A Girl's Big Transformation

He strolled along the old, clean streets of Sadington City, humming a tune. The gray-white houses stretching into the distance were neat and orderly, every line and angle meticulous, creating a striking and orderly beauty.

Even this usually serious city was now completely enveloped in a festive atmosphere. Countless massive stone pillars, requiring three people to encircle, were decorated with colorful ribbons and paintings, banners filled with praise for the supreme God were everywhere, and colorful flags painted with crosses fluttered in the wind. Sunlight filtered through layers of colorful curtains and cast shadows on the ground, dividing it into sections resembling a magnificent stained-glass window.

Countless shops along the roadside were also brightly decorated (although it wasn't night yet), with rows of goods displaying a dazzling array of items. Some shopkeepers even set up small stages at their entrances to perform for the festivities. Although the Holy Spirit Festival wouldn't officially begin until tomorrow, the people, already excited by the festive atmosphere, couldn't contain themselves and had long since donned wildly colorful and extravagantly decorated carnival costumes, wandering the streets and creating a unique spectacle. A parade of musicians marched through the middle of the street, entertaining everyone with cheerful symphonies, allowing even the poorest people, who were always hungry and cold, to finally relax.

"Ah... a time of universal celebration, a time of joy and happiness. Even the rigidly hierarchical and oppressive Divine Law Cult seems to have some semblance of dignity at times like this, although..."

The man's gaze shifted to the entrance of a dark alleyway at the street corner, where several hunched-over children were gathered together, their eyes filled with wariness. As soon as they realized the man was watching them, they panicked and ran away in a flash.

"... Ha, chasing away beggars? That's the state of the Divine Law Cult these days, but compared to those—"

The man looked up at the sky, his gaze growing increasingly sharp.

"--Killing that bastard Lao Shi, we should be close by now, right?"

For a fleeting moment, a chilling murderous aura emanated from the man, causing the surrounding temperature to drop slightly. However, he immediately suppressed the aura to avoid attracting attention.

But--

"Hey, where are you from?"

"... Oh?"

Several people dressed in elaborate uniforms walked over, each with an arrogant air, and small crosses hanging around their necks; they appeared to be a Vatican patrol.

"What brings you gentlemen here?"

"Ha?"

The leader and the others exchanged glances, then burst into laughter as if they had heard something hilarious.

"Hahaha! You see me and ask, 'What brings you here?' You look so poor but you're trying to sound so scholarly!"

"Poor and shabby?"

The man looked down at his clothes: a dusty overcoat and tattered trousers that he'd worn for years. Ah, so that's it; he'd been mistaken for an unemployed bum.

"Well, well, although I'm dressed a bit shabbily, it doesn't mean I'm a homeless person or anything like that. Rather, people of truly high level don't use fancy external things to arm themselves. Old Shi usually just wears a loincloth, except for some eccentric people at the top, of course."

"What the hell are you babbling about! You either get out of the city while I'm in a good mood, or you get beaten to a pulp and thrown out. The choice is yours!"

"How arrogant... Stop, stop, stop! Don't point a knife at me! I'll leave! But before that—"

The man smiled slightly.

"Want to play a game with me?"

"Mission accomplished!"

After an unknown amount of time, just as Xiao Wu was about to tear up all those messy and strange clothes, Sin Annihilation finally finished and called it a day.

Are you satisfied?

"Eh... Eh..."

Even when asked this question, the aesthetically-challenged Sin Annihilation wouldn't know how to answer.

"Xiao Wu..."

She stared longingly at Xiao Wu, but was it just her imagination? She had a feeling that Sin Annihilation, who was always expressionless, was about to cry.

Xiao Wu looked left and right, then right again, before finally looking away with a hint of embarrassment.

"Well... it's pretty good."

Her gaze wandered, not because it was too ugly—on the contrary, it was a complete transformation. It was too sudden, too perfect, leaving Xiao Wu, who was already lacking in literary talent, unable to find a suitable adjective.

"Really?"

Sin Annihilation lifted her skirt, swayed left and right, and twirled around once more. The floral lace ribbons danced gently, leaving the shop assistants dumbfounded. Even the experienced ones couldn't believe that this girl, who initially dressed like a beggar, would be so beautiful.

Her once slightly messy gray hair was now neatly combed, cascading naturally down her slender neck, with small curls at the ends. A long strand of hair was cleverly parted at the front, falling down from her side and perfectly concealing the gruesome mark on her right cheek. In the past, this mark was so eye-catching that everyone who saw her face would subconsciously ignore everything else, focusing entirely on the extremely ugly mark. Now that it was covered, her angelic and pure face could truly be seen. Was it because of the contrast between before and after? Xiao Wu felt that Saki's current Sin Annihilation had even reached the same level as Ye Yue's.

The black robe she had casually picked up had long been discarded, replaced by a gothic-style purplish-black dress. Lace trim accentuated the girl's slender curves of her upper body, making her already slim waist appear even more delicate under the tight corset adorned with silver ornaments. Thin black gauze fabric on her shoulders and sleeves revealed her pale, delicate skin. In stark contrast to the slightly restrictive upper body was the gorgeous knee-length skirt made of lace and velvet, fluffy yet not loose, exuding mystery and nobility. Below the skirt were sheer crystal stockings and gleaming thick-soled boots, complementing the dress perfectly as a finishing touch.

"... Never mind, let me take a closer look."

Xiao Wu walked up to Sin Annihilation, gently combing her long hair and smoothing out the slight wrinkles in her clothes. The tall, aloof punk-style girl and the delicate, beautiful gothic-style girl standing together created a truly picturesque scene. The people around them couldn't help but hold their breath, afraid of disturbing this beautiful sight.

"Hmm... that's even better. Is it comfortable to wear? Is it a little tight?"

"No, it's great, better than any clothes I've ever worn before..."

Indeed, although the upper body looks very tight, the fabric used is actually very elastic, so there is no feeling of pressure at all.

"So... are you happy?"

"... happy?"

Sin Annihilation hesitated.

Actually, it doesn't matter what she wears. For her, who has neither a well-developed sense of aesthetics nor is harmed by the cold, clothes are just props to conceal her identity. Wearing this beautiful dress is no different from wearing a rag.

But--

"Yes, I'm very happy, thank you..."

Sin Annihilation is probably the first time that he has said something against his conscience.

The words had barely left his mouth when Sin Annihilation was taken aback.

What clothes I wear doesn't matter at all, and I'm unlikely to be happy just because I'm wearing clothes that conform to more conventional aesthetic standards— Sin Annihilation knew this was her true feeling.

But why would he say the word "happy" against his will?

Etc,

Sin Annihilation knew that there was a strange behavior in the social interactions of ordinary people.

"Even if you don't really like someone, you'll still lie and say things against your conscience so as not to disappoint them"—that's the kind of behavior that leaves people scratching their heads.

This behavior meant absolutely nothing to her.

But why myself--

"Is that so... that's good."

Hearing Sin Annihilation's insincere words, Xiao Wu seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and finally smiled again.

Although it was a faint smile, it contained no pretense; it was simply a genuine joy at having "slightly improved the situation of the girl she had helped."

"Ah..."

At this moment, Sin Annihilation began to understand a little why people do things that are supposedly "not to let others down."

This is not without significance.

If this can bring a smile to the face of this seemingly aloof girl, Xiao Wu, then telling a little lie is worthwhile.

Has my ability to imitate the words and actions of ordinary people taken a step further?

Or was it "because it's Xiao Wu" that she did this?

While Sin Annihilation was still deep in thought, Xiao Wu had already gone to pay the bill.

"Thank you for your patronage! The total is xxxxxxxxx Tong Coin! Will you be paying in cash or --?"

"So much!? -- Oh no, I mean cash."

"Thank you so much! This is our store's platinum card, which allows you to enjoy VIP treatment at any of our chain stores! Please accept it!"

"Uh... thank you, I'll be going now."

"We look forward to your next visit!!!!"

"Yes, yes, yes... if there's a next time (whispering)."

Seeing that Sin Annihilation was still standing there in a daze, Xiao Wu waved her hand in front of her.

"What are you daydreaming about? Let's go."

"Ah, yes..."

Xiao Wu paying the bill was a perfect opportunity to escape, so why didn't I run away?

That was a huge miscalculation.

However, despite the ridiculous mistake, Sin Annihilation felt that the temperature in his heart area was slightly higher than usual, warm.

"Myocardial infarction?"

"Why are you suddenly saying something so unlucky...?"

"Hmm, this will do."

The man walked through the bustling pedestrian street, bypassing the parade processions, and finally arrived at a relatively quiet road.

Compared to the hustle and bustle of other places, this place is noticeably quieter.

"Urahara Sakura Dance... she must have a quiet personality."

A quiet person like her would never join those who go crazy outside before the festival has officially started, and besides, the clothing store she's in isn't far from here, so if she's moving this way, she'll definitely choose this route.

"As for the specific location... ah, I've got it."

There are four shops along this quiet road: a small restaurant, a pastry shop, a coffee shop, and a small supermarket.

Which one should I choose?

Where did Urahara Sakura Dance?

It's hard to say... Should we take a gamble?

The man narrowed his eyes slightly, recalling his conversation with his old friend.

"What a pity, Lao Shi. A man like you doesn't understand the joy of games and gambling."

"I only believe in my own abilities and don't want to entrust the outcome to something vague and uncertain."

"That would take away a lot of the excitement from life."

"I value the result more than the enjoyment of the process."

"You, you..."

The scene was so nostalgic that the man couldn't help but smile.

Indeed, it's always best to play it safe in times like these...

Then I'll have to visit each of these shops one by one.

"I never thought someone as carefree as me would one day avenge a friend. Who will survive in the end? I'm really looking forward to it, Urahara Sakura Dance..."

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I broke a cup yesterday and cut my finger on the glass, which drastically slowed down my typing speed. I didn't finish typing today's code until midnight. I need some comfort! /(ㄒoㄒ)/~~