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

"Oh well, if I don't want to participate, I don't want to participate! Why make such a fuss? I'm not planning to perform on stage, and there's nothing I want to see. I'm sure a lot of people will have more fun if I don't go, right?"

Helica spoke in a completely indifferent and casual tone, as if she were talking about something that had nothing to do with her.

Normally, Helica might have cared a lot about what others thought of her, but after experiencing that series of nightmares, she became much more indifferent to the things around her.

She knew she had caused a lot of trouble for many people, and she also knew that because she cared too much about what others thought of her, she mistakenly thought she had caused a lot of trouble for others.

So Helica felt that as long as she was happy, that was all that mattered.

Of course, Helica still cares a lot about the opinions of people she has a good relationship with.

Besides, her decision not to attend the Moonsea Middle School party wasn't because she was thinking of others.

Even in her dreams, Herika longed to spend more time with Yuuki Yukino.

It's more accurate to say that because it was a dream, Helica wanted to cherish the time she could spend with Yuuki Yuuki before the nightmare completely descended.

"And on our last Christmas Eve as high school students, maybe we can do something more meaningful, right?"

Influenced by Inuyama Tomoe, Helica is now able to express her desires directly but not so forcefully.

In the past, Helica would definitely have acted more assertively.

“That makes sense. If the seniors don’t plan to participate, then I won’t participate either.” Sakura Hanako nodded.

"There's no need, Sakura Hanako, just do what you want to do." Helica waved her hand.

“There will still be a Christmas Eve party next year, but this year is the last Christmas Eve for my seniors in middle school, and I hope to spend it with them as well,” Sakura Hanako insisted, rejecting Helica’s offer.

“Ah! That would be perfect.” Helica grinned broadly, then looked at Mizuno Yu.

“I didn’t have anything to do that night either,” Mizuno Yuya agreed.

“Then…” Herica’s gaze turned to Nishio Reki.

Noticing Helica's gaze, Nishio Reki shuddered nervously and almost cried out.

Feeling a bit guilty under Helica's gaze.

As for the reasons...

The phone that Nishio Reki hid behind her back was still showing her chat with Yuuki Yuuki.

The latest message bar still displays a message from Nishio Reki to Yuuki Yuuki.

"Xiao Yuan, do you have anything planned for tomorrow night?"

Below the read message is Yuuki Enishi's reply.

"Why are you suddenly sending messages on LINE?"

"I'm right across from you, why are you doing this?"

"Do you want to ask me out?"

The message from Yuuki Yukino showed as read, indicating that Nishio Reki had read these messages.

The latest message was sent by Nishio Reki to Yuuki Yuuki.

"I'd be a little embarrassed to say it to your face."

Herica's urging kept coming from the other end, making it impossible for Nishio Reki, who wanted to look down at his phone, to find an opportunity.

"What about you, Nishio Reki? Are you free tomorrow night? Want to spend Christmas Eve together?"

"This...I..."

Nishio Reki stammered, still waiting for Yuuki Yuki's reply. He didn't know if Yuuki Yuki would accept his invitation, nor did he know how to answer Helica's question.

If there is such a thing, what if Yuuki Yukino has already agreed to it...

Nishio Reki wanted to go out alone with Yuuki Yuuki.

There were some things she really wanted to do together with Yuuki Yukino.

But if I say no, then Yuuki Yukino will end up being dragged along by Helica to play together again—given Helica's assertive personality, this is very likely. If that happens, I, who said I didn't have time, will be all alone.

"Hey, hey, hey, say something! If you don't have time, then we won't play with you!" Helica urged Nishio Reki, half-jokingly and half-seriously.

"Xiao Li has something to do tomorrow night—"

Yuuki Yukino's light, slightly amused voice came through between the two without seeming abrupt.

"Huh?" Herica was taken aback by Yuuki Yuuki's sudden interruption.

Nishio Reki swallowed hard, biting his pursed lips tightly.

The only difference between Nishio Reki and Helica is that neither of them accidentally uttered a question.

Yuuki Yuki, the focus of everyone's attention, hopped and skipped like a little rabbit to Nishio Reki's back, tugged at Nishio Reki's sleeve, and pulled him closer to her.

"Xiao Li is going out with me tomorrow night~ so I can't lend her to anyone else."

As Yuuki Yukari spoke, she raised her index finger to her lips, winked, and revealed a sly yet adorable smile. She playfully shielded Nishio Reki behind her, as if declaring her ownership.

"Sorry everyone, have fun even though we're not here!"

……

"Wow—I feel like I haven't really explored Moonsea City properly yet. I didn't know there were so many shops in the commercial street!"

Looking at the row of shops decorated with a festive atmosphere, Yuuki Yukino's eyes sparkled with excitement, and her fists under her khaki trench coat clenched involuntarily with excitement at the sight she was seeing.

"Yeah, I feel a little disoriented." Nishio Reki followed half a step behind Yuuki Yuuki, secretly biting his lip as he followed Yuuki Yuuki's gaze across the entire shopping street.

The Christmas tree with snowflakes falling, the holly wreaths hanging at the shop entrances, and the shop assistants wearing Santa hats standing at the shop entrances to attract customers—although it's only morning, there are already quite a few people standing there, making the shopping street much more lively than usual.

But no amount of scenery could obscure the only focus of Nishio Reki's gaze upon her.

In Nishio Reki's eyes, wherever Yuuki Yuuki is, all the surrounding scenery pales in comparison to her.

"Well, Koyomi, shall we all turn around?" Yuuki Yuki stopped in front of Nishio Koyomi, tiptoed and spun half a circle on the spot. Her trench coat fluttered like a long skirt as she spun and fell down.

Looking at the incredibly lively and adorable Yuuki Yuki in front of him, who seemed completely different from the girl who was so adept at strategizing in magical girl affairs, Nishio Reki slightly opened his mouth, then slowly closed it.

"Okay, let's all go around then."

"Just kidding! If we go around in a circle, how long will it take? Honestly, Xiao Li, don't just do whatever I say! If I say something really capricious, will Xiao Li do it?"

Yuuki Yukina chuckled, though her words sounded like she was blaming Nishio Reki, her tone was nothing but delight.

Even if Xiaoyuan says something very capricious, I will still do it.

After all, Xiaoyuan was his childhood sweetheart.

Or... the person who makes my heart flutter.

That is... the person you like.

Under Yuuki Enishi's clear gaze, Nishio Reki lowered his head slightly, avoiding her gaze, as if he were ice and snow afraid of being scorched by the sun.

There was certainly a reason why Nishio Reki chose to call out Yuuki Yukino separately on this special day.

As Yuuki Yuki pulled him into another world, and as he watched a completely different Yuuki Yuki walk in front of him, yet not forget to turn back and pull him along, Nishio Reki felt the feelings hidden deep within his heart growing ever stronger.

It is expanding more and more intense, becoming increasingly difficult to hide.

If asked why he was so hopelessly infatuated with Yuuki Yuki, Nishio Ryū himself couldn't answer.

Or all of them?

No matter where Yuuki Yuki is, Nishio Reki can't take his eyes off her.

Therefore, she wanted to tell Yuuki Yukino how she felt.

Tell that handsome, reliable, gentle, lovely, and unique Yuuki Yukino.

However, she hadn't mustered the courage yet.

Under such scrutiny, can I really say what I want to say?

Nishio Reki had absolutely no confidence.

"What are you daydreaming about! Didn't Koyomi say she was going to take me somewhere? Let's go!" Yuuki Yukino's eyes narrowed into beautiful slits, revealing her white teeth, and she reached out to pull on the hand of Nishio Koyomi, who was still hesitating in place.

"Oh, um, yes, I have a place I'd like to take Xiaoyuan there."

Nishio Reki stammered as he grasped the hand that Yuuki Yuuki had extended.

It only takes a few minutes to reach their destination.

That place was the route that Nishio Reki had rehearsed countless times.

In that place, Nishio Reki had rehearsed Yuuki Yukino's reaction countless times.

That place isn't really anything special.

"Huh? Is this a jewelry store? Xiao Li wants to buy some jewelry? A ring? Earrings? A necklace? Or maybe a hair clip?"

Even though it's just an ordinary jewelry store, Yuuki En still exudes the spirit of a shopping street before Christmas Eve.

"Yes, it's a jewelry store." Nishio Reki had his hands in his coat pockets, his fingers nervously twisting together through the fabric.

"Oh, Xiaoyuan..."

"Hmm? What's wrong?" Yuuki Yuki's voice was just as light and cheerful.

"Because I noticed that Xiaoyuan doesn't wear any accessories, I think that although Xiaoyuan is already very cute, she would be even cuter if she wore cute accessories... So, I want to buy one for Xiaoyuan."

Nishio Reki's gaze wandered, deliberately skipping over Yuuki Yuuki and looking at the counter standing behind her, stammering softly as he spoke.

Yuuki Yukino seemed surprised by this answer, and for a moment, the gentle expression on her face wavered: "Ah... I see..."

Yuki Yuki was always the focus of Nishio Reki's attention. Although Nishio Reki was trying to avoid his gaze, Yuki Yuki's actions were clearly seen by him.

Does it mean you don't like it?

That's true. It's just an ordinary jewelry store suitable for middle school students, not an expensive gift.

No, no, no, Xiaoyuan isn't the type to like expensive gifts, but if Xiaoyuan doesn't like them, then I'll...

Nishio Reki blinked, concealing his increasingly dim eyes.

"If Xiaoyuan doesn't like it... no, if Xiaoyuan doesn't need it, then so be it..."

"I want it!" Yuuki Yuuki immediately replied, "The gift that Koreshi wanted to give me! I want it!"

Although Yuuki Yuki's words were brief, they instantly filled Nishio Reki with power, giving him a lot more confidence, as his mind was unusually sensitive due to his inner turmoil.