Chapter 22: Companions and Trust

Cui Que finished pouring the hot water and returned to the living room with several teacups, just in time to see Xia Liang walking out from the direction of the bathroom, draped in a bathrobe.

"Found them in the kitchen."

To avoid any misunderstanding, she explained this as she placed the brewed tea on the coffee table.

Setting down the cups, pushing them forward, sitting back on the sofa, and picking up her own tea, Cui Que remained silent for a moment before speaking lightly:

"Why did you run away from home?"

When she asked this, she did not look at Xia Liang, simply because she did not want to put too much pressure on her.

Although it was only based on intuition, she could feel that Xia Liang might be hiding quite a few secrets.

"Ahaha, this... can I just bluff my way through this?"

Faced with this question, Xia Liang's voice sounded a bit dry, and her tone carried a hint of testing.

Cui Que raised an eyebrow: "And what is the bluffing excuse?"

"Let me think... just a normal argument with my family, how about that?" Xia Liang looked around, smiling as she held up her right index finger.

"Sounds believable enough."

Cui Que was noncommittal, taking a light sip from the edge of her teacup before continuing: "Is that what you told Bai Mei as well?"

"Lin Xiaolu hasn't asked me yet."

Xia Liang shook her head, looking slightly disappointed: "She agreed to let me come to her house so easily without knowing anything at all; I had prepared so many interesting reasons, too."

"That child may not admit it, but she is indeed a bit simple-minded, so don't bully her too much."

Cui Que set down her teacup and turned her head to look at Xia Liang: "However, the name 'Lin Xiaolu'... did she tell you her real name?"

"Hm? She told me when we first met."

Xia Liang didn't understand the implication, but she caught a different meaning in Cui Que's tone: "Is there a problem with that?"

"Yes. When appearing in public as a magical girl, one should generally address each other by code names."

Cui Que lowered her eyelids: "I am Cui Que, you are Xiao Jin, and Lin Xiaolu is Bai Mei. When you transform into a magical girl, your code name is your name."

"This is not just for when enemies or strangers are around. Even among magical girls, revealing one's real name and true identity is something that should only be done after mutual trust is established."

"Do not easily expose your vulnerable side to those you do not trust, unless you are strong enough."

At this point, Cui Que raised her eyes and folded her hands: "That is why I will always call you by your code names while transformed. It is not just because I only told you my code name and the relationship needs to be equal; it is also because it is a good habit."

Xia Liang nodded as if she understood, then suddenly clapped her hands: "Can I apply to change my magical girl code name to 'Xia Liang' now?"

"Don't ask stupid questions."

"Then, since I've already told Lin Xiaolu my name, what should I do?"

"Nothing."

Cui Que sighed: "Between companions in the same city, real names are bound to be spoken. It is just that later, when you leave Fang Ting City, you will encounter magical girls who are not your companions, and that is when you must be careful."

"Companions, huh..."

Muttering the word, Xia Liang's eyes flickered, then she narrowed them, lowered her head, and wrapped her bathrobe tighter around herself: "Then, have I managed to bluff my way through with my companions now?"

"I suppose?"

Not noticing Xia Liang's small movements—or perhaps pretending not to care—Cui Que stood up and brushed off her skirt: "Maintaining vigilance against enemies and strangers, and giving as much trust as possible to companions, is the code of conduct for magical girls."

"Bai Mei is a child without a devious bone in her body; she will trust you. I know you will be a good child, and I am willing to trust you. If you don't want to say it, no one will force you."

"So, wait until you feel you trust us enough, and then speak your mind."

After all, every magical girl in the material world has her own inner confusion to some degree.

She did not say this part out loud.

"Little Senior..."

Emerging from her subtle low spirits, Xia Liang raised her head, seemingly touched.

She spoke slowly, as if wanting to say something, then pursed her lips, hesitated, and parted them again—

——"I've finished washing up. Sorry to keep you waiting, you can go in..."

Xia Liang's words were interrupted by a boisterous voice. Lin Xiaolu walked over from the direction of the bathroom, wearing loungewear, a towel around her neck, and still radiating steam.

She stopped mid-sentence as she reached the living room, looked at the two people sitting there, and met their slightly strange gazes. She couldn't help but stop her original words and widen her eyes: "What's wrong? Were you two talking about something just now? The atmosphere feels a bit strange..."

Cui Que glanced at Xia Liang and found that Xia Liang had also turned her gaze over. The two looked at each other for a moment; one closed her eyes, while the other revealed a slightly helpless smile.

It seemed the previous conversation could not continue.

"Just a simple chat, nothing much."

Cui Que brushed off Lin Xiaolu's question casually, picked up her teacup to take a sip, set it down, and walked toward the balcony:

"Well, since you two have settled in, I'll be going now. I have other things to do."

She truly could not stay any longer; after all, she had snuck out during her lunch break and had work in the afternoon. She had already been delayed by over an hour due to the accident, and she feared she would cause trouble if she didn't return.

"Eh, you're leaving already? Cui Que, stay a little longer."

Hearing that Cui Que was leaving, Lin Xiaolu subconsciously wanted to keep her, her eyes darting around as she tried to find a reason to make her stay. Finding nothing, she glanced at the cups of hot tea on the table: "...What about that water?"

"I couldn't sit still, so I found it in the kitchen."

Cui Que didn't stop walking, heading straight to the edge of the balcony, and looked back at the living room: "I was thirsty, so I took the liberty of brewing tea. It's a bit hot, though, so remember to let it cool for a while before drinking."

"See you tomorrow," she said finally.

Having said that, she did not linger, leaping from the railing and vanishing into the air along with a stream of azure magical power.

Leaving Lin Xiaolu and Xia Liang behind to stare at the now-empty balcony.

"Too... too..."

After Cui Que left, Lin Xiaolu stood where she was, frowning, her eyes fixed, muttering something to herself.

"I actually think it's fine?"

Guessing that she was dissatisfied because Cui Que had left in such a hurry, Xia Liang waved her hand with a smile, trying to smooth things over: "Little Senior usually says what's on her mind, so she probably really has things to attend to, not just making excuses to leave. There's no need to be angry at her, right?"

"...Too cool."

"What?"

"Too cool!" Lin Xiaolu raised her face, stars twinkling in her eyes.

"Huh?" After hearing clearly what Lin Xiaolu said, Xia Liang was stunned.

"Did you see that? You saw it too, right?"

Contrary to her usual aloof attitude toward Xia Liang, Lin Xiaolu pointed at the balcony, as enthusiastic as a missionary, gesturing with both hands: "Did you see that? That right there—talking while jumping off a high platform, then flying away in a burst of magical power. Don't you think Senior Cui Que's move was super cool? I want to learn that too!"

"Um... I guess?"

Watching Lin Xiaolu, who had become excited over such a strange thing, Xia Liang forced a smile on her face while recalling in her heart what Cui Que had just said:

Simple-minded—it seems that's true?