Chapter 48: Adaptation, Not Fabrication, Meow?

An Embarrassing Performance

The stage play soon began. The theater lights dimmed, leaving only the stage aglow as actors took their places and the show started.

Among the three, only Xiao Keke watched intently. As a die-hard Eternal Star fan, she was completely absorbed.

Xiao Xi wanted to focus, but seeing an actor play her on stage felt… awkward and embarrassing, to say the least.

Ye Xinglan watched for a bit, but the more she saw, the angrier she got.

“Blood Moon Witch, you won’t escape today! All evil will face justice!” The actor playing Eternal Star struck a fighting pose against the Blood Moon Witch.

“Damn it, you think you can beat me like this…?”

Ye Xinglan rolled her eyes hard, leaning grumpily onto Xiao Xi’s shoulder.

So annoying!

Pure nonsense! When had she, the mighty Blood Moon Witch, ever been dominated by Eternal Star? She was stronger, plain and simple!

Ye Xinglan wasn’t bragging. During the great chaos, she usually had the upper hand against Eternal Star. In raw power, few could match her.

The Blood Moon Witch could even take on two at once without losing ground—against Eternal Star and Dragon Princess, the strongest duo in the top magical girl squad, both renowned for their strength.

But to please the audience, the stage’s Blood Moon Witch got predictably thrashed by Eternal Star. Ye Xinglan could only scoff—dramas aren’t lies, and adaptations shouldn’t be fabrications!

A Playful Distraction

Bored with the play, Ye Xinglan sought other fun. She grabbed Xiao Xi’s hand, poking at the paper wristband on her wrist.

Xiao Xi stiffened. With Xiao Keke around, she had to keep up the couple act with Ye Xinglan, so she didn’t say much.

Still… maybe it was her imagination, but ever since the Su Ying incident, Ye Xinglan’s actions felt increasingly intimate. If Xiao Xi didn’t know she was out of the rich girl’s league, she might’ve wondered if their friendship was turning into something else.

Meanwhile, Ye Xinglan found a new game. She pulled a brow pencil from her bag and started doodling on Xiao Xi’s wristband while leaning against her.

Unable to handle Ye Xinglan’s closeness any longer, Xiao Xi pulled her hand back and made an excuse.

“Xinglan, it’s getting to the climax. Don’t you want to watch?”

Ye Xinglan pouted at the half-finished chibi cat on Xiao Xi’s wristband but turned her attention back to the stage.

Onstage, Eternal Star, hoisted by wires, charged through the air, knocking down the Blood Moon Witch… who then screamed in terror and fled.

The audience froze, unsure if this was part of the plot. Ye Xinglan nearly fainted from rage, clutching her face to calm herself.

When had the Blood Moon Witch ever fled from Eternal Star? This was wildly out of character!

Chaos Erupts

As the stage’s “Blood Moon Witch” screamed and ran off, the audience thought it was a quirky design—breaking the fourth wall by running into the crowd.

“Everyone, run! Monster! There’s a monster!”

The actor’s warning didn’t register with most, who still assumed it was part of the show, sitting there confused.

In the VIP box, the three sensed something wrong. Xiao Xi noticed black mist coiling in a corner of the stage… a real monster!

When a stiff-limbed puppet, wreathed in black mist, emerged from behind the set, the audience finally realized the danger. Screams, cries, and shoving erupted, turning the orderly theater into chaos.

“Let’s go. We can still get out… That monster looks scary.”

Ye Xinglan casually urged the others to leave, then realized her calm reaction seemed off. She quickly added the last bit, feigning fear.

She had no qualms about bolting, but the other two were different. As they left the box, their eyes stayed glued to the stage.

Xiao Xi glanced at Xiao Keke, who was biting her lip. She instantly knew her sister’s plan.

“Hurry, let’s get out first!”

Xiao Xi grabbed their hands and ran. The puppet monster moved slowly, and no one was hurt yet. She planned to get them to safety, then return as a magical girl to handle it.

The VIP seats were closer to the exit than regular ones, so Xiao Xi knew she had time. She didn’t want her sister facing this monster. Monsters born in crowded places were usually strong.

A Sister’s Defiance

As they neared the exit, Xiao Keke yanked her hand free, shouting, “I forgot something!” and darted back.

She’d clearly timed it, vanishing into the fleeing crowd. Xiao Xi fumed, tempted to transform into Eternal Star and punch the monster out right then.

That brat, so eager to play hero!

“Phew… Xinglan, let’s get out. Keke’s clever—she’ll be fine.”

Chasing Xiao Keke now wasn’t practical. Xiao Xi decided to get Ye Xinglan out first, then return to help. At least Xiao Keke, a D-rank magical girl, could protect herself. Ye Xinglan, an ordinary person, would be helpless against a monster.

An Unexpected Victory

To Xiao Xi’s surprise, when she returned as Sirius, Little Red Riding Hood had already defeated the stage’s puppet monster.

She was busy rescuing the actor playing Eternal Star, still dangling from the wires since the terrified staff had fled.

“Go, head for the emergency exit!”

Though the monster was down, Little Red Riding Hood felt uneasy staring at the scattered puppet fragments. This monster was… too weak, barely D-rank, only slightly stronger than the slime they’d fought. She handled it alone with ease.

“Little Red Riding Hood! You okay?”

The familiar voice startled her. Why was Sirius here too?