Sunlight slipped through the window like warm honey, pooling in the pink-trimmed room; the blonde girl lay curled on the bed, breathing slow like a sleepy cat.
“Mmm...” After who knows how long, a pale hand rubbed the fog from her eyes like wiping dew off glass.
“Uwah! I think something important’s today...” Her usual self drifted like a lazy cloud—no school, no homework, just snacks and games.
In the bathroom, she shuffled like seaweed in a gentle tide; her phone chirped by the sink. “Huh? Unknown caller?” She took it.
“Downstairs.”
“…Got it. I’ll be right down.” The voice was cool as winter steel; that phrasing could only be Bloo.
A prickle of urgency needled her chest; Xiao Qianxue yanked on clothes, inhaled breakfast, and dashed down like a startled deer. A blue Mercedes idled near the gate, and Bloo sat inside, elbow on the window, eyes drifting like a hawk over low hills.
Click. The door swung open like a shell splitting.
“You... made up your mind?” Though he didn’t turn, Bloo sounded sure the one getting in was Little Loli.
“I’ve been through plenty; nothing to be scared of.” She tucked into the seat and shut the door; her golden eyes fixed on Bloo like twin coins.
Even Bloo, who spoke only when necessary, had brought up this drug twice and asked if she was ready; that meant the potion had thorns, not some simple sip.
“...” Silence pooled in the car like still water. The Mercedes slipped out of the community and sped toward the small villa.
“Morning, Xiao Qianxue. Sleep well yesterday?” Footsteps carried Bloo to the hidden basement; as they entered, Hoshina bloomed midair and floated over, her look a mirror of yesterday, only black-and-white maid attire today.
Pink hair fanned beneath the maid headband like petals; her outfit wasn’t ordinary—lace nested around cuffs and bow, and beneath the skirt, black stockings sheathed her legs like twilight.
“Hi, Bloo. How was the morning drive~~” After greeting Little Loli, Hoshina spared no extra chatter; she minced to Bloo’s side, hands crossed behind her back, chest proud, chin tipped like a swan.
“Mm... that looks like a C.” The blonde girl tilted her head, assessing like someone weighing fruit at market.
“Let’s get started...” Bloo strode to a side table, and with a flick of his hand, a robot poured him tea, steam curling like pale ghosts.
“So... Xiao Qianxue, are you ready?” Seeing Bloo’s reaction, Hoshina turned to the golden-haired girl. Today, Little Loli wasn’t in hoodie and jeans; she wore a softer, feminine outfit, her long gold hair roped into a side ponytail like sunlight caught and tied—the first time lately she’d gone out in a dress.
“Yes.” She said it, but her small hand pinched the hem like clutching a raft; her beautiful golden irises locked on Hoshina like lanterns in dusk.
“Then come with me~~” Little Loli and Hoshina walked to a stretch of wall in the hall. “Hmm, I think it’s like this.” Hoshina pulled an info screen from the wall, tapped with both hands, and the silver surface split, a dark door opening like a mouth.
The golden-haired girl was long past surprise; even if a tank hid behind that door, her brows wouldn’t twitch—a lake unruffled by wind.
The door opened onto a corridor that didn’t look long, a straight vein of light. They moved forward; seconds later, a door at the end peeled open, and by the corridor’s glow, Little Loli made out a room laid out like an operating theater.
“Let there be light!” Hoshina called for no clear reason, and white brilliance flooded the room like fresh snow. “There’s the surgical table ahead; the side bench has your gown. Change first.”
The room felt vast, shelves holding rows of bright bottles like a rainbow orchard, and in front sat a single platform—yes, just a platform. “Uh...” Little Loli took the gown and glanced at Hoshina, cheeks warming like dawn.
“Didn’t expect you to blush at a time like this. Fine...” Hoshina snapped her fingers; her virtual body shimmered away like a popped bubble.
Quick as shedding a shell, the golden-haired girl changed out of her clothes and into the simple yet soft white surgical gown, then lay on the platform as instructed, a petal settling on stone.
“Now just close your eyes and be good~~” Hoshina’s voice drifted from every corner like wind through chimes. Little Loli obeyed and suddenly felt something prick her on the table.
“That’s an anesthetic. Don’t worry. And by the way, development’s not bad~~~” The rest blurred for Xiao Qianxue; drowsiness welled from every limb and rushed into her head like a tide, and she sank into sleep.
Time passed like moving clouds; when awareness swam back to shore, she lifted a hand and felt power return to her body like a river filling its banks. “What… is this…”
“Finally awake. It’s nearly dusk.” A voice brushed her ear like a feather. She turned and found Hoshina watching with curious, wide eyes.
“What… is this…” She sat up; her movements flowed far better than before, though control still fell short of battle mode—a blade yet to be fully sharpened.
“Looks like the trial worked. Change and we’ll head out to take a look.” Hoshina turned and slipped out of the operating room like smoke through a crack.
“What? A trial?” The blonde girl stared after Hoshina, puzzled, but it didn’t matter; success was success. She hurried through changing and in a few heartbeats stepped back into the hall like a spring released.
“Success?” Bloo glanced at Xiao Qianxue as she emerged from the dark door, his tone a pebble dropped in calm water—he did care about the outcome.
“Should be. Let her go home and adapt today; we’ll talk other abilities tomorrow.” At some point Hoshina had appeared behind Bloo, her words delicate as silk.
“Xiao Qianxue, I’ll have Bloo drive you back. Tonight, get used to what your body can do. Tomorrow, I’ll develop your abilities further.” Hoshina flickered to her side like a firefly, while Bloo, cooperative for once, walked to the entrance and opened the elevator like a steel bloom.
“Got it! I’ll go try it tonight.” In a few breaths, Little Loli stepped into the elevator, excitement crackling like static. “Body’s much better than before, but… still far from enough.”
Bloo glanced once at Little Loli staring at her hands, lost like someone reading lines in a palm, then turned his head away, his thoughts drifting where no one could see.
