Chapter 6: Magical Girls Team Building! Social Phobia Attack!

Lin Qingya’s heart was in complete chaos.

She stole a glance at Bai Wanting beside her, only to find the other gazing at her with an indescribably gentle look, which sent her mind into even greater disarray.

Oh my gosh! Why is Little Sister Bai looking at me like that?!

No, no, no—the real issue is that she’s about to have her cover blown!

She needed to find an excuse to leave, and fast!

The burning sensation from her cat-ear transformation device grew stronger, silently urging her on.

This was the final warning before the task was issued—she had to get to the designated location quickly, or she risked failing the mission.

Though there was no penalty for failing a task, each one was hard-earned, and she only wanted to complete all eighteen as soon as possible to make her wish for her father to wake up.

Time was tight, and the task was critical!

But… how was she supposed to bring this up with Little Sister Bai?

Would it be too abrupt to suddenly say she had to go home? Would Little Sister Bai find it strange?

Her mind was a jumbled mess, her fingers gripping the pen so tightly they turned white from the strain.

Just as she was on the verge of tears from anxiety, Bai Wanting’s voice, warm with a hint of amusement, rang out like a heavenly melody.

“Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s wrap up today’s physics tutoring for now.”

Bai Wanting stretched, striking a languid yet captivating pose.

“You’ve been studying so hard, our little Qingya must be tired. Go home and rest early.”

Lin Qingya’s head snapped up, her gaze filled with incredulous gratitude.

Little Sister Bai… she… she’s too understanding!

It’s like she can read my mind!

“Mmm! Okay!”

Lin Qingya nodded almost instantly, afraid Bai Wanting might change her mind, and hurriedly began packing up her workbook and textbook in a flurry.

“Then… I’ll head home now! Goodnight, Little Sister Bai!”

She slung her backpack over her shoulder and practically fled to the door, haphazardly slipping on her shoes at the entrance.

“Be careful on your way.”

Bai Wanting smiled, waving gently as she watched the flustered figure disappear through the door.

Only when the neighboring apartment’s door clicked shut did the gentle smile on Bai Wanting’s face slowly fade, replaced by a knowing look.

She walked to the window, pulling back a corner of the curtain to peer at the window across the way.

Lin Qingya’s room was directly opposite hers.

Sure enough, within half a minute, the curtains in that room were yanked shut with a swish.

Bai Wanting shook her head with a playful smirk.

Go on, my little Qingya.

Go carry out your so-called “justice” mission.

Oh, my sweet little thing, I’ll bring you over to my side bit by bit…

Lin Qingya returned to her cold, empty home, not even bothering to turn on the light as she rushed straight to her bedroom and locked the door.

Leaning against the door, she gasped for breath, her chest heaving from the frantic sprint.

The burning sensation from the cat ears on her head had reached its peak.

Not daring to delay a moment longer, she focused her mind and recited the embarrassingly over-the-top transformation phrase.

“In the name of love and hope, may the Goddess of a Hundred Flowers grant me strength!”

“Magical Girl Full Transformation!”

A dazzling white light burst from her body, illuminating the dim room as bright as day.

In the glow, her school uniform dissolved into countless specks of light, replaced by a fantastical pure-white battle dress.

The layered, frilly skirt was adorned with delicate lace and silver thread, a large red bow tied at her chest. White knee-high stockings hugged her slender legs, and her feet were clad in cute little shoes with cat patterns.

Her dark hair lost its color in the light, turning snow-white and automatically forming twin tails that cascaded to her waist.

Most striking were the fluffy white cat ears on her head and the white cat tail behind her, swaying restlessly.

Emmm… rather than a majestic magical girl, she looked more like a white catgirl.

Adorable, sure, but her combat prowess seemed about zero.

The moment her transformation completed, an emotionless mechanical voice transmitted directly into her mind through the cat ears.

[Temporary Task Issued: Proceed to West City Wetland Park.]

[Task Objective: Meet with other magical girls to assist the park’s construction team in accelerating the renovation project.]

[Task Duration: One night.]

[This task will not count toward your total. It is a team-building activity and a prerequisite for unlocking the next task.]

[Ehe~]

Lin Qingya blinked her pretty orange eyes, momentarily stunned.

Wait, what’s with the ehe?

Ugh, so this task is basically unpaid labor?

I’m totally meowing mad…

Wait, hold on?

Meet with other magical girls?

There were other magical girls in this city besides her?

The revelation caught her off guard, though it made sense upon reflection.

This city was huge—there was no way she could protect everyone’s safety alone.

But… the thought of meeting complete strangers, let alone working with them, made her scalp tingle.

The lingering effects of Bai Wanting’s hypnosis were now painfully apparent.

She instinctively felt resistance and unease.

Could she really… communicate properly with others?

What if, like at school, she stumbled over even simple words?

Would they think she was weird?

Would they… dislike her?

A flood of negative thoughts surged uncontrollably, draining the color from her face.

But the task’s command was non-negotiable.

She shook her head forcefully, trying to banish the chaotic thoughts.

It’s okay, Lin Qingya, you can do this!

It’s just meeting up—everyone’s a magical girl, so they should be… easy to get along with, right?

She gave herself a mental pep talk, took a deep breath, opened the window, and leaped nimbly from the second floor.

Her magical girl physique allowed her to land silently on the ground.

After orienting herself, she dashed toward West City Wetland Park.

Though the park was some distance from her home, for Lin Qingya, whose skill points were all in agility, it was a piece of cake.

In less than ten minutes, she arrived.

The park was cordoned off with high construction barriers, and the clanging of tools echoed from within. Several large excavators worked under floodlights, operating through the night.

Lin Qingya vaguely recalled coming to this park with Little Sister Bai when she was little.

Back then, there was a large lake fringed with willow trees. They’d sat in the shade, eating popsicles and watching ducks swim in the water.

But as the city grew, the park fell into disrepair, and now it was being completely renovated.

Childhood memories, it seemed, couldn’t be preserved.

She sighed wistfully, then followed the task’s guidance through the barriers to an inconspicuous entrance.

Just as she was about to step inside, a bright, energetic voice rang out behind her.

“Hey! Are you here for the team-building magical girl task too?”

Lin Qingya froze mid-step, slowly turning around.

Behind her stood three other magical girls, each dressed in distinct outfits.

The leader was a girl with long pink hair.

She wore a cute pink-and-white dress, holding a wand topped with a heart shape, her smile radiant and warm.

She gave off the vibe of the pink-themed main character from a magical girl anime.

To her left was a girl with a high blue ponytail, exuding a cool aura, wearing a stylish witch hat and holding an elegant crystal staff.

To her right was a petite girl with curly green hair, dressed in an elaborate emerald lolita dress, clutching a microphone and eyeing Lin Qingya with curiosity.

The one who’d spoken was clearly the pink-themed magical girl.

“Hi! I’m Magical Girl Weire!”

The pink-haired girl waved enthusiastically, then gestured to her companions.

“This is Magical Girl Linglan, and this is Magical Girl Xinlu!”

“We’re all here for the task. What about you? What’s your codename, white catgirl sister?”

Calling herself Weire, the pink magical girl was bubbly and outgoing, a natural social butterfly.

But her warmth was an immense pressure for Lin Qingya at that moment.

Oh no.

Her mind… went blank.

Her lips moved, but no sound came out.

She stood there, frozen, her left brain battling her right, Bai Wanting’s influence overriding her thoughts.

What should she say?

Codename—she hadn’t even thought of a magical girl codename!

And… meow meow meow? White catgirl sister?

Lin Qingya stared at the beaming, enthusiastic face before her, her body trembling slightly from overwhelming nerves.

What do I do…

What do I do, what do I do, what do I do…

Say something!

Seeing Lin Qingya standing there, pale and silent, Weire’s smile began to fade.

She tilted her head in confusion, a hint of curiosity in her pink eyes.

“Um… catgirl sister, why aren’t you saying anything?”