Off Work, Then Transform into a Magical Girl

Cui Que poured the hot water and returned to the living room with several teacups, just in time to see Xia Liang, wrapped in a bathrobe, walking out from the direction of the bathroom.

"Found it in the kitchen."

To avoid any misunderstanding, she explained while placing the brewed tea on the coffee table.

After setting the cups down, she pushed one towards Xia Liang, sat back on the sofa, picked up her own cup, and after a moment of silence, lightly asked:

"Why did you run away from home?"

She didn't look at Xia Liang when she asked, not wanting to put too much pressure on her.

Though it was just a hunch, she could sense that Xia Liang might be hiding many secrets.

"Ahaha, um... can I get away with a vague answer?"

Xia Liang's voice sounded a bit dry, with a hint of hesitation in her tone.

Cui Que raised an eyebrow, "What's the vague answer?"

"Let me think... a typical family argument, how about that?" Xia Liang looked around, smiling as she raised her right index finger.

"Sounds pretty believable."

Cui Que took a sip from her teacup and then asked, "Is that what you told Bai Mei too?"

"Little Lu hasn't asked me yet."

Xia Liang shook her head, looking a bit disappointed, "She agreed to let me stay without knowing anything. I had prepared a lot of interesting reasons."

"That kid, though she won't admit it, is a bit single-minded. Don't bully her too much."

Cui Que put down her teacup and looked at Xia Liang sideways, "But, 'Little Lu'... did she tell you her real name?"

"Yeah? She told me when we first met."

Xia Liang was puzzled but sensed something different in Cui Que's tone, "Is there a problem?"

"Yes, when appearing in public as Magical Girls, we usually use our code names."

Cui Que lowered her gaze, "I'm Cui Que, you're Little Jin, and Lin Xiaolu is Bai Mei. When you transform into a Magical Girl, your code name is your name."

"This isn't just for enemies and strangers. Even among Magical Girls, revealing real names and true identities is something done only after mutual trust is established."

"Don't easily expose your vulnerable side to those you don't trust, unless you're strong enough."

At this point, Cui Que looked up, hands clasped together, "So during transformations, I'll always call you by your code names. It's not just because I only told you the code names; it's also a good habit."

Xia Liang nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly clapped her hands, "Can I apply to change my Magical Girl code name to 'Xia Liang' now?"

"Don't ask silly questions."

"Then what should I do since I've already told Little Lu my name?"

"Nothing."

Cui Que sighed, "Among companions in the same city, real names are always shared. But once you leave Fangting City, you'll meet non-companion Magical Girls, and you'll need to be mindful of this."

"Companions, huh..."

Muttering the word, Xia Liang's eyes flickered, then she squinted and tightened her bathrobe, "So, did I manage to get away with it in front of a companion?"

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"Probably?"

Cui Que either didn't notice Xia Liang's small actions or pretended not to care. She stood up and patted her skirt, "Being vigilant with enemies and strangers, and trusting companions as much as possible, is the Magical Girl's code of conduct."

"Bai Mei is a simple child; she'll believe you. I know you'll be a good kid too, and I'm willing to trust you. No one will force you to speak if you don't want to."

"So, when you feel you trust us enough, share your true thoughts."

After all, every Magical Girl in the material world has some inner confusion.

She didn't say this last part out loud.

"Senior..."

Coming out of her subtle melancholy, Xia Liang looked up, seemingly touched.

She opened her mouth slowly, as if wanting to say something, then pursed her lips, hesitated, and began to speak again—

—"I'm done with my shower, sorry for the wait. You can go in now..."

Xia Liang's words were interrupted by a loud voice. Lin Xiaolu, wearing casual clothes with a towel around her neck, walked over from the direction of the bathroom, still steaming.

She stopped mid-sentence, looking at the two sitting in the living room, meeting their somewhat strange gazes. She widened her eyes, "What's up? Were you talking about something? The atmosphere feels a bit weird..."

Cui Que glanced at Xia Liang and saw that Xia Liang was also looking back at her. After a moment of eye contact, one closed her eyes, and the other showed a slightly helpless smile.

It seemed the previous conversation couldn't continue.

"Just a simple chat, nothing much."

Cui Que casually brushed off Lin Xiaolu's question, took a sip of tea, put down the cup, and walked towards the balcony:

"Well, since you're settled here, I'll be off. I have other things to do."

She really couldn't stay any longer. She had originally slipped out during her lunch break and still had work in the afternoon. She had already been delayed for over an hour due to unexpected events. If she didn't return soon, she might get into trouble.

"Eh, you're leaving already? Cui Que, stay a bit longer."

Hearing that Cui Que was leaving, Lin Xiaolu instinctively wanted to keep her, looking around for reasons to make her stay. Finally, finding none, she glanced at the teacups on the table, "…What about the tea?"

"Couldn't sit still, found it in the kitchen."

Cui Que kept walking, heading straight to the balcony's edge. She looked back at the living room, "I was thirsty, so I made some tea. But it's a bit hot, remember to let it cool before drinking."

"See you tomorrow." She said finally.

With that, she didn't stop, leaping from the railing and disappearing into the air with a flash of blue magic power.

Leaving Lin Xiaolu and Xia Liang staring at the now empty balcony.

"So... so..."

After Cui Que left, Lin Xiaolu stood there, frowning, eyes glazed, muttering something.

"I actually think it's no big deal?"

Guessing she was upset about Cui Que's sudden departure, Xia Liang smiled and waved her hand, trying to smooth things over, "Senior always speaks her mind, so she probably really has something urgent. It's not an excuse, no need to be mad at her, right?"

"…So cool."

"What?"

"So cool!" Lin Xiaolu's eyes sparkled as she looked up.

"Huh?" Xia Liang was stunned after hearing what Lin Xiaolu said.

"Did you see that? You saw it too, right?"

Contrary to her usual distant attitude towards Xia Liang, Lin Xiaolu pointed at the balcony, as enthusiastic as a missionary, gesturing wildly, "Did you see? She talked while jumping off the platform, then flew away with a burst of magic. Don't you think Senior Cui Que's moves were super cool? I want to learn that too!"

"Um... maybe?"@@novelbin@@

Watching Lin Xiaolu get excited over something so strange, Xia Liang forced a smile while recalling what Cui Que had said earlier:

Single-minded, seems true?