The music hall’s main doors were tightly shut, with an elderly gatekeeper sitting by the entrance.
The Hyacinth Squad trio walked up to the dozing gatekeeper and greeted him:
“Hello, sir, is the music hall not open today?”
The old man, dressed in a security uniform, woke from his doze, put on his glasses, and nodded.
“Oh… are you here for music lessons? I’m so sorry, the music hall is undergoing maintenance and renovation today. Please come back tomorrow.”
“No, no, we left something inside. Can you let us in to get it? We’ll be out very quickly!”
Nightingale quickly stepped forward and communicated with the security guard, displaying the thoughtfulness and enthusiasm of a granddaughter, which made the gatekeeper happily turn to open the door.
As the saying goes, a warm little cotton jacket for everyone, Nightingale fully demonstrated a young girl's vivacity.
The three successfully entered the music hall.
The moment they stepped through the main entrance, everyone’s attention was drawn by a melodious piece of music:
It was a melodious and pleasant sound, like a mountain spring flowing, like raindrops entering the sea, playing a somewhat aged violin piece. However, from the skill level, it was definitely not something a student could play.
This also raised Hyacinth’s alert—the gatekeeper said the music hall was under renovation, so where was the music coming from?
“It might be Xin Yuehu’s trap, Bai Ling, prepare to act!”
“Understood!”
Hyacinth gestured to Bai Ling in her hat, and the White Sable Spirit immediately understood, opening her magic space.
—That’s right, Xin Yuehu only forbade the Magic Girls from using magic, but she didn’t forbid the Observer’s magic.
Although Observers themselves have no combat capability and can only be used as portable storage and emergency healing, storing a few weapons is not a problem.
The three each took out weapons from Bai Ling’s magic space.
Nightingale shouldered the captured SCAR assault rifle, Iris silently held the AKM automatic rifle she received from the Hero Association, and they followed closely behind Hyacinth.
These were military-grade firearms issued by the Hero Association.
Although Nightingale really wanted to give the weapon she captured from the Gray Wolf Girl Fenrir to Iris, after some polite refusal, she still kept this trophy for herself.
After all, this was a rare opportunity for support to deal damage, and Lin Muyao herself was quite happy.
As for Hyacinth…
The Glock pistol was still in her hand, unchanged, but it had been fitted with a 50-round extra-large capacity drum magazine, which multiplied the firepower density while maintaining mobility.
The Hyacinth Squad had upgraded their gear, and their firepower was super doubled!
“Let’s go!”
“We must catch that golden-furred fox today!”
…
The three searched along the music hall corridor.
The interior of this teaching building-like structure was exquisitely decorated, with advertisements for various music classrooms and enrollment details plastered on the walls, naturally not lacking in student showcases.
There were group performances and individual awards, an overwhelming array.
And as they passed a piano classroom, the three couldn't help but be drawn to the photo on the classroom's outer wall:
A crimson fox-girl sat on the stage gently caressing a piano, her delicate body wrapped in a magical formal dress, making her reddish-gold furred fox tail appear particularly vivid.
Even though it was just a static photograph, it made one almost able to hear the music she was playing on the piano.
“Is that Inari-senpai?” Iris asked curiously.
Hyacinth nodded.
“That’s right, that’s Inari. It’s said that her piano playing skills are quite high, and she’s occasionally invited to perform on world-class stages.”
“I remember this is a photo from her first invited performance,”
Lin Muyao interjected,
“At that time, many people just went for fun and to scalp limited merchandise, but after she went on stage, everyone’s playful mood completely vanished, and everyone applauded.”
“I see…”
Hua Ling sighed with genuine emotion.
She hadn’t expected this Inari-senpai to be so multi-talented, no wonder so many memorial sites were established for her by the Hong Kong City populace.
“Bai Ling, do you know Inari-senpai?”
“Huh? Me?”
The White Sable Spirit poked her head out of Hyacinth’s hat, tilting her head,
“You’re the first team of Magic Girls I’ve ever guided! How could I possibly know Inari! She retired over ten years ago; I was still studying at the Observer school in the Star Realm back then.”
“That’s a shame, I thought I could ask you to help get some autographs,” Nightingale sighed helplessly.
“Hey! Am I only useful for getting autographs?”
“Yes.”
“Nightingale, do you have to answer so decisively!”
After a brief moment of laughter, the three continued to follow the sound of the violin.
The music hall was empty, every music classroom was deserted, with only the sound of the violin, as if deliberately guiding the three towards the sound source.
Holding her weapon and vigilantly surveying her surroundings, Nightingale couldn’t help but feel a doubt arise in her heart.
Does Xin Yuehu really play the violin?
Although Fox Fox's singing is quite pleasant, it has no “skill” whatsoever; she’s just trying to be cute. As for instruments, she hasn't displayed any talent at all.
There's good reason to believe Fox Fox is actually bad at instruments.
“The sound is coming from the classroom ahead.”
Reaching the second floor of the music hall, Hyacinth led the way and stopped, listening intently to the violin sound from ahead.
The piece had already changed two or three times, but the playing technique was still very skilled, especially noticeable in the otherwise quiet music hall.
Was this Xin Yuehu’s trap, or a flaw she accidentally exposed?
Whatever it was, they had to investigate!
The three raised their weapons, all pointing at the classroom door from which the violin sound was emanating.
“…”
Hyacinth gave Nightingale a look.
The latter immediately pulled a flashbang from her satchel. After Hyacinth kicked open the door, she agilely threw it inside!
A loud bang accompanied by a strong flash, the three immediately darted in, raising their weapons in unison, aiming at the direction of the violin sound.
But even after the flashbang detonated, the violin sound showed no sign of stopping, continuing to play as usual.
The Hyacinth Squad trio looked closely and saw only a speaker playing a recording and a projection screen hanging down, on which was clearly projected a deep blue Cat Girl playing the violin.
The violin music abruptly stopped, and the Cat Girl looked back, turning her blue-green heterochromatic cat eyes towards the camera, making a shushing gesture.
Although it was just a video, Hyacinth distinctly felt as if she was being directly stared at, which sent shivers down her spine.
“Hehehe, you fell for it, Hyacinth.”
A cold laugh came from outside the door.
“!!!”
The three froze simultaneously, immediately turned around, and aimed their guns outside the door.
“Who is it! Who’s out there?!”
“Who do you think it could be?”
A Cat Girl’s tail swept past the door, her voice cold, as if piercing the soul.
“I thought you would be more cautious after yesterday’s events, but it seems I was wrong.”
“You’re still as reckless as ever, but then again, that suits your style.”
Hellcat’s voice was full of mockery, making Hyacinth clench her teeth, wishing she could rush out and beat her up immediately,
But once she thought about her current dangerous situation and the unknown number of heavy firearms ambushing outside, she suppressed the impulse.
Who knew where Cheshire Rabbit was!
The two sides confronted each other across the wall, neither showing their face, yet neither caught the other’s weak point.
But the moment a smoking stun grenade flew in from outside the door, Hyacinth immediately returned fire! The music hall instantly became a storm of bullets!
…
While the battle raged downstairs, Su Tianqing sat in Inari’s music studio on the third floor, playing with the small music box in her hand.
【Inari’s Music Box】
This was an item she had collected in the music hall; it was placed inconspicuously in a display case, unnoticed by anyone but herself.
“I wonder what kind of memories this thing… will show Ben Hu…?”