Hiyakura listened to Tao Yao's words.
For a moment, she stood there dumbfounded, a look of confusion crossing her face.
Her gaze wandered over Tao Yao's face, seemingly searching for some kind of answer.
But she couldn't find a clue.
Tao Yao's somewhat teasing tone and enigmatic smile made Hiyakura feel an inexplicable tension.
She instinctively turned her head away, avoiding Tao Yao's direct gaze.
Hiyakura's cheeks flushed slightly as she mumbled under her breath:
"I... I'm not interested in your secrets!"
Her voice was small, but it carried a hint of unnoticeable wavering.
Tao Yao keenly caught this subtle shift in Hiyakura's demeanor.
She lightly stepped forward, closing the distance between them.
Tao Yao leaned in slightly, her face almost touching Hiyakura's.
Her breath gently brushed against Hiyakura's face, carrying a barely perceptible fragrance.
"Do you really not want to know?"
Tao Yao asked back in a light, airy tone, her voice laced with evident teasing and playfulness.
Her eyes sparkled with a sly light, and the corners of her mouth curled into a playful smile.
Tao Yao's sudden closeness made Hiyakura's heart race.
She could feel her ears burning, an inexplicable warmth spreading from her neck to her cheeks.
Hiyakura's breathing became slightly hurried.
She instinctively wanted to step back but was held in place by a strange magnetic pull.
Hiyakura's emotions became exceptionally complicated at that moment.
She felt confused, tense, and even a hint of inexplicable anticipation.
This contradictory feeling left her somewhat at a loss.
Yet at the same time, it ignited her deep-seated curiosity.
Trying to calm her racing heart.
Hiyakura took a deep breath, attempting to make her voice sound steadier.
She tilted her head slightly, casting a wary glance at Tao Yao, her tone laced with caution: "Just so you know, if it's something bad, I won't do it."
Tao Yao's smile brightened even more.
She took a small step back, giving Hiyakura a bit of space.
Then her tone softened and became sincere.
"Don't worry, I'm not asking you to commit murder or arson."
As she spoke halfway through.
She paused and continued:
"I just want you to buy some essential supplies for the children at the orphanage. Although Shiro and I bought some before we came, we still lack a few things. Since you're here, could you help run an errand?"
At this point, Tao Yao slightly blinked her eyes, a crafty glimmer flashing in them.
She cheerfully added, "After all, this is your specialty, isn't it?"
Upon hearing Tao Yao's explanation, Hiyakura's tense body relaxed a bit.
Her expression shifted from cautious to surprised, and then to a hint of embarrassment.
Hiyakura lowered her head, her fingers subconsciously entwined, as if feeling guilty for her previous doubts.
"Buying things for the children at the orphanage..."
Hiyakura murmured to herself, her voice carrying a reflection.
She raised her head, her gaze sweeping over the orphanage building not far away, recalling the innocent and carefree children from earlier.
A warm emotion surged within her heart.
After a brief moment of thought, Hiyakura lifted her head and met Tao Yao's eyes directly.
Her eyes sparkled with determination, and her tone became firm and resolute:
"I understand. I'm willing to help."
Tao Yao beamed at Hiyakura's response, her smile radiant.
She pulled out a neatly folded paper from her pocket and handed it to Hiyakura.
"This is the shopping list of items needed."
Tao Yao explained, "I've written it down in detail, so it should be easy to buy."
Hiyakura carefully accepted the list and unfolded it with caution.
Her eyes swiftly scanned its contents:
1. Children's toothbrushes and toothpaste (20 sets)
2. Children's shampoo and body wash (10 bottles)
3. Children's towels (30 pieces)
4. Children's undergarments and socks (30 sets each)
5. Children's paintbrushes and drawing paper
6. Children's reading materials (suitable for various age groups)
7. Simple educational toys
8. Children's sports shoes (various sizes, 20 pairs in total)
9. Children's vitamins and calcium tablets
10. First-aid kit supplements (band-aids, disinfectants, etc.)
Hiyakura read the list carefully, feeling a bit of admiration for Tao Yao's thoughtfulness and attention to detail.
She folded the list carefully and placed it in her pocket.
"I'm going to buy these right now."
Hiyakura said, her tone tinged with barely perceptible excitement, "It shouldn't take too long."
Tao Yao nodded, still wearing a gentle smile.
"Come back soon, I'll be waiting here for you."
Hiyakura felt a strange warmth swell in her heart upon hearing this.
She nodded and turned to walk towards the orphanage's front gate.
Halfway there, Hiyakura suddenly stopped, looking back at Tao Yao, who was still standing in place.
The sunlight bathed Tao Yao, casting a soft halo around her.
Her smile was warm and sincere, as if it could melt away all ice.
For some reason.
Hiyakura felt her heart race once more.
She turned her head and quickened her pace to leave the yard.
Walking down the street, Hiyakura's mind replayed the scene from earlier.
Tao Yao's smile, her tone while speaking, and those deep and mysterious eyes...
For some reason.
She could not shake the feeling that this woman had an inexplicable allure for her.
It was a very peculiar sensation.
But what exactly was it?
She couldn't quite put it into words…
Hiyakura stood on the street corner, trying hard to organize her chaotic thoughts.
She took a deep breath, attempting to drive those strange thoughts about Tao Yao out of her mind.
Now was not the time for wild imaginings; she reminded herself that there were more important matters to attend to.
She glanced down at the shopping list in her hands, just about to step towards the nearby shopping district when she suddenly felt her phone vibrate in her pocket.
Hiyakura furrowed her brow and took out her phone to check.
The screen displayed a new message from Jasmine.
Hiyakura's heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding washing over her.
Indeed, when she opened the message, the contents instantly turned her expression serious.
"There's an urgent mission. Where are you? Jasmine and Violet are coming to find you immediately."
Hiyakura bit her lip, hesitating for a moment.
She looked at the shopping list in her hands and then glanced back towards the direction of the orphanage.
A wave of guilt suddenly surged within her; she had promised Tao Yao to buy things.
However, she had now joined the academy.
Some missions needed to be executed.
Especially based on Jasmine's attitude.
This seemed like a very important mission.
After thinking for a bit, Hiyakura began to reply to Jasmine's message:
"I'm not sure, but there's a sign for Sakura Street next to me, and I'm near that clock tower with the red roof. Also, there seems to be a café here, its outer wall is blue and white."
As soon as she sent the message, Jasmine's reply came:
"Got it. Stay there and don't move. Violet and I will arrive shortly."
Hiyakura put her phone back in her pocket, leaning against a tree by the roadside while waiting.
After a moment.
Jasmine and Violet rushed over.
"Hiyakura."
Jasmine walked quickly to her, her voice low and urgent.
"The situation is critical; we must act immediately."
Violet also approached, her expression equally grave.
"We've just received important intelligence,"
she added, "Although it came suddenly, it's indeed quite serious."
Hiyakura looked at her companions, knowing that the matter was certainly unusual.
She straightened her posture.
"What exactly happened?" she asked.
Jasmine glanced around to ensure no one was eavesdropping, then lowered her voice to say:
"We received intel that the fairy apostle Tao Yao is hiding in Qingyang City and is likely carrying out some extremely dangerous ritual."
"We must find a way to capture her."