Uncle and Aunt

(Sun Yao)

Yezi went downstairs to buy groceries, so the house is a bit quiet.

The news about the recent intrusion had already finished airing on TV, and I was momentarily at a loss for what to do; my mind seemed to remain in Hawaii.

The Golden climbed onto the sofa and insisted on squeezing next to me. It's a big guy and could easily push me off the sofa. Plus, it's fluffy and warm. Even though I was wearing thin loungewear, leaning against it felt like sitting next to a small heater.

"We'll buy your dog food and dog bed tomorrow. You can hold off on going to the toilet for now. We'll take you for a walk tonight."

"Waaah~"

I jumped off the sofa, Golden gestured for me to follow.

It went into the bathroom, then used its nose to push the small bath stool to the toilet seat, climbed on it, and stuck its rear end up facing the toilet...

It was just a demonstration; there was no actual pulling involved.

"Woof--"

The shout had a hint of smugness about it.

"You can even use the toilet? That's so smart! Are you really a dog?"

I was awestruck by its astonishing intelligence. Is this the priceless Doggy bred by the world's number one idol?

"Speaking of which, have you been constipated these past few days? Did you swallow a conch or a stone... and haven't you pooped it yet?"

Should we take him to have a video taken?

Not being able to see "that thing" come out always makes me a little uneasy, especially since it was eaten right in front of me...

"Hmm?"

I've already assumed it can understand human speech.

But the Golden tilted its head, seemingly not quite understanding.

"Good dog, let us know if you feel unwell."

"Ooh!"

The Golden had already proven itself to me as an extraordinary dog. We returned to the living room, but before we could even sit down, a vintage-style ringtone sounded.

It's the red landline phone on the corner cabinet in the entryway. I bet even Yezi herself doesn't know how long it's been since she last used it.

I hesitated for a moment, but still picked up the receiver.

"Ceruno... no, A-Yao! Change back immediately!"

It was the sound of Yezi.

At the same time, the door to the room in the entryway was pushed open, and my uncle and aunt were looking at me from outside.

"My parents are going back!"

Yezi's call came too late.

"Wow! A-Yao has turned into a magical girl! And she's so soft and fluffy! Auntie is so happy!"

"Aunt Lin Xi, please... please don't do this..."

Because I couldn't hide it any longer after being caught red-handed, I honestly told Ye Zi's parents about my identity before Yezi returned. Aunt Lu Linxi, who was a researcher related to magical girls, "studied" me from head to toe with both hands.

"Honey, how does A-Yao look now?"

Although Uncle Bai Yunzhi was not one to smile easily, he still nodded.

"Not bad." A concise and succinct affirmation.

Aunt clapped her hands and laughed, "Look, we're all very satisfied! When are you two getting married?"

Wow! Getting married?!

Why did this bring up marriage?

It was actually the aunt who looked surprised.

"Huh? Usually, these kinds of relationships are supposed to be with marriage in mind, right? You and my Yezi grew up together, and now you're a girl, are you planning to go out and find other men?"

She even cupped her cheeks, giving off an expression that said, "Auntie is very disappointed in you."

"No, why do I have to find a man?!"

"Oh? Do you have a girl you like? Would she be open to lesbian relationships?"

"What yuri... I can still turn back."

My aunt seemed even more surprised when I said that.

"Huh? You've become a magical girl, and you're still thinking about turning back?"

"I can't be a magical girl forever."

Why not?

She moved closer to my face, scrutinizing it closely, which made me feel embarrassed, and I didn't dare to meet her gaze.

Although she has already given birth to Yezi, Auntie still looks young and beautiful. If it weren't for her mature attire, she could easily be mistaken for a seventeen-year-old high school girl; she's practically a magical girl...

However, she has a very mischievous and willful personality.

Therefore, I wasn't surprised at all that she forced Yezi to wear women's clothing.

Scratching my cheek, I whispered, "Isn't it said that the Star Crystal will eventually leave the magical girl?"

"Uh-huh."

Auntie let out a cute little hum.

"You mean those magical girls who lost their eligibility? There are quite a few magical girls who have possessed Star Crystal since the beginning of the war, and there are also magical girls who lost their eligibility not long after obtaining Star Crystal. So, age won't make you abandoned by the Star Crystal."

As a researcher specializing in magical girls, she began to give me lessons.

"So what exactly...?"

"Because of that famous world's number one magical girl, the academic community generally believes that the Star Crystal possess intelligence and individuality, though they don't express it. The Star Crystal determine their suitable candidates based on fighting spirit, personality, morality, and even their own preferences. This is why there's the concept of adaptability. Even those with the potential cannot become magical girls if they don't encounter their destined Star Crystal."

The Star Crystal of Vega is really strange.

Do people like me really deserve to become magical girls?

My aunt reached out and poked me in the chest.

"In other words, as long as your Star Crystal still recognizes you, you won't revert back."

"... I've never thought about these things before, as I'm destined to live as a magical girl."

"Does this even need to be considered?"

She took my hand and earnestly advised, "Not only will you stay young forever, but you'll even be immortal. Living as a magical girl is definitely more worthwhile than turning back, isn't it?"

That seems... somewhat reasonable?

"I'm back."

A disgruntled greeting came from the Yezi.

He walked into the house with a dark expression, glanced at us, and then silently picked up the groceries and went into the kitchen.

"Oh, my son, don't be angry!"

The aunt followed Past, speaking in a strained, sarcastic tone.

"Call..."

I breathed a sigh of relief. I'm not good at dealing with such self-centered people; I just get led around by the nose.

"Uncle."

As a substitute, Uncle Bai Yunzhi sat down next to me.

His temples were somewhat gray, but he didn't look old.

Compared to my aunt, my uncle's personality is more like that of a scientific researcher. He is mature, steady, meticulous, and doesn't usually show his emotions.

But from childhood to adulthood, whenever he went on a business trip and bought some local specialties as gifts for Yezi, he would also bring some back for me. I felt a kind of missing warmth from him...

In addition, this restraint reminds me of Miluno.

"Actually, we already knew about your situation before we came back."

"After all, I'm registered with the Association... Did Miss Yin Wei tell you that?"

"No, it was your father's secretary who sent us the message."

"Miss Anjie?"

My uncle adjusted his glasses.

"And that's just Lin Xi's personality. Although she can be a bit headstrong, she doesn't mean any harm, so please don't take it personally."

"I understand, Uncle. You're being too polite."

I know my aunt's personality very well, of course.

"You're a very sensible child. I've never treated you like an outsider."

A large, adult male patted the back of my head.

"Thank you, me too."

Following my heart, I responded frankly.

"Whether it's Yezi Zi, Uncle, Aunt... to me, you've long been like family."