Room Check

Luo You had already booked a third room at the hot spring hotel in advance.

She tossed Xue inside, slapped on a “do not leave” order, then took the elevator back to the previous room.

“Zining, open up, I forgot my key card.”

From behind the door came footsteps—heavier than Luo Zining’s usual pace.

A sinking feeling hit Luo You in the gut.

Sure enough, when the door swung open, the one standing there was the last person she wanted to see.

The magic world’s No. 1 vengeful woman!

Before she could react, a ghostly claw full of resentment shot out from within, grabbed her wrist—and the next second, the world spun.

Thud!

Her back hit the wall.

A hand pressed against the wall beside her ear.

A mature onee-san’s generously-sized “buns” hovered just inches from her face.

There was no doubt about it—this was a kabedon!

“…Ow! What are you doing?!”

Luo You blinked in confusion for half a second, then curled up with exaggerated drama, her tone full of coy protest.

But Ji Yue, the perpetrator, remained expressionless and unmoved.

Of course, Luo You’s performance wasn’t for her.

“Auntie! What are you doing?!”

Luo Zining rushed over barefoot, cheeks flushed red, and yanked Ji Yue aside.

“It’s okay, Zining. I was just startled. Don’t blame her!”

“Eh?”

“Ji Yue-jie didn’t do anything wrong. I must’ve unknowingly done something to upset her… that’s why she acted this way…”

Ji Yue nearly choked on air.

Even though Zining was clearly siding with Luo You, one look at that face full of false innocence made her mutter internally—

‘What a green tea b*tch!’

A gentle kick from behind caught Luo You in the heel, followed by Zining’s low growl in her ear.

“Watch it. That’s my aunt you’re messing with! Who the hell do you think you’re performing for?!”

“Just joking, jeez. Trying to lighten the mood.”

Luo You spread her hands innocently and turned to Ji Yue.

“But seriously—did I do something to upset you?”

It was a clever way to give Ji Yue a graceful out and bring up the issue directly.

Ji Yue adjusted her expression and said smoothly:

“No, this is our first time meeting. Zining just talks about you a lot.”

“Oh? What’s she been saying?”

“She said you never come home at night and you’re… pretty loose—”

“AAAHHHHH AUNTIE! Aren’t you supposed to be talking to Zhou Xi-senpai?! Hurry up and go tell her about what just happened!”

“Zining? Wait, hang on! Don’t push—”

It was as if Zining were trying to shove her aunt straight into a coffin—she erupted with incredible strength, nearly tossing Ji Yue out the door.

In desperation, Ji Yue could only shout back:

“Luo Youyou, I’m coming back tonight to talk! Make time!”

BANG!

Seal complete!

Zining slammed the door like a cannon, finally exhaling in relief.

Luo You moved behind her, poking her gently in the side with a finger.

Her whole body tensed.

“…So you told your aunt I’m some loose woman, huh?”

“Uhh… w-well… isn’t it kind of true? Are you seriously trying to deny it?”

Zining’s logic was shaky, but her tone was firm.

“So? What did you do those two nights, huh?”

“Grown-up business. Not your concern.”

“Ha! Knew it! You’re guilty as hell!”

Zining cut off the conversation cleanly.

No need for hush money when you had her kind of directness—she settled the whole affair with one sentence.

“……”

Luo You could already piece it together—she’d been out for two straight nights, and Zining must’ve complained to Ji Yue while she was waiting around.

Her current cover identity was “Luo You’s girlfriend-slash-Zining’s guardian.”

A guardian who slept around while the main partner was home waiting?

No wonder Ji Yue was pissed.

“Make sure you clear things up with your aunt.”

“That wasn’t a misunderstanding…”

Zining muttered back, but Luo You knew her well enough to assume she’d do it anyway.

“Dad, where did you even go?”

“Well, I was planning to check out the Canglan Ruins, but it started snowing hard. Ended up spending the whole afternoon at an arcade.”

“Good thing you didn’t go. Look it up online.”

Not that she needed to—Luo You did a half-hearted search and replied with a few fake comments, then rolled around the bed in idle boredom.

By dinnertime, Zining glanced at her.

“Dad, who’ve you been texting all afternoon?”

“A coworker from the gym.”

“Really? Let me see.”

She stepped closer, but Luo You, still lying down, raised a leg to block her.

“Shoo. What are you, some possessive yandere girlfriend?”

She tucked her phone away—on the screen had been her chat with Xue.

Since bringing Xue back, Luo You had bought her a phone for emergency contact and taught her the basics.

Zining noticed the quick hide and subtly dimmed.

“Dad… are you in some kind of messy relationship with a shady person?”

“What kind of garbage is in that 17-year-old brain of yours?”

Luo You’s kick this time carried more weight—but the extra force only betrayed her guilt.

Messy, huh?

Well… maybe?

A magical girl she’d once slept with had dumped a dimensional beast on her and left…

Yeah, that probably was pretty messy.

As she mentally spiraled, Luo You completely missed the fact that Zining’s eyes had gone dark and bottomless like the abyss.

“Enough. Go get food. I’m hungry.”

“There’s a decent-looking barbecue joint downstairs. You know what I like—go fetch it.”

“……”

Shoved out of the room, Luo Zining leaned against the door, unmoving for a long time.

Judging from that old degenerate’s reaction, she’d probably hit the mark.

That woman definitely slept with someone those two nights and was still seeing them now.

And odds were… that person was still inside this hotel.

“Zining, are you okay? Your eyes look terrifying.”

Ji Yue stepped out of Zhou Xi’s room and flinched.

Was that the expression of a proper magical girl?!

“Huh? Auntie, you’re done talking?”

“We’re heading to the Magical Alliance HQ via teleportation tomorrow morning. But I’m going to the Canglan Ruins now. You two enjoy yourselves.”

Something had gone down in the Nine Abyss Sea.

A powerful unknown entity had breached the border.

All frontline magical girls had to report for duty.

As the one stationed here, Ji Yue needed to set an example.

Still, she’d be back tonight to escort Zhou Xi tomorrow…

And to have a nice chat with that “loose woman.”

“Take care, Auntie.”

“You too. Don’t forget what I told you.”

“Being a backliner may not be flashy, but it’s vital. Your teammates’ lives are in your hands.”

After Ji Yue left, Luo Zining moved to a spot out of the security cameras’ view.

Transform.

Little Red Riding Hood—Shining Debut.

Magical girls are symbols of justice.

Their conduct must always be noble and graceful.

Their hearts pure and kind.

If an innocent girl is at risk of being misled or preyed upon by shady elements—

How could a magical girl just stand by and do nothing?

Wearing her transformation outfit, Luo Zining strode confidently to the hotel front desk, presented her magical girl credentials, and declared:

“I need access to your surveillance footage.”