Chapter 71

A man in his 30s, who had been shouting that the end of the world was near, jumped into the road and died.

“Tsk tsk, the world is really going to the dogs.”

Lying on the sofa, I stretched and yawned.

It’s already been a few weeks since I returned to Emerald’s house.

The continuous, uneventful days have left both my body and mind completely melted.

“Benefactor.”

“…Ugh.”

Thanks to Garnet’s meticulous care, Tamako quickly regained her health.

It might be good news for the surrounding magical girls, but for me, it wasn’t such great news.

Now that Tamako has regained some of her health, she torments me every day.

Like a child petting a pet.

“If you keep lying down, you’ll turn into a cow.”

“…I don’t care if I turn into a cow, just leave me alone.”

Tamako poked her hand under my armpit and lifted me up, to which I weakly responded.

Perhaps because Tamako is a skilled former magical girl, even as she spoke with a smile, I felt no hope.

If I had felt any hope from Tamako, I would have thrown myself into the closet like a cockroach avoiding light.

“Come on, let’s go out together. Even if you turn into a cow, I’ll still like you, but I prefer you as you are now.”

“…It’s a hassle.”

“Really, if you keep this up, you’ll become a hopeless monster.”

Tamako spoke with a motherly scolding expression.

A stern yet gentle expression.

Not the kind of expression a former magical girl would give to a monster.

Besides, what does she mean by a ‘hopeless monster’?

Isn’t it a bit odd to use the same meaning twice?

“Benefactor~”

“Ugh…”

As Tamako shook me from side to side, my lower body dangled along.

Even if I said I wouldn’t go, she’d probably drag me out anyway, so why bother asking for permission?

I sighed inwardly at Tamako, who had just been acting mature but now seemed like a complete child.

Tamako, you were best when you were just lying still.

“Alright, alright. Let’s go on this outing.”

“Thank you, Benefactor!”

As I nodded reluctantly, Tamako beamed with joy.

Is going outside really something to be that happy about?

I stretched again, wiggling my toes that had just touched the ground after so long.

Ugh… Even this body feels stiff from lying around too much.

“All ready!”

“So, where do you want to go?”

At my question, Tamako hesitated for a moment.

Surely she doesn’t want to go to the Magical Girl Association or something like that?

If not, there’s no reason for her to feel awkward about telling me.

Since it’s the first time going out with just Tamako, I had no idea where she wanted to go.

“The cemetery, just for a bit…”

“That’s fine.”

After all that hesitation, it turned out to be something simple enough to accompany her.

Maybe I’ll snack on some human despair for a change.

While Tamako’s despair is a delicacy, occasionally indulging in the cheap despair of humans isn’t bad either.

I also remembered owing a favor to this city when I first arrived, so I didn’t feel any aversion.

“…Thank you, Benefactor.”

A deep sadness emanated from Tamako as she bowed her head.

If only that sadness were despair, it would have been perfect.

With a brief thought, I turned my head.

The sky outside the window looked gloomy, as if it might rain at any moment.

***

The cemetery, visited after a long time, was as gloomy as ever.

The scent of despair with every breath.

Although the scent had slightly faded due to fewer monsters appearing, it was still a pleasant aroma.

“…Senior, I’m here.”

Tamako stood before a nameless tombstone and whispered softly.

Senior… Wait, if there’s a tombstone, does that mean they’re already dead?

I don’t know which magical girl it was, but since they’re helping Tamako’s despair, I decided to think of them as a good magical girl.

Of course, I didn’t say that out loud.

“I’m sorry I’m late. But please don’t scold me too much. I came as fast as I could.”

With those words, Tamako placed a bouquet in front of the tombstone.

What followed was a moment of silence for the deceased.

Watching Tamako quietly start to cry, I secretly curled the corner of my mouth.

‘Should I suggest we come here more often?’

While the despair during sleep was delicious, the despair while awake was a delicacy.

The sensation of watching various emotions swirl and sink deeper…

Honestly, it was the best.

“Thank you, Benefactor. For indulging my selfishness.”

“Let me know if you need anything else.”

“…Yes, Benefactor.”

I turned my head slightly at Tamako’s beaming smile.

A magical girl’s smiling face always feels awkward.

In Apocalypse’s memories, magical girls were either angry or crying, one of the two.

Anyway.

“Shall we go eat? Or maybe do some shopping?”

“…I’m not really hungry right now.”

Having just consumed Tamako’s despair, I didn’t feel any hunger.

Although Tamako probably wasn’t talking about despair when she mentioned eating.

“Let’s go back.”

“Yes, Benefactor.”

Despite my firm refusal, Tamako didn’t lose her smile.

Maybe she just enjoys spending time with me.

Of course, I also enjoy spending time with Tamako—especially when she’s asleep—so I didn’t have much to say about that.

Plop, plop—

“Ah, it’s raining.”

Luckily, we brought an umbrella, so we could avoid the rain.

After unfolding the umbrella Tamako handed me, it didn’t take long for the scattered raindrops to create a wave-like sound.

I’m pretty sure the weather forecast said it would just be cloudy with no rain.

Feeling the cold touch of the splashing raindrops, I slowly exhaled.

A thick scent of despair flowed in with the rain.

“Please, help me.”

“…”

“Please, help me…”

When I came to my senses, a human woman was kneeling before me.

Dark circles under her eyes and half-lifeless pupils.

Seeing her in the cemetery, did she lose someone dear?

Or is she about to?

“Do you, perhaps, know her?”

Tamako cautiously asked as I slowly scanned the woman.

A strangely familiar face for someone I’ve never met.

Where have I seen her?

There have been quite a few new faces recently.

‘Ah, I remember.’

“Lina.”

Was she the mother of a human child named Aya?

And also a researcher at the underground laboratory.

Whether she came looking for me or stumbled upon me while seeking help, the despair she emitted was quite enticing.

If I were an ordinary monster, I might have immediately chewed her head off.

“I’ll do anything. Please, please save Aya…”

“…”

Did something happen to her daughter?

If you’re going to ask for a favor, you should have the right attitude, and this woman had it down perfectly.

I don’t have a hobby of helping humans, but listening to her story wouldn’t be bad.

“Calm down, take deep breaths.”

“Huff, haa… Sob, hoo…”

“Are you feeling a bit calmer now?”

“…Sorry, for coming out of nowhere.”

Calming a half-panicked human was Tamako’s role.

Unfortunately, I’m more of the type to incite frenzy rather than calm humans.

Being a former magical girl, Tamako was quite skilled at calming humans.

Tamako, you’re truly capable.

“Aya was kidnapped by a monster.”

“She might be dead.”

“No, she’s alive! She can’t be, she can’t be dead… Sob…”

Oops, was I too blunt?

Watching the woman start to sob again, I took a step back.

This feels like it’s going to turn into a hassle.

Her pitiful figure, crying in the rain, was enough to evoke sympathy, but it didn’t stir any emotions in me.

“Benefactor.”

“Yes, Tamako.”

“I know it’s presumptuous, but could I ask for one favor?”

“Go ahead.”

A favor? What could it be?

I don’t particularly like granting human—especially magical girls’—requests, but considering the despair Tamako has provided me, I decided to grant one favor.

‘Is she going to ask me to get rid of this woman? Or maybe suggest we go home?’

“Could you help this person? I’m sorry if it’s out of line…”

…Of course, it couldn’t be that.

Even though it’s a request for someone she just met—and not even for herself—she extends a helping hand with pure goodwill.

It’s not something an ordinary human would do.

Former magical girls are truly different.

Though seeking a monster’s help to find a child kidnapped by a monster is a bit ironic.