Big Investigation Ruoxi😡

Because of Ruoxi.

Even though Witch L—or rather, Lucie—had pampered Xingyue with a night of luxury, Xingyue no longer had the heart to enjoy any of it.

After resting at the bathhouse overnight, Xingyue had no classes the next day.

She changed into a soft pink dress embroidered with star patterns, paired with white over-the-knee socks and lace-up leather shoes, then headed to a café near the school.

She called Nami and Xisitina—both of whom had only minor injuries, mostly requiring bandages, but were otherwise mobile.

By the time Xingyue arrived, Nami and Xisitina were already waiting for her.

Both were wrapped in bandages, their faces still pale, but their spirits seemed intact.

“Xingyue… are you really the little sister of the magical girl [Sunshine]?”

Nami wore a loose black hoodie, her bandaged forearm peeking out from the sleeve, a freshly ordered mocha in front of her.

Xisitina, dressed in a designer dress, elegantly sipped her coffee.

Though the sterile patch on her forehead was rather noticeable ( )

“I must admit, I’m quite surprised—Senior Ruoxi is actually the magical girl Sunshine.”

Xingyue stuck out her pink tongue playfully. “I was planning to tell you both eventually~”

“How about this—let’s team up from now on? There’s strength in numbers!”

Xingyue looked at them hopefully. This was the mission Ruoxi had originally given her—it was time to bring it up.

But… both Nami and Xisitina gently shook their heads.

“You don’t want to?” Xingyue’s eyes twitched slightly.

“It’s not that. Yesterday at the hospital, I spoke with Senior Ruoxi. Both I and Nami truly wish to fight alongside her. But…”

Xisitina paused.

“But what?” Xingyue pressed.

“But she told us… that from now on, she’ll handle everything alone.” Xisitina shook her head.

Nami was quietly eating her cake.

“What?!” Xingyue’s cute crimson eyes widened.

“That can’t be right! She’s the one who told *me* to find you two for help!” Xingyue couldn’t understand.

Nami chewed on her fork. “Hmph. Probably thinks we’re too weak.”

“True. Getting captured by that Shadow Trickster alone… it *was* pretty embarrassing.” Xisitina’s face was filled with unwillingness.

Xingyue: Could it be that…

Based on her past experiences with Ruoxi, Xingyue could guess the truth—Ruoxi didn’t trust their strength. She was afraid Nami and Xisitina would get hurt, so in the end, she refused their help.

That also explained why Ruoxi’s satisfaction had dropped last night. The outcome wasn’t what she wanted.

She wanted allies—not more people to protect.

And Xingyue’s reaction to this?

“All that effort… wasted! Ugh, I’m so mad at that idiot! First she says she’s tired, then when I finally get help, she insists on doing it all herself?! Just because she’s a bit stronger now, does she think she’s some kind of tireless machine?!”

Xingyue grabbed her hair, utterly exasperated with Ruoxi.

“Xingyue, you look really angry.” Nami said flatly, still chewing her cake as she stared at the fuming Xingyue.

“Of course I’m angry! The fact that I even *have* to do this is ridiculous! If it’s too much, just ask a few friends for help! Why make it so hard?!”

Xingyue pouted.

But the next moment…

“Huh? Xingyue… you didn’t know?” Xisitina tilted her head, a puzzled look on her face.

“Know what?”

“Senior Ruoxi… doesn’t actually have a single friend at this school.”

“…Huh? (°ー°〃)?”

The air suddenly stilled.

Xingyue felt her heartbeat skip a beat.

Now that she thought about it…

Ruoxi had always fought alone. Before Xingyue arrived, she’d been living in a rented apartment by herself.

Xingyue had never once seen her interact with anyone else…

“How could this be…? She doesn’t even seem like the socially anxious type.” Xingyue murmured.

“Perhaps… the stronger someone is, the more used they are to carrying burdens alone.” Xisitina said softly.

Nami kept eating her cake.

“I don’t think it’s that simple. I need to go ask her myself.”

As Ruoxi’s longtime rival, Xingyue knew the reason Ruoxi had no friends wasn’t that straightforward.

There had to be something else behind it.

“I’ll come with you ( ᗜ ˰ ᗜ )ฅ”

Nami raised her paw.

“You’re done with your cake?” Xingyue asked.

“Not yet.”

Nami lowered her head and kept eating.

Xingyue: ……

“Ah… well…”

Xisitina sighed lightly, gracefully rising to adjust her skirt.

“You two are impossible. Since I’m curious about Senior Ruoxi myself, I suppose I’ll reluctantly tag along.”

As she spoke, Xisitina pulled out a gold card to pay the bill.

Xingyue: Emm…

Is it just Xingyue’s imagination, or are the three of them suddenly sticking together???

****

After leaving the café.

“Ugh… going straight to ask her might not be the best idea.”

Xingyue’s eyes darted side to side.

Knowing Ruoxi’s personality, if she asked directly, Ruoxi would definitely lie.

“So you’re saying… we should investigate her relationships quietly first?” Xisitina crossed her arms, asking.

“Uh… let me think of a plan.”

Xingyue pondered.

[Decision Time!]

[Current Information on Ruoxi: 20%]

[A. Go ask Ruoxi directly. (High chance of failure)]

[B. Secretly investigate Ruoxi’s social connections. (If caught, you’ll be tied up)]

[C. Forget it. Let it go… (Ruoxi Route ends.)]

Xingyue decided…