Jiang Si wasn't really surprised by his sister's decision to join the Disaster Strategy Bureau in the end.
Although their relationship deteriorated further after their parents passed away, in the past three years, whenever he returned home, he'd occasionally find Jiang Keke watching Magical Girl programs in the living room.
Some were live updates about Magical Girls cleaning up Disaster Beasts, saving countless people, while others were variety shows.
Magical Girls had to earn money too, primarily because the Disaster Strategy Bureau needed funding, so it's common for them to rely on Magical Girls adopting idol-like personas for money.
Variety shows, games, TV movies—it's not unusual to invite Magical Girls to participate personally.
Jiang Keke cared most about the blue Magical Girl named Cui Que, who had once saved their benefactor.
Though she never mentioned it, Jiang Si, having raised her for so many years, could see that she always felt guilty for blaming Cui Que for not rescuing their parents sooner.
She frequently sought ways to contact Cui Que and even wrote letters hoping to send them to her before.
Unfortunately, they vanished into the void.
To Jiang Keke, Cui Que was probably her idol and goal.
Since Cui Que was also the captain of the Magical Girls team at the neighboring city's Disaster Strategy Bureau, Jiang Keke joining the bureau was reasonable, and she'd have opportunities to meet her idol.
It would be strange not to agree; there was no reason to refuse the bureau's invitation.
To avoid embarrassment, he got up early and changed into a set of clothes; they were his father's, and he could almost fit them when he was in his freshman year.
Partly because Jiang Si grew fast, partly because their dad was indeed short.
With a slight fold at the cuffs and pant legs, they were almost a perfect fit.
He tidied his hair, adding a somewhat languid look to resemble someone half-dead after a day at work.
He looked entirely like a socialite.
As for appearance, temperament can hide a lot.
At least, the reaction from Yin Lian when he came downstairs proved he had adjusted well.
"Your brother looks just like your dad."
Jiang Keke couldn't help but feel speechless at the Magical Girl's remark beside her, "He's dressed just like Dad."
"I just meant he looks so mature..."
"Ha, maybe he's an ancient demon inside," Jiang Keke had no intention of pleasantries, "heartless."
Actually, every time he attended parent-teacher meetings, he'd wear this set, which Jiang Keke had long gotten used to.
Jiang Si only had two sets of clothes: a school uniform and the suit left by their father; he seldom wore the suit.
But whenever he did, he truly resembled their father.
At his first parent-teacher meeting, the homeroom teacher even thought her dad was so young.
But once he spoke, the truth would unravel, as his voice was still a bit youthful.
"Have you eaten?"
Jiang Si calmly asked, and Jiang Keke responded as usual with a nod, unwilling to say more.
Yin Lian, however, politely said from the side, "Saved some for you, Senior Jiang Si. Would you like to eat? The kitchen should still be warm."
"No need, I ate last night."
Walking to the door, he changed into leather shoes—also his father's; he only wore sneakers for exercise, "Let's go if you're ready. The earlier we go, the earlier we return; I have to go to school in the afternoon."
Upon hearing Jiang Si mention going to school, Keke couldn't help but display an amused expression.
Going to school? What's the point of going to school, skipping class?
Yet she was too lazy even to mock, simply trailing behind him to change shoes.
Even Yin Lian sighed at the stiff awkwardness pervading, facing such a tense atmosphere.
Magical Girl family problems are never good...
Though it seems Magical Girls all have some family issues.
As they opened the door, the sun was good today; although Beihai was far from autumn, it wasn't too hot anymore, especially now at dawn, with a breeze passing bringing a chill.
However, direct sunlight would soon become oppressive if lingering.
After stepping out, Yin Lian hid in the roadside shadows, enjoying the shade. Jiang Keke closely followed her, though being slightly taller meant the roadside shadows couldn't fully cover her, leaving her face exposed to the sun, prompting frequent hand raises to shield herself.
Yin Lian, spotting Jiang Keke's sun-shielding gestures, quickly imitated, intentionally letting sunlight hit, saying, "It's a bit hot today..."
"Do seniors love hardship?"
"I genuinely feel hot," Yin Lian muttered, glancing back to find Jiang Si at the tail end, walking boldly in full sunlight, "Does your brother not mind heat?"
"His body temperature stays at zero degrees."
"What kind of special ability is that?"
"Just a frozen corpse."
"..."
Though slightly rude, Yin Lian nearly chuckled, covering her face to hide her inappropriate smile, asking, "Why do you dislike your brother so much?"
After a pause, Jiang Keke tugged at her shoulder bag, "Because he's not human."
Yin Lian hadn't intended to pry further, considering it was none of her business to be curious about the family's affairs.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Keke continued, "Parents died; he skipped the funeral that day to go work out."
Stunned, she glanced at Jiang Si trailing behind; even Yin Lian frowned, "There must be some reason, right?"