Magical Girl and the Mysterious Closet
Consciousness slowly surfaced.
Normally, I’m woken up either by the alarm clock or an imp, but strangely enough, I woke up naturally today.
I want to go for a walk, but since it’s snowing outside, going out isn’t an option.
Getting up, I absentmindedly look around the room, but about 90% of the items here were bought by Thalagong or classmates from my academy days.
Come to think of it, there are still a lot of things left in my dorm room, so I should probably check on them later.
The manager is that Prizes guy, so he must have kept them instead of throwing them away.
If the entire room has been cleared out, there’s nothing I can do, but I’d at least like to preserve the things they bought for me.
Even though I’ll eventually leave this world, it’s only proper as a member of society to honor basic courtesies—like the saying “a bird leaving its perch doesn’t muddy the water.”
Besides, even though I don’t need them, I feel this nagging sense of waste inside me.
In gaming terms, it would be outrageous to throw these away.
“Huh? You waking up first is rare. Good morning.”
(Good morning. I just happened to wake up.)
I change into the hoodie I retrieved from Thalagong’s room and head toward the living room.
…Ah, that’s right. The imp had helped put some of them away.
This one must’ve stayed quiet yesterday because they wanted me to wear cute clothes.
I should’ve noticed, but I completely forgot.
Letting it go as something unavoidable, I move on.
On the dining table, there’s a note summarizing that I should take it easy and rest.
Additionally, it said if I could visit Arongante, I should go.
—Why a note? Wouldn’t it have been easier to send it via terminal? Well, I don’t get it.
Anyway, let’s eat breakfast.
(I’ll order the beans. My favorite kind.)
“Alright. Oh, there’s orange juice in the fridge, so please help yourself.”
While the water boils, I grind the beans manually with a mill to prepare.
Afterward, I pour the orange juice into a glass and place it on the table.
The imp that emerged from me starts drinking while I make the coffee in the meantime.
“Would you like something to eat?”
“I’m good—thanks!”
Then, I’ll make something for myself.
There are still ingredients left from what Fleur bought yesterday, so I won’t lack for food.
There’s still meat left too, but eating meat for breakfast feels heavy.
Well, physically, it wouldn’t be a problem, but ever since I ate meat for breakfast back when I was a man and got indigestion, I haven’t felt like doing it again.
It might have been because the meal was steak, which was probably the main cause.
I never experienced indigestion from eating sausages or bacon.
That time made me realize I was getting older…
I casually make a soup and spread jam on toasted bread to eat.
I spend about half an hour leisurely enjoying breakfast.
(Do you know where Arongante was talking about?)
“The address has been sent to your terminal. Are we going?”
(Since I’m free anyway and staying home won’t accomplish much…)
Outside, it’s snowing, and the spots Thalagong melted yesterday are already starting to accumulate again.
Even if I went downtown, the stores would likely be closed due to the snow.
Even if I teleport somewhere, given the current situation, I wouldn’t be able to relax.
Besides, it’s more comfortable to transform than stay in human form since I don’t have to worry about the cold or heat.
“Got it. Are we leaving now?”
(I’ll stretch a bit, take a bath, and then we’ll go. What time is it?)
“It’s 8:00 AM.”
(If so, let Arongante know we’ll come around 10:00 AM.)
I quickly finish the remaining coffee, stand up, wash all the dishes, brush my teeth, and start stretching and working out.
Even though no muscles seem to be developing, I believe doing this will help somewhat.
“Come on, five more push-ups!”
(This side is easy.)
When I first started, I could only do ten sit-ups, but now I can manage around twenty.
That’s double, so maybe it’s not entirely accurate to say no muscles are forming, but it’s probably negligible.
As soon as I finish twenty, I collapse onto the floor.
Back when I was a man, I could do about a hundred, but this is how it is now.
Aim for fifty!
By the way, I heard from the academy that Marin can do over a hundred.
Even without transforming, magical girls receive certain benefits, so it’s not unusual, but for some reason, I felt a little sad at the time.
After resting a bit, I ask the imp to massage me before taking a bath.
Once my hair is dried, the imp merges with me, completing the preparations.
We have some time until we need to leave, but as adults, it’s good to act early.
(Where exactly is Arongante’s base?)
“It’s in a corner of the Fairy Realm. It seems isolated by a barrier, and now you can only access it via teleporter. Well, I could intrude using a direct transfer, but what do you want to do?”
(Are there any disadvantages to directly transferring?)
“Normally, an alarm would sound, but it won’t be a problem for me. At worst, there won’t be anyone to greet us. Anyway, considering the time, it’s the same whether we use the teleporter or transfer directly after arriving in the Fairy Realm, so I’ll leave the decision to Haruna.”
Going directly means I won’t encounter anyone, but it might inconvenience the other party slightly. On the other hand, using the teleporter means briefly appearing in front of people.
(Speaking of which, how am I perceived these days?)
Yesterday, while heading to the teleporter, I was holding hands with Thalagong, but no one looked at me like I was a criminal.
Rather, it was more like they were looking at me with pity, which felt a bit strange.
“Originally, the only ones actively targeting Haruna were magical girls closely tied to the Magic Bureau, and their upper management collapsed. Moreover, the Magic Bureau’s corruption has been announced in the news, and Haruna is now seen as a victim.”
(I see. What about those magical girls connected to the Magic Bureau?)
Considering the usual scenario, they’d either be executed or imprisoned like during the Tohoku Branch incident, but now, everyone’s desperate for manpower.
It seems unlikely they’d intentionally reduce their fighting force.
“Unfortunately, those who have dirtied their hands will have to face consequences, but it looks like magical girls who only engaged in financial misconduct may escape punishment depending on their achievements. It’s a reasonable judgment, I suppose.”
I understand. That’s a fair resolution.
Just in case, while in White Mage form, I haven’t done anything…illegal.
I might have made a few enemies, but I’m probably fine.
Personally, I think directly transferring would be less troublesome.
However, logically, using the teleporter is the norm.
—Let’s transfer directly.
(Please arrange the direct transfer. Make sure to inform Arongante.)
“Understood.”
We have about thirty minutes until the scheduled time, so I’ll check my clothes.
I doubt I’ll wear them, but I’m curious about the new additions.
Returning to the room and opening the closet, I feel a slight sense of unease.
Closing it once, I measure the depth from the closet to the hallway.
Opening it again, it definitely feels off.
(The closet seems larger inside. Why is that?)
“A space-expansion spell has been cast. You often see this in facilities, but it’s rare for personal closets. They’re quite expensive.”
Thalagong must have plenty of money despite being a ranker…
Still, there was no need to go this far…
It’s like the celebrity closets I saw on TV once.
Stepping inside and glancing around, all the clothes fit my size perfectly.
There’s also a dresser and wardrobe in the room, but I don’t know what Thalagong is thinking.
If I grow taller, all these clothes will become useless.
Does she think I won’t grow?
Most of the clothes Thalagong chooses are elegant rather than cute.
Many have significant exposure, bordering on risqué.
There are normal ones too, but generally, they’re like that.
“Shouldn’t you try wearing this next time?”
(No.)
I thought I’d give everything a quick look, but since time is up, I stop halfway through.
I’ll tell Thalagong to hold back on buying clothes.
While a few pieces are manageable, hundreds could inconvenience others.
For some reason, the imp stored a few, but I hope I never have to wear them.
Let’s forget about the closet for now.
I transform for the transfer and pull the hood over my head as usual.
(Alright, I’ll leave it to you.)
“Understood. I’ll transfer you to the facility’s teleporter.”
A floating sensation envelops me, and my vision shifts.
All I can see from the somewhat narrow teleporter are white walls and a reception desk.
The fairy at the counter looks startled at my sudden appearance, understandably so.
People don’t just emerge from inactive teleporters without causing surprise.
“Ahh! Who are you?! If this is an illegal entry, Ranker Arongante won’t tolerate it!”
It would be convenient to have a business card in situations like this, but I didn’t prepare one.
She points what looks like a gun at me with trembling hands, but is this adequate security?
If I can transfer here, witches can too.
An attack would result in instant death…
…Well, as security, it makes sense to have someone of ranker level here.
It’s impractical to deploy anyone less capable, and otherwise, there wouldn’t be much difference.
This fairy must’ve drawn the short straw.
“I’m Inny Flowering. Has Arongante not mentioned me?”
“Inny Flowering? Ah! You mean Inie-san! Please don’t scare me like that. Yes, I’ve been informed. Please proceed to Arongante-sama’s office. Here’s a map for reference.”
The fairy sighs in relief and returns to the counter, handing me a pamphlet.
Opening it, I find a layout of the facility.
“Thank you.”
“Next time, please use the teleporter properly. I was scared to death, thinking I’d be killed!”
If there’s a next time, I’ll transfer near the restroom or something.
Since I know the location, I can transfer anywhere.
“I’ll handle it accordingly.”
Ignoring the fairy tapping me lightly, I slip through the door and head toward Arongante’s office.
The facility doesn’t seem to have a specific name, but judging by the map, it’s quite large.
There’s a cafeteria, a store, and even rooms for naps.
One could practically live here.
After walking for a few minutes, I reach the office.
I didn’t encounter anyone, likely because the facility isn’t fully operational yet.
Now, I wonder if Arongante rested properly?
