Even if you're a corrupted magical girl, you still have to try to redeem yourself.

Koumori may not be the weaker one between the two, nor is she necessarily the easier one to handle, but she is the one that Yuuki Yukino knows best.

Because Hong Moli does too much.

In Yuuki Yuki's hometown, there's a saying: "Too much talk leads to mistakes, too much action leads to failure."

It was Koumari who stopped Helica and her group at the Moon Sea Tower, and it was also Koumari who went to hunt down Yuuki Yuki every time. In places unknown to Yuuki Yuki, it was actually Koumari who handled the negotiations with Miyashita Mia all by herself.

This allows Yuuki Yuki to better discover Koumori's weaknesses, both in combat and psychological aspects.

Seeing how Hongmo hesitated just now, Yuuki Yukino finally had the opportunity to confirm her guesses one by one.

For example—Hong Moli did attack herself behind Bai Gui Qianyou's back, and the specific reason is still unclear, but she definitely didn't want Qianyou to know.

Then let's just choose one: whether to be frank and open here, or to discuss this matter privately with Hyakki Chiyu behind closed doors.

Of course, there are also cases where Bai Gui Qian You doesn't pursue the matter further; it just depends on whether Hong Mo Li dares to gamble on that possibility.

Koumori was directly called out by Yuuki Yuki, and she gritted her teeth inwardly.

When Yuuki Yukino says things like "let it go" or "don't pursue it," it seems like she's given herself two choices. But in reality, isn't the only path she has in front of her the one where she has to reveal everything she knows?

Whether you confess to Hyakki Chiyuki yourself, or give the answer in a way that feels like you're being forced in front of Yuuki Yuki and Inuyama Tomoe who might be able to help you, it's essentially the same thing, isn't it?

Hong Moli remained silent for a long time, secretly struggling within herself.

Hong Moli hadn't expected that Bai Gui Qian You would speak up for her, but it could also be said that it was both unexpected and reasonable.

But does someone like me, who has done so many outrageous things, deserve the protection of a hundred ghosts and a thousand spirits?

Wouldn't maintaining this version of yourself only deepen your self-loathing?

Is it a good thing for Hyakki Senyu to stand against Yuuki Eri, who knows how much more information she has, in order to protect herself, and even turn against Inuyama Tomoe?

If I insist on not telling you, will Bai Gui Qian You just start attacking me?

Using force to solve problems is a simple and brutal method, but it is indeed very effective. Under my insistence, Hyakki Senyou and I might be able to defeat Yuuki Yuki and Inuyama Tomoe together. Hyakki Senyou is very likely to do such a thing without asking me anything, just based on trust.

Even if he defeats the two of them and turns Yuuki and the others into helpless balls, he still has to explain to Hyakki Chiyu why he attacked Yuuki in the first place.

But we live in a civilized society now, and not all problems can be solved through barbaric means.

It's like the president who's stronger than me has been using force and coercion to control me and impose all sorts of punishments on me, but my desire to resist only gets stronger and stronger.

As Hong Moli pondered these things, time ticked by.

She probably didn't realize that she had been thinking about these things for quite some time, and that the people around her had been waiting long enough.

But those around her waited patiently, because what she said could very well change the course of the entire conversation.

There will always be someone who can't sit still.

Since Komamori was still so conflicted and hadn't made a decision, Yuuki felt she needed to give Komamori a push from behind.

Yuuki Yukina nudged Inuyama Tomoe's leg under the table with her foot, and Tomoe returned the touch with the back of her foot.

The signal has been transmitted.

Then, Baqi and Yuuki Yuki launched a psychological offensive against Hong Mali with great tacit understanding.

"Xiaoyuan, look, Xiaoyuan, look! She's overthinking again. You can tell from her expression that she's thinking about random things."

"Oh dear, don't say that about Hong. If Hong didn't overthink things, I wouldn't have been able to bring her here."

Snapped.

Hyakki Chiyuu dropped the fork in her hand onto the table.

Saying it was a fall would be more accurate.

"Wait, Qianyou."

Before Hyakki Senyou could do anything more, Koumori stopped her under the table.

The movement of the shoulder was not very obvious, but it was enough to be noticed.

"They've taken the bait?" Baqi glanced quickly at Yuuki Yukino with a smug look in her eyes.

"Of course, that goes without saying," Yuuki Yukino replied with a look.

This is their unspoken understanding.

Hong Moli formally and politely asked Yuki Eri, "What exactly did you mean by 'daydreaming' just now?"

"It means exactly what it says. I admit, we went to great lengths to get you all here, but we didn't do anything out of line, did we? Our goal was just to get everyone to sit down and chat. Otherwise, being chased and beaten by you all the time isn't a solution." Yuuki Yui spread her hands to either side and shrugged.

Yuuki Yukino's expression was completely natural when she said these things, so she probably wasn't lying.

"And then?" Hong Moli asked again.

"After that, just as I wished, you misunderstood me and thought that we might have done something to Bai Gui Qian You, so you became uneasy."

Yuuki Yui leaned back in her chair, crossed her arms, and stared intently at Koumori's expression, glancing occasionally at Hyakki Senyu out of the corner of her eye, also keeping an eye on Hyakki Senyu's movements as she listened in.

"Actually, it wasn't just this time. Do you remember when you threatened me... Ah, when we first met before you transformed?" Yuuki Yui deliberately let slip the secret before correcting herself, conveying some harmless information to Hyakki Senyu.

"Hmm." Koumori hummed, not denying Yuuki Yukino's words.

This information is really just some broken rubble that can't build a solid wall, but it's better than nothing. A little psychological tactic, subtly making Hong Moli admit that she did such a thing, is enough.

"It was the same that time, why didn't Hong attack me then?"

Despite Yuki Yuki's obvious attempt to elicit information, Koumori, eager to know what Yuki Yuki wanted to say, answered without a shred of doubt.

"Because I'm worried that all of you here are magical girls, and I can't deal with all of you by myself. If I take action, not only might the mission fail, but it could also put myself in danger."

The word "mission" was actually used by Hong Moli, which was a pleasant surprise.

But let's not expose her now.

"So, Hong, are you sure you were only fooled these two times?"

Yuuki Yukino narrowed her eyes and posed a soul-searching question to Koumori.

Chapter 47 Open Your Heart and Tell the Truth

"Then, Hong, can you be sure you were only fooled twice? No, can you be sure you were only intentionally misled twice?"

Yuuki Yukino asked Hong Moli with her eyes crinkled in a smile.

Yuuki Yui deliberately used the phrase "being intentionally misled," since she made bold guesses about many things based on her understanding of several enemies from an omniscient perspective.

As Yuuki Yuen spoke, Hyakki Chiyuu shifted slightly. The rustling sound of her clothes just began when Koumori quietly pressed down on Hyakki Chiyuu's thigh under the table, signaling her not to make any rash moves.

Hyakki Chiyu rolled her eyes as if asking Hong Moli a question. After receiving Hong Moli's response, she sat back down steadily and continued to enjoy the cake.

"What else have you lied to me about? Is that what you mean by inviting us here today as part of a conspiracy?" After calming Bai Gui Qian You down, Hong Mo Li cautiously spoke.

Yuuki En gave Koumori her answer with silence and a look of caring concern for the idiot.

"Isn't that right?" Hong Moli asked doubtfully.

“First of all, I didn’t lie to you. I didn’t say a single unnecessary word. You just made it all up in your head. Even if I had intentionally hinted at something, I didn’t say a word.” Yuuki Yuen puffed out her cheeks. “Secondly, as I said at the beginning, I didn’t have any ulterior motives.”

"Then, did you actually do something to Qianyou?!"

Hong Moli's tone became more erratic. She quickly turned her head to glance at Bai Gui Qianyou beside her, and when she turned back to Yuki Yuki, she dismissed the idea.

"No, you haven't done anything, but what exactly are you trying to do..."

Yuuki Yukari looked at Koumori's conflicted expression with a sense of disappointment. She really wanted to tell Koumori the answer directly, but if the answer wasn't something Koumori came up with herself, then the question would lose its original meaning.

But Hong Moli's condition is really worrying.

"Look, here we go again. Instead of overthinking, it's better to just ask. I'll ask for you this time." Yuuki sighed loudly, like a host facing a player who has made no progress in a mystery game, deciding to push things forward a little: "Hyakki-kun, did Tomoe do anything to you?"

"No." Hyakki Chiyu had already picked up the fork from the table and put it aside. She picked up a new fork and started eating the cake. When Yuuki Yuen asked her, she gently put the fork down: "But if you continue to bully Mari, I'm going to have to do something to you."

What did I do? Why is he going to do something to me again? Hyakki Senyou is truly terrifying. Yuuki Yukina secretly clicked her tongue.

Just one more thing, only one: Hong Moli is slow to catch on, and if you try to get a breakthrough from her, you'll be driven crazy with impatience sooner or later.

"You'll have to ask yourself the rest," Yuuki Yui said mysteriously, shutting her mouth tightly before Hyakki Chiyuu could slam her fork on the table again.

Anyway, I've already given you enough hints. If you still can't figure it out, then it's Hong Moli's problem.

If we say anything more, it might ignite this inexplicable little powder keg, Hyakki Senyou.

"This is too much trouble! If Yui and Kurenai won't ask, I'll ask them myself." Inuyama Tomoe was already impatient: "Hyakki, why did you join that kind of organization! The one that gave you the mission, the one that sent Kurenai to attack Yui, the one made up of corrupted magical girls!"

The expressions of the people at the table became quite interesting. Hong Moli's face turned pale instantly, her lips moved as if she wanted to say something but couldn't. Yuki Yui's mouth opened slightly, her facial muscles stiffened, and she turned her mouth to the side, twitching several times without being able to stop.

For the first time, Yuuki Yukari and Koumori thought of the same thing—Inuyama Tomoe was being way too direct!

Of the three, Hyakki Chiyu reacted the least. She was only slightly surprised when she heard the second half of the sentence about Kurenai being ordered to attack Yuuki Yukina. But that expression vanished immediately, and Hyakki Chiyu returned to her usual ordinary appearance.

After composing herself, Hyakki Chiyu answered Inuyama Tomoe's sudden question in a serious and methodical manner: "Because the president said that if I join, he will give me delicious food. Every time he asks me to do something, he gives me a lot of food. The president is a good person."

"What does that mean?"

Hong Moli's voice could no longer be suppressed; her trembling lips were bitten down with her teeth, and even the deep breath she took was trembling.

"Just because of this reason? Just because of this willful reason? You let her do whatever she wants? You allowed her to do that kind of thing? You... you joined that kind of organization?"

Hong Moli's pupils trembled uncontrollably as she fired off a barrage of questions at Bai Gui Qianyou in a tone she couldn't even control.

Hong Moli's shaky beliefs, along with Hyakki Chiyuu's answer, were like a decoration that had been smashed to pieces on the ground. Even if they were pieced back together, they would only be a distorted and irreparable object.

"Do whatever you want? That kind of thing?"

Hyakki Chiyu tilted her head and looked at Koumori with a mixture of concern and curiosity.

Hyakki Chiyu knew that it was her words that had caused Komamori to become like this.

But did Bai Gui Qian You not understand what wrong thing he had said?

“I…” Hong Moli stared intently at Bai Gui Qianyou with her bloodshot, evil eyes. She wanted to question Bai Gui Qianyou about what had happened, but she choked on her words.

She couldn't bring herself to talk about what had been done to her or the threats she had received.

Hyakki Senyu would occasionally be summoned by the student council president, but Koumori didn't even want to hear about the outrageous things the student council president had done to Hyakki Senyu.

She was afraid. She was afraid that after hearing Hyakki Chiyu's story, she would be unable to resist the chairman. She was afraid that even if she knew what terrible things Hyakki Chiyu had been done to her, she would not only be unable to take revenge, but would also be used by the chairman to continue to blackmail her.

Hong Moli was also angry, angry that Bai Gui Qianyou had been dragged into this conflict for such a childish reason, angry that she was so weak and powerless, unable to lead Bai Gui Qianyou away from the dangers surrounding her.

Unable to remain in this unpleasant atmosphere, Hong Moli cautiously probed Bai Gui Qianyou for more information.

"She, the president, didn't she coerce you?"