58: question

In the days that followed, Xiang Yan became the Incarnation of a super male nurse, meticulously cooking three meals a day with balanced nutrition, and the room was always clean and tidy, with sunshine filling every corner.

He cherished Amatsuki Futaba as if she were a fragile treasure, and his meticulous care made her feel deeply warmed.

More than a month later, Amatsuki Futaba could finally walk with difficulty. Although her body was still weak, some color had returned to her pale face.

"Sister Shuang Ye, why don't I take you to the hospital for a check-up?" Xiang Yan asked with a hint of heartache, looking at the still haggard Amatsuki Futaba.

"No, there's no need." Amatsuki Futaba shook her head, her eyes flickering. "I... I'm fine at home." She avoided Xiang Yan's gaze.

Xiang Yan didn't press her, just smiled gently: "Alright, then we won't go, but if you feel uncomfortable, you must tell me immediately. You can't be stubborn then, Sister Shuang Ye."

Amatsuki Futaba nodded hesitantly.

In the days that followed, Xiang Yan continued to go grocery shopping every day, preparing nutritious meals for Amatsuki Futaba.

Everything seemed to have returned to peace. However, one early morning, Xiang Yan took the opportunity of going out to buy groceries to head to the south of the city.

Xiang Yan hummed a little tune, carrying a vegetable basket, walking briskly down the street.

He scanned the crowd around him seemingly casually, and finally, his gaze locked onto a man who was reeking of alcohol and looked extremely decadent.

Xiang Yan, like countless passersby who passed him, walked by him quite naturally, but a black seed quietly disappeared onto the man.

Night fell, and the city's neon lights flickered with hazy brilliance.

The nine o'clock bell rang, and a piercing alarm cut through the night sky. Red alarm lights flashed over the city, and the television screen scrolled with an emergency broadcast: "Emergency Alert! Monsters have appeared again! Location: South City Commercial Street! Nearby citizens, please evacuate immediately!"

Hearing the alarm, Amatsuki Futaba stood up abruptly, her face pale.

She subconsciously looked out the window, then turned to look at Xiang Yan, who was sitting on the sofa with a calm expression. She bit her lip and said, trying to appear calm: "Hui-kun, I... I'm going out for a moment."

Xiang Yan put down the book in his hand, looked up, and gazed at her with gentle eyes: "Sister Shuang Ye, it's so late, where are you going?"

"I... I'm going to see a friend." Amatsuki Futaba's eyes flickered, not daring to look directly into Xiang Yan's eyes.

Xiang Yan sighed, walked up to her, gently held her hand, his tone carrying a trace of helplessness: "Sister Shuang Ye, your body hasn't fully recovered yet. It's too dangerous to go out now. Be obedient, stay at home, and I will protect you."

Amatsuki Futaba's heart was beating violently, and she felt her palms sweating slightly.

She knew Xiang Yan was concerned about her, but she couldn't just watch innocent people get hurt.

Every second of delay could mean more casualties.

"But... I..." Amatsuki Futaba was so anxious she was about to cry. She tried hard to break free from Xiang Yan's hand, but he held it tightly.

"No! I won't allow it! It's too dangerous to go out now!" Xiang Yan's tone became firm.

Amatsuki Futaba looked into Xiang Yan's eyes, took a deep breath. A surge of magic power welled up within her; she prepared to use her magic to knock Xiang Yan unconscious so she could leave.

Just as Amatsuki Futaba was about to make a move, Xiang Yan seemed to sense her determination. He suddenly shook off her hand and shouted angrily at her: "Why?! Why must it be you?! Why do you absolutely have to go fight?! Sister Shuang Ye! Magical Girl Cui Xing!"

Hearing Xiang Yan's interrogation, Amatsuki Futaba's delicate body trembled, her mind went blank.

Exposed!

When?

Countless fragments flashed through her mind, but she couldn't grasp the key clue.

"I know! I've known from the beginning!" Xiang Yan pressed step by step, "The day the Monsters first appeared, I already knew!"

He grabbed Amatsuki Futaba's shoulders forcefully, as if he wanted to crush her bones, "That day, when I was attacked by the Monsters, I hid in a house destroyed by the Monsters. There, I saw with my own eyes..."

He paused, and said word by word, "The whole process of you turning into a Magical Girl!"

Amatsuki Futaba listened to this angry tone, just pursed her lips tightly without making a sound.

"The reason you are so weak," Xiang Yan's tone softened slightly, but his eyes were still burning with anger, "isn't it because you were injured by the Monsters last time?! Now, dragging this injured body to fight is basically looking for death! I don't allow it! I absolutely do not allow you to do this!" He stared tightly into Amatsuki Futaba's eyes, as if he wanted to carve his will into her Soul.

Amatsuki Futaba bit her lower lip, took a deep breath, and used all her strength to say one sentence: "Because I am a Magical Girl!"

"Because... there is only one Magical Girl here... so... I must go!"

"Bullshit!"

Xiang Yan suddenly let go of Amatsuki Futaba's shoulders, took a step back, and roared.

"There are so many Magical Girls in the world, why must it be you?! Even if you don't go, there will be other Magical Girls who will stand up! Stop being so self-righteous!"

Xiang Yan paced back and forth, scratching his hair irritably, "You just need to escape with me! Escape to another city protected by Magical Girls!"

He stopped abruptly, grabbed Amatsuki Futaba's hand, with enough force that she felt her bones were about to break, "Sister Shuang Ye! I beg you! Come with me! Don't go fight anymore! I don't want to lose you!" His tone carried a trace of trembling, and his eyes were full of pleading.

Amatsuki Futaba stared blankly at Xiang Yan, feeling the pain coming from her hand, her heart filled with complex emotions.

She gently pulled her hand back, feeling a sharp pain in her fingertips. Looking down, her knuckles were already white.

She took a deep breath and said slowly: "Hui-kun, in the year you were missing, I experienced a lot and thought a lot. So, there is something I have always wanted to tell you. Originally, I wanted to find a better time to say it, but..." She paused, gazing tenderly at Xiang Yan, "Since you already know my identity, and I know your feelings, then I will tell you the real reason why I must go..."

Amatsuki Futaba closed her eyes slightly, gently patted her cheeks with both hands, as if cheering herself up, then opened them, her eyes full of tenderness and resilience.

A flush climbed onto her cheeks, and she whispered softly, like a murmur between lovers: "Hui-kun, I like you."

Xiang Yan was stunned.

"I like doing chores with you, with the sun shining on the windowsill, us tidying up the room together, the air filled with the faint scent of soap..." Amatsuki Futaba's voice was as soft as a feather, brushing against Xiang Yan's heart, "I like watching TV with you, snuggling by your side, feeling your body temperature, even boring soap operas become exceptionally interesting..."

She paused, starlight flickering in her eyes, "I like going on dates with you, strolling down streets where cherry blossoms are in full bloom, holding hands, feeling each other's breathing. At that moment, the whole world seems to only have the two of us..." Her voice became lower and lower, almost inaudible, "I like every moment I spend with you, every place... Being with you, even the most ordinary daily life is full of happiness and joy..."

"But, precisely because I like it, I must go to protect it. To protect the memories between you and me, to protect the home between you and me!"

Xiang Yan's eye sockets gradually became moist, tears swirling in his eyes. He knelt on the ground powerlessly, covering his face with his hands, his voice choked with sobs: "Saying that... is too cunning, Sister Shuang Ye!"

Amatsuki Futaba stepped forward and hugged him gently, as if hugging a precious treasure: "I promise you, I will definitely come back alive."

"Mm..." Xiang Yan responded softly, his voice trembling slightly.

Amatsuki Futaba gently let him go, took a step back, took a deep breath, and dazzling light bloomed on her. In the blink of an eye, she transformed into Magical Girl Cui Xing, with flowing skirts and beautiful green hair, like the brightest star in the night sky.

She gave Xiang Yan a brilliant smile, turned, and flew into the night sky, disappearing into the vast darkness.

After Amatsuki Futaba left, Xiang Yan slowly stood up, his face no longer showing any sign of being distraught.

He looked in the direction Amatsuki Futaba had left, a meaningful smile curling at the corner of his mouth, and whispered to himself: "The fruit... is about to be eaten by me."