Numb

(Bai Ziye)

I need some peace and quiet.

Liu asked me to leave his tent; he looked very preoccupied.

It was only natural to hear those words; having had a long-held belief shaken, the fact that I didn't break down on the spot already shows my high mental fortitude.

"Thank you so much for coming all this way to tell me, but as for helping... let me sort things out first."

"I won't force you; rather... I hope you can continue to stand on our side as a human being."

"Miss Miluno..."

He paused for a moment, then said, "But my memories don't belong to me. The real Werewolf could awaken at any time and bare its fangs when you're in the most danger."

"It has nothing to do with memories. I've never been interested in your Past. I only know the you of now. As for that time you mentioned..."

I just smiled at him.

He shivered as if he had been chilled by a cold wind, and then retreated back into the tent.

I deduced Liu's identity from what the Sword Witch said. Although it's not a definitive conclusion yet, the truth is pretty close. As for how to position himself, I'll leave that to him to decide.

I'm only here to deliver this message.

However, some questions remain...

Who exactly is the person who asked him to protect Ceruno? And what is their purpose?

Summer days are long and nights are short, but I find the early morning sun repulsive.

I haven't felt this tired in a long time. All I want to do now is get a good night's sleep.

I took a quick shower, drew the curtains, changed into my pajamas, turned on the air conditioner, and collapsed onto the bed.

No one was home. Mom and Dad were both frantically busy dealing with what happened last night, and Ceruno was with Heat Haze. Only...

"Woof! Woof!"

Golden barked excitedly at me from beside my bed, as if it wanted to play, but I didn't have the energy for that right now.

With his eyes closed, he reached out and stroked the dog's head.

"Stop making noise, Goldie, let me catch up on some sleep, okay?"

Although he had countless tiny wounds on his body, they did not require treatment.

Even now, in my male state, I heal very quickly; I'd probably be almost completely healed after a good night's sleep.

The Star Crystal that merged into my body completely transformed me, but I am still Bai Ziye. Is this the difference between a "witch" and a "magical girl"?

My muscles ached slightly, and my sense of drowsiness gradually faded away.

In my drowsy state, it seemed someone covered me with a blanket...

The telephone is ringing.

My eyes were too heavy to open, so I reached for my phone on the bedside table, picked it up, and squinted at it.

16:03

Four o'clock in the afternoon.

Did I really sleep for ten hours?

The person who called and disturbed my sleep was Yin Wei.

Is there something wrong with the Association?

"Crooked..."

I answered the phone.

"Rice... Oh, is it Bai Ziye now?"

Turning over in bed, I replied, "What else? I have no interest in maintaining my transformation outside of activity time."

He was still half asleep and his speech was slurred.

My groggy head hasn't fully recovered yet.

"Are you sleeping?"

"I risked my life last night, but not only did I not get a single penny, I didn't get the Heat Haze Crystal back, and I didn't even catch Old Man Ceruno... It was all for nothing!"

As I was saying this, the door to the room was pushed open.

My mom was eavesdropping behind the door while holding the dog and cat, when she accidentally pushed the door open and winked at me.

My face turned ashen.

"Bai Ziye?"

Yin Wei on the phone was unaware of what had happened.

"... I'll call you back later."

"Huh? Wait, I have something to tell you. Come to the Association for a meeting at 8 PM tonight. Miss SpiCa specifically asked for you to Past, of course she's referring to Miluno... I'll keep your secret for you, just like we agreed!"

We'll talk about it later.

She's quite conservative on her end.

But here...

Hehehe.

Seeing that I had hung up the phone, my mom chuckled and came in, sitting down beside my bed.

"Little Yezi ~"

That call was so sweet it sent chills down my spine.

"Mom, Mom, why are you back?"

"I came back to get something, and since you were still sleeping, I stayed a little longer... Hey, Mommy's asking you, are you Miluno?"

Why are you watching me sleep?!

As for this question, I certainly cannot admit it.

"Hahaha, how could that be? Your son doesn't even have Star Crystal on him. Don't believe me? Go look for it!"

"Really? Then let Mom Palpation it!"

"Huh? No!"

"What's there to be shy about, you're a grown man!"

And she actually pounced on me, searching me from head to toe like she was looking for a criminal. Her search techniques were very professional, showing absolutely no self-respect as a mother.

"Really not? Where did you hide it?"

"He didn't hide it!"

But she clearly wasn't going to give up. She tapped her temples again, and suddenly her eyes emitted that eerie red light.

"Memory Record, search!"

Oh no, she's checking what happened at home, and I just happened to deactivate my transformation after I got home today...

"Huh?!"

Suddenly, she looked at the Golden, and the Doggy guiltily turned its head away.

"Goldie?"

"Woof--"

The person and the dog stared at each other for a few seconds, as if they had reached some kind of tacit understanding. Mom squinted and smiled, "Really? I understand!"

What did she know?

Although I was in a real bind, I was still very curious... Had the Golden secretly demolished our base?

I asked, "Um, what's wrong with Goldie?"

"This child is fine, but you... 'Moonlit Gale' Miluno! You'd better just transform!"

"W-What are you saying?"

"Don't you know what I'm saying? Mom! I saw it all!"

"I don't know anything! Don't be unreasonable!"

Mom blinked, her teasing look deepening.

"That..."

She suddenly pulled open my wardrobe.

"... What are these?!"

"Waaaaaah!!"

It's women's clothing.

Although the Star Crystal's capacity has increased, I still haven't put all these women's clothes inside, because Ceruno will also borrow them, and their sudden disappearance would arouse her curiosity. Most importantly... these clothes have already been stretched out by Ceruno!

If I, as Miluno, were to wear this out, not only would it not fit, but it might also give me away.

"... These belong to Seluno!"

"Even now you're still trying to argue? Does Little Yezi not believe in her mother's magic?"

Mom sighed, rubbing her forehead in disappointment, and said, "Since that's the case, I'll tell A-Yao about it! Let her be my judge..."

No! No way!

In desperation, I chose to transform.

There was no way to hide it anymore, after all, the "Memory Record" was genuine magic... even though only she herself could see it.

But at least we can't let her tell anyone else about this, especially Ceruno.

"Mom! I swore that if A-Yao found out my true identity, I would never become a magical girl again!"

Seeing that I had finally relented, my mother's face lit up with joy.

"Oh dear? Why is that?"