Bang! (A canned drink rolls off the vending machine shelf and clatters into the pickup slot.)
Wuhua crouched down, retrieved her own soda and Qianhan’s canned coffee, then returned to sit beside Qianhan, who was waiting on the bench.
“Here, this is yours.” Wuhua handed the coffee to Qianhan and sat down next to her.
Pop! She pulled the tab and downed a third of the drink in one go.
The carbonation surged in her mouth, a cool sensation flowing down her throat and refreshing her heart. Her whole body felt lighter—
“Phew! That hits the spot.” As if returning to the past, Wuhua made a face and posture that didn’t suit a seven-year-old girl, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
“Miss Wuhua… drinking soda right after exercise isn’t great for your health.” Qianhan noticed and warned her.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. I’m used to it. Besides, I didn’t really exert myself much.” Wuhua rubbed her head with an apologetic smile. “By the way, aren’t you going to drink?”
“No… I was just thinking about something.” Qianhan gripped the can in her hand tightly. “Is this… enough?”
“Huh? What do you mean?” Wuhua said, taking another sip of her soda.
“…You don’t have to be polite. Don’t worry about money.” Qianhan looked at her.
“Really, it’s fine. I didn’t become a Magical Girl to protect everyone for money.” Wuhua waved her hand quickly to decline.
A few minutes earlier, when Qianhan insisted on repaying Wuhua, this was how she had responded—
“If that’s the case, then just buy me a bottle of water. I happened to come out without money, and I’m a bit thirsty.”
In the blink of an eye, the two Magical Girls remained in their transformed states, leisurely seated on a park bench.
Before word spread that the Anomaly had been eliminated, this place would be deserted for a while.
—
“More importantly, what did you mean earlier when you said you wanted me to teach you?” Wuhua leaned back against the bench, swinging her short legs back and forth.
“Ah… well… Actually, I think I’m a very unqualified Magical Girl.” It was hard to admit, but Qianhan chose to confess.
She turned her face away shyly, looking down at the coffee in her hands.
“Ever since I Awakened as a Magical Girl, everything—trying to fly in the sky, or facing monsters head-on like just now—has failed without exception.”
“Even the first Transformation took me almost a week to figure out gradually.”
“To be honest, I don’t even know why I was chosen. I’m so weak, untalented, and only end up dragging others down.”
“Oh, I see. So that’s why you wanted me to teach you, like a teacher at school.” Wuhua nodded thoughtfully.
“Y-Yes… I knew it would be troublesome and annoying. Such an unreasonable request.” Qianhan said with a regretful expression.
“That’s not the problem.” Wuhua didn’t know how to put it.
‘Is it her personality or her experiences? Qianhan seems to be overly hard on herself.’
‘Normal conversation is fine, but talking to her is exhausting…!’
‘And I don’t know how to console a girl her age. She looks even older than I am now.’
“I’ll be honest with you, Qianhan. Actually, it’s been less than three days since I became a Magical Girl.” Wuhua held up three fingers. “Even if you ask me to teach you…”
“Huh, only three days? But you’re so skilled at flying, maintaining your Transformation, and even fighting monsters.”
Upon hearing that, Qianhan became even more dejected. “As expected, I have no talent or aptitude.”
‘…That’s why I didn’t want to say it!’
Maybe she couldn’t just ignore her, or she simply didn’t want to see her so down.
“Th-That!”
In the end, Wuhua proposed a compromise.
…
…
“G-Got too carried away talking again and forgot to watch the time.”
Wuhua, who could have easily taken the bus back, chose to return the way she came—by flying—after saying goodbye to Qianhan, whom she couldn’t just abandon.
After all, only that way could she get home before Lianying.
“This must be the first time I’m glad to be a Magical Girl. Hehe.” Wuhua smiled—a expression that looked quite adorable from an outsider’s perspective.
There were no unexpected incidents along the way. Wuhua returned smoothly to Chunhui Community in just a few minutes.
“Lower your center of gravity, point your feet downward, and try to slow down gradually.” Under Ruibi’s careful guidance, she landed safely on the Rooftop Terrace of Lianying’s home.
“I did it… So that’s how it works.” Wuhua sighed, feeling grateful to have a Fairy guiding her. At the same time, she thought of Qianhan, who had to figure everything out alone.
“If I didn’t have Ruibi and Miao Ke, would I be like her too?”
“For you, learning this would just be a matter of time, meow.”
“Yes. Don’t worry too much. Everyone has different strengths. That girl must have her own advantages too.”
Miao Ke and Ruibi each expressed their opinions.
“Is that so…” With mixed feelings, Wuhua lay down on the sofa to relax her tired body and mind, waiting for Lianying to come home.
“By the way, tomorrow is Friday.” At dinner, Lianying, sitting across from her, suddenly spoke.
“Mm—finally a good rest. Early dismissal followed by two days off.” Lianying stretched, fully releasing the week’s fatigue.
“Do you have any plans, Sister Lianying? Like going out or something.” Wuhua asked. A current high school girl’s extracurricular life should be pretty exciting.
“Hehe. Of course! Qinglan and I decided on Monday during class.” As if releasing pent-up emotions, Lianying’s tone was brimming with excitement.
“Already planning the weekend since Monday.” That’s so like Lianying, Wuhua thought, curious what had caught her interest.
“Wait, I’ll show you.” Lianying quickly swiped on her phone and held it up in front of Wuhua—
It was an introduction to the largest amusement park in Haizhu City, along with photos and a screenshot of four tickets purchased for the day after tomorrow, Saturday.
“An amusement park…” Wuhua couldn’t remember the last time she went.
‘Hmm. I went with Wuxi.’
Fragments of memories about her little sister surfaced clearly in her mind.
“Hehe, I hope I won’t be too excited to sleep tonight. You like amusement parks, right, Wuhua?” Lianying said, eagerly waiting for Wuhua’s reaction.
“Mm-hmm! Thank you, Sister Lianying.” Wuhua gave her a brilliant smile—it was the best answer.
“Actually, this is my first time… You’ve probably been a lot, big sister. Can you take me along?” Wuhua added.
“I’m not exactly that… Mm! Leave it to me.” Lianying puffed out her chest confidently and agreed without hesitation.
Unnoticed, Lianying’s occasionally evasive gaze lingered on Wuhua.
It’s because of you that I made these arrangements, and this expectation—
She still couldn’t say those words out loud.