I'm a magical girl in the future

Chapter 12 Returning Home

It was already 10:30 p.m. when I got home.

Shen Zixin opened the door cautiously. Usually, her younger sister would already be asleep at this time.

As for my older sister... she didn't come back for dinner, which usually means she hasn't finished work yet, so she probably won't be back until after midnight.

But this was not his primary concern.

The real reason was Noah behind him.

If Xiaoling sees Noah following her home, she'll probably get a lot of questioning, and she hasn't even figured out how to explain it yet.

All he wanted now was to quickly and quietly settle Noah into his room. At the very least, to postpone the detonation of this bomb as much as possible.

Yes, he knew very well that Noah living in his house would eventually become a secret. But humans, when faced with various troubles, always unconsciously choose to procrastinate.

The living room lights were off, but a faint light shone through the crack in Xiaoling's bedroom door.

—Aren't you asleep yet?

Thankfully, although Xiaoling wasn't asleep yet, it wouldn't be right for her to sneak back to her bedroom now—

Thinking this, Shen Zixin whispered to Noah beside her, "Be quiet, and quietly go to my bedroom—"

However, before Shen Zixin could finish speaking, a clear "click" sound of a light being pressed came from behind her.

In an instant, the living room lights came on.

However, Noah not only casually pressed the light switch by the door, but also slammed the door shut with a loud "bang."

"Feed—you..."

Shen Zixin was completely taken aback by Noah's actions. What was she up to? Now Xiaoling would definitely notice someone was back, wouldn't she?

Noah blinked, giving a completely innocent look. "Huh? What did I do wrong?"

Shen Zixin was certain that she did it on purpose.

On the way here, Shen Zixin had already told her not to let her sister find out she was coming, but Noah said nonchalantly, "Don't worry, you're a young man in your twenties, isn't it normal to bring a girl home?"

I should have guessed she'd cause trouble!

As the noise at the door rang, a sound he least wanted to hear came from the direction of his sister's bedroom—

"Brother, you're back! What brings you so late?"

Qin Xiaoling opened her bedroom door, clearly having heard the commotion in the living room. As she stepped out, she immediately saw her brother standing in the doorway, and… someone she had just met that evening—

The girl who had just taken her to the Human Defense Bureau not long ago was now dressed in a different outfit, but her signature silver hair and impressive aura made her unmistakable.

"Wait, wait a minute...you...you..."

Qin Xiaoling's mouth dropped open, her finger pointing at Noah, her voice stammering with shock. Although her clothes had changed from her battle dress to a sailor uniform, this was definitely—Senior Noah!

"This must be your little sister, she's very cute." Noah immediately put on a gentle smile. "I'm sorry, but I'll have to stay at your place tonight. Your brother and I have some things to discuss, let's talk later~"

After saying that, Noah took Shen Zixin's hand and walked straight towards Shen Zixin's bedroom, leaving Qin Xiaoling standing there in shock.

—W-What's going on?!

The amount of information was so overwhelming that it momentarily stunned her.

Noah, who had just saved him from the calamity beast and displayed unfathomable strength, actually... actually went home with his older brother? And so late at night?

Qin Xiaoling walked back to her room somewhat mechanically, plopped down on the soft bed, and began to try to understand this unbelievable scene.

Because I had made plans to have dinner with Ye Han after school in the afternoon, and also had to register at the Civil Defense Bureau, I hadn't touched my homework at all when I got home. So, I'm still rushing to finish my homework at this hour.

But seeing this scene, Qin Xiaoling had completely lost interest in doing her homework.

Senior Noah has never seen my human form before, right? So, she probably didn't recognize me as "Morning Glow" just now.

But... Senior Noah actually knows my older brother! And, judging from the looks of it, their relationship is quite extraordinary!

It's so late, and she's going home with her brother, even... a man and a woman alone in a room... Could it be... you know?! Two people with a relationship beyond friendship, doing things that only adults do...

The thought of this possibility sent a rush of heat up from Qin Xiaoling's neck to her cheeks, instantly turning her face bright red.

And... Senior Noah just walked right into my brother's room, right?! That means she knows exactly where his bedroom is! This definitely isn't the first time she's been to my house!

Could it be that, without my knowledge, my brother... he had already done... all sorts of unspeakable things with this beautiful silver-haired senior?!

Thinking of this, Qin Xiaoling excitedly took out her phone.

No, I need to check this!

She opened the Civil Defense Bureau's app and found Noah's profile picture.

I need to send a message to Noah and subtly ask her if the person who just came back with my brother was really her.

【Senior Noah, good evening~! What are you doing now~? Are you already resting? (⁄⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄⁄)】

The message was sent, and the other party replied in less than a minute.

【No, Little Morning Glow. I was chatting with a friend on the way here, and before I knew it, it was getting late, so I'll be staying at a friend's place for the night. Also, don't stay up too late, it's bad for your health, go to bed early. ^_^】

Qin Xiaoling stared at Senior Noah's reply.

Now she was 100% certain that the person who had just appeared in her house was Senior Noah herself!

However… Noah used the word "friend" in her reply, rather than "boyfriend" or any other more intimate term. Does this suggest that her relationship with her brother might not have developed to the level she imagines?

—Yeah, right!

A man and a woman spending the night together in a room, and they claim they're just "friends"? Who would believe that nonsense?

Senior Noah must have considered that she was still just a child, which is why she didn't speak so bluntly!

Otherwise, directly saying in the reply that she stayed overnight at her boyfriend's house would be too shameful and too hurtful to a child's innocent mind!

Senior Noah is so considerate.

But...should we tell Sister Yuran about this?

Sister Yu Ran likes her older brother so much; according to her, she's known since childhood that he's her future life partner. If she knew this... she'd be furious, wouldn't she?

But... if I were to just tell Sister Yu Ran directly like that... wouldn't that be a bad idea? What if it ends up in some kind of chaotic mess...?

He Yuran and Qin Xiaoling do have a very good relationship.

In Qin Xiaoling's heart, she had already regarded He Yuran as an indispensable part of the family, and she had basically accepted that this gentle, kind and beautiful older sister was her future sister-in-law.

Unfortunately, Noah's heroic figure, descending like a savior before the calamity beast tonight, was too dazzling and too shocking, leaving an unforgettable highlight in Qin Xiaoling's heart.

If Qin Xiaoling really had to choose between supporting Senior Noah and Sister Yuran to be her sister-in-law right now... she really couldn't make a decision.

Qin Xiaoling held her head, caught in a deep dilemma.

In a sense, she understood why the classic trope often seen in romance comics and novels—"childhood sweethearts are no match for newcomers"—was so popular.