The roar of the motorcycle engine echoed as it crossed the red bridge spanning the gorge, then followed the road into Kazenari Town.

The bike began to slow down, and the sights of the town gradually unfolded before the three of them.

As Su Fang had said, this was a town with a population of a million. The buildings were arranged neatly, staggered along the contours of the terrain.

In the distance, the high-rises in the town center stretched across the flattest, busiest seaside area, while the streets in the surrounding districts were crowded with pedestrians and vehicles flowing nonstop. Though the roads weren't particularly wide, they were exceptionally clean and tidy. Shops and compact residential communities lined both sides, giving off a nostalgic vibe.

Airwen's motorcycle followed the flow of traffic until it stopped at an intersection.

Ding, ding, ding—

A crisp, rhythmic warning sound rang out ahead.

A red-and-white barrier slowly lowered, cutting off the modest flow of cars and people.

A vintage tram with only two cars rattled slowly along the tracks, clattering through the golden glow of the setting sun.

Students who had just gotten out of school laughed and roughhoused as they passed by on the sidewalk. Couples strolled together. Housewives carrying grocery baskets chatted idly. The sunset painted everything in a warm amber hue, peaceful and serene.

The black motorcycle continued onward, heading toward the city center.

Finally, it came to a gradual stop in front of a seven-story apartment building in the middle of the bustling downtown area.

Airwen parked the bike at the curb and killed the engine. Her long, shapely legs, clad in jeans, lifted cleanly as she dismounted with a brisk, effortless motion and walked over to a vending machine by the roadside.

She fished a few silver coins stamped with tree patterns out of her pocket, fed them into the machine, and turned around to ask:

"What do you two want to drink?"

Su Fang raised her hand, full of energy. "I want strawberry milk!"

"And you, Senior Mengmengxiang?"

Then she saw the cherry-haired girl behind her staring intently at the various images on the vending machine, yet giving no response at all.

Su Fang was about to ask again when it suddenly hit her why she wasn't answering.

—She probably didn't recognize any of these drinks.

She pressed her lips together, then suddenly flashed a bright smile at the girl. "Then let's both have strawberry milk!"

Lin Guang glanced at her but said nothing.

Ding, thump.

Two cans of pink-packaged strawberry milk dropped down.

Airwen tossed the milk to the two of them with practiced ease, then opened a can of black coffee for herself.

Su Fang twisted off the cap first and gulped it down noisily, wiping her mouth with her sleeve in satisfaction. "This brand's strawberry milk is super-duper delicious! I've been drinking it since I was a kid!"

On the other side, Lin Guang grabbed the can, used two slender fingers to twist off the cap, took a tentative sip of the pinkish-white liquid, didn't bother to judge the taste, then downed it all in one go.

It was very sweet, a bit thick—probably loaded with sugar.

Just what he needed for his current energy-deficient body.

After replenishing their fluids, Su Fang looked at Lin Guang, then at Airwen, and suddenly asked with a hint of worry:

"Um... Senior Airwen."

"Since Senior Mengmengxiang has lost her memory and her phone is gone, doesn't that mean she doesn't even know where she lives anymore? What should we do?"

"Should we ask the Association?"

"I'll look it up."

Airwen, whose figure was more that of a young woman than a girl, set down her black coffee and pulled out a black smartphone. Her slender fingers slid across the screen swiftly as she explained calmly.

"Outer Realm Investigators can look up the identity records of everyone in town, except for magical girls."

"However, both she and I are investigators, so we have the authority to access each other's files."

A few seconds later, Airwen stared at the information on the screen and paused briefly. Then she lifted her head, a hint of regret and apology on her face. "There's bad news."

She turned the phone screen toward the two of them.

The screen displayed a brief file:

[Name: Mengmengxiang]

[Magical Name: Mengmengxiang]

[Age: 16]

[Address: Kazenari Town, 3-chome, 12-banchi (Lives alone)]

[Status: Student (Private Kenryu High School, First Year)]

[Guardian: None (Both parents deceased)]

"According to the file, your parents have passed away. You live alone."

Su Fang's expression froze instantly. The smile slowly faded from her face.

She cautiously looked at the senior who was quietly holding the milk bottle beside her.

The girl just silently stared at the information on the screen with her cherry-red eyes. Her slightly childish, sweet face showed no reaction at all—perhaps she had no memory of it, or perhaps she simply didn't know how to express emotions like a normal person.

"Outer Realm Investigator..."

Although Airwen hadn't gone into detail, from her few words and her various actions, it was clear that this title was special even among magical girls.

Parents dead, living alone, and becoming an Outer Realm Investigator all by herself.

Senior... what exactly was she doing this for...

Airwen let out a soft sigh.

"It's unfortunate, but if you were hoping to recover your memories through your family, that's probably no longer an option."

"However, the things in your home might be of some help."

"Your magic power and mental state are relatively stable right now, so you can rest for the night at your own place. Tomorrow, when I take Su Fang to the Association, I'll pick you up too and ask if they can help—whether it's medical treatment or something else."

Airwen pointed to the address. "So, I'll take you there—"

"No! Absolutely not!"

Before Airwen could finish, Su Fang cut her off excitedly.

Her face flushed red as she grabbed Lin Guang's soft, slender hand. "Senior Mengmengxiang just went through such a dangerous fight, and now she doesn't remember anything—how can we let her go home and live alone? What if... what if she runs into danger again?"

She turned to Airwen, her gaze firm. "Senior Airwen, I want to invite Senior Mengmengxiang to stay at my place for the night!"

"Mom definitely won't mind!"

Airwen looked at Su Fang's protective demeanor, clearly a bit surprised, then turned her gaze to the cherry-haired girl.

"What do you think?"

Mengmengxiang looked at the girl beside her, so full of concern, and at the sapphire-blue gem pinned to her chest, sparkling with a brilliant light. Her eyes flickered.

—Free lodging, and living together with a magical girl who had no guard up against her... For someone like her, who currently had zero intel on this stage's background, this was undoubtedly the best choice.

She lowered her eyelids slightly and spoke her first words since returning to the inner light barrier.

"...As long as you don't mind the trouble."

For a moment, Su Fang's eyes widened in surprise.

"Never!!"

She puffed out her small chest and patted it with her hand. "Senior Mengmengxiang can stay as long as she wants! Mom will welcome you too!"

"Mm."

Lin Guang gave a slight nod, accepting the offer.

"Thanks."

"Then it's settled!"

Su Fang excitedly grabbed Lin Guang's hand. "Don't be shy! We're all magical girls—helping each other is only natural!"

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