Chapter 24: “Pilgrimage to Holy Sites”

Su Tang and Ningliu tailed at safe distance.

Far from school—Delinquent oblivious to “tails.”

“Hehe, smooth—they no clue.”

Ningliu whisper proud: “Su Tang, my stalking? Solid?”

Su Tang eye-roll, inner roast: Solid where?

Knew Ningliu stealth-game vet—cover hops pro, but step-kick cola can, step-topple shop sign—clang game-over counts endless.

Yet Delinquent preoccupied—missed.

Ningliu boldened—big steps open follow.

Street shift—Su Tang familiar vibes.

“Su Tang, buildings… seen before?”

Ningliu frown scan, eyes wide:

“Here—yesterday vid spot! ‘Queen’ beat Delinquent block! Gua! No crime-scene pilgrimage!”

Voice quake tense.

Unknown beat magical girls—”scene.”

Another turn—full familiar.

Su Tang’s hood—yesterday queen-form lesson, first win.

Her pilgrimage—mindset opposite Ningliu.

“Oioioi… Su Tang, off?”

Ningliu arm-yank, steps hesitate, paranoid scan—like ‘Queen’ ambush any corner.

“Delinquent here why? Controlled? Vid end—’Queen’ said stuff? Her lair? Meet?”

“Slip?”

Su Tang watch Ningliu pale, soldier-grass: inner Who boasted fearless, shine time?

Understandable.

Boast with full Fruit Pie.

Solo healer—fear normal.

“No self-scare—they not controlled.” Su Tang comfort.

“Even so—’Queen’ appears?”

Ningliu hush excite: “Crims return scene—or patrols, rabbit-wait?”

Su Tang corner twitch, speechless.

Can’t say ‘Queen’ me—beside you—no appear?

Then spot—tug Ningliu sleeve, point alley deep: “Stopped.”

Look: Delinquent front door, knock.

Corner clutter—standout sign.

“Octo-Bro BBQ”—cute cartoon octopus, smashed flat, paint-chipped, forlorn.

Door creak—pajama/hat octopus mid-nap peek.

Downstairs stall Octo-Bro.

Uniform low-head “strangers”—tentacle scratch bald head: “Girls, something?”

Makeover extreme—unrecognized.

“Delinquent to monster?” Ningliu puzzle, head-tilt ahoge ?.

Next: Su Tang satisfy, Ningliu jaw-drop.

Lead deep breath—bow choke sincere:

“Mr. Octopus! So sorry!”

Teammates bow unison clear: “Forgive us!”

“We… excessive—harass, smash store… truly sorry!”

Octo-Bro freeze—tentacles air-stiff.

Recognize voice/outline—doubt → shock → complex dawn.

“…You?” Dry.

“Yes!”

Heads up—eyes red:

“Sorry insufficient… but wrong. Compensate all, help reopen! Chance reform!”

Kneel—standard bow.

“Wha???”

Ningliu muffled gasp, hand-mouth, eyes saucer—unbelievable:

“Kneel apologize?! Magical girls… to monster?!”

Su Tang lips curve.

Yesterday “education” effective.

Arrogant bullies learn awe/respect—correction joy > pure defeat.

Octo-Bro spooked—tentacle reach lift, mid-hesitate retract, tense.

Beyond cognition.

Magical girls kneel monster—unreal.

Stalemate—confirm sincere, no prank—Octo-Bro forgive.

Kind harmless—expected.

Forgiven—choke stand, discuss compensate/reopen.

Ease.

“Unbelievable… defeat changed them?”

Ningliu tug Su Tang whisper: “‘Queen’ did something?”

“Dunno.” Su Tang no-comment.

Immersed joy.

Correction + Octo-Bro BBQ return.

But thought end—

Shadow drop—straight at back-turned defenseless Delinquent!

Wind steps—turn—

Flash blade!