGM”.
“Hmm? Those people are…” Wuhua had a vague memory of seeing girls in such outfits on TV or at blocked-off anomaly sites.
But it was the first time she’d seen them in a place like an amusement park, completely unrelated to those.
—
“Are those… Magic Girl Management?”
Beside her, Lianying muttered in confusion. “Why are they here?”
“Lianying…?” Wuhua tugged worriedly at her hem. She didn’t want anything to happen here that could affect their plan.
Even though Wuhua didn’t yet know what kind of organization the Magic Girl Management Lianying mentioned was.
“Xiaohua…” Noticing Wuhua’s gaze, Lianying smiled, slowly crouched down, and patted her head to comfort her. “Let’s go meet up with Qinglan and Xicheng first.”
“Mm!” Wuhua nodded obediently. Then she took Lianying’s hand and walked away in the opposite direction from the crowd.
“Oh, Xiaohua… I mean, if—” Worried about developments, Lianying spoke earnestly.
“No matter what happens, you can trust me and the other two sisters. We will definitely protect you.”
In response to Lianying’s promise, Wuhua’s left hand tightened its grip.