Tomb Sweeping

“Since we’re passing by anyway, might as well go see that guy a day early.”

On the way back, Luo You passed by a cemetery.

She glanced inside, then turned and walked in.

The place was quiet — after all, it wasn’t yet the season for tomb-sweeping.

She walked up to the counter window and said to the attendant,

“Hello, one white rose.”

“Alright.”

With the crystal-carved flower in hand, Luo You made her way through the forest of tombstones with practiced ease.

Inside this cemetery, there was a section reserved specifically for magical girls.

That was her destination.

When a magical girl died, if she had family, the Magical Alliance would inform them so they could arrange a burial.

If she had no family, the Alliance would inter her here, marked only with her magical girl name, not her real one.

This cemetery was open to the public.

Many people had once been saved by magical girls, so visitors were not uncommon.

From what Luo You could see, most of the tombstones had at least a few flowers left by mourners.

But one grave alone stood bare, without a single decoration.

That was the one Luo You had come to see.

“Not here this time, huh?”

In past years, whenever she came on this date, there would always already be a single white rose placed here.

It meant someone had come before her.

Looking at the four characters on the tombstone — Grave of Akabane — Luo You let out a faint, rueful smile.

“For someone like you, it’s surprising that besides me, there’s actually someone else who remembers to visit every year.

Guess you’ve got a bit of luck.”

“I told you to let go, not to cling to that place so stubbornly.

You wouldn’t listen.

And now look at you — out of all the magical girls, the way you died was one of the worst.

Was it worth it?”

“Shame, really.

Even though we were on opposing sides back then, we still shared a certain unspoken respect…

I may have met you without my mask, but someone as sharp as you must have guessed who I was, right?”

“…Hah.

If I’d known you’d die so early, I would’ve taken the time to get to know you better.”

Luo You lifted her head, her expression now bitter.

“I don’t even know…

Back then, when you fought so hard, was it for this peaceful scene we have now?”

“Why did you become a magical girl?”

“Why, as a magical girl, did you choose to fight the way you did?”

“Did you… enjoy the killing?”

“In the end, I know almost nothing about you… just a name.”

“But that’s not my fault.

You barely said ten sentences in a day, damn it!”

The last line snapped her back into her usual scoundrel self.

After following the proper rites to place her incense, she got up to leave.

But on her way out, she brushed past a young man who looked a little weathered by life.

At first, Luo You only gave him a glance before moving on.

But soon, she heard him call out from behind.

“That incense… and the flower — you put them there?”

She turned back to see him standing in front of Akabane’s grave.

Realization dawned on her.

“Ahh, so that’s why I never saw you before.

You always come a day early.”

“A day early?” the young man frowned, then asked,

“And you… what was your relationship with Akabane?”

“Friend.

You?”

He hesitated a moment, then said,

“Just someone she happened to save once.”

“And that’s enough for you to come sweep her grave every year?”

“Not just that…

I also deeply admire her strength.”

“…”

Luo You’s eyelids lowered slightly.

It might have sounded like praise, but to her, it felt like his admiration was aimed in a dangerous direction.

Akabane’s strength was nothing to aspire to — not with the kind of ability she used.

The young man continued,

“She was so powerful, made so many unforgettable contributions, yet no one sings her praises.

Isn’t that unfair?”

“Mm.

If you say so.”

Akabane,

someone still admires you.

Someone even wants to defend your honor.

Shaking her head, Luo You stopped answering his questions and turned to leave.

He watched her back for a few seconds.

[She says she’s Akabane’s friend… could she be a magical girl too?]

No matter how he looked, Luo You seemed like a middle schooler — though, admittedly, better developed than most.

“Should I… be on guard?”

He muttered the words under his breath.

“Dad? You’re back?”

“Mm…”

“Do you want dinner first?

Or a bath?

Or… me?”

“Dinner, then bath.

You… go do your homework!”

The moment she got home, Luo You flopped face-first onto the big sofa in the living room.

“Ughhh… so tired.”

If someone took a picture of her right now and posted it online, she’d instantly become the newest poster child for useless layabouts.

“…”

Luo Zining just ignored her.

Every year, there was one day when the old man lost all motivation.

No matter what happened, she wouldn’t even lift a finger.

[Now would be the perfect time to do a COVID swab on her…]

She came over with a cotton swab.

“Dad, open your mouth.”

“Huh?”

“No huh-ing, open up.

It’ll be quick, doesn’t hurt.”

Luo You shot her a tired glance, but obediently opened her mouth, letting her unfilial daughter poke around with the mysterious stick to her heart’s content.

Saliva sample: collected.

Next step: collection of…

Luo You suddenly felt a squeeze between her legs, shivering slightly before a thought struck her.

“Zining, when you read H-manga online, what sites do you use?

Send me the link.”

“So lust is the only joy in your life, huh?”

“What the hell are you talking about?

Quit the nonsense and just give it to me.”

“You think you can just get my precious site with one sentence?

Not a chance.”

“Then I’ll pose for you.

You need reference material for your doujin, right?

I’ll let you take pictures.”

“…”

Five minutes later—

“What’s this?” Luo You asked, pointing at the cat ears and cat tail in front of her.

“I’m drawing a cocky little crossdressing boy who gets captured by a big shot, forced to wear cat ears, and thoroughly… disciplined.

So please put these on and give me some humiliating poses.”

“The ears I can do, but this tail… doesn’t look like a clip-on.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Mm-hmm my ass!

When did you even buy this crap?

Wait—don’t tell me you’ve used it?!”

In the end, Luo You put on the cat ears.

The tail went straight into the trash.

Two hours later—

“Heheheh… now I’ve got my reference material…”

Zining looked at the photos on her DSLR with a wicked grin completely unbefitting a magical girl.

Of course, she sent the site link to Luo You too.

“Hmph… let’s see here.”

Luo You locked herself in her room, browsing intently.

People’s tastes only expand over time.

Who knew what new kinks had popped up in the last seven years?

Might be worth studying.

Ding ding—

She checked the time.

Ten p.m.

Her usual bedtime.

“Tomorrow Jiu’er doesn’t have an appointment, so I can enjoy myself at work!”

And with that, she passed out instantly.

The next morning, she got up and went to work as usual.

“Hello? Coach?”

“…Jiu’er? What is it?”

“Well, I suddenly have some free time today.

Could you come to the gym and give me some guidance?”