Investigating Yezi

(Sun Yao)

"That's the situation. My parents have to go on a business trip abroad for a while and they're leaving tonight."

That's what Aunt Lin Xi said, something about suddenly going abroad for class...

"I'm used to this kind of thing. You guys have never spent this much time with me since I was a kid, have you?"

"Sorry! You should just get along well with A-Yao... no, with Ceruno!"

"Really, you should just give up on that idea."

Yezi waved her hand in denial.

He then asked, "Since you've told us 'that kind of job,' can't you at least tell us where we'll be going and what we'll be doing?"

Uncle Mo Mu was responsible for investigating various illegal and inhumane research and experiments, which is why he traveled back and forth between research institutes all over the world.

However, these tasks are all classified, and it seems inappropriate for Yezi to inquire about them in this way...

"Well, a senior researcher from the Association's headquarters has 'defected' to a third-party organization in Geneva with basic data on wormhole technology. We need to bring him back to the Europe headquarters... This is a very serious technology leak."

Huh? Aunt Lin Xi actually answered that question!

"Do you really need to handle things like catching traitors? Isn't that incredibly dangerous...?"

It's understandable that Yezi would worry if her own parents were to handle such a matter.

"Don't worry, we're just going to receive it. I think the local Association's magical girls have already started making their move, right?"

"Huh? Let magical girls fire on a third-party research institute?"

"Arrest! Arrest! The power difference between magical girls and ordinary people is so great that they can incapacitate the other party without killing them. Moreover, only by capturing them alive can we extract the mastermind behind them, otherwise the clues will go cold."

... It sounds like there's a lot more involved behind the scenes. The adult world is crueler than we think. Hopefully, I won't get caught up in this kind of struggle in the future.

"Well, let's not talk about work while we're eating, Ceruno."

My aunt suddenly called my name.

"Huh? Hmm."

Huh? Aunt Lin Xi doesn't call me A-Yao anymore...

I feel like my original self is about to disappear.

"Didn't I say I'd help you investigate? Because of this mess, I can't handle your father's matter for the time being. But like I said before, stay calm for now, and whatever you do, don't go to confront the Chairman. It would be terrible to alert him, understand?"

"Understood."

Ultimately, I didn't have the guts to confront my dad alone.

"Keep an eye on Xiao Heat Haze's situation. If anything happens, contact Sirius. Even if you can't trust the entire Association, she will definitely help you. I promise."

"Yes, I also believe in Miss Sirius..."

But what about Miss SpiCa?

"Hehe, we've almost finished eating. Yun Zhi and I have to catch our flight tonight, so we won't disturb you two any longer."

Speaking like in-laws visiting a young couple's home, even though she was using Heat Haze as a shield, Lin Xi hadn't given up on trying to match me up with Yezi...

As they saw each other off at the entrance, Yezi said, "Take care on the road."

"Oh! Don't worry! Mom is very strong!"

Uncle Yun Zhi didn't say much, but he patted Yezi on the back of the head. Although they were only able to see each other once in a long while, their relationship made me envious...

"Serunno!"

I felt three sharp slaps on my back; it was Aunt Lin Xi.

"Stand tall and proud! You're a magical girl now! You have the ability to make your old man look at you with new eyes, to show him how wrong it was to ignore you, and to make him regret it!"

"... Um."

"Yun Zhi, let's go~"

The two left with their luggage on their backs.

Auntie is always so energetic. If someone as radiant as her could be chosen by the Star Crystal, she would surely become an incredibly powerful magical girl, wouldn't she?

"Come in, you idiot, the air conditioning's all gone."

"Oh oh."

I went back inside after Yezi tapped me on the head.

Back in the living room, he began clearing the table of dishes. Although he minded the minimized window on his computer, he also wanted to investigate Yezi's identity.

"Yezi."

I went to the kitchen.

The Golden followed.

"Hmm? Planning to help with the dishes? That's rare!"

"No, I didn't come here to finish washing up..."

"Even after becoming a magical girl, you haven't become any more diligent. Speaking of which, have you been doing any of the physical training Sirius arranged for you?"

"I can do it! Answer a few questions for me first... I hope you can answer me honestly."

When I said that, he turned off the tap and then wiped his wet hands on his apron.

"Alright, alright, then let's ask here?"

His tone carried a doting affection that he himself was unaware of.

"First question, Yezi, what is your relationship with UI-31?"

"Ha?"

"The Werewolf Monster that appeared on the island, the one Miss SpiCa called a special individual—you two have never appeared together! Actually... you're that Werewolf, aren't you!"

No, not at all.

"Then why did you dislike magical girls before...?"

Before I could finish speaking, Yezi pressed her not-quite-dry hands against my forehead.

"Let me correct you again. I'm not against magical girls; what I dislike is the Association turns them into idols and commodities! You feel the same way, right? Today's magical girls haven't inherited the spirit of their predecessors. They're not only opportunistic and irresponsible, but they also always act superior. Isn't it because other magical girls are no good that you like Miluno... No, that's not right. What you truly admire isn't Miluno, but the one who saved you from the Monster, isn't it?"

"... Um."

I've told Yezi about my childhood experiences many times, so he remembers them very clearly.

The magical girl who saved me when I got separated from my mother.

"She was clearly my savior, yet I didn't know her identity, and I couldn't even remember what she looked like."

"You're just one of the countless people she saved. All the magical girls in that war were heroes; she won't hold it against you..."

"Perhaps that's true for her, but for me, it's that she extended my life."

Lowering her hand, Yezi asked again, "If she stood in front of you again, would you still be able to recognize her?"

"Yes... I think so?"

So, what did that figure look like from behind?

"I have absolutely no recollection of it! You idiot!"

Then Yezi tapped my forehead.

That doesn't make sense, does it?

I was the one investigating Yezi's identity, so why am I being scolded instead?

"There's nothing we can do about it, it all happened more than ten years ago!"

"Tell me the truth, you just want to know what I was doing just now, right?"

"... Huh? Hmm."

Although the first question is the key point.

But I agreed just because Yezi asked me.

So, are you going to tell me?

"I was planning to show it to you in a while, but since you've already asked... come to my room first, I'll come and talk to you about it after I finish washing the dishes."

With Yezi's permission, I sat down at his computer desk, moved the mouse, and clicked on the minimized window on the taskbar.

"Hmm? This is..."

Although I don't have a lot of drafts saved up, it seems Past not to update more after eating the Flame Emperor's food...

This was squeezed out from between my teeth! Please accept it with a smile!