Found You~

Hot Spring Hotel

“Easier than I expected.”

A disguised repair worker wiped cold sweat from his brow.

They’d braced for a fierce battle, but it was effortless.

“Even magical girls are just like this when they’re not transformed.”

“What about this one?” someone asked, pointing at Luo You.

“…She’s been close to Zhou Xi. Probably has some connection to the magical girls. Take her too.”

“Man, her figure’s insane. Can I have some fun with her when we’re done?”

“Don’t do anything stupid. The organization’s been cracking down hard lately. Get caught, and you’re screwed.”

“Tch, what a waste of that body!”

“I don’t get the higher-ups. Playing law-abiding heroes for years to win public support? They’re starting to believe their own act. No this, no that—our guys are about to lose it.”

They exchanged a few words but didn’t linger.

They stuffed Zhou Xi and Luo You into sacks, loaded them onto a cart, and wheeled them out.

They avoided heading straight to the rogue organization’s base to prevent being tracked.

Instead, they transferred to a deep mountain cave.

One of them received a message from the organization.

“Damn it, change of plans. Xingyue’s back, and the bosses say we cannot let this magical girl get hurt!”

“Xingyue!?”

The others turned, shocked.

“How’s she here!? Wasn’t she gone for seven years?”

“Didn’t Lady Elera take her down?”

That magical girl was too famous, leaving a deep mark on everyone.

While most magical girls had flashy, varied fighting styles, Xingyue’s carried the aura of a true monarch.

She embodied the ideal of “justice always triumphs over evil” with unmatched strength.

Under her light, she alone seemed like a true magical girl.

“Four hours. We’ve got four hours to release her, unharmed. Unharmed!”

“How’s that possible? With so little time?”

With Xingyue’s return, the Magical Alliance was unstoppable.

No wonder the organization forbade harming Zhou Xi.

Any injury would mean all-out war with the Alliance.

“What if she doesn’t cooperate?”

“We’ve got her friend here.”

Luo You’s shoulder was lightly kicked.

“If Zhou Xi doesn’t play ball, we’ll assault this chick right in front of her.”

“Ugh, if only Lady Elera were still around. Even Xingyue’s return wouldn’t matter.”

[I’m the Lady Elera you’re talking about, you idiots.]

Luo You kept her eyes shut, relying on her hearing to map out the scene.

They were in a cave.

The plan was going smoothly so far.

If it kept up, Ji Yue should follow the trail she left and find this place.

But hearing Xingyue’s name made her brows twitch.

That woman had left her with bad memories, and Luo You felt a pang of resistance.

[Next time I see her, I’ll beat her senseless and whip her raw!… Oh? Zhou Xi’s waking up.]

Nearby, Zhou Xi’s eyelids fluttered, slowly opening.

“…!?”

Youyou? Why’s she—!

Her hazy vision cleared in seconds.

She sat up, quickly scanning the surroundings.

Her hands and feet were bound, and the accessory needed to transform was gone.

Two men in animal masks stood nearby.

The one in a monkey mask—call him Monkey Man—crouched to meet her eyes.

“No nonsense. We heard Elera showed up in Huahai City a few days ago. Is it true?”

Caught off guard that they’d kidnapped them just for this, Zhou Xi paused, then calmly countered, “Who are you? Why do you want her?”

“Ugh… I want answers, not you fishing for ours.”

Monkey Man signaled to the man in a bull mask.

Bull Man let out a sinister laugh and dumped a pot of ice water over Luo You’s head.

“Ugh…!”

“Good evening, pretty little thing.”

As Luo You came to, a massive blow struck her right shoulder.

The loud crack of dislocated bone echoed for all to hear.

“Mm—!”

Her mouth was gagged with cloth, stifling her scream.

“Youyou!”

Zhou Xi shouted, lunging forward, but Monkey Man yanked her back.

He signaled again.

Bull Man reached out, ripping off Luo You’s thick jacket.

The two thin layers left barely concealed her curves.

Only then did Monkey Man leisurely pat Zhou Xi’s face.

“From now on, every useless word from you means one less piece of clothing on her. Of course, if you don’t mind watching us have our way with your friend, feel free to lie.”

Zhou Xi’s eyes blazed with fury, her teeth clenched.

If not for fear of what they’d do to Luo You, she’d have bitten him, tearing off a chunk of flesh even if it killed her.

“Now, answer my question. You saw Elera in Huahai City, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Oh, that’s not enough. Don’t make us pry it out bit by bit. That’s tough for us.”

This time, Monkey Man didn’t need to signal.

Bull Man, grinning sleazily, reached for Luo You’s cotton tights.

“Mm!”

Luo You’s eyes widened.

She twisted her body, legs kicking out, and slammed her head into Bull Man’s chin before hopping away.

“Damn it—that hurt!”

Bull Man roared, his brutal nature taking over.

He yanked off his belt, lunging at Luo You.

She dodged clumsily in the cramped cave, evading his grabs just barely, slipping away for over ten seconds.

“Stop!”

Zhou Xi shouted, “I did see Elera. We exchanged hostages, and she left. What else do you want to know?”

“Hey, stop it!”

Monkey Man tripped his overzealous partner.

Business first—deal with her later. She’s not going anywhere!

Bull Man’s fists cracked with rage.

He leaned close to Luo You’s ear, whispering, “Wait till I get my hands on you later.”

“Mm mm!”

Luo You played terrified, but inside, she couldn’t even be bothered to mock him.

She calculated the time.

Not long since the kidnapping—she needed to stall longer to achieve her goal.

Zhou Xi’s resistance was crumbling.

She was answering everything, no longer holding back.

At this rate, they’d wrap up in half an hour, not four.

Luo You mulled it over.

If push came to shove, she could play the brainless damsel from the movies.

The classic trope:

Just as the situation’s about to resolve peacefully, the idiot teammate runs their mouth, pissing off the enemy and ruining everything.

Whatever it took to buy time!

Make herself look as pitiful as possible.

No way she’d actually let them assault her, but she needed to look battered and desperate.

That way, when Ji Yue arrived, it’d dispel her suspicions completely.

Her best bet to provoke them?

Luo You’s gaze locked onto Bull Man’s most vulnerable spot.

A chill, worse than death, gripped his heart.

—Just as she planned,

“Enough, you filthy rats.”

A voice rang out from nowhere, and something shifted.

Monkey Man and Bull Man’s legs trembled, their breathing ragged with fear.

Luo You noticed it too—

The overwhelming magical aura outside the cave.

That voice…

“Lady Xingyue!” Zhou Xi cried out, overjoyed.

She’d just attended the Ten Seats meeting that morning and knew that voice well.

As expected of the top Seat—her magical power was terrifying!

“Xingyue!?”

Monkey Man’s eyes bulged.

“Impossible! Why’s she here in person!?”

“Can you not lump magical girls in with your kind?”

Zhou Xi sneered.

“Unlike you pawns discarded by your masters, magical girls help each other, no matter their status. Even the Ten Seats.”

“Shut up!!”

Bull Man stomped in panic.

“How’d she track us here? I erased all traces! Even removed the trackers!”

He and Monkey Man exchanged a glance.

“Grab the hostages!”

“Even if you’re planning that, can you not say it where I can hear?”

Xingyue’s voice came from outside, her steps echoing as she entered the cave.

No magic needed—just her sheer magical presence quelled everything.

With a wave of her hand, her immense power surged.

In an instant, the two felt yanked from reality, standing on a stormy beach under a clouded night sky.

Hundred-meter waves crashed from above, crushing their pride and souls into the tide.

[Don’t ruin this!! Why! Are! You! Here!?]

Luo You’s mood soured.

One possibility hit her: Ji Yue was so certain of her suspicions that she’d called Xingyue and the Ten Seats to ambush her.

“Everyone okay?”

With no suspense, Xingyue subdued the kidnappers.

Clad in a silvery gown, her exquisite features radiated otherworldly beauty, like a celestial being.

One glance from her fate-piercing eyes made anyone feel unworthy.

Zhou Xi was utterly captivated.

Is this… the ideal all magical girls chase?

Xingyue’s gaze shifted to Zhou Xi, then to the disheveled Luo You.

A fleeting, hidden glint of glee flashed in her eyes.

Found~ you~