Why are the magical girls in your area male?

True acceptance and love never need to be based on acting or pretending.

When a person can shed all their protective shells, without needing to play any role or wear any mask, they can be seen, understood, and cherished.

That is the true beginning of self-identity, and the only cornerstone for a healthy, equal, and lasting relationship.

The love you yearn for—a love that lasts forever, until death—should begin and end with the real you, not a phantom you create.

"..."

"Yuecheng, you should understand what I'm saying, right?"

"..."

Danzhu bit her lower lip tightly, remaining silent.

However, judging from her gradually calming demeanor, she must have taken it to heart.

“I have something to do, so I’ll head back first. Don’t worry, I just set up a forbidden spell. No one but us can hear what I’m saying right now. As for what to do next, that’s up to you.”

After Shiori Shiomi finished speaking, the lounge fell into a deathly silence.

All that remained was the sound of her packing her schoolbag and Danzhu's heart pounding in her chest.

"Please wait a moment."

Just as Shiori Shiomi picked up the last textbook, Danzhu finally spoke.

However, the question she was about to ask surprised Shiori Shiomi quite a bit.

She stared intently into Shiori Shiomi's eyes, her gaze incredibly serious, her flawless face etched with tension.

After a long pause, a slightly trembling voice escaped from her lips—

"President, do you...do you like Aqing?"

"Snapped."

Shiori Shiomi slammed her notebook shut and answered with a smile:

"do not like."

She put down her notebook, picked up her schoolbag, and walked towards the door.

Danzhu bit her lower lip, gazing at her petite back.

Only when she reached the door did she muster the courage to ask again:

"If Aqing and I get together, you'll bless us, right?"

"..."

Shiori Shiomi paused for a second as she gripped the doorknob.

Then she opened the door and looked at the sky.

There are no stars.

I felt a little disappointed.

She turned around, maintaining her elegant smile, and resumed her image as a pampered young lady from the academy:

"ごきげんよう(Guian)."

After speaking, he turned and left, closing the door behind him.

Danzhu stared blankly at the doorway, unsure of what expression to make.

It took her half a minute to come to her senses.

"Gui'an..."

Her lips moved as she repeatedly uttered those words.

Gui'an... what exactly is it?

Is this considered a blessing? Or not?

But regardless of whether it counts or not, Shiori Shiomi did not give a direct answer to her question.

Does this mean that even though she just gave a very eloquent lecture, she herself was also wearing a protective mask...?

Shiori Shiomi is a girl she can't figure out.

What lies beneath the mask?

Is it another mask, or her face?

Perhaps, there will never be anyone in the world who can see her true face beneath the disguise.

Looking at it this way, she's actually quite pitiful...

......

"Ding dong."

The sudden ringing of his phone pulled Yuan Qing back from his reverie.

He glanced at the screen and saw that it was an hourly chime.

It's 19 o'clock.

"I squatted for almost 20 minutes even though I didn't feel the urge to poop. The president and that guy Yuecheng probably thought I fell into the toilet."

With a sigh, Yuan Qing flushed the toilet, washed his hands, and walked out of the bathroom.

Back at the dining table, the spot where Shiori Shiomi had been was now empty, except for Danju, who was resting her chin on her hands in a daze, and the pile of exercise books she had placed on the table.

"Huh? Senior Danzhu, where is the little guild leader? Where did she go?"

"Huh? Ah." Danzhu seemed to be startled awake, and after a long pause, she stammered, "The president said she had some things to do, so she left first."

"I see. She didn't even say goodbye to the person she was tutoring before leaving. This little loli is really doing whatever she wants."

Yuan Qing pursed his lips and then laughed, "But it's okay. I've almost understood the most complicated knowledge points. The rest is just rote memorization."

There are still a few days until the exam. With a little more effort, it shouldn't be a problem.

"Hmm...yes," Danzhu absentmindedly agreed.

"Then I should head back; it's already this late."

Yuan Qing picked up his backpack and, while packing, extended an invitation to Dan Zhu:

"Let's go grab a bite to eat? It's on me, as a way of thanking you for tutoring me."

Danzhu finally snapped out of his daze and said with a smile, "Let me treat you. I still owe you a meal."

"That won't do. You owe us A5 Kobe beef. We can only settle for a small restaurant at most."

"Look at you, so stingy. This meal is on me, don't refuse, let's go."

"Hmm..." Yuan Qing glanced thoughtfully at the other's pale thighs, coughed lightly and said, "Senior Danzhu, you should change your clothes before going out, it's quite chilly outside."

"Uh, yes, I'll go right now!"

Danzhu quickly ran upstairs, afraid that if she was a step too slow, the other person would notice that she was blushing.

Not long after, Danzhu, who had changed back into casual sportswear, came downstairs and walked out of the slightly old apartment building side by side with Yuanqing.

The evening breeze, carrying the cool scent of late spring and early summer, gently lifted the strangely oppressive atmosphere in the lounge.

The streetlights have already come on, casting warm yellow halos in the deepening night.

"What do you want to eat?" Danzhu asked, turning her head to the side.

“Either is fine. I’m not familiar with this area, so you decide.” Yuan Qing shrugged.

"Then let's go to 'Takeshita-tei' on the shopping street. Their tonkotsu ramen and tonkatsu rice bowls are pretty good, the prices are reasonable, and they have private rooms so you won't be disturbed."

Danzhu suggested.

Yuan Qing's attention was drawn to the following sentence, "I won't be disturbed."

What the hell?

We're just having a meal, right? Why did Yu Ao specifically emphasize not being disturbed?

You little rascal, are you up to something again?

Speechless all the way.

The atmosphere was somewhat somber, quite out of place with the bustling commercial street around it.

Honestly, Yuan Qing is very strange.

Ever since he came out of the restroom, he noticed that Yuki Tsukishiro was in a low mood and kept spacing out.

Given Shiori Shiomi's sudden departure, it was hard for him not to consider the possibility that the two of them had quarreled.

The problem is, based on his understanding of the two of them, neither of them are the type to argue.

So while I was in the bathroom slapping him twice to calm him down, what on earth was going on outside?

The two walked silently into "Zhuxia Pavilion," where a waiter led them to a quiet tatami room.

The warm yellow lighting and the wooden tables and chairs definitely created a more private atmosphere compared to the main lobby.

After ordering, a subtle silence fell over the private room.

Danzhu lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously stroking the rim of the teacup, as if she was still struggling with something.

After the waiter served side dishes and tea, he left, and the door to the private room was gently closed.

After an unknown amount of time, Danzhu finally seemed to have made up her mind, took a deep breath, and looked up at Yuan Qing:

"Ahem, Yuanqing, I'd like to ask you a question that might seem a little strange, but please don't mind..."

"Ask away." Yuan Qing put down his teacup and pretended to listen attentively.

Danzhu's gaze drifted awkwardly to the side, avoiding Yuan Qing's eyes, and he began to speak as if reciting a carefully prepared speech:

"I have a friend who has recently encountered a very troubling problem."

"..."

The classic line, "I have a friend."

Good bro, what's there to pretend with me for? Tell me honestly, is that friend of yours really you?

"Well, my friend has a very good buddy. They've known each other for many years, like brothers. They trust each other completely and talk about everything."

"?"

Yuan Qing's heart skipped a beat, and he froze.

Holy crap, I need to sit up and listen to this!

He subtly adjusted his posture, his expression gradually becoming serious.

"Uh, well, my friend, he, he..."

Danzhu's voice lowered even further, sounding quite embarrassed.

However, she mustered her courage and continued, "He has a huge secret that he's keeping from his friends."

"hiss......"

Yuan Qing felt a chill in his heart and immediately clenched his fists.

A huge secret?

You've fallen for your brother, haven't you?

The brothers who spend every day together, their relationship is starting to develop into something like a Midsummer Night's Dream, isn't it?!

He felt the hero's short sword pressed against his backside, just waiting for him to relax his guard for a moment before the dragon slammed in, the deadly rhythm, the pulse of war...

You bastard, Yuki Tsukishiro! I knew it! You scoundrel, you really did have designs on me!

He forced down the shock in his heart, trying his best to keep his face calm, and, clinging to the last glimmer of hope, cautiously asked:

"What exactly is that huge secret about your friend?"

"It's, it's..."

Danzhu swallowed hard, her fingers fidgeting under the table as she rubbed her sleeves.

Her heart pounded wildly, and a feeling of tension surged through her body like an electric current, causing her to tremble uncontrollably.