Chapter 26: Almost Devoured, Meow?
A Cornered Confession
Hearing Xiao Xi’s shaky explanation, Ye Xinglan’s expression turned icy.
“Merch, huh? You sure merch would have this written on it?”
Her cold words and breath hit Xiao Xi’s face. She flipped open the photo album, showing a picture of several magical girls together. On the back was a handwritten note.
“To A-Xing: Let’s stay a magical girl team forever!”
“This ‘A-Xing’ is Eternal Star, right? Why would your house have a photo of [Eternal Star] with her teammates, signed to her?”
Xiao Xi was sweating buckets. She’d lost the bet—Ye Xinglan had gone through the album!
She remembered that note was from Mu Xingge, already a rising idol back then. Who’d have thought a memento between teammates would expose her identity?
Ye Xinglan’s gaze locked onto Xiao Xi’s pale neck. If Xiao Xi resisted even slightly, she’d bite down without hesitation, draining her mana.
That way, even as Eternal Star, Xiao Xi would be powerless, completely at her mercy.
For a moment, Xiao Xi considered giving up the charade. Let Ye Xinglan know she was Eternal Star—what did it matter?
Sure, she owed Ye Xinglan an emotional debt, but if she explained sincerely, Ye Xinglan would probably understand. Even if she didn’t, she wouldn’t actually do anything, right?
Ye Xinglan wasn’t a villain or monster, and they had no deep grudge. Maybe… just admit it?
But Ye Xinglan had already made up her mind. If Xiao Xi was Eternal Star, she’d… do nothing, for now.
She didn’t want to reveal herself yet. With Xiao Xi unaware of her identity, Ye Xinglan held the advantage. Confirming Xiao Xi was Eternal Star meant she could act like nothing happened.
Then, when Xiao Xi was asleep or off guard, she’d strike… But killing Eternal Star outright felt too easy.
Ye Xinglan figured she’d at least tie Xiao Xi up in her room for ten days or so, give her a good torment first.
Come to think of it, she’d never tasted Eternal Star’s mana. The strongest magical girl’s mana must be special, right? She’d have to drain Xiao Xi a few times to savor it.
Staring at Xiao Xi’s delicate collarbone, Ye Xinglan licked her lips. “Relax, just tell me the truth. Even if you are [Eternal Star], I won’t do anything. I’m just curious.”
“We’ve been living together so long. Don’t you know what kind of person I am?”
Xiao Xi swallowed hard. Ye Xinglan’s actions felt off! If she admitted it, would she be devoured on the spot?
Was Ye Xinglan planning to make her repay that emotional debt with her body?!
Tentatively, Xiao Xi spoke. “Alright, I’ll be honest.”
“Go ahead.”
Xiao Xi sighed, feigning resignation. “Guess I can’t hide it anymore. I’m [Eternal Star]…’s fan.”
A flash of barely contained murderous intent flickered in Ye Xinglan’s eyes.
“Hear me out! These things were gifts from [Eternal Star]!”
“She has tons of fans. Why would she give you stuff?”
“Because I’m a special fan. I’m [Eternal Star]’s… OG fan. I knew her way back!”
Xiao Xi seized on her earlier chat with Su Ying, spinning a story to fool Ye Xinglan.
“I’m not from Xiahai City. I’m from Beihua City next door. My rental agreement has my info, right?”
“And [Eternal Star] started her activities in Beihua City, you know that?”
Ye Xinglan narrowed her eyes. “Doesn’t that just prove you’re [Eternal Star]?”
“No, no, no! I mean, when [Eternal Star] started out in Beihua City, I was there. I knew her early on!”
“During the Great Chaos, monster attacks hit the city all the time. My family got caught up a few times, and [Eternal Star] saved me each time.”
“After a few rescues, we got to know each other. She was just starting out, didn’t have many fans, so she remembered me easily.”
“Don’t believe me? Check my address against news from the Great Chaos. It’ll match!”
Though Ye Xinglan’s eyes remained skeptical, Xiao Xi’s confident tone made her release her grip and listen patiently.
“And the stuff in your closet?”
“All gifts from [Eternal Star]! She gave me some sentimental items because I was an early fan who knew her personally. Other fans don’t get that.”
“Xinglan, I didn’t hide it on purpose. You seemed to hate [Eternal Star], so I didn’t mention knowing her. Sorry…”
Xiao Xi put on a remorseful expression, unafraid of Ye Xinglan checking. A good lie mixes truth with fiction.
In reality, during those monster attacks, Xiao Xi would find a quiet spot to transform and save the day. But Eternal Star did appear near her home, didn’t she?
“Your story makes sense, but a logical story doesn’t mean it’s true.”
Ye Xinglan crossed her arms. Xiao Xi’s explanation held up, but so did her suspicions. That alone wasn’t enough to convince her.
“This…”
Xiao Xi racked her brain. What ironclad proof could she show she wasn’t Eternal Star? Got it!
“Wait, Xinglan, look at this!”
In a flash of inspiration, she opened the Pineapple Bun novel app on her phone.
“See this? My writing. You remember it, right?”
Ye Xinglan had seen Xiao Xi’s spicy fanfiction before. A quick glance jogged her memory.
“Look, would [Eternal Star] write stuff like this? No way, right?”
“[Eternal Star] isn’t some pervert. She wouldn’t secretly write spicy fanfic about her former teammates!”
Ye Xinglan nodded thoughtfully. Xiao Xi had a point.
As the Blood Moon Witch, Ye Xinglan knew how those magical girls operated—always preaching about love, magic, and justice. Especially Eternal Star.
It was hard to imagine someone like her secretly writing teammate fanfic.
“True, if [Eternal Star] did that, it’d be pretty shameless… Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you.”
“You can write whatever you want. I just mean it’d be weird for [Eternal Star] to do it, you get me?”
“It’s like someone acting all sunny and just, but secretly being a shady creep… Wait, Xiao Xi, why do you look so pale all of a sudden?”