A Magical Girl’s Visit to a Shrine
Snow… It’s going to be cold today.
I slipped out of Tamake’s arms that were clinging to me, did some light stretching to wake up.
The room is fairly warm thanks to the heating powered by magical stones.
My body still feels heavy, but at this rate, I should be able to fight tomorrow.
The time is… 5 AM… It’s snowing, but I think I’ll go for a little walk.
(Come to think of it, where is Tamake’s house?)
“…Hm? Ah, my house. It’s near Mount Hazy in Shibukawa.”
It seems like I woke her up, but don’t take it the wrong way.
If it’s toward the mountains, it’s not strange for it to snow.
(“I need shoes and a hoodie. I’m going for a short walk, so feel free to keep sleeping.”)
“Okay. I’ll sleep a bit more.”
I received clothes and shoes from Demon and went outside.
As expected, the sky is cloudy and still dark because it’s snowing.
…Rather, it’s pitch black. If there weren’t any streetlights, I would have stopped walking.
The ground and roads are slightly whitened, but it will take some time before the snow accumulates.
When was the last time I took such a slow walk?
It’s been so long ago that I can’t even remember, including when I was alive as Shiro.
Technically, I was taking a walk in the park on the last day, but that doesn’t count.
I used to jog for a while, but lately, I haven’t had that kind of leisure time.
Before transferring to the Academy, I was also dragged around by Thalagong and couldn’t relax.
In this manner, after walking a bit, I noticed a shrine ahead.
There’s a fairly grand torii gate that gives off a historical vibe.
Though I don’t believe in gods or Buddhas, since I’m here, I might as well pay my respects.
Fortunately, I have some loose change in my pocket.
I passed through the torii gate, looked around the precincts, and headed towards the worship hall.
It’s surprisingly well-maintained…
I thought it would be desolate since it’s located in such a rural area, which is rare.
Maybe it’s because it’s snowing, or perhaps it’s just too early, but there’s no one around.
I threw the loose change from my pocket into the offering box, rang the bell, and performed the two bows, two claps, one bow ritual.
I don’t have any particular wishes, but if I must say something, I wish to stay healthy.
Minor injuries or fractures can be healed without issues using recovery magic, but regenerating limbs puts a strain on the body.
I won’t be able to fight with a weakened body.
Health is the most important thing.
After finishing the final bow of the two bows, two claps, one bow ritual and raising my head, I noticed a strangely dressed woman sitting on top of the offering box.
…I’ll ignore her.
Tamake is probably waiting, so I’ll head back.
I turned around and started walking.
“Ignoring someone outright is a bit harsh, isn’t it?”
That didn’t work out.
“Do you have any business? It’s cold, so please make it quick.”
Since Demon is still asleep, this woman must not be an enemy.
Then, casual conversation should suffice.
“I don’t have any business, but wouldn’t you be curious if a young girl came to pray here?”
“That’s true. Farewell then.”
“So stop trying to leave already.”
As I turned around and started walking, the woman jumped down from the offering box and grabbed my shoulder.
I’d rather call the police, but I’d be the one arrested, so I can’t do that.
After all, I’m wanted.
Only Thalagong and Marin know my real face, so maybe it’s safe, but it’s better not to call anyone.
After grabbing my shoulder, the woman started touching me all over.
“Hmm hmm. Anemia, and along with that, organ function decline. I’ve seen your battles, but you’re pushing yourself quite hard.”
“To confirm, you’re not an enemy, right?”
“Of course not. How could someone as beautiful as me be considered an enemy?”
Well, I don’t deny she’s beautiful, but she suddenly appeared on top of the offering box.
Since the ground is white with snow, footprints should remain, but there aren’t any besides mine.
If she had come out from the worship hall, I should have heard the door open, but there was no sound.
It’s clearly abnormal.
There are already enough people like NigoShiro and Demon who aren’t ordinary.
“So, who exactly are you?”
“I’m related to the masterminds behind the demons and fools you’ve encountered. Though, to be precise, I’m more like their underling. I don’t really have a proper name.”
Hmm. Related to NigoShiro.
“Still, it’s surprising that you were originally a man. Though I can only support from the sidelines, please defeat the witch at all costs.”
She patted my head and wore a gentle smile.
I felt an encompassing warmth, but my heart rejected it.
That kindness wasn’t meant for me. That kindness belongs to something I’ve already discarded.
Unadulterated goodwill is something I cannot accept.
“Yes. I will definitely defeat her. Otherwise, the world will perish, and you will vanish too, won’t you?”
“—That’s right. In this world, you’re the only one with the possibility to defeat the witch. And the one who can defeat that monster is also…”
The woman stopped patting and hugged me tightly. Her body was trembling slightly.
All losses.
In every battle against the final boss, I lose the first round.
She probably doesn’t truly believe I can win.
Likely, among those who know about the witch, there isn’t anyone who thinks I can win.
I don’t feel sad, but this is reality.
That’s why I dislike others…
“I’ve made contracts with Demon and that guy, so I’ll show you by defeating her. Besides, if I win, this will be the first world I’ve saved, and I can boast about it, right?”
“—I’m praying that it turns out that way. Sorry for holding you up. Let’s meet again sometime.”
The woman smiled one last time and disappeared as if she had never been there from the start.
I don’t know why she appeared, but if we meet again, it will likely be when everything has ended.
By that time, I’ll probably have a smug look on my face, saying, “It was great that we survived for the first time, wasn’t it?”
…I should head back.
The snow has intensified since I left Tamake’s house, and it’s starting to accumulate gradually.
Due to lack of blood, my thoughts were running wild in strange directions.
This snow will cool my head just right.
“Faaah, I slept well. Wow, it’s snowing pretty heavily now. Shouldn’t you head back quickly?”
(“I get it. I’m on my way back now.”)
If she had woken up five minutes earlier, she wouldn’t have such bad timing.
I returned via the same path and arrived back at Tamake’s house.
By the way, I left the door unlocked, but since I’m a magical girl, it should be fine.
As I approached the house, I saw the light in the room was on.
It seems Tamake has also woken up.
Before entering the house, I should return the clothes.
(Return the clothes for me.)
“Understood.”
The clothes I borrowed from Tamake are entirely girlish, so I don’t particularly want to wear them, but if I wear clothes that shouldn’t exist, I’ll raise suspicion, so it can’t be helped.
As I gripped the doorknob to open the entrance door, the door suddenly opened, and I ended up sitting on my bottom.
“Fūru! It’s good… I was worried that you had left…”
Tamake seemed flustered; her hair was messy, and she was still in her pajamas.
It seems she started looking for me immediately after waking up.
What is she thinking…?
“I’ll keep my promises. You don’t look well, are you alright?”
“D-Da-i-ji-bu. Ah, sorry! Did I hurt you or anything?”
I stood up by grabbing the hand Tamake offered me.
There’s no pain, but my butt is a bit cold.
On days like this, I’d prefer to drink coffee while reading a book.
I entered the house, and Tamake said she would make cocoa, so I relaxed in the living room until then.
When I suggested doing it myself, she insisted on doing it herself.
Turning on the TV, all they broadcast were topics about me, the witch, and the deceased rankers.
“If you see this face, please contact the Magic Bureau,” it’s like some old-time missing persons program.
While it might be overly optimistic, the fact that the Magic Bureau is making such a big move means that Kaede and the others must be doing something.
Kaede and Thalagong have been opposing the recent actions of the Magic Bureau.
(Is that right? Demon.)
“There’s no sign of movement yet, but it seems like the number ten is active.”
Number ten… wasn’t that Zeahrfil? I remember the name because everything else was undisclosed.
There’s no video footage, so I have no idea what kind of magical girl she is.
(Well, if they’re moving, we’ll leave that to them. On our side, we still need to defeat the witch’s subordinates.)
“It’s problematic that we can’t track the opponent’s movements. We can’t blindly search and find them, so we’re forced to be on the defensive.”
Ideally, if we could take the initiative, it would be easier to strategize, but given the circumstances, it will likely come down to a moment-by-moment battle.
To put it bluntly, Arcana like Demon lost because they were destined to.
“Well, I have access to resources not just for me but also for Fool, so compared to before, there are more things I can do, meaning I can contribute more than in the past.”
(I’ll trust those words.)
“Here you go.”
She brought out toast spread with strawberry jam and cocoa.
Honestly, I’d prefer coffee, but there probably isn’t any in a normal girl’s home.
“Thank you very much.”
“No problem, I wanted to do it. Here you go, please enjoy.”
The warmth of the cocoa seeped into my chilled body.
“I’m heading to the Magic Bureau later, would you like to come along?”
“I apologize, but I’ll pass.”
If I happen to bump into Marin, my identity would be exposed instantly.
There’s no need to cross such dangerous bridges.
So, please stop making that face, alright?
“Alright… Understood. Do you have any plans for today?”
“My condition isn’t fully recovered yet, so I think I’ll rest for the day.”
It doesn’t seem like I can go out anymore, and even if I were to visit the Fairy Realm, my condition isn’t good enough to say I’m fully recovered.
“Understood. I’ll prepare a bento for lunch, so please eat it. Maybe I’ll return earlier, so if I do, let’s eat together.”
“…Thank you very much.”
It’s unnecessary to be so considerate… Since I’ll just be sleeping anyway, leaving some udon would suffice.
“Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, but would you prefer udon or soba?”
Already New Year’s Eve?
When I lived alone, I never paid attention to such things.
“In that case… I’ll have kitsune udon.”
“Fufu. Understood.”
Why is Tamake laughing?
(‘It’s because of that kitsune,’ Demon thought.)
As I slowly drank the cocoa and ate the toast, it turned 7 o’clock, and Tamake began preparing to leave.
Meanwhile, the TV broadcast details of my career thus far, but the commentary from the announcer and commentators is hilariously off the mark.
Theories range from having a twin sister, being a spy for the witch, to being the child of a fairy.
“Alright, I’ll be going now, but please rest properly.”
After placing the bento on the table with a thud, Tamake departed using a simple teleportation device.
Given the snowfall, it’s probably better to use the expensive teleportation device than to travel through the snow.
At least until noon, I’ve secured some free time.
I may not be able to fight, but there are things I can do.
(Would I be found out immediately if I transformed?)
“As long as you don’t enter the Magic Bureau’s detection range or inside a barrier, you should be fine. Since I can set up a simple barrier now, let me know if you plan to transform.”
(Understood. What exactly is this simple barrier?)
“It’s a small barrier that prevents magical energy from being detected. I can cover the size of this house.”
It doesn’t seem like I’ll use it much, but it’s convenient this time.
(Then, set it up.)
“Got it~”
A transparent wave-like form spreads from around my abdomen.
Is this the barrier being set up?
(We’re good. So, what am I going to do?)
(I thought I’d transform into my second form while it’s safe and check how it feels. Even though my mental state affects the second form, confirming it now won’t hurt.)
Instead of the abnormal transformation I experienced during the battle with Shengxi, I transformed normally, glowing as my clothing and hair changed.
Glancing over my body lightly, it seems the outfit has become slightly more elaborate.
The skirt now has a double-layered structure with added frills.
Additionally, a hooded cape was added.
Subtly pleasing.
And furthermore… hmm.
“How does it feel? Is anything different from before?”
(The defense seems enhanced in this state. Also—)
I summoned the black sword transformed from Demon with my right hand and the red sword crafted from Fool’s resources with my left.
“Hmm hmm. Enhanced defense and increased attack options. While it might be useful against monsters, fighting multiple magical girls simultaneously is unlikely, so it might be questionable.”
As Demon pointed out, against magical girls, the strength of each strike is more important than speed.
Well, whether I use it or not is my choice, but using it as a throwing weapon might be viable.
Apparently, the cape can be removed like other equipment.
I dismissed both swords and reverted to the White Mage form.
There’s a sense of fatigue from anemia, but otherwise, there’s no discomfort.
Now that I think about it, there’s a yellow line drawn on the staff.
Is this residue from Fool?
Speaking of Fool, there was something I wanted to ask Demon.
(Hey, Demon.)
“What’s up?”
(Can Demon change its form?)
“It can. My current form is both energy-saving and disguise. In this form, even if someone sees me, I can pretend to be a fairy.”
Thinking about Fool’s appearance, I guess Demon can indeed change its form.
One day, I’d like to see Demon’s true form, but not now.
Since I’ve confirmed what I needed to, I’ll sleep now.
(So, I’ll de-transform and sleep. Wake me if anything happens.)
“Understood. Sleep well.”
It’s somewhat inappropriate for a 26-year-old man to sleep in a girl’s futon upon calm reflection, but there’s nothing to be done about it.
