Facing Xiao Xi’s “Are you kidding me?” glare, Miss L responded helplessly.
“This isn’t my fault. I only promised to share the information I know. I don’t have clearance to access the data on the Blood Moon Witch’s prison break. Where else am I supposed to find it for you?”
“All I can do is update you, Ah Xing, on the Association’s current progress investigating the Blood Moon Witch’s whereabouts.”
Xiao Xi frowned but didn’t press further. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this matter wasn’t so simple.
What secrets were hidden behind the Blood Moon Witch’s escape? Miss L was already the head of the Magical Girl Department, yet even she wasn’t authorized to access those files?
“Oh, by the way, there’s one more thing,” Miss L suddenly remembered something. “That kid Little Red Riding Hood might be starting to suspect your identity. She even came to me yesterday asking for your file.”
Xiao Xi was stunned. She had crafted such a perfect excuse last time, but Cocoa still hadn’t dropped her suspicions? When did that stubborn girl get so distrustful?
Being doubted by Cocoa all the time wasn’t ideal. If she didn’t want that stubborn girl to see ‘Xiao Xi’ and ‘Sirius’ together, she probably wouldn’t be able to dispel her doubts.
Xiao Xi pondered for a moment, then suddenly gave Miss L a friendly smile and patted her shoulder.
“Hey, Miss L, the Association’s monster research department should have quite a few Slime monsters, right?”
“What are you up to?” Miss L’s face darkened. “Those are all experimental subjects and aren’t allowed to leave the Association’s labs!”
“Blah blah blah,” Xiao Xi waved her hand dismissively. “Go get me one. You wouldn’t give me the Blood Moon Witch info, so how about I ask for a little extra compensation?”
Xiao Xi wasn’t worried about bringing a monster out causing trouble. Slimes were weak monsters, barely reaching D-rank magic fluctuations. These shape-shifting monsters were harmless, possessing only basic intelligence and able to mimic simple behaviors.
Slimes tried to hypnotize other beings using magic, then transformed to look like them, imitating their movements and habits to replace them in daily life. To avoid exposure, they emitted almost no magic fluctuations.
For Xiao Xi, this was the perfect tool. With a bit of training, it could definitely come in handy.
“Dear Miss L—” Xiao Xi smiled sweetly, “after all these years of friendship, I’m even willing to help you with the Association’s work. You’re not going to refuse me such a small favor, right?”
Miss L: “……”
Later that evening, Xiao Xi returned home mysteriously carrying a large bag, nervously rushing into her room as if she’d done something wrong. Ye Xinglan, lying on the sofa scrolling through her phone, didn’t even notice what Xiao Xi was carrying.
That night, Ye Xinglan, as usual, went to Xiao Xi’s room to play games but found the door locked—something unusual. Curious, she pressed her ear against the door and heard continuous “plop” sounds—something wet and sticky.
“Why is this thing so hard to control… don’t twist it like that! This part needs to be longer…”
Blushing, Ye Xinglan tiptoed back to her room. Well, at least this time Xiao Xi remembered to lock the door when playing with her little toy.
The next morning, after patrol, as expected, Xiao Keke called out to her alone.
“Wait up, Sirius!” Xiao Keke ran over. “Um… you got hurt protecting me last time. Do you have time this afternoon? I want to treat you to afternoon tea, as thanks.”
Xiao Xi smiled slightly. “No problem. I’m free this afternoon.”
“That’s great! I know a maid café on South Street. Let’s go there?”
“I’m good with anything. You pick the place.”
Throughout their conversation, Xiao Keke kept sneakily observing Sirius’s expression. She had thought that if her older sister was really Sirius, then after such a sudden invitation, Sirius would at least be flustered or come up with an excuse to refuse.
But to her surprise, Sirius agreed so openly.
Xiao Keke shook her head. Anyway, the afternoon would reveal the truth. The easiest way to confirm if her sister and Sirius were the same person was to get both of them in the same space.
Watching Xiao Keke walk away, Xiao Xi smiled proudly. She was going to accept that stubborn girl’s invitation without hesitation—she was well prepared. She even worried that Cocoa wouldn’t invite her.
Xiao Xi wasn’t worried about exposing her identity going out together privately. At worst, she’d transform into [Sirius] and go out in that form. With the cognition filter’s protection, Cocoa wouldn’t recognize her.
Clothes were easy to handle. Magical Girl transformation clothes were composed of magic, so theoretically, as long as she withdrew her magic inward, the clothes would disappear, allowing her to wear normal clothes.
Xiao Xi was already skilled at this trick since her old teammates used to call her out. She always handled it this way, never leaking any personal info.
Xiao Keke gave Xiao Xi a thorough once-over. Today she wore a cute, playful dress, her hair down—sharply contrasting with the heroic aura she usually exuded during battles.
The dress was one Xiao Xi had bought yesterday before going home, meant to look cuter today and to differ from the sister Cocoa knew, who never wore dresses outside.
Only one thing: after staring at Xiao Xi’s face for a moment, Xiao Keke realized she couldn’t remember it at all. Could it be that Sirius always transformed into her Magical Girl form when going out?
Xiao Keke felt a little disappointed. She had hoped to see what Sirius really looked like but didn’t get a single chance.
They entered the café and took their seats. Xiao Keke glanced around but didn’t see her sister.
“Strange, isn’t she here yet?”
Though speaking to herself, she deliberately kept her voice loud enough for Sirius to hear. Sirius, sitting opposite her, only smiled politely, unafraid.
“What’s up, Little Red Riding Hood? Staring at me the whole time?”
“Nothing,” Xiao Keke forced down her doubts. “It just feels weird always referring to each other by code names. But I guess you don’t want to tell me your real name?”
“I’m Xiao Keke. Hmm… from now on, can I call you Ah Lang? Sounds pretty cool.”
Suppressing her doubts, Xiao Keke figured her sister wouldn’t stay away forever. She’d just wait here.
“Let’s look at the menu first. Here, for you—”
Xiao Xi took the menu calmly. Slimes were naturally low in intelligence; even dressed as maids, they’d struggle a bit, but all these details were under her control.
She had spent all night yesterday doing onboarding training. She refused to believe anything could go wrong today!
Just as Xiao Xi relaxed, confidently chatting with Xiao Keke, the doorbell jingled.
Reacting instantly, Xiao Xi stood and expertly greeted the customer.
“Welcome, please come in—”
The greeting abruptly stopped, and Xiao Xi’s professional smile froze.
Damn, an idiot.