Switching Teams

(Bai Ziye)

Before you know it, you turn around and find that two people are missing.

In order to keep up with SpiCa and UI-31 without leaving a trace, I subconsciously used acceleration, which caused Ceruno and Miss Jila to fall behind.

"Ouch."

When I turned around again, UI-31 was standing in front of me.

"... What happened?" I asked, looking at that familiar face.

He pointed behind him, where Ceruno was talking to SpiCa.

I thought for a moment and guessed, "Did Ceruno rescue you from SpiCa's pursuit and then send you to find me?"

UI-31 nodded and sighed. Although I was full of emotions, I wasn't about to take them out on him.

"This isn't your fault. I can tell you had a tough time dealing with it."

"Hmm."

But then I put my hands on my hips and said, "Listen carefully, your current identity is Ceruno's best friend, even though he himself has been sent away by Sirius! But you can't use his identity to flirt with other women and cause him trouble... SpiCa looks only sixteen or seventeen years old now, but she's already a woman approaching forty. You need to think carefully before you do anything!"

UI-31 nodded vigorously.

Considering his lecherous nature, we need to clarify this with him.

I continued to observe the situation over there.

An awkward atmosphere hung between Ceruno and SpiCa, probably because SpiCa, whose plans had been ruined, was saying something to complain about. Although the reason was unclear, the idiot had certainly given me a good assist.

After that, I don't need to keep an eye on them anymore. As long as I take UI-31 around for the remaining three hours, this farce carefully arranged by Sirius will come to an end. When I return to Skyreach City tomorrow, I can be my true self again.

For me, maintaining the magical girl form for such a long time is an experience I haven't had in the Past year.

"Then let's just the two of us kill some time."

"Ouch."

"That won't do, Miss Miluno."

The sudden voice startled me; it was Miss Jila, the translator and guide. To be able to silently reach me from behind, even though I'm a magical girl, is truly terrifying...

"Miss Jila, it seems Ceruno and I will have to split up."

The tall, short-haired beauty smiled and clasped her hands together, replying, "I know, but she asked me to follow you, so let me continue as your guide!"

Although she was very motivated, I found it difficult to bring it up.

"Well... I'm afraid I can't play anymore, I don't have any money on me."

It's embarrassing to admit, but I didn't have a single penny in my pocket.

Yin Wei had prepared a budget in my suitcase, but it all turned to ashes in the fire.

Ultimately, we came to Oahu to pack our bags because we had nothing left.

"Aww~~"

UI-31 shrugged. If I have no money, he certainly doesn't.

This shows that he and I are really not a good match.

"However, Ceruno can pay you after we reunite, but things might be a bit boring in the meantime."

Miss Jila, however, chuckled and clutched her chest, "There's really no other way; I'll just have to use my savings for now."

Is this a good idea?

"There's nothing wrong with it; just consider it a special loan service."

UI-31 and I exchanged glances, and in the end, I accepted their kindness. After all, I was certain I would repay the money, and refusing would have made me seem guilty.

"Thank you in advance, but aren't you worried that we'll spend the money and run away with it?"

Miss Jila waved her hand.

"Don't worry, Hawaii are warm and hospitable."

"..."

I stared at her silently, expressing my disbelief.

"I just thought that magical girls in big cities must be quite wealthy."

I was stunned for a moment. So she already knew who we were?

Although Ceruno changed her hair color, she didn't bother to hide how we addressed each other. If Miss Jila paid any attention to magical girls, she would probably recognize us... Compared to me, "Bubble Witch" Ceruno is quite popular, especially after she became Sirius's backup dancer, she has become a hot topic of conversation.

"Since you knew, you should have said so sooner."

"Miluno is easier to get along with than she seems. I thought you were the cold type."

Not just Ceruno, do I even know her?

"I don't have many facial expressions, but I don't consider myself a cold person."

"I can tell!"

The translator offered to provide the funds, so I simply enjoyed the pleasure of shopping. With the unsettling UI-31 right beside me, I could temporarily put aside the mess in SpiCa. The only problem was that this mute wolf could only carry things and couldn't speak human language, so my only conversation partner was Miss Jila.

She asked me many questions about Skyreach City.

"Really? Skyreach City is a good choice..."

"Miss Jila wants to go to Skyreach City?"

"Hmm, my Chinese is pretty good."

Although it shouldn't have been her who said it, Miss Jila's Chinese was indeed quite good. I didn't need to slow down my speech, and her answers were without hesitation. As a native-born foreigner who had never left the Hawaiian Islands, it was truly rare for her to speak Chinese so fluently.

"I'm a little curious, how did you learn Chinese?"

Blinking her clear blue eyes, she pointed to herself and said, "I grew up in Chinatown. I'd earn more working there than as a tour guide here, and I also know people in Skyreach City."

Perhaps.

I'm not entirely sure either.

In my opinion, $250 a day is a high income for a translation guide, even though she doesn't get a full day's work every day; for example, today she might only get $80 for three hours.

"We're here, let's eat at this restaurant!"

At lunchtime, Jila took us to a restaurant.

Generally speaking, the best restaurants in a place are not those fancy shops on the street, but rather small shops in relatively remote locations known only to locals.

This rule applies almost worldwide.

"Mom~Imback~"

Puff--

So, is the author here to get us involved in supporting their own business?

"Hey, what's this all about?"

"Little sister~ you asked me what the best food was in Hawaii? For me, it's naturally my mom's cooking."

Jila's enthusiasm hides a shrewdness, so you have to be careful when dealing with her. However, her restaurant has a rather strange theme, with Japanese food on one side and Western food on the other. There is no wall between the two shops, but the decoration styles are completely different.

Cultural integration is also a timeless theme in Hawaii. Hawaii was originally an island with nothing, but it is the cultures, languages and cuisines from all over the world that have blossomed here, turning it into the passionate resort paradise it is today.

Jila's mother is also Hispanic; this plump woman is a Western-style chef.

"I already told Mom, this lunch is on me. You can eat your fill, isn't that generous of me?"

Jila brought us some chilled homemade fruit wine.

"Oh? How could I possibly accept this?"

UI-31 nodded in agreement.

Bang--

Jila pulled the cork off the bottle and placed it in front of me.

"Come on, friend, you can pay me back with a meal when I get to Skyreach City ~"

A simple, unpretentious "friend".

It really made me feel the warmth of Hawaii.

But then, two familiar figures walked into the store...

Hawaii is really small.