[Extra] Let’s Work! Magical Girl (Part 2)

The commotion drew everyone’s attention—eyes locking onto Mo Li and You Xi.

Under the gaze of the entire café, they grabbed napkins, frantically wiping juice off You Xi’s clothes.

“What happened?”

A man with a “Manager” badge approached.

One look at the scene, and he understood.

“Tsk, so careless,” he scolded Mo Li, who stood frozen, clutching her tray.

Mo Li said nothing. A flicker of resentment rose—but what could she argue?

When she saw You Xi, she had been startled. The glass slipped because of that. But could she blame anyone else? No. She’d just overreacted.

Back to the kitchen… I’ll get yelled at for sure. Maybe even docked pay…

The thought made her stomach twist.

“It was my fault.”

Suddenly, You Xi spoke up.

After tidying her clothes, she looked up—offering an apologetic smile.

“I bumped the glass by accident. It’s not her fault at all. Hehe.”

She winked playfully at Mo Li, who instantly blushed and looked away.

Once the small chaos settled, the café returned to normal.

Cute maids chatted with customers. Laughter bubbled through the air.

“…Thanks,” Mo Li mumbled, head down.

You Xi knew why she was thanking her—but something else intrigued her more.

“How come you’re working here?”

In her memory, Mo Li’s house was huge. Definitely not a family needing part-time jobs.

“I… just wanted to earn some pocket money,” Mo Li explained.

She still wanted to see You Xi’s surprised face when receiving the new phone—so she kept her real reason hidden.

“Oh.”

You Xi nodded vaguely, not pressing further. Then—without warning—she reached out and patted Mo Li’s thigh, covered in white thigh-highs.

“—What are you doing?!”

Mo Li instinctively stepped back, glaring at You Xi with flustered indignation.

“Your legs are really nice,” You Xi said, marveling.

Despite the perverted action and words, her expression remained utterly serious.

Staring at You Xi’s blank face, Mo Li’s heart pounded.

Why does this feel so intense?

Before, she’d thought You Xi was weird.

In class, whenever she glanced at her, You Xi always looked emotionless, silent. If she were a guy, people would’ve called her “trying too hard to be cool.”

Mo Li had joked with friends: “Look at her stiff face—does she even feel anything?”

But after everything—the battles, the shared struggles as magical girls—Mo Li understood You Xi better.

That distant look? It didn’t mean anything deep.

When happy, You Xi smiled brighter than anyone. When angry, her rage burned hotter.

She was rich in emotion—just bad at showing it.

“E-enjoy your meal…”

Feeling her heart race faster around You Xi, Mo Li stammered and turned to leave.

“Wait.”

You Xi stopped her.

“When other maids serve omurice, don’t they cast a spell like ‘make it taste better’ or something? Why aren’t you doing anything?”

You Xi had come to experience the café’s charm. Seeing Mo Li’s half-hearted attitude, she assumed Mo Li was still mad at her—and felt a pang of disappointment.

“A-are you embarrassed?” Mo Li asked.

She’d done similar things for other customers—it was part of the job.

“Huh? Are you embarrassed? I thought you wanted more people to know about you? I figured you’d love being in the spotlight,” You Xi said.

“That’s different! You’re such an idiot,” Mo Li snapped, rolling her eyes.

As a magical girl, she did want her name and form known—driven by pride, by the thrill of admiration. But wearing revealing outfits and acting shamelessly in a maid café? That wasn’t something to boast about.

“Why do you keep calling me names?” You Xi pouted, looking hurt.

“Fine. If you don’t want to, forget it.”

“Ugh, fine! I’ll do it! Customer is god, right?”

Why does she have to act so pitiful? Mo Li grumbled, watching You Xi’s fake-sad face.

Now she couldn’t refuse, could she?

“M-Master…”

Mo Li pinched her voice, hesitantly uttering the word.

Then, a soft blush crept onto her pale cheeks.

“Heh.”

You Xi couldn’t hold it in—she burst into laughter.

“What’s so funny? You’re the one who wanted this!”

Mo Li bit her lip, eyes glistening with shy tears.

“Sorry… I couldn’t help it.”

You Xi wiped her smile away.

She wasn’t sure anymore—was she here for the café’s service? Or just to tease her fellow magical girl?

“What design do you want?” Mo Li asked flatly, avoiding eye contact.

“A heart.”

You Xi had seen videos—drawing hearts with ketchup on omurice was a classic move.

“Got it.”

Mo Li took the ketchup bottle and obediently began drawing.

“You removed your nail art,” You Xi observed, studying her fingers.

“Yeah. It got in the way at work, so I took it off.”

“I always thought those were hard to keep on long-term.”

“But they’re cute!”

By then, the heart was done. Mo Li pushed the plate toward You Xi.

“To be honest… I loved that old design. Without it, I feel less cute now,” she sighed, deflated.

“What? No way.”

You Xi stared, genuinely surprised.

“Aren’t you cute now?”

“Wh-what?”

“I mean,” You Xi said, meeting her eyes honestly, “why so insecure? You’re cute right now.”

……

Mo Li’s shoulders trembled. Her fingers twisted around her skirt.

This wasn’t flattery. Mo Li knew—You Xi wasn’t clever enough to fake sincerity like this.

“…Thanks.”

Beautiful since childhood, Mo Li had been called “cute” countless times—by boys, girls, elders, classmates.

Yet, all those compliments combined didn’t compare to this moment.

Warmth flooded her chest. She lowered her eyes, smiling softly.

“And?”

You Xi asked suddenly.

“That magic spell thing—‘make it tastier.’ I wanna see that too,” she added.

“Do I have to?” Mo Li glanced at her, face burning with embarrassment.

“Can’t I? I wanna see it,” You Xi pleaded.

“…Fine.”

Mo Li nodded. She stepped back, switching into “service mode.”

“Let’s make Master’s omurice even more delicious… ehe!”

After the “magic” ended, You Xi blinked.

“…Huh? That’s it?”

“What else did you expect?” Mo Li snapped, flustered.

She never imagined she’d say those squeaky lines in front of You Xi—doing those exaggerated motions.

“I thought there was supposed to be a flying kiss or something.”

“Ugh, you’re so annoying.”

“Pleeease?”

“…Okaaay~”

Mo Li held her tray, blew a quick kiss toward You Xi—and fled to the kitchen like her life depended on it.

Watching her escape, You Xi felt a strange satisfaction.

Seeing Mo Li flustered, embarrassed… it was fun.

Why do I enjoy this?

Do I like seeing people nervous?

After a few seconds, she realized—it wasn’t about that.

Mo Li wasn’t flustered for anyone else.

She was flustered for her.

If someone you care about also cares about you… isn’t that worth feeling happy about?

With that thought, You Xi ate her omurice, lost in quiet reflection.

Then—the manager appeared beside her.

“Customer, how was our maid’s service? Any feedback? We have a small gift for suggestions.”

He dangled a fluffy plushie in front of her.

“Oh, it was great,” You Xi said honestly.

As she spoke, she glanced toward the kitchen—and caught Mo Li peeking out from behind the curtain, half her face visible.

Their eyes met.

Mo Li vanished instantly, the curtain swaying behind her.

Safe in the kitchen, Mo Li pressed her back against the wall, ears straining.

“…I think she’s really cute. Anyway, I’ll come again.”

After a pause, the jingle of the café door signaled You Xi’s departure.

Mo Li exhaled deeply, her tense body finally relaxing.

Her cheeks burned. Her heart raced.

“…Don’t come again, idiot,” she whispered.