Chapter 27: TS Magical Girl, First Date!

The appointed time loomed like a ticking guillotine. Standing before the massive floor mirror in the living room, Dongfang Cheng finally closed his eyes in resignation.

“…Transform.”

Familiar light surged, his body breaking, compressing, reshaping as always—but each transformation felt like it erased “Dongfang Cheng” a bit more from existence.

When the light faded, the mirror reflected an overly delicate girl’s face.

Long black hair, a petite face like an anime heroine, slender limbs, refined features, slim waist, long legs, and that barely-there “combat outfit” that seemed designed to speed up anyone watching a recording. She looked like a mysterious female character who’d escaped from a 2D world.

The black-haired beauty in the mirror stared back, her expression as if she’d just eaten a fried twin-tailed sprite as a snack, forced to mutter “delicious, thanks for the treat” while internally collapsing.

Zero clutched her face, letting out a despairing wail. What had possessed her to agree to that absurd date with an enemy cadre?

It was nearly noon. She couldn’t go out in this shameful combat outfit. If she showed up like this, she’d die of embarrassment under a barrage of camera flashes.

Gritting her teeth, she yanked out the shopping bag Lin Feng had shoved at her from the depths of her closet.

“Here, for your online girlfriend, you’re welcome.” She recalled his smug grin, barely resisting the urge to punch it.

The outfit wasn’t great, but it was marginally better than her near-naked “combat outfit”… probably.

A white sailor top with a cute deep red bow tie, brimming with youthful school charm. The bottom was a dark red pleated skirt, just covering mid-thigh, paired with white lace-trimmed knee-high socks and dainty black round-toe shoes.

Zero took a deep breath, steeling herself. With a thought, her revealing black combat outfit dissolved into dark particles, leaving her smooth, jade-like body bare.

Uneasy, she avoided the mirror, awkwardly pulling on the sailor top and skirt. The soft cotton brushed her skin, bringing an unfamiliar, disorienting sensation.

Finally, the socks. Sitting on the bed, she picked up the white lace-trimmed knee-highs. The soft elastic grazed her toes as she stiffly rolled them up her delicate feet, slowly pulling them over her smooth calves, snugly wrapping the graceful, toned lines.

The socks reached just above her knees, the fluffy lace trim resting perfectly on her fair, tender thighs, the slightly darker anti-slip band hidden under the skirt.

“Perfect fit… tch, how’d that guy nail the size? Kinda creepy…”

Zero stared at the mirror, at the black-haired girl in a cute outfit, looking like a middle schooler headed to a cosplay event. She stiffly twirled, the skirt flaring slightly, her healthy thighs gleaming.

“Sigh…” She let out a weary breath, voice dripping with resignation. “Whatever, he doesn’t know there’s a guy under this shell. Embarrassing or not, it’s just this once.”

Before leaving, she dove into the contract space to confront the black cat, engrossed in cat mating videos on a tablet.

“Hey, dumb cat,” Zero’s tone was sharp. “One last time: just transforming today, no fighting. No serious side effects, right?”

“Nope, meow.” The cat didn’t look up, swiping the screen. “Just maintaining transformation puts little strain on your body, meow. But…”

It turned, its cat face sporting a wickedly human grin. “Be careful, meow. If you two get carried away and you end up pregnant, that’d be a big problem, ohohoho—!”

A fist roared, smashing the cat into the floor, its four paws flailing as it yowled.

“Dumb cat…” Zero shook her numb hand, cheeks faintly red.

In a way, this was Magical Girl Zero’s first date.

Stepping out with a mask, Zero quickly realized something was off.

From her street to the subway, she felt like a celebrity. Heads turned—stunned, curious, admiring, some with veiled heat. At first, she glared back, but it didn’t help, so she sped up, leaving would-be flirters in the dust.

Unbeknownst to her, her masked, stunning look resembled a famous video site star, “Duhuang Doll,” spiking her attention rate.

[Harold Shopping Center, 11:58]

Zero spotted the unmistakable figure from afar—Ashura, in his purple-gold armor, standing like a statue at the bustling mall entrance. Yet, passersby seemed oblivious to this out-of-place monstrosity, chatting and walking by as if he were invisible.

As expected, he had a “cognitive distortion” field. Zero noted mentally.

Meanwhile, Lin Feng’s heart was a storm of realization.

Zero was wearing the outfit he’d bought for Dongfang Cheng’s “online girlfriend”!

He’d checked Dongfang Cheng’s old phone logs and contacts—nothing but Lin Feng, a few classmates, and his busy mom. No strangers.

The dots connected in his mind:

Her familiar, brash fighting style… calling out “Lin Feng” at the villa ruins… Dongfang Cheng’s shrinking frame and feminizing appearance… his freakout at the barbecue place, bending a steel tong over “Zero”…

When all coincidences aligned, they weren’t coincidences but pointed to one absurd yet logical truth.

The pure, powerful black magical girl Zero was—

“Spacing out, tin can?” Zero tapped his chest plate. “Fixed that handprint yet?”

“Touching to see you dressed up for our date, Miss Zero.” The voice from the armor dripped with amusement.

Zero didn’t know Lin Feng was cackling inside.

Dongfang Cheng, you’re in my hands now! His best friend, a magical girl? Time to mess with her.

“One more word, and I’ll smash that tin shell,” Zero growled under her mask.

“Tsk, so feisty. Fine, I’ll ditch the ‘tin can’ look.” The armored figure chuckled.

The purple-gold glow shimmered, the hulking armor melting like wax in seconds, shrinking into the casual-clad Lin Feng—Dongfang Cheng’s most familiar face.

“Well?” He eyed the twitching girl. “That first night we met, you called this name, right? This version’s easier on the eyes, no?”

Zero.exe crashed.

Her usually cool, disdainful eyes widened, her small mouth agape. For five seconds, her brain blanked until “Lin Feng” blinked curiously, snapping her back.

After a brief disconnect, her sharp mind raced, landing on a perfect explanation: “Tch, mimicry? Or a hologram?”

She questioned aloud while frantically reassuring herself: No way it’s him. The vibe’s off! This “Lin Feng” looks the same but feels too composed. The real rich dog couldn’t have this presence!

“No surprise, you know him.” Lin Feng’s grin deepened at her flustered state. “What’s your deal? Friends? Family? Or… lovers?”

“None of your business!” Zero bristled, her sore spot hit. “Does it matter?”

“It matters a lot.” Lin Feng’s face turned serious. “This decides if I’m Team Human or Team Bull. I’m a pure love warrior, you know!”