"Eh? Why are you so nervous, Little Junior?"
"N-no, I'm not. It's just your imagination, Senior!"
"Is that so?"
Mu Yao stared at her Little Junior with a hint of suspicion, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing her chin.
She felt something was off about Mo Xin; that panicked look just now didn't seem faked.
The latter guiltily turned her head away, not daring to meet Mu Yao's gaze, her fingers mindlessly picking at the hem of her clothes.
After a few seconds of silence, as if suddenly remembering something, she hurriedly spoke to change the subject: "By the way, weren't you out on a dat—cough cough, out for a meal? Why are you back all of a sudden?"
Although Mo Xin corrected herself in time, her vague tone allowed Mu Yao to instantly understand the underlying meaning.
In an instant, Mu Yao felt her heart skip a beat as guilt and nervousness surged within her.
She quickly raised her voice, trying to hide her fluster. "What date?!! Don't talk nonsense, Little Junior. We... we're obviously just having a meal together!"
Despite her words, her slightly trembling voice betrayed her, and her eyes began to dart around.
"Oh?!! Really~"
Mo Xin's eyes lit up, instantly seizing this chance to turn the tables. She crossed her arms, intentionally drawing out her words with a sly smile playing on her lips.
Mu Yao's cheeks burned under her gaze, leaving her feeling quite embarrassed for a moment.
But suddenly, she seemed to realize something was wrong.
'Wait, that's not right. We're just ordinary friends. A straight foot has no fear of a crooked shoe, so what am I afraid of? My conscience is clear!
And! How does Mo Xin know about Vain's existence? I clearly hid it so well, not even telling those closest to me. Where did she find out?'
Thinking this, Mu Yao's gaze instantly became wary. She stared intently at Mo Xin, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Little Junior, do you know the person I'm having a meal with?"
"Uh, well..."
The tide of the offensive turned once again.
This put Mo Xin in an awkward spot. She opened her mouth but couldn't find the words for a while—she couldn't exactly say she had secretly followed her senior with Master Yunli out of curiosity, could she? How could she bring up such an embarrassing thing?
And so, the scene froze for a moment.
The two girls locked eyes, reading each other's thoughts. They nodded slowly, reaching an instant consensus.
I won't ask, you won't tell. We'll act as if we know nothing and nothing ever happened.
Only then did the two of them let it go.
"So, Senior, why are you back all of a sudden?" Mo Xin asked curiously.
"Mm, I just forgot something," Mu Yao explained, scanning the training room. Seeing Mo Xin and Yunli still holding their swords, she waved her hand. "Since you're busy, I won't disturb your training."
With that, Mu Yao prepared to turn and leave.
Seeing this, the two of them also waved goodbye.
Ding!
Just then, Mo Xin's phone suddenly chimed. Without thinking, she pulled it out to check.
Yunli, standing beside her, instinctively glanced over and happened to catch a glimpse of the message on the screen.
[Senior Mu Yao: It seems my friend has something urgent and can't make it. If the delivery arrives later, remember to pick it up for me. Love you, Junior Student~]
Mo Xin (●—●)?: "That's strange. Isn't Senior right in front of—Huh?!!"
Reacting quickly, Yunli moved almost instantly, pushing off the ground and darting forward like an arrow.
The "Mu Yao" who had just taken two steps seemed to sense the wind behind her. She instinctively looked back and froze—Yunli was holding Old Mettle, her gaze sharp as she slashed down at her without a word, leaving her no time to react.
"Mu Yao" (๑°⌓°๑): "Eh?!!"
Boom!
In the next second, a loud crash like a thunderclap erupted. Mo Xin jolted in shock, finally snapping out of her daze.
She hurriedly focused her gaze and saw "Mu Yao" dodge Yunli's heavy slash by a hair's breadth with a sudden sidestep.
Having missed her strike, Yunli's eyes narrowed.
This reaction speed, far beyond that of an ordinary person, was enough for her to confirm—the person in front of her was definitely not Mu Yao.
But she didn't intend to stop there.
Without time to raise Old Mettle again, she leaped into a flip and followed up with a swift flying kick.
"Mu Yao" was initially stunned, but after seeing Yunli's move, a teasing smile played on her lips.
Her petite body shifted backward nimbly, her steps as light as a cat's. She dodged every one of Yunli's moves with ease, not even letting her clothes be touched.
After a few agile backflips, she landed steadily several meters away, instantly putting distance between herself and Yunli.
"Wow! I didn't expect Senior to be so unexpectedly cool!"
Mo Xin couldn't help but exclaim in admiration upon seeing this.
Even though she knew the person before her wasn't the real Senior Mu Yao, the imposter currently wore Senior Mu Yao's face, and every movement carried those familiar features.
"Is this an agile, protagonist version of Senior Mu Yao?"
"Who are you?" Yunli's golden eyes were fixed on the person before her, her tone filled with wariness.
From that brief exchange, the other's skills were clearly no worse than her own.
After "Mu Yao" stood firm, her back to the training room door, she faced the master and disciple.
She casually brushed nonexistent dust from her clothes, shedding her behavioral disguise, and spoke in a flippant tone.
She tilted her head, a playful smile on her lips. "Oh my, what a slip-up. To think I'd be discovered so quickly."
As she spoke, she lightly wiped her hand across her cheek. Her original appearance receded like a tide, and in the blink of an eye, she revealed her true form.
Sparkle ～(∠・ω＜ )⌒☆: "Long time no see, cutie. Did you miss Sparkle?"
Mo Xin: Σ(ﾟ∀ﾟﾉ)ﾉ
Yunli: (๑˙ー˙๑)
"Is it that surprising, cutie~"
"Stop playing dumb, the fool. What are you doing here?"
"That's right! What are you trying to do with Senior Mu Yao appearance?!"
"No way, cutie! You actually suspect me? Sparkle isn't taking the blame for this~"
Seeing Sparkle's pitiful act, Yunli was momentarily speechless—though her exasperation wasn't directed at Sparkle, but at her own disciple.
Only then did Mo Xin realize what a stupid question she had just asked.
Yunli had no time for her blushing, idiotic disciple and questioned her again.
"Don't change the subject. What exactly are you here for?!"
"Don't be so excited. Lady Sparkle just dropped by to visit a friend today, though it seems she's not here." Sparkle waved her hand, completely ignoring the aggressive Yunli, her tone full of nonchalance.
Seeing the person she was looking for wasn't there, she didn't linger and turned to slip away.
Before leaving, she didn't forget to look back and wink at Mo Xin, tilting her head with a light laugh. "Then, I'll see you if fate allows. Bye-bye~"
Just as she finished speaking, before Yunli could charge forward, she prepared to push the door open and leave.
And then—
Bang!!!
Stelle ヾ(Ő∀Ő๑)ﾉ: "I'm comin' atcha!!!"
Sparkle: ( ✘_✘ )↯
Mo Xin: Σ(ﾟ∀ﾟﾉ)ﾉ
Yunli: (⸝⸝ ↀ ᯅ ↀ⸝⸝)?