Chapter 13: Zero

Mother, Floran was a very humorous girl.

From as far back as Luo Tianyou could remember, Floran had always been an easygoing girl with a carefree attitude, often dragging him to the women’s bathhouse to play.

She claimed it was to let Luo Tianyou broaden his horizons, so he wouldn’t be easily fooled by pretty girls in the future.

On the day she left, she leaned in Luo Tianyou’s arms, chattering on and on.

She said so much that Luo Tianyou thought she was joking, but in the blink of an eye, Floran’s breath faded away completely.

“During a mission, she was struck by a forbidden magic and couldn’t recover.”

Luo Tianyou frowned, not understanding why Moonlight Liuli was bringing this up.

“Floran was murdered.”

“No. Mother said it was her own mistake, that there was no escape from forbidden magic.”

“Floran lied to you. She just didn’t want you to act recklessly.”

“Mother never lied to me.”

Moonlight Liuli fell silent.

She realized she had spoken too much.

She simply leaned back on the sofa, crossing her long, shapely legs and propping her cheek with one hand.

“Master, since I helped you this time, what will you give me as a reward?”

Luo Tianyou’s heart skipped a beat.

“Didn’t you just ask for a kiss outside?”

Moonlight Liuli chuckled softly, reaching out and tracing her fingertips lightly over Luo Tianyou’s fingers on the table.

“My little master, did you forget? I’m not exactly a righteous ally. It’s true I’m your dog, but if a dog helps her master out of trouble, isn’t it only natural to ask for a little reward? A small kiss is just rightful compensation for being abandoned by you.”

Luo Tianyou tried to pull her hand back, but Moonlight Liuli was faster, grasping it in return.

“Or is it…”

Moonlight Liuli’s fingers slid up Luo Tianyou’s wrist, gliding over her slender forearm and sending a shiver through her.

“Is the master trying to go back on her word? Cheating a loyal dog will result in even more~ severe~ punishment, you know.”

“What do you want?”

Luo Tianyou felt her heartbeat spiraling out of control.

She knew that if she didn’t give this wicked dog a little treat tonight, she wouldn’t get away.

Moonlight Liuli watched her embarrassed, fearful, yet conflicted look with satisfaction, then leaned closer.

Her warm breath almost brushed Luo Tianyou’s ear as she slowly made her request.

“Simple. Sleep with me tonight.”

“No way!”

Luo Tianyou refused without thinking.

Sleep? With this dog whose head was full of indecent thoughts?

Wasn’t that just throwing herself to the wolves? She could already imagine how miserable she’d be the next morning!

Moonlight Liuli raised an eyebrow.

“Oh? Master, don’t misunderstand. It’s just sleeping, literally. Or… is there something else you’re hoping for?”

“No!”

Luo Tianyou denied it flatly.

“Good. Just sleep, that’s all. I promise, just holding you, doing nothing·else·at·all.”

Moonlight Liuli deliberately emphasized each word, but Luo Tianyou didn’t believe a single one.

“If you don’t agree, forget it. Anyway, the Bureau is already handling that girl’s issue, so I’m sure it’ll be resolved.”

Moonlight Liuli spread her hands nonchalantly.

Luo Tianyou struggled inside.

If she agreed, Moonlight Liuli would definitely have more tricks up her sleeve.

“Just holding?”

Luo Tianyou lifted her teary eyes, clinging to a last bit of hope.

“I swear on the name of the Moonlight Witch.”

Moonlight Liuli raised three fingers, her expression incomparably sincere.

Luo Tianyou took a deep breath, as if heading to the execution ground, and squeezed her legs together in resignation.

“…Deal.”

“Good girl~”

Moonlight Liuli grinned, rubbing Luo Tianyou’s soft blue hair.

“Then let’s head back to the room now, my·dear·mas·ter~”

She stood up, naturally taking Luo Tianyou’s hand and leading her toward the elevator.

Luo Tianyou moved like a soulless puppet, her mind in chaos as she was pulled along.

Last time in Moonlight Liuli’s home, she hadn’t quite succeeded, just barely missing her chance.

But this time, Luo Tianyou would be lying on the bed, completely at her mercy.

Walking ahead, Moonlight Liuli felt the soft, trembling hand in her palm and smiled victoriously.

Sleep?

Of course, just sleep.

But on a long night, holding such a soft, stubborn little master, who knew what accidents might happen? That was outside her guarantee~

After all, sometimes dogs disobey their masters and get up to mischief on the bed, right?

The two entered the elevator.

They were spotted by Li Huayu, who had just come down the stairs.

“Those two are way too close.”

Li Huayu was restless in the hotel room, so she came down for some fresh air.

She happened to see Moonlight Liuli flirting with Luo Tianyou on the sofa.

One of the strongest magical girls of the era, privately meeting a stranger in a hotel, entering an elevator, and then a suite.

What could happen?

Between two magical girls, only things the public loves to see.

Li Huayu remembered her own close encounter with Luo Tianyou on the bus, and her cheeks flushed.

Luo Tianyou, did she let me get so close just to enjoy my body?

She even leaned her head on my chest and kept inhaling…

The thought hit suddenly, making Li Huayu’s cheeks redder and her heartbeat faster.

She decided Luo Tianyou was definitely a classic White Heron Zero among magical girls.

Acting all aloof, telling me to stay away and not touch, but unable to resist a little contact—a textbook tsundere.

Nothing strange about that.

Most magical girls are like that these days.

Li Huayu sat where Luo Tianyou had just been, staring at the ceiling.

Luo Tianyou called Moonlight Liuli to help her.

How should I repay her?

I have no money, no strength.

Should I just devote myself, be a slave in the next life to repay the favor?

Or use myself as the reward?

Li Huayu curled up on the sofa, looking at her slender, smooth fingers.

Her fingertips glowed a healthy pink under the light.

She hesitated, touching her lips lightly, then quickly drew her hand back as if burned.

“What am I thinking…”

Li Huayu buried her face in the sofa cushion, gripping the pillow so tightly her fingers left marks.