Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: A Sky That Looks Like It's Going to Rain
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Recently, I'd started having dreams every night.
The content of the dreams wasn't anything special. It was just me meeting the culprit again—the one responsible for trapping me in this damned girl's body.
"Gasp…!"
Naturally, every time I woke up from the dream and opened my eyes… I couldn't tell if this was reality or just another nightmare, so I'd stare blankly around me. And every time, I'd realize it anew.
This world was so fragile, riddled with cracks that could lead to its sudden destruction without warning.
"……."
I was anxious. Terrified. What if another Blackout hit next time? Did I even have anything left to offer as a price with my current self? Instinct told me the answer. I wouldn't be able to do a damn thing.
—By the way, the incident with that Magical Girl who assaulted civilians has been making headlines lately.
The anchor's voice from the news playing on my phone pulled me back to reality, dragging me out of my anxiety first thing in the morning.
—Attention has turned to the fact that the two victims were caught secretly filming the Magical Girl's junior, shifting public opinion somewhat. Still, some are saying a Magical Girl has no business laying hands on civilians…
It didn't matter anymore. Sure, Yu-na's attempt to reassure me by flapping her skirt and insisting she had shorts underneath was a bit annoying, but whatever.
"…Pathetic."
Thanks to it, though, I finally understood. How complacent these people were, how utterly devoid of any sense of crisis. It made my teeth grind.
Crunch.
Before I knew it, biting my nails had become a habit… I changed into some casual clothes and slowly opened my mouth.
"—Transform."
Being Seriel calmed the churning in my chest, if only a little.
Knock, knock.
"Senior! It's me!"
Why was this guy's house always so bleak? On this rare weekend morning, Yu-na had come to visit her favorite senior—Ha-yul's place. No answer from the doorbell, so she pounded on the front door like she was trying to break it down.
Bang! Bang!
This wasn't just anyone—it was her, the cute and adorable junior, who'd announced yesterday that she'd come over to cheer him up. He should have been waiting outside, right? But remembering how exhausted he'd looked lately, Yu-na pounded the door again, worry gnawing at her.
"Senior! Ow, come on! Get out here quick! It's cold!"
After hammering away like the door might shatter… she finally heard slow footsteps approaching from inside. Only then did Yu-na, shivering and hugging herself, wait.
"…Did you leave your phone somewhere and boil ramen instead? If the doorbell doesn't work, calling would've been faster."
With the click of the door lock, the door swung open. There stood her familiar senior, Ha-yul—or rather, the white-haired Magical Girl Seriel—looking utterly baffled as she spoke.
"Anyway, I didn't know the doorbell was busted. Sorry."
"Uh, yeah. N-No, it's fine."
"Come in. I was gonna whip something up, but I haven't gone grocery shopping lately, so there's nothing. I'll get ready quick—let's grab something outside."
This was a scenario Yu-na hadn't anticipated… so she just scratched her head dumbly at the sight of Seriel in pajamas.
"…Um, Senior?"
"Yeah? What?"
"Well… I mean… why are you transformed?"
Honestly, she'd expected him to be utterly depressed. Partly to comfort him, partly to extract some naughty promises for when he returned to his original body. But what the hell was this situation?
"Just. More comfortable this way."
"O-Okay."
Had she completely forgotten Aruel's advice to get used to this form? Seriel, wearing slightly oversized blue men's pajamas, handed Yu-na a steaming cup of tea before darting back to her room.
"Wait here while I change."
"Sure…."
Left alone in the living room, which held only a worn sofa and a full-length mirror…
"……."
Only now did the emptiness hit her—no furniture, no appliances, nothing that should be there. Her face twisted oddly as she stood and looked around.
'Is this… really a house?'
Houses varied by taste, sure… but living somewhere naturally accumulated stuff. Yet Ha-yul's place had none of that.
Minimalism had its limits. She'd imagined his usual self with a room plastered in Magical Girl merch, but no need to search here. Nothing to find anyway.
"Sorry. Didn't keep you waiting long, did I?"
Snapping out of her quiet inspection of the barren room… Yu-na whipped her head around at Ha-yul's voice, eyes lighting up.
"…Senior?"
"Yeah?"
"You planning to go out like that?"
"Yeah."
There he was, still in Seriel's transformed state, just changed clothes, hat pulled low over the white hair.
"Detransform?"
"Hm."
"A hat won't fix that face."
"Ugh…."
"Sen. Ior."
Only after she planted hands on hips and gave him a stern glare… did a faint glow envelop him as he detransformed, revealing his true self.
"There you go."
"Ugh. Hate going out like this."
As his height dropped suddenly, Ha-yul pouted. Yu-na placed hands on his shoulders, massaging gently, then flashed a bright smile.
"Think of it as enjoying the time before you get your body back."
She knew he hated this form. But she also knew denying it by hiding as Seriel wasn't healthy.
"Do it again on my birthday, and I'll really get mad."
"…Fine. Got it."
Yu-na decided to pressure him a bit forcefully, even using her upcoming birthday at year's end.
'I was hoping he'd secretly pamper me without me saying anything. Oh well.'
Word was, even the Boss was looking into ways to restore him. Reliable veteran Magical Girl Teacher Aruel was helping from multiple angles too. It'd work out. Just hang in there a little longer. Yu-na tried organizing what to talk about today, smiling brightly again—but
"What? Why the face?"
All those thoughts vanished like a blank page the moment their eyes met.
"…Nothing."
She couldn't say it. He acted normal on the surface, but eye contact revealed it: no words would comfort him now. His eyes were utterly lifeless.
"……."
The whole time wandering outside with Ha-yul… Yu-na chatted cheerfully without letting on her growing heartache, like something rotting inside.
"Senior. Thanks for today—it was fun."
"Me too. Feels like my mind's a bit lighter thanks to you."
A bit earlier than usual, at the fork leading to their homes, she spoke to him with a bittersweet pang.
"Take care going home."
"You sure I can't walk you?"
"Nah, I'm good. I'm not a kid."
"…Middle schoolers are kids."
"Next year, high school!"
She couldn't voice that in this form, she should be the one walking him home. So she settled for him not escorting her.
Ring…
Once Ha-yul was out of sight… Yu-na quietly made a call.
"Yes, Teacher. It's Yu-na. I think I need to talk about Senior."
Instead of home, she headed to the Magical Girl specialist hospital she'd frequented lately.
Meanwhile.
"…What's her deal? Looked down all day."
On the way home after parting with Yu-na, the black-haired girl—Ha-yul—tilted her head, wondering if she should turn back and escort her.
"Sigh… Who's worrying who… My life's the mess right now… She's fine, probably."
She sighed, realizing belatedly that to others, she looked more worrisome—though Yu-na never said it outright—and trudged on.
Step, step.
Thinking she was striding purposefully… but to onlookers, it was just cute little steps. Staring at the ground with a sigh, oblivious—
"Now! Grab her!"
"…Huh?"
Passing a quiet alley, a sudden voice rang out. Rough, thick hands seized her arms and legs… dragging her into the encroaching darkness.
Rumble…
Thus, as she was hauled away… the last thing Ha-yul saw was the overcast sky, looking like rain despite winter.