Chapter 33: Change Clothes

The icy cold water splashed against her face, bringing a brief moment of clarity.

Mu Xi roughly wiped her face with a towel, droplets of water sliding down her delicate jawline.

Before she could catch her breath, her wrist was firmly grasped by a hand that was cool to the touch but unmistakably real!

“All done washing your face! Now for the main event!”

Mu Ming’s voice was full of energy as she tugged at her wrist without giving her a chance to refuse, dragging her toward the bedroom.

Mu Xi stumbled as she was pulled.

Escorted all the way back to the bedroom by Mu Ming, she stood in front of the familiar, slightly worn wardrobe.

Taking a deep breath, Mu Xi opened the cabinet door.

A faint scent of old fabric wafted out.

Inside, the clothes were divided distinctly into two sections.

On one side were several pieces of dull-colored, extremely simple everyday wear — dark gray T-shirts, black hoodies, navy jeans, and a few skirts of similar style and muted colors.

This was a snapshot of her life over the past few years: as low-key and unnoticeable as possible.

And on the other side…

It was like a time capsule sealed away.

Hanging there were a few garments bright in color, intricately designed, and even tinged with a hint of dreaminess — a cream-colored blouse adorned with lace, a pure white flowing dress, and a set of carefully folded, faintly visible ornate patterns on… what used to be the Magical Girl Crystal Lily’s Magical Girl Uniform.

Since that incident… she hadn’t touched anything on the right side.

Dress up?

For whom?

Even she herself didn’t dare to face the person in the mirror.

“Let me think…”

Mu Ming, like a curious cat, scanned the clothes sharply with her crimson eyes.

Ignoring the dark-colored “Mu Xi exclusive zone,” her gaze locked precisely on those forgotten, softly colored garments.

“This one… the color’s too pale…”

“This one… looks a bit worn…”

“Ah! Found it!”

Mu Ming’s eyes lit up as she pointed at a lavender chiffon dress buried underneath.

“This is it! Take it out quickly!”

Looking at the almost forgotten gentle dress, Mu Xi resisted, “Do I really have to change? This outfit… isn’t it fine? Comfortable and convenient…”

She tugged at the black hoodie she was wearing.

“If you don’t change…”

Mu Ming suddenly leaned closer, her cold fingers pinching Mu Xi’s chin and forcing her to look at her, red eyes flashing with mischief and danger, “…then I’ll just have to go find Little Rou~”

She deliberately dragged out the tone.

“Hmm… I hope she likes her ‘new big sister’~ Maybe we can chat a bit about how her ‘old big sister’ used to be the strongest Magical Girl?”

Her gaze meaningfully swept over Mu Xi’s back.

“You—!”

Mu Xi was instantly speechless, her cheeks flushing red.

“…Fine, I’ll change!”

The words almost slipped through clenched teeth.

“That’s better!”

Mu Ming released her hand with a satisfied smile.

She pushed Mu Xi forward, closer to the wardrobe.

“Come on! Take it out and put it on!”

Resigned, Mu Xi reached out cautiously and pulled out the lavender chiffon dress.

The delicate, soft texture brushed against her fingertips once more after all these years.

Holding the dress, she stood awkwardly in place.

Changing clothes…

And beside her, another “self” was watching her intently.

“What are you standing there for? Change quickly!”

Mu Ming jumped onto the bed and sat down, propping her chin up with her hands, her red eyes sparkling.

“Or…”

She deliberately dragged out the tone, her smile sly, “…do you need me to ‘help’?”

“No!”

Mu Xi immediately refused, turning her back.

She took a deep breath and began to unzip her hoodie.

The sound of the zipper sliding down was especially clear in the quiet room.

She took off the black hoodie to reveal a simple white cotton tank top beneath.

Next came the black pleated mini skirt.

Zipper, button…

When her fingers brushed the edge of her pantyhose, Mu Xi’s movements stiffened noticeably.

She could clearly feel that playful, strongly present gaze behind her.

The shame of being “spied on” made her ears burn.

She gritted her teeth and quickly pulled down her pantyhose.

Her fair, slender legs were exposed to the slightly chilly air.

She didn’t dare to look back, hastily grabbing the lavender dress like a lifeline and pulling it on.

The cold chiffon fabric clung to her skin, sending a shiver through her.

She fumbled with the zipper at the back, but her fingers, nervous and unfamiliar, wouldn’t obey.

The zipper caught just above the waistline—neither up nor down.

“Tsk, so clumsy,” Mu Ming’s dissatisfied voice sounded behind her.

Immediately after, Mu Xi felt a ripple of movement in the shadow beneath her feet!

A slippery, cold, translucent Shadow Tentacle, like a living serpent, silently slithered out from her own shadow, winding upward!

The cold tip deftly pinched the stuck zipper pull!

“Don’t move.”

Mu Ming’s voice held a note of concentration.

Mu Xi’s body tensed like a drawn bowstring!

She could clearly feel the cold, slimy tentacle tip pressing against the skin of her spine, carefully adjusting the zipper teeth.

That inhuman touch brought a strong tremble and a flush of shame!

“All done.”

Mu Ming’s voice carried a hint of pride.

With a soft “swish,” the zipper was smoothly pulled all the way up by the tentacle’s skillful manipulation.

The tentacle quickly retracted into the shadow and vanished.

Mu Xi quietly exhaled in relief, though her heart was still racing.

“Turn around and take a look!”

Mu Ming stepped down from the bed and stood before Mu Xi, ordering her.

Mu Xi turned stiffly.

The lavender chiffon complemented her skin’s glow, outlining her slender waist and legs.

The delicate lace added a rare softness.

Only… her silver-white hair was still messy and loose.

“Hmm…”

Mu Ming circled Mu Xi like a picky stylist.

“The dress… barely passes.”

“But!” She extended a finger and poked Mu Xi’s somewhat tousled silver hair.

“Hair! It’s a mess, like a bird’s nest!”

“Face! Barefaced!”

“And…”

Her gaze dropped to Mu Xi’s bare ankles.

“Where are the socks? Where are the shoes? It’s way off!”

Mu Xi sighed, “…I only have canvas shoes…”

“Check the drawer below! I remember you have a pair of little leather shoes and stockings!”

Mu Ming commanded, while a tentacle slithered out from under Mu Xi’s feet like a pointer, indicating the lowest drawer in the wardrobe.

Mu Xi crouched and opened the drawer.

Sure enough, there was a pair of off-white shallow leather shoes and several pairs of nude stockings.

“Wear the thinnest stockings! And the shoes!”

Mu Ming ordered.

Mu Xi took out the stockings and sat at the edge of the bed, carefully rolling up the sheer fabric over her calves.

The silky material wrapped smoothly around her legs.

Then came the little leather shoes.

She stepped in and fastened the buckles.

A crisp “tap tap” sound rang out.

“Hmm! Much better!”

Mu Ming nodded approvingly, but her eyes locked onto Mu Xi’s chest.

“Wait! Still missing something!”

Mu Xi was puzzled.

“What else?”

“Underwear!”

Mu Ming’s words were shocking, her finger vaguely pointing at Mu Xi’s chest.

“Wearing that tank top as a base is so tacky! Sports bra with this dress? No way! You have to switch to seamless or lace!”

Mu Xi’s face immediately flushed bright red.

“Mu Ming! What are you saying!” she shouted in embarrassment.

“What’s there to be shy about? It’s all for looking pretty!”

Mu Ming argued with certainty.

“Go change! Second drawer on the right side of the wardrobe! The flesh-colored lace one! Hurry!”

Once again, a Shadow Tentacle pointed precisely to the drawer.

Mu Xi wished she could just disappear!

But under Mu Ming’s threatening glare that she’d go talk to Little Rou if she didn’t change, she could only grit her teeth and walk quickly to the wardrobe, pulling open the drawer.

Among a pile of plain underwear was indeed a delicate flesh-colored seamless lace piece.

She grabbed it quickly, shooting a fierce glare at the mischievous Mu Ming floating nearby.

“Turn around!” she ordered.

“Tch~” Mu Ming pouted and reluctantly turned away.

Mu Xi changed into the long-unused lingerie as quickly as possible, the fine lace texture brushing against her skin.

The soft fabric clung close, stirring complicated feelings.

“…Done.”

Mu Xi’s voice was muffled.

Mu Ming immediately turned back, scanning her over.

“Hmm! That’s right!”

She was finally satisfied.

“But…”

She looked at Mu Xi’s hair, “the hair still won’t do!”

Before Mu Xi could protest, several cold, slippery Shadow Tentacles emerged again from the shadow at her feet.

Like nimble black vines, they gently but unyieldingly gathered her silver hair!

“Don’t move.”

Mu Ming stood behind her, unable to touch the strands directly but controlling the tentacles like the most skillful combs, smoothing and gathering her hair.

“Like this first… part two strands from both sides… yes… cross them at the back…”

Mu Ming’s voice sounded behind her head, focused on directing the tentacles.

Mu Xi could clearly feel those cold, slimy “fingers” weaving and twisting through her hair.

Under Mu Ming’s “tentacle command,” Mu Xi clumsily used a Pearl Hair Clip to loosely gather the silver strands at the back, leaving lazy wisps framing her face.

“All done!”

Mu Ming floated in front of her, her red eyes sparkling with pride.

She grabbed Mu Xi’s wrist again and pulled her to the corner of the room, in front of the dressing mirror.

“Here! Take a look yourself!”

Mu Xi hesitated but lifted her head.

The girl in the mirror…

Familiar yet strange.

The lavender chiffon dress wrapped her gently, lace details elegant.

Nude stockings and off-white little shoes blended harmoniously and fresh.

The relaxed hairstyle softened her cool features.

The reflection no longer looked like the sinner wrapped in black, but an ordinary girl with a restrained, tender glow.

Only the deep crimson eyes still held the weight of heaviness and confusion.

Mu Xi stood there, speechless.

“So? Pretty good ‘workmanship,’ huh?”

Mu Ming proudly poked Mu Xi’s cheek.

“Now…”

She grabbed Mu Xi’s hand, her touch intimate and commanding.

“…We can head out to meet your ‘adorable’ little sister… and her ‘even cuter’ girlfriend, right?”

In her red eyes shone the satisfied gleam of a successful prank.