Going Out

"Power?"

"But it was far too heavy. If the times had not demanded it, I would rather have been an ordinary student than go through it—or lose so much..."

Seeing the memories in her eyes, Lycaon naturally understood just how heavy her words were.

He took a deep breath and sipped his coffee.

"Rest assured, Miss Fu Hua. Victoria Housekeeping will stand behind you. From the moment you joined us, we became family."

"Mm. Thank you, Lycaon."

Setting down the towel in her hand, Fu Hua looked at the system shop interface.

The first form had white hair with red highlights and red-tipped ends.

She wore a white-and-red cheongsam with black shorts—the Thousand-Year Feather, Phoenix.

The second form was Cloud Ink Dan Xin, with a high ponytail, a white-and-green Daoist robe, and a Taiji pendant.

Both were very expensive: ten million and fifteen million.

However, Fu Hua currently had enough energy to exchange for Phoenix.

"Lycaon, I'd like to take a day off tomorrow and... go for a walk."

"Of course. There haven't been many commissions lately, so go without worry."

"Mm."

After returning home that evening.

Living room.

Fu Hua looked at Cui Ji beside her and said, "Cui Ji, after practice tomorrow, let's go shopping at Lumina Square."

"Huh, really, Master?"

"Mm. We just completed a well-paying commission, so it would be nice to go out and have some fun."

Phaethon: Miss Fu Hua, you're famous.

Chi Yuan: ...

Chi Yuan: This isn't called being famous, Belle. More accurately, I'm wanted.

Seeing the message her counterpart had sent in all seriousness, Belle smiled and continued typing her reply.

Phaethon: How does that not count as being famous?

Phaethon: Look, the Inter-Knot is full of discussions about you.

Chi Yuan: If you continue to make fun of me, then this conversation will end.

Phaethon: No, no, no. Hua~ I was wrong.

Chi Yuan: That way of addressing me...

Phaethon: What's wrong? Can't I call you that?

Chi Yuan: You can. It's just that it reminds me of someone.

Phaethon: They must have been very important to you, right?

Chi Yuan: Mm. But it's all in the past. There's no need to talk about it.

Chi Yuan: Oh, right. Cui Ji and I are going out tomorrow. Would you like to come along?

Surprised by Fu Hua's invitation, Belle hurriedly typed her reply.

Phaethon: Of course, of course. I know New Eridu like the back of my hand.

Chi Yuan: Is that so? I don't know much about New Eridu.

Chi Yuan: Then I'll have to trouble you to show us around, Belle.

Phaethon: Leave it to me.

Phaethon: Hua, where should we meet?

Chi Yuan: [Park location sent]

Chi Yuan: I usually bring Cui Ji here to practice martial arts.

Chi Yuan: Just come here.

Phaethon: Alright, I'll take a car over tomorrow and find you two.

Putting down her phone, Belle said to Wise, who was playing video games beside her, "Big brother, I'm going to bed first. I'm meeting Fu Hua tomorrow to go out and have fun."

"Is that so? All right, go on without worry."

The next morning.

Fu Hua wore a green off-the-shoulder T-shirt, a white beret, black shorts, and a white bag slung behind her.

She gave off a bright, energetic impression.

Cui Ji, beside her, wore a tracksuit.

With her feet planted apart, she slowly practiced her punches.

"Um, Fu Hua?"

Belle's hesitant voice came from behind her.

Fu Hua slowly turned around and smiled faintly.

"You're here, Belle. We've just finished our training as well."

"This outfit of yours is really unusual."

After confirming that it was indeed Fu Hua, Belle hurried over and circled around her, looking her over.

Fu Hua looked slightly taken aback.

"Yes? Is something wrong with it?"

Can't find it by searching the book title? Try searching for the author instead—it may simply have been renamed!

After taking a photo with her phone, Belle waved her hand.

"No, no, no. Hua, you actually look quite girlish like this. Before, I only saw you in that butler uniform and armor.

They were always so cold and cool. This is much better."

"The Proxy has a point. Master's had this outfit gathering dust in her wardrobe all this time.

This is the first time she's worn it."

After finishing her movements and standing upright, Cui Ji teased her.

"Cui Ji, clothing is merely a necessity of life. As long as it fits, isn't that enough?"

"Oh, Hua, you're obviously very cute.

Why say something so stiff? Dressing nicely is something every girl does, isn't it?"

Belle stepped forward and linked arms with Fu Hua.

"Exactly, Master. This time, we have to help you pick out a few more cute outfits."

And so, Fu Hua was practically dragged toward the shopping street by Belle and Cui Ji.

As she watched their figures.

Their conversations, and this familiar atmosphere.

It always made Fu Hua repeatedly think of classmates and friends from her student days.

Taking a deep breath, she shook her head and pulled her thoughts back to reality.

"What's wrong, Hua? You don't seem very happy."

Noticing this, Belle asked with concern.

"I just thought of some things from the past. I'm merely feeling a little sentimental. Don't worry about it."

Her blue eyes revealed a deep weariness.

But it was quickly hidden away in their depths.

She smiled and said, "Let's hurry. There aren't too many people out yet."

"Yes, yes, let's go."

As time passed.

The sun rose high in the sky, and the three arrived at a dessert shop to rest.

Using her hand as a fan, Belle waved it beside her face.

"Ah, it's so hot~ Good thing this place has air conditioning."

"By the way, don't you two feel hot?"

Fu Hua picked up the black tea they had ordered and took a leisurely sip.

"If you regulate the breath within you, you won't feel hot."

"Martial arts can make you resistant to heat too?"

"Perhaps Belle should exercise more as well. It certainly wouldn't do any harm."

"I'll pass, haha. I'm kind of lazy."

Cui Ji, who was eating a small cake beside them, teased her.

"Rope Masters aren't lazy. It's just that there's nothing pushing you from behind."

"Hmm? Could it be that Cui Ji was forced to train by Fu Hua somehow?"

"Eh, n-no, that's not it. I'm very self-disciplined."

Seeing her panic, Belle immediately raised an eyebrow.

"Very suspicious, Hua~ Come on, tell me. What was that useless thing?"

"Don't, Master, don't tell her..."

Cui Ji immediately blushed and hurried over to Fu Hua's side, grabbing her arm.

Fu Hua laughed and shook her head at the sight.

"Belle, leave her some dignity."

"Fine~ Though I really wanted to know."

"Nyah nyah nyah, Master won't tell you."

Inside the dessert shop, the atmosphere among the three was especially warm.

Outside, a fox carrying a sword walked slowly down the street in high heels.

The other three members of the Anti-Air Sixth Division were beside her.

"That barbecue place today was really good~ The portions were huge."

Soukaku rubbed her belly and spoke in satisfaction.

"How did you manage to eat all those intestines and organs? Just smelling them was enough to make me sick."

Asaba Yuma said with a strange expression.

"Hehe, maybe we just have different tastes. Anyway, I'm not a picky eater."

Suddenly, Hoshimi Miyabi stopped walking ahead of them.

The other three stopped as well, and Tsukishiro Yanagi asked in confusion.

"Section Chief, what is it?"

"I think... I found that person."

"Ooh, where, where?!"

Soukaku hurriedly jumped forward and looked in the indicated direction.

"That dessert shop over there."

Asaba Yuma asked uncertainly.

"Mm, let's go, then. It just so happens that we need to buy some after-dinner dessert too."

Tsukishiro Yanagi smiled as she spoke to the others.

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