Before this, Yue Ge had always thought accompanying a girl shopping would be pure torture. But after walking around the mall with Bai Ya, he realized things weren’t quite as he’d imagined.
“Yue Ge, how does this look?” Bai Ya asked, holding up a piece of clothing.
“Seems okay,” Yue Ge replied, sitting on a nearby chair and nodding woodenly.
“Then wrap it up. I’ll take it,” Bai Ya said, handing the clothes to a salesperson before moving on. By the way, she wasn’t browsing women’s wear—she was buying clothes for Yue Ge, and she looked thoroughly enjoying it.
Yue Ge, seated aside, could only nod; he had no power to refuse. He’d already followed Bai Ya through two or three stores, each time the process brutally simple: Bai Ya picked, showed him, and swiped her card if he nodded.
Bai Ya even mentioned they wouldn’t carry anything—she’d have it all delivered home later.
Naturally, this wasn’t painful at all. If anything, it was a bit boring, slightly different from his expectations. He’d thought he’d be lugging bags, but so far, he still only held the one containing Little Ash.
Little Ash, meanwhile, kept eyeing the bag’s mesh partition, claws scratching restlessly. Yue Ge guessed that if Bai Ya hadn’t kept glancing back, it would’ve ripped the net off and escaped long ago. How had she raised this creature to act like a house cat? If she called it a monster, no one would believe her.
“Let’s go to the next store. Need daily supplies too,” Bai Ya said.
“Coming,” Yue Ge replied, tapping Little Ash’s head and following with the bag.
“By the way, Yue Ge, need anything else?” Bai Ya turned back.
“Probably not,” he thought. Clothes were covered; Bai Ya would prep other stuff. He truly didn’t know what he lacked.
“Hmm. But if you remember later, delivery’s fine, right?” Bai Ya tilted her head slightly.
“Then why shop in person?” Yue Ge asked.
“For clothes, touching them feels better. Sometimes you like what you see, but hate it after buying,” Bai Ya said, adjusting her hat.
“Even for things you never wear out?” Yue Ge didn’t get it.
“Like pajamas…” Bai Ya caught herself, stopping short. “Anyway, I don’t hide at home all day. Some things can’t be done there.”
“I see,” Yue Ge said, not understanding, so he stayed quiet.
“Bubble tea? My treat,” Bai Ya paused by a shop. “Coffee works too.”
“No need… but I’ll try,” Yue Ge almost refused out of habit, then agreed. “Same as yours.”
“Got it. I’ll order something sweeter. Dislike bitter stuff, Yue Ge?” Bai Ya asked while queuing.
“Not really,” he replied. It wasn’t fear—he was just used to it. He didn’t hate bitterness, but he’d pick sweet if he could. Still, this was Bai Ya’s wish; he wouldn’t refuse. Sometimes, honestly accepting kindness was better.
“Coffee it is,” Bai Ya nodded. But before her turn, she pulled out her phone, frowning slightly at the screen.
“What’s wrong?” Yue Ge didn’t look.
“A call… unknown number. Probably the Organization. Buy my coffee—I’ll be back fast,” Bai Ya said, silencing her phone.
“Got it,” Yue Ge nodded.
Bai Ya walked off, likely seeking privacy. The moment she vanished, Little Ash ripped the mesh partition with a snap, leaped out, and shot Yue Ge a glare.
“Little Ash, what are you doing?” Yue Ge thought the bag was ruined, but crouching revealed the mesh was meant to tear off—it was just stuck on. Bai Ya must’ve designed it so Little Ash could escape anytime.
Onlookers watched curiously; many found Little Ash cute, itching to pet it. Noon approached, and the mall buzzed with people.
Yue Ge dared not let Little Ash roam. Luckily, it seemed to know—after stretching lazily on the bag, it stayed put.
“Bai Ya’s coming back. Why not return yourself?” Yue Ge whispered. He feared being seen as a fool talking to a cat.
Little Ash glanced up, then obediently crawled back into the bag. If its claws allowed, Yue Ge suspected it’d re-stick the mesh itself.
After settling Little Ash, Yue Ge realized it was his turn. Coffee options were limited; he ordered, paid, and waited quietly with the bag. But by the time he got the coffee, Bai Ya still hadn’t returned. Instead, the mall’s atmosphere shifted—chaos, not noise, but panic.
It spread fast. In a blink, few remained near Yue Ge. Little Ash jumped out again, climbed onto his head, and stared fixedly ahead.
“Attention: all remaining shoppers, exit immediately. Repeat: leave within five minutes,” the announcement blared.
Yue Ge eyed the abandoned coffee, torn between leaving or waiting. He didn’t know what happened—the broadcast mentioned nothing but evacuation.
Yet… he sensed it. A strange certainty something had occurred. In the same direction Little Ash watched. He’d need to see for himself.
Thankfully, Bai Ya returned before he could hesitate. Ignoring Little Ash on his head, she grabbed his hand and sprinted that way.
“What happened?” Yue Ge only managed to grab his bag, leaving the coffee behind.
Bai Ya’s easy expression vanished. “Trouble. A ‘monster’ escaped from below.”
“What class?” Yue Ge finally understood that feeling.
“Danger class,” Bai Ya slowed slightly.
Yue Ge followed. He realized he was nearing this world’s “reality.”
A scene… utterly unlike that other place.
Blood pooled on the floor. Shops looked shredded, walls scarred horribly, steel beams snapped. Beneath rubble, something lay buried. Black aura seeped from the cracks—
An aura only he saw. The aura of “Death.”
Something had died here. That was all.
