Chapter 21: Meeting in progress

But how to contact the Tea Party?

Su Tang pondered.

Deliberately break rules, get caught and punished?

Strategist sacrificing self—kinda cool.

Or—

Glanced at mini-fan Ningliu, just bribed with meal tickets.

Use her as bait.

“Hm? Why staring, Su Tang? Something on my face?”

Ningliu noticed, pointed cheek, puzzled.

“No, nothing.” Su Tang shook head.

Points zeroed—baiting her too pitiful. Pass.

Then instinctively at Tao Lian: Tao Lian… doesn’t seem rule-breaker.

Hm?

Tao Lian darkened—like corrupted—face grim, lips quivering murmurs.

“Ahh… this damn green-hair brat, gold-sticking? My little Su Tang staring at YOU? If so desperate… next doujin, you protagonist—monsters all over your face…”

“Tao Lian sis?”

“Ah! Here!”

Tao Lian jolted, clouds to sun, smiling: “Little Su Tang, what?”

“You looked scary… possessed.”

“Maybe Peach on period…”

Ningliu mid-sentence—Tao Lian collar-grab lifted her.

“Little Ningliu, some words not for outside?”

“S-sorry…”

Tamed.

But really period?

Su Tang day two as girl—no experience, too shy to ask.

Then: Association vehicles pulled to gate.

School reps, council, Tea Party boarded—vanished.

“Little Mei to conference.” Tao Lian said, “Dorm time.”

No objections—left corridor.

…

Cold light from ceiling on massive table; wall screens frozen black lake.

Dozens chairs flanked; air disinfectant-tinged, masked by hot coffee at head.

Magical Girl Management Association—emergency room. Attendees filed in.

Head: sharp white shirt, dark tie, crisp pants woman.

~30s, granny-gray bob impeccable; stunning yet iced—no emotion read. Fingers tapped rhythmically.

Behind: towering sunglass man, iron pillar—oppressive silent.

Association envoys.

“On Delinquent Girls’ defeat—Principal, thoughts?”

No preamble—sunglass man straight: “Dongyang students!”

Elder: vintage top hat, refined gentleman. Removed hat—bald shine.

“Deep regret.” Principal calm, flat.

“Regret?”

Sunglass SLAM: “News viral—unblockable! Public doubts flood! Association image damaged! Fix negative impact!!”

Roar echoed—like furious patriarch.

Every magical girl tied to Association status—never admit internal fault; blame school/others.

“Our Dongyang responsibility.”

Principal steady, palm to side girl: “Tea Party’s Shizuru will handle.”

Girl: fluffy golden curls—cloud-gold foam; vintage scissors hairpin, meaningful?

Rococo red-white print skirt, layered lace/gauze; huge red chest bow, pearl/ribbon cuffs/hem—elegant noble miss.

Tea Party rep: Shizuru.

Actually: full Tea Party president. Other joints’ leaders mere “vice.”

Shizuru oblivious to tension—tinkered exquisite white porcelain tea set. Silver spoon stirred amber tea; steam blurred pretty face.

“Delinquent punishment… Tea Party drafting~”

Sipped, satisfied sigh: “Mm, tea temp perfect~”

“Punishment useless?!” Sunglass yelled.

“Ara, I know you’re anxious—but hold.”

Shizuru capped cup, leisurely: “Reward/punish magical girls—our duty. This ‘another defeat’ post-years—can’t copy last scheme; needs thorough discussion. Right?”

As Shizuru said: different from last.

Last: timely seal, cover-up—cost: contributing senior’s “disappearance”—bought years undefeated image, Association dominance.

This: tech advance—spread too fast; unhandleable.

Delinquent defeat = public “first loss.”

Impact: obvious.

Shizuru’s calm: rushing useless; maintain image/public—step-by-step.

Subtext: Tea Party core duties only—extra? Not us.

Sunglass choked, twitched.

Principal: slippery—tossed to Tea Party.

Tea Party: hint no bother.

Playing me?

Especially Shizuru—untouchable; punch on premium velvet—no grip, countered by soft arrogance.

Sunglass heating—head gray-hair woman subtle hand raise.

Tiny gesture—sunglass muted; rage swallowed. Deep breath, bowed:

“Director.”

She ignored—scanner gaze swept, landed opposite: prim blue-hair girl.

“Your thoughts.” Slow, deliberate.