Chapter 114: The Haki Bear’s Debut

“Don’t be nervous, Ye Qing. Just pretend it’s a charity performance at a kindergarten.”

Gu Xuanyu deliberated for a moment, concluding that Ye Qing’s strange physical reactions, which had occurred similarly in the past, were likely due to nervousness. Perhaps, despite her calm demeanor, she was actually consumed by anxiety.

Ye Qing, discerning the concern in Gu Xuanyu’s words, could only purse her lips in resignation.

‘Even if something like that were to happen, comforting me like this is still a bit too strange, treating all the audience members like children…’

‘Yet you clearly intend to do something outrageous to me in front of those very children!’

“You may enter now, ladies.”

Someone pushed open the door leading to the stage, beckoning the Magical Girls. The three girls exchanged glances, tidied their appearances, and then moved toward the front, not forgetting to instruct Ye Qing before they left.

“We’re going ahead. Relax; it’ll be over soon.”

Ye Qing nodded, fastened her mask, and waited quietly on a chair.

Prior to the performance, there was the classic Magical Girl debut and greeting segment, which remained largely consistent across anime and stage shows. Essentially, it was a mere formality for the dazzling Magical Girls to walk through after their transformation.

Yet, judging by the cheers outside, the audience’s enthusiasm seemed to remain undiminished every time. Some exceptionally popular Magical Girls could even incite fervent hysteria in the crowd, with some individuals at the exhibitions becoming so that they suffered heart attacks.

After all, they were miracles walking among humanity.

Ye Qing couldn’t help but recall An Yueying’s words: if that world were entirely controlled by an evil organization, how would people view Magical Girls? Would they be treated as villains themselves?

‘To solidify public morale, they probably would be. But would such a society become even more chaotic? Like a perpetually debauched, sleepless city…’

“Ye Qing! Hurry!”

Liu Qingruo suddenly appeared at the doorway, calling out to Ye Qing, who snapped out of her thoughts and quickly followed her to the front of the stage.

A massive curtain currently obscured the front of the stage, allowing the girls ample time to prepare. According to the script, Liu Qingruo adopted a resolute (and sly, if not a little disgraceful) expression, aiming her fist at Ye Qing.

The curtain slowly drew open, and the dazzling stage lights shone down, causing Ye Qing to narrow her almond-shaped eyes slightly.

Yet, even through the slits of her eyes, she could discern a dense mass of people seated in the audience. Their clamor surged like a tide, making it somewhat difficult to breathe.

However, Ye Qing quickly regained her composure. With the dual concealment of her mask and the stage lighting’s filter, no one would recognize her even if she made a fool of herself. She could even take the opportunity to make a grand spectacle.

Initially, she expected her appearance to cause a commotion, but Ye Qing soon realized her worries were unfounded.

The audience’s attention was entirely captivated by the Magical Girls. The images displayed on the large screens also closely followed the Magical Girls, and from the distant stands, most people couldn’t clearly see her.

This meant she merely needed to play her villainous supporting role as planned, without worrying about anything else. She wouldn’t even draw attention if she didn’t wear a full costume.

Clearing her throat, Ye Qing delivered her entrance lines.

“Hmph, Magical Girl, you have already lost. Surrender now, and I might spare you…”

Before she could finish her awkward line, Liu Qingruo interjected, cutting her off. For some inexplicable reason, despite Liu Qingruo’s deliberate attempt to sound fatigued, Ye Qing could detect a hidden excitement in her voice, as if she had fully immersed herself in the role.

“You despicable Haki Bear! All you do is spout insults! If you’ve got the guts, then face me head-on!”

Liu Qingruo’s outrageous declaration made Ye Qing’s face momentarily falter, her right hand, gripping the whip, couldn’t help but tremble slightly.

‘What is this girl saying? Doesn’t she only have two lines in total?’

‘I suddenly remembered she was allowed to improvise, but not *this* freely!’

To cover up this terrible blunder, Ye Qing quickly spoke, attempting to mask the situation.

“As expected of you, Magical Girl Chi. I knew you wouldn’t surrender so easily…”

Ye Qing couldn’t help but pause at this, as the line felt somewhat nonsensical when applied to Liu Qingruo. However, she quickly adjusted.

“In that case, I shall defeat you and use you as bait!”

Upon hearing this, Liu Qingruo grinned.

“Good!”

Ye Qing’s body stiffened, and her mouth twitched violently.

‘Good, my foot! So you’re finally speaking your true thoughts, are you?’

To prevent Liu Qingruo from uttering any more irreparable words, Ye Qing quickly stepped forward and lashed the red-haired girl across her lower back. Her whip struck with a *kuchi* sound. It was fine; she was wearing clothes, and Ye Qing’s strength was light enough for her to easily ignore…

“Ah~”

After letting out an utterly embarrassing moan, Magical Girl Chi was defeated.

Ye Qing’s face was lined with exasperation. She stepped forward, clapped a hand over Liu Qingruo’s mouth, and gave the girl’s soft lips a firm squeeze as a lesson for her recklessness. She then laboriously hoisted Liu Qingruo onto her shoulder and carried her into the prop coffin prepared at the side.

“Now, you shall immerse yourself in a nightmare of torment…”

Ye Qing theatrically chanted curses, murmuring incantations. However, upon hearing the mention of nightmares, the red-haired girl’s brows suddenly relaxed, and the corners of her mouth curled into a slight smile, looking quite serene, as if she were utterly comfortable and content.

She was having a beautiful dream.

Fortunately, this scene wasn’t displayed on the screen, but Ye Qing couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.

‘Does this girl have no desires… or does she simply enjoy the feeling of being tormented? Isn’t this just a masochist?’

‘But she’s quite afraid of pain, so the torment she desires is merely a bit of rough, unresisted physical handling…’

Ye Qing slammed the coffin shut, deciding to keep her inside and give her the cold shoulder for a while.

‘You really need a good lesson.’

***

Meanwhile, the “Warrior” and “Sage” appeared opportunely on the opposite side of the stage. They quickened their pace, confronting Ye Qing, but their gazes clearly weren’t those of adversaries; rather, they seemed worried about her situation.

That made sense. Anyone acting opposite Xiao Chi would probably feel their pulse throbbing.

“Heheheh, so you’ve finally arrived, Magical Girls? This time, I’ll catch you all in one fell swoop!”

It had to be said, despite being a villainous extra, Ye Qing had a great many lines. After all, in Magical Girl plays, only villains who talked excessively were considered. However, Ye Qing’s tone remained consistently flat and uninspired. If her voice weren’t somewhat pleasant, it might have been quite hypnotic.

“Haki Bear, you villain, give Chi back to us!”

Shen Congqing mustered her imposing aura, aimed her prop sword at Ye Qing, and recited her lines verbatim, which brought Ye Qing a surge of relief.

‘The veteran teacher is reliable after all…’

Ye Qing’s peripheral vision unconsciously drifted towards the audience. In the corner closest to her, a striking figure caught her attention.

Though she wore sunglasses, her distinctive purple hair was enough for Ye Qing to recognize her identity.

‘That wicked woman, An Yueying, didn’t leave. She even brazenly dropped her disguise, waiting to see me make a fool of myself!’

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