Chapter 55: A Witch’s Appearance and a Brother’s Escape

“Alright, enough teasing. I actually came looking for Shi Meng.”

Senior Sister released her grip and glanced at Xiao Xi’s desk. With a fluid turn, she then settled herself onto it.

Xiao Xi watched helplessly as Senior Sister comfortably swung her legs, clad in white stockings, from his desk. Thankfully, the classroom was mostly empty, or this scene would have been far too provocative.

‘Don’t do that on my desk, Senior Sister!’

“You two are going out to play again… no, I mean, to scout locations?”

Xiao Xi looked at his sister, who had leaned closer, then back at Senior Sister. He couldn’t shake the feeling that they had become incredibly close lately, practically inseparable.

“Heh heh, want to come along, Xiao Xi?” Senior Sister wrapped her left arm around Shi Meng, who was blushing and looking reluctantly shy, unsure how to refuse. She then reached out with her right hand to hug Xiao Xi, but he decisively shook his head, flatly declining.

Xiao Xi said, “I think I’ll just head home. It’s a rare holiday, and I was planning on playing some games.”

“Tsk~ Xiao Xi, how are you going to get a girlfriend if you’re so obsessed with games?” Senior Sister chided.

“I… I’m not trying to get a girlfriend,” Xiao Xi retorted. “Besides, with two girls like you, Senior Sister, and my sister going out, I wouldn’t be good company.”

‘Hmm~’

Senior Sister nodded thoughtfully, as if finding his reasoning sound. She then tightened her embrace on Shi Meng and continued, “That’s true, wouldn’t he just be a third wheel?”

“Senior Sister!” Shi Meng, startled, quickly pushed Senior Sister away, her face crimson as she frantically waved her hands in refusal. Inadvertently, she cast a quick glance toward Xiao Xi.

‘Well…’

Xiao Xi, of course, understood that Senior Sister was merely teasing him.

‘Emmm…’

‘Or maybe not?’

‘Senior Sister… hmm… why do all these beautiful girls seem to have slightly abnormal orientations? Is it because they’ve seen too many handsome guys around them to feel anything anymore?’

Suspiciously, he stared.

Senior Sister scratched her face awkwardly, then patted Xiao Xi’s head reassuringly. “Actually, what I meant was a double harvest of sisters, hehe~”

“That’s even more terrifying! I can’t believe you have designs on Sister Yuan too!” Xiao Xi exclaimed indignantly.

“Hmm…” Senior Sister pouted. “I was talking about *you*, you idiot, Xiao Xi! Are you really that afraid I’ll steal your two childhood friends?”

“Me…?” Xiao Xi blinked.

‘Me?’

‘Why would a ‘double harvest of sisters’ refer to me and Shi Meng? I’m a guy, for crying out loud!’

Xiao Xi turned his head away, speechless, letting out a small sigh of relief. Even though Senior Sister had just made a strange and dangerously suggestive comment directed at him, he was just glad Sister Yuan was safe.

****

The time was drawing near. Xiao Xi packed his schoolbag, and the three of them prepared to leave school together, as they were heading in the same general direction. Although Xiao Xi was eager to rush home and play the newly released main storyline of a certain game, since they were already together, it felt right to walk to the school gate as a group, even if their ultimate destinations differed.

‘Hmm… I won’t be staying at school tonight. There’s really no point. After escaping the scene with Mia last night, Sister Yuan still ended up carrying me to bed when I got home…’

After discussing the matter with Senior Sister, she frowned and pondered for a long time. Finally, she turned back to him and suggested, “How about… we put a certain kind of lock on you?”

‘Ah… let’s just forget that idea.’

“If you’re not willing, then… maybe you should just go home first. I’ll keep thinking of a solution and let you know later. Don’t be so disheartened! As long as your mindset doesn’t falter, there are always more solutions than problems!”

Senior Sister remained incredibly optimistic. Xiao Xi could only hope she would come up with something quickly, as Sister Yuan wouldn’t wait for a perfect plan before ‘devouring’ him. That woman thought about it constantly.

‘Sigh~’

‘Life is hard.’

As for Mia…

Though he felt a little bad for the witch, he couldn’t spend every night playing with her at school. It was a shame he hadn’t run into her today; he would have liked to tell her. But she was probably still suspended, so finding her would be difficult.

‘Well, maybe I should check the rooftop first? I can’t just let her wait foolishly…’

But he was currently walking with Senior Sister and his sister. This…

Xiao Xi was hesitating, trying to think of an excuse to get away from Senior Sister and his sister, when suddenly, a captivating crimson flash burst from the bushes. It executed a perfect 60-degree aerial spin before landing gracefully, startling all three of them. They instinctively recoiled, anxiously staring at the figure that had abruptly appeared.

‘Hiss—this is!’

Upon recognizing the newcomer, Xiao Xi couldn’t help but exclaim, ‘Speak of the devil!’ It was Mia! Had she… had she come to school so early?

“Heh heh, Xiao Xi, I found you~” Mia chirped.

“It’s… it’s a person,” Senior Sister observed.

“It seems so,” Shi Meng added. “They suddenly jumped out; it was so scary…”

“Well… she’s calling you, Xiao Xi. Do you know her?” Senior Sister asked.

Senior Sister and Shi Meng both turned curious gazes towards Xiao Xi. ‘Oh, this…’

‘This…’

Mia’s entrance was far too strange and embarrassing. He absolutely did not want to be associated with her!

“Uh…” Xiao Xi stammered, completely unwilling to admit anything. But Mia, ever proactive, strode forward and threw an arm around Xiao Xi, laughing. “I am Xiao Xi’s master, Mia, the Flame Witch, desu~”

“Ma… master?” Shi Meng gasped.

“Ooh! This is impressive, Xiao Xi! I never knew you had such a master~ Tsk tsk tsk~” Senior Sister teased.

“No, that’s not it! Mia and I are just friends! She’s joking, hahaha, she really is just joking! Senior Sister, please don’t look at us with that playful smile…”

Senior Sister covered her mouth, stifling a giggle. “Well~ How would I know what kind of forbidden relationship you two have? I’m just an ordinary Senior Sister~”

“Hmm… people who talk like that are usually not simple. Xiao Xi, who are these two girls?” Mia asked, eyeing Senior Sister and Shi Meng warily. Xiao Xi, exasperated, covered his face.

‘Sigh…’

‘No choice, I’ll have to introduce them.’

“The blonde girl is Gao Meiyou. She’s a Senior Sister in the second year and the president of the Volunteer Club. The short-haired girl is my childhood friend and sister, Shi Meng. This red-haired girl next to me is Mia. She’s a chuunibyo, and… we’re barely friends, I guess.”

Xiao Xi introduced them to each other. Mia observed Senior Sister and Shi Meng with a hint of curiosity, then nodded and patted her chest. “I love pretty girls the most! If you ever encounter any problems in the future, you can come to me. I can use my magic to help you solve them!”

‘Oh dear…’

Senior Sister, now quite intrigued, also began to observe Mia closely.

‘You see it now, don’t you, Senior Sister? This girl is a total chuunibyo! She’s still bragging about solving problems. I think you should solve her chuunibyo problem first!’

“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet the Witch-chan! We’re going out to play; interested in joining us?” Senior Sister smiled, extending an invitation to Mia!

‘Wait, this isn’t right, is it? How did they end up hitting it off?’

‘No, this won’t do. Why do I feel like I’m in increasing danger?’

“Hmm… I’m actually very interested, but I also want to play with Xiao Xi, so…”

“Alright, you don’t need to agonize over it! I need to go home and play games! You go with Senior Sister and them. See you!”

Xiao Xi decisively made his escape. If he didn’t leave soon, he’d be dragged along to play with these three girls!

‘My main quest must be completed tonight!’

Watching Xiao Xi disappear so quickly he seemed to leave afterimages, the three girls fell into a thoughtful silence.