"Yes, one more time. Chu Chu, you need to pick up the tempo a little, or you'll fall slightly out of sync again later. Come on, let's run through it once more." Chu Lian's voice drifted from the music room. They were rehearsing for the performance they would give on Monday.
Meanwhile, on the rooftop one floor above, several girls sat together, closed their eyes, and enjoyed the faint music coming from inside.
"Weather like this really is the best, meow. I was worked to death last night, but today I can finally rest, meow." Tina stretched lazily. She had worked until two in the morning before finishing all the cleaning, and she had even tidied up the rooftop.
She had slept until nearly noon before getting up. At this rate, the girl felt she would soon turn into a lazy cat. Although there was nothing particularly wrong with that, it would keep her from doing many things.
"You won't taste good if you keep this up." Anna was reading a book. Hearing Tina's words, she tilted her head slightly and glanced at her as she spoke.
"Um, Anna, don't always think about eating, meow. Tina isn't food, meow. If Anna is hungry, you can go find the Matriarch. She'll definitely make something tasty for you, meow."
Come to think of it, Tina and Anna possessed completely opposing attributes. As a spirit cat—or rather, a Thunderclap White Tiger—Tina was a dual-element spirit beast of light and lightning. She was also an Underworld Watcher, making her the natural enemy of the undead.
Anna's mother was Tírnas, who could be considered the pinnacle of all undead throughout the entire dimensional universe. Her bloodline was also the most perfect among the undead.
Although Anna's own origins were extremely mysterious, that could not change the basic fact that the majority of her bloodline belonged to the undead. As a result, she and Tina naturally stood on subtly opposing sides.
However, despite Anna's terrible temper, she could still distinguish between friend and foe. She knew Tina was not an enemy, so although she would not draw close to her, neither would she reject her too strongly.
The same was true of Tina. Against a bloodline of Anna's level, the power of her Underworld Watcher identity was greatly diminished.
Furthermore, Tina was Chu Lian's pet, while Anna was Chu Lian's "daughter." There was simply no need for the two of them to become enemies.
Thus, Tina was neither close nor distant toward Anna. Their relationship was better than that of ordinary acquaintances, yet they could not truly be called friends.
Placed in a romance novel, this setup would undoubtedly lead to a classic love-hate relationship. Unfortunately, this is a serious and proper story discussing how young girls grow, so no such plot will ever appear—just pretend you believe that.
The sentence Anna said most often to Tina was probably, "I really want to eat you." Tina's usual response was, "Being eaten doesn't taste good at all. Tina won't let you eat her."
Of course, for now they merely bickered. Neither of them harbored any unusual intentions. Even though Anna truly did want to eat this lazy cat, she would never put that desire into action.
They also shared another point in common that prevented them from disliking each other too much. Both were incomparably terrified of Li Mingxue. As long as she gave an order, no matter how difficult it was, the two girls would work hard to carry it out.
Being afraid of the same person and suffering under her "exploitation" was the subject they had most in common. Of course, they normally never discussed it aloud. If Li Mingxue overheard them, they would be doomed.
"Hmph. I don't want to be like this either, but I can't help it. Ever since I finished eating that corrosive energy a few days ago, I've been hungry all the time. Other than food, Anna can't think about anything else right now." Anna bit down on the book in her hands, her voice sounding somewhat aggrieved.
She wanted Mommy to bring her something delicious so she would not have to keep starving here. But Mommy had been busy all this time, while Anna herself had fallen into a deep sleep yesterday to absorb energy. It would be inappropriate to disturb her now.
I want to eat until I'm full. Full, full, full. As long as Anna can eat her fill, Anna will definitely behave and listen.
A hexagonal shape appeared within the girl's eyes. Her mood worsened, plunging her into a depressed state. Fortunately, the things she had "eaten" over the past few days had been highly nourishing, so Anna would not completely lose control of her urge to rampage and slaughter. She would merely become even hungrier.
Clang! The armor covering a palm scraped against the edge of Xuanlong Xiaoyue. Beneath the slanting sunlight, the Umbral Knight's figure appeared especially solemn.
Ever since obtaining this great blade and advancing to the Earth Rank, Hiyori, who had never spoken much to begin with, had become a complete recluse. Aside from Kurosaki Satsuki, she had no desire to acknowledge anyone else.
Most of her attention throughout the day was drawn toward the great blade in her hands. Every so often, she could not resist stroking it, clearly unable to put it down.
Her obsession with the blade had practically become demonic, yet no one could say anything about it. After all, whether male or female, a martial artist's love for their weapon was undoubtedly second to none.
The only reassuring thing was that although this taciturn girl rarely spoke, whenever everyone gathered together, she would still come over. Even if all she did was touch the blade in her hands.
"Chu Lian." Sitting on the railing, she extended her bare feet over the edge and let the gentle breeze stir her waist-length hair. Her thoughts returned to the idea she had entertained the previous night.
Take the initiative? She shook her head. The girl knew she could not do such a thing. Besides, she had already said that she would only be the person who was both friend and foe along Chu Lian's path forward, her greatest rival, not someone who ought to nestle within her arms.
That conviction had not changed even now. Even though she knew continuing this way might mean that kind of relationship would never develop between them, she would not turn back. It was both the most fundamental and ultimate motivation behind her desire to become stronger.
I will make you understand that even without nestling in your arms, I can still become someone you cannot live without. This might have been the boldest thought the girl had ever entertained, but there was nothing wrong with it, was there?
Click. Inori disassembled the handgun and put it back together again. Standing in a corner, she neither spoke with the others nor stared blankly into space. She simply repeated the same motion over and over.
Although the gun in her hands had been tempered by cosmic energy, its original materials were quite ordinary. By now, there were fewer and fewer situations in which it could be of any help.
Aside from clearing away relatively weak enemies, it was essentially useless. Even so, she had never considered replacing it. It could be said to be the only object that had accompanied her into this world. Keeping it as a memento would be worthwhile.
"All right, maintain that state. As long as we practice a few more times, there won't be any problem with giving a performance tomorrow that astonishes the entire world." Chu Lian clapped her hands and told the girls to stop. Looking at the earnest expressions on everyone's faces, she breathed a sigh of relief while feeling even more confident about tomorrow's performance.
"Mm, let's do this. Later, we'll place a microphone by Ya's piano. While I'm singing, come in half a beat later and harmonize softly from there. It will create an ethereal feeling that suddenly calms the hearts of everyone listening." After thinking for a moment, Chu Lian made the arrangement, clapped her hands again, and had everyone start over.
She's so serious. Cai Ya watched Chu Lian's back and thought this to herself. Compared with how she had been before, Chu Lian had matured tremendously—not in appearance, but in spirit.
The more time she spent with her, the more amazed she became by Chu Lian's mystery and versatility. That amazement became admiration, which would later transform into the main emotion behind her affection.
After their previous performance of "Air's Poem," she was collaborating with Chu Lian once again. This time, they would surely leave everyone even more astonished.
"Wolf-fang moon, the beauty grows haggard. I raise my cup and drink down all the wind and snow."
"Who overturned the cabinet of a previous life, stirring dust and worldly disputes? The secret of fate turns through cycle after cycle..."
The girl's voice was as crisp and pleasing as pearls falling upon a jade plate. As she recited the lyrics, the listeners' thoughts were immediately drawn into the story.
Lian'er has far more artistic talent than I do. Still, it must be because she works so hard that she achieved so much in such a short time. Sitting in the living room, Li Mingxue naturally heard the gentle music and Chu Lian's singing drifting into her ears. After losing herself in it for a moment, she shook her head and sighed.
It seemed that before encountering a true challenge, this daughter of hers always kept many of her abilities hidden. Only adversity and difficulty could force them to erupt, making her even more astonishing.
It was not a matter of pretending to be weak before revealing overwhelming strength. It felt more as though she changed herself according to the circumstances she encountered. Although everyone did this to some degree, her transformations were far too dramatic.
"Although showing her face in public is somewhat dangerous, it's still much better than when she stayed cooped up at home doing nothing. She just isn't quite as obedient anymore. That part is rather regrettable."
What had Chu Lian been like before? Well-behaved, obedient, and quiet. Although she possessed her own opinions, she generally never used them to refute others.
She had been a gentle little girl who was remarkably skilled at understanding when others wanted to undress, especially fond of clinging to Li Mingxue, yet also fond of hiding alone in a corner to read.
That was the perfect refined young lady Li Mingxue had envisioned. Compared with her current daughter, who was tsundere, devious, seductive, and restless, she truly seemed like a completely different person.
Li Mingxue shook her head slightly. No matter how Chu Lian changed, she would always remain her most beloved daughter. That was beyond doubt, and she would allow no one else to question it.
"Tomorrow... some little fellows apparently can't resist making a move again. This time, I can interfere. After all, that place is one of the areas under my protection. I only hope you don't cause too much trouble."
"Otherwise, a certain person who believes his territory has been challenged may go berserk for his daughter. It won't be easy for your families or the powers backing you to withstand his retaliation."
She took a small sip of tea while planning for the attack that might occur tomorrow. The best method would be to eliminate them before they could act, but would that not make it seem as though she were provoking the president?
Forget it. Let him suffer a little fright. As long as no one else was injured, there was no need to interfere. How wonderful would it be to calmly watch seven girls perform amid the chaos?
"Mm, perhaps I should bring some food along. That way, Lian'er and the others can eat something if they get tired." However, pastries and similar treats were most delicious when prepared and eaten on the same day. By the next day, they would no longer be fresh.
She could wake up early and drag that lazy cat over to help. By the time the girls left for school, the food should be ready, and they could all head there together.
The only question was whether she should make Chinese pastries or Western desserts. She would ask them. Whichever they preferred, she would make more of that.
Tina, who was on the rooftop, had no idea Li Mingxue had begun thinking about her again. Still, as a maid, was it not perfectly normal to answer when the young lady called?
The breeze was gentle, the sun was warm, and the sky was a clear blue beneath wisps of white cloud. Thus, this pleasant Sunday passed within that leisurely atmosphere...