I’ve been discovered (°口°๑)

If choosing B means getting tied up by Ruoxi…

Xingyue: In that case… looks like I’ll just have to risk it for the reward (◦`~´◦)

It’s definitely not because I’m looking forward to being tied up… definitely not!

“If we’re going to investigate, where should we go?” Xingyue pondered.

But just then—

“I know a place. There might be many people who know Senior Ruoxi.” Xisitina raised a finger.

Both Nami and Xingyue turned to her at once.

Xisitina: “Hehe, no need to be amazed by my connections. After all, social networking is an essential part of noble etiquette—”

Xingyue / Nami: “So where is it?”

Xisitina: ……

☆☆☆

The place Xisitina referred to was the Drama Club’s activity room.

Though there were no classes today, the club members were busy working overtime—preparing props for the school’s upcoming haunted house event.

“Meow…”

Nami stared warily at a fake severed head in the corner, her fur bristling slightly.

“Hey, Tina… why are we investigating gossip in such a creepy place?” Xingyue muttered, a little scared.

This loli body is way too timid… (sorrow)

Xisitina elegantly sat down, using a handkerchief to pad the chair. “You two don’t understand. I happen to know that many of Senior Ruoxi’s classmates are here. It’ll be faster to ask them.”

“Really? …Eh, eh, senpai! Senpai!” Xingyue ran over to an upperclassman organizing costumes.

No time to overthink—just ask first.

The three split up to gather information about Ruoxi…

****

“Welcome to the Drama Club, student. What can I do for you?” A bespectacled senior greeted Xingyue kindly.

“Hello, senpai! Can I ask you about Senior Ruoxi’s daily life?”

Senior: (*￣︶￣)

Her smile froze for three seconds before she turned to leave.

“Wait, please! QAQ You haven’t answered me yet!”

Xingyue grabbed the senior’s hand.

“I refuse to answer! I don’t want anything to do with that woman! Being around her is impossible! It’s like trying to live with the sun—get too close and you’ll get burned!”

The senior shouted in despair.

Xingyue: Like the sun?

Could it be… because of Magical Girl Sunshine, her classmates are avoiding Ruoxi?

But that’s ridiculous! Ruoxi has been protecting this city this whole time!

“Please, senpai! You can’t hate Ruoxi just because of [Sunshine]!”

Xingyue puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms, her white thigh-high socks wrinkling slightly as she stomped her foot.

“[Sunshine]? Is that some new idol group?” The senior adjusted her glasses, utterly confused.

Xingyue: …Huh? (°ー°〃)

Now it was Xingyue’s turn to freeze.

So they don’t even know Ruoxi is Sunshine…

Well, of course. Ruoxi had hidden her magical girl identity perfectly. No one realized the legendary [Sunshine] who saved the city was sitting beside them in class.

But if that’s not the reason… then what is?

Just then—

“Boom!”

The activity room’s window shattered as a golden-haired girl dramatically burst in, cape fluttering behind her!

Ruoxi stood tall in a modified crop-top school uniform, holding a neon sign that read “FREE HELP!”

“Cl-lassmates! Is! There! Any-one! Who! Needs! Help?! (｡>∀<｡)”

“Eeek! It’s her again! QAQ!”

Club members screamed like pigs being slaughtered and scattered, clutching their props.

“Aaah~!”

“Meow!”

A fake skull rolled to Xingyue and Nami’s feet, causing them to shriek and leap into Xisitina’s arms.

Xisitina: (ㅍ_ㅍ)

In seconds, the entire club had fled.

Ruoxi’s smile froze.

Then slowly faded.

“Again… like this…” Ruoxi lowered her head.

But soon, her eyes landed on the three “familiar faces” in the corner.

“Eh?! Eh?! Why are you guys here?! (〃д〃)”

Ruoxi’s pale cheeks instantly flushed red.

“Waaahhh—!”

The next second, she covered her face and sprinted out at top speed, crashing through another window, leaving behind chaos and three utterly bewildered girls.

“So… she’s not socially anxious. She’s socially obnoxious, right?” Xingyue deadpanned.

Xisitina and Nami both nodded solemnly.

****

After that, the three seemed to have found a direction.

They went all out collecting Ruoxi’s embarrassing history, eventually gathering enough evidence to explain why Ruoxi had never had any friends.

Xingyue was the most enthusiastic collector. Why? Don’t ask.

Xingyue: Hahahahahaha—So even you have a side like this, you idiot~

Xingyue: Hahahaha≧▽≦

She was absolutely overjoyed.

But investigating for too long? Even an idiot would notice.

…

“Ahh… X﹏X”

That day, Xingyue was cornered by Ruoxi.

“You evil little loli… you’ve been spying on me this whole time!”

Flushed with anger, Ruoxi clenched her teeth and pulled out a rope.

Xingyue: Oh no Σ( ° △ °|||)︴

Getting caught means getting tied up—just like the system warned.

“Are you ready for what comes next?” Ruoxi said, her eyes turning sharp.

Xingyue: What do I do, what do I do?! QAQ

Just then—

[Ding! Detected sufficient evidence collected. You may now proceed to the confrontation phase.]

[Decision Time!]

[A. Confront Ruoxi and resolve her emotional burden. (Upon success: Ruoxi’s satisfaction reaches maximum, Redemption Points +500. If you fail, you’ll still get tied up.)]

[B. Close your eyes and obediently accept Ruoxi’s punishment…]

[Someone’s Note: Only people with very specific tastes would pick B… Xingyue, you’re not one of them, are you?]

Xingyue decided…