The Continuation of Love

“You Dong? Who’s You Dong?”

Tidal turned stiffly. Chen Xi’s complex expression reflected in her wide, blue eyes.

Oh no… it’s over.

But how?

Tidal quickly replayed the events in her mind. Then—like a hammer to the chest—a shocking realization struck her.

“What… what did you just call me?” Chen Xi demanded.

If you looked closely, her eyes were already red, on the verge of tears.

So it was that…

Tidal let out a long sigh.

When she’d rushed in to save You Xi, facing the tendrils alone—she hadn’t had time to think about her words. Instinctively, she’d called her “Xianjie.” A habit from their past.

That tiny slip had sparked Chen Xi’s suspicion, leading her to piece together the truth: Tidal was You Dong.

They’d dated for four years. Tidal knew—besides her family, no one else called Chen Xi “Xianjie.” Now, she’d walked right into her own trap.

There was no point in denying it.

So Tidal simply admitted it.

“Xianjie.”

She spread her arms, gesturing to her current form.

“I became like this for a reason. You probably know You Xi became a magical girl…”

She bit her lip, then continued firmly:

“You know I have to protect her. It’s something I must do.”

“You… you bastard…”

What emotion was that? Tidal didn’t know. She could only stand there, enduring it.

A choked sob rose from Chen Xi’s throat. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

It wasn’t fair. It was so unfair…

Her favorite magical girl—Tidal—was actually her ex-boyfriend.

Was today April Fools’? If so, how she wished it were.

In that moment, she hated her own sharp intuition.

If she’d been more oblivious, if she could’ve lied to herself… would she have been spared this absurd reality?

After You Dong dumped her with that clumsy act, Chen Xi had been briefly heartbroken. But Tidal’s appearance gave her hope—proof she could still fall in love.

Even if it was unrequited. Even if the one she loved was a distant, untouchable magical girl. As long as she could still love, there was still a chance.

—No. Not chance. A chance for something even more beautiful, more wonderful than before.

But…

“What did I do wrong…?”

Chen Xi collapsed to her knees, hands gripping Tidal’s shoulders.

“To fall in love with the same person… twice…”

“Xianjie…”

Tidal didn’t know what to say.

Before, she’d often read or hear the phrase “It’s all fate’s cruel joke.” Only now did she truly understand how precise—and how hopeless—it was.

But if she let Chen Xi kneel here, crying, someone might see. If Huangxing or You Dong noticed, it would be impossible to explain.

So Tidal decided to take her somewhere private.

“Xianjie. It’s not safe to talk here. Let’s go somewhere else.”

****

Chen Xi didn’t respond, still holding the same pose.

Then, suddenly, she felt herself lifted—her feet leaving the ground.

“—Ah!”

Instinctively afraid of heights, Chen Xi reached for something to hold. But Tidal was carrying her in a princess carry—so all she could do was wrap her arms around Tidal’s slender neck.

Tidal flew steadily.

Through her sapphire eyes, Chen Xi saw the vast, endless sky.

In this strange way, they shared the same view… and a strange, indescribable feeling welled up in Chen Xi’s heart.

She remembered four years ago—when she first fell for You Dong.

Back then, You Dong had been driving his four-leaf clover car, focused as he sped along mountain roads. Chen Xi sat in the passenger seat, watching his serious, concentrated profile—just like Tidal’s now.

For a moment, two reflections—one from the past, one from the present—overlapped.

Chen Xi couldn’t tell who was holding her. You Dong? Or Tidal?

But in the end… they were the same person.

Maybe… because they were the same, she had to fall for her.

And with that thought, a wild idea struck Chen Xi: Maybe Tidal’s appearance was a continuation of their past relationship. So of course she’d fall in love again.

Suddenly, the sadness and confusion that had clouded her mind felt trivial.

Because in this moment—the happiness she felt, the quiet flutter in her heart, the real, vivid emotions—had already covered and erased the sorrow within.

She wished this moment—gazing at Tidal’s profile—could last forever, as eternal and unchanging as the blue sky.

Can human emotions shift so drastically—from sorrow to joy? Chen Xi even began to question her own sanity.

Tidal kept carrying her in the princess hold. They flew to the rooftop of a building—safe from prying eyes.

She gently set Chen Xi down, noticing the faint tear streaks still on her cheeks.

Tidal wiped them away—just like she used to during their relationship.

She stood on tiptoe, her cute leather shoes curving upward…

…Damn. Still too short.

Tidal panicked. How short am I?!

Since she was already exposed, using this tiny form to face Chen Xi felt awkward. So she decided to de-transform.

“Don’t!”

As if sensing Tidal’s intent, Chen Xi suddenly wrapped her arms around her.

“Don’t change back… please?”

Hearing her plea, Tidal slowly lowered her hands.

“…I’m sorry. I made you sad again.”

Holding her ex-girlfriend in this body, Tidal felt a surreal sense of déjà vu.

“You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m the one who jumped in headfirst,” Chen Xi said.

“Four years ago, I fell for you on my own. Now, it’s the same. So all of this… is just me suffering for my own choices.”

She said this, yet there was no regret in her voice.

“Xianjie… it’s not the right time to say this, but… there’s something I need to ask of you,” Tidal said.

“What is it?”

“Keep my secret. Don’t tell anyone I’m You Dong—especially You Xi.”

“Why?” Chen Xi asked.

“That girl depends on me… or rather, on Tidal. I don’t want to disappoint her.”

Tidal lowered her head.

“Like I disappointed you…”

Now, whether from guilt or something else, she couldn’t meet Chen Xi’s eyes.

“Is this right? You can hide it for now—but forever?”

Chen Xi asked.

“Hide it as long as I can. Just… help me this once, Xianjie. If you keep my secret…”

Tidal pleaded, “I’ll do anything.”

“Anything? Anything at all? Really?!”

Chen Xi rubbed her hands together, eyes gleaming with mischief.

“—Huh?”

To Tidal, Chen Xi now looked way too eager.

But what was she so eager for?

Could it… be her?

The more Tidal thought about it, the more terrifying it became.

She shrank back, neck tucked in, eyes wide with suspicion as her ex-girlfriend drew closer.

…Oh no. Did I just walk into the wolf’s den?