Chapter 59

[This is a big deal…]

“…Yeah.”

After heading out to search with Sapphire.

We worked together to take down the monsters, and it was all good until we got close to the dark clouds.

The problem was what happened after that.

[I never imagined she’d actually go in just because she thought she could.]

“…”

Hearing May’s sigh-filled words, I couldn’t help but sigh too.

It was my mistake.

In my last memories, Sapphire always seemed so cautious, so I forgot.

‘Sapphire, she was more reckless than I thought…’

It was mostly my fault for not stopping her.

Who would’ve thought she’d actually go in?

…In the end, it was all just excuses.

[Do you think Akari will let it slide?]

“…Maybe.”

I couldn’t be sure, so I was worried.

It’s not that I doubted Akari, but I was more concerned about the monsters we’d meet before reaching her…

Sapphire, you’ll be okay…?

.

.

.

I feel a gaze. A very intense one.

A persistent gaze, fixed solely on me, right beside me—

“…Hey.”

“…”

“You were told to observe, but being this close is really uncomfortable.”

“…Uncomfortable with the gaze.”

“No…”

I tried to complain about Sapphire observing me right in front of my face, but it was pointless.

Who wouldn’t feel uncomfortable at this distance?

I thought I was pretty laid-back, but compared to Sapphire, I was nothing.

‘Was Sapphire always like this…?’

Seeing her up close and from afar was different, but this was way too extreme.

It was like she was the type of character who gets misunderstood because of her blank expression.

From my perspective, she was the annoying type.

“By the way, aren’t you hungry?”

“I’m not hungry.”

*Growl*

“…I am hungry.”

I had already noticed that Sapphire’s internal clock was signaling hunger.

Slowed movements, slightly heavier breathing, and half-closed tired eyes.

Just because monsters can move on despair alone doesn’t mean magical girls can move on hope alone, right?

‘Taking care of a magical girl is tough…’

In that sense, Emerald was blessed.

She didn’t need to be fed; she took care of herself. A pet monster that feeds itself—how convenient is that?

And yet, just because she got a little halo on her head, she was abandoned…

Well, just kidding.

“I’ll catch some fish for you, so just wait a bit.”

“…You’re going to catch them yourself?”

“They won’t do it if I tell them. They just whine all day, tsk.”

“…”

I clicked my tongue at the monsters staring blankly at us from afar.

What, do they think they’re fire spirits or something?

Now that they have a lifetime supply of despair and a safe haven where humans never approach, they’re just gonna laze around?

Looking at them, humans and monsters aren’t so different after all.

‘To think those are my kin…’

Competent monsters were welcome, but the useless ones who just wallowed in despair were a hard pass.

Sigh, how did I end up becoming the director of a monster orphanage?

“Here, look.”

“…”

“Gotcha.”

I dipped my hand into the seawater and secretly moved the shadows to catch a fish below.

Then I subtly transferred it to my hand—perfect.

Feeling the fish flapping in my grip, I lifted my arm, and a small wave revealed the fish.

“I picked the freshest one.”

“Wow…”

I tossed the bonito onto the sand, and its large body flopped around.

Seeing Sapphire marvel at it made me feel oddly proud.

A magical girl amazed by a monster’s ability—what a rare sight.

It was a shame I was the only one witnessing this amusing scene.

“Ah, humans can’t eat it like this, can they?”

“…”

“Consider this a debt. I’ll collect it someday.”

The monsters devoured the flailing humans without a care, but humans couldn’t even handle a flailing bonito on their own.

Humans really are high-maintenance, huh?

I spread my shadow thin, sharpened it, and swiftly sliced the bonito.

There, take this bribe and put in a good word for me with the others, okay?

“You can eat it raw, but should I cook it for you?”

“I… like sashimi.”

“…Alright, then.”

Looking at Sapphire’s eyes, it was clear she’d prefer sashimi.

No, with those eyes, she’d definitely prefer raw over cooked.

She was staring at me like waiting for it to cook was a waste of time, as if she’d eat me instead if I took too long.

“…Thank you for the meal.”

Such a polite magical girl.

I tossed the bonito scraps to the fish-like monsters poking their heads out near the shore.

I thought only humans ate this stuff, but I guess monsters do too?

Hey, you guys in the water, just catch your own food, okay?

“…! It’s delicious!”

“Is it?”

“You should try some too. I feel guilty eating alone…”

“…”

As she said that, Sapphire subtly offered me some sashimi.

She was being considerate, but…

I felt like I’d spit it out immediately if I put it in my mouth, so I shook my head.

I can’t eat that.

“Human food has no taste to me. Though, I could probably enjoy your despair.”

“…”

I wonder what Sapphire’s despair tastes like.

Just imagining it made my mouth water.

I wasn’t hungry thanks to the Despair Circuit, but the desire to taste delicious despair was definitely there.

“Alright.”

“…Huh? Well, I guess… just imagine the saddest moment of your life or something.”

“The saddest moment of my life…”

Sapphire slowly closed her eyes, furrowing her brow as she concentrated.

Wait, is she really recalling the saddest moment of her life?

Her face looked both sad and pained.

Maybe it was both.

*Hummm*

“Hic…”

“…Phew.”

Not long after, the despair hit, and I couldn’t help but exhale.

It was fluffy and sweet.

Like eating clouds floating in the sky.

The Despair Circuit seemed to love it too, humming happily.

‘I didn’t expect her to pour out this much despair.’

As I savored the sweetness filling the Despair Circuit, I noticed Sapphire sweating profusely from despair.

Just how much despair is she planning to produce, this girl?

“Snap out of it.”

“Ugh… I… made a fool of myself…”

“It’s fine. Your despair was really sweet.”

Despairing is fine, but losing your mind over it isn’t great.

If Emerald saw me like this, what would she think?

It’s best to keep despair within reasonable limits.

‘Now I have to worry about Emerald even when she’s not around…’

If I could eat my own despair, it’d be an infinite power source, right?

Chuckling, I swallowed the last piece of despair, and Sapphire let out a deep breath.

Like she was expelling all lingering regrets.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I could regain my composure.”

“…Got it, so tone down the hope energy, will you?”

Magical girls seem to get even more hopeful after escaping despair, huh?

I frowned at Sapphire, who was radiating even stronger hope energy than before.

Pouring hope into a monster who just ate despair—what kind of move is that?

I almost wanted to bite her, but since she gave me such delicious despair, I decided to let it slide.

I’m a generous monster, after all.

*Growl*

*Creak, creak*

“Yelling like that won’t make me kill you, so quiet down.”

“…Did the monsters say they’d kill me?”

“Nah, they asked me to kill you. They can’t do it themselves, so—I’m not the type to kill just because someone asks, tsk…”

Seeing the monsters return, reassured by Sapphire’s hope energy…

Watching them cautiously eye me made me worry about the future of monsters.

Is this really okay? Seriously.

Well, the future of monsters isn’t the most pressing issue right now, but still.

“Can I ask you something?”

“…Sure, go ahead.”

A sudden curiosity made me ask, and Sapphire nodded.

How could she nod so easily without knowing what I was about to ask?

“What were you thinking about when you were despairing just now?”

Normal humans might think it’s cruel, but for me, it was an important question.

What do magical girls—humans, despair over so deeply?

I was really, really curious.