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

"Besides, is it just your guess that she has something to say?"

"Why don't we just ask Yuki?" Mizuno Yu offered a solution that Helica didn't want to hear.

Mizuno Yu had previously said that this situation was deliberately created by someone, and Helica agreed with this view.

That person is Yuuki Yuuki, and Helica thinks so too.

If Sakura Hanako wanted to meet Yuuki Yuki, there would be no need for her to go to such lengths, so Sakura Hanako probably didn't know that Yuuki Yuki was working here.

Only after realizing this was Helica able to take advantage of Sakura Hanako's embarrassment to suggest that everyone sit down in the shop.

Taking advantage of the awkward atmosphere where Sakura Hanako couldn't say anything, he quickly and firmly insisted that there would be no reconciliation, so that they couldn't convince him.

After rejecting Sakura Hanako, Yuuki Yuuki had no one else to cooperate with her—even if there were, it would be Inuyama Tomoe and Nishio Reki who were busy working in the shop, and she could just ignore them.

After all, it was Sakura Hanako who invited him, not Yuuki Yukino and the others. He was just coming in for a cup of coffee. Did they really expect him to stay and not let him leave?

That was exactly what Helica had in mind.

But Helica realized she was wrong.

In fact, Yuuki Yuki didn't need to do anything proactively; she just needed to wait on the sidelines to join the game.

Chapter Forty-Five Ripples

"No! Absolutely not!" Herica flatly rejected Mizuno Yu's suggestion.

Helica's original plan was to make things completely clear today.

Therefore, she stood at the door of the activity room for a long time to organize her thoughts and consider all possible situations.

However, every step of today's development has gone in a way that Helica did not expect, causing all her past plans to fall through.

Although this wasn't necessarily a bad thing for her, it actually made things develop in a way that Helica wanted.

But Helica was too happy too soon.

After all, things always turn around when they reach their extreme. When Mizuno Yu said she would also involve Yuuki Yuki, Helica's smooth sailing came to an end.

"Involving Yuuki Yuuki is unacceptable, except for this one thing!"

"why?"

As emotionally charged as Helica was, Mizuno Yuu remained remarkably calm, responding to her questions with unhurried composure, showing no sign of being agitated by Helica's emotions.

Helica's previous arguments were all rejected by Mizuno Yu, and trying to win through emotions had no effect on Mizuno Yu. Now, all she could do was offer dry rebuttals.

"Because, the person you've brought is me, right? It has nothing to do with Yuuki Yukino, right? And, the reason you called me here is that this isn't what we're supposed to be discussing at all, is it?"

Helica spoke quickly, using many interjections, as she was so focused on refuting that she didn't even have time to find the right words.

"Tenrai, can we really continue this discussion now?" Mizuno Yu, who had remained calm throughout, asked again.

"What's wrong with that? Haven't we already discussed it clearly? You want me to go back to Nijisanji, but I don't plan to go back, nor do I plan to continue being a magical girl. Isn't that clear enough?"

Helica already knew that her flustered state was gradually eroding the weight of her words, just like the awkward Sakura Hanako at the beginning. The boomerang she had thrown was now starting to hit her back.

Her lack of composure also influenced Mizuno Yu's decision, albeit in a direction that Helica did not want to see.

Mizuno Yu temporarily gave up on continuing the discussion with Helica about this pointless matter, ignoring Helica's opinions.

"I'll explain it to you when Yuki gets here."

It's important to understand that Mizuno Yu's actions could only be due to exceptional circumstances.

When Yuu Mizuno suspected that Yuuki Yui was connected to the corrupted magical girl during their school trip, she took the initiative to print out the surveillance footage of all the students entering and leaving the hotel, and found that it was the same.

Even without the unexpected appearance of Mashiro Urokin, Helica knew that Yuu Mizuno would be able to deduce the correct answer. Mashiro Urokin's appearance only accelerated this process and caused Yuuki Yuki to expose herself.

Helica thought about what happened back then because even if she tried to stop it now, the final outcome wouldn't change.

"Row."

Herlica's throat suddenly became dry and hoarse, and she simply replied with a sound.

Then, she watched as Mizuno Yu politely informed the waiter that Inuyama Tomoe wanted to see Yuuki Yuuki.

"Are you looking for Xiaoyuan? Xiaoyuan is very busy. If she leaves the bar, I won't be able to make coffee! Everyone will be delayed."

Hearing Baqi's refusal, Helica breathed a long sigh of relief.

Herlica's feelings were quite complicated at this moment, as the person she had always been at odds with had now politely declined her request to involve Yuuki Yuki.

But then she breathed a sigh of relief.

Because she heard what Baqi said next.

Baqi did not refuse Mizuno Yu's request.

"So hurry up and chat, don't delay our business!"

After speaking to Mizuno Yu, Baqi tiptoed over several tables of customers and waved towards the bar.

"Xiao Yuan! Xiao Yuan!"

"Hmm?" Yuuki Yuuki, who was busy making coffee, looked up and hummed with a puzzled expression.

"The guests at this table are looking for you!" Baqi raised her hands to her mouth, making a megaphone shape, and shouted in a volume that was just loud enough for Yuuki Yuen to hear clearly without being noisy.

Yuuki Yukino wasn't the only one who attracted attention; a woman wearing a cloak, who was clearly older than the group of girls, peeked out from the kitchen.

Helica thought the person looked familiar, but she wasn't sure she could identify him immediately.

Helica's mind is now completely in turmoil, and she doesn't care about anyone except Yuuki Yuuki.

"What's wrong, Yuuki? Did you make some coffee and someone's giving you a piece of their mind?"

Minato Nana frowned and glanced at the guests at the table next to Baqi from a distance.

"I can understand making mistakes when busy. If the customer is being difficult, I'll just make them a new cup and give them some snacks as a bonus."

"It's nothing. These are acquaintances from school. They saw me working here and wanted to say a few words to me," Yuuki Yuki calmly explained to Minato Nana, then cautiously added, "That's about it."

"Oh, friend, hurry back, I'll cover for you here." Minato Nana rolled up her sleeves, but her arms, hidden under her cloak, seemed unnecessary.

"Thank you for your help, store manager."

"What trouble? You're Huan's sister, no need to be so polite. Besides, I handled everything by myself before you came. It's not too busy right now, go quickly, say hello and come back."

After explaining the situation to Minato Nana in a few words, Yuuki Yukina left the bar and walked over to the table belonging to Nijisanji.

Along with Yuuki Yukino, a group of customers who had been drawn by Baqi's shouts also went to see what these girls wanted to cause trouble for the barista.

Yuuki Yukino walked over, and Baqi consciously took the menu and left, handing over the space near the corner with few people to the members of Nijisanji.

Good evening! How was your coffee?

The first thing I said was a polite greeting from the shop assistant.

"What's wrong, Mizuno? You suddenly called me over, is there something you want to tell me?"

Upon hearing Yuuki Yukino's words, the guests who thought a dispute might break out quickly looked away.

"What's wrong? Didn't you start arguing? Are you picking a fight? That blond guy seems to have a bad temper."

"What are you thinking? They all know each other. Did you see those school uniforms? They're from Yuehai Middle School. I'm guessing they're classmates."

The gossip may or may not have reached their ears, but that wouldn't stop them from continuing their conversation.

"Yuki, sit down."

As Mizuno Yu spoke, she opened her palm towards the person opposite her, who was next to Helica, and gestured politely for Yuuki Yuki to sit down and discuss things with her.

Herika also consciously moved to the side, making room for Yuuki Yuuki to sit down. This was almost an unconscious action, just like when Nijisanji went out, she always sat very close to Yuuki Yuuki.

"I'm quite busy today. If I sit down, the manager will get impatient. So please don't sit down. But I'd love to catch up with you, as long as it doesn't take too long."

Yuuki Yukino squinted her eyes and revealed a warm smile.

Yuki Yuki's words made perfect sense; it's not necessary to run away from work to catch up with old friends.

Even so, Yuki Yuki still came over and said something to the manager behind the bar, which should have been a normal explanation. From this perspective, Yuki Yuki did an impeccable job.

There was nothing wrong with her attitude towards her own side; she didn't make people feel distant, yet she maintained a good sense of distance.

In comparison, Yuuki Yuuki's attitude towards the other members of Nijisanji was even better than that of Helica, who always had a sour face.

Now that things have come to this point, there's no way anyone can force Yuuki Yukino to sit down.

Mizuno Yu didn't intend to waste any more time and went straight to the point.

"This isn't about catching up. What I'm about to say might not be very pleasant for Yuuki. It would be great if Yuuki could answer a few questions for me, but if Yuuki isn't willing..."

"You ask first," Yuuki Yui said, refusing Mizuno Yui's polite words.

"Before we begin, let me explain to Tenrai first." Mizuno Yu, who had been interrupted, smoothly transitioned to the matter she had promised Helica.

"Yuki, Yuki's friend Inuyama Tomoe, Yuki's classmate and magical girl Nishio Reki, plus the three of us, so many magical girls gathered together, I don't know if it's a coincidence."

"If I said it was a coincidence, would you believe me?" Yuuki Yuuki tilted her head.

Mizuno Yuu ignored what Yuuki Yui said and continued talking.

"Whether this is a coincidence or not, we need to consider this: in the current atmosphere, Tianlei, do you think we can calmly return to our previous topic?"

“Why not? Discussion is discussion…” Helica was about to retort when she met Mizuno Yu’s bright gaze sitting opposite her and shut her mouth.

"That's impossible. Our discussion should be conducted in a fair and just environment suitable for discussion. Because of Yuuki's presence, Sakura, and Tenrai, are you in a state of mind where you can have a calm discussion right now?"

"No, I feel a little... strange..." Sakura Hanako replied sullenly, "Because Yuuki-senpai is here, my mind has become a bit confused. I'm too concerned about what Yuuki-senpai is planning to do, so I can't express what I want to say clearly."

Sakura Hanako can openly admit that she was affected, but even if Mizuno Yu is right, Helica has no intention of admitting it.

Although her current expression completely confirms Mizuno Yu's statement.

He took advantage of the awkward atmosphere in the store to his advantage, leaving Sakura Hanako speechless and thus turning the situation in his favor.

Even Herica herself could think of something, so Mizuno Yu couldn't possibly not have thought of it.

Her gaze seemed to see right through Helica's heart, questioning her truest thoughts.

Mizuno Yu withdrew her gaze and fell on the coffee in front of her. The still steaming, murky liquid reflected Helica's blurry image, as if the girl in the cup had been stained with other colors.

"Everyone is not calm, and any decisions made will be influenced by emotions. Deciding our future like this is too hasty, so I don't recommend continuing to discuss the previous topics."

By involving Yuuki Yuki, an external variable was introduced, making it temporarily impossible for her to give the answer that she had always refused.

Helica wasn't sure if this was the reason Mizuno Yu hadn't mentioned.