An ordinary person killed by a Magical Girl.
Winter nights come early.
This hasn’t changed even now when Monsters run rampant.
People usually go home when it gets dark, eat dinner, and go to bed, but the Monsters don’t rest even when night falls.
If Monsters appear, that means the Magical Girls must work too.
It seems the Magical Girls from the Magic Bureau are working in shifts, but thinking about how the girls have to work at night makes me feel the times are changing.
I’d like to keep fighting as long as my strength lasts, but since I’m living under Tamake’s roof, it would be rude not to return before dinner.
And once I return, that day’s extermination is over.
Generally, I wrap up exterminations around 6 PM and head home.
The house is still unlit, so it seems Tamake hasn’t returned yet.
When I解除 my transformation, the cold suddenly feels biting.
After turning on the heater, I boil water and brew some roasted tea.
(“Other than the Nightmare issue, today went without problems.”)
“It might be the biggest problem, but if push comes to shove, we can eliminate her. If Haruna’s actions get in the way, it’s better she’s not around.”
Strange, or maybe it’s just that when it comes to me, the Demon occasionally gets extreme…
Even though their basic stance is to help Magical Girls, they say ‘if they’re an obstacle, eliminate them’… They’re pretty extreme.
(Tomorrow is the last day, right? Since I’ll have to travel around the world anyway, focusing on Russia tomorrow doesn’t sound bad.)
“That’s true, but don’t overdo it.”
(Noted.)
Still, living alone in a single house like this young girl makes it feel spacious.
Maybe it would’ve been perfect for a family if it were a one-story house, but being a two-story 4LDK, it might be a bit too big for one person.
I sip the roasted tea while relaxing on the sofa for a while.
I used to dream of spending my days drinking coffee on the veranda while reading books, but these days, that seems impossible.
I may have money, but my lifespan has already shortened by ten years, so I probably don’t have time left for such leisurely pursuits.
No, even if I somehow survive that long, I wouldn’t want such a dull ending.
Rather, it might be interesting for me to fight the world instead of a Witch.
—Though such a future is unlikely.
“Tadaima~”
Just as I was starting to doze off, Tamake came back.
I almost fell asleep again just like yesterday.
Tamake entered with a slightly tired and somewhat gloomy air.
“Okaerinasai. Was everything alright today?”
“Yeah. There were a few things, but it was fine. I’ll start dinner right away.”
…What is this feeling? This is clearly living off someone else, isn’t it?
Or am I like an old man being cared for? Since I’m drinking roasted tea…
Soon, a nice smell starts wafting from the kitchen.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Today’s dish is oyakodon.”
“Thank you.”
We both say “itadakimasu” and start eating.
It’s as delicious as what I ate at the academy or elsewhere.
However, today’s Tamake is unusually quiet.
We finish dinner, moving into post-meal time.
Tamake sits across from me with a cup of cocoa after dinner.
Her expression looks resolute, almost fierce.
“Hey, Fūru…”
“What’s wrong?”
“—What’s your real name?”
…Real? Is she talking about Haruna or Shiro?
“My name is Fūru. There’s nothing else…”
“It’s okay. I noticed something. No, it’s not that I’m sure yet. That’s why, please tell me honestly.”
She looks strained, almost sad.
What’s the point of asking?
“So, what is it?”
“On the night of September 25th, where were you?”
A sound of a chunk of snow falling from the roof echoed through the house.
“This is known, huh? What will you do? You can talk about anything except for me.”
(Hmm. It might be a reward for finding the real me, so maybe I should tell her, but…)
I’m already a dead existence.
At first, I had lingering attachments toward Star Nail and Blue Colette, but that’s all in the past.
I decided to live as Haruna—Inny Flowering.
Even if I told Tamake the truth, it would only create a somber atmosphere, and there would be no benefit to it.
But Tamake’s eyes show no hesitation. Though she says she’s not sure, deep down, she knows the truth.
“—Would it suffice if I said the park where you found me?”
Quiet tears stream down Tamake’s eyes.
Then, slowly, she begins to speak.
“Hazuma… Shiro-san”.
“Yes. I’m Hazuma Shiro, the ordinary person who got involved with you and died.”
Her eyes waver, unable to find words, her mouth opening and closing like a fish.
“Calm down and drink your cocoa. I’m not going anywhere.”
“But—but, I… I!”
“I don’t hold any grudges. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here with you, would I?”
I don’t know how much guilt Tamake carries.
What would an average person think about this?
Because they were Magical Girls, Star Nail and Blue Colette got off lightly, but society must have judged them harshly.
I imagine their unstable mental states stemmed from that.
And now, the person they thought was dead is standing before them.
What could she possibly be thinking right now?
I also killed someone, Blue Colette, but I felt no guilt or revulsion.
If anything, I pitied her a little.
She was killed by someone she hated, and that person turned out to be a detestable Magical Girl.
In the end, she died hating me.
“—Do you not hate us? Nana and I… we…”
“At that time, I did have thoughts, but now I feel nothing.”
If only I could smile at a moment like this, but this body can’t express emotions properly.
“You don’t need to worry anymore, Tamake. Yes, I’ve changed, but I’m still alive.”
I approach her and gently pat her head.
Everything is in the past. There’s no need to dwell on it anymore.
“When did you figure it out?”
“Marin-chan mentioned Inie’s hair before transformation. And Colette said ‘take care of her’ at the end… So… So…”
I see, she connected the dots and then questioned me once she was certain.
Had she stayed silent, we were supposed to part ways in a few more days. Foolish of her to bring this up.
Tears fall drop by drop, leaving trails on her cheeks.
Ideally, I don’t want to be anyone’s memory. It’d be better if people forgot about me.
“Forget about that day. It’s all in the past now.”
“Is it really… okay? I… I…”
“Yes. But if you must worry, then continue to work hard as a Magical Girl. The world still needs Magical Girls.”
(Isn’t it true that when Witches are defeated, Monsters disappear?)
“Not entirely. Their abnormal numbers will decrease, but I doubt they’ll vanish completely. Even if we defeat the Witches of this world, there are still others out there. Until we eliminate the root cause, it won’t end.”
So the end is merely a new beginning.
Whatever. Peace doesn’t exist anywhere, which suits me just fine.
But since Tamake now knows my true identity, maybe I should leave.
“Well, staying with a girl whose inside is actually a man must be unsettling for you.”
I move away from crying Tamake and head towards the entrance. I’ll stay at some hotel tonight.
Fortunately, I have identification, so I won’t be turned away.
“Wait!”
Tamake grabs my clothes from behind.
“Don’t leave me! If you—Fūru—leave now, I… I’ll be all alone again… There’ll be no one… ”
“I planned to leave in a few days anyway. This just speeds things up. Forget everything. Think of it as a fleeting dream.”
I try to shake off Tamake’s hand… but…
I can’t seem to break free…
“—Huh. Despite this appearance, I’m a man inside. Doesn’t that bother you?”
Tamake shakes her head vigorously, her hair getting disheveled.
Her mental state seems as unstable as when we first met.
“That doesn’t matter! Because of Fūru’s words! Because of Fūru’s feelings! Because Inie helped me… ”
Tamake clings to me, refusing to let go.
I technically have ways to get rid of her.
If I transform into my second form, I possess superhuman strength and could easily leave.
Or I could blow her away with magic.
But considering the hospitality she’s shown, I’d rather not resort to violence.
(What should I do? I could leave now, but abandoning a girl who looks ready to commit suicide leaves a bad taste.)
“You can do whatever you want. If Haruna approves, I won’t say anything. Just remember, human life is heavier than Haruna realizes. Once lost, it can never be regained.”
Considering the previous owner of this body and the Demon’s abilities, those are surprisingly heavy words.
I know the weight of life well. Yet, when it comes to myself, it always feels lighter. Why is that?
It’s not that I’m giving up, but I don’t feel much emotion about it.
Perhaps losing important things and accepting death in that park affected me.
So, what should I do?
If Tamake were a bad person, it would be easier, but oh well…
“Understood. I’ll stay until the agreed date. Please stop crying… ”
“Really? You won’t leave?”
“Of course. Sit properly. I’ll make fresh cocoa for you, so wait a moment.”
I guide Tamake to stand and sit on the chair. Quite some time has passed, so I reheat the cooled cocoa and serve it to her.
“Thank you… Should I call you Haruna or Fūru?”
“Either is fine. Both are pseudonyms, after all. Did you tell anyone else about me?”
“No one. Besides, even if I did, no one would believe me.”
Well, if someone claimed a deceased person had become a Magical Girl, it’d be hard to believe.
If I heard it, I’d probably recommend a hospital visit.
Tamake believed despite all that.
“Is that so? —Do you not hate me for killing Blue Colette?”
Star Nail’s partner and friend: Blue Colette.
Despite it being unavoidable, I wonder what she thinks of me for killing her.
Out of curiosity, I ask.
Tamake looks sad.
After taking a sip of cocoa to moisten her throat, she speaks.
“I know it wasn’t Fūru’s fault, so I don’t hate you. Still, I wished I could have resolved it with my own hands… ”
Resolution. Tamake, who was troubled by my situation, ended up killing her close friend. Could she maintain her sanity?
It feels like she might succumb to guilt and consider suicide.
“You don’t need to dirty your hands. If you regret it, leave it to those above you.”
“But… I wanted to handle Colette myself… I wanted to settle things with her… ”
A desperate plea, filled with longing.
Yet, dirtying one’s hands is always the job of adults.
This suffering is a crucial key to ascending as a Magical Girl.
Marin, Mika, Star Nail…
Those who endure suffering and persevere may reach higher levels and become top-ranked.
I hope they protect the world in my absence.
And someday, I hope they face me…
“Haruna?”
Oops, I zoned out for a moment.
(Nothing. Don’t mind it.)
“In that case, strive to ensure there’s no next time. Now, after finishing your cocoa, take a bath and go to sleep.”
She nods, her teary eyes meeting mine.
If her mind is a mess, a good night’s sleep will reset it.
That way, she can regain clarity in her thoughts.
“…Can we bathe together?”
What is she saying?
After staring at me for a moment, Tamake blurts out something absurd.
“I already said, I may look this way, but I’m a man. It’s illegal for an unrelated adult to bathe with a teenage girl like that.”
“You’re Fūru, so it doesn’t matter!”
“Of course it does. Legally, it’s considered a crime.”
“The household register shows Haruna as an 11-year-old girl?”
(Unfortunately, the inside is a 26-year-old man.)
No, I lack a physical body and am legally dead, but I’m still me.
“From now on, I’ll sleep on the sofa, so please prepare accordingly.”
“Nope.”
“That’s unacceptable.”
I understand she’s lonely, but knowing my true identity, shouldn’t she normally not want to share a bed with me?
I mean, I’m a middle-aged man, right?
Tamake’s cheeks gradually puff up, showing obvious signs of displeasure.
Should I poke them?
“We’ve shared a bed until now, so it’s fine to continue that way.”
“Absolutely not. From today onward, you’ll sleep alone. Hurry up and take your bath; you have Monster extermination duties tomorrow, right?”
While we’ve been dilly-dallying, we’ve both finished our cocoa, so I urge her to go in alone.
For some reason, I feel a different kind of fear compared to Marin, but I’ll stick around until the agreed date at least.
As long as I can find somewhere to stay, I don’t care where I sleep.
