Esper X Family – Chapter 61 – The Door-in-the-Face Technique

When it came to barging into Ye Yao’s daily life…

Mo Qiuli was never absent.

Fortunately, she didn’t bring any more magical girl outfits today.

It seemed that the photos she took yesterday would keep Mo Qiuli occupied for a long time.

“Ye Yao, Little Luo, my punishment period is almost over. Do you want to come with me to fight evil and uphold justice then?”

Due to the recent Flame Demon incident, which had put Mo Qiuli in danger, the Countermeasures Bureau had imposed a special kind of “house arrest” on her.

Now, the time was almost up.

Magical Girl Mercury would soon reappear in the city!

“Patrolling again?”

Ye Yao really didn’t know how to refuse Mo Qiuli’s invitation.

After all, it would be hard for her fission body to sneak out unnoticed.

If discovered, it would raise too many questions.

But the Found Family System might classify this as a “family activity”.

Ye Yao didn’t want to miss such a valuable opportunity to earn attribute points.

Meanwhile, Luo Jianhua was deep in thought about Mo Qiuli’s proposal.

At this point, she needed to figure out how to ease her sister’s burdens.

If things continued like this, Ye Yao might not even be able to sneak out anymore.

Mr. Lou Wei wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

Not to mention that there were likely protective measures left behind by the two S-rank Espers.

Hmm… Maybe I can use Mo Qiuli to my advantage.

She could feed false intel and see if that worked.

Meanwhile, Ye Yao placed a hand on Mo Qiuli’s head and ruffled her hair.

“It’s not time yet. We’ll talk when your punishment is over.”

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“But if we discuss it now, we can prepare in advance!”

“What’s there to prepare?”

Ye Yao shot her a puzzled look.

Wasn’t a magical girl outing just about fooling around with Mo Qiuli for a few hours, slacking off and enjoying the night view?

But Mo Qiuli’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Like discussing what kind of magical girl outfits you and Little Luo should wear!”

“Hell no! Don’t push your luck!”

Ye Yao’s expression instantly darkened.

She pounced on Mo Qiuli, pinching her cheeks to punish her severely.

“Mmh Mmph~”

It seemed that yesterday’s impromptu fashion show had given this magical girl fanatic a taste of sweetness.

She even dared to ask for the moon now.

If this continued, would she demand a public performance where Magical Girl Ye Yao defeated villains and received adoration from the crowd next?

Ye Yao turned to look at Luo Jianhua.

“Say something, Little Luo!”

“Huh? I don’t really mind…”

Luo Jianhua snapped out of her thoughts, gazing gently at the two who were pickering playfully.

Truthfully, she was a little curious about trying something so far outside the norm.

Sure, it might give her teacher a heart attack, when she thought about it… it didn’t sound so bad.

And if she could see Ye Yao in cute outfits a few more times, that would be even better.

Unfortunately, Ye Yao seemed unwilling.

“Tch. You two can do whatever you want. I’m not compromising.”

Wearing such embarrassing outfits indoors was already the limit of Ye Yao’s mental endurance.

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Going outside in them? Unthinkable!

They would serve no purpose other than becoming trigger conditions for Defeat CGs!

Mo Qiuli rubbed her reddened cheeks, looking slightly dejected.

“O-Okay… If Ye Yao doesn’t want to, then forget it…”

Then, her tone shifted.

“But you’ll still come with me, right?”

Ye Yao was about to nod when she suddenly realized something.

Wait… Is this dumb magical girl using the Door-in-the-Face technique ¹ That tactic where you ask for something unreasonable at first and then follow up with a more reasonable offer. The reasonable offer will look much better in comparison and there’s a higher chance of it being accepted than if you ask upfront. on me!?

She hadn’t even made a final decision yet, but she had almost reflexively agreed to a compromise.

Ye Yao narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Mo Qiuli.

【Mo Qiuli is looking forward to your response.】

Impossible to tell!

To think that she could apply the Door-in-the-Face technique so seamlessly… Mo Qiuli is quite something.

Ye Yao swiftly changed the subject.

“Ahem~ We’ll talk about that later. Right now, I have something to say.”

Her expression turned serious.

“Two relatives are visiting this afternoon. We absolutely cannot let anything slip.”

These fake relatives are S-rank Espers. They undoubtedly possess heightened senses.

Thanks to the system’s mind-reading, Ye Yao knew that Lou Wei would respect her privacy and block out everything in the room.

A true powerhouse with principles.

That was why she dared to speak freely here.

But the incoming S-rank Espers might not be the same.

To prevent leaks, Ye Yao decided to prepare with Mo Qiuli and Luo Jianhua in advance.

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“This afternoon, we’ll stay in the room, watch anime, play games, and avoid talking about abilities or outside matters.”

“I understand, Sister.”

Luo Jianhua immediately grasped the situation and nodded.

Mo Qiuli, however, didn’t see the connection.

“Why?”

Ye Yao pondered.

Mo Qiuli didn’t need to know the full story. Knowing too much would just stress her out.

If she learned that two S-rank Espers were coming, her usual personality might make her tense up.

“Because those relatives are sneaky Espers who might eavesdrop.”

Ye Yao had the perfect excuse, even if it might have unfairly slandered the two S-rankers.

“If they find out that I snuck out, I won’t be able to do magical girl activities with you anymore.”

“Wha— WHAT!? ”

Mo Qiuli was outraged.

How could they!?

They can’t do that!

After experiencing a magical girl outing with a companion, how could she ever go back to being alone?

I have to protect Ye Yao’s secret!

“Don’t worry, Ye Yao! I’ll quietly watch magical girl anime and won’t breathe a word to the adults!”

Her eyes were firm, as if she was swearing a solemn oath.

No one would dare question her resolve.

“Yes, that’s the spirit! Worthy of Magical Girl Mercury’s vessel! I, Ye Yao, acknowledge you!”

Ye Yao grinned, giving a thumbs-up without holding back her praise.

Mo Qiuli was utterly fooled, and she broke into a dazed, happy grin.

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Luo Jianhua tilted her head as she watched the scene unfold.

Once again, she concluded that Mo Qiuli posed no threat at all.

In the afternoon.

Two heavyweight figures secretly arrived in the city where Ye Yao lived.

Now, this small town hosted three S-rank Espers.

However, the newcomers didn’t go to see Ye Yao immediately.

Instead, they gathered in another room.

“Long time no see, Lou Wei. I never thought I’d live to play the role of your older brother. Honestly, I’m flattered.”

A middle-aged man with a weathered face approached Lou Wei.

Lou Wei’s expression remained indifferent.

“This isn’t a reunion, Fang Ze. You have more important tasks.”

His business-like tone made Fang Ze sigh.

This strongest man in the world never changed.

Or perhaps, he had become even more detached after bearing the weight of the world.

“I think I can play the uncle role convincingly.”

“Don’t slip up.”

“My acting skills should be good enough to fool a little girl.”

Author Note

Although it’s not as lively as the National Holiday, at least there are some readers left, so it’s not too deserted. The next big celebration will be the Spring Festival!

Text: Pressing down with little paws   Aloof from worldly strife