Magical girls also have intensity anxiety

In the dilapidated underground stronghold, the Bureau of Control was cleaning up the mess.

"Senior Jin Yu! All the children who were kidnapped have been sent home. Some of them are orphans... Should we arrange for them to go directly to an orphanage?" A cheerful voice rang out, so clear that it made one feel as if they were in an amusement park.

"Let's find them a hotel to stay in first, let them rest for a few days, and then ask them what they'd like to do." Jin Yu pondered for a moment, "Some of these children have a heart full of ambition; we can ask them if they'd like to join the Bureau of Control."

"Okay, I'll arrange it right away."

"Oh, right, Qingxia." Jin Yu suddenly called out to the girl who was about to leave.

"What's wrong?"

"I met a magical girl named Mu'an before... something's not right about her."

"What's wrong with it?"

"She was a second-tier folk magic girl. She said she had a third-tier companion who was from our Bureau of Control... But in my perception, there were no magical fluctuations other than her and the calamity beast at the time."

"You mean she lied?"

Jin Yu shook her head, her face becoming more serious. "It doesn't seem like it."

"Oh, you mean I need to monitor her and gather information about her?"

"Uh...I guess so..."

"Leave it to me. I'll definitely find out what kind of underwear she likes to wear."

"There's no need to go into such detail," Jin Yu said awkwardly.

Jin Yu walked to the small cubicle connected to the ventilation system. According to existing reports, the underground breeding ground of the Phantom Society usually holds a sample of the witch's bodily fluids here.

That thing was dangerous, but now it's gone.

Jin Yu strongly suspects that it is related to Wu An.

However... compared to the lost bodily fluids, she was more worried that Wu An hadn't lied at the time—she really did have a third-tier companion.

The breeding grounds contain traces of C-rank calamity beasts, as well as multiple D-rank calamity beasts. For a mere Tier 2 individual, defeating these beasts, let alone surviving, is simply a pipe dream.

"Zhu Huan..."

Jin Yu had just checked the information database of the Changming City General Affairs Bureau and couldn't find the code name "Zhu Huan" at all. In fact, there wasn't even a magical girl with similar abilities.

"Such abilities as psychological suggestion and hypnosis... can even be effective against calamity beasts."

Jin Yu was absolutely certain that he had no magical girl under his command, and that such a magical girl did not exist in the list of civilian magical girls held by the Changming City General Bureau.

If the other party really did participate in the battle, yet I couldn't find a single trace of her.

So... this magical girl named Zhu Huan is no weaker than me, and most likely even stronger.

"Is she a magical girl from another city? But if a magical girl of rank four or higher is to be transferred, there will definitely be a report sent... even civilians are not exempt."

"Sigh..." she sighed, unable to figure out what was going on for the time being.

There were no meaningful clues left at the scene, except for the magical girl named Mu'an.

The most efficient approach would be to capture Wu An and bring him back.

But she suffered such serious injuries in order to break through this stronghold, so it would be really hard to feel guilty to treat her roughly.

Moreover, Wu An showed no signs of lying. She might have been affected by the "Crimson Illusion" ability, which is why she said that, yet she herself could not detect the corresponding magical fluctuations.

Even the information about "Zhu Huan" that Wu An revealed was at "Zhu Huan's" request.

It's a real headache.

However, no matter what, there's no need to antagonize Wu'an, even if she's only at the second rank—rank is only temporary.

buzz-

The phone rang, and Jin Yu's face darkened when she saw who was calling. She rubbed her slightly long nails, sighed, and answered the phone anyway.

"Senior, why are you calling so late...?"

"Hmm, we've detected an increase in the activity of factors within your body. Did you use your magic elsewhere?"

Without prior notice, the magic of Jin Yu can only be used in specific situations.

"Yes, the situation was quite urgent at the time. If we hadn't intervened, many people would have died."

"Since it's about saving lives, we can't say too much, but you should still try to use magic as little as possible. Didn't you bring any other children with you?"

"Yes, it's already quite late." After all, I only intended to take a quick look and didn't expect Genko to be at the base.

"You spoil your subordinates too much."

"Everyone is still young, so they're probably all resting." Except for a few energetic ones.

"But witches and monsters don't care about age; they're just meant to be killed anyway..."

"..."

Jin Yu remained silent, while the person on the other end of the phone grew increasingly anxious.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to criticize you... it's just that a fully bloomed magical girl is too important to us. There aren't many spots left for fully bloomed magical girls, and I'm afraid..."

"It's not your fault. I'll be more careful in the future."

"Yes, take care of yourself. Please don't trouble your junior if you need anything."

After hanging up the phone, Jin Yu breathed a sigh of relief. The caller's attitude was very good, even a little humble, but the feeling of making others uneasy when she was the one who made a mistake made her uncomfortable.

After secretly deciding to pay more attention, Jin Yu prepared to inquire about Mu Ming's situation.

After all, the liaison officer said that the eyewitness testimonies of the calamity beast here were provided by Mu Ming.

Although Mu Ming's situation was distressing, it unexpectedly allowed her to focus and temporarily forget about bigger things, thus immersing herself in her own world.

Goodnight, Miss Jin.

She glanced at the time; Mu Ming had gone to bed early tonight, so it seemed he was still listening to her.

Just as I was about to reply, I suddenly realized that the way I addressed her had changed.

She scrolled through her notes a few times to confirm that he had always used "Mom" when saying good morning, good afternoon, and good night to her during this period.

Although she had always objected to the term, the keyboard was in his hands, and he wanted to send messages. Unless she flew to his doorstep and grabbed his hand to stop him, she couldn't control him.

Jin Yu is not used to this title and finds it hard to accept, but if it makes him feel comfortable, then he can endure it.

After all, he was really unlucky.

But I still can't help wondering, "Why did the way we address each other change?"

Did something upsetting happen again? Or did he finally realize that it's not normal for him to call a girl who isn't much older than him "Mom"?

That's not right... If someone realizes they've done something shameful, they'll generally be ashamed to have contact with the person associated with them.

But Mu Ming said goodnight normally.

Could it be... that my previous response was too resistant and cold, making him feel bad?

Jin Yu's head was already in a mess, and now it only got worse...

"It's hard to guess what teenagers are thinking..."

Jin Yu understood the meaning of these words for the first time.

Given Mu Ming's mental state, it is even more difficult to understand his thoughts.

【Good night】

She replied, hesitated for a moment, and then asked:

How have you been lately?

Surprisingly, Mu Ming responded to the message promptly.

Everything is normal.

"......"

What kind of response is this, which sounds like a spiteful act?

Even though they were separated by a screen, Jin Yu felt embarrassed.

"Oh...I see..."

She typed the words out, then deleted them and retyped them:

[With the start of the new semester fast approaching, is there anything you need? Like clothes or other items you want?]

【No.】

"......"

Is he really throwing a tantrum? Who upset him this time?

Speaking of which, since he's going to school, we should at least have a doctor assess his mental state; otherwise, it could lead to problems.

"Would you like me to take you shopping for something, and while we're at it, maybe get a psychological evaluation?"

Maintaining a good mood can help reduce the appearance of monsters. People with poor mental health should not go to school or work.

Upon enrollment, you will naturally need to submit the latest psychological assessment form.

"No need, you must be quite busy. I can do these things myself."

Mu Ming's sense of rejection was almost palpable.

Upon seeing the reply, Jin Yu's upright posture shrunk slightly, and even the corners of her mouth turned down.

She suddenly felt wronged.

Why do I feel like he hates me...?

Should I really respond enthusiastically when he calls me "Mom"?

"Hmm..."

She pursed her lips, hesitated for a few seconds, and then replied:

It's okay, your situation is important too.

After I finished sending it, my arms felt completely exhausted.

The books clearly say that a good childhood can make up for a lifetime of regrets... She remembered that in the records, Mu Ming had been in his family's orphanage since he was very young.

Although I didn't receive genuine parental care, I shouldn't have been mistreated...

Moreover, most of the children from our own welfare home are quite good and easy to take care of.

How did he end up like this?

"Sigh...we should allow for exceptions."

Jin Yu, after all, did not know the specifics of Mu Ming's growth process, only a vague one.

The key point is still to solve the current problems.

Taking him to see a psychologist is the best course of action.