Chapter 29: Sister~Sister~Who is your sweet and soft sister?

Bai Yao’s Home, Lily Neighborhood

The fridge door stood wide open, Long Shu raiding it with abandon.

“Long Shu, have some conscience! If you empty Yao Yao’s fridge, what’ll she eat?” Huang Ran scolded.

“No big deal! Yao Yao’s a little rich lady now!” Long Shu replied, dumping an armful of fruits and drinks on the table, unbothered by the inconvenience she might cause.

“It’s fine. Treat this place like home—take whatever you want,” Bai Yao said.

The three were comrades who’d faced life and death together. A few snacks were no big deal. Long Shu was right—Bai Yao had money now. She could afford it.

“Hehe, see? I knew Yao Yao’s got my back.” Long Shu popped a chilled cupcake into her mouth, sticking out her tongue. “Unlike you, bookworm, always smacking my head!”

“I’m smart, okay? You keep hitting me, making me dumb and clueless about studies!”

“…”

Huang Ran rolled her eyes, speechless.

Long Shu’s study habits? Either dozing off or already asleep. Good grades were a pipe dream. But university courses—well, anyone who’d been through it knew half of them were pointless.

The trio lounged on the sofa, completely letting go of their magical girl duties. It was their first time this relaxed—no pollution entities, no false accusations, just eating, drinking, and chatting.

“You’re really suspended as magical girls?” Bai Yao asked, still skeptical after Long Shu’s news.

Two responsible magical girls, sidelined? It hit close to home, stirring sadness in Bai Yao. Their situations were too similar.

“Yup, that’s what the higher-ups said,” Long Shu confirmed, tossing chips into her mouth, crunching away without a care.

To her, as long as she and her friends were happy, nothing else mattered. Magical girl or not, it was just a title. Losing it only meant returning to normal life. No big loss—retirement came with a fat compensation, enough for a cozy life.

“I know, but it still stings,” Huang Ran said, taking off her glasses and wiping them. Being a magical girl had defined her for so long; suspension felt disorienting.

“Why mope? Now we can hang with Yao Yao all the time!” Long Shu grinned, her cheer infectious.

Her positivity lifted Bai Yao and Huang Ran’s spirits.

“Let’s go to Yao Yao’s more often!” Long Shu hoisted Little White onto her head, dragging Huang Ran toward the door.

“Hey! Let me lock up!” Huang Ran yanked Long Shu back, secured the flower shop, and they headed to Bai Yao’s, leaving their troubles behind.

“Don’t worry, Yao Yao. They’ll send another magical girl to cover us. The city’s safe,” Huang Ran said, placing a hand on Bai Yao’s.

“Okay,” Bai Yao replied.

Her concern wasn’t the city or strangers—she’d let go of that. Kindness didn’t need absolute justice anymore; it was enough to protect those she cared about. Too much kindness only hurt herself, breeding endless anxiety and misery.

She’d worried her friends would spiral, but their optimism reassured her. She was glad they could stay upbeat.

The three lingered from day to evening, parting reluctantly.

“Yao Yao, we’re off! Next time, we’ll feast again!” Long Shu flashed a toothy grin, waving.

“Bye, Yao Yao,” Huang Ran added.

“Tell me next time you’re coming—I’ll prep a ton of good food!” Bai Yao called.

As her friends left, Bai Yao’s smile faded, her face darkening.

She hadn’t expected this to happen again. Someone was targeting them.

Who could it be?

If she found out, that scheming bug would regret it.

Anger flared in her chest.

Seconds later, she paused, puzzled. Why were her emotions so volatile?

Her gaze fell on the magic ring on her left ring finger.

“Is this the witch’s influence?” she murmured.

Since becoming a witch, others’ opinions no longer swayed her easily. She was becoming her true self, unbound by the shackles of “kindness.”

“Why not use my witch powers to investigate? There’s got to be surveillance at the scene, right?”

Bai Yao nodded to herself. There had to be cameras.

As a magical girl, she’d had access to surveillance. Not anymore.

But as a witch, Pride’s authority—control—could get her what she wanted.

Looking at the open door, she noted the late hour. Her adorable sister should be home from school soon. She’d investigate tomorrow.

“Sis!!!”

Bai Feifei’s shout rang from away.

Bai Yao stepped outside, smiling as her sister barreled toward her.

“Feifei.”

“Sis!” Bai Feifei dove into her arms, nuzzling her. “Ah~ Sister energy recharged~”

Ye Xiao Xiao, standing nearby, pouted enviously.

“Xiao Xiao, your sister’s still at work. Come to our place,” Bai Yao said, noticing her mood. She pulled Xiao Xiao into a hug, one girl in each arm, sharing her warmth.

“Xiao Xiao, you got my sister’s love—now help me with homework as interest!” Bai Feifei teased.

“Huh?” Xiao Xiao’s face crumpled, reluctant.

“Feifei, do your own homework. Don’t make Xiao Xiao do it,” Bai Yao chided.

“Yeah, exactly!” Xiao Xiao perked up, emboldened by Bai Yao’s support. “Sis Yao, you don’t know—Feifei’s always bullying me at school. You’ve gotta back me up!”

“Is that so? Tell me all about it at dinner, Xiao Xiao. I’ll make things right,” Bai Yao said.

Bai Feifei pouted. “Sis~ Who’s your cute, sweet, soft little sister?”

“Who else? You, of course!” Bai Yao pinched her nose, then added, “But Xiao Xiao’s my sweet, soft sister too. You two better get along.”

Bai Yao led her two “sisters” inside, gave a few instructions, and headed to the kitchen. It was about time for Ye Rou to return—perfect for dinner. Time to whip up extra dishes.

Meanwhile, at the school, the dragon-like pollution entity roared, its black wings blotting out the sky. Pride’s crimson petals clashed against its hide, but its regeneration was relentless. Jasmine and Rose guarded Lin Xue, who clutched her bag, eyes wide with awe and fear.

“Stay back!” Pride barked, her baton glowing brighter. “This thing’s not normal.”

Augustus, hidden in the shadows, grinned. His watch pulsed with negative energy, but Pride’s interference was a setback. Still, his dragon was a masterpiece. “Let’s see you handle a Calamity-grade beast, witch.”

The dragon lunged, its claws tearing the ground. Pride dodged, her petals forming a barrier, but the force shook her. “Tch, this is no ordinary pollution entity.”

Jasmine whispered to Rose, “Should we help her?”

Rose hesitated. “She’s a witch, but she’s fighting that thing. Let’s keep Lin Xue safe and watch.”

Lin Xue stared at Pride. “She… feels like someone I know. Like… family.”

Little White hovered nearby. “That’s why you’re the next Iris. You’ve got her spark.”

The dragon roared, spewing black mist. Pride’s eyes narrowed. “You’re scaring kids. Big mistake.”

She swung her baton, summoning a massive crimson whip that lashed the dragon, its spikes sinking deep. The beast howled, but its wings beat faster, countering with a shockwave.

Augustus laughed. “Keep fighting, witch. Every scream feeds my watch.”