After finishing the statement and registration, Chiji directly led Ye Ning and Hua Niao to the Magical Girl Association’s Medical Ward.
The Medical Ward was lit with a soft, warm glow.
Pale green gauze curtains hung on the walls, and the air was filled with a faint, refreshing scent of grass and trees, making one relax involuntarily.
A young girl wearing a light green combat uniform was sitting at a desk organizing documents.
A tender sprout grew on the chest of her uniform, its leaves unfurling with a faint fluorescent glow.
It was clear she was a Light-Bathing Class Magical Girl.
Hearing footsteps, the girl looked up, shallow dimples appearing on her cheeks, her smile gentle and warm.
“Xiao Ji, bringing in another patient?”
The Light-Bathing Magical Girl’s voice was soft, very relaxing.
She stood up and walked over to Ye Ning, faint green halos swirling around her fingertips.
The halos were warm and gentle, feeling pleasantly warm against the skin.
“Where does it hurt?”
“Mm, Qing He, her ankle was hit by rubble, she can barely walk. Sorry to trouble you.”
Magical Girl Qing He nodded, gently placing her glowing fingertips against Ye Ning’s ankle.
A warm, pleasant sensation instantly spread from the ankle.
The originally piercing pain seemed to melt away like warm water, fading bit by bit until it was completely gone.
Even the swelling sensation around the ankle rapidly receded.
In just over ten seconds, the girl withdrew her hand, her eyes curving into crescents.
“All done, you’re fine now. Be more careful next time, okay? Don’t foolishly get close to Rifts again.”
Ye Ning moved her ankle somewhat incredulously.
She first gingerly stood on her tiptoes, then tried jumping a couple of times.
There really wasn’t any pain at all, and even the previous feeling of weak legs had vanished without a trace.
“This is amazing!”
Ye Ning’s eyes shone brightly, excitedly spinning in place.
She suddenly remembered something and hurriedly pulled out a small notebook she had prepared earlier from her backpack, her voice trembling with barely contained excitement.
“Um… I’ve always really liked Magical Girls. Could I trouble you two to give me your autographs?”
Chiji raised an eyebrow, unable to hold back a laugh.
She took the notebook and pen, signing her code name with a bold, flowing hand.
Qing He also took the pen with a smile, writing her code name stroke by stroke, and even thoughtfully drew a small heart next to it.
Ye Ning held the signed notebook, her cheeks flushed pink.
The smile at the corner of her mouth couldn’t be suppressed, and she even hummed a tuneless little melody as she walked, her steps so light they seemed to tread on clouds.
By the time the two of them walked out of the Magical Girl Association, the sky had completely darkened to an inky hue.
The evening breeze brushed past, carrying the unique coolness of night, lifting the ends of Ye Ning’s hair and making them sway gently.
“You seem very happy.”
Hua Niao, walking beside her, suddenly spoke, her gaze resting on Ye Ning’s face, a hint of amused interest in her eyes.
At school, Ye Ning was always quiet and reserved, speaking softly.
But now, her eyes were curved with joy, even her hair seemed to radiate a cheerful energy.
Ye Ning’s steps faltered, another layer of faint pink coloring her cheeks.
She clutched the signed notebook in her hand, her fingertips turning slightly white from the pressure.
Her voice was soft, yet carried an unwavering firmness.
“Because… my dream is to become a Magical Girl. I want to be like them, holding hope in my hands, protecting everyone, guarding this city.”
“Is that so…”
Hua Niao drew out her tone, looking at her thoughtfully.
Her long, grey-to-purple ombre hair swayed gently in the evening breeze, the purple ends shimmering faintly under the moonlight, making her eyes appear even deeper.
“Sounds like a pretty amazing dream.”
Ye Ning suddenly remembered something, the smile on her face fading slightly.
She stopped walking and bowed seriously to Hua Niao.
Her voice carried a hint of apology.
“And also, thank you so much for today, Hua Niao.
If it weren’t for you, I might have…
Also… earlier at school, I shouldn’t have been so harsh with you, calling you frivolous. I’m sorry.”
It was her own emotional issue, yet she had said such heavy words to her.
And in the end, it was Hua Niao who had saved her without regard for her own safety.
The more Ye Ning thought about it, the more embarrassed she felt, burying her head even lower.
Her long eyelashes cast a small shadow beneath her eyelids.
Seeing her like this, Hua Niao couldn’t help but let out a light, clear, and pleasant laugh.
She reached out, her slightly cool fingertips gently pinching Ye Ning’s cheek.
The touch was delicate and soft, like pinching a piece of warm tofu.
Ye Ning instantly froze, even forgetting to breathe.
All she could feel was the slightly cool fingertips leaving a faint sensation on her burning cheek.
“It’s fine.”
Hua Niao’s voice held a hint of teasing.
“You frowning angrily back then looked more like pouting. Not scary at all.”
“I-I was not!”
Ye Ning jerked her head up, glaring at her, but her cheeks flushed even redder, from her cheeks to the tips of her ears, as if stained with the colors of sunset.
She turned around, puffing out her cheeks in annoyance, stomped her foot, her skirt swaying gently with the movement.
Her voice carried a touch of coquettish complaint.
“Really, Hua Niao, you’re such a bully! Always teasing me!”
Watching the girl’s angry retreating back, the smile in Hua Niao’s eyes deepened.
She leisurely followed, her pace unhurried, always maintaining a half-step distance from Ye Ning.
The two walked side by side under the streetlights, their shadows stretched long by the dim yellow light, overlapping as if inseparable.
After walking for a while, Ye Ning suddenly remembered something.
She turned to look at Hua Niao, a trace of concern in her eyes.
“By the way, Hua Niao, which direction is your home? It’s so late, is it safe for you to go home alone?”
Hua Niao raised her hand and pointed towards a deep, narrow alley ahead.
The streetlight at the alley’s entrance flickered on and off, giving off a somewhat desolate feel.
She shrugged helplessly, spreading her hands to reveal empty palms.
“Near that alley over there. But…”
She paused, her tone carrying a perfectly measured hint of grievance and helplessness.
“When I saved you earlier, my backpack was destroyed by the Disaster Beast. My keys and phone were inside. I can’t contact my landlord now, and I can’t get in. I’m afraid I’ll be sleeping on the streets tonight.”
Her tone was flat and calm, as if talking about an insignificant little matter.
But those beautiful eyes of hers curved slightly, the corners tilting upwards with a hint of mischievous amusement.
She suddenly leaned closer to Ye Ning, her voice softening a bit, as if cooing, the tail end of her tone carrying a slightly alluring curve.
“Or… would Miss Ye Ning be willing to show great mercy and take me home?
I promise, I’ll be good. I won’t cause you any trouble.”
The usually cool and reserved girl now tilted her head slightly, her eyes holding fragments of moonlight, a shallow smile curling at the corner of her mouth.
That look was exactly like an abandoned puppy—docile and clingy, making it hard to refuse.
Ye Ning’s heart skipped a beat, as if a little deer was crashing wildly in her chest, making her dizzy.
She covered her burning chest, feeling her cheeks were astonishingly hot.
Countless thoughts flashed through her mind.
In the past, she had always instinctively refused friends’ requests to visit her home.
But today, looking at Hua Niao like this, looking into those expectant eyes, she found herself nodding as if bewitched.
Her voice was as thin as a mosquito’s buzz, so quiet she could barely hear it herself.
“I-if it’s Hua Niao… it’s okay.”
Ye Ning’s cheeks were so red they seemed about to drip blood.
She hurriedly added, afraid Hua Niao would find it distasteful, her words tumbling out rapidly.
“But, I live with my older sister. I hope Hua Niao won’t mind.”
“How could I mind?”
Hua Niao reached out, gently ruffling Ye Ning’s hair.
Her fingertips passed through the soft strands, carrying a cool temperature.
Her voice was as gentle as the evening breeze.
“Miss Ye Ning is such a good kid.”
“Really!”
Ye Ning batted her hand away, puffing out her cheeks, glaring at her angrily.
Her voice held a note of displeasure.
“Don’t treat me like a child!”
Watching the girl’s slightly awkward retreating back, the smile in Hua Niao’s eyes gradually faded, replaced by a deep, unfathomable darkness.
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