Pet Little Xingyue

Xingyue: ‘If it’s two people… the effect of sharing the poison should be better, and the neutralization should be faster, right?’
‘Yes, in that case, there’s no other choice.’ (´I`)
This little white-haired, red-eyed cutie successfully convinced herself.
She ultimately chose C.
“Eh? This…” Shirako covered her mouth, her face blushing.
“It’s fine, Shirako. This way will be more effective,” Nami said. Although she was also blushing, a life was on the line right now, so she couldn’t worry about such things.

****

“Mmm…”
The moment their lips touched, Xingyue felt two distinctly different magical powers flow into her body.
Nami’s fire-attribute magic and Shirako’s gentle spiritual power took away two-thirds of the poison.
The tavern filled with a mixed fragrance of cherry blossoms and coffee, accompanied by the occasional twitch of cat ears, tinging the supposedly tense detoxification process with a hint of ambiguity.
“Mmm…” Xingyue hummed softly, her tense body suddenly relaxing.
The poison had mostly dissipated, and she could move her body again. She opened her eyes and met two pairs of eyes full of shyness.
Nami turned her flushed face away, her tail swishing uncomfortably, while Shirako covered her face with both hands, her ears twitching incessantly in her hair.
“Big sister Xingyue… please excuse me…”
Witch [L]’s laughter broke the stagnant air: “Are you three little ones done messing around? If you’re okay, then get out.”
Before leaving the tavern, Witch L gave Xingyue a meaningful look.
It seemed to be telling Xingyue not to be late tomorrow.
Xingyue: Scared ( ๑ŏ ﹏ ŏ๑ )

****

By the time they left the tavern, the night was already deep.
“Xingyue, about today…” Nami suddenly stopped and looked at Xingyue.

“Don’t tell anyone.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone about us kissing,” Xingyue sighed.
How could she possibly speak of such a thing?
“No, I mean about me being Magical Girl Red…” Nami corrected, her face red.
“…Ah (°ー°〃)“
The three of them fell silent at the same time.
The atmosphere suddenly became very awkward…
“O-okay…”
Just as Xingyue was about to nod, Shirako tugged on Nami’s sleeve.
“But big sister, there’s no need for that, right? Big sister Xingyue is our savior!”
The little cat girl’s amber eyes were full of confusion. “Besides, I think she’s someone we can trust.”
Nami’s tail wrapped around Xingyue’s wrist, the warmth seeping through her skin. “I trust her too, but… once a magical girl’s identity is exposed, not only me, but you and Akako will be in danger too.”
She paused, her voice softening as she looked at Xingyue. “Sorry, I’m not doubting you, it’s just…”
“I understand.”
Xingyue squeezed Nami’s hand back, telling her not to be nervous.

****

When they parted ways, Shirako stuffed a cherry blossom bell into Xingyue’s hand. “This is a good luck charm I made myself. I don’t know how else to express my gratitude… Please take this as a thank you gift for big sister Xingyue.”
After saying that, the little cat girl stood on her tiptoes and gave Xingyue a light kiss on the cheek. “Next time we meet, I’ll treat you to some wagashi!”
“Oh, okay…”
Xingyue touched her kissed cheek, her face flushed red.
‘This little cat girl is so cute…’

****

When she returned home, the sensor light in the entryway flickered on.
“I knew it. (ㅍ_ㅍ)”
Xingyue frowned, looking at Ruoxi sleeping soundly on the bed, wrapped in a blanket. Moonlight streamed through the French window, casting the golden-haired girl’s long eyelashes as shadows on her cheeks.
Ruoxi was drooling, looking like she was fast asleep.
[Time for a Choice!]
[A. Wake Ruoxi up (Due to her waking-up anger, Ruoxi will punish you.)]
[B. Cover her with the blanket, then walk away.]
Xingyue: ‘Is there even a choice here…’
Xingyue had originally planned to tell Ruoxi that she had already found two magical girls, but now it seemed unnecessary.
‘I’ll tell her tomorrow.’
Xingyue chose B, gently covering Ruoxi with the blanket.
“Mmm… little Xingyue… don’t take my pudding… or I’ll eat you…”
Ruoxi mumbled in her sleep, turning over.
Xingyue: ‘…Why do I feel like I appear so often in her dreams?’ 🤔
‘Whatever, I’ll just leave her be.’

****

After a hot bath in the bathroom, Xingyue lay on the bed in her own room, wearing a thin nightgown and staring blankly at the ceiling.
Her phone suddenly rang. The name “Tsundere Cat” flashed on the screen.
She pressed the answer key, and Nami’s voice came through with a bit of static:
– “Xingyue, are you asleep?”
– “Not yet.” Xingyue curled up under the covers, suddenly remembering what happened with the sisters today…
– “Thank you so much for today…”
– “I’m the one who should be saying thank you.” Nami’s voice was uncharacteristically gentle.
– “If you hadn’t stepped in, Xingyue, the Heart-Devouring Poison in Shirako would have eroded her brain. Even if she were saved, she would have been unconscious…”
The cat girl paused.
– “How are you feeling now?”
– “I’m okay. I feel like the poison has mostly dispersed.” Xingyue touched her neck.
– “Right, you still haven’t told me what exactly happened today.”
Xingyue remembered the main question.
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before Nami spoke:
– “Shirako was on vacation today and flew over from Sakura Country to visit me… But, she was intercepted by the [Thunder Ninja Sect] on the way.”
Nami’s tone turned icy.
– “The Thunder Ninja Sect? You don’t mean—”
That term was very familiar to Xingyue.
– “It’s the Sakura Country branch of the evil villains… They fight with the magical girls over there, and Shirako is one of them.”
– “S-so that’s what happened…”
Xingyue’s heart skipped a beat as she remembered the cold eyes of the black-clothed ninjas on the second floor of the dungeon.
‘No wonder the power of those ninjas felt so familiar.’
‘They were former colleagues.’ ()
– “They ambushed and captured Shirako, then planned to seize the 《Elemental Codex》 in the dungeon.” Nami paused. “It’s a forbidden art that can control the five major elements. Once it falls into the hands of the Thunder Ninja Sect…”
– “So that’s why you sensed Shirako was in danger?”
– “Yes. Although I initially planned to save her myself, my intuition told me you could help me.” Nami’s voice lowered, then she suddenly let out a soft laugh, tinged with a bit of relief. “Luckily, I trusted my intuition. Thanks to you, Xingyue.”
– “Ahaha… is that so?”
Xingyue’s cheeks felt hot.
She looked at the cherry blossom bell on her bedside table, remembered Shirako’s sincere smile, and felt a little warmth in her heart.
– “I’m sending Shirako off at the airport tomorrow night. Do you want to come?”
Nami extended another invitation to Xingyue.
Xingyue: ‘…Ah?’
‘Wait, tomorrow night? Isn’t that… when I’m supposed to meet Miss Witch?’ Σ( ° △ °|||)︴
– “Um, Nami, I probably… can’t make it.”
– “Hm? Are you busy tomorrow night?” Nami asked from the other end of the line.
– “I…”
Xingyue hesitated.
[Time for a Choice!]
[A. Tell Nami that you’ve already signed a s*ave contract with Witch L.]
[B. Make up an excuse to brush it off.]
[C. Who cares about the witch, don’t go see her tomorrow, just go see Shirako off directly (Main Story End, enter “The Witch’s Pet” ending)]
Xingyue: ‘M-mwehhh…?’
‘Even “pet” is on the table now?!’ (*ﾟﾛﾟ)!