Red Lotus and the Death Omen

Little Ruoruo, now transformed into Red Lotus, was extremely excited. She couldn’t wait for something bad to happen so she could fight crime and punish evil.

But after a stroll, she hadn’t found anything wrong. Of course, the child didn’t think, ‘If there’s no crime, I’ll create some.’

“Flying is so fun~”

Red Lotus, holding Kuma, landed again. Though she felt a small disappointment at not getting to show off her cool magical girl moves, as a magical girl, everything before her was new and exciting, and she quickly forgot about it.

“Su Su, let’s do it again~”

“It’s Magical Girl Sugar~”

Su Mo wouldn’t refuse such a request.

After another round of play, Su Mo had to marvel at the child’s boundless energy.

“Su Su, come quick!”

“It’s Sugar. Hmm, what’s up?”

Su Mo walked over and found Red Lotus pointing at a shop window. She looked inside. It was a clothing store mannequin dressed in black—simple, cool style, but with too little fabric, revealing chest and thighs.

“Um… I think that’s too mature for you, and your current outfit is already very pretty.”

Fatherly Su Mo tried to be tactful.

“Huh?”

Red Lotus blinked in confusion, then laughed. “Su Su, do I look like Sister Lily?”

“Eh?”

Su Mo froze.

She stared at Red Lotus holding the teddy bear, examining her carefully. How to put it? Actually, you have to admit, “A bit~” At least seven or eight out of ten—noticeable enough that a reminder would make it obvious.

“Right!” Red Lotus was even happier. She leaned closer to the window and smoothed her hair. “I just noticed. It’s so amazing. Why do I look so much like Sister Lily after transforming?”

“…Why… why indeed? Haha~” Su Mo chuckled awkwardly. They are sisters, after all. Easy to understand~

“It must be because I admire Sister Lily so much! I want to become someone like her!”

But Red Lotus had already found an answer for herself.

Su Mo smiled.

Yet as she watched, she first frowned, then fell into thought.

This…

Seemed problematic.

If someone was targeting Saint Lily, would Red Lotus’s appearance…?

“Alright, Red Lotus. We should go back now.”

“So soon?”

“It’s getting late. If you’re home too late, your family will worry.”

“Oh… okay~”

Though reluctant, Red Lotus nodded.

They walked back to the neighborhood. Su Mo waved goodbye to Ruoruo, but before parting, she reminded her,

“First, you must keep the magical girl thing a secret.”

“I understand!” Bai Ruoruo patted her chest. “Magical girls have to hide their identities!”

“Good. Second, try to carry Kuma with you at all times. I can sense this child is an excellent partner. It can protect you—I mean, fight alongside you!”

“Hehe~ Kuma is amazing!” Ruoruo was happy that Kuma was praised.

“Kuma!” The little bear proudly put its hands on its hips. “Kuma is a Magic Bear!”

“Finally, if you’re in danger, you must call for help. Um…”

Su Mo pondered, light gathering in her hand as a candy hairpin materialized. She put it on the child. “Wear this. Call my name if you’re in danger, and I’ll come no matter when or where.”

“Su Su…”

Bai Ruoruo blinked at the gorgeously dressed girl. The unreserved care—even if she lacked the vocabulary to describe the feeling—warmed her heart.

“It’s Magical Girl Sugar~”

She tapped Ruoruo’s head with her lollipop staff.

Little Ruoruo pretended to cover her head with her hands and close her eyes, then opened them with a playful grin.

“Hmm, doesn’t hurt~”

“……”

What could she do?

They waved goodbye.

Such a child would meet with misfortune in a few days…

****

On April Fool’s Day, because of Su Mo’s intervention, Saint Lily’s popularity didn’t rise again. Furious little Ruoruo didn’t go to argue online, so the doxxing threat never happened.

Things seemed to be improving, but that was precisely what made Su Mo uneasy. She had seized the initiative, but she still understood nothing about the person behind it—who was targeting Saint Lily and for what purpose?

But actions leave traces.

If she couldn’t find them online, she would go offline.

……

‘Dandelion’

Miss Dandelion, about to flip the sign on the door from ‘OPEN’ to ‘CLOSED’, saw a motorcycle approaching from afar.

She froze, watching as the vehicle pulled up and stopped in front of her shop.

“Busy?”

Red Spider Lily dismounted and smiled at her.

“……” Miss Dandelion looked at her with disdain. “The ones who should come don’t, and the ones who shouldn’t, do.”

“Oh, I know this story. It’s about an old man who couldn’t speak well. Because a friend didn’t come to his birthday banquet, he drove away all his friends~” Red Spider Lily smiled. “Really, Miss Dandelion, it’s a good thing I’ve heard that story, or I might think you don’t welcome me~”

“Heh~” Miss Dandelion stared at her expressionlessly.

“One doesn’t visit the Three Treasures Palace without a reason. Out with it, Miss Red Spider Lily. What do you want?” Perhaps because she disliked someone enough, she couldn’t be bothered to maintain appearances. Miss Dandelion skipped pleasantries and asked directly.

“About Saint Lily.” Red Spider Lily raised a finger and got straight to the point.

“Lily?” Miss Dandelion frowned.

“Someone has targeted Saint Lily,” Red Spider Lily continued.

“……” Miss Dandelion glanced sidelong at her and said leisurely, “You’re not going to say it’s me, are you?”

Her posture suggested that if the other nodded, she would immediately close the door and shut her out.

Red Spider Lily just shook her head. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s you, maybe it’s not.”

“If you came all this way just to…”

“Saint Lily will die in a month.”

Miss Dandelion paused and opened the door. “Come inside and talk.”

Red Spider Lily watched, smiling. It seemed she hadn’t come for nothing.

……

As a guest, even though reluctant, Miss Dandelion prepared a cup of lavender tea for Red Spider Lily—calming and sleep-inducing, abbreviated as ‘sleep aid’. What a wonderful word.

“Thanks.” Red Spider Lily let out a sigh. “I’ve been a bit anxious lately. Miss Dandelion, you’re actually quite nice.”

“If you’re going to speak through your lungs, don’t bother.” Miss Dandelion sat across from her. “So, Lily is going to die. What’s going on?”

“Well… it’s a kind of ability application of mine. ‘Death Sign’ isn’t just for attacking; it can also detect—or rather, show me images—a death omen, you could say.” Red Spider Lily looked down at the steaming herbal tea as she fabricated an explanation for what she had seen from Little Qian’er, using her own ability as a cover.

She paused, then looked up at Miss Dandelion. The latter’s eyes were now fully open, amber pupils fixed on Red Spider Lily, her face serious. “So, what did you see?”

“Hmm…”

“Not much information. I only know that Saint Lily will meet with misfortune and be framed as a villain ability user. The final scene is a gray, ruined city and Saint Lily turning to ash.”

“……” Miss Dandelion furrowed her brows, stood up, stared at Red Spider Lily for a long moment, then sat back down, saying nothing in the end.

Red Spider Lily understood. She knew the other needed time to digest.