Morning sunlight spilled over the city streets, and the bustle gradually filled the avenues and alleys. The small town of Heili began its daily routine.
Yiruo stood at the entrance of the café, staring blankly at the wind chime hanging above her head.
“Aww~ Who is this beautiful maiden waiting for? Let me think… Could it be the all-powerful witch?”
Yilena approached Yiyou, reached out, and took the girl’s hand, pretending not to recognize her as she asked.
Yiruo turned around, looking up at Yilena with a resigned expression. At that moment, the witch could barely suppress her laughter.
This was Yilena’s suggestion from last night: Yiruo would wait at the café entrance, while she would walk over from across the street, making it seem like they had met by chance. She claimed this was an essential part of a date—it had to have a sense of ceremony. Yiruo could only agree to play along with this little skit.
Now, feeling Yilena’s hand tightly gripping hers, Yiruo suddenly grew nervous. Her palms began to sweat.
Almost instinctively, she wanted to pull her hand away, but that warm, slender hand did not let go.
Yilena gently lifted their clasped hands, as if declaring ownership.
Yiruo noticed the pink nail polish on her nails. The witch’s level of seriousness for this “date” had clearly exceeded her expectations.
“Let’s go, let’s go~”
Yilena turned her head. Her pink hair shimmered softly in the sunlight, and she blinked, already looking forward to today’s “date.”
“I’ve already had breakfast, and my wallet is nice and full. So now, Miss Witch is going to take you on a proper tour of this city~”
She tilted her head, as if deep in thought.
“Hmm… Let’s just wander around. How about we walk a full circle around Heili?”
Yiyou: …
What kind of plan is that! Walking around the entire city counts as “just wandering around”?
But her hand was already being pulled, and her feet unconsciously followed.
‘Fine. I’ll just follow this lively witch and experience what she calls a “date.”’
Along the street, the bakery wafted the aroma of freshly baked bread. The owner of the general store was arranging his wares.
Yilena held Yiruo’s hand, walking at a leisurely pace.
“Look over there~ The meat floss from that bakery is especially good. Let’s buy some for breakfast next time~”
“And that general store—the owner has this really fat orange cat. Reya loves to tease it~”
“Oh, right, right. The flowers from that corner flower shop are always fresh. Little Elliana comes by to buy some sometimes.”
Yilena suddenly stopped and turned to look at Yiruo, her expression serious.
“No, that’s not right. You need to relax.”
Yiruo looked up, meeting her gaze, her face slightly flushed.
“Little Yiruo, a date isn’t like this. You have to loosen up.”
Yiruo said softly, “I really like it when you tell me about these things around here. It makes me happy.”
Hearing this, Yilena couldn’t help but laugh.
“Wow, you’re pretty good at tugging at a girl’s heartstrings, aren’t you?”
“I am not!”
Yilena laughed and continued leading her forward.
Just then, a voice came from the side.
“Oh my, isn’t this little Yilena?”
An elderly woman carrying a vegetable basket walked over, a kind smile on her face.
“Little Yilena, out so early today? And who is this…?”
Yilena’s eyes lit up. She immediately pushed Yiruo forward.
“Good morning, Granny Lusha~ This is my child. Her name is Yiyou~”
Yiruo froze instantly.
‘My child?!’
“Oh my, what a lovely little girl!” The old woman beamed at her. “Come visit more often, okay~?”
“Yes, yes, yes! We’ll definitely come!”
Faced with the old woman’s warm gaze, Yiruo shyly hid behind Yilena, her face bright red, only half of it peeking out.
After the old woman left, she couldn’t help but mutter.
“…How could you introduce me like that?”
“Saying… ‘my child’…”
“Isn’t that right?” Yilena looked down at her, a smile in her eyes. “Hasn’t little Yiruo already decided to be my family? Then of course you’re my child.”
Yiruo opened her mouth to argue but found she couldn’t say a word.
“…That’s way too embarrassing.”
Her voice grew softer, almost inaudible.
Yilena couldn’t resist reaching out and ruffling her head.
“You’ll get used to it~ From now on, I’ll introduce you to even more people like this~”
Yiyou’s cheeks flushed. She kept her head down, letting Yilena lead her forward.
They walked through several streets and passed a small square. Along the way, they encountered a candy stall. Colorful candies sparkled in the sunlight.
Yiruo unconsciously stopped, staring transfixed at the candies.
Noticing this, Yilena couldn’t help but smile. She walked over, bought some fruit candies, and handed them to Yiyou.
“Little sweet tooth~ Can’t walk past candies, can you?”
She gently tapped Yiruo’s nose.
They continued walking.
Passing by a bookstore, Yiruo was again captivated by several fairy tale books in the window display.
She stood there in a daze, her gaze lingering on one particular book.
Yilena walked over and glanced at the title.
Liz and the Blue Bird.
“You like this kind of thing?”
“I… I do not!” Yiruoimmediately put up a front. “I just thought the cover illustration was pretty.”
Yilena smiled, walked inside, bought the book, and stuffed it into Yiyou’s arms.
“Little Yiruo has to tell me the story inside tonight~”
“Hah? No way.”
They continued their slow stroll.
Every time Yilena ran into an acquaintance, she would enthusiastically greet them and then introduce Yiyou.
“This is my child~”
“Her name is Yiruo. Please take care of her~”
“Cute, right? She’s mine~”
From being shy at first, to later becoming a bit resigned, and finally even somewhat used to it, Yiruo no longer hid behind Yilena. She could stand beside her and softly murmur a “hello.”
Just when she thought she had adapted to this rhythm—
Yilena stopped in front of a tailor shop.
Yiruo looked up and saw the sign.
Lilian’s Magical Wardrobe
Through the glass window display, she could see rows of clothes hanging inside.
Elegant long dresses, cute short skirts, exquisite Lolita dresses, and… those small pieces of fabric with lace trim…
Yiruo’s face instantly turned crimson.
Almost instinctively, she wanted to turn and run away.
But her hand was held tight.
“Where are you going, little Yiyou~?”
“…I think it’s getting late. How about we go get something to eat?”
Yiruo started stuttering.
“What strange thing?”
“Who said I’d complete your date checklist! I’m not wearing those… weird clothes!”
“What’s so weird about them?” Yilena said, grinning. “This is a very important item on the date checklist~”
She circled behind Yiyou, placed her hands on the girl’s shoulders, and gently pushed her forward.
“Don’t be shy~ They’re just undergarments to wear inside. They’re very comfortable~”
“No—way—!”
Yiyou’s short legs kicked at the ground desperately, but she could not resist the force behind her.
Jingle—
The wind chime rang.
Yiruo was “pushed” into the shop.
The interior was more spacious than it looked from outside. Racks of clothes filled every corner.
From elegant everyday dresses to gorgeous Lolita gowns, from simple blouses to elaborate formalwear, and cute loungewear, plus the lingerie section she dared not look at too closely.
Soft lighting fell on each garment, making them look like works of art waiting to be chosen.
Yiruoglanced around and soon saw Yilena heading toward the counter.
Behind the counter sat a blonde woman.
She lounged lazily on a high chair, one hand propping up her chin, the other holding a wine glass.
Her golden hair fell like a waterfall, the ends slightly curled. Her features were deep and refined, carrying the unique charm of a mature woman.
She wore a well-tailored deep red dress, the collar slightly open, revealing delicate collarbones and a small patch of fair skin.
Seeming to sense someone approaching, she looked up. Her amber eyes blinked slowly.
Then, she recognized the visitor.
“…Yilena?”
Her voice was a bit husky, as if she hadn’t fully sobered up.
Yilena walked up to her, propping her chin on her hand with a grin.
“Good morning, Lilian~”
The blonde woman was silent for two seconds, then rubbed her forehead and sighed.
“…You again?”
“Oh~ That tone hurts my feelings~ I came all this way just to see you~”
“But every time you come, my shop ends up a mess.”
“What are you talking about~ I just tried on a few clothes~”
“Last time you ‘tried on a few clothes,’ my fitting room was a disaster for three days.”
“That’s because those clothes were too pretty~ I couldn’t help but try on a few more~”
Lilian massaged her temples. Her gaze fell on Yiyou, who was half-hidden behind Yilena.
“Where did you pick up this child now?”
“Hmm~” Yilena pushed Yiruo forward. “Call her Sister Lilian~ She’s my friend and the owner of this shop~”
Yiruo was pushed to the front. Meeting Lilian’s gaze, her face reddened slightly.
“…Hello, Sister Lilian.”
Lilian gave her a once-over and said softly, “She’s a good kid.”
Then she looked back at Yilena.
“Much better behaved than you.”
“What! I’m well-behaved too!”
Lilian ignored her, stood up, and placed her wine glass on the counter.
“I have a headache today.” She said lazily. “Drank too much last night.”
“So~?”
“So you take this kid and pick out whatever you want. Put it on my tab.”
Saying this, she had already headed for the stairs in the back.
“Lilian~ Aren’t you going to help us pick?”
“You’re the biggest fashion consultant here.” She didn’t turn around. “Just don’t tear my shop apart.”
“Okay~”
Yilena blinked, then turned to face Yiruo, her smile radiant.
“Alright~ It’s time for Miss Witch’s dress-up hour! Little Yiruo, let’s begin~”
Yiruo suddenly had a… very bad feeling about this.