The villainous magical girl's daily mission is to find fault.

Chapter 54: Unraveling the Mystery is Also Part of the Villain's Role

The morning sun was shining brightly.

Sitting at a table near the balcony in the coffee shop, Su Tianqing glanced out the window and sighed softly.

"The weather is so nice today. It feels like it's been days since I've seen such blue skies and white clouds in the morning."

"Yes, it's been gloomy in the mornings for the past few days, only getting a little better in the afternoon," Hua Ling chimed in.

The little fox turned its head back to look at the girl across the desk who was moving awkwardly.

This was the first time I had ever observed Hana Rin so carefully.

Her bangs were neatly trimmed, and the round-framed glasses made the girl appear refined and gentle, unlike Nan Xiaofeng, who was so carefree.

Moreover, she was wearing rather solid clothing.

Because the bookstore was air-conditioned, she had taken off her cardigan and was wearing it beside her, making her look very slender.

She's a very delicate girl, Su Tianqing thought to herself.

Due to the cognitive obscuration of magical girls, even with such careful observation, she was completely unable to connect "Karin" with the "iris".

Who would have thought that a delicate and fragile literary girl would transform into such an elegant and noble magical princess?

"Um... Sister Tianqing... is there something on my face...?"

Under the gaze of the golden fox, Hua Ling appeared even more flustered.

"Because Karin is very pretty."

Su Tianqing didn't hold back her praise, smiling as she spoke.

"Since you're so cute, you'll be even more dazzling if you're a little more confident."

"C-C-C-Cute...I..."

A blush rose on the girl's cheeks, and she pursed her lips, her expression unreadable—whether it was surprise, joy, or both.

Compared to hyacinths, or rather, Nan Xiaofeng, Su Tianqing found Hua Ling, a reserved and quiet girl, more interesting.

A little teasing will elicit some very interesting reactions.

"So you need to be more confident, otherwise you won't realize how cute you are."

Seeing Hua Ling's adorable, helpless expression, Su Tianqing covered her mouth and chuckled. She took out a note from her bag and gently pushed it in front of Hua Ling.

"Xiaoyu already told me that you needed to talk to me, Hualing. I guess it's about that thing from last time, right?"

The golden fox chuckled softly.

"If you're shy, just write it on a sticky note. I'll keep it a secret for you~"

"Sister Tianqing..."

Hua Ling took the note blankly, remained silent for a while, and then nodded vigorously.

Su Tianqing picked up the latte beside her, silently added a lethal amount of sugar cubes, and gently stirred it.

The girl lowered her head and wrote diligently, the sunlight shining on her head and body, making her already smooth and neat long hair shine brightly.

Gentle, quiet, soft-spoken, and refined—that's Su Tianqing's impression of Hua Ling.

Actually, this child's background is quite heartbreaking.

Her parents were murdered by a strange man, and she was only able to go to school because she received pensions and assistance for many years. The trauma that experience must have caused Karin was far greater than she imagined.

Furthermore, the inside information that Nan Jiayu told me yesterday made me readily agree to chat with Hua Ling today:

Since that incident, Karin remained silent for a long time and had been hospitalized in the psychology department of the Hero Association's affiliated hospital multiple times.

This child is actually very emotionally fragile.

Even the reason she became a magical girl can't withstand scrutiny—it's normal for things done on a whim to waver.

But this is something that all the real magical girls have to go through!

My job is to help her strengthen her resolve! Please, whatever you do, don't let her graduate from the magical girl world!

"Sister Tianqing, I've finished writing."

Just as Su Tianqing was sipping her coffee, lost in thought, a soft call came from across the table, pulling the golden-haired fox back to reality.

"Have you finished writing? Now let your older sister help you solve your problems~"

Winking and smiling at the nervous Hua Ling, Su Tianqing picked up the note with writing on it and began to read it carefully.

Hua Ling's handwriting is beautiful; it's clear she's practiced diligently.

The content that could be written made Su Tianqing pause slightly:

"Sister Tianqing, I've encountered some strange things lately. There's a child who keeps playing pranks on me and Xiaofeng, and Xiaofeng hates her."

"Her prank didn't have a big impact. I don't think she's a bad person, but she annoyed Xiaofeng a lot, and I don't know how to deal with her."

"And lately I've been having strange dreams, in which I'm with that child...and all sorts of things happen between us..."

Such and such things?

Upon seeing this, Su Tianqing's eyes widened slightly, and she looked up at Hua Ling as if seeking confirmation.

The girl's slightly flushed cheeks spoke volumes.

So that's what it was all about! A warm night spent in a luxurious tent!

It seems that Karin has reached the age where her girlish heart is beginning to flutter.

But speaking of pranks...

Most likely, it was a harmless prank at school; I've seen this kind of thing far too often.

They are interested in a certain child but are too afraid to approach them, so they resort to pranks to attract the child's attention.

That must be it!

But why would she have such a dream at night? Could it be...?

After much deliberation, Su Tianqing silently wrote down her answer.

"I see. So, Karin, do you know what the events in your dream mean?"

"I know, it was covered in sex education class, but they said it's only for boys and girls... Does that mean between two girls...?"

Su Tianqing pinched her chin, lost in thought.

Should I say it?

I can't say that.

It's probably best to change the subject; this topic feels a bit risky.

"Karin, do you hate that child who plays pranks on you?"

"I wouldn't call her annoying, although she can be quite bothersome at times, but she knows her limits and won't keep bothering me when I'm already annoyed."

"Oh, I see. That means that child just cares about you and is doing this on purpose to get your attention. I've encountered this before."

"Is that so...? But every time I think about the dream I have last night, I don't know how to face her..."

Why are we bringing this up again!

It seems the topic of this dream can't be avoided. Su Tianqing coughed twice to compose herself and tore off another sticky note.

"Since you had that kind of dream, it means you don't dislike that child, and you even like her quite a bit deep down."

Looking at the line she had written, Su Tianqing added another sentence at the end.

"Why not try to get to know her and find out what she's really thinking? You might even make a new friend!"

Hua Ling stared at the note in silence for a long time.

You don't dislike it...

Sister Tianqing is right; she doesn't dislike Xinyuehu.

...but only if she stays quietly and doesn't come up to play pranks.

"So, the prank she played on me was actually because she cared about me a lot?"

"That's most likely the case."

"So that means... I have to try to accept this kind of prank?"

"If it goes too far, it's best to say it directly. Has Karin tried saying that?"

"Yes, I mentioned it to her last time, and she hasn't played any more pranks on me since then."

"I see... It means that child already knows his place and is probably thinking about how to explain things to you. It would be much better to take the initiative to contact him at this time."

"I understand. I'll try to take the initiative next time I see her. Thank you, Sister Tianqing!"

Hua Ling smiled brightly and nodded her thanks to Su Tianqing.

The golden fox wagged its tail.

"No need to thank me like that. Just come to me if you ever need anything in the future~"

Su Tianqing confidently patted her flat chest.

"Speaking of which, is that child your classmate, Karin?"

"Hmm...no, it's someone I met recently. She's a very cute fox-person, just like you, Sister Tianqing."

Su Tianqing nodded gently, but then fell into thought.

Oh? There are other fox people too?

Hmm... Who is this awkward child?