“Mmm, mmm, mmm…” She hummed as she skipped down the street, golden hair bouncing like sunlight on spring water, each strand flashing under the noonday blaze.

A bubble of glee rose first, then the thought: Maybe I should go shopping. She didn’t notice how every male gaze gathered like iron filings to a magnet—and how the women’s eyes glinted with envy and thorns.

“Such a cute Little Loli. I just want to take her home.”

“Why’s her hair gold? Is she foreign?”

“Damn it, why didn’t I bring a lollipop today? What a waste.”

Phones came out like a sudden shower of glass.

The Little Loli tiptoed up to a college kid frozen mid-stare. In a sugar-sweet voice, she chirped, “Big Brother, which way to the shops?” She widened her golden eyes, stars bursting like fireflies—starry-eyes attack. Direct hit. Double effect. The college kid dropped.

What the heck? I’m just asking for directions. Why’d he go down? Tsk. Her irritation flared first, then the complaint fizzed out. Every time she asked, a passerby folded. One by one, they toppled until the street looked like a battlefield after a storm.

“Huff… I’m exhausted. Is asking for directions this hard in this world?” Frustration throbbed, then helplessness washed in. Confusion softened her porcelain face, and her eyes pooled bright as dew, the kind that makes people want to shield a sapling from the wind.

“Uuu, bullying the new girl again…” she muttered, voice quivering.

“Little sister, what’s wrong? Why the tears?” A middle-aged “uncle” drifted closer like a shadow where the sun shouldn’t reach.

Creep alert. Ditch him, fast. She wasn’t your average Little Loli; she knew exactly what creeps tried next and already had an exit ready.

Sure enough, the uncle whipped out a lollipop and waved it under her nose. “Don’t cry. Uncle’s got candy. Come with me and I’ll give it to you. How about it?”

“Tch. A lollipop? I wouldn’t go for a pearl-studded diamond ring.”

Fresh from a mountain of luxury brands, the Little Loli gave him a look meant for clowns.

The uncle noticed that teasing glint in the golden-haired loli’s eyes. “Well? Come with Uncle?” A strange weight pressed on him, like a stone rolling down.

She stared him down, voice cute enough to kill and cold enough to frost glass. “Stay away from me. Scum.”

He jolted. “How rude! That won’t do. I’ll find your parents and have them teach you manners.” He reached for her hand.

No chance. Her hand wasn’t for random grabs. As his fingers closed in, she snapped and bit.

“Mother—! That hurts! You can’t just bite people!” He yowled and plopped to the ground, clutching his hand.

The Little Loli spat, ptooey, onto the pavement and walked on. Over her shoulder, two crisp syllables rang out like a slap. “Scum.”

I’ve walked forever and still no mall. What kind of broken place is this? The urge to curse boiled up. Just when the path seemed to dead-end beneath shadowed willows, a tall building rose into view like a clearing after rain. On it, three bold words: Department Store.

“Finally.” A sweet smile unfurled across her exquisitely carved face.

People at the doors saw a sunlit, golden-haired Little Loli flash a grin and dash inside. “So cute! What does that store have to lure someone like her?” they murmured, wind in the reeds. Ten seconds later, a swarm charged in after her, waving lollipops and phones like flags.

Being tailed? She glanced back at the long smear of shadows and, for the first time, felt the pull of this body’s charm. After a flurry of quick turns and clever breaks, she shook them.

Chastened by the chase, she grabbed a hooded dress to veil her hair and face. “Damn scum. Do you even know how much trouble you cause?” Annoyance clouded her perfect features, a small storm hidden under the hood.

“Where’s the Gothic Loli section? Don’t tell me a mall this big doesn’t carry it.” Wu Hao paced the floors, sourness rising like steam. Big as it was, the place mirrored her old world—same aisles, same shine—only the shopper had changed.

After one last sweep, she gave up. “What a joke. I’m seriously getting mad.” The Little Loli stomped a tiny foot; the tiles trembled like ripples in a pond. But I don’t remember seeing stockings in the wardrobe. As a certified stocking addict, she felt it like a crime against beauty to leave those legs bare. I’ll have to wear them with a Gothic Loli dress anyway. Might as well buy them now. She pivoted toward the hosiery section.

“Hmm… black or white?” The question trailed her like a kite string. “Black, of course. Veteran black-stockings fan. No contest.” At the shop, under the clerk’s stunned stare, she asked, “Do you have good black stockings?”

“Little sister, they’re for you?” the saleswoman said, each word slow as falling petals. The hood came off; golden hair spilled like a waterfall.

“Yes. Why?” Wu Hao’s tone was pure confusion.

“You’re too cute! And those legs—perfect. Amazing. Black stockings on legs like that will drop half the city.” The clerk panted, then beamed. “Let big sis pick a few for you!”

She scooped up the struggling Little Loli and whisked her into the fitting room.

“So white… and so smooth to the touch.” “Hey—no! Not there!” “Mm, this style looks great.” “Nooo… please… uuu…”

The Little Loli finally stepped out, eyes faintly red, like cherries washed by rain. “I’m sorry, little sister. I got too excited. I’ll cover the socks to make it up to you.”

Are shop clerks in this world all this terrifying? Wu Hao staggered out, still catching her breath.

“Your hair and eyes are gorgeous! Come visit again, don’t forget!” the enthusiastic clerk waved, voice bright as bells.

Wu Hao, one hand on the shopping bag and the other pulling the hood back up, tossed a lukewarm reply. That fervent gaze made her shiver like a leaf. Damn it. I’m never shopping alone again. Not if I value my life.

She left the department store. A summer breeze brushed her ceramic cheeks. She stopped cold.

Where’s home?

The golden-haired girl went blank.