Chapter 23: A delinquent girl undergoes a makeover.

“Achoo!”

On the dorm path, Su Tang sneezed suddenly.

“Little Su Tang? Sudden sneeze—catch cold?” Tao Lian asked worriedly.

Sky overcast, chilly wind—but Su Tang not cold.

“Probably not.” Su Tang replied.

Felt… someone thinking of her.

“Good~”

Led by Tao Lian and Ningliu, Su Tang back at Fruit Pie dorm.

Return visit—but now “new member.”

“Welcome again~ Official move-in!” Tao Lian door-push, smile brighter than outdoor sun.

Cheery beam—yet Su Tang sensed subtle eagerness.

“Excuse me…” Su Tang murmured, luggage in.

“Little Su Tang upstairs—empty room left.” Tao Lian pointed second floor.

Remembered: last time waking Xia Qingli, layout—empty between Xia and Mei.

“But—”

Tao Lian pivot, palms together apologetic:

“Room idle long—regular clean, but lifeless. Direct move-in pitiful. Proper clean + decorate first! Wait outside bit~”

“No need trouble…” Su Tang waved.

“No! Dorm leader—I decide! Obey!”

Tao Lian self-pushed luggage to living: “Here till ready!”

Mid-sentence excited, eyes sparkle:

“Plus! Memorable day—welcome party! Wait little Mei back—start! Supermarket now: decor, party food/snacks!”

No say—Tao Lian whirlwind out, leaving Su Tang/Ningliu.

Su Tang blinked, processed, sighed: “Insane action force!”

Then loud gurgle beside.

Turn: Ningliu belly-clutch, probing: “Su Tang, hungry?”

“Not yet…”

“Hungry! Definitely! Lunch time—no normal unhungry!”

“You say… yeah bit…”

“Right right!”

Ningliu mysterious: “Secret… know hidden school eats. Back gate new crepe shop—mango chocolate explosion good?”

“You get it” eyes hint frenzy.

Near bowl-toss, tail-wag.

Su Tang bitter smile: “Fine fine, my treat.”

“Yay! Boss Su Tang forever!”

Ningliu cheer, chest-pat: “Won’t waste! Guide now—full Dongyang tour! 100x Peach detail!”

Temp dorm leave—to destination.

Ningliu food vet—paths master, shortcuts, alleys, Su Tang shuttle + commentary:

“That grove: senior wild spot. There battle scars. Over there…”

Su Tang blush: “How know?”

Her spot?

“Oh, consoles confiscated—punishment chats.”

“Figured.”

Further—shady path to outer wall, Ningliu spot, yank Su Tang behind thick sycamore.

“Sudden—?” Su Tang stumble.

“Shh—!” Ningliu finger lips, point wall gap afar.

Su Tang follow—sneaky figures.

Clear side/profile: Delinquent Girls?

But—no flashy battle suits, accessories overload. Dongyang uniform, no exaggerated earrings/necklaces, clean face—no makeup. Normal high school girls.

“Defeated Delinquent.” Ningliu whisper intro.

“…Delinquent?”

“Shocker? Me too. Usually not good-girl look—post-loss shame, hide identity?”

Ningliu puzzle: “Here why? Crepes like us?”

Impossible…

Su Tang tsukkomi, guess: “You said shame—if leaving, no main gate?”

“Oh… logical.”

Ningliu arms cross, curious: “Sneak out for?”

Su Tang silent, watch hurried backs.

Recall deal:

“Visit, kneel apologize, compensate, help reopen.”

Really listened? Plain look—sincere Octo-Bro apology, no “Delinquent” persona?

Su Tang mood nuanced.

Doubt magical girls obey monster.

But true—correction success?

Achievement max.

Watch vanishing corner backs, swallow, soft propose: “Follow… see?”

Care follow-up—witness real.

“Oh?”

Ningliu brow raise, interest: “Stalk game? Nice. Time—go!”

Silent slip wall gap—cautious tail.