She Stays, You Go!

“You trying to get yourself killed!?”

A torrent of magical power exploded outward, blasting the bed, blankets, appliances, and glass into the air in a scene resembling a detonation.

Standing at the eye of the storm, Elera raised her right hand without panic. A flash of orange light shimmered.

Three Lives, Ten Directions.

Just like that, the full-powered outburst painstakingly prepared by a magical girl was instantly nullified. It condensed into a small triangular prism of light, floating calmly in Elera’s palm.

By now, Zhou Xi had already donned her magical armor, shielding Luo Zining behind her. She glared furiously at the woman who had effortlessly countered her ambush. Sweat gathered in her palms.

Just as she feared—overwhelmingly strong.

“Little Red, wake up!”

“Ugh… huh?”

Luo Zining stirred, her sleepy eyes fluttering open. The tension in the air jolted her back to clarity.

“Uwah! Senior Zhou Xi? Are you okay?!”

“Transform, now! We’re breaking out!”

…That was the plan, at least. But the situation was so dire that Zhou Xi couldn’t truly believe they had any hope of escaping in one piece.

Elera finally noticed Zhou Xi’s gear and realized something.

“So that’s why you looked so well-put together. You’re a magical girl. How’d you find me—ah, right. Locator.”

She chided herself internally. It had been so long since her last hunt that she’d completely forgotten to disable a magical girl’s locator after capture.

Still, this was perfect timing. She had been racking her brain for how to return this disaster of a blind box—Luo Zining—back to the Magical Alliance. And now they’d come to her.

“Elera!!” Zhou Xi growled through clenched teeth, her fury burning. “Do you remember me!?”

“We’ve met?” Elera tilted her head.

“You once made me taste the deepest humiliation. I’d recognize you even if you turned to ash.”

Ah. One of the magical girls she’d played with. Let me think…

Elera stared at Zhou Xi’s face, which indeed struck her as oddly familiar.

She stood there, thinking for several seconds, but couldn’t for the life of her recall the girl’s name.

“Uh… sorry. I’ve played with a lot of magical girls. Can’t recall them all. But your face does ring a bell… Hold on, give me a few more minutes—might come to me!”

Watching her attempt to recollect like it was some casual memory game sent Zhou Xi—who had been trying to stall for time to restore her magic—into a blinding rage.

“Seven years ago! Xixue Riverbank!”

“…Oh!”

Elera snapped her fingers as the memory came flooding back.

“That’s right! You’re the one who fainted and wet yourself from fear!”

“You—!” Zhou Xi’s face flushed crimson, blood pounding in her ears.

“Senior Zhou Xi?!” Luo Zining blinked in disbelief.

No way… That calm, dependable senior had that kind of past?

Wait! Should I even be hearing this?!

I’ve now heard my senior’s dark history in full. Am I going to get punished for this later?

Zhou Xi looked like she was about to combust from sheer fury.

With a sneer, she hissed, “I never thought you’d forget me so completely. You think I’m just some cheap girl you can toss money at and be done with? You’ve got some nerve, E-le-ra!”

Elera looked a bit sheepish. Okay, yeah, maybe this was on her. But still—was it entirely her fault?

“Didn’t you say you were in a ‘special services’ job when I asked?”

“I am a magical girl. That doesn’t count as special services?”

“…Touché.”

She had no comeback for that.

Alright, this one’s on me.

[Clack!]

Well then—since you came gift-wrapped to my doorstep, how could I not accept?

Now that she was sure Zhou Xi was a magical girl, Elera’s gaze sharpened instantly into that of a predator. Her lips curled into a dangerous smile.

“As an apology for forgetting you, why don’t we deepen our connection physically this time~?”

Zhou Xi’s rage turned to manic laughter.

“If you could forget me so easily, then I’ll make sure you remember me for the rest of your life—even in your dreams!”

Flashes of magic burst like dozens of flashbangs going off at once.

A fierce battle erupted on the spot.

Luo Zining was already itching to bolt.

Wait a sec—what’s going on, Senior Zhou Xi?

Weren’t you supposed to loathe the Aurora Witch with every fiber of your being?

Why are you acting like some scorned ex!?

“Elera! I’ve come a long way since back then. Don’t think you’ll defeat me as easily as before!”

“Oh really? From what I see, the only improvement is riiight… here~.”

“Kyah~!? (Startled Squeal)”

Flashes of orange and pink light danced wildly. Elera taunted playfully as she floated backward, while Zhou Xi stumbled, her face flushed red as she clutched her chest.

So fast! I can’t keep up at all!

She wasn’t this quick seven years ago!

Zhou Xi’s heart trembled.

“Little Red! Run! I’ll hold her off, no matter what. Don’t let yourself fall into her hands!”

“Stop joking, Senior Zhou Xi! I’m not leaving you behind!”

Even with her limited experience, Luo Zining could tell Elera’s power was on a whole different level. Their only sliver of hope was fighting together. Splitting up meant certain death.

“Little Red!”

“Please don’t underestimate me, Senior. I’m not blind to what’s happening here. Even if you stay to buy time, I still might not make it out.”

“…Then what do you suggest?”

“I’ve still got this.” Luo Zining touched the necklace at her chest.

The two of them stood there shouting back and forth in blatant strategizing, causing Elera to roll her eyes.

But when she saw that spark of camaraderie blooming between them, her face darkened.

It reminded her of a memory she’d rather not recall.

“You really care about this junior, huh?”

Elera clapped her hands together and then pointed at Zhou Xi.

“Alright then—she can go. You stay.”

“Eh?” Zhou Xi blinked, the magic surging in her body calming down.

Could it be… Elera hasn’t realized what’s on Little Red?

She even wondered if it was a trick, but realistically—someone like Elera didn’t need tricks.

With a sudden blur, Elera appeared beside Zhou Xi, wrapping both arms around her waist.

Their scents mingled dangerously.

“You want to protect your beloved junior, right?” she whispered seductively.

“You know what I want. To keep her safe, you’ll follow my every word—won’t you?”

“Ugh…!”

Zhou Xi didn’t resist.

She didn’t push Elera away or scream.

She stood frozen, chest heaving violently, clearly weighing the offer.

“Senior Zhou Xi! Don’t listen to her!” Luo Zining shouted in panic.

If her senior sacrificed herself so she could escape, how could she face anyone back home?

Zhou Xi took a breath, composed herself, and asked in a low voice, “If I cooperate… she goes free?”

“Yup~”

“…Little Red, go.”

“Senior Zhou Xi! I can’t just leave like this! This isn’t what magical girls should—”

Elera smiled, trailing her fingers along Zhou Xi’s cheek.

“Looks like your junior wants to watch your shame firsthand.”

“Little Red, listen to me!”

Zhou Xi stared at her with unwavering determination.

“You think this is shameful?”

“——!”

Luo Zining’s eyes brimmed with tears. She bit her lip so hard it bled.

If it comes to it… I’ll just fuse with the Divinity Particles and gamble everything…

Wait—hm?

Just then, she saw it.

That tiny flicker of bashfulness in Zhou Xi’s eyes, subtle as moonlight behind clouds.

…Ah.

Alright.

If that makes you happy—then blessings upon you, Senior Zhou Xi.

I’m out.

Luo Zining, Exit Stage Left.

“She left so decisively.”

Elera hadn’t expected her daughter to disappear after barely two lines of token resistance.

I mean yes, I did ask her to leave, but come on. A little more emotional struggle would’ve been nice?

Did I really raise such a heartless brat?

Well, whatever. Now that I’ve returned this ticking time bomb, it’s finally time to reclaim my glory.

“Funny how fate works.”

Elera glanced at the box of frightening ‘disciplinary tools’ Zhou Xi herself had wheeled into the room.

“Back then, these scared you so badly I took pity and let you off easy.”

“…” Zhou Xi’s gaze was icy. “What are you trying to say?”

“Ufufu~ Nothing much. Just thinking… doesn’t it feel extra spicy to be ravished with the tools you personally brought?”

Elera’s fingers, soft and dexterous, slid into Zhou Xi’s mouth. Her voice dropped to a sultry murmur.

“Or would you prefer… I be gentle?”

Zhou Xi’s answer didn’t matter.

It was just a formality.

She hadn’t had any ‘meat’ in years. What good was gentle?

“If you stay silent… I’ll do as I please, alright?”

Again—just formalities.

Far away, in the command center, monitors displaying the physical and mental states of magical girls began to flash erratically.

Zhao Xin sat at the table, brows furrowed, urgently trying to make contact through the comms.

“This is Zhao. Zhou Xi, Little Red, do you read me?”

……

……

Nothing.

Still no response.

Unwilling to give up, she tried again.

“Little Red, Little Red, if you can hear me, please respond.”

……

“Zhao Commander, do you copy?”

?!

Zhao Xin shot upright in her chair and grabbed the mic.

“Little Red! Is that you?!”

“It’s me.”

“Thank heavens!”

Zhao Xin clutched her chest, letting out a long, shaky breath.

She’d even contacted Alliance HQ for backup, but no response so far.

Then again, when the enemy’s the Aurora Witch, sending regular magical girls would just be offering her dessert.

Zhao Xin pressed, “What about the Divinity Particles?”

“They’re with me.”

“Good…”

Like someone pulled from the brink of drowning, Zhao Xin sagged, utterly spent.

“And Zhou Xi? Her vitals are showing extreme irregularities. Is she under interference?”

“Uh! Senior Zhou Xi, she’s… she’s locked in a fierce, heroic struggle with Elera!”

“What? In that condition, she’s still able to… uh… tangle with Elera?”

Zhao Xin was no fool.

She, too, had once been defeated by Elera.

She could guess what was happening.

…Once Zhou Xi returns, we’ll promote her and grant her extended leave.

She’s earned it.