The Monocle and the Watch

“Senior Sister, is this a new development from the department?” Zhuang Xun asked, her gaze falling upon a novel watch strapped to her wrist. She had never encountered this model before.

“Yes, so whether its functions are truly effective remains to be seen,” Shen Xian replied, her single monocle glinting as she surveyed the surrounding path.

Zhuang Xun quickly glanced at the watch’s features before concealing it beneath her jacket sleeve. She then donned the accompanying earphones and looked up at Shen Xian.

“Senior Sister, your glasses…”

“They’re part of the set, you know.”

Shen Xian lightly adjusted her monocle. Though the single, gold-rimmed piece was distinctly retro and intellectual, it somehow exuded an elegant playfulness and delicate charm on her face.

After putting on one earphone, Zhuang Xun offered the other to her senior. “Can information be retrieved through the glasses?”

“No, it can’t.” Shen Xian took the earphone and placed it in her ear. “It’s just an accessory.”

“Don’t you think I look like a wise, intellectual elder sister wearing it?” Shen Xian suddenly adopted an extremely serious expression.

Zhuang Xun watched her, noting that even with a stern face, her inherent vivacity couldn’t be completely masked.

“Mm.”

“Little Zhuang Xun, you hesitated. Is that not the case?”

Shen Xian leaned abruptly closer, blinking. Her hand subtly tugged at the zipper of Zhuang Xun’s jacket. Zhuang Xun stared into those cherry blossom-hued pupils, her heart rate involuntarily quickening.

Beep! Beep!

Zhuang Xun quickly retreated two steps. She rolled up her sleeve, the watch now beeping incessantly.

Could it be… did it find something?

Shen Xian was about to step toward her again when Zhuang Xun stopped her.

“Little Zhuang Xun?”

“No,” Zhuang Xun said, observing the numbers displayed. She tapped the watch a few times, and the sound finally ceased. “I must have pressed another button just now.”

Zhuang Xun quickly covered the watch again and immediately changed the subject. “Senior Sister, we can’t waste any more time here.”

Shen Xian stretched her arms toward the sky. “You’re right.”

Zhuang Xun walked behind her, asking casually, “Senior Sister, is this the only model of this watch?”

“Why do you ask?” Shen Xian replied, strolling leisurely ahead.

Zhuang Xun’s gaze swept over their surroundings. Seeing no one else on the road, she slowly spoke again. “It has a real-time pheromone detection function.”

Shen Xian’s steps faltered slightly before she resumed walking. However, her pace had slowed, as if waiting for Zhuang Xun to catch up and walk beside her.

“Oh—you actually noticed that.”

“……”

When it first beeped, I noticed it instantly. If I hadn’t looked, I might not have cared. But once I saw the numbers spiking, it was hard not to notice.

“Currently, there’s only one model. But wearing it feels a bit cumbersome…” Shen Xian raised her eyes to her junior. “Can I really not wear it this time?”

Listening to Shen Xian’s pleading, Zhuang Xun fell into a momentary struggle.

More than half a month had passed since the incident with the tentacle monster when her senior’s pheromones had first leaked. Due to insufficient research, the exact cycles of her pheromone leakage remained completely unknown. Yet, Shen Xian’s expression clearly showed resistance to this kind of detection device. Or perhaps, it wasn’t just detection…

Besides herself, only monsters could detect the pheromones.

Zhuang Xun faced a dilemma. One, for Shen Xian’s safety, she should force her to wear the watch. Two, considering Shen Xian’s feelings, it might be alright not to wear it.

“Little Zhuang Xun, just this once,” Shen Xian spoke up. “At least this time, I don’t want to wear it.”

Shen Xian didn’t resort to any manipulative coaxing. She simply stated her thoughts calmly.

“I understand.” Seeing her resolve, Zhuang Xun lowered her head slightly, then met Shen Xian’s gaze again. “However… Senior Sister, if you feel unwell at all, please make sure to tell me.”

Shen Xian smiled genuinely. “Just how fragile do you think I am? I’ve been a magical girl for so, so many years!”

Zhuang Xun blinked, her expression earnest. “I know.”

I’ve known for a very long time.

After a prolonged gaze, Shen Xian was the first to give in and avert her eyes. “Let’s go quickly!”

Zhuang Xun watched Shen Xian’s retreating back and silently replied, Alright.

Shen Xian sat on the steps, cupping her face, and sighed. “Well, that was completely fruitless.”

Zhuang Xun offered the cup in her hand. “Senior Sister, have some hot tea.”

“Thank you, Little Zhuang Xun~” Shen Xian cupped the hot tea, blew on it, and took a sip.

Just then, Tao Si walked past, carrying two plates laden with several skewers of grilled meat. She handed the plates to Shen Xian and asked, “How was your stroll around the area?”

“It was alright~ Thank you.”

“No problem.”

Before Zhuang Xun could make a move, Shen Xian set down her hot tea and took both plates. She then handed the one without chili seasoning to Zhuang Xun.

Zhuang Xun noticed the subtle detail of Shen Xian specifically switching the plates but said nothing. She silently accepted it, then redirected her gaze back to Tao Si.

“I just saw a rock garden behind this villa. I happened to overhear your conversation when I came back. Are you going to explore there later?”

After speaking to Tao Si, Shen Xian turned to Zhuang Xun. “You eat first.”

Tao Si’s eyes widened slightly. “So you heard that, Shen Xian? I was just about to ask you two.”

“I merely overheard by chance.”

“Will you both join us?” Tao Si’s gaze fell on Zhuang Xun.

Zhuang Xun glanced at Shen Xian from the corner of her eye, still chewing her meat.

“If possible, we’d certainly be willing. What do you say, Little Zhuang Xun?” Shen Xian said with a smile.

Zhuang Xun swallowed her bite and nodded. “Alright.”

Tao Si straightened up, smiling as she responded, “Great then. I’ll tell our club president in a bit. If you want anything else to eat, just go grab it from over there~”

Shen Xian returned a polite smile. “Alright.”

After Tao Si left, Shen Xian was about to pick up a chili-laden skewer and bite into it when Zhuang Xun immediately stopped her. She offered her own plain skewer instead.

“Senior Sister, eat this one.”

Shen Xian looked at the plain meat, then raised her eyes and righteously declared, “I can eat spicy food!”

“You cannot.” Zhuang Xun flatly refused, swiftly pulling the spicy skewer from Shen Xian’s hand. She even pulled the entire plate away.

Shen Xian watched the retreating spicy skewers longingly and asked, “Why?”

“Senior Sister, you injected the antidote into the monster back then. Although it’s been about a week now, we can’t completely guarantee that there are no toxins left in your body. Therefore, you still cannot eat spicy food.”

Although Zhuang Xun was delighted that her senior had remembered her preferences and specifically given her the non-spicy skewer, these two matters could not be conflated.

Shen Xian reached out, trying to grasp the spicy plate Zhuang Xun held aloft. “That was a week ago! The toxins must have been completely cleared by now! How could there possibly be any residue?”

Zhuang Xun raised her hand higher, stating seriously, “Just in case. No.”

Shen Xian huffed indignantly. “Little Zhuang Xun! You’re too much!!!”

“What’s wrong with you two?” Tao Si asked, approaching Shen Xian and Zhuang Xun with drawing slips in hand, a hint of surprise in her voice.