The elevator at Headquarters slowly descended, and Lu Yuan and Su Li stood silently inside, neither of them speaking.
Aoi Hoshino’s call just now was clearly about something important to tell Su Li. In situations like this, important news was no different from bad news.
“It’s nothing.” Su Li said, catching Lu Yuan’s worried expression reflected in the elevator doors. “Right now, Chen Xin doesn’t know we’ve uncovered her plan. The initiative is in our hands.”
“No need to be nervous. I’m here.” Su Li smiled gently.
“……”
Lu Yuan looked at Su Li’s smile, and for a moment her heart seemed to skip a beat.
She had been living alone for more than ten years. As a man in his twenties and a corporate drone, this was the first time anyone had said to her, “I’m here. You can leave it to me.”
Well, even if her current body was that of an eighteen-year-old girl.
Suddenly, Lu Yuan felt a strange sense of security from Su Li. She wanted to bury herself completely in Su Li’s arms.
That soft, fragrant chest, the lavender-like scent—when lying in her arms, even ordinary speech turned into whispers…
That feeling of safety was like entrusting her entire body to Su Li, letting her play with it however she wished…
Lu Yuan’s face involuntarily flushed.
What was this type of role called in nature again?
What was it… “Mother”?
Ugh!
Feeling as if she had touched some forbidden taboo, Lu Yuan immediately slapped her own face.
I’m a grown man! How could I fantasize about something like that!
Su Li looked at Lu Yuan with surprise as she suddenly slapped her own cheek.
What’s gotten into this kid all of a sudden?
***
“Ding!” The elevator arrived.
Su Li stepped out first, and Lu Yuan shook her head to clear her thoughts and followed.
Aoi Hoshino seemed to have been waiting for them for a while, standing before a holographic projection and quickly taking notes.
Jasmine Star Doctor stood to the side, and when she saw the two come out of the elevator, she waved.
“Captain Su!” Aoi Hoshino waved.
“Captain, you’re here.” Hearing the movement, Tian Aixing put down her pen.
“What’s the situation?” Su Li walked to the projection, with Lu Yuan close behind.
“It’s complicated.”
Tian Aixing pressed a button, and the holographic map of Tongmen City and its surroundings appeared. Scores of red dots were densely scattered around the city’s outskirts, each representing the magical power signature of a B-level Disaster.
“All of these…” Lu Yuan’s eyes widened. “Are they all Disasters?”
“Mm.” Tian Aixing nodded. “And the number is still increasing.”
Su Li stared at the map, as if thinking deeply. “What about the Magic Wave?”
“The same as before— all at Rose’s frequency.” Tian Aixing’s expression was a little awkward. “The strength of these Disasters isn’t particularly high, but the sheer number is overwhelming.”
“Internal trouble and external threats…” Lu Yuan murmured.
Having Chen Xin as a mole was already enough to drive them crazy, and now there were so many Disasters as well.
“How should we handle this?” Tian Aixing asked, clearly concerned about Su Li’s response.
“Leave it to me… Give me one night to deal with these Disasters.” After a moment’s silence, Su Li said, “Then tomorrow I’ll handle Chen Xin. That should be enough time.”
“You’re crazy?!” Tian Aixing scolded, unusually losing her composure. “How long have you not slept?”
“I…” Su Li hesitated.
Lu Yuan noticed that even though Su Li was an idol, the dark circles under her eyes had become so obvious that makeup couldn’t cover them.
Su Li took a deep breath, quietly looking at the flashing red dots on the map. “I can handle it.”
“You can handle it my foot!” Tian Aixing pressed on. “Since yesterday, you’ve cleared twenty-seven B-level Disasters by yourself. Your magical power reserves are nearly depleted. Do you think I can’t tell?”
At some point, Aoi Hoshino had come up behind Su Li and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “Captain Su, don’t push yourself.”
Su Li’s shoulder tensed, but she didn’t shrug the hand off.
“These Disasters are numerous but weak.” Tian Aixing’s tone softened. “If Aoi and I work together, though not as efficient as you, we can clear the outskirts overnight.”
“But…” Su Li was about to protest.
“No buts.” Tian Aixing interrupted. “Why do you think we became your teammates?”
Tian Aixing pointed at Lu Yuan. “Chen Xin and Rose’s target is very likely Lu Yuan. Your top priority should be her personal bodyguard.”
Aoi Hoshino leaned closer. “We’re not incompetent. Trust us, Captain.”
Su Li’s gaze flicked across the three faces, then she closed her eyes. “…Fine.”
That simple word seemed to drain all her strength. Her usually straight back slumped slightly, revealing exhaustion.
Only then did Lu Yuan notice Su Li’s fingertips trembling uncontrollably.
She was truly worn out. If she were a machine, the high-speed operation these past few days would have exhausted the lifespan of every component. She desperately needed rest.
***
“It’s settled then.” Tian Aixing said quickly, as if afraid Su Li would change her mind. “Aoi, get ready to move out.”
With that, she walked toward the elevator.
“OK~” Aoi Hoshino popped a lollipop in her mouth and waved at Su Li. “Bye, Captain Su!”
As the two disappeared into the elevator, the Projection Room fell silent. Su Li stared at the closed elevator doors, unmoving.
“…They’re strong.” Lu Yuan said softly.
“I know.” Su Li’s voice was faint. “It’s just…”
“Just that you’re used to carrying everything on your own.” Lu Yuan gathered courage and looked straight into those sharp, knife-like eyes. “You need to rely on those around you sometimes, Captain Su.”
Su Li paused, then suddenly reached out to ruffle Lu Yuan’s hair. “When did you learn to talk like this, kid?”
The sudden affectionate gesture made Lu Yuan’s face instantly flush bright red.
“Wait, what kind of ‘kid’ are you calling me?!”
“What, you don’t like it?” Su Li smiled.
“Not really…” Lu Yuan was shy, then suddenly realized something. “No! I don’t like it! I have a man’s soul, you know! A man’s!”
“But you’re a little girl now.” Su Li said. “You can’t change back anyway, so you might as well let go and prepare to be a girl properly.”
“That’s my dignity!” Lu Yuan said stubbornly.
Though she said that, she really didn’t have any dignity left now. She didn’t even have the Freedom of 0721.
What was that saying again? A Captain who can’t mine freely isn’t a good Magical Girl.
***
Before Lu Yuan could shake herself out of her sad thoughts, Su Li had already turned toward the elevator. “Let’s go. Your job as personal bodyguard starts now.”
“Go, go where?”
“Home.” Su Li said without looking back. “If you’re going to protect someone, you have to be by their side 24/7.”
Lu Yuan stood frozen, images of her messy room and the embarrassing manga under her bed flashing through her mind.
“Wait! At least let me go home and tidy up before you come!”
“Rejected.” Su Li said coldly, then broke into a laugh. “I already know about what’s under your bed, no need to hide it.”
“Get lost!!!”
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