At the subway exit closest to the Expo Center, Clara stood waiting with a crossbody bag slung over her shoulder. She seemed bored, standing in place with her hands behind her back, lightly tapping her foot.
“Setting the meet-up time so early, but you’re not here ahead of time yourself?”
It was only seven in the morning, and the Expo Center hadn’t even opened yet.
Since today was a day for fun, Clara wasn’t wearing a suit and dress shirt. Instead, she had changed into the black-and-white gradient squid-themed casual outfit. Naturally, she also wore the matching black pleated skirt on the bottom.
This outfit was Ni Ke Si’s choice. Clara had no say in it. Although she still felt some resistance deep down, she was gradually getting used to dressing as a girl.
This subtle, creeping change always startled Clara whenever she noticed it — it was as if another self was silently devouring her male identity, one day to completely erase it.
The feeling was terrifying, and even worse was that she had no way to stop it…
“Hey! Miss Clara!”
A hand tapped her on the back. Clara turned around to see Lucia standing there, also dressed for winter and carrying a backpack. Her ponytail made her look youthful and energetic.
The two were already familiar with each other — they had even shared a bed once. Lucia no longer felt self-conscious around Clara and was much bolder in speech and manner.
“Oh! Miss Clara, your outfit is so cute!”
She even complimented Clara’s look.
Clara, on the other hand, was completely unable to relax. A slight slip of her true nature would only raise Lucia’s suspicions. Every word and action had to be carefully considered, naturally building up mental fatigue…
“You’re too slow! Hurry up and line up at the entrance — there are already a lot of people, right?”
Clara grabbed her sister’s wrist and headed toward the Expo Center.
“Don’t rush, Miss Clara~”
But Lucia’s pace was leisurely, without the slightest hint of nervousness, and she added:
“The expo doesn’t start until 10 a.m.! We can walk around nearby first~”
Clara asked, puzzled, “Huh? You’re not going to get an autograph? Moving in slowly won’t get you in line.”
“Hmph, Miss Clara, did you forget? We’re industry insiders~”
Lucia wore a proud smile as she pulled out her phone and showed two special tickets.
“Employees of Hero Company can apply for special tickets allowing entry an hour early, and it’s free! Even companies not exhibiting get this privilege. I applied last night under the name ‘Sweet Dream Magical Girl Staffing Agency,’ and it was approved early this morning~”
“Wow?!” Clara was surprised.
Fran had praised her sister’s competence before, but Clara thought it was just politeness. Now it seemed Lucia was truly capable — not only well-prepared but clever enough to exploit loopholes and use the rules to their advantage…
Though, it wasn’t really a loophole.
For the expo’s organizers, other hero companies were potential clients. Electronic tickets cost little to issue, so allowing non-exhibiting hero companies free early access was a small cost for the chance at future cooperation.
Just as Lucia said last night, it was basically preliminary scouting for future work.
After all, once “Magical Girl Clara” debuted, she would have to follow industry rules and engage in commercial promotion, sooner or later standing on stage to receive cheers and adoration.
This wasn’t the hero Clara idealized, but she lacked the power to change the industry. Since she accepted the mission to go undercover, she had to play by their rules…
Though it was reluctant, it was realistic.
“If we can enter early, why did you call me out so early?”
The Expo Center was right ahead, and Clara complained, “I was up painting late last night, only got a few hours of sleep before coming out. If there’s no good reason, I’m going to be mad, you know?”
Lucia looked apologetic and said, “Actually, I wanted to ask you something, Miss Clara, but it’s not convenient with so many people around… Can we find somewhere to talk?”
Clara’s heart skipped a beat, her pupils flickering.
Her earlier annoyance was replaced by nervousness; even though it was winter, cold sweat appeared on her forehead.
What did Lucia want to ask?
Was she suspecting her identity and preparing to confront her face to face?!
This was bad, her sister was way too clever.
Feeling guilty, Clara raised her voice in a fake cute tone:
“Hm? Sister Lucia, what do you want to ask me?”
Calling her own younger sister “Sister” gave Clara goosebumps and even made her a little sick, but she had no choice now…
Lucia was puzzled by the sudden change.
“Why did you suddenly call me sister?”
Her voice carried a trace of delight.
Seeming to find her groove, Clara kept up the act, shyly twisting in front of the Expo Center:
“Come to think of it, I’m much younger than you~ Even though we’re colleagues at work, today’s a day off, so privately I should call you sister… Is that not okay?”
Her upward gaze was devastatingly cute, fully aware of her own charm and using it to try to completely dispel Lucia’s doubts, even if it left the latter a bit dazed.
After all, her brother would never speak like this.
Lucia lifted the corners of her mouth and smiled:
“Then, Clara… little sister?”
“Eh, sister~”
“Little sister~”
“Sister~”
“……”
“……”
Lucia tried switching terms, but it felt like they’d stepped into some kind of grand garden, causing both to fall silent.
In the end, Lucia gave up first.
“Clara, I’ll just keep calling you that~”
“So, what did you want to ask?”
“Mm, let’s find somewhere to sit first?”
Standing outside on the street in this winter cold was really unpleasant. Luckily, there was a coffee shop right across from the Expo Center…
But places like coffee shops were usually expensive, and the “sisters” were both a little short on cash. So, by tacit agreement, they walked a bit further and slipped into a budget-friendly milk tea shop.
Inside, there were only a few high stools facing the window. Fortunately, most visitors coming for the Hero Festival were queuing outside the Expo Center. Even those buying milk tea tended to get it to go, so the two managed to grab seats.
However, the high stools were not friendly to Clara, who was less than 1.5 meters tall. Just climbing up was a struggle.
So Lucia picked her up and placed her on the stool before going to order milk tea…
Clara felt utterly embarrassed as a brother.
“Milk tea is pretty expensive in Central City…”
Lucia returned with two cups of hot milk tea and said with a bitter smile.
“The rent’s expensive~ Isn’t the cost of living high in Changkong City too?”
“Changkong City’s not too bad. It’s a big city, but still a tier below. It can’t compare to Central City…”
Lucia hesitated midway and then asked, “Wait, how do you know I’m studying at a university in Changkong City?”
Oops, she slipped up again!
But it wasn’t a big deal. Clara hurriedly said, “Fran told me, of course. She saw the resume you submitted… So, sister, what exactly do you want to ask?”
“A while ago, at a fan meeting for the Sigma series…”
Lucia nodded seriously and took out her phone.
“This little girl caught on drone footage — is this you?”