A Magical Girl’s Solo Performance
I awaken not with the sensation of waking up, but with a different awareness dawning.
―Not this again.
The floor is circular, inscribed with geometric patterns.
As before, an impenetrable darkness stretches endlessly around me.
I wonder who it will be this time… though perhaps it’s tasteless to even ponder that.
I sense someone behind me.
“Congratulations. And thank you.”
“Fool… Is this what remains of you?”
The Fool standing there is translucent, clearly no longer alive.
The Demon did say that the Fool was dead.
Remnants… Perhaps I should have called them lingering thoughts instead?
“About right. It seems my abilities are functioning properly. Since this is likely the first time anyone’s done this, I was a bit anxious.”
“I see. I appreciate the abilities, but why?”
Why would you do such a foolish thing?
Because of you, the Demon regained their powers and also gained the Fool’s power as The Magician.
In exchange, the Fool perished.
What else could one call this but a foolish act?
“Perhaps because I saw potential in what might be the last, and worst, magical girl.”
Last and worst, huh.
If the remaining three Arcanas don’t find their contractors soon, that seems like how it’ll end.
Calling a magical girl without a sense of justice “the worst” is pretty harsh, but if such a title fits, it can’t be helped.
And potential, you say? I doubt I possess any such thing.
“I don’t think I have any potential. You should tell that to some girl who dreams of becoming a magical girl.”
“No, you have a potential unlike any previous contractors. I believe in you being able to defeat witches.”
You’re smiling so purely, like a young boy.
Since you’re already dead, you’re saying whatever you please…
“I don’t care what anyone thinks of me. I’ll do things my own way.”
“Yeah, that’s fine. As long as you stay true to yourself, that’s all that matters. My or the Demon’s wishes would just get in your way anyway. But please, don’t betray the Demon. As long as you stand with the Demon, I’ll lend my strength.”
Though they seem to constantly feud, the Fool does seem to care about the Demon.
I’m not interested in the inner workings of the Arcanas, but if I were to betray the Demon, it would likely be after this world’s battles conclude.
Until then, betrayal is probably unlikely.
“As long as the Demon intends to fight witches, I won’t betray them. I still need the Arcana’s power.”
“Haha. I’ll leave the rest to you, Inny Flowering.”
As the Fool fades away, leaving behind a single card, I remember that without them, I never would have defeated Mastidizaya.
Even converting souls into magic power wouldn’t have been enough – our raw abilities were too far apart.
The Fool might be called my second savior.
The remaining card turns out to be The Fool card.
As I take it in hand, it dissolves into my body.
“I’ll make sure to repay the debt for your help.”
I tightly clench the hand that held the card.
You weren’t half bad, actually.
1
“Wake up. Wake up, magical girl.”
What kind of way is that to wake someone?
Feels more like sobering up than waking up.
I feel like I had a dream, but I can’t quite recall it.
It was something like the Fool entrusting me with something.
Maybe I’ll ask the Demon about who the Fool was next time.
When I open the curtains, all I see is an endless snowscape outside, devoid of color.
Children might be delighted, but for adults, this must feel like hell.
(Am I awake? What time is it?)
“It’s 12:30. Tamake came back, so I woke you up. She’ll probably come to your room soon.”
Either she’s dutifully returned or finished unusually early.
Either way, I should probably get up too.
As I sit up from bed, Tamake enters the room.
“Oh, you’re awake? I don’t think you’ve eaten lunch yet, are you okay?”
“Are you okay, Tamake? More than me, I mean.”
Tamake looks extremely pale, on the verge of collapsing.
Even though we haven’t known each other long, I’ve already seen her looking unwell multiple times and vomiting.
Shouldn’t she take a break from being a magical girl and rest?
“You’re fine. Come on, let’s eat lunch together.”
Led by Tamake, I head to the living room to eat bentos.
This is probably the first time I’ve eaten a bento inside since elementary school.
Back then, my sister was still around and life was happy, but within a few years, everything changed…
I was trying not to dwell on those memories, but Mastidizaya made me remember them.
Back then, I thought it couldn’t be helped, but now resentment boils up uncontrollably.
I’d rather not think about it, but if I were to encounter that magical girl now, I don’t know what would happen.
She’s probably retired by now considering her age, but there are exceptions like Prizes.
Please, don’t appear before my eyes.
Tamake’s chopsticks move slowly through the bento, and the atmosphere feels heavy.
…
“Is something wrong?”
“Um… yeah. Do you know how many magical girls are in the North Kanto Branch?”
“Yes, Star Nail and Blue Colette, along with Marin, make three, right?”
“Right. So, I’m Star Nail, but… Blue Colette has…”
Summarizing what Star Nail said, Blue Colette has gone missing, and it seems to be serious.
Blue Colette has been Star Nail’s long-time partner, but recently has been acting unstable in ways beyond their partnership.
The North Kanto Branch believes it’s highly likely that Blue Colette has become a designated target.
They’re trying to talk to her before any harm occurs, hoping for a peaceful resolution.
However, both Star Nail and Marin think it won’t end peacefully.
Especially Star Nail, who has been partners with Blue Colette for years, seems to think they’ll have no choice but to fight her.
They don’t want to fight, but they may have to.
And if they meet Blue Colette and choose not to fight, it would be Star Nail who gets killed.
If Blue Colette had simply disappeared, it wouldn’t be such a big deal, but given the timing, it’s definitely not just a disappearance.
There’s no doubt witches are involved.
By the way, Blue Colette’s real name is apparently Nana Hashimoto.
(What do you think?)
“There’s a possibility the witches have done something. What Haruna chooses to do is up to them, but if the witches have harmed Blue Colette, there’s no choice but to kill them.”
I see…
“So, Tamake, what do you intend to do?”
“I… If Nana becomes our enemy, I’ll fight her. I have to… because I’m a magical girl.”
“With that look on your face, can you really fight?”
“But… But if I don’t! I was Nana’s partner! It’s my fault… It’s all my fault…”
She’s taking it pretty hard.
She seems worse off than Marin was a while ago.
It all started that day when I got caught up in the argument between Star Nail and Blue Colette.
Letting them kill each other might be fine, but to repay the favor of the udon they gave me, this is perfect timing.
Even Star Nail or Marin might not be able to defeat Blue Colette if the witches have truly done something to her.
“Alright. There’s nothing I can do as a mere civilian, but if you meet Blue Colette and find her in trouble, why not ask for help?”
“Ask who?”
I shift my gaze to the TV, where a Magic Bureau press conference is being broadcasted as usual, demanding people report my whereabouts immediately if seen.
“Inny Flowering?”
“Yes. From what I’ve heard, she helps magical girls, doesn’t she? Though she’s currently missing, she might come, right?”
‘Solo performance extraordinaire!’
Well, the person herself is right here, so they probably wouldn’t expect that. While it’s not certain she can help, giving some hope might be better.
“But I was pretty cruel to her during the M·D·W skirmish… She probably won’t help me…”
Speaking of which, I remember her having a tough time then too, with civilian rescues and all. Both she and the Demon were upset at the time.
“Do magical girls refuse to help others based on personal grudges? Anyway, it’s Tamake’s choice. Just make sure you don’t regret it.”
“Yeah… Even though I’m supposed to be the older sister, Fūru acts more like one, huh?”
Tamake giggles “hehe” and appears to have cheered up a little.
“Anyway, shouldn’t you finish eating?”
“Ahh! That’s right!”
From the sound of it, they’re about to start searching for Blue Colette. Searching in this much snow is going to be tough.
“I’ll wash the bento boxes, so don’t worry about it. Let me return the favor for all your help.”
“Thank you! I’ll probably be back tonight, so dinner’s on you!”
Tamake quickly finishes the remaining bento and rushes out.
Such a hurried person.
…Since Star Nail’s searching, Marin probably is too.
It’d be ideal if Star Nail and Blue Colette ran into each other, but that’s unlikely.
Given my rotten luck, it’ll probably lead to a bad outcome.
(Just confirming, is Marin nearby?)
“Hmm… Seems like they’re around Ōta. They probably won’t come this way.”
(That’s good, but let me know if there’s a chance of running into them.)
Mika would be fine, but encountering Marin comes with unpredictable words and actions.
(Acknowledged. I’ll handle it appropriately.)
I’d prefer definite action over vague promises, but arguing would just make them sulk, so I’ll leave it at that.
My health seems to be improving, so I’d like to go out, but this snow makes it impossible.
I could go to the Fairy Realm, but even if I did, it’s not like I’d run into the destructionists.
Guess I’ll sleep some more.
After washing my empty bento box and Tamake’s, I return to her room.
(Well, I’m going back to sleep. Take care.)
“Eating and sleeping all the time will make you fat!”
I’d love to get fat if I could.
Since becoming this body, my weight hasn’t increased at all.
The main reason is that nutrients are used up regenerating my limbs, so there’s nothing I can do about it.
I can’t eat that much at once either, so gaining weight takes time.
There are probably many magical girls striving to lose weight, but I want to gain weight.
(Thinking ahead, it’d probably be better to put on more weight… Well, good night.)
“Well, for now, I’m just a petite figure. Good night~”
