Cherry Blossoms and a Limited Edition Doll
"Want it?"
"Hee hee...."
What the hell was so funny to this electronic lifeform?
I couldn't hold back my curiosity and asked, but all I got back was some weird text message like 'You need to respect me.' So I decided to just ignore it.
Fresh sunlight and the gentle scent of cherry blossoms brushed past my senses.
On a day like this, I wanted to slack off leisurely, but skipping on the first day back would probably put our homeroom teacher in a tough spot.
As I debated plopping down on a bench I spotted along the way, a cool spring breeze came rushing at me.
Cherry blossom petals fluttered through my field of vision, making the hem of my skirt sway just a little.
I stared at the petals clinging to my sight, oblivious even to my skirt fluttering.
"Pretty."
It felt like I hadn't properly enjoyed a scene like this in nearly five years, too busy with work.
I walked on slowly, watching the petals drift down one by one.
I still had plenty of time, after all.
'1-4'
Creak.
As I passed through the quiet hallway and reached the classroom, the first thing I saw was the sparkling clean windows.
They'd fixed it up faster than I'd expected.
Looking around the room, about seven students were already there.
I thought I'd come early, but seven people? These kids these days are diligent.
I headed back to the seat I'd taken at the entrance ceremony, and a familiar voice came from the seat next to mine.
"Oh, hey!"
Yun Seoyeon.
I pulled my chair over and faced her.
Even sitting down, the height difference was bigger than I'd thought—I still had to look up at her.
Forcing eye contact, I opened my mouth.
"Long time no see."
The desks were farther apart than I'd imagined.
Back in my day, they'd been right up against each other, but low birth rates must've hit here too.
Too far to call close, but one step forward and you'd touch— that awkward distance.
In that space, Seoyeon hesitated like she had something to say, but soon gave up.
The week's gap must've felt longer than expected.
"How've you been?"
She asked first, and she looked a bit surprised that I'd beaten her to it.
"Uh, yeah!? Oh! Y-Yeah! Good! You?"
"Decent."
Nothing much had happened in that week.
At best, helping magical girls... or helping magical girls... or, yeah, helping magical girls.
"What'd you do?"
Not a single one had left a review despite my requests—mixed in with some side services, even handling their trash sometimes.
Was this the plight of a self-employed hustler?
"Sea?"
No reviews at all. I'd even thrown in side menus, done odd jobs like trash disposal, but still nothing. How could reality be this cruel—
"Sea?"
Ah.
"Sorry. Got lost in thought for a sec."
Lost in my lament, I'd missed what she said.
"Thought you were sick or something. Anyway, what'd you do?"
Thankfully, she didn't seem offended and asked again.
"Just messed around on my phone."
Best not to tell even friends about magical girl activities if possible.
Privacy aside, magical girls basically had to hide their identities.
That's what made them magical girls. One who didn't hide couldn't be top-tier.
These days, plenty went public, but it always felt a bit off. The thrill of secrecy was the best part. Modern magical girls lacked professional spirit. Not that I hated it, though.
Anyway, to keep the convo going, I turned it back to her.
"You?"
"Same. Nothing to do during break, so phone it was. Kinda lost touch with middle school friends after drifting apart...."
Yeah, casual friends from middle/high school got awkward to contact after graduation.
They'd reply happily if you reached out first, but initiating felt weird.
"Oh yeah, didn't you live overseas? No contact with friends there?"
"Nah."
Didn't exist in the first place, so nothing to say.
I could've faked it, but fabricating that level of detail pricked my conscience.
"You don't keep in touch with anyone close either, huh?"
She gave a wry smile at our shared situation and held out her phone.
"In that spirit!"
"?"
"Let's swap numbers!"
Oh right, we hadn't exchanged before parting.
No harm in it, so I turned on my phone.
Sofia was dozing peacefully on the wallpaper.
Ignoring her, I read off the number I'd set.
"010-..."
Temporary fake number. Most of my ID info was fabricated.
Sofia swore it wouldn't trace back, but still made me uneasy.
Mascots in anime were usually useless—hope she wasn't one.
Seoyeon called to test.
"Rang okay?"
Vrrr....
Soon, the phone in my hand vibrated, ringtone echoing.
♪~
The quiet classroom filled with my ringtone, heads turning toward the sound.
Ah.
I quickly hung up on Seoyeon and saved her number.
'Yun Seoyeon'
As the sound faded, kids went back to their own stuff.
That startled me.
First number swap since starting school. Success.
No clue where this friendship would go, but making a friend was good.
She smiled happily too.
"Oh! You said you like magical girls last time, right?"
Still smiling, she suddenly asked.
"Yeah."
She grinned wider and rummaged in her bag.
Gonna give me merch? I had spares for most, but—
"Ta-da! Limited edition English Lavender embroidered doll!"
What.
"How'd you...?"
"Oh? You know it?"
Of course. One of the congratulatory goods for C-rank+ magical girls. Only 50 made nationwide—insanely hard to get. One I hadn't snagged yet.
Hands trembling, I asked.
"Can I... touch it?"
"Duh! Here!"
I'd braced for begging, but she handed it over readily.
Was she an angel?
Taking the embroidered doll with shaking hands.
"Ooh...."
Even made of cloth and stuffing, the premium feel was heavenly.
And the appearance? Master craftsmen and magic girls with crafting magic made it a luxury among luxuries—fidelity unreal.
Her sharp, cold eyes, white-lavender harmony, even the dark spear staff—perfect.
A masterpiece.
"That into it?"
I just nodded furiously.
"Hee hee... Glad you like it."
Her gaze got more suspicious, but I didn't care.
"How'd you get this? You a Lavender fan too?"
She looked flustered at my barrage.
"Uh, got it from an acquaintance.... Was in a bind, thought you might want it—"
Nod nod nod nod nod nod nod
I don't refuse gifts.
Sad she wasn't a fan, but then I'd treasure it for English Lavender.
"For real?"
Double-checked.
"Could sell for hundreds easy. You sure?"
No hesitation.
"Fine by me. Selling's a hassle anyway."
Real angel.
"Then I'll gladly take it."
"Urk...."
Hugging the doll tight, rubbing my face on it—odd noise from next to me.
She clutched her mouth and nose, wiping like motions.
But no regrets now. She'd given it, and I'd given plenty chance.
No take-backs, no matter the pitiful gestures.
I gripped the doll and turned away.
Drip.
Something like a water drop hit my ear.
"...?"
Leak? Looked up—no sign.
Drip.
Pinned the source.
Drip.
Right next...?
Turning to her spot—
"M-My heart...."
Seoyeon, clutching her chest, nose gushing blood excessively.