Magical Girl in the Superhero World

Suddenly a soft cry startled Mo Zhen, who nearly exploded with anger. She looked up at the rocking chair in the backyard and realized it was Mo Xiaochuan.

He was so focused on Bai Xiaoxiao that he didn't even notice that there was someone lying on the rocking chair!

What's that kid doing lying in the rocking chair in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?

Mo Xiaochuan looked at Mo Zhen, who had just climbed over the fence, and scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and said:

"Um...did I show up at the wrong time?"

Mo Zhen lowered his voice: "Where's Dad?"

Mo Xiaochuan spread his hands: "Dad went out."

"Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret that you secretly ran away from Dad again, but on the condition that... you tell me what you're doing this time, and why you didn't take me with you?"

Mo Xiaochuan said this with a hint of frustration in his heart. He longed to return to the close relationship he had with his older brother, the kind where they could talk about anything.

However, ever since Mo Zhen and Bai Xiaoxiao broke up, his relationship with both of them has also become strained.

The siblings' relationship was shattered, and only Mo Xiaochuan was able to mend it. Heaven knows how difficult it was for him.

Of course, these are all minor matters; Mo Xiaochuan is already used to being a messenger.

What frustrated Mo Xiaochuan the most was that both sides seemed to have their own little secrets, and neither was willing to tell him or confide in him.

The estrangement between the siblings kept Mo Xiaochuan awake at night, so he sat alone in the rocking chair in the backyard to try and find some peace and quiet.

And guess what? He just happened to run into his older brother sneaking out again, and...

And you're not taking him along!

Are you angry...?

Mo Zhen noticed his slight mood, so she stomped her foot, shook off the dust from her trouser legs, and sat down in the rocking chair next to him.

"Yes, I'm very angry." Mo Xiaochuan frowned, then suddenly started talking and couldn't stop:

"You know what? Bro, I... I feel like I'm from a completely different world from you guys right now. Do you understand what I mean?"

He gestured with his hands:

"You are like superheroes in comics, putting on your cool suits every night, running out to fight criminals, save the world, and enjoy the battle and glory."

"And me, I'm just that burdensome family member who knows nothing and has to listen to your riddles every day. Who knows when I'll be kidnapped by the evil villain and then killed off by the screenwriter to make a wave of tears."

"And what's more, you guys won't even bring me an ice-cold vanilla Coca-Cola when I go home!"

Mo Xiaochuan's voice trembled with emotion as he spoke, clearly indicating that he had been holding these words in for a long time.

Mo Zhen stood there, stunned.

He then realized that he had indeed neglected to pay attention to Mo Xiaochuan's mental state.

Because Mo Xiaochuan had always been very sensible, she subconsciously felt that he could take good care of her.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease, but what about the babies who don't cry?

"I'm sorry, Ogawa."

Thinking of all this, Mo Zhen moved next to him and patted his head:

"I've always ignored your feelings. If you want to cry, just cry."

Mo Xiaochuan rubbed his eyes:

"Actually, it feels much better to talk about it."

“I understand, brother. You both have secrets you can’t tell.”

His eyes were slightly red as he looked at Mo Zhen beside him, gazing into her clear, azure eyes, as blue as the sky.

The worry and concern in those eyes were something he could never let go of.

Despite not being much older than me, he always took on the responsibilities of an older brother, tolerating all of my and Xiaoxiao's negative emotions.

Two years ago, when their mother passed away, Mo Chou and the others disappeared, which was the most helpless time for Mo Xiaochuan and Bai Xiaoxiao.

If it weren't for Mo Zhen's comfort and care during that time, Mo Xiaochuan felt that he might never have been able to escape the shadow of his mother's death for the rest of his life.

Therefore, in his heart, Mo Zhen is the most important person to him.

He took a deep breath:

"I'm fine now, bro. Just take what I said earlier as something I said in anger. I was just really worried about you guys."

Mo Xiaochuan composed himself and looked up at the starry sky:

“I’m just worried that one day you will suddenly disappear from my life, just like Mother did. If that happens, I think I’ll go crazy.”

Upon hearing this, Mo Zhen blinked slightly, then suddenly slapped Mo Xiaochuan on the back, startling him into letting out a "squeak."

"Don't worry, with me here, that kind of thing won't happen again."

"I will protect you."

As he spoke, the boy smiled faintly in the night, a smile that brought Mo Xiaochuan a sense of peace.

"Boom..."

At that moment, Mo Zhen heard the sound of an engine starting and stopping coming from the front yard, and guessed that Bai Xiaoxiao had been brought back by the driver from the Xiyuan Temple family.

forecourt:

See you tomorrow, Xiaoxiao.

"Okay, see you tomorrow, Kirika-senpai."

Bai Xiaoxiao arrived at the door, rummaged in her skirt pocket for a while, and then remembered that she seemed to have forgotten to bring her keys.

So he could only take out his phone and prepare to send a message to Mo Xiaochuan.

The other person often stays up all night playing that game called War Thunder, sometimes playing until they're red in the face, so they probably haven't gone to sleep yet.

Click.

The door was suddenly opened.

Bai Xiaoxiao subconsciously thought it was Mo Xiaochuan, but when she looked up, she met Mo Zhen's gaze directly behind the door.

"..."

After a moment of silence, Mo Zhen spoke first: "Aren't you staying at a friend's house tonight?"

Bai Xiaoxiao turned her head away, a little nervously saying, "That's what I originally said, but I feel more comfortable sleeping at home..."

She was worried, but she just couldn't bring herself to say it.

Upon hearing this, Mo Zhen sighed inwardly, asked no further questions, turned and left, and went to the kitchen to cook instant noodles for a late-night snack.

Bai Xiaoxiao went back to the second floor alone, took a shower, and then prepared to go to sleep.

Mo Xiaochuan suddenly poked his head out from the stairwell: "Xiaoxiao, want some instant noodles? I just cooked them, I made my own stewed beef."

Bai Xiaoxiao originally wanted to refuse, but the faint fragrance wafted to her nose, making her already hungry stomach protest rather uncooperatively.

Magical girls' battles not only consume magic power, but also physical strength.

While she was still hesitating, Mo Xiaochuan had already pulled her along: "Come on, come on, you look hungry."

At 2:30 a.m., it was their usual late-night snack time. Mo Zhen usually cooked, and sometimes even Mo Chou would come over for a bite.

Chapter Nine: Late Night Snack, Mo Chou's Monologue

High-end ingredients often require only the simplest cooking methods.

Mo Zhen's cooking skills are not top-notch, but she is still quite good at home-style dishes.

Even before their mother passed away, he often helped out, washing and preparing vegetables; he knew a little bit of everything.

After their mother passed away, only Mo Zhen and Bai Zhixia knew how to cook. Whenever they had something to do or were sick with a fever, they would cook.

Then the others can only order takeout, or cook some instant noodles to make do. They're so bad at it that even frying an egg can cause a fight between the water in the pan and the oil because the water hasn't boiled away completely.

When Bai Xiaoxiao was pulled downstairs by Mo Xiaochuan, Mo Zhen had already heated up the beef she had stewed earlier.

Three bowls of noodles, each topped with a golden fried egg, the yolk glistening with a perfect runny yolk.

Paired with his pre-cooked, tender tomato and beef soup, it makes for a perfect late-night snack that soothes the soul and relieves fatigue.

"Finished showering?"

Hearing them come downstairs, Mo Zhen didn't even look up. She continued to scoop the beef from the pot evenly and then put it on the table.

"You guys eat first, I'll wash the pot."

People who cook often like to wash the pot while it's still hot after cooking, otherwise it's more troublesome to wash it after it cools down.

"Long live the old man!"

Mo Xiaochuan couldn't wait any longer; he was starving. He picked up his chopsticks and took a big bite of the fried egg.

Bai Xiaoxiao remained untouched by food, her gaze lingering on her older brother's retreating figure.

It wasn't until Mo Zhen finished washing the pot, wiping the stove clean, and sat down to eat noodles that she casually asked:

“Your eyes… Ogawa told me about them.”