Living with a magical girl, but a weirdo cadre

　……

　"However, this factory is really well hidden. It's actually built deep in the woods. It seems like it would be perfect as a secret base."

　As he said this, Yao Chuanguang casually sat down on a raised, dusty cement platform.

　"When I was in junior high school, I found an abandoned sports warehouse at school to use as a secret base. Cong Yu, do you have a secret base?"

　Finding secret hideouts at school during junior high sounds like something that Japanese students would enjoy.

　As for Cong Yu, he had a real secret base when he was in junior high school... so he didn't need to find one specifically.

　The secret base of the 22nd Group of Eccentrics.

　It's a secret so secret that even magical girls are constantly searching for it.

　Therefore, Cong Yu didn't know how to answer the question, and simply nodded to indicate that she did indeed have it.

　"..."

　"It's so nice to be on campus. It would be even better if there were no exams... I'm going to Fuuto High School soon to continue my studies. I wonder how much of the knowledge I still remember."

　Yao Chuan Guang looked smug and asked Cong Yu, whose eyes were wide with shock, "Cong Yu, are you in school? What school do you go to?"

　Cong Yu: ? ? ?

　Cong Fengdu High School second-year student, Yu: "..."

　Chapter Fourteen: Lan Tianzhu Fainted from Hunger (Sad)

　"Huh? So you're going to be a sophomore at Fuuto High School? Haha, I'm one of those legendary 'mysterious transfer students'!"

　Yaochuan Guang looked very happy, the curve of her lips proving how delighted she was: "Maybe I'll be able to transfer into your class, please take care of me at school, Congyu-chan!"

　If possible, Cong Yu doesn't really want to, please take care of her.

　Looking at Yaochuan Guang walking in front of her, turning his head to grin foolishly, Cong Yu couldn't understand why this guy was so energetic.

　"So you really are the same age as you look? I thought you graduated a long time ago..."

　Cong Yu sighed, unaware that Yao Chuan Guang's apparent age was indeed her real age.

　After all, magical girls' appearances are fixed at a certain point in time; they are truly immortal beings.

　It's hard to meet a young magical girl.

　For example, Nagisa Azumi is definitely older than she looks; she's clearly a veteran magical girl.

　It's no wonder that Yaochuan Guang is so naive in his dealings with people.

　"Yeah, I went to high school before becoming a magical girl. Now that I'm quite famous in Fuuto, I'll go back and finish my studies, haha!"

　Yao Chuan Guang proudly stood with his hands on his hips.

　Cong Yu couldn't deny that Yao Chuan Guang was indeed very popular in Fudo, and there were indeed many people around him.

　But looking at Yaochuan Guang's smug expression...

　"After all, she's a magical girl who was pushed onto the stage by her agency, so it's normal for her to be popular... but she's not well-known outside of Fuuto."

　Cong Yu's voice struck Yao Chuanguang.

　Yao Chuanguang was slightly dissatisfied with this: "Eh? You're making me sound like some talentless idol trainee."

　Apologize to the Idol Producer contestants!

　And sometimes, magical girls aren't even as good as teenage idols...

　"..." However, Cong Yu didn't say anything, just pursed her lips and continued walking. Then she heard a sweet female voice from the side of the street: "Excuse me, I'm sorry to bother you. This is a newly opened coffee shop - Echo Maid COF, which is holding a free tasting event."

　Our shop has a fresh and gentle style, perfect for couples. Would you two do me the honor of trying our signature mini cakes?

　"It's free for the first month after it opens."

　"..." The one speaking was a girl dressed in a black and white maid outfit, holding a stack of flyers. She smiled and handed the flyers to Cong Yu.

　Free?

　Cong Yu's eyes lit up, and she readily accepted the flyer. Then she coughed lightly and said, "Ahem, thank you, but we're not a couple."

　As Cong Yu spoke, Yao Chuan Guang nodded, but then she heard Cong Yu say something else—

　"She is actually nephrite."

　"..." Yao Chuanguang's nodding motion stopped abruptly, and she immediately retorted, "What?! Xiao Lan and I are just ordinary friends!"

　In fact, Cong Yu was just making things up on the spot.

　However, Cong Yu thought to herself that she hadn't mentioned Lan Tianzhu... Could there really be something going on?

　Against Cong Yu's calm expression, the slight mockery in his eyes seemed even more conspicuous.

　Even Yaochuan Guang realized that something was wrong.

　"Ah! I'm really not neon ketone! Cong Yu!"

　Seeing Yaochuan Guang trying to explain herself, Cong Yu didn't pay much attention to her. Instead, she looked at the poster in her hand and walked in a certain direction.

　Before Yao Chuanguang could ask anything, he spoke first to explain, "I'm going to get some small cakes to solve my lunch problem."

　Yao Chuanguang hesitated for a moment, but still followed Cong Yu: "Shouldn't we have cake and coffee in the afternoon?"

　Is it really okay to have dessert for lunch?

　Cong Yu was very honest about Yao Chuanguang's question: "Because I am having a very difficult time right now, I don't have money for lunch."

　Because her bank card at Caohua Bank has been frozen, Cong Yu has very little cash on her and is reluctant to use credit cards.

　Therefore, his attitude towards all aspects of life is to save as much as possible.

　Not so poor as to be starving, but really need to save money wherever possible... Before transferring the registration fee to my account at the Fuuto Magical Girl Agency.

　Moreover, it's about time I called the editor to ask about changing my bank card... even though I still haven't finished drawing last month's manuscript.

　So there probably won't be any royalties this month.

　While sighing, Cong Yu checked the address on the flyer in her hand and looked for the store called "Free Food Cafe".

　"A cafe with free food? Hmm..."

　But I couldn't find it; I only saw a strange coffee shop with a sign in both English and Japanese.

　It seems there are quite a few coffee shops on this street...

　With that in mind, Cong Yu simply passed by the store.

　The two maid-dressed girls standing at the entrance of the "Echo Maid COF" café stared in disbelief as the long-haired boy carrying a flyer walked by.

　The boy was even muttering things like, "Where is it? The coffee shop should be nearby."

　The two bewildered maids exchanged a glance with Yaochuan Guang, who was equally bewildered.

　Yaochuan Guang looked up at the coffee shop sign, then checked the eyes of the two maid-dressed girls.

　"No...isn't this the place? Murami? Murami-chan?"

　When Yaochuan Guang called out to her, Cong Yu turned her head to look at the sign, then at the flyer in her hand: "Ah, we're here."

　These words caught Yao Chuanguang off guard, and even the professional smiles on the maids' faces became somewhat stiff.

　Maid: It seems we've welcomed some very strange guests.

　-

　"Two free sample sets, plus... one Black Forest cake, one cookie, and one cheese stick, thank you."

　As Yaochuan Guang spoke, he handed the order back to the waitress dressed in a maid outfit, and then looked at Cong Yu, who was playing on her phone.

　For some reason, she felt like a mother who had brought her child to eat... no, she felt like a sister.

　It seemed that Yaochuan Guang had noticed his gaze.

　"Let me make this clear first, I don't have any money."

　Cong Yu said calmly.

　Yao Chuanguang sighed helplessly and replied, "I know! I know... I'll treat you to the rest."

　Cong Yu nodded, her eyes very serious: "Thank you so much. If I have the chance, I will definitely beat you up."

　This statement seems reasonable at first glance, but...

　"No need, and your pronunciation is weird!"

　After complaining, Yaochuan Guang suddenly felt so tired... Xiao Lan and Cong Yu both really do things in a really mischievous way.

　Ignoring the panting Yaochuan Guang, Cong Yu seemed to be in a good mood: "It seems like this shop will be free for a long time after it opens, so I'll have lunch here every day... or maybe dinner too."

　You were talking too loudly! The waitress heard you! She had an awkward expression on her face, as if thinking, "Should I pretend I didn't hear?"

　Yao Chuanguang stared wide-eyed, forgetting even to thank the waitress who brought the food. After thinking for a long time, she sighed and said, "Actually, I usually cook all three meals for Xiao Lan at home... You... Cong Yu, are you listening?"

　Cong Yu: Chew, chew, chew—

　Cong Yu: ? ? ?

　He doesn't seem to be listening at all, but I've gotten used to it.

　Yaochuan Guang sighed and picked up her cup, taking a sip of the sweet coffee that wasn't bitter... However, she felt like she had forgotten something.

　It's probably not a very important thing, right?

　-

　Lantianzhu (already starving): ...

　Chapter Fifteen: The Coffee Shop, Explosion!

　"Free, free... Compared to 'paid,' 'free' is precisely something transcendent, untouched by worldly concerns."

　As Cong Yu said this, wiping her mouth with a napkin, "Things that are not provided in the form of monetary exchange are the opposite of the kicking the cat effect. They are the transmission of love between people. I will also accept this love without hesitation tomorrow."

　Yao Chuanguang broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this, marveling at how an artist could make "come over for more food and drinks tomorrow" sound so elegant and refined.

　"I won't be coming with you tomorrow... I bought all the cookies and cheese, so don't forget my kindness."

　As Yao Chuan Guang spoke, he touched his empty wallet with a pained expression.

　"I'm sure I won't forget it; I'm very confident in my memory."

　With her assurances assured, Cong Yu left the coffee shop with Yao Chuan Guang amidst farewells from the maid-dressed staff behind her.

　Then, Yu added softly, in a voice that both of them could hear, "At least I won't forget before I go to sleep tonight."

　Yaochuan Guang couldn't hold back—

　"You forgot that so quickly! Are you a goldfish?!"

　The poor goldfish is still being maliciously slandered by the rumor that "fish only have a seven-second memory" to this day.

　There are many similar rumors, such as "zebras have stripes to confuse predators," "elephants are afraid of mice," and "magical girls' natural enemies are tentacle monsters."

　While the last point certainly needs verification, a little thought reveals that... if someone gets caught at close range, it doesn't matter whether the monster is a tentacle monster or not.

　Most magical girl anime are pretty much dead by now.

　Lost in random thoughts, Cong Yu looked at Yao Chuan Guang walking beside her and asked, "By the way, why did you want to go to Fuuto High School?"

　"Even if you want to experience the atmosphere of school, Central City has a special magical girl high school, right? Although it's probably not as good as those in Europe."

　It's normal for Cong Yu to have such questions. In fact, many magical girls do not choose to continue attending regular school after becoming magical girls.

　She became a full-time magical girl, recording videos and showing off her training and physique in her live streams, and occasionally filming scenes of her fighting monsters.

　This is a path many magical girls choose, somewhat similar to the "internet celebrity," "blogger," or idol that Congyu was in her previous life.

　In response to Cong Yu's question, Yao Chuan Guang answered very simply: "Because of my parents, my parents always told me to make more friends at school... and if possible, to go to university after graduating from high school."

　As he spoke, Yaochuan Guang put his hands behind his back and casually kicked the pebbles on the ground: "I used to find them annoying, but now I miss them."

　"..." She seemed a little downcast, which was rare for Yaochuan Guang, as she was usually quite outgoing.

　I'm very sorry about this.

　So Cong Yu expressed her apology, and then, amidst Yao Chuan Guang's shocked expression—[You actually comforted me?]—she naturally spoke up.

　Cong Yu: "If you don't mind, I can be your new father."

　"..." Yao Chuanguang: "..."