As soon as the words left her mouth, the younger sisters all turned to her with eager, hopeful eyes.

“Right! Which one did you wear today, senior sister?”

“I picked out that ‘Snow Maiden’ set so well—surely you love it, senior sister?”

*No, no ‘Snow Maiden’… it’s already been thoroughly “Snow-in-the-Bladed” by that senior sister.*

Bai Ningning hesitated. One person would’ve been manageable, but with four juniors gazing at her expectantly, she couldn’t just brush them off.

If she’d worn any other set today, fine—she could’ve framed it as comforting their battle-worn spirits after drill.

But not today. Absolutely not *this* one.

“No,” Bai Ningning said coldly. “That’s not something to be shown around casually.”

*Sorry, girls. Next time I wear something else, I’ll find a chance to show you.*

Ajin, Xiaoyi, and Lanlan slumped back, disappointed. Then it clicked—of course, how could something like *that* be shown freely?

*We were way too bold as juniors.*

Only Qin Xin’s gaze sharpened slightly, thoughts stirring.

On the surface, it sounded like a simple refusal—but Senior Sister Ningning had hesitated *just* before saying no.

*Could there be a deeper reason?*

“Oh! Senior sister,” Xiaoyi perked up, “who was that cute loli you mentioned in the group chat yesterday?”

Bai Ningning twitched her lips. “I only reminded you to focus on training. I said nothing else.”

“You totally said ‘cute loli’!” Lanlan protested.

“Yeah! We all saw it!” Ajin chimed in.

*So you actually noticed that?*

“Just a casual remark,” Bai Ningning murmured, gently squeezing her soft hands. “Don’t overthink it.”

“We’re not obsessed—just curious,” Xiaoyi propped her chin, eyes sparkling. “What’s the person *you* praised like?”

“Nothing special…”

Before Bai Ningning could deflect, the juniors’ imaginations ran wild.

“I get it! Senior sister’s hiding something~”

“Like… keeping someone tucked away?”

“Exactly!”

They giggled freely. But Qin Xin’s mind raced: *Senior Sister Ningning hides many secrets. Hides a little fox. Refuses to reveal them. Won’t even show us her underwear… Could it be…?*

“Stop guessing,” Bai Ningning tried to sound detached. “It was just a passing com—*Ah!*”

Qin Xin had impulsively lifted the hem of her white T-shirt.

Too sudden for anyone to react. Lanlan and Ajin froze wide-eyed; Xiaoyi “covered” her eyes—fingers splayed wider than her pupils.

And there it was: a vibrant anime-style cartoon cat.

Silence swallowed the rest room.

Qin Xin felt a flicker of regret—then relief. *See? Not one of *those* four sets. A gift from someone else!*

…Though admittedly adorable.

Lanlan broke the quiet with an awkward smile. “Senior sister… it’s cute! Just… a little… youthful.”

*(Class clown Lanlan, ever the diplomat.)*

Ajin pinched her chin, feigning critique. “Cute aesthetic, classic design… honestly, I’m out of excuses. Never pictured *you* in this, Senior Bai.”

Xiaoyi stammered, face flushed: “S-so lewd…”

Bai Ningning opened her mouth—words failed her.

Qin Xin’s voice drifted softly. “Senior Sister Ningning… was this set a gift?”

A dangerous question.

*Blame Qin Yue? Then they’ll learn about the senior sister who forces me into outfits… and worse.*

Better to own it.

Bai Ningning straightened her posture, voice cool and firm. “It’s mine.”

Three pairs of eyes widened.

“Why so shocked? I like moe things,” she scoffed lightly. “Didn’t I say I’m joining the 2D Club? This is just fitting in.”

Calm tone. Unshakable expression. Somehow… utterly convincing.

Lanlan sighed. “No wonder you’re our senior sister—everything you say sounds logical.”

Only Qin Xin remained unmoved, gaze shadowed with quiet suspicion.

After lunch, the juniors returned to their dorms for nap time. That brief break healed them—afternoon drill felt lighter.

*[Senior sister, thank you for the treat!]*

Bai Ningning blinked at the group message. *Treat?* Never mind. If they thanked her, she must be a good senior sister.

At 3 PM, as the girls headed back to formations, Bai Ningning met them early with supplies.

“This early?” Lanlan tilted her head. “Not waiting till drill ends?”

“Same difference,” Bai Ningning shrugged. “Longer break today—drill instructor’ll let you buy water.”

“I see.”

“So I won’t come this afternoon,” she added, lips pressed tight. “Do your best.”

*(Truth? She feared running into that tall girl with wheat-toned skin again. One military boxing move… and Bai Ningning would be truly gone.)*

“Got it!” the junior smiled. “See you tomorrow, senior sister~”

Bai Ningning froze for a heartbeat, then forced a smile. “See you tomorrow.”

*Tomorrow…*

*Today I escaped. What about tomorrow? The day after? She’d have to face Formation 17 eventually—two of her juniors were there.*

Heart heavy with anxiety, she packed up and walked home.

Qin Yue, resting indoors, blinked in shock.

*Two days ago: home at seven. Yesterday: six. Today… before four?*