Return to School

At last, it was time to return to school. Despite the torture of repeating high school, escaping Tia, even if only temporarily, had its perks.

“Master, you can go back now. I’ll handle it from here,” Chloe said to Tia, her voice laced with apprehension. She feared Tia would insist on being called ‘Master’ even at school, which would be unmanageable. She dreaded the thought of strange rumors circulating about her.

Today, Chloe wore an outfit specially chosen and coordinated by Tia—a delicate, pastel-pink dress adorned with small flowers, its lightweight fabric flowing like petals. A simple yet charming fox-shaped hairpin graced her head, a style Chloe had never seen before. But what truly embarrassed her was the fox plush toy hanging from her waist, making her appear even more childlike than her peers.

Gazing into Tia’s pure golden eyes, Tia, in an unprecedented move, gently stroked Chloe’s head.

“Who said I was leaving?”

“Huh?”

Chloe obediently lowered her head, allowing Tia to caress her, her large eyes filled with confusion.

“After all, I am technically your senior from a higher grade.”

The news thundered through Chloe’s mind. She shook her head in disbelief. “No! The third-year class is right below us. How could I have never seen you before?”

“Oh? And why do you assume you should have seen me?” Tia’s slender fingers gently traced Chloe’s cheek, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Um… because… you’re so beautiful, there’s no way I wouldn’t have noticed you…” Chloe’s voice trailed off, barely audible.

“You’re right. I only enrolled in the last few days. It was my request to the Watchtower.”

Tia paused, then playfully pinched Chloe’s cheeks, forcing her mouth into a round ‘O’.

“Why…” Chloe questioned, though she already had a hint of the answer. After all, in Tia’s eyes, she was merely a servant, and in a sense, an enemy for her role in Yilan’s demise. Why would Tia go to such lengths just for her?

As if sensing Chloe’s thoughts, Tia yawned. “Don’t overthink it. I just want to keep an eye on you. What if you run away when I’m not around?”

“Oh… actually, there’s no need for that. I won’t run away.” Chloe’s head hung low, dejection clear in her voice. “I have nowhere else to go.”

“…”

Tia remained silent, her expression unreadable. Then, she grabbed Chloe’s hand and pulled her towards the school entrance.

“Hey! You’re walking too fast!” Chloe stumbled, nearly falling, her words catching in her throat. She had almost blurted out something she shouldn’t have.

Everywhere, students were whispering, their eyes fixed on the two of them. Thankfully, most were commenting on how close they seemed or how beautiful they looked. As long as they kept their secret hidden, they should be safe.

After parting ways with Tia at the staircase, Chloe returned to her classroom, a place she had occupied for several months now.

As she entered, the chattering and laughter of her classmates momentarily paused. Some whispered behind cupped hands, exchanging glances. Chloe wasn’t close with any of them, so no one approached her with a welcome.

Except for one…

“Little Chloe! You’re finally back! I, the magical girl Night Moon, have missed you so much!” Before Chloe could react, a vibrant girl burst forth, enveloping her in a tight embrace.

“Ugh~ Let go of me!” Chloe tried to pull away. She barely knew this girl, but the girl was relentless. They were now seated together, a change she had requested from the teacher, claiming that magical girls were naturally drawn to each other.

The teacher, unconcerned, had agreed, assuming the two were simply close friends. This left Chloe in a predicament. She only wanted to blend into the background, ready to leave at a moment’s notice for a mission from the Watchtower. But her new seatmate had boundless energy, constantly chattering about her heroic feats and victories against magical creatures.

“I can’t believe you’re ignoring me! I thought you had been captured by a magical creature, and I was about to transform to find you!” Night Moon tightened her grip, her embrace so strong that Chloe felt as if she were being absorbed. Worse still, Chloe could feel Night Moon burying her nose in her hair, inhaling deeply.

“Easy there! You’re going to break my waist! And stop sniffing me, it’s just the scent of my shampoo. What’s so special about that!” Chloe wriggled free from the embrace.

Why did everyone insist on being so forceful with her? Did she look that weak and submissive?

Night Moon sniffed the air. “It’s not just shampoo, Chloe. Your scent is unique, special…”

“Are you a dog or something?”

“I’m Night Moon, the magical girl with the codename Wolf Fang. I’m not a dog, silly!”

“Whatever, I don’t want to hear it.” Chloe sat back in her seat, preparing to organize her books. Suddenly, Night Moon’s expression changed, her brow furrowed, her eyes filled with concern.

“Chloe, where have you been all this time?”

“Stop calling me ‘Little’ Chloe…” Chloe focused on arranging her books, trying to ignore the question.

“Tell me where you’ve been!” Night Moon shook Chloe’s shoulder, her urgency evident. When Chloe remained silent, Night Moon forcefully turned her to face her.

“It’s not a big deal. Missing a few days is normal, right?” Chloe tilted her head, her golden hair falling like willow branches, her innocent eyes wide with feigned ignorance.

“I’ll just say it straight. I can smell the scent of magical creatures all over you, and it’s strong. Here, here, and here too…” Night Moon’s nose darted about, inspecting Chloe’s body.

As Night Moon’s nose inched toward Chloe’s skirt, Chloe hastily intervened. “Stop! What magical creature scent? You’re not going crazy with this magical girl business, are you? There’s no such thing as magical girls and magical creatures…”

Chloe’s heart raced, her palms sweating. How could this girl smell so accurately? Did her scent really stand out that much? Under Tia’s orders, Chloe’s skirt area had been uncomfortably cool. If discovered, her life would be over!

Chloe quickly inhaled, catching only the faintest hint of body wash and a trace of a milk-like scent. Nothing unusual.

“Don’t bother sniffing. It’s my special ability. Only I, Night Moon, can detect the scent of magical creatures with such precision. Confess, did you…”

Chloe’s heart leapt into her throat, her fists clenched tightly around her skirt.

“…go on a secret mission to defeat magical creatures? I knew it! You have the perfect body type for a magical girl! Tell me your codename!”

Chloe exhaled in relief, grateful that Tia’s presence remained undiscovered. As long as that secret stayed hidden, Night Moon would never guess the truth.

Chloe straightened her back, her expression stern as she rapped Night Moon’s head twice. “You’re sick, and you need treatment, okay? Don’t let it drag on for too long!”

Chloe folded her arms, her tone authoritative and dismissive.

Night Moon slumped back in her chair, her expression despondent as she stared at Chloe. “Why won’t you tell me the truth? Is it because we’re not close enough yet?”

Chloe averted her eyes, her cheeks flushing with the weight of her lie.

“Just wait, I’ll make you confess the truth someday!”

Ugh, why is this girl so stubborn?