A Match Made in Heaven

Zhuang Xun submerged herself in the water, allowing the warmth of the hot spring to completely relax her.

After she awoke, a few examinations revealed no significant issues, and she was discharged. The doctor’s final words were simple: “Just go home and soak in a hot spring to relieve the stress.”

However, it was Shen Xian’s reaction at the time that had left a far deeper impression on her.

“Are you absolutely certain there’s nothing wrong? My junior sister actually fainted! Shouldn’t we run a few more tests?”

Shen Xian’s suggestion was immediately shot down by both Ning Qi and the doctor. While Shen Xian’s adorable, slightly furrowed brow upon being rejected was memorable, what truly resonated was her possessive declaration: “My junior sister…”

Zhuang Xun murmured softly to herself, “My junior sister…”

Senior Sister Shen Xian had called her ‘her junior sister.’ Her senior sister had placed her among her own family.

In the next moment, the reflection in the water brought her back to reality. Shen Xian’s feelings for her were not the same as her feelings for Shen Xian.

She gazed up at the sky. The advantage of an open-air hot spring was the unobstructed view of the moon. It would be strange if she could adapt to her new life so easily, wouldn’t it?

She had been conflicted a month ago when informed that she might have to live as a girl from then on. Yet, the very next day, she was invited to join the Magic Department. This was because the accident had not only changed her but also Senior Sister Shen Xian.

Senior Sister Shen Xian’s physique had undergone a drastic change that day. Originally, their bodies were no different from ordinary people, but after that day, her senior sister’s body began to emit a very pleasant scent. The people at Magic Headquarters named it “Pheromones.”

For some unknown reason, only two types of beings could detect the pheromones emanating from Shen Xian: monsters and Zhuang Xun.

Since the pheromones had appeared suddenly, there was currently no accurate way to research a solution. Magic Headquarters had merely informed them that only by working together as partners could she and Shen Xian ensure no mishaps occurred during magical combat.

At that moment, she hadn’t hesitated at all. Who wouldn’t want the chance to fight alongside the person they loved? Moreover, she had fallen in love at first sight with Shen Xian precisely because Shen Xian, as a Magical Girl, had saved her life once before.

Regardless, Zhuang Xun could not bear to see Shen Xian forced to leave the Magic Department. Thus, she had agreed to join.

Shen Xian herself was completely unaware of this, as she believed Zhuang Xun had simply been placed into the department with her peers. She only knew that Zhuang Xun was the only newcomer who could smell her pheromones.

And Senior Sister Shen Xian’s naturally oblivious nature was Zhuang Xun’s absolute favorite!

Thinking this, Zhuang Xun felt tears welling in the corners of her eyes.

“What are you thinking about? There are tears in the corners of your eyes.”

A familiar voice reached Zhuang Xun’s ears, and the face she had yearned for appeared before her. Zhuang Xun blinked sharply, her body sliding down instantly, immersing herself completely in the pool.

“Eh? Why are you hiding? Are you still feeling unwell?”

Shen Xian’s worried voice filtered through the water as Zhuang Xun hid beneath the surface. The next second, she felt her shoulders being touched by a pair of slender, fair, and soft hands.

Zhuang Xun jumped in surprise, immediately standing up and retreating several steps.

Her voice was flustered. “Sen-Senior Sister?! What are you doing here?”

As she rose too hastily, she splashed water onto Shen Xian’s body and face.

“It doesn’t seem like you’re feeling unwell,” Shen Xian said, wiping her face with her sleeve.

“I-I’m sorry! Senior Sister, are you alright?” Zhuang Xun anxiously took two steps forward, intending to help wipe her face with her own sleeve.

As her sleeve brushed Shen Xian’s cheek, Shen Xian chuckled. “I’m fine. Why are you so nervous?”

Before Zhuang Xun could answer, Shen Xian’s voice came again. “Can I come in and soak with you?”

“As expected… an open-air hot spring is truly comfortable…” Shen Xian leaned against a rock, speaking contentedly.

Zhuang Xun stammered, “Ah, um… yes, it is.”

Her mind was a tangled mess. Why was her senior sister here? Senior Ning had clearly said at the hospital: “Since you’re going to a hot spring, why not visit my family’s hot spring hotel? You have tomorrow off, and it’s free. Consider it a way to relax after this battle.”

“I didn’t expect Ning Qi’s hot spring to be so comfortable… I’m glad I didn’t refuse her offer,” Shen Xian said.

Shen Xian’s words instantly resolved the questions in Zhuang Xun’s mind. It was clear that Senior Ning had deliberately told her and Senior Sister Shen Xian about this separately. After all, she was a senior who would casually blurt out, “Why aren’t you two dating yet?”

Zhuang Xun felt a moment of despair, but then she turned to Shen Xian. “Senior Sister, are you feeling alright?”

Shen Xian looked a little embarrassed. “I’m fine, but my physique suddenly changed, and I can’t even smell my own pheromones… it tends to attract trouble. And you saw such an embarrassing scene. Honestly, I don’t know what to do.”

An embarrassing scene? Was she referring to the tentacles?

Zhuang Xun stood up and quickly waved her hands. “No! Senior Sister was caught by the tentacle monster because she was saving me. If I were stronger, such a mistake wouldn’t have happened! Moreover… Senior Sister is so hardworking and outstanding; there’s nothing embarrassing about that! Senior Sister, you’ve done incredibly well!”

“I’m wearing only a yukata in front of Senior Sister, which is far more embarrassing…” Zhuang Xun’s voice grew softer and her head bowed lower as she spoke the last words. A few seconds later, a clear, melodious laugh came from across the pool.

Zhuang Xun looked up.

“Little Zhuang Xun, why are you so adorable? You always praise me so much, I’ll easily get carried away!” Shen Xian’s eyes crinkled with a smile, clearly in a good mood.

Zhuang Xun said from the bottom of her heart, “Because… Senior Sister truly is that amazing…”

“Honestly…”

Zhuang Xun heard Shen Xian’s words fade, and in her line of sight, Shen Xian stood up and walked towards her, step by step. She gently brushed aside Zhuang Xun’s bangs.

She lightly touched her forehead to Zhuang Xun’s, the distance between them closing. Zhuang Xun could hear her own heart beating rapidly.

“My beautiful junior sister should take better care of her body.”

The touch was brief, a mere brush. Shen Xian tidied the stray hairs around her face. “It seems a little warm, but it shouldn’t be a fever.”

Zhuang Xun’s face was flushed. “Senior Sister… you can’t always launch surprise attacks… That’s cheating.”

“Did I scare you?” Shen Xian said with a hint of apology. “Sorry, sorry… I just thought checking forehead temperature was more accurate. Even though the doctor suggested a hot spring, it happened because of me, so I feel I should at least take care of you today.”

“N-no, Senior Sister,” Zhuang Xun quickly interjected. “It was my distraction, my failure to make a decisive move, that caused Senior Sister’s pheromones to leak.”

As she finished speaking, a sharp pain shot through her forehead. She covered her head, looking up. Shen Xian pouted, looking somewhat displeased.

“You, as a newcomer, should let me protect you properly! I’m your senior sister!” She paused, then continued, “Besides, neither you nor I fully understand these pheromones. If we could find the trick to control them on the first try, then we truly would be a match made in heaven.”

‘A match made in heaven?!’

“A match made in heaven as partners!” Shen Xian clarified with a grin.

“…”

Shen Xian yawned. “Alright, I’m a bit sleepy. I’m going to bed. Don’t soak until you faint; get some rest early.”

Zhuang Xun nodded. “Good night, Senior Sister.”

Shen Xian first waved her hand, then changed her movement, placing her hand on Zhuang Xun’s head and gently ruffling her hair. She said softly, “Good night, little Zhuang Xun.”

After Shen Xian left, Zhuang Xun also walked from the hot spring back to her room. Lying on the bed, she stared at the ceiling, the lingering warmth and sensation from Shen Xian’s hand still vivid in her mind.

“Tomorrow will definitely be… a good day.”

“Zhuang Xun, help… sniff… I don’t want to grow ears and a tail!”