Beneath the ashen sky…

“You alright?”

A voice cut through my grief as I knelt before the sandpile that was once Yang Hailiu.

The cheongsam-clad girl stood beside me, bending slightly to meet my downcast eyes.

Perhaps because I’d saved her—

she hadn’t slipped away silently. Instead, she’d stayed to offer comfort with impeccable manners.

I tried lifting my lips into a smile.

But what surfaced was uglier than tears.

Yang Hailiu’s death struck deep.

She’d been a true villain today—yet once, she’d been my teacher. The one who’d shielded me countless times at school.

*Why did she fall?*

Temptation? Or something darker? Only Yang Hailiu knew.

“Glad you’re fine. Did you… know her?” Wang Xiudong tilted her head, curiosity flickering after my mumbled reply.

“She was my teacher.” I glanced back at the sandpile, let out a soft sigh, then turned to her.

“A teacher? No wonder you look so heartbroken…” Her eyes widened with understanding.

“Yeah.” I wiped my cheeks and rose slowly. Forced a faint, brittle smile. *If I couldn’t handle this… I’d have shattered the day Father died.*

Or maybe I *was* broken—just clinging to sanity while Yang Hailiu drowned in madness.

“Don’t be sad,” Wang Xiudong murmured, sensing the ache beneath my words.

“You worry too much. I’m fine.” Her kindness eased the weight, just a little.

“Good! I’m Wang Xiudong, by the way. And you?”

“Chu Dongyu.”

“Dongyu? A lovely name. Thank you—for saving me. Without you, I’d never have beaten your teacher.”

*No.* I shook my head. *I owe you.* “You protected my brother. If not for you, he might’ve…”

Her eyes softened. “Nonsense! *I* should thank *you*. You pulled me back from the brink!”

“Then let’s call it even. I saved you; you saved my brother. No debts.” I offered a tired smile.

“No!” She crossed her arms, triumphant. “Accept my thanks—or I’ll march to your home and tell your brother his little brother’s a Magical Girl!”

“…”

“See? This young lady always gets her way.” She grinned, chin high.

“Who threatens someone’s deepest secret just to force gratitude?” I covered my face, torn between laughter and despair.

“Just accept it!” She planted her hands on her hips, utterly unyielding.

“Fine, fine. I accept. Anything else, Miss Wang?”

She’d cornered me perfectly. If my brother learned I was a Magical Girl… he’d be in mortal danger.

“Nothing! This twisted world’s mending soon. Go!” She beamed, waving me off.

“You too.”

The distortion was already fading—Yang Hailiu’s defeat meant reality would reclaim us.

“Farewell, then~” She turned, waving without looking back.

“Goodbye~” I watched until her figure vanished from the shattered landscape.

Time to find my brother.

He lay where I’d left him, lips parted in sleep, a strand of drool glistening at the corner of his mouth. *A happy dream, I hope.*

I smiled faintly, hoisting him up. My Magical Girl form made it effortless—my normal body could never carry him. Stats boosted, strength amplified.

I carried him to a street corner, propping him gently against a wall. After a final check, I melted into the shadows just as the world snapped back to color.

He woke moments later. Rubbed his eyes. Scanned the ordinary street, frowning as if chasing a half-remembered nightmare. Then he stood, shrugged, and walked away.

Only when he disappeared did I step from the darkness. I unclasped my transformation belt, flesh and bone settling back into my true self.

*How many more times can I protect you, Brother?*

He’d been dragged into danger too often. Was he cursed? Or hunted by Bonesouls? His investigation into Yang Hailiu’s disappearance felt like stepping into a storm.

*But she’s gone now. The danger should end with her.*

I shook my head. The world would rewrite her story soon. I’d need to test how deeply.

---

I blinked, disoriented, standing in a narrow alley.

*Why am I here?*

My head throbbed. I pressed fingers to my temples, straining for a memory—any memory. Nothing surfaced.

*Just… go home.*

I turned toward the street—then froze.

*Right. I came to find my brother.*

But why take this winding route through Park Front Alley? My bus stop was on Fukan Road. The direct path lay down Huacheng Road…

Another puzzle with no answer.

“Enough.” I raked hands through my hair. “Find Dongyu first.”

I strode toward home, the forgotten fragments of a sandpile and a cheongsam-clad girl dissolving like mist.