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

But how did Helica know all this?

While lost in thought, Yuuki Yuuki secretly observed Helica's reaction out of the corner of her eye.

Even the slightest movement, like Herika narrowing her eyes, did not escape Yuuki Yukino's keen observation.

Yuuki Yukino's brain was working at full speed, using every single one of her brain cells to figure out how to deal with Helica.

Upon reflection, it was actually only a matter of a moment.

"Why don't you believe me? I just stayed out overnight and that's why I didn't go home. There's no need to make such a fuss, is there? Besides, didn't I send you a message to let you know I was safe?"

By putting "reporting that you are safe" and "spending the night outside" in the same sentence, Helica was misled and subtly placed in the position of a victim.

Although not very clever, it was one of the few solutions that Yuuki Yuki could think of at the moment.

Hearing Yuuki Yukino say "spend the night outside," Helica's expression became even more interesting.

"Spending the night outside?" Helica pondered, repeating what Yuuki Yuki had said.

Although Helica already knew that Yuuki Yui hadn't gone home that day, hearing Yuuki Yui's words made Helica feel as if her heart was being squeezed by a hand.

Could it be that Yuuki Yukino is really having an affair with another woman?

Although Helica did some terrible things that day, and the target was that annoying pink-haired tentacle woman, it was a necessary mana replenishment to defeat the enemy, which was not the same thing at all.

What I did with the pink-haired tentacle girl that day was less about replenishing mana and more about using mana replenishment as a way to vent my anger.

But Yuuki Yukino is different! If she really did something so lewd, it couldn't be because she was just angry with someone!

Unless she is that annoying pink-haired tentacle woman.

But how could that be! If Yuuki Yuki is a pink-haired tentacle woman, why would she go to all that trouble to be friends with me?

Helica didn't really want to know if Yuuki had done anything rash that day, but she couldn't control her inner turmoil—or perhaps it would be better to call it jealousy.

Helica still wanted to know!

"You went to the hotel, right?"

Herlica's haughty side kicked in again, and her increasingly forceful tone made it sound like she was interrogating her in a sarcastic and mocking way.

Otherwise, Helica would be really shy.

Herika couldn't bring herself to ask Yuuki directly, "Did you go to a hotel with someone else?"

However, Yuuki Yuuki heard a different meaning in those words.

That night, Helika and I were beaten to the point of near death by Kuroba Reisei while covering the retreat of our other companions, but we were eventually rescued by Lava Lantern.

Then Lava Lantern took himself and Helica to a hotel to rest for a while. No one else would know about this except the three people involved.

Is this a test? Or is he forcing himself to admit it?

Could it be... that Helica is using this incident to remind herself that she already knows her identity as a corrupted magical girl?

We must not reveal any flaws, and we certainly cannot admit to anything.

But what should I say if I don't admit to having been to the hotel?

Should I tell Helica the truth and say that I went to Inuyama Hatsuki's house?

No, that's not the case. Helica shouldn't know Inuyama Tomoe's identity yet.

Even if Helica deduced that Baki was also a corrupted magical girl by recognizing her identity, or learned the truth through some other means, it doesn't matter.

As long as he doesn't mention Baqi, Baqi is likely safe.

Therefore, not answering is the right thing to do for Yuuki Enishi.

Behind Helica's confident expression lay immense panic.

What should I do? Why is Yuuki Yuuki suddenly silent?

Does this mean she's admitting it? Admitting she went to a hotel with someone else!

That must be it. Yuuki Yuuki must have run off to a hotel with someone else that night.

Helica isn't a child. Yuuki Yuuki spent the night in a hotel with someone else and nothing happened between them? How is that possible?

I really want to know what happened! I'm so curious, and I hate it!

"Tsk." The more panicked Helica became, the more aggressive she appeared. She clicked her tongue in displeasure, her eyes sharpening further. "I knew it."

What? I knew it? Yuuki Yuki was startled.

What has Helica learned this time? What has she just verified?

“I know everything about who you did that night!” Helica maintained her sharp tongue and said fiercely.

Helika knew everything? Helika knew nothing!

But she could guess that the only person Yuuki Yuuki would go to the hotel with was Inuyama Tomoe.

In other words, Helica was simply being coquettish.

Kiseki En had no idea about this.

Now, Yuuki Yuuki's chest felt like it was being crushed by Helica's iron hammer, and breathing became extremely difficult.

Wasn't Helica the only person I was replenishing my mana at the hotel that day?

Helica now knows everything.

Yuuki Yuuki's last glimmer of hope was shattered.

But the situation may not be that bad.

Helica has now called herself out alone.

In other words, she hasn't told anyone else about her identity yet, right?

If I could use this opportunity to silence Helica and continue my peaceful life... how could I possibly do that! Wouldn't that make me no different from a real fallen magical girl?

It's as if I really am a corrupted magical girl.

In short, you absolutely cannot do such a thing; it's something you shouldn't even think about.

The goodwill he showed to Helica before, the affection he gained with Helica, and the bond storyline they went through—no, all the things they experienced together still hold a great place in Helica's heart, right?

The fact that Helica approached him privately before revealing her identity to others shows that Helica still cares about him to some extent.

Moreover, according to Nishio Reki, Helica likes him.

Since that's the case, I can't possibly repay kindness with enmity.

So what is Helica's purpose?

Since things have come to this point, it's better to ask Helica herself directly than to speculate on such matters.

"So, you knew all along."

Yuuki Yukino took several deep breaths, her throat bobbing, and spoke in the calmest tone she could muster.

I understand? I understand what? Helica was filled with question marks.

Could it be that my guess was right?! Yuuki Yukino, and that Inuyama Tomoe! Shameless!

Yuuki Yukino's expression is so strained; it seems she really doesn't want to know about this.

"Yes, yes! Don't you have anything to say?"

From Helica's perspective, she has no right to demand an explanation from Yuuki Yuuki.

But what can you do when she's Helica the Thunder God?

"Actually, I didn't want it to be like this either, and there's a reason for it." Yuuki Yui spoke cautiously, worried that something she said might upset Helica.

Knowing Helica as Yuuki Yuuki did to her in the past, it was already quite remarkable that Helica was standing there listening to him.

It might be better to take this opportunity to tell her about my situation.

"Oh? What's the reason?" Herika listened intently, both conflicted and concerned, after hearing that Yuuki was really willing to tell her.

“Initially, it wasn’t my intention to become like this, it was…” Sure enough, it was really difficult to be honest with Helica about these things.

Herlica's willingness to listen is the closest Yuuki Yuki has come to successfully clearing her name; if she says anything wrong, all her previous efforts will be in vain.

Not only was all previous efforts wasted, but it was a complete collapse with no chance of recovery. She could only continue this endless struggle with Heracles as a fallen magical girl.

Seeing that Yuuki Yuuki had only started speaking before shutting up, Helica, who wanted to know the whole story, was also anxious and couldn't help but blurt out, "Did Inuyama Tomoe force you?"

"It can't be called coercion, and Inuyama Tomoe is innocent too." Yuuki Yui carefully chose her words, speaking very slowly.

To whitewash one's actions and shift blame onto others, is something that Jie Chengyuan would never do.

I need to make sure that Baki also leaves a good impression on Helica.

The best way is to tell the truth.

“What’s so innocent about this?” Herika couldn’t understand what Yuuki Yuuki meant by “innocent.”

It couldn't have been some kind of drunken misconduct; people of this age shouldn't be allowed to drink alcohol. It must have been some strange drug she accidentally took!

It's the kind of food that makes your face flush and your heart race after eating it, and then makes you feel unbearably hot...

"You should have already met with Nishio Reki, right?" There was no way Nishio Reki could avoid explaining this matter.

"Nishio Reki? Nishio Reki is involved here? Yes, you and Nishio Reki are childhood friends. Could it be that she did this?"

Nishio Reki secretly gave Inuyama Tomoe a strange drug, causing Inuyama Tomoe to develop feelings for Yuuki Yuuki...

What is this? It's such a mess!

Even Helica, who has no interest in gossip, couldn't wait to know the whole story.

"Yes, she might have ulterior motives for contacting you, right?"

Is he up to something?! Could it be that Nishio Reki is also planning to make a move against her?! Helica was secretly shocked.

Could it be that all those crises Nishio Reki mentioned were just a lie, and he actually intends to monopolize Yuuki Yukino?!

It could be even more dangerous! Could it be that Nishio Reki will also use those strange drugs on himself, and then go from being a threesome with Yuuki Yuki on both sides at school these past few days to becoming a light elite squad?

It might not be what I think; it's better to confirm.

"What does Nishio Reki want me to do? To do to me what... he did to Inuyama Tomoe?"

It would be too much to ask Helica to say something like offering to eat computer parts.