After asking Xiao You a few questions, Xiao Luo led her in a certain direction. Xiao You couldn’t quite recall the specifics now—probably something about where she’d gotten separated from her parents.

As they walked and chatted, realizing they were the same age sparked more conversation, though Xiao Luo did most of the talking. She pointed out fun spots nearby and recommended places around the city. Xiao You barely remembered the details—she never returned to Lanxi City afterward, and many memories had blurred. Yet her impression of Xiao Luo remained crystal clear.

Back then, Xiao Luo wore a soft-hued princess dress, her jet-black hair flowing past her shoulders. With blonde hair, she’d have looked like a storybook Western princess. Young Xiao You didn’t understand much then—she just thought Xiao Luo was adorable and beautiful. Now, remembering it, she felt a faint trace of envy, even jealousy.

“Xiao You, what’s that hairstyle? It’s so cute!” Xiao Luo said, eyes sparkling with admiration.

“Ah, just ordinary twin tails… tied with a ribbon.”

“Ooh, I wanna try it too! But I don’t know how. Can you teach me?”

“Sure, but I don’t have an extra hair tie. Next time?”

“Deal!” Xiao Luo beamed.

Feeling comfortable with a peer, Xiao You hesitated, then asked, “Um… Xiao Luo, do you believe strange creatures exist?”

“Strange creatures? Like what?”

“Something not like cats or dogs… like, an eyeball with bat wings!”

She instantly pictured the thing that made her lose her parents.

“An eyeball with wings? Sounds creepy.”

“So… you don’t believe me either?”

“Hmm… I don’t know if it exists, but I *hope* it does! Doesn’t it sound cool?”

“Cool?” Xiao You couldn’t wrap her head around it.

“Yeah! If that exists, maybe anime stuff is real too—magic and all! Imagine using magic. Wouldn’t that be awesome?” Xiao Luo’s eyes practically twinkled with stars.

“Oh… yeah, I guess.” Xiao You had watched magical girl anime—now she got it.

“Wait, why’d you ask that?”

“Uh… I’ve *seen* it… that weird creature.”

“Eh? Where? Where?” Xiao Luo leaned in eagerly.

“I lost it… the bat-winged eyeball. I followed it and got separated from my parents…”

“I see… I’d love to hunt it down *now*, but finding your parents comes first!”

“You… believe me?”

“Of course! You don’t seem like you’re lying.”

“But adults say I hallucinated. Friends who believed me at first… when I pointed it out, they saw nothing. Called me a liar. Eventually, no one believed me…” Her voice dipped, a slight tremor betraying tears.

“If others can’t see it… maybe only *you* can. You might be *the chosen child*!” Xiao Luo exclaimed.

“Huh? The chosen child?” Xiao You looked up, confused.

“Someone entrusted with a special mission! Totally unique! Honestly, I’m a little jealous—you might save the world soon!”

“What? I’m just a normal girl… and saving the world? No thanks.”

“Haha, just kidding! I mean—you’re special. Seeing what others can’t? That’s amazing.”

“But… no one believed me…”

“I do.”

“Huh?”

“I said it before—you don’t seem like you’re lying. So I believe you. Even if no one else does.”

“Thank you…” Xiao You shyly lowered her head. For the first time, someone believed her “weird story.”

“No big deal! Honestly? If it were me, I wouldn’t tell anyone. This is *my* secret world!”

*Pfft—* Xiao You couldn’t help but chuckle.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing… just remembered something happy.”

“You don’t seem like you’re lying… but something feels off,” Xiao Luo pouted.

“Hehe. You’re kinda different from other girls, you know.”

“Hmm…” Xiao Luo paused, then leaned closer. “Since you shared your secret… I’ll share mine.”

“What is it?”

Xiao Luo whispered with a playful grin: “I’m actually a boy~”

“Eh—? No way!” Xiao You’s eyes widened. “But you look like a girl… so pretty I felt envious…”

Xiao Luo twirled happily. “Surprised? Totally a boy! This morning, an auntie from my building said, ‘Xiao Luo, try this cute outfit!’ I was bored, so I changed. She even lent me this wig—I barely recognized myself!”

“Uh…” *That auntie’s seriously suspicious…* Xiao You thought.

“Hey, Xiao You… promise me something?” Xiao Luo suddenly turned earnest.

“What?”

“Don’t tell *anyone* I wore this. I’m… kinda shy about it.” He scratched his cheek, a faint blush warming his face.

Seeing his flustered, adorable expression made Xiao You’s heart skip—though she didn’t yet understand why.

“O-okay…”

“Yay! This stays *our* secret. Just between us two.”

*Just between us two…* Xiao You silently echoed the words.

“This should be where you got separated, Xiao You. Let’s hurry!”

…

After some searching, with Xiao Luo’s help, Xiao You reunited with her parents, who thanked him sincerely. The next day, she returned to Changkong City with them, ending that unforgettable trip.

Just as Xiao You drifted deeper into memory, a cheerful synth-and-drums ringtone chimed from her skirt pocket.

“…”

“*Mayoikonda sekai de*”

“*Boku no kage to kasanatte ima*”

“I can’t go back”

“…”

The sentimental tune pulled her back to the present.

“Hello, is this Wuyou?”

“Mm, it’s me. Ning Shuang? What’s up?” Recognizing her new roommate’s voice, Xiao You cut straight to the point.

“We’re at the tennis court. Rackets are ready. Wuyou, hurry over!”

“On my way.”

She hung up, patted her cheeks gently, steadied her emotions, and headed toward the court.