Having reverted from his transformation within the narrow alleyway, Liu Li returned to his part-time job, where he was inevitably subjected to a furious dressing-down from the manager.
After several days’ worth of wages were docked, Liu Li was further tasked with staying behind alone to clean and close the shop.
And so it was.
Liu Li found himself cleaning the store well into the night, a task he surprisingly didn’t mind.
In the dining area, the television broadcast the evening news, and a wide, happy smile would invariably spread across Liu Li’s face whenever the anchor lauded Magical Girl Grey Moon.
Finally, he switched off the lights in every section, retrieved his backpack, and changed back into his ordinary clothes.
Pushing open the back door of the store where he worked, Liu Li stepped out into the night.
He passed a brightly lit chain convenience store, and through its windows, he glimpsed the dazzling array of goods within, feeling a pang of desire but ultimately not entering.
‘Today’s deduction of three hundred yuan meant that any flexible adjustment to his budget would be necessary…’
Even instant noodles were now a luxury Liu Li could scarcely afford.
‘Well, it’s not like I’m that hungry anyway!’
Liu Li consoled himself that he wasn’t hungry, urging his feet to carry him away from the spot.
Just then, his phone chimed, and pulling it out, a delighted, happy smile blossomed on his previously gloomy face.
–Huanan: Are you off work yet? Want to grab some late-night supper?
‘Zhou Huanan is actually inviting me to eat when I’m at my lowest point!?’
‘Am I dreaming?’
Liu Li felt as though Zhou Huanan was nothing short of a benevolent benefactor, a second parent even.
On his phone, he furiously typed a string of ‘1’s and sent them.
“Alright, then, barbecue it is. I’ll send you the location.”
After a brief wait, Zhou Huanan sent over the address.
Liu Li tapped to open it, realizing it was quite close by.
Thinking it wouldn’t do to arrive too early, he instead returned to the convenience store he’d just passed, splurged on a bottle of cola, and only headed over after finishing it.
By the time Liu Li arrived, Zhou Huanan was already seated, looking utterly exhausted.
A server was just then bringing out an assortment of meats, ready for grilling.
‘Perfect~’
‘Just in time~’
Liu Li inwardly applauded himself, then took a seat opposite Zhou Huanan.
Gazing at the truly lavish spread of various meats on the table, he looked at the visibly weary Zhou Huanan with genuine warmth.
“Godfather! I’m here~!”
Seeing Liu Li’s playful antics, Zhou Huanan managed to squeeze out a smile from his troubled face.
“You’re here? Good timing. What do you want to eat? I’ll grill it for you.”
“Did I just see a troubled look on your face, Godfather? What’s wrong? Did you have a falling out with your family? Your grades haven’t slipped recently, have they?”
“It’s something else… Want some beef first?”
“I want some!”
While Liu Li could certainly whip up dishes that wouldn’t kill anyone, he simply couldn’t compare to Zhou Huanan’s professional culinary skills.
Not only was the guy handsome, studious, cheerful, and from a good family, but he also cooked incredibly well.
Liu Li, who often went to his house to cadge meals with his sister, knew this firsthand.
In short, Zhou Huanan was the kind of person Liu Li could only envy, never emulate.
Zhou Huanan brushed an extra layer of oil onto the parchment paper on the central grill.
Liu Li watched as the meat on the paper slowly transformed into a delicious sight, struggling to keep his saliva from dripping, sitting as obediently as a primary school student.
Zhou Huanan placed the first piece of grilled meat into Liu Li’s bowl, and seeing Liu Li beam with joy, he took the opportunity to speak.
“By the way, Liu Li, what exactly do you like about Magical Girl Grey Moon?”
‘Oh, uh…’
Liu Li, who had been happily devouring his meat, paused at the unexpected question.
He genuinely couldn’t answer that question right away.
‘What do I like about her?’
‘Is it because she’s the idealized version of myself?’
However, Liu Li also knew that saying such a thing aloud would only bewilder others.
“Ugh… She’s strong… and, well, cool in a detached sort of way? And her face is really cute?”
After racking his brain for a few descriptors, Liu Li furtively glanced at Zhou Huanan, whose expression seemed to indicate approval.
“Hmm, I see. No wonder. Actually, I can somewhat understand you now.”
“Really!?”
Upon hearing Zhou Huanan’s words, Liu Li’s eyes lit up, and he nearly sprang to his feet.
“Zhou Huanan, are you finally starting to understand the greatness of Magical Girls?!”
“Like hell I do!! I absolutely despise Magical Girls, especially that Grey Moon! Just thinking about that punchable face of hers makes my blood boil!”
‘How could this be!’
Liu Li watched Zhou Huanan, who was seething with resentment as he spoke ill of himself (as Grey Moon), realizing that such intense dislike couldn’t be faked.
He began to incessantly reflect on what he might have done wrong.
“No, no, that’s not right.
Aren’t Magical Girls righteous heroes who protect everyone?”
“Normally, people wouldn’t hate them, would they?”
“So Zhou Huanan, why exactly do you hate Magical Girls so much, especially Grey Moon?”
Liu Li felt he absolutely had to press for an answer, but Zhou Huanan adopted an air of refusing to communicate, claiming he simply detested Grey Moon without any particular reason.
Of course, Zhou Huanan sighed inwardly with resignation, knowing he couldn’t possibly tell Liu Li the truth.
His true reason for hating her was, after all, that she had genuinely beaten him up twice, with the second incident causing his reputation within the Half-Awakened Organization to plummet.
Promotion was once again out of reach.
He was so close! Just one more promotion would have granted him the right to ‘utilize’ defeated Magical Girls, a privilege Zhou Huanan had coveted for a long time.
“Never mind it. I just hate her, that’s all.” Zhou Huanan’s words were uttered through gritted teeth.
“Damn you, Magical Girl Grey Moon. Heh heh, I have plenty of ways to deal with you.”
Liu Li merely saw Zhou Huanan give two sinister laughs, a gesture that felt oddly familiar.
However, before he could dwell on it, Zhou Huanan picked up a piece of barbecue that looked perfect from every angle and held it before Liu Li.
Enticed by the aroma, Liu Li leaned in to take a bite, but Zhou Huanan playfully pulled his chopsticks away.
“Liu Li, I know you’re Grey Moon’s most loyal fan.
Some words only have real impact when spoken by a specific person.
Come on, say it: ‘Magical Girl Grey Moon is the worst!'”
Liu Li watched Zhou Huanan’s mischievous grin, as the steaming piece of barbecue dangled temptingly before him.
Liu Li swallowed hard.
‘What?’
‘Me? Speak ill of myself?’
Liu Li wrestled with his conscience, yet the barbecue before him truly smelled divine.
Just as he was about to make a decision, Zhou Huanan, seizing the opportune moment, swiftly popped the meat into his own mouth.
“Alright, time’s up.”
‘Ah, my meat!’
Liu Li watched, on the verge of tears, as the meat that had been within his grasp vanished.
However, Zhou Huanan immediately picked up another perfect slice of grilled meat from the center and held it to Liu Li’s lips.
“Alright, say it quickly this time, or I’ll eat this one too.”
“Say, ‘Magical Girl Grey Moon is the worst.'”
“Magical Girl Grey Moon is the worst!”
Liu Li uttered the words almost tearfully.
‘My meat!’
Evidently, Zhou Huanan was not satisfied.
“Can’t hear you! Too quiet! ‘Magical Girl Grey Moon is the worst!'”
“MAGICAL GIRL GREY MOON IS THE WORST!”
This time, Liu Li shouted it out with Zhou Huanan in the barbecue restaurant.
Zhou Huanan burst into satisfied laughter and finally popped the grilled meat into Liu Li’s mouth.
‘Mmm! So delicious!!’
Liu Li’s eyes instantly brightened, and then, like Pavlov’s dog, he stared intently at the perfectly cooked bacon Zhou Huanan picked up.
The ritual repeated.
“Say, ‘Magical Girl Grey Moon is always late, she’s definitely a kill-stealing dog on purpose!'”
“Magical Girl Grey Moon is always late, she’s definitely a kill-stealing dog on purpose!”
Liu Li closed his eyes, surrendering to his hunger, and followed Zhou Huanan’s lead in badmouthing Magical Girl Grey Moon.