Luo Zining’s Social Death Scene

Luo You came to the gym to clock in for work, just like usual.

However, a bunch of trainers had gathered at the front desk, chirping about something.

The manager stood in the middle of the crowd, surrounded by a horde of muscular men, anxiously explaining, looking like a helpless little lamb.

“What’s everyone talking about? Don’t you all need to coach your trainees?”

Luo You curiously walked over.

A gym trainer familiar with Luo You greeted her, “Oh, it’s little Youyou! Let me tell you, this sneaky manager told us the gym is getting acquired.”

“Huh? Acquired!?”

The odds of one’s workplace getting acquired are about as small as one’s house being scheduled for demolition.

But the difference is—if your house is torn down, at least you get compensation; if your workplace gets bought out, you don’t get squat.

“I just started working yesterday, am I gonna get fired after just two days?” Luo You shouted.

The cute girl spoke out, and suddenly everyone’s spirits rose. One after another, they began demanding answers.

The manager was sweating bullets. If he didn’t give an explanation soon, the third-floor muscle monsters were going to “educate” him next.

“Everyone, calm down! Actually, this matter is still under discussion! I only heard rumors! Asking me won’t help!”

Still, no one was buying it.

“Then bring the boss out!”

“Which bastard is buying us out? Better not let me see her!”

“I’ll use my muscles to reform them!”

Just then, the manager’s phone buzzed with a message.

“Good news, everyone. The so-called acquisition is just a change in gym management!”

“What do you mean?”

“It means our operations stay the same. Business as usual. It’s just a new owner!”

“Oh, well that’s fine.”

The crowd dispersed quickly—just as fast as they had gathered.

Luo You breathed a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, it was just a change in management. That meant she didn’t have to lose her job.

If she got laid off, she’d have no choice but to survive by selling off the dozen or so properties she bought during her days with the Yiren Organization. How tragic~!

“Luo Youyou, stay back a moment.”

The manager suddenly called out to her.

“What’s up?” Luo You joked, “Don’t tell me the new management’s taken a fancy to me and wants to transfer me to be some idle secretary?”

“……”

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

The smile on Luo You’s face gradually faded.

No way?

“No, no, you’ll still be working here as a trainer. It’s just that the gym’s mission is going to shift a bit.”

“Mission shift? What do you mean?”

“Uh, look—our gym has a pretty normal vibe right now, open to everyone. But it seems the new management outsourced the second floor to be used exclusively by a specific group.”

Hearing this, Luo You more or less understood.

In simple terms, it was like some company buying an annual pass to the gym, allowing its employees to come and work out for free.

“And what’s that got to do with me staying behind?”

“Well, the second floor needs a resident fitness coach, so I want you to take charge of that floor. Don’t worry about the rest.”

“Oh…”

Luo You thought for a moment. It actually sounded fine.

It was just a different location, and those people might not even show up often. Her free time might actually increase.

The manager continued, “Also, stop recruiting new students. I’m worried you won’t have the energy. That An Jiuer girl will join you on the second floor.”

“Sure thing.”

Luo You agreed without hesitation.

Such a good deal—why say no?

“Did An Jiuer book a session with you today?”

“Nope.”

“Alright, then. The management’s still discussing acquisition details today, so you’ll be pretty free these next couple of days. If you’re up for it, head over to the food street and ‘catch’ some people.”

“Oh~~”

Luo You’s eyes lit up with joy.

Catching people? That’s her favorite thing to do—no one’s better at it!

That food street was a real menace, so close to the gym, and the smell wafted ridiculously far. So many regulars had fallen from grace, drowned in a sea of calories, muscles withered, bodies becoming ever rounder.

In crucial times like these, someone had to pull those lost lambs back on track.

In the past, Luo You had managed to “catch” over twenty people from that street during her commutes. Everyone who saw her feared her—this job was perfect for her.

“Alright, I’m going now.”

Luo You grabbed the trainee list and rushed off like the wind, afraid the manager might change his mind.

Though it was called catching people, in truth, she could do whatever she wanted—no one would know even if she wandered elsewhere.

……

“The food street’s really lively today.”

The crowd was packed so tightly there was barely room to move—easily twice the usual number of people.

Luo You stood at the entrance, unable to squeeze in.

“Uwah… With this crowd, even I’ll have trouble catching someone. Is there an event today?”

This street brought substantial revenue to Huahai City and was close to the city center, so events were common to attract traffic. Luo You had seen it many times.

No helping it—might as well head elsewhere.

Just as she turned around, someone bumped into her.

No—someone slammed into her, knocking her flat onto the ground.

“Sorry! Are you okay—…”

Hearing the familiar voice, Luo You looked up. Sure enough, it was Luo Zining—who should’ve been in school—appearing here.

“O-Old man!? Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”

Luo Zining panicked, stepping back in a flurry.

She looked like a guilty kid, eyes darting around.

Luo You had never seen her so flustered.

“Aren’t you supposed to be in school right now?”

“T-The teacher sent me out to buy something! School festival’s coming up! Ahahaha…”

“…Forget it. As long as your grades are good, I won’t care if you skip class. No need to be so nervous.”

“I didn’t skip class!”

Luo You shrugged. Deny it all you want.

“Since we bumped into each other, want to walk around together?” she invited.

“Uh! N-No thanks! I’ll head back right after shopping! And you—stop slacking off at work! Hurry back! There are so many people here, surely some bad guys are watching, waiting to kidnap you and force you to be a Star Fury warrior! So go now! Bye!”

The usually clingy Luo Zining actually refused the invitation and turned to leave, vanishing into the crowd before Luo You could stop her.

Still full of nonsense as usual, though.

“What the heck—how am I, in her eyes, either a philandering perv or someone constantly being kidnapped to become a Star Fury warrior? Can’t she wish me well just once?”

Luo You shook her head and turned to leave.

But at that moment, something at the food street entrance caught her eye.

—Huahai City Magical Girl Concert! Kicks off at 10:00! Don’t miss it!

“No wonder there are so many people.”

Magical girls not engaged in front-line combat also had the responsibility of entertainment, to help bridge the gap between magical girls and ordinary citizens.

It was part of their way of surviving.

With the Yiren Organization monopolizing official media, entertainment was the only way magical girls could become known to the public.

Most magical girls took the local idol route. The really popular ones even appeared on TV shows, gaining fans, and some were eventually invited to the Spring Festival Gala.

“A magical girl concert, huh? Maybe I should go see—…Huh?”

Luo You’s gaze landed on a line of text on the billboard.

—New Magical Girl: Little Red Riding Hood! Shining debut! Everyone cheer her on!

Below was a silhouette obscured by shadow, leaving plenty of suspense.

“…That’s gotta be Zining, right?”

Luo You’s smile turned increasingly deranged.