The magical girl eats sweets… or rather, is made to eat them.
On a Wednesday afternoon, I was at the Tohoku Branch with Mika-chan.
I could have been on standby elsewhere, but Mika-chan wouldn’t let go of my robe.
I did try to let go somewhat seriously, but I wasn’t strong enough to do so… damn it.
The Tohoku Branch had just recently experienced some misconduct and was tense, so it must have been uncomfortable for young Mika-chan.
This was my first time entering a branch of the Magic Bureau, but it felt more like science fiction than fantasy.
Well, magical girls may be fantastical, but their technical systems are basically scientific.
Magic power is merely used as a new form of energy; other forms of energy are also used regularly.
Still, it’s not easy to repair broken things.
Roads and cars, houses and stations.
Things that once took years to fix can now be repaired in as little as a week, though it still takes a week.
So, this is a reminder to be careful about environmental destruction and the demolition of buildings… though something feels off about that.
For both me, a stray, and newcomer Mika-chan, the Tohoku Branch is an uncomfortable place.
Right now, we’re in the waiting area for magical girls, where several of them keep glancing our way.
It’s nothing unusual, but if they’re going to look, they might as well come talk…
Well, that would cause its own set of problems.
(Is there a high-ranking magical girl among these ones?)
“Actually, the magical girl reading over there is the highest-ranked one here.”
Hmm…
She has pale green hair and a long skirt with slits. Her narrow eyes—fox-like eyes—give her an air of strength.
(Name and ranking?)
“Magical Girl Saint Hour. Ranked 14th and she has awakening abilities. She mainly uses firearms but excels in close combat with knives.”
I see… quite a modern magical girl.
Here, it’s all about pure magic. Being able to pull a trigger and unleash firepower sounds easy and nice.
Her awakening ability is intriguing, but knowing that won’t really help or harm me.
There’s no need to learn too much about a magical girl I’ll likely never meet again.
As I idly chat with Demon, my robe gets tugged from the side.
“Hey, Inie.”
“Is something the matter?”
“How can you eat snacks in this atmosphere…?”
When offered food, you eat it—that’s the adult response.
Even if it’s out of place, the sweets themselves aren’t at fault.
The bittersweet chocolate seeps into my weary body.
“Eating what’s offered is polite, right? Ideally, coffee would’ve been better than juice, though.”
“Huh, um… is that so?”
“Yes. If Mika-chan were to cook for someone and they didn’t take even a bite, wouldn’t that make her sad?”
“That’s true. Then I shall partake as well.”
Awkward hesitation doesn’t leave a good impression. Though the Japanese consider modesty a virtue, I believe it’s better to eat the offered tea and snacks to leave a good impression.
“That’s an interesting conversation~”
Just as Mika-chan and I were munching on sweets like chipmunks, an intruder appears.
That’s right, the strongest magical girl of the Tohoku Branch whom Demon mentioned earlier.
Saint Hour… lifts me up and places me on her knee.
“Recently, there haven’t been many youngsters around, huh? Here’s some chocolate~”
The Saint Hour who exuded an aura of strength just moments ago is nowhere to be seen. Instead, there’s a nursemaid amusing a child.
She pets my head through the hood and hands me chocolate.
You know, just because I’m small and light doesn’t mean you should do this—I am male, after all?
‘Ku… Bhf!’
Demon can’t hold back laughter, and the gazes around us shift from treating me as an alien object to pitying me.
“Saint Hour hasn’t changed a bit…”
“Mika-chan, you must work hard today. Lately, it’s been quite chaotic, and I’d prefer to accompany you, but… sigh.”
Everywhere is short-staffed, especially when it comes to high-rankers. There’s no substitute for them. During emergencies, they need to be ready to act immediately.
“Mika-chan, please take care of her well, Inny Flowering.”
“Just call me Inie.”
“Fufu. Understood, Inie.”
If you understood, please stop petting me!
A few minutes later, my terminal rings.
It seems it’s time.
Mika-chan replies to the operator’s message and assumes a serious expression.
“They’re here, it seems. Be careful.”
“Aye. Thank you.”
Standing up, we head toward the teleporter attached to the facility.
“Where is it?”
“Oops. I forgot to mention. It’s Rokube in Aomori. And conveniently, the monster is C-class as scheduled.”
What? I know Aomori, but what’s Rokube?
(Then, where exactly is it?)
“It’s northeast of Aomori. The place where a certain magical girl partly sank under the sea once.”
(Ah, the location of that incident. Got it.)
“Understood. Let’s go then.”
“Aye. Please rely on me.”
We step into the teleporter and jump to the designated coordinates.
While we technically can teleport without using the device, it requires a magic battery. These batteries extract magic power from monster cores and convert it into a versatile form.
Since these batteries are rather expensive, we use the installed teleporters unless it’s urgent.
For the return trip, Mika-chan will use the portable teleporter provided by the Tohoku Branch.
Our vision shifts from the teleporter to what looks like Rokube.
Nowadays, it’s common to see grass-covered cars and half-destroyed houses.
Given its proximity to Hokkaido, it seems this place wasn’t chosen for reconstruction.
“Aye. Got it.”
After finishing her conversation with the operator, Mika-chan turns to me.
“In a few minutes, something will appear around here. Likely nothing serious, but please take care of it.”
If Mika-chan can handle the C-class monster, there’s no need for me to intervene.
Unless something unexpected happens, I won’t interfere, and minor injuries are acceptable as part of being a magical girl.
Once the extermination is complete, Mika-chan will return to regular duty, while I’ll embark on another journey hunting monsters.
Let’s stay vigilant and keep an eye on the surroundings, just in case…
Mika-chan already has her weapon ready.
Handling a C-class monster alone indicates Mika-chan is doing quite well for a newcomer.
Though my standards and Marin’s might have slightly skewed what’s normal, it’s actually unusual to defeat B-class monsters.
“Monster detected 20 meters ahead behind the cover!”
Demon’s detection system seems to have picked up the monster. Let’s see how she fares.
Though I’ll just be watching from afar.
Mika-chan stops and signals me to halt.
She must have detected the monster’s presence.
“I’m going ahead. Count on you in case of trouble.”
“Wishing you success.”
Mika-chan runs forward enveloped in lightning.
I’ll watch from above so as not to get in the way.
“Wings, carry me!”
The wings I conjure this time are smaller but better than the last thing I used with M·D·W.
Alright, how’s the situation?
Ah, the monster is mantis-like… difficult to judge weapon compatibility, but so far, no issues.
Mika-chan keeps the mantis’ scythe-like arms at bay with lightning spells and strikes with Chakrams whenever there’s an opening.
Calmly and surely landing each hit before retreating.
Thanks to the beating it received from my magic, it seems braver now, which is reassuring.
“Moon Flash Heaven Drive!”
Enveloped in lightning, Mika-chan leaps above the mantis and swings her Chakram.
The battered mantis loses its head with that strike and crumbles into dust.
Come to think of it, this is probably being recorded on video. Is my figure showing up too?
Since I didn’t do anything, it shouldn’t be a problem, but I wonder what rumors will spread this time…
With that thought, I slowly descend towards Mika-chan, who’s celebrating her victory.
And again, I’ve let my guard down.
Despite repeating this mistake countless times, I’ve done it again…
As I land beside Mika-chan, the scenery begins to change.
“What… What’s happening?”
(A monster!)
“This is… similar to what happened the other day. Space magic is troublesome since concealment makes it undetectable…”
Could it be Magical Girl Lockwert who attacked Jeanne the other day?
Perhaps Lockwert is targeting Mika-chan?
“Mika-chan! Contact the Tohoku Branch! Anyone!”
Mika-chan tries to use her terminal to contact the branch, but it won’t connect.
Lockwert’s barrier isn’t based on fairy technology, so communication is cut off and escape is difficult.
Demon’s abilities won’t help us escape before getting caught.
“In, Inie!”
Mika-chan clings to me with teary eyes, but the frontline responsibility rests solely with her.
“Don’t worry. I know who the enemy is. We’ve beaten them once before, so relax.”
“Aye… does this mean someone is targeting my life?”
“…Most likely.”
While consoling Mika-chan who asks “Why me?” and cries, I ask Demon to search the area.
It’s crucial not to be caught off-guard by that person.
In the worst-case scenario, I might have to fight in my second form.
This time, we have a commitment to protect Mika-chan.
Therefore, I will ensure her safety no matter what.
“Mika-chan, stop crying and prepare for battle. Our opponent is a magical girl skilled in space magic and swordplay.”
“Zubibi. Sorry… Okay! Leave it to me!”
It’s good that she stopped crying, but please don’t wipe your nose on my robe…
“Vaguely, but the reaction is gradually approaching.”
This is mostly open grassland with few obstacles. There are some trees, but they’re insufficient for cover.
“The frontline is yours. Focus on defense or avoidance.”
“Understood!”
Though Mika-chan is motivated, I wonder how this will turn out…
At that moment, a rift appears in the space.
A magical girl with gray and black hair flowing, wearing a leotard and a cape, emerges.
It’s Lockwert.
