Flow, Werewolf?

(Bai Ziye)

"I didn't expect... Yezi, you'd care so much about my affairs..."

After washing the dishes and returning to the bedroom, Ceruno was looking through the document I had left behind... It was a work in progress, with many problems. I had intended to finish revising it completely before showing it to her.

"After all, it's something I promised. Although I don't know to what extent I can do it, I will do my best until you find a better agent."

I'm arranging Ceruno's daily training, as well as her goals and plans after her debut.

I researched a lot of information and consulted Sirius on many matters, but since I couldn't attend any events, the main content of the plan was still the training plan formulated by Sirius.

"But the debut press conference is on August 2nd... isn't that next week!?"

"Oh, that was arranged by Sirius. You've already built up a certain level of popularity and are quite a hot topic. She thinks this is a good opportunity, and she'll be there to support you at your debut press conference. But after that, you'll need to rely on your own abilities to succeed."

"... My strength?"

Her voice weakened, and I said with a wry smile, "What's wrong? You became an idol to boost your confidence, but you don't even have the confidence to debut?"

No, there are!

Ceruno stared at me intently with a serious expression on her face.

"I will become the world's number one idol, surpassing even Miss Sirius! Not only that, I will become the benchmark for magical girls, a beacon in everyone's hearts. I will correct the decadent and utilitarian atmosphere you mentioned, Yezi!"

"Aim high."

I tugged at the corner of her mouth.

But don't forget to keep smiling.

"Um!"

I just lazed around like that for two days.

Ceruno's idol training has begun again.

I initially thought that, given her usual carefree attitude, she wouldn't last more than a few days before bursting into complaints, but I underestimated her dedication to her identity as a magical girl, and also her determination to make "Ceruno" better.

Every morning she goes out for a 20-kilometer run and goes directly to the treatment center to visit Heat Haze. Because her magic can block out sound, she can practice singing anytime, anywhere. After returning in the afternoon and having dinner, she has physical education classes and dance training. She even puts playing games out of her mind.

Of course, the smile on her face wasn't forgotten.

"You're working very hard."

Ceruno looked up, rice stuck to the corner of her mouth.

"I have to work hard! Lin Xi is right, I'm a magical girl now! I have the ability to make Dad take me seriously and be proud of me!"

No wonder he suddenly got it; it turns out Mom secretly brainwashed this blockhead!

This is fine too.

After wiping the grains of rice off her face, I suggested, "Silly girl, how about we go for a walk after we finish eating?"

"Huh? Where is Yezi going? I still have training..."

"What's there to practice?"

"Tomorrow is the debut press conference, so going out to relax is within the bounds of what's acceptable. This is my arrangement as your manager, so please just go along with it."

"... I can't do anything with you, so let's find a quiet place and I'll sing for you."

"I was originally planning to go to the night market, but since you put it that way, let's go to the riverbank instead! There are vendors there in the summer, but it'll be less crowded if we go further out. You can put up a bubble and I'll listen to you sing."

"Um."

Ceruno nodded, then sped up her eating.

The high-rise apartment building is a bit far from the riverbank I mentioned; that area is closer to the center of C2 District, but it was included in our D3 District because of the "urban grid management principle."

Although it's called "river beach," it has long been paved with cement and fenced off, becoming a small scenic spot like a city park. Because it's relatively cool, it's a paradise for citizens to escape the summer heat.

Although air conditioning is cooler, some people still think that natural wind is better.

Ceruno and I bought some cold noodles from a food stall, then led Golden over the fence to a rather secluded corner... the arch of the bridge.

Those who think under-bridge structures are no good clearly don't understand anything.

The bridge arches along the riverbank on summer nights, though made of dirty mud, offer a wonderfully cool natural breeze! The nights in Skyreach City are too bright; even sitting on the riverbank, you can't see a single star. Why not come to this seemingly gloomy place to cool off?

In situations like these, Ceruno's magic proves very useful.

"This way I can sit on the ground without mosquitoes getting in, and since the bubbles are soundproof, I don't have to worry about being overheard. If I don't want to be seen, I can also adjust the light transmittance..."

"No need to turn it down, it's dark enough here... Goldie, don't touch me, you're so hot, like a giant heater."

Doggy have a higher body temperature than humans, so clingy Doggy aren't very popular in the summer.

"It seems to like you more."

As Ceruno opened the jelly box in her hand, Golden immediately turned its attention to rummaging through her hands.

"You can't eat anything that's too salty and spicy... Just a little bit, okay?"

In the end, they still used the lid to divide up a small portion of the Golden.

"I'm not a very good singer yet, and it's not something you can improve just by practicing silently... Miss Sirius found me a vocal coach, so I'll be seeing Heat Haze less often after that, and I've mentioned that to her."

"And what was her reaction?"

Ceruno put down the lunchbox, then put her hands on her hips and tilted her head.

"Hmph, who wants you to keep me company! Hurry up and leave, I'll have some peace and quiet!"

Amused by her reaction, I couldn't help but laugh and say, "Haha, your imitation of Heat Haze is quite good!"

"Huh? When did Yezi meet Miss Heat Haze?"

Oops.

Bai Ziye had never seen Heat Haze before; her carelessness gave her away.

I forced myself to remain calm and explained, "Ahem, she's a magical girl from the D3 District, after all. I've heard about that Fire Turkey- san's personality."

Ceruno squinted, staring suspiciously at my face in the darkness.

"Really? I feel like I know you, Yezi..."

Bang--

The magic bubble is soundproof, but seeing something fall on top of it still created an auditory hallucination.

That is...

"... What's this guy doing in a place like this?"

It's the Werewolf UI-31 with its armor tattered and worn.

But Ceruno seemed more surprised than I was.

"So, Yezi, you really aren't Werewolf after all?!"

"Of course not! Didn't I tell you already!"

Ceruno put the UI-31 into the bubble. Luckily, there was no one else here except us, otherwise this menacing armor would have easily scared the little guy.

However, this thing turned out like this after fighting the Hunter Witch (clone). So many days Past in Harbin, and it's still like this. Even though it's a high-tech gadget, it's not some kind of nanomachine. Can't it repair itself?

Not only that, he looked like he was about to faint from hunger.

Why? Because he kept staring at the jelly in my hand.

I hesitated for a moment, then handed him the cold noodles. He immediately sat up, grabbed the food container, and started shoveling food into his mouth... You can eat without taking off your helmet?

Just to be on the safe side, I'll have to find a way to get him a strand of someone else's hair.