"I think I get it now."

Qiu Li'er pondered a moment. "But won't you get in trouble for this? Shouldn't the River Styx have a manager—like, say, an underworld goddess or something?"

"Tch~ This detective's navigated the River Styx for over a decade. How could I possibly leave traces?" Xi Xi tilted her tiny chin up. "Besides, that old goddess couldn't be bothered. Trillions of corpses line the other shore—what's one little take?"

*She declared with unshakable confidence.*

"That's *exactly* why I think you'll mess up," Qiu Li'er said. Even without knowing this world well, she knew "resurrection" shattered cosmic balance—a dangerously high-stakes act. A cocky, blue-haired loli like Xi Xi? Bound to slip up. If only someone could rein in her antics and clean up after her...

"I said it's *impossible*!" Xi Xi glared. "Doubt my age, doubt my skills—but never doubt this detective's magical prowess!"

"Then why did I wake up amnesiac?" Qiu Li'er tilted her head, feigning innocence.

The question struck Xi Xi's guilt like a needle.

"Uh..." Her cheeks flushed slightly; she pouted. "It was an accident! My magic circle was poorly set—magic overflowed, disrupted your flight... But—but you shouldn't have been there that day either..."

"Mm, you're right," Qiu Li'er said earnestly. "My fault too. I shouldn't have practiced broom flight by Amethyst Lake."

*True.* On a free sunny day, she should've napped in the dorm—Nan Shi snuggled left, Yuenina hugged right. Bliss. Why suffer outside? Young folks belong indoors; stepping out might literally kill you.

Xi Xi blinked, expression flickering. "Anyway... that's my whole past. I hurt you. All me."

"Eh, no worries," Qiu Li'er waved a hand. "I forgive you. Who holds grudges against a mischievous little loli?"

She genuinely didn't care—mission first, story second.

Hearing "mischievous loli," Xi Xi puffed her cheeks. "And *stop* calling me loli! I'm twenty-five—years older than you!"

"No, no, no," Qiu Li'er wagged a finger. "Loli essence is petite stature, not age. Even a 500-year-old dignified vampire lady? Still a loli."

*Translation: You, blue-haired and under 140cm, quit pretending to be the mature one. Scram.*

Xi Xi shot back, "Shave a few centimeters off *your* height, fox girl, and *you'd* be the loli."

*Her meaning clear: You, under 160cm, stop acting big-sisterly. Tuck that tail and scram.*

Qiu Li'er scratched her ear, shifting topics. "These are your secrets... really okay to share?"

"Of course!" Xi Xi patted her flat chest solemnly. "I erased your memories. Sharing mine is compensation."

"Hmm... kinda makes sense." Brutally simple logic—yet oddly warm. Today undeniably deepened their bond.

*But...*

Qiu Li'er's gaze drifted to Xi Xi's chest—completely flat, zero curve. Front or side view? Tiny. She wasn't into small things... but hugging Xi Xi would feel *very* comfy.

"Oh right, lewd fox," Xi Xi said. "Remember me offering to be your bodyguard?"

"Huh? Vaguely..." Qiu Li'er recalled needing one—walking alone felt unsafe. Though with two roommates, solo trips were rare.

"Close your eyes. *Now*."

"Why?!"

"Don't ask! I'm giving you something vital—you can't peek. Mandatory bodyguard step!" Blue light glimmered in Xi Xi's eyes, tone brooking no refusal.

"So shady! Shouldn't bodyguards sign contracts? What's closing eyes got to do with it?"

"Stop overthinking, disobedient lewd fox! Obey this detective!"

"...It's embarrassing."

Still, Qiu Li'er shut her eyes.

A delicate fragrance drifted close—faint, fragile, like a blue flower blooming in darkness.

Unseen: Xi Xi leaning in, cheeks tinged pink, biting her lip softly.

"This is important... guard it well, lewd fox."

She rose on tiptoes and pressed a kiss to Qiu Li'er's cheek.

...

Evening. Qiu Li'er walked alone, sighing at the starry sky.

Just one hour—but it felt like a lifetime.

So *that's* why "C" was the academy's legendary detective: a ghost without physical form. Wars, resurrections, the River Styx... worlds away from campus calm. Thrilling.

*But—*

She scratched her ear, flustered.

She'd been *kissed*. Out of nowhere! No warning! Her *first kiss* across two lifetimes—precious!

...Though eyes closed, zero prep, it ended before she felt anything.

*Still.* Xi Xi smelled nice. Lips soft. Very... girl-like.

*Sigh.* A lazy slacker like her getting kissed? Must be fox girl charm stats hitting max.

Anyway—happy day.

As she replayed events, backpack slung low, realization struck.

"Wait! System—my main quest isn't complete?!"

[No.]

[What you know is not the truth. Continue investigating. This system supports you.]

Qiu Li'er stared blankly at the stars. After a long silence, she murmured:

"Told you. That mischievous little loli? Totally unreliable."