Raising magical girls, and leave them with eternal regret?!

Liu Meng led YouYu away from the entrance of Rainbow High School, heading toward a place she hadn’t visited in a long time: the pedestrian street in the heart of Rainbow City.

Though it had been ages since her last visit, the street was as lively as ever, bustling with people and hosting various activities.

Seeing the vibrant scene, Liu Meng hoped it would capture YouYu’s attention and dispel the negative emotions he’d been carrying.

Smiling, she turned to YouYu, who was frowning deeply, and said, “Let’s take a walk here for now. If there’s anywhere you’d like to go or anything that catches your eye—especially something to eat—just let me know. I’ll make it happen for you.”

“For now, don’t worry about your memories. Taking a break is more important, isn’t it?”

Her words brought YouYu back to his senses. He sighed and replied with a hint of helplessness, “I know you’re right, but… I can’t help feeling a little frustrated. I’ve finally uncovered some clues, after all.”

“To really calm down, I’ll need a bit more time.”

“Is that so…”

Seeing his dejected expression, Liu Meng pondered for a moment. Then, after glancing at the nearby shops, she made a decision. Tugging gently on YouYu’s sleeve, she pointed to a spot ahead.

“Then let’s check out that place first, YouYu.”

“That place? Oh, a bubble tea shop. Are you craving some, Liu Meng?”

“Yes, I’d like to get a cup. I’m sure you’d want something too, right? Let’s pick something together.”

“…Alright.”

After a moment of thought, YouYu temporarily set aside his contemplation and nodded, following Liu Meng toward the bubble tea shop.

Inside the Bubble Tea Shop

After queuing for a short while, they both successfully got their drinks. But during that brief wait, the clouds above had drifted away, leaving the sun to shine unimpeded on the ground.

Feeling the rising temperature outside the shop, Liu Meng squinted up at the blazing sun and suggested they head to the nearest mall to cool off.

YouYu readily agreed.

…

“The weather’s still pretty hot lately,” Liu Meng remarked after the ten-minute walk to the mall. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and let out a relieved breath before turning to YouYu. “You’re alright, right? It’s sweltering out there… especially considering how much we walked this morning.”

“I’m fine. Maybe it’s because I’m somewhat of a Negative Beast, I actually feel a bit cold.”

“Hmph… I’m kind of jealous of you in times like this.”

Seeing YouYu’s unaffected demeanor, Liu Meng shook her head with a resigned smile. “Let’s find somewhere to sit down first instead of standing at the entrance.”

She led him to the nearest seating area, where they both sat down. Liu Meng sipped her bubble tea silently, stealing glances at YouYu.

Watching his relaxed expression as he drank, Liu Meng found her own mood lifting. The heat-induced irritation from earlier melted away, and the corners of her lips unconsciously curved into a smile.

Coming here had been a good decision after all.

As she basked in the soothing taste of her drink, Liu Meng sighed contentedly and turned her gaze back to YouYu—only to see him gulping his bubble tea down rapidly, accompanied by the constant “gurgle” of the straw.

She frowned, sighed, and chided, “YouYu, drinking too fast like that isn’t good for your stomach! Plus, you’ve had so much… You’ll probably be rushing to the bathroom soon.”

“Hmm… Since I’m no longer fully human, this kind of thing doesn’t really affect me. But fine, I’ll listen to you.”

He set his drink down reluctantly.

Liu Meng felt a little awkward for momentarily forgetting YouYu’s altered nature but was also a bit relieved. Clearing her throat, she feigned nonchalance and said, “In any case, it’s always good to take care of yourself!”

“But enough about that—how are you feeling now, YouYu? Any better?”

“Still a bit preoccupied, but much better than before.”

Smiling faintly, YouYu shook his head. “Now that I think about it, there’s no need to rush. These things require patience and a calm mindset, or they only get harder to handle.”

“Besides… you’ve already promised to help me recover my memories.”

“I believe in you, Liu Meng. You’re reliable, after all.”

“Reliable…”

Hearing his words, Liu Meng was momentarily stunned, murmuring them to herself.

After a brief silence, her expression dimmed slightly. “I don’t think I’m particularly reliable. I’m just doing what I believe I should. I’m not sure I deserve your praise.”

“Is that so?”

YouYu casually picked up his drink again, taking another sip. “It might sound strange, but can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

“Do you believe I’ll still be myself after recovering my memories? That I won’t lose control to the negative emotions?”

“That…”

“…”

“I believe you will.”

After some thought, Liu Meng gave her answer.

“I see.”

Unsurprised, YouYu continued, “The thing is, I don’t really believe in myself.”

“Huh?”

“…You’re strange, Liu Meng. You don’t even trust yourself, yet you so easily trust me—when I’m the most unstable factor here.”

“Well then, here’s a suggestion—”

“If you can’t trust me, then just trust the version of you I believe in.”

“Not bad logic, right?”

Liu Meng stared blankly at him for a moment before shaking her head with a wry smile. “What kind of convoluted reasoning is that?”

“…But I get what you’re trying to say.”

She sighed softly. “Thanks, YouYu. I believe you’ll return to a normal life someday too.”

Standing up, she added, “Let’s head back now, YouYu. On the way, we can pick up some groceries, and when we’re home, we’ll—”

“Watch out!”

Before Liu Meng could finish, YouYu suddenly pulled her aside with incredible speed.

“Boom!”

A massive object instantly smashed the spot they had just been standing in, the ground cracking beneath the impact and tiles and dirt scattering everywhere.

Screams of panic erupted all around.

“What’s going on?!”

Realizing she’d been saved, Liu Meng quickly recovered from her shock and looked around for the source of the chaos.

What she saw made her heart sink—a 20-meter-long centipede-like Negative Beast crawling along the mall’s escalator.

It was the very first enemy she had faced as a magical girl.