“How was it, A Xing? Did you get a good rest last night?”
In the office, Miss L warmly poured hot tea for Xiaoxi, her tone playful, only to be greeted by Xiaoxi’s gloomy, sour expression.
Miss L wasn’t the type to enjoy gossip, but with this kind of thing happening to A Xing, even she couldn’t help but be interested.
After all, if the news about “Eternal Star in a relationship” got out, it would completely dominate the trending searches in less than half a day.
Of course, Miss L knew Xiaoxi herself absolutely hated the way the Magic Girl entertainment industry turned everything into scandal and rumors.
This was also the biggest reason why she didn’t get along with The Association.
“So, the one who broke the rules last night and allowed Xinglan to take me home was you, right?”
Xiaoxi cracked her knuckles loudly, making it clear she was here to hold someone accountable.
“How can that be called breaking the rules? This is what we call flexible adaptation! Besides, that little bit of poison is nothing to you. I figured you’d much rather have your little girlfriend take care of you at home than stay in the cold Medical Division… Of course, what happened after you two went home is outside my jurisdiction, right?”
Xiaoxi was so angry her teeth itched, but she couldn’t find any fault in Miss L’s words and could only sigh in exasperation.
“You don’t get it at all! Xinglan, she… Sigh!”
Because it involved her uncontrollable mysterious form, Xiaoxi had never told Miss L about how Ye Xinglan particularly disliked Eternal Star.
Xiaoxi knew Ye Xinglan always eyed her hungrily, but her own beliefs were indeed a bit traditional, treating this matter as a boundary she couldn’t cross.
If Ye Xinglan really couldn’t accept her Eternal Star identity and wanted to break up, as long as they hadn’t crossed that line, Xiaoxi wouldn’t feel too guilty toward her.
“Forget it, I’m not here to blame you today. I need your help with something. It’s like this…”
The air in the office suddenly fell silent. Xiaoxi opened her mouth several times but didn’t manage to say anything, her face flushing red.
She had intended to discuss with Miss L the possibility that Ye Xinglan might be a Monster, but now that it came to it, she didn’t know how to say it.
How could she possibly talk about discovering something odd during a heated moment with her girlfriend?
“Just say it, A Xing. With our relationship, is there anything you can’t talk about? Is this really that difficult for you?”
“It’s not about being difficult! I… let me organize my thoughts!”
After a moment, Xiaoxi finally stammered out a brief account of what happened, only to find Miss L holding back laughter with visible effort.
“Don’t glare at me! A Xing, this really isn’t my fault, right? You should know what the others think of you in this regard.”
Miss L was talking about Xiaoxi’s other old teammates. Everyone used to think Xiaoxi was a completely ascetic iron lump, always maintaining polite distance in social situations.
For instance, whenever the group went to the beach and had to change in the locker room, or when booking rooms for overnight stays at hotels, Xiaoxi would insist on not sharing a room with anyone else, making everyone guess that A Xing was secretly practicing some emotionless path of ultimate power that required self-castration, hence her overwhelming strength.
Who would have thought falling in love would change everything?
Miss L figured out that Xiaoxi had only known Ye Xinglan for a few months, and already this iron lump had blossomed.
Xiaoxi blushed. That was because, at that time, she was still physically a boy, okay?
Didn’t everyone understand the principle of propriety between men and women?
Her conscience simply wouldn’t allow her to share a room with the others back then!
Of course, now it was different. Her “criminal tool” had already been confiscated, or else she wouldn’t have ended up pressed underneath Ye Xinglan last night.
“Ahem, so your point is that Ye Xinglan thought your consciousness was fuzzy and you wouldn’t remember, so she… let herself go a bit. But actually, you were awake enough to notice something off?”
“Not exactly… I really don’t remember much about last night. I only pieced it together after recalling bits and pieces.”
Even though Xiaoxi was strong, Ye Xinglan’s consciousness rewrite had still worked—her memory was definitely a bit hazy.
“I want you to help me look into this… But use your own channels, don’t go through The Association.”
Miss L nodded, understanding perfectly. If Ye Xinglan really was a Monster, then her deliberate concealment would be a big problem if investigated officially.
The Strange One Registration Regulation was still quite strict. All Monsters had to register their identities and regularly report to their local Association branch for check-ups.
Some Monsters hid their identities to evade these controls, usually just to use their abilities freely. After all, registered Monsters were limited in how they could use their powers.
But Xiaoxi definitely had a bias for Ye Xinglan. She believed Ye Xinglan wasn’t hiding her identity to do evil, so she wanted Miss L to investigate privately.
“But, a Monster with tentacle traits…” Miss L rubbed her chin. “That’s just like the Blood Moon Witch’s Monster characteristics. Looks like Ye Xinglan should also be a Fantasy-type Monster.”
Monsters were classified by their characteristics. Succubus like An Wanwan, Vampires, and tentacle Monsters were all Fantasy-type Monsters.
Fantasy-type Monsters generally had high combat ability, much stronger than Subhuman-type Monsters—like Fox Momomo.
“I can look into it for you privately, A Xing, but if I really do find out Ye Xinglan is a Monster, what will you do?”
“I haven’t thought about it yet… I guess I’ll just pretend I don’t know.”
Miss L showed an “I knew it” face. “See? That’s why I suggest you find a way to get her to confess to you herself. Wouldn’t that be happier for everyone?”
“You’re a couple, after all. Can’t you use your advantages, get a little closer to your girlfriend?”
Miss L really meant for Xiaoxi and Ye Xinglan to go on a few dates, walk around town, let their feelings warm up so the other would be more willing to open up.
But looking at Xiaoxi’s clear and innocent face, Miss L knew there was no hope.
Looks like A Xing was not only averse to romance but also a total novice. In the hands of a sly woman like Ye Xinglan… the power balance at home was already clear.
Miss L could only laugh at the idea of the mighty Eternal Star being completely controlled by her wife at home.
“Right, what Ye Xinglan is hiding from you should be this, right? So really, you two are even. She’s hiding her Monster identity, you’re hiding your [Eternal Star] identity, so there’s no need for you to feel guilty.”
“That’s not the same!” Xiaoxi’s expression grew serious.
“A plain old Monster identity can’t be compared to the weight of [Eternal Star]. I definitely wouldn’t mind Xinglan being a Monster, but she might not be able to accept my identity!”
“What if, say, Ye Xinglan’s Monster identity is actually troublesome? Would you consider breaking up? I mean—she’s gone to lengths to hide it, so maybe it’s not something small… Oh, right, the Blood Moon Witch’s Monster traits are also tentacles, aren’t they?”
Miss L was just making an offhand remark—neither she nor Xiaoxi seriously considered this possibility.
Matching Monster traits happened often. Besides, what were the chances of [Eternal Star] finding herself in a relationship with the Blood Moon Witch and even ending up together?
“Absolutely not!” Xiaoxi said firmly. “No matter what Xinglan is hiding from me, I won’t mind. After all, we’ve already… gone that far. No matter what happens, I won’t be the one to leave her!”
Miss L nodded, reassured by A Xing’s answer.
Now she wasn’t worried about the investigation causing relationship issues—unless Ye Xinglan really turned out to be the Blood Moon Witch, which she considered so unlikely as to be negligible.
“All right, if I have time in the next couple days, I’ll look into it privately for you. I have work to do tonight, so good luck with your romance, A Xing.”
Miss L waved her hand casually to see her off. Xiaoxi had just opened the office door when she ran straight into Muxingge standing outside.
Miss L, still in her previous tone, immediately changed tack: “That’s it for today, Sirius! If this happens again, you’d better transfer to the Logistics Department—I can’t handle a big shot like you!”
“Sorry, Ministry Head L. I’ll definitely learn my lesson this time…”
After playing her part in front of Muxingge, Xiaoxi made a hasty escape. Only Muxingge frowned slightly, then walked into the office and spoke tactfully.
“L, I think you could try being a little more forgiving toward Sirius. She’s actually quite talented, and perhaps you don’t know, but she’s sort of A Xing’s Student.”
Though Muxingge knew Miss L was strict with her Magical Girls, wasn’t she being a bit harsh with Sirius?
It seemed like every time she saw Sirius in Miss L’s office, she was getting a scolding… Could the two be putting on a show just for her?
Miss L almost choked on her tea at that—so Sirius actually knew A Xing? That she really didn’t know. Ha, how interesting.
Meanwhile, after leaving the office, Xiaoxi happened to witness a little scene…
At the corridor corner, Xiaohongmao was handing something to Shandie, and Xiaoxi’s gaze sharpened immediately.
“This is… a gift from Xiaohongmao. I really didn’t do anything this time…”
Xiaohongmao tilted her head, not understanding why Shandie looked guilty when she saw Sirius, but still picked up the conversation.
“Well, I always used to get gifts from Shandie, so if I didn’t return the favor, I’d feel embarrassed. Friends should take turns, right?—Ah, I prepared something for you too, A Lang.”
Xiaoxi nodded and naturally joined the conversation. It seemed Shandie did keep her promise. Since she hadn’t actively approached Xiaohongmao, all was well.
After her previous chat with Shandie, her impression of this former “little troublemaker” had improved a lot.
The three chatted happily. Shandie realized that, without noticing, she had started to get used to this kind of life and these relationships. Still, today she couldn’t help but steal a few more glances at Xiaoxi.
Yesterday, she had learned a shocking secret from Black Rose—it turned out the “girlfriend” who had been with Xiaoxi was actually the Blood Moon Witch hidden within Summersea City…
Thinking about having talked face-to-face with the Blood Moon Witch made Shandie break out in a cold sweat. But seeing Xiaoxi like this, it seemed she still didn’t know?
Shandie hesitated for a moment. The Blood Moon Witch’s infamy was well-known.
Who knew what her purpose was in dating Xiaoxi, a D-rank Magical Girl?
Shandie wondered if she should try to give Xiaoxi a hint.
But then she suddenly realized—was it really necessary for her to do so?
She was just a spy who had infiltrated The Association. Strictly speaking, these Magic Girls were her enemies, not her friends. So what reason did she have to warn her?