A Madwoman's Laughter and an Eternal Vow
As if despising every single light in existence, a leisurely voice echoed through the space that permitted not even a sliver of illumination.
“Haa… So… it failed, did it…?”
She, who appeared like an ordinary grandmother, directed words of reproach toward the man beside her.
“…I’m sorry.”
In response, the man offered no excuses, simply kneeling and repeating his apologies.
“Haa…”
After a brief sigh, she began admonishing him once more.
“I was curious what kind of being a magical girl turned into a kaijin would become… and now my plaything of ten years is gone.”
“Can’t you just find a new toy?”
It was a conversation that would horrify any normal person, yet they continued as if it were the most natural thing.
“Fine. It was about time I got bored anyway.”
“Oh, that reminds me—there’s something about a magical girl named Pronesis I wanted to tell you.”
At the man’s words, the woman arched an eyebrow with evident interest, leaning in to listen.
“It’s been a while since you’ve spoken about a specific magical girl with such enthusiasm. Go on, tell me.”
With her permission, the man began his introduction.
“She’s appeared about… four months ago, helping out various magical girls wherever she goes.”
His words barely ended when she showed a reaction of lost interest.
“What, that’s it? Are you just into her looks or something?”
The man quickly denied it.
“No, no. For beings like us to indulge in human lust? That’s absurd. Besides, that’s not my ability.”
“Then why bring it up?”
Realizing her growing impatience, the man—knowing that dragging it out further would end poorly—hurried to answer.
“Her unique magic is Warp.”
“Oh…?”
Pronesis’s unique magic piqued the woman’s interest.
“In that case, she’s ■■■■■■■■?”
The woman muttered something under her breath, but no one could hear it.
“Yes, probably…”
At the man’s affirmation, she began laughing silently for a long while.
“Hahahaha!!!!!!!”
Her laughter bordered on madness, instilling a touch of fear in the man. Only when it peaked did she finally stop and speak again.
“Heh heh… How amusing… Truly amusing… Is this what fate is…?”
She addressed Pronesis, who wasn’t even present.
“Yes… Pronesis, was it… In the near future… we’ll surely stand opposed…”
“I look forward to it… very much…”
“…sour.”
“Pfft.”
The bitterness of the espresso I’d sipped to lighten the mood made me grimace involuntarily.
That instantly shattered the tense atmosphere between us, turning it lighthearted in a flash.
I shot a brief glare at her smirking face, and she fished out some sugar cubes from a nearby dispenser, stirring them into my cup.
“Why’d you order black coffee if you can’t handle it?”
Pat pat.
She naturally stroked my head, gazing at me with bittersweet eyes.
“If there’d been dessert, it would’ve been different.”
Oh, right—now I could finally pull something out.
I tried warping in a cake from home, but…
Come to think of it, I’d struggled that morning because there were none left.
She noticed my hand vanishing into thin air and reacted with fascination.
“Were you trying to grab dessert from home? First time seeing it right in front of me.”
“I was gonna get something from home, but there wasn’t any, so I gave up.”
“Pffft… What’s that…?”
What was so funny?
She laughed for a good while at my answer.
Slurp.
Ah, sweet.
Thanks to the sugar she’d added, it had become a pretty tasty coffee.
The sweet-bitter flavor, followed by the fragrant aftertaste.
“Haa…”
This wasn’t half bad.
I should stock up on sugar cubes from now on.
She elegantly savored her own coffee before asking me a question.
“Any special reason you picked my plushie?”
I answered without much thought.
“Just felt like it.”
Having more backup merch was always good, and if possible, I wanted something I’d bought myself rather than received.
As if she’d anticipated it, she followed up immediately.
“Why? You could’ve picked something better as a reward.”
Hmm.
She had a point—something more valuable, materially or otherwise, would’ve been far superior.
Even just racking up a debt with the Association could prove hugely beneficial down the line.
That’s probably what she was wondering about.
I took a sip of coffee and told her.
“Today, I met a magical girl I like, and she made the expression I love seeing.”
“…”
English Lavender fell silent at my response.
Was there something off about my answer? Or another point to ponder?
At least, no rush. With time to spare, I sipped the coffee she’d sweetened, waiting for her next question.
Slurp.
In the quiet cafe, with just the two of us, the sound of me drinking echoed.
Yep. Definitely tasty.
“…So then.”
Just as I was fully savoring it, she asked again.
“Why… did you help me…?”
The question sounded desperate, almost sorrowful.
What had made her so earnest?
I’d heard this question once before.
Back when we’d eaten in the reverse world together, she’d suddenly asked it.
At that time, I probably would’ve said, ‘I just happened to pass by.’
Our first meeting had been similar, and it was hard to explain Sofia.
Plus, I didn’t know her circumstances well.
But I wouldn’t give that answer now.
I still didn’t know her full story.
Yet I could vaguely guess, so she wouldn’t accept such a vague reply anymore.
“…”
As I stayed quietly mute, she pressed for an answer.
“Tell me, Pronesis… What do you want from me…?”
Maybe she feared I’d leave.
Just like the story in her name.
Recalling our first meeting, I stood and faced her.
Even at my sudden move, she silently watched me.
Maybe she was a mute princess.
If so, I’d have to be the prince who could make her speak.
Toward the lonely princess who’d swallowed her solitude.
For a moment, I became that responding prince and told her.
“I won’t leave.”
She looked at me and smiled faintly.
“Haha… What’s that… You don’t seem like a prince at all…”
“Not cool or anything… Why’s cute you playing the prince…?”
English Lavender posed her final question.
“You really won’t leave me…?”
“…”
Her eyes were so earnest that I had to pause, buying time for a proper reply.
She took my hand, demanding an answer.
“Answer me, Pronesis.”
Holding back rising tears.
“You really… won’t leave me?”
She demanded somehow.
Finally, I broke the long silence.
“Because I like you, no matter what happens in this world, I’ll stay by your side until the end.”
Drip.
Tears welled in her eyes at my words.
As one trickled to her chin,
she smiled brightly and responded.
“I… like you too… Pronesis.”
“…”
The expression on English Lavender’s face now was one I’d never seen before.
But it was so beautiful, it didn’t matter.