Molly (2)

The door wasn’t locked—but a Do Not Disturb sign hung on the knob.

After hesitating, You Dong let go of the handle. If he barged in now, it would only push You Xi further away.

He knocked lightly, calling out:

“…I got some of your favorite food.”

No response from inside. Though he’d expected it, You Dong still sighed.

He placed the takeout on the floor, then said:

“I’ll leave it here. Come get it when you’re hungry.”

“…Mm.”

A weak reply came from within.

“…Let me guess. You had a fight with a friend?” You Dong leaned against the door, probing gently.

That night, just as You Dong—as Tidal—was about to destroy the Nightmare Fiend, You Xi had burst into tears, begging her to stop, claiming the aberration was her best friend.

At the time, Tidal hadn’t understood. But seeing her niece’s desperate pleas, she could only lower her wand.

Then, she watched helplessly as the hooded figure fled into the darkness, her heart heavy.

The next day, You Xi left early in the morning.

When she returned that night, she looked hollow—her cheeks streaked with dried tears, clearly having cried herself raw.

She wouldn’t say what happened. Just stared blankly, went upstairs, and locked herself in her room.

“How do you know?” You Xi grumbled from behind the door.

“Heh. A guess. You’re not scared of the police station. The only thing that could make you this depressed is a fight with your best friend,” You Dong joked.

“…You’re so annoying.”

“Sorry, your uncle doesn’t know the details.”

As he spoke, You Dong gently traced the wood grain on the door.

“When you’re sad, talking helps. If you don’t want to talk to me—maybe it’s awkward—find someone else you trust. A friend. A teacher.”

“…”

“Well… I’m going downstairs. I’ve got work later.”

He sank into the living room sofa, pulling out Tidal’s phone, silently waiting for You Xi to reach out.

But no message came. Instead, the doorbell rang.

“Coming.”

He tucked the phone away and went to the entrance. Through the camera, he saw Mo Li.

…What’s she doing here? He was confused—but had no reason not to open.

“Hehe… Uncle, hey! Remember me?”

As the door opened, Mo Li’s bright smile greeted him.

“Mm.” You Dong nodded. “Mo Li, right? Sorry about what happened before,” he said politely.

“Pfft, forget it! Anyway… is You Xi home?” she asked.

As she spoke, Mo Li slipped on slippers and walked right in, casually scanning the house. No sign of nervousness—like she’d been here a hundred times.

“She’s upstairs,” You Dong answered.

“Huh.” Mo Li crossed her arms, frowning. “A classmate comes over, and she doesn’t even come down to say hi?”

“Sorry,” You Dong said with a helpless smile. “You Xi’s… in a bad mood.”

“In a bad mood?”

A flicker of panic crossed Mo Li’s eyes—then she quickly composed herself.

“Oh. I see.”

So it’s true… Her unease grew stronger. After a pause, she bit her lip and said:

“Then… Uncle, can I go up and check on her?”

“Check on her?”

You Dong was surprised. Since when were they so close?

“Maybe I can help. I mean—not that I care or anything. Just… you know, check in. That’s all…”

Mo Li avoided eye contact, her terrible excuse exposing her true feelings.

“Then go ahead. You’re her age. She might listen to you more than me,” You Dong said.

“Doubt it. She probably hates me now. Haha.”

Mo Li laughed—but it faded fast. Her cheerful face darkened.

“Maybe… this is my fault.”

In a whisper too soft for anyone to hear, Mo Li murmured:

“…Anyway, I’m going up.”

“Oh, wait.”

Halfway up the stairs, Mo Li stopped. She leaned over the railing, calling down:

“This is girl talk. No eavesdropping, okay, Uncle?”

“Got it. I’ll stay down here. Talk all you want,” You Dong nodded.

Though he hadn’t asked which room was You Xi’s, the Do Not Disturb sign gave it away.

She stood before the wooden door, imagining what awaited inside. Suddenly, worry and fear surged in her chest.

…That hooded figure was Bai Mian, wasn’t it?

Recalling You Xi’s behavior that night, Mo Li was nearly certain.

Now, the real question: Why had Bai Mian become an aberration? In Mo Li’s memory, she was just a timid girl who’d step around ants.

Could this change be because of her? At the thought, Mo Li’s heart grew heavy.

If You Xi thought the same… she must hate her now.

“…Ugh, why did things have to turn out like this?”

Mo Li thought of their time as magical girls.

From their first mission, taking down the Fish Man Leader together… to that night’s near-perfect combo against the hooded figure… The thought of something they’d just started being destroyed made her feel a deep sense of loss and unfairness.

“We just started to…”

Mo Li placed her hand on the knob.

“Hey, you in? I’m coming in, okay?”

She called to the world beyond the door.

“Huh? Mo Li? What are you—”

—Click.

Without waiting for an answer, Mo Li twisted the knob and walked right in.

“Whoa… magical girl’s room?”

Seeing the figures and posters, Mo Li let out a surprised gasp.

“…What do you want?” You Xi asked, hugging a pillow on the bed, glaring at the uninvited guest.