Chapter 10: What does Alice-senpai’s true form look like in?

Senior is really too concerned about me.

She even went out of her way to check the chat records between me and my brother.

But the tolerance and patience Senior showed today, plus her decision to take the blame for me… other than her having some personal connection with my brother, there’s really no other possibility!

Xia Xiaocheng racked her brain, pressed her lips tightly together, and finally reached this conclusion.

To Alice, however, her current appearance looked exactly like a stubborn child who refused to accept discipline.

Did I sound too strict? Maybe I should take it slow and speak more gently?

Alice quickly reflected on herself and switched to a much softer tone before asking again.

“Xia Xiaocheng, are you listening to me?”

“Ah, Senior, I’m listening. It’s just that…”

Xia Xiaocheng immediately scratched her head and lowered her gaze in slight embarrassment.

“You look like you have something you want to say to me. It’s fine, go ahead.”

“Senior Alice… um… do you know my brother?”

Xia Xiaocheng blinked, leaning her body forward a little. She caught a faint scent from Alice — a light, sweet jasmine-like fragrance mixed with a touch of freshness.

Faced with her sister’s proactive closeness, Alice steadied her mind and maintained her calm expression as she replied.

“Yes, I know him. I have some connection with your brother.”

“Ha! I knew it! Otherwise, why would Senior Alice be so patient with me? Hehe!”

Xia Xiaocheng let out a silly, happy laugh. All her nervousness vanished instantly, replaced by complete relaxation.

My sister probably sees me as one of her own now. But right now, I must maintain the senior persona and keep Xia Hui and Alice clearly separate!

Alice silently noted this point in her heart. She was about to bring up the issue of staying up late when Xia Xiaocheng spoke first.

“Senior! Are you a colleague at my brother’s company? What exactly made you agree to my brother’s request!”

Xia Xiaocheng looked extremely excited, as if ready to hear some juicy gossip. In her mind, her brother had always been a single office worker who kept his distance from women.

Now, her brother had suddenly contacted a beautiful girl like Alice and even asked her to come check on her. It had to be an extraordinary relationship!

Who knows… maybe her brother had finally fallen in love! That blockhead had finally opened his eyes! The iron tree had finally bloomed! Alice must be a female colleague of her brother’s, and perhaps her brother didn’t even know she was a magical girl! This was way too interesting!

The more she thought about it, the more excited she became. Xia Xiaocheng waited eagerly for Alice’s answer.

As the brother who knew Xia Xiaocheng’s personality very well, Alice could already tell her sister was imagining all kinds of messy gossip. She needed to clarify the relationship immediately to avoid future misunderstandings.

“I’m not your brother’s colleague. We simply know each other.”

“Eh? Just know each other?”

Xia Xiaocheng frowned slightly, clearly not fully convinced.

“Due to a small matter, your brother and I crossed paths. Then today, while carrying out an investigation mission, I happened to run into you. After checking the connection network, I discovered you’re his sister.”

“Then why did Senior still come here on purpose?”

“As a senior magical girl…” Alice paused. A faint blush appeared on her face, but she still gathered her courage and crossed the line of embarrassment to continue. “…it’s normal to care about juniors.”

“Caring about juniors… Senior Alice isn’t lying to me, right?” Xia Xiaocheng blinked, still somewhat doubtful. She even leaned closer, trying to look into Alice’s eyes.

However, Alice would not let her succeed. She decisively raised her right hand and delivered a firm flick to Xia Xiaocheng’s forehead.

Bang!

“Ow! That hurts!”

Xia Xiaocheng instantly shrank back like a deflating balloon. She curled up on the sofa and rolled twice. It was clear that Alice’s strength was not light.

“Don’t get too cocky, junior. Mind your boundaries. We’re not that close.”

Alice lowered her hand with a cool expression and sat up straight, looking as aloof as a snow lotus standing proudly on a mountain peak.

Xia Xiaocheng knew she had overstepped. She could only sit up straight again while covering her forehead. She asked cautiously.

“Senior hits really hard… Are you really… not that close with my brother?”

“No.”

“But you only checked the chat records. You didn’t need to come here specially, right? It’s already very late. Aren’t you going home?”

“…Just consider it that I’m not at ease about you.”

Alice made up another excuse. Her consistently calm demeanor was the result of years of acting skill.

“Not at ease?”

“Disaster beasts appearing in Weaving Sunny City is abnormal. This city has always been one of the lowest in atmospheric magic concentration. Two disaster beasts that can coordinate with each other appearing at once is far too unusual.”

Alice’s explanation was logical and well-founded. Xia Xiaocheng stared at her without blinking and finally put away her playful thoughts.

“Senior is worried I might run into disaster beasts again?”

“You got stained with quite a lot of filth during your transformation. The effect the disaster beasts had on you is equivalent to marking an enemy. Some disaster beasts will come looking for revenge.”

“So that’s how it is… Mm… I was too reckless back then. It’s all Magic Uncle’s fault for making me so angry that I lost my mind.”

Xia Xiaocheng clenched her fists. Her attention was temporarily diverted, and Alice smoothly continued guiding the conversation.

“To be fair, I think what that Magic Uncle said in his stream isn’t entirely without reason.”

“Ah? Senior, don’t joke around. How could he possibly understand us?”

“But he wasn’t wrong. You flew straight up into the sky and got chased and attacked by two disaster beasts like a living target. Don’t you know moths are attracted to light? You even deliberately glowed to mark yourself, hm?”

Alice tilted her head and asked back. This question left Xia Xiaocheng speechless. Her face slowly turned red as she pressed her lips together and stammered.

“I… If I had fought during the day, I wouldn’t have been in such a sorry state!” Xia Xiaocheng raised her head, still somewhat unconvinced about Magic Uncle.

“A qualified magical girl doesn’t skip duty because of the weather. We possess magical knowledge and can completely make up for our shortcomings through learning. Xia Xiaocheng, are you willing to stop making progress?”

Alice firmly held the initiative in the conversation, remaining both calm and patient.

“Of course not! Mm… Fine! I’ll admit that what Magic Uncle said is true. But no matter what, suggesting we change our magical girl outfits to camouflage colors is too ugly. And I really don’t like his medium cup evaluation.”

Xia Xiaocheng puffed out her cheeks, still holding a grudge.

“He will never use that term again. I promise you, Xia Xiaocheng.”

Alice lightly placed her right hand over her chest and made the promise once more.

“Mm… Senior.” Xia Xiaocheng stared at Alice’s outfit. A question that had been bothering her since earlier finally couldn’t be held back any longer. “Aren’t you going to return to your original form?”

These words landed on Alice like a heavy stone.

Return to her original form?

For Alice, that was simply impossible! She could no longer return to her original form!

“Cough! A qualified magical girl should maintain her transformed state as naturally as breathing, staying constantly vigilant against disaster beast attacks.”

“Eh? Then what does Senior Alice’s original form look like? Can I see it?”

Curiosity was at its peak at Xia Xiaocheng’s age. She blinked repeatedly while staring at Alice.