Chapter 30: Donβt be afraid, sister will help you cure social anxiety.
Lin Qingya had been ready since early morning, her beloved cat-patterned backpack slung over her shoulders as she stood in the entryway, slipping on her shoes.
She was buzzing with excitement for the Gan City trip!
βLittle Sister Bai, Iβm heading out!β
Shoes on, she turned back to Bai Wanting, who leaned against the living room doorframe, and flashed a sweet grin.
βBe safe on the roadβtext me when you get there.β
Bai Wanting strolled over, fussing gently over Lin Qingyaβs slightly crooked collar.
Her fingertips brushed the girlβs smooth neck, sending a faint, tingling itch.
βMmm! Got it!β
Lin Qingya nodded obediently, her heart brimming with happiness.
Little Sister Bai was so wonderfulβnot only okay with her going out, but always so caring.
She turned to the door, small hand on the knob, ready to pull it open.
βQingya.β
Bai Wantingβs soft voice sounded from behind.
Lin Qingya glanced back instinctively.
The moment her eyes met Bai Wantingβs tender gaze, a gentle phrase slipped into her ear.
βBarbie doll.β
Ahβ¦
Lin Qingyaβs body froze.
Her eyes, sparkling with anticipation moments ago, dulled swiftly, losing all focus to blank vacancy.
Her small hand slipped limply from the knob, leaving her standing dazed, staring at Bai Wanting.
Bai Wanting opened her arms, giving the girlβs soft form a light push until her back met the door.
βMmmβ¦β
Without warning, she leaned down and captured Lin Qingyaβs lips.
Bai Wantingβs arms wrapped gently around her waist, tender and cherishing.
Lin Qingya leaned softly against the door, her vacant eyes reflecting Bai Wantingβs affectionate stare.
Uncontrollably, her arms rose, circling Bai Wantingβs neck.
The deep kiss stretched a long ten minutes before Bai Wanting reluctantly pulled away.
Lin Qingyaβs eyes misted over, tears glistening at the corners.
She panted lightly, melting entirely into her masterβs embrace.
Bai Wantingβs finger wiped away the tear at her eye, then traced her cheek, her heart swelling with twisted fulfillment.
But now wasnβt the time to indulge.
Bai Wanting sighed inwardly.
Truth be told, she hated lifting Lin Qingyaβs social anxiety blockβwanting her forever raw and open only to her.
But thinking of the bizarre magical girl mission in another city filled her with unease.
Before Lin Qingyaβs safety, all control schemes could wait.
She craved her body, yesβbut she loved the girl herself more. Her treasure must remain unscathed.
That protective love twisted her possessiveness into obsession, into madness.
Unbeknownst to Bai Wanting, it was this very tenderness that had sparked Lin Qingyaβs inescapable crush since childhood.
βQingya,β Bai Wanting whispered by her ear, her voice hypnotic and coaxing. βOn this trip, youβll overcome your inner social anxiety. You wonβt fear talking to others anymore.β
βSister believes youβre a brave girl, right?β
Lin Qingyaβs vacant eyes stayed empty as she echoed her masterβs words.
βYes, Masterβ¦ Iβll overcome my anxietyβ¦ Iβmβ¦ a brave girlβ¦β
βGood girl.β
Bai Wanting chuckled softly. As reward, she claimed those cute lips once more.
This kiss was gentler, full of soothing comfort.
After savoring it longer, she raised her hand, snapping crisply in the air.
Snap.
Lin Qingyaβs body jolted faintly, the emptiness in her eyes fading as clarity returned.
She blinked in confusion, her mind blanking for seconds.
What⦠happened?
I was⦠about to head out?
She shook her head, lips numb, heart inexplicably racing.
Maybe⦠up too early? Low blood sugar?
No time to dwellβshe turned to Bai Wanting with a beaming smile: βLittle Sister Bai, Iβm off! Bye-bye!β
With that, she yanked the door open, dragged her suitcase, and dashed out joyfully.
Watching the door click shut, Bai Wantingβs eyes gleamed with amusement and anticipation.
After seeing off her beloved little treasure, she didnβt linger longβslipping into smart casuals, locking up, and heading to meet Song.
β¦
Meanwhile, Fujichunβs high-speed rail station buzzed with crowds.
Lin Qingya found her teammates quickly at the agreed spot.
This was the first time all four magical girls met in civilian form.
βHey! Qingya!β
An energetic voice rang out. Lin Qingya turned to see a vibrant girl in a pink-white sailor outfit waving excitedly.
It was Weire!
Xia MomoβWeireβwas the senior whoβd bumped her in the school hallway last time.
Now, her shoulder-length hair was neatly styled, her smile sunny and open, radiating youthful energy like a walking pink sun.
As Lin Qingya approached, Xia Momoβs mouth formed a cute βO.β
βOh my gosh! Youβre that super-cute junior I knocked over last time!β she exclaimed, thrilled.
Lin Qingya flushed, scratching her cheek shyly. βY-Yeah, Seniorβ¦ itβs meβ¦β
Then, a tall figure sidled up, ruffling Xia Momoβs hair before turning to Lin Qingya with a warm smile.
βForgive herβsheβs always this impulsive.β
It was Su XingcuiβLinglan.
Today, she wore a chic beige girlsβ suit, her black hair in a sleek high ponytail.
Tallest of the group, her elegant, intellectual vibe made her seem utterly reliable, inspiring awe.
βHey! Not impulsiveβenthusiastic! Get it, Xingcui?!β Xia Momo pouted, latching onto Su Xingcuiβs arm and whining.
Their playful bickering made Lin Qingya giggle.
Then, a soft voice came from behind.
βHello, Qingya-sis.β A gentle, sweet tone.
Lin Qingya turned to see Yang YuxinβXinluβgreeting her.
Her hair in cute princess braids, dressed in a soft green sweet-style dress, she was pure sugar, evoking protective instincts.
She stood quietly to the side, waving shyly at Lin Qingya with a serene smile.
These were her teammates: sunny Weire, steady Linglan, sweet Xinlu.
βHello!β
Lin Qingya greeted instinctively, bracing for her voice to waver from nerves.
But as the words left her lips, even she froze.
Steady, smoothβno trace of anxiety!
Huh? Whatβs this?
Sheβ¦ wasnβt socially awkward anymore?
That blank-mind, sweaty-palms, frozen-stupid feeling around strangersβgone without a trace!
Lin Qingyaβs heart soared with joy.
Whoa! Is this the power of having comrades?!
With them, even social anxiety vanishes!
She didnβt know it was just her dear masterβs βlove buff.β
Feeling like sheβd unlocked a meridian, Lin Qingya beamed confidently at Xia Momo: βSeniorβs so energetic! Weβre at the same schoolβplease take care of me!β
βWaaah! Qingyaβs too cute!β
Xia Momo released Su Xingcui, linking arms with Lin Qingya instead, chattering away.
βCall me Momo! Weβre besties now! At school, Seniorβs got your back!β
Watching their new friend mesh so seamlessly, Su Xingcui and Yang Yuxin exchanged smiles.
She fit right in.
And⦠seemed way more outgoing?
The four chatted and laughed through ticketing and boarding the train to Gan City.
βQingya, got snacks? I brought tonsβletβs share!β
No sooner seated, Xia Momo unpacked a feast from her bag.
The train hummed to life, scenery blurring past the window.
Amid the girlsβ laughter, this journey of unknowns kicked off lighthearted and fun.
Lin Qingya leaned by the window, watching the shifting views, then her seatmate Xia Momo sharing earbudsβpure bliss.
Turns out, chatting with friends is this fun!
What was she so scared of before?!
Unbeknownst to Lin Qingya, her beloved Little Sister Bai sat on another train bound for Gan City, plotting a massive βsurpriseββ¦
