A Girl Who Doesn’t Believe in Humans

Chapter 6: Han Quan

“The Federation wants to crack down on underground magical girls…” Qing Yue was contemplating the words White had said to her.

Under the shade of the trees beside the school playground, she, wearing a gym uniform, hugged her knees, sitting on the edge of the flowerbed lost in thought. Qing Yue couldn’t understand the purpose of the Federation’s actions.

Qing Yue believed that White was indeed an official representative of the Federation, and she also believed that White’s warning was not groundless. However, what benefit did the Federation gain from doing this? Analyzing from White’s previous words, the Federation seemed to want to reorganize the overall environment of magical girls. They appeared dissatisfied with the excessive entertainmentization of magical girls, leading to a situation gradually controlled by entertainment companies.

However, what does this have to do with underground magical girls? They were just a group of insignificant freelancers. Unless… some underground magical girls had caused something extraordinary.

Qing Yue had some unpleasant speculations, but currently, none of them could be verified. As Qing Yue pondered, a shuttlecock gently landed on her head—then bounced back with a thud, falling to the ground.

A familiar voice rang out. “Sorry, sorry, Xu Qing Yue, want to play Badminton together?”

A certain tomboy appeared with a carefree smile, holding a box of shuttlecocks in her hands. Qing Yue had noticed her a long time ago, as well as the shuttlecock tossed over like a prank, but she simply couldn’t be bothered.

“Not playing. Don’t you know I’m frail and unfit for exercise?”

Qing Yue used her weak and sickly persona as a shield.

“I say, being weak means you should exercise more, right? It’s P.E. class now! This is the most anticipated P.E. class for everyone! How can you just sit alone on the side and not move? You must have no friends other than me, right? Haha~ This won’t do.”

Han Quan lectured with a triumphant expression. Although Qing Yue and Han Quan were not in the same class, they shared the same P.E. class.

“The teacher already agreed to let me take a break. It’s not your place to meddle, is it? Speaking of ‘being alone,’ aren’t you ‘alone’ too? What’s wrong? Don’t want to play the ‘friend game’ with the girls in your class? Or did you isolate yourself from all of them?”

Qing Yue deliberately poked at her.

Result—

Thud!

The response was another shuttlecock hitting her head.

“Your little game, always using a shuttlecock to hit people’s heads. Do you want me to become as simple-minded as you?”

Qing Yue retorted with sarcasm.

“Who says I don’t have friends? I still have Cherry and the others! As long as I have Cherry and the others, it’s enough! During the holidays, I’ll go out and play with them! Although… they might be busy sometimes… after all… they all joined clubs… Haha…”

Han Quan mocked Qing Yue in return.

“Ah…”

Qing Yue sighed. She felt that the person in front of her was a bit pitiful.

“Are you so free? Have you figured out your solo debut?”

Qing Yue deliberately brought up a topic that would embarrass her.

She didn’t want to get close to anyone and didn’t want others to get close to her either. As long as she remained this way, being alone was enough for her.

Qing Yue was determined.

But Han Quan didn’t get angry. Instead, she sat down casually next to Qing Yue.

“You know, after I went back yesterday, I thought about a lot of things.”

She looked up at the sky, the sun reflecting a faint light in her eyes. That symbol of brightness seemed to reflect the image of a certain person in her eyes.

“Actually, I shouldn’t avoid it. I always have to face this issue.”

She lowered her head again, staring at the ants on the ground.

“Yesterday, when you asked me why, I actually knew it myself… I can’t leave Cherry and the others. Without me, they won’t be able to do anything.”

Qing Yue maintained her silence.

Han Quan continued to speak with her head down.

“I’ve told you before, right? Cherry and the others, and I, we were in the same school in junior high. At that time, we could always be together every day, play around at school, go to the shopping street together, buy things in cute stores, and eat all kinds of things together… really… really happy. Haha…”

She chuckled twice.

“Although now… they three might still be the same as before, going to various fun places together… maybe there are new friends too…”

Qing Yue couldn’t see Han Quan’s face, but she could hear a hint of hoarseness in her voice.

“But don’t underestimate me just because I said that! Cherry and the others will always be my good friends! During the holidays, I’ll go out and play with them! Although… they might not have time sometimes… after all… they all joined clubs… Haha…”

Han Quan smiled at Qing Yue, although she couldn’t tell if the other party was crying or laughing.

Unexpectedly, Qing Yue recalled that Han Quan indeed hadn’t joined any clubs.

“I always… am like this. Without Cherry and the others… I can’t do anything by myself… I can’t do anything…”

“So! So, I don’t want to lose the chance to fight with Cherry and the others!… And if… if I become a burden to them, I’ll leave and debut on my own!”

Her eyes revealed a certain determination.