Chapter 45: An Alluring Incongruity

‘I pulled it off!’

‘Amethyst? Teacher Liu? None of them were a match for little Ink Crystal!’

‘My IQ must be at least 180!’

Although some of the questions were a bit problematic, they were a mix of truth and fabrication.

Indeed, these were the very questions Ink Crystal had wanted to ask Liu Yun.

She didn’t believe she was acting excessively.

Even if her actions were somewhat audacious, she certainly didn’t wish for Teacher Lin to bear a sorrowful expression because of them.

She had questioned whether Amethyst was a disqualified Magical Girl, yet she felt that she herself was even less of a qualified one.

She lacked Emerald’s profound sense of responsibility.

If, during that incident with Zhang Xiao, the Magical Girl fighting there hadn’t been Liu Xingyue—someone she knew—she would undoubtedly have fled far away.

She wouldn’t have been noticed by that ‘collection of positive energy,’ nor would she have been asked if she wished to become a Magical Girl.

Nonetheless, she had ultimately made her choice, deciding to become a Magical Girl.

She had even discussed the matter with her parents. Having so resolutely chosen this path, it was only right that she should inherit a certain responsibility from the Magical Girls who came before her.

Magical Girls who yearned for love and longed for a family should rightfully withdraw from their duties.

They had already contributed so much to the world. Wouldn’t a gentle departure like this be a beautiful ending?

Must a Magical Girl burn themselves out, fighting to the death against monsters and strange beings, for their actions to be considered brave, responsible, or even romantic?

Shaking her head, she cast these intrusive thoughts from her mind.

She hoped Teacher Liu would provide a clear answer.

Would she continue as a Magical Girl, or would she choose to live as an ordinary person?

If Teacher Liu chose a normal life, Ink Crystal would wholeheartedly bless her and Teacher Lin.

Though, truthfully, she herself was also someone who took advantage of Teacher Lin’s kindness.

“Teacher Lin~”

Although she had intended to find Teacher Lin again, upon returning to the sports field, she discovered he was gone.

Only then did she realize Liu Xingyue must have pulled him away.

Ink Crystal knew Liu Xingyue wanted to question Teacher Lin about Magical Girl Ink Crystal.

She trusted that Teacher Lin wouldn’t betray her identity.

Imagine the sheer awkwardness if a Magical Girl’s girlfriend discovered her boyfriend was *also* a Magical Girl!

Her own identity was not yet suitable for exposure.

‘Forget it, that’s enough for today!’

She mused for a moment, then departed from the school grounds.

Although she would have to return in the afternoon to help set up the sports day venue…

****

“Zhang Xiao, where did you get your nails done? They look amazing~”

Zhang Xiao replied, her eyes crinkling in a smile, “I did them myself~”

Having transferred to a new middle school, Zhang Xiao was inherently a beautiful girl.

Now, with the shadows in her heart finally dispelled, her constant smile made her incredibly popular among the students.

Coming from a very good family background, she had also made many friends.

While conversing with her friends, her gaze would subtly drift to her side.

There, sat a beautiful girl who appeared somewhat frail and sickly.

She heard that the girl had previously only been nominally enrolled in school due to chronic illness, never attending classes.

This year, however, her condition had improved, allowing her to finally attend.

Many mistakenly believed her to be a transfer student, and Zhang Xiao herself had initially thought the same.

Her sickly appearance kept others at a distance.

What if something were to happen? These days, children were remarkably clever.

Even as middle schoolers, they wouldn’t rashly approach her.

But something felt off.

Zhang Xiao sensed a profound ‘power’ emanating from the girl.

Although the Giant Baby had been eliminated, and she had lost her ability to sense Magical Girls and strange demons, she still had a subtle, persistent feeling.

She felt that the girl was no ordinary individual.

There was a certain — a very familiar feeling about her.

It was as if…

She pondered for a long time.

Eventually, an answer surfaced from her memories.

It was like Lin Han, the man who had provided her with psychological counseling, and who had introduced He Yao, the man associated with Magical Girl Ink Crystal.

The sensation was utterly baffling.

That man always wore a gentle smile, spoke softly, and possessed a righteousness that bordered on artificial.

This girl, however, was quiet and reserved, her expression cold, and she appeared profoundly weak — they were almost two extreme opposites.

Yet, they were strikingly similar.

If she had to pinpoint what was alike…

It was their eyes.

Those eyes were remarkably similar.

Brother He Yao most likely had no idea that Teacher Lin Han was the legendary Kamen Rider.

She had realized this truth the last time Kamen Rider appeared.

However, she had chosen not to tell He Yao.

After all, Brother He Yao seemed to have a very good relationship with Teacher Lin, and she wasn’t sure if either of them would be able to accept such a revelation.

But this girl’s eyes were very much like his.

They held an unparalleled sense of calm and composure.

Lin Han’s eyes instilled a sense of security, as if he were omnipotent, capable of assisting with anything, a truly trustworthy individual.

This girl, on the other hand, gave the impression that she didn’t take anything to heart, simply because she possessed the power to handle anything.

This feeling was intensely subjective and incredibly subtle.

She even wondered if, having just eliminated a strange demon, she still harbored ugly emotions, perhaps jealousy towards the other girl’s beauty.

If her brother could arrange for He Yao to meet her, they might gain some insight.

Assuming the girl was a strange demon or a strange being, a distant encounter might yield no sensation.

However, a close proximity, or even direct physical contact, would surely reveal something.

After all, no matter how well concealed, positive and negative energy would violently clash and neutralize each other upon contact.

Moreover, was this truly her concern?

Even if the girl were a strange being or a strange demon, Zhang Xiao simply needed to be cautious.

She should avoid being alone with this person, and if anything unusual occurred, she would keep her distance.

Then, nothing untoward would happen.

The Magical Girls would come to the rescue when the time came.

Her mind recalled a particular individual.

The one who had broken her leg with a baseball bat.

Even when dominated by negative energy, even when unable to control her own emotions, she could never forget those eyes.

They were bright, filled with unwavering resolve.

Eyes brimming with a righteous heart.

Brother He Yao, with his mortal body, had been able to confront her, even when she was possessed by a strange demon.

She placed a hand over her chest and took a deep breath.

This action caused a ripple of surprise among her friends.

“Zhang Xiao, are you feeling unwell?”

“No, don’t worry about it,” she quickly reassured them. “I just had a sudden thought. By the way, have any of you heard of Magical Girl Ink Crystal?”

“I know her!” one friend exclaimed. “The newest Magical Girl in Clear Sky City, Ink Crystal, right? I’ve heard she’s incredibly active. Her presence is felt whenever strange beings or strange demons appear lately! She’s so diligent!”

The appraisal was surprisingly positive, despite the fact that, from what Zhang Xiao knew, Magical Girl Ink Crystal’s magical crystal value was quite low.

Emerald had even complained about her a little before.

Brother He Yao was a good person, just a bit too weak.

But she couldn’t blame him for that.

Yet, if even a weak Brother He Yao, or a weak Ink Crystal, could accomplish such feats, why couldn’t she?

After school, she looked towards the girl who was slowly packing her bag.

“Huo Qingqing~”

Huo Qingqing turned to Zhang Xiao, her gaze utterly serene, like the surface of a placid lake reflecting a person’s silhouette.

The girl’s voice was soft but sweet and clear.

“Is there something you need?”

Zhang Xiao immediately replied, “Nothing, I just wanted to be friends with you.”

Huo Qingqing tilted her head slightly. “Why? Don’t you already have many friends?”

Even though she had posed a question, her eyes remained devoid of any discernible emotion, still like tranquil waters.

They seemed incapable of stirring a single ripple.

‘Was she truly asking *her*?’

For a moment, Zhang Xiao even questioned her own ears.

She quickly flashed a bright, cheerful smile. “Because, Huo Qingqing, you’re so beautiful! Ah~ You could easily be considered a co-class beauty with me! But if I had to compare myself to you, I wouldn’t have much confidence! So, I can only make friends with you! Turn rivals into friends!”

The girl blinked.

Zhang Xiao blinked back.

After a moment, Huo Qingqing finally asked, “What is your name?”

‘You still don’t know my name, even now? That’s truly outrageous!’

‘Am I not a person? I get so much attention! And you’re only asking my name *now*?’

‘I already know yours!’

“My name is Zhang Xiao!” She extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you!”

The girl hesitated not at all, extending her own soft, boneless hand to grasp Zhang Xiao’s fair, delicate one. “Are we friends now?”

“Of course!”

‘Of course not!’

Just from this brief interaction, Zhang Xiao intensely felt a sense of incongruity about the other girl!

To be more direct, this person seemed somewhat like a dangerous being! Or perhaps, humanoid!

Her eyes were far too serene!

It was as if all her reactions were like those of a mimosa plant: touch it, and it would curl up—responding to external stimuli, yet utterly devoid of anything that could be called emotion.

This intense sense of incongruity… if she hadn’t harbored other intentions, she would never have befriended this girl!

The feeling was quite alluring.

She felt a slight pang of regret about her decision.

It turned out that performing righteous deeds required immense courage. How much bravery had Brother He Yao summoned when he fought against her back then?

‘I must learn from him!’

If, if she became even braver, if she became even more righteous, and did more good deeds, could she, one day, also become a Magical Girl?

She shook her head.

That wasn’t realistic.

After all, she had once been a strange demon, a being aligned with negative energy. How could positive energy possibly gather within her?

She was simply daydreaming.

However, she had received the immense kindness of Teacher Lin and Brother He Yao.

It was only right that she should pass on this spirit of righteousness, just as they had passed it on to her!

The girl continuously encouraged herself.

“How about we walk home together?”