My and Their Anime-Style Otherworldly Survival Adventure

Jiuxiao sighed helplessly and patted Miki Sayaka's head a few times: "Sigh, silly girl, didn't you realize that thug was trying to extort you? Those shoes of his weren't limited editions at all, and the scratches on them were there before. He just wanted to scam you out of money. You're too naive. Be careful in the future, and don't be easily fooled."

"Oh, is that so?" Xiaoyuan looked surprised; the gentle and kind girl had never thought of that possibility.

Fortunately, Mami Tomoe had a lot of social experience. She nodded and continued, "That's right, Gen-kun is right. Those kinds of people specifically target those who seem easy to bully, especially girls like Sayaka. In the future, if you encounter similar situations, you must be more careful and not easily believe what the other person says."

Upon hearing this, Sayaka Miki's face showed a hint of shame and annoyance. She lowered her head, her voice muffled, "I'm sorry... I was so clumsy, I almost caused everyone trouble... But shouldn't you take your claws back?"

Jiu Xiao quickly withdrew his hand, awkwardly touching his nose. A refreshing scent of shampoo wafted from his fingertips, and he subconsciously murmured, "It smells so good, it's lavender, isn't it..." His voice was soft, but it clearly reached Miki Sayaka's ears.

Sayaka Miki felt her cheeks burning. She glared fiercely at Jiuxiao, but there was little blame in her eyes; instead, she felt an indescribable shyness. She quickly turned her head away, trying to hide the blush on her face, but her heartbeat quickened against her will.

As dusk fell and nothing unexpected happened, just as everyone was relaxing, Mami Tomoe's Soul Gem suddenly lit up. Jiuxiao's spirits lifted; he'd thought Baijiang Zhu had stood him up. If that girl had been any later, they probably would have all had to go home.

"Junior Yuan!" Mami Tomoe called out, signaling Jiuxiao to prepare for battle. The next instant, the surrounding space distorted, and when they came to their senses, they were already inside the witch's barrier.

Inside the witch's barrier, the two looked at each other in bewilderment. Mami Tomoe steadied herself and kept looking around, but she couldn't find Madoka and Sayaka Miki anywhere.

"It seems we've been actively pulled into the witch's barrier. We need to find Madoka and Sayaka Miki quickly to prevent them from encountering danger." Mami Tomoe frowned slightly, her tone tinged with worry.

There was no danger, of course. This was something that Jiuxiao and Baijiangzhu had discussed long ago, and the two of them had been excluded from the barrier from the very beginning.

"Don't worry, I marked them with magic. I can sense that they weren't caught in the witch's barrier," Jiuxiao casually explained, to save Mami Tomoe from worrying.

Mami Tomoe breathed a slight sigh of relief, but remained vigilant. She was also surprised by the diversity of Jiuxiao's magic. Besides the Soul Purifying Gem and flames he had previously displayed, she hadn't expected Jiuxiao to possess other abilities. She couldn't help but ask curiously, "Junior Yuan's magic is truly multifaceted. It seems I don't know you well enough. Do you have any other magic besides this?"

It doesn't matter if you don't understand it deeply enough; there will be plenty of time to "deeper" it later.

P.S.: Regarding the storyline involving Kyosuke Kamijou, I personally dislike this man very much (definitely not because of jealousy). The plot will be quite intense, so I'm just saying this in advance. Please feel free to offer any opinions.

Chapter 148 There's nothing to be afraid of anymore!

Jiuxiao gave a meaningful smile and said mysteriously, "Well, you'll find out later." Jiuxiao blinked, deliberately keeping her in suspense. Ba Mamei couldn't help but chuckle at his expression. Although she was even more curious, she knew now wasn't the time to press him for answers.

“Alright, then I’ll wait and see.” Mami Tomoe’s smile faded, and she refocused her attention on the witch’s barrier before her. The surrounding environment remained eerie; the distorted buildings and dim lighting created a sense of oppression. A faint, sweet scent permeated the air, like the aroma of some kind of candy, yet it carried a hint of danger.

As they passed through a brightly colored gate, several rat-like familiars flashed past them and quickly disappeared into a corner, seemingly terrified of the two outsiders.

"It seems this battle will be easy. I haven't seen such a cowardly familiar in a long time. The witch's strength must be quite average. Let's have a celebratory tea party later."

Jiuxiao was ashamed to admit that this statement was a huge flag-raising move, giving off a "I'll go home and get married after this battle" vibe. If it weren't for his intervention, the outcome of Mami Tomoe facing the Snack Witch would have been predictable.

This kind of underestimating the enemy is not good. Senior died from underestimating the enemy in the original timeline. In order to prevent her from repeating the same mistake in the future, Jiuxiao decided to remind Mami Tomoe to stay vigilant.

"Senior, that's not right. There's an old saying in my hometown: 'If you walk by the river, you're bound to get your shoes wet.' Even seemingly weak enemies may be hiding deadly dangers. We can't let our guard down just because the familiar is cowardly. On the contrary, we should be even more vigilant. After all, everything in the witch's barrier could be a trap."

Mami Tomoe stopped in her tracks, seemingly a little embarrassed. She hadn't expected to be lectured by a "junior."

"Junior Yuan is right, I underestimated you. But with you by my side, I feel like I have nothing to be afraid of anymore. I'm incredibly strong now!"

Jiu Xiao could no longer bear to look at Mami Tomoe; she was like an old general on a stage, covered in flags. If it weren't for prior arrangements, Jiu Xiao really wouldn't have dared to let Mami Tomoe face off against the Snack Witch, otherwise it would have been a sure way to send her to her death, in the literal sense.

Just as Jiuxiao was holding his breath for Mami, the scene suddenly opened up before him. A spacious hall filled with all sorts of desserts and cheeses came into view, the air thick with a sweet, cloying aroma, as if he were in a giant candy factory. The walls were covered with colorful candy decorations, the floor was covered with soft, creamy decorations, and even the ceiling was adorned with giant lollipops and chocolate waterfalls.

The Snack Witch, or rather, the Bebe form of Hyakue Nagisa, floated quietly in the center of the hall. Her figure was petite, and she looked like a harmless rag doll.

As the final boss appeared, Mami Tomoe instantly transformed, wielding two flintlock pistols and charging towards the enemy. The familiars along the way were no match for her, falling one after another to her guns.

After a brutal beating, knocking Beibei to the ground, Mami even had the leisure to turn around, wink at Jiuxiao, and say with a confident smile, "Junior Yuan, watch closely, this is my power! Tiro Finale!"

Only the senpai in Madoka Magica would shout out her ultimate attack. But it must be said, the visual effects were truly stunning; the massive cannon muzzle emitted a dazzling light, and with a deafening roar, the Snack Witch was blasted through.

Let's mourn for Beibei for a second. Fortunately, Bai Jiangzhu felt no pain after transforming into Beibei's form, otherwise Jiuxiao would definitely not have carried out this plan.

True magical girls never look back at explosions. Mami Tomoe, believing the enemy had been annihilated, flicked her dazzling blonde hair. But before she could even revel in her triumph for a few seconds, a massive shadow fell, completely enveloping her.

Mami Tomoe whirled around, her pupils contracting sharply, her smile freezing on her face. The Snack Witch, who had been pierced, had transformed into a giant black worm, its gaping maw wide open towards her.

Mami Tomoe felt her heart leap into her throat. She had just used up almost 99% of her magic power to show off her strength to her junior, and now she was practically defenseless. In her despairing gaze, the black giant worm's abyssal maw suddenly closed, and Mami felt a blackout before losing consciousness.

Jiu Xiao was completely dumbfounded. This wasn't the script they'd agreed on! Wasn't he just supposed to scare his senior? Why did she actually bite him? His heart leaped into his throat. Had Bai Jiangzhu really taken the act seriously?

Fortunately, the senior's lower body was still dangling in the air, otherwise Jiu Xiao would have really collapsed! He rushed to the snack witch and couldn't help but give her a "thump on the head".

"Let go... let go of her mouth!" Jiuxiao's voice was filled with anxiety and reproach. Baijiangzhu suddenly realized what was happening and quickly let go of Ba Mami.

The senior's body slumped to the ground, and Jiu Xiao quickly caught her, carefully checking her condition. Although she looked a little disheveled, Mami seemed to have only fainted. Jiu Xiao breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Bai Jiangzhu, complaining, "Zhu, I told you to act more realistically, not to actually gulp down the senior's throat! You overdid it!" Jiu Xiao's words carried a hint of helplessness, and his eyes were full of worry as he looked at Mami.

Bai Jiangzhu fell from the sky, a flash of light, and she returned to human form. A hint of apology and embarrassment appeared on her face. She played with her hair and muttered softly, "I'm sorry... but who told her to say that Xiaozhu was weak? Xiaozhu just wanted to teach her a lesson. I didn't mean to bite her head, but for some reason, my body moved on its own..."

Jiu Xiao's lips twitched. Goodness, no wonder she's a senior; she's naturally attracted to the snack-loving witch. Luckily, nothing bad happened, or it would have been a real mess.

Jiuxiao comforted Bai Jiangzhu and instructed, "Chichu, don't feel guilty. It's just my fate. Transform into your doll form before dispelling the witch's barrier, otherwise I won't be able to explain."

Bai Jiangzhu blinked her innocent big eyes. Although she couldn't understand what Jiuxiao was saying, she still obediently nodded. Her body was once again enveloped in light, instantly transforming into an adorable doll. The surrounding environment distorted again, the witch's barrier slowly dissipated, and the surrounding scenery returned to normal.

Unnoticed by them, Kyubey's pupils dilated in shock. It knew the Snack Witch, of course, but it never imagined she could regain human form; this completely overturned its understanding of things accumulated over the years. For the first time, a look of confusion appeared in Kyubey's perpetually calm, red eyes.

It seems everything is slipping out of its control… Kyubey thought silently. Ever since this man and that woman (Homura Akemi) appeared, everything has deviated from its intended trajectory. A sense of crisis, unlike anything it had ever felt before, welled up within Kyubey, and it began to re-evaluate the situation. Perhaps, it's time for a drastic measure… No contract, huh? Fine! Then I'll force you to form one!

Jiuxiao, carrying the unconscious Mami Tomoe, reappeared on the street, startling Madoka and Sayaka Miki. Fortunately, the place was relatively secluded, and there were no outsiders present, otherwise, the scene would have been difficult to explain.

"What's wrong with Mami-senpai? Is she hurt?" Madoka asked anxiously. She quickly stepped forward, reaching out to touch Mami, but hesitated and withdrew her hand, afraid that she might accidentally hurt her.

Miki Sayaka also came over, her brows furrowed and a hint of unease in her eyes. She stared at Jiuxiao, her tone questioning, "Hey, what's going on? Why did Mami-senpai faint? Where did you guys go?"

Jiu Xiao was momentarily speechless, his mind racing as he tried to come up with a plausible explanation. He couldn't very well say, "The senior was bitten on the head by the Snack Witch and almost choked on," could he? That would be too far-fetched. So, he forced a lighthearted smile and said, "Ah, well... we just encountered a witch, and the senior used up all her magic in the battle and fainted. Don't worry, I'm here, she'll be fine after a rest."

Madoka and Sayaka Miki both breathed a sigh of relief; it was good that everyone was alright.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Xiaoyuan was still a little uneasy, her hands clenched tightly in front of her chest, her eyes full of concern. Although Jiuxiao made it sound easy, she still felt that things weren't that simple.

Jiuxiao glanced at the sky and realized it was already quite late. She then said to Xiaoyuan and Miki Sayaka, "It's getting late. You should go home first so your families won't worry. I'll take you home. If you have any questions, ask me at school tomorrow."

Xiao Yuan hesitated for a moment, but still nodded obediently, like a timid young wife.

Miki Sayaka nudged Jiuxiao with her elbow, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Hey, Jiuxiao, you'd better take good care of Mami-senpai, okay? Don't try to take advantage of her! You guys all like voluptuous older sisters like Mami-senpai, right?" Miki Sayaka raised an eyebrow, her tone teasing, but her eyes held a hint of warning. Although she was usually carefree, she always cared deeply about her friends, especially a gentle and reliable senior like Mami-senpai.

Jiuxiao rolled his eyes at Miki Sayaka and said in an unfriendly tone, "What are you thinking about all day long? Do you think I, Yuan Jiuxiao, am that kind of person? This really hurts my heart! I treated you like a brother, but I was wrong!" Jiuxiao shook his head in feigned disappointment, looking heartbroken.

Xiaoyuan chimed in, "Sayaka, don't talk about Jiuxiao-jun like that. He's not that kind of person."

Miki Sayaka felt something was off. What was this "good brother" thing? She, Sayaka-sama, was a genuine beautiful girl! But then she thought about it again, and this relationship seemed alright, but why did she feel a strange sense of loss?

"Alright, alright, I was just kidding. You're a grown man, don't be so petty." Sayaka Miki patted Kyuu's shoulder, just like a real "good brother."

After parting ways with the two women, Jiu Xiao carried Mami Ba to her house, ignoring the strange looks from passersby, and soon arrived at her door. Looking at the tightly closed door, Jiu Xiao was at a loss.

Mami Tomoe is still unconscious; the key must be on her. Jiu Xiao sighed, carefully laid Mami down, letting her lean against him, and began searching for the key on her.

It has to be said, the senior was really charming; even a casual touch was enough to make Jiu Xiao's heart flutter. Although he was no longer the young Chu Nan, the reactions a man should have were still unavoidable. In the end, the key wasn't on Mami Tomoe, but in her bag—that was incredibly awkward...

He carefully moved his senior to the sofa, laid her flat, and placed a pillow under her head. After confirming that her breathing was still steady, Jiu Xiao was completely relieved. He took out his phone and glanced at the time; it was already past seven. He was a little worried about leaving his unconscious senior alone there. After hesitating for a while, Jiu Xiao sent a message to Xiao Meiyan, saying that he might be back very late tonight and that she should eat dinner alone.

Homura Akemi, who was busy in the kitchen, heard her phone beep. She wiped the water off her hands, picked up her phone, glanced at it, and frowned slightly. The bubbling curry in the pot was grating on her ears.

Homura Akemi's finger slid lightly across the screen. She desperately wanted to question Jiuxiao about his motives, why he suddenly said he'd be home late. But she couldn't find a suitable reason. After all, Jiuxiao was just a passerby in her life, and their connection was solely because he was Madoka's friend. Although they got along fairly well, that was all...

In the end, Homura Akemi only replied with an "Mm," then put her phone aside and stared blankly at the boiling curry in the pot, her thoughts drifting away.

"It doesn't matter anymore... Being alone is fine, I'm used to it anyway..." Homura Akemi murmured to herself, not knowing who she was talking to, her tone carrying a hint of melancholy.

She turned off the stove, ladled the curry from the pot into a bowl, her movements mechanical and numb, just like the countless times he had repeated this cycle. At the table, she sat alone, the steaming curry in front of her seemingly having lost its original flavor.

After receiving the reply, Jiuxiao didn't have any particular thoughts. A simple "hmm" was very much in Akemi Homura's style—concise, indifferent, yet carrying a hint of elusive emotion.

That's so Homura Akemi! Besides, Kusho doesn't think that just a few days of getting to know her would melt that "iceberg." He's not that narcissistic.

P.S.: I'll probably win over the senior in the next chapter!

This chapter has not been reviewed

This chapter has not been reviewed

Chapter 150 Cupid Breaks Through Defenses

A complex emotion flashed in Mami Tomoe's eyes—surprise, emotion, and an indescribable sense of relief. She gently released her grip on Jiuxiao's clothes, lowered her head, and said in a barely audible voice, "Thank you, Yuan-junior... I never imagined that one day someone would say such a thing to me."

Jiu Xiao smiled slightly, reached out and gently wiped away the tears on her face, and said gently, "Let's change how you address me. It feels a bit distant to keep calling me 'Junior Brother Yuan.' Since we are already partners fighting side by side, why don't you just call me by my name?"

Mami Tomoe paused for a moment, then a faint blush appeared on her face. She nodded slightly and softly asked, "Then... Lord Nine Heavens, what do you think?"

The name, spoken by her, seemed to possess a special magic, causing Jiu Xiao's heart to beat faster involuntarily.

The same address, spoken by different people, has drastically different effects. When Madoka calls him that, he feels only warmth and naturalness; when Sayaka calls him that, he feels the tacit understanding between brothers; but now, hearing it from Mami Tomoe's mouth, he feels a strange allure, as if something is quietly sprouting in his heart.

"Oh, right, senior." Jiu Xiao suddenly remembered something, her tone becoming a little mischievous, "What happened earlier...you won't blame me, will you?"

Mami Tomoe paused for a moment, then realized he was referring to the kiss. Her cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't show anger or embarrassment. Mami Tomoe shook her head, suddenly released her grip on Jiu Xiao's neck, and cupped his cheeks in her hands again, pressing her lips to his.

After a long silence, their lips parted, and Mami Tomoe revealed a mischievous smile, whispering in Jiuxiao's ear, "Now we're even, Jiuxiao-kun~"

Jiuxiao was caught off guard by her reaction, and a blush crept onto his face. He scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "Mami-senpai, this puts me in a difficult position, after all, I'm quite the womanizer..."

Mami Tomoe suddenly pressed her finger to Jiuxiao's lips, stopping him from continuing. A mischievous glint in her eyes as she whispered, "Let me guess, is it Madoka, Sayaka, or that transfer student?"

Jiu Xiao was startled by Mami Tomoe's keen intuition, secretly admiring her insight, since he had never made any intimate moves with Madoka in front of Mami. Gently taking Mami Tomoe's finger that was pressed against his lips, Jiu Xiao smiled slightly and said, "Mami-senpai, your intuition is really accurate. However, it's too narrow-minded, too limited in its scope."

Jiu Xiao made a gesture of pointing to the universe, a greedy glint in his eyes. "My target is all of you. Even so, senior, do you still want to jump into this 'fire pit'?"

Mami Tomoe narrowed her eyes slightly, re-examining Jiuxiao before her as if seeing him for the first time. Should she give up? Mami secretly shook her head, rejecting the idea. She had nothing left to lose, and besides, her heart was now filled with an unprecedented emotion. That emotion was neither simple dependence nor simple gratitude, but something far more complex and profound. Mami Tomoe sighed softly, a relieved smile playing on her lips.

“Nine Heavens Lord, do you know?” Her voice was soft, yet firm, “Perhaps in other people’s eyes, your ideas are absurd, even somewhat incomprehensible. But for me, it makes me feel at ease. Because… you never hide your desires, and you never deceive me with false promises. From your eyes, I can see your longing for me, and that longing makes me feel… needed, valued.”

Jiuxiao blushed. He thought he had hidden it well, but Mami Tomoe had seen through him. And to have it said so bluntly was incredibly embarrassing. He touched his nose sheepishly and said softly, "Mami-senpai, there's an old Chinese saying, 'A gentleman is open and honest, while a petty person is always anxious and worried.' While I'm not exactly a gentleman, I don't want to be a hypocritical petty person. I do have feelings for you, and not just you. I have different feelings for Madoka, Sayaka, and even that transfer student. I don't want to deceive any of you, and I don't want to be forced into a choice."

After hearing Jiu Xiao's words, a complex light flashed in Mami's eyes. She didn't respond immediately, but gently rested her head on his shoulder, as if she was thinking about something. After a moment, she raised her head, looked directly at Jiu Xiao, and still had that mischievous smile on her lips.

“Nine Heavens Lord, if I were an ordinary girl, after hearing what you said, I would probably turn around and leave immediately, or even slap you,” Mami Tomoe said softly, her tone teasing but her eyes unusually serious.

"But unfortunately, I'm not an ordinary girl, nor will I be easily bound by worldly views like ordinary people. From the moment I learned about the mission of magical girls, I thought I was prepared to face loneliness and sacrifice. However, I'm not as strong as I imagined. Especially after experiencing this brush with death, I've become aware of the fragility and preciousness of life once again. If the fate of magical girls is destined to be destruction at some point in the future, then I want to pursue my own happiness before that happens, even if I'm not your only one..."

Mami Tomoe's voice gradually lowered, a hint of vulnerability flickering in her eyes. She tiptoed closer to Kushou's face, their breaths almost mingling.

As Mami Tomoe drew closer, Jiuxiao clutched his chest, his heart pounding like a drum. Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, but ultimately, he chose silence. Yes, if history were to unfold as it was, the senior would indeed meet her end someday. Not only the senior, but the other girls also met tragic ends. It seemed there was no better way than to have Madoka save the day.

In the original story, Madoka was also gradually forced to ascend to godhood in this way, but Jiuxiao would not allow such a thing to happen. Whether it was Madoka "sacrificing" herself to benefit everyone, or everyone ultimately falling on Witch's Night, he would not let the girls face these cruel fates alone.

The worst-case scenario would be that Jiuxiao would take them to other worlds. With Jiuxiao as a perpetual motion machine of magic, there would be no fear of magic depletion. As for the Magic Circle World, Jiuxiao and the others wouldn't need to worry about it. The incubators wouldn't stand by and watch their "hunting ground" be completely destroyed.

As for how many sacrifices will be made? Sorry, we can only pray they have good fortune. Jiuxiao's compassion isn't abundant enough to concern himself with the fate of every stranger; if you want to hate, hate Qiubi!

Jiuxiao took a deep breath and refocused his attention on Mami Tomoe. He gently held his senior's hand, feeling the slight coolness from her fingertips, as if urging him to say something.

"Mami-senpai, you really don't need to be so pessimistic. With me here, you can completely put down the fighting and enjoy school life. Of course, if you feel that fighting is an indispensable part of your life, I will always be there for you. But there's one thing you must remember: don't believe Kyubey's words anymore, no matter what he tells you."

"Don't trust anything easily. It will only use you, plunging you into endless pain and despair." Jiu Xiao's voice was firm yet gentle, his eyes filled with concern and protectiveness towards Mami Tomoe.

Mami Tomoe was slightly taken aback. She didn't understand why Jiuxiao would mention Kyubey at this time, but she still subconsciously chose to believe the boy in front of her. Moreover, in the dream she had just had, Mami Tomoe discovered many details that she hadn't noticed before. Kyubey seemed to be guiding her to make wishes that would only benefit herself.

The premise is that this dream was truly constructed by her subconscious, and not her imagination. Mami Tomoe frowned slightly, as various scenes from her encounter with Kyubey floated through her mind. Those seemingly accidental conversations, those perfectly timed guidance, and those seemingly selfless acts of help, now seemed to carry some kind of purpose in retrospect.

"Kyuu-kun, do you think... Kyubey has been deceiving me from the very beginning?" Mami Tomoe asked hesitantly, feeling as if she had vaguely grasped something.

Jiuxiao didn't answer Mami's question directly. Instead, he pulled her into his arms, gently stroking her back as if soothing a restless kitten. His voice was deep and...

Gentle, yet with an undeniable allure: "Mami-senpai, you don't need to find the answer right now. The truth about some things is beyond your imagination, and I won't tell you until you're truly ready. You don't need to search for the truth; just trust me."

Mami's body trembled slightly as she pressed her cheek against Jiuxiao's chest, feeling his strong heartbeat. A thousand thoughts raced through her mind, yet Jiuxiao's presence brought her an unprecedented sense of peace. Closing her eyes, Mami cast aside all distractions, as if trying to etch this warmth deeply into her heart.

As the night deepened, the figures of the two and the lights in the room dimmed. A gentle breeze blew in from outside the window, bringing a touch of coolness, but Mami felt no cold. Jiuxiao's embrace seemed to isolate her from everything outside, leaving only his warm body temperature and steady heartbeat.

Downstairs, Kyubey felt like he'd swallowed a dead fly. He could clearly sense Mami Tomoe turning into a witch, but strangely, the process had been reversed. Seeing his almost-achieved sales figures vanish, Kyubey completely broke down. It was like being abruptly interrupted halfway through a first-time purchase; the frustration and discomfort were enough to drive anyone mad.

It had painstakingly used its incubator's methods to combine Mami's subconscious with her dreams, attempting to guide her towards despair through the dreams and thus accelerate her transformation into a witch. Everything was going smoothly, from the timing to Mami's emotional fluctuations. However, why did things turn out this way...?

"Yuan Jiuxiao... just who is that boy?" Qiu Bi murmured softly, a hint of anxiety in its voice. It recalled its brief encounters with Jiuxiao, each time feeling an inexplicable sense of oppression. Jiuxiao seemed to possess some unfathomable power, a power that made it uneasy, even fearful. It had completely abandoned the idea of ​​forming a contract with Jiuxiao; now it only wanted to stay far away from that man.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Jiu Xiao was woken up by the urge to pee. His senior was great, but her "human heart" was even greater; Jiu Xiao, who had been unintentionally used as a pillow by her, almost drowned in it. He carefully moved his body, trying to break free from her embrace without waking Mami. However, his senior seemed quite insecure; the moment Jiu Xiao made a move, Mami slowly opened her eyes.

"Hmm~ Good morning, Jiuxiao-kun... Won't you sleep a little longer?" Mami Tomoe's tone was languid, as if it possessed an irresistible magic. Her eyes were still a little hazy, but they already held a gentle smile as she stared straight at Jiuxiao.

Jiu Xiao was someone who couldn't resist temptation, so he leaned down and pecked Mami's lips, eliciting a coquettish murmur from the girl. Perhaps because she wasn't fully awake yet, Mami's voice was softer than usual: "Oh, you're so annoying~ I haven't brushed my teeth yet, will they taste weird...?" She gently pushed Jiu Xiao's chest, a shy blush spreading across her face.

Jiuxiao gave a thumbs up and exclaimed, "How could that be? The beautiful girl smells wonderful all over. As one of the best among the beautiful girls, it's natural that you smell irresistibly sweet." He exaggeratedly sniffed, which made Mami Tomoe burst out laughing.

After laughing, Jiuxiao continued, "Sorry, Mami-senpai, I should go back now, otherwise my 'kitty' at home will get angry."

Hearing Jiuxiao mention "kitten" again, Mami Tomoe no longer naively assumed it meant a cat in the literal sense. A hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes, but she quickly composed herself and smiled, saying, "Ah, do you have a cat at home? It's so cute. I remember you mentioned it to me last time... Cats are very sensitive creatures. You have to treat them like you would a girl—gentle and patient—to earn their trust." Mami Tomoe spoke meaningfully, her gaze carrying a deeper meaning.

Completely unaware, Jiu Xiao got up and straightened his clothes while rambling, "Yeah, she's really hard to please. I have no idea what she's thinking all day."

Now Chin Mami is certain that it really isn't a cat in the literal sense, but who is it? PS: The "彼女" (kanojo) used by Kusho here is usually used to refer to a woman.