Chapter 119: A Reluctant Farewell

The silver-haired girl, having gotten her wish, smiled radiantly, her curled eyelashes looking particularly captivating.

Though it was a subtle response, it was undeniably characteristic of Ye Qing.

Ye Qing’s indulgence toward her always manifested in such understated ways, yet it never failed to leave an unforgettable impression.

“Ye Qing, do you have a favorite song?”

Ye Qing shook her head.

“I don’t understand music.”

As if she had anticipated Ye Qing’s reply, Gu Xuanyu offered a faint smile, then refocused her attention on the piano.

“Then I’ll just play freely.”

Melodious piano notes once again resonated. The size of the piano room was perfectly suited for the music, preventing echoes from the walls dozens of meters away. Instead, each played note was amplified, enveloping the listener’s ears.

This time, it was a light, ethereal melody, one Ye Qing had never heard before. It bore traces of a nocturne, yet it was even quieter, like the soft patter of fine rain against a window, as if fearing to disturb someone in their slumber.

Suddenly, the girl’s playing speed quickened significantly. It seemed the protagonist of the song wasn’t asleep, but rather, their heart was pounding from anxiety over some matter.

Even though the main melody was a calm 4/4 beat, Ye Qing could clearly sense the fervor the girl wished to express.

The candlelight flickered.

Ye Qing’s eyes drifted, the deep amber within them slowly submerging into her consciousness. When she opened them again, she had returned to that autumn night, surrounded by candlelight.

The summer heat had not yet fully receded, but the autumn rain had rendered the night quite chilly. While the meager candlelight was insufficient to dispel the cold, the girl’s cheeks in her memory were rosy with warmth.

The increasingly urgent piano music began to ascend, subtly carrying the melody of a wedding march. It was a beautiful fantasy, yet it quickly shattered, dissolving back into the placid main melody.

‘Yes, she couldn’t say it…’

‘No, it was I who couldn’t respond.’

That response had been long overdue, delayed for three years, delayed until now, and even presently, she hadn’t managed to give a direct answer.

Yet, it wasn’t just deceit and unforeseen events that had caused her to reject the response; it was also her own internal struggle.

Ye Qing listened silently, letting the pleasant piano music gently urge her, pushing her step by step toward the answer the silver-haired girl desired. Whenever she fell into indecision once more, the girl’s insistent urging quickly pressed in from behind.

This time, she didn’t want to be rejected. But instead of providing an answer, she seemed more inclined to correct her past replies.

‘Xuanyu, you are my friend, and my sister, but a lover…’

Complex emotions settled in Ye Qing’s chest, constricting her breathing. The piano music ceased at precisely the right moment. All she could hear now was the heavy thumping of her own heart.

One beat, then another.

“Do you like it, Ye Qing?”

Gu Xuanyu’s voice replaced the piano’s melody, gently pressing the question, as if she weren’t asking about the tune, but about herself.

“Do you like me, Ye Qing?”

“Mm.”

***

On a bench beside a path, another black-haired girl sat, her unrestrained ink-black hair cascading around her. The silver light of the cold moon reflected in her dark pupils.

Despite the increasingly cold weather, she wore only a thin, ink-colored dress. Its sheer, gossamer texture clearly offered no protection against the chill, only serving to make her pale, almost luminous skin appear even brighter.

Several white-robed figures silently appeared behind her, bowing respectfully without a word, simply awaiting her command.

They were rigid, yet unexpectedly obedient.

“Tell me, is it better to have more variables, or fewer?” the girl asked, her question seemingly out of nowhere.

The figures exchanged glances, unable to answer the bewildering question. Fortunately, she was merely speaking to herself.

“More or less, it doesn’t matter; there must always be variables,” she murmured. “Her variable is that little girl who resembles me.”

“If things remain as they are, she will likely never meet my expectations. She needs to become stronger.”

The silver light cast by the crescent moon in the sky resembled the girl’s translucent silver hair, yet it was not full enough, far from sufficient to illuminate the night sky. It struggled even to penetrate the thin clouds and fall upon the black-haired girl’s fingertips.

“If she knew I was the one who separated them, she would surely hate me,” she mused. “Just as she hates Silver Moon.”

Qin Yuqian gazed at the crescent moon, but reflected in her eyes was the image of the destined rival she herself had chosen.

“At that time, try to kill me. But if your strength is still insufficient, I’ll have no choice but to make you suffer a little more.”

Just then, the masked woman beside her suddenly spoke.

“Miss Xinghuo, it seems many powerful magical energies are approaching the academy.”

After a brief pause, she added, “Dark magic.”

As she spoke, a brilliant silver light flickered at her fingertips. This pure magical energy was not vague like Ye Qing’s; it was bright enough to rival Shen Congqing’s.

This unassuming woman, dressed so plainly, was in fact a deeply hidden Magical Girl.

“Maintain a slight guard. You may intervene if necessary, but given your situation, it’s best not to expend all your strength.”

Qin Yuqian turned her head, a rare serious expression in her eyes.

“It will soon grow colder. Remember to reserve some power to protect yourself.”

“Do you wish to keep listening, Ye Qing?”

Gu Xuanyu had been playing continuously for a long time, yet she showed no signs of fatigue. Evidently, for a Magical Girl, this level of exertion had no impact.

Watching her slender fingers dance across the piano keys, it was clear she could likely continue for several more hours with undiminished spirit. However, she probably had no interest in playing for such an extended period, unless Ye Qing was the listener or the ‘piano’ itself.

The petite black-haired girl remained seated obediently below the stage, knees together, listening quietly.

She could discern the girl’s fondness for the piano, yet her companion’s attention was primarily focused on her, the audience. Clearly, her true intentions lay elsewhere.

She had heard enough of these love letters woven from piano music, so many that they had begun to sway her.

But this time, she could only give the same reply as before.

The black-haired girl gently shook her head, knowing that a lingering fondness might still be visible in her eyes. So, she subtly closed them, feigning nonchalance.

“No need. This is enough.”

Gu Xuanyu paused slightly, yet she showed no disappointment. Instead, she quickly closed the piano lid and came to Ye Qing’s side.

“Then let’s go.”

This time, however, her outstretched hand failed to grasp Ye Qing’s delicate small hand.

“You go first. I’ll stay here a little longer.”

Ye Qing made no attempt to hide the aloofness in her words, seemingly intent on distancing herself from the silver-haired girl before her. This left Gu Xuanyu somewhat incredulous.

“…Can’t I stay?”

Ye Qing remained silent, merely shaking her head.

She held the answer in her heart.

Gu Xuanyu would remain here, but she would not.

Or rather, even if she wished to stay, her rationality would not permit her to continue doing so.

‘I won’t drag any of you down anymore, neither Ye Yu nor you.’

‘Forgive me, for I ultimately cannot respond. After all, you are a Magical Girl, and I am about to become a fake…’

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