Sealing the Deal with Pink Star
Somehow, I managed to calm down Pink Star after that Chuncheol-eoram fiasco. Once I heard the full story, my jaw dropped on its own.
"...Are mascots really that useless?"
"Yeah... Um, yes..." Pink Star mumbled sheepishly.
"No, come on—even if that's true, couldn't they at least scout the surroundings or warn about approaching enemies?"
"Sure, they could... but it doesn't make a difference most of the time."
"Doesn't make a difference? That's huge."
My voice rose without me realizing it. In a real fight, you have to focus on the enemy right in front of you. Take your eyes off them for a second, and you'll lose a limb before you know it. You can't afford to check your surroundings or the overall situation. But if a mascot handles that for you? It'd be a massive help.
"For biological monsters, they usually come solo unless it's a swarm... And for location-types or phenomenon-types, scouting like that doesn't help much anyway."
"...There are all kinds of monsters, huh," I muttered under my breath.
Seeing the status window pop up made me think they were all the same as before, but apparently not entirely.
"Exactly. For biological types like this, us 3rd-class magical girls handle them... But location or phenomenon types? Anything below 2nd class can't even touch them."
"Magical girls have ranks too?"
"Yep. 3rd class is the lowest, then 2nd class, then 1st class at the top." Pink Star puffed out her chest a bit proudly. "I'm this close to promoting to 2nd class soon."
"..."
"S-So, signing an exclusive contract with me wouldn't be a loss for you."
Pink Star hurriedly pulled out her smartphone. "And anyway... you're still a newbie, right? You probably don't have any other magical girls on your contact list yet."
"That's true, but..."
"When you spot a rift in the human world first, you have to call the magical girls you know, right? No matter where I am, I can rush over."
"Huh? No need for that."
A twinge of reluctance hit me. "You're a magical girl, but don't you have school?"
"Huh?" Pink Star blinked in shock, her eyes wavering like she hadn't expected that at all. "I'm... an adult?"
"What?"
"I'm a freelance designer. As long as I meet deadlines, the rest of my time is free..."
"No, wait—hold on." I pressed her urgently. "Aren't magical girls usually underage girls?"
"Usually... yeah?"
"Then why..."
"Well... because I got older?" Pink Star said matter-of-factly. "I first became one around 17 or 18... and somehow it's dragged on till now... Ha... haha..."
"Oh... uh."
I clamped my mouth shut. The mood had plummeted in an instant.
"Anyway, out of all the mascots I've met so far, you're by far the best. I haven't seen one this capable in years."
"...For real?"
"Why would I lie?"
"Fair point."
"So hurry up already. Exclusive mascot." Pink Star jammed her phone against me insistently. The warm screen pressed into me, and I quickly tapped it.
> Exchange contact network with Magical Girl Pink Star?
> Exchanging will activate call and communication functions.
A new app appeared on my screen—the standard phone call button you'd find on any smartphone. It felt so natural, like it had always been there.
"So, if I try calling you from here right now, you'll pick up immediately?"
"Yeah, pretty much. Wanna test it?"
Pink Star fiddled with her phone. Bzzz— Mine vibrated, and a voice echoed straight in my head.
—Like this. Instant connection, no delay.
"Whoa!" I yelped and fell flat on my butt in surprise.
"You really are a total newbie..." Pink Star shook her head with a small mutter.
"I thought maybe you had some backstory, but to do this on your first gig... Just so you know, if you slack off later, I will make you regret it. Got it?"
"No worries there."
I let out a deep sigh. "I just had no idea the seniors were that bad."
Slacking off was one thing, but pointless cheering that was utterly useless? At that level, they weren't supporters—they were straight-up liabilities. These were life-or-death battles already. The environment was tense enough without that. No wonder disgust was the default reaction.
"Honestly, it's impressive you've lasted this long. If it were me, I'd have quit being a magical girl ages ago."
"Uh..." Pink Star's eyes widened.
"I didn't do much... but as a fellow industry worker, it's embarrassing. You can rest easy—I won't end up like that."
"Uh, y-yeah... Okay."
Pink Star nodded blankly. "Even now it's this good... what'll it be like later..."
"Pardon?"
"N-Nothing!" She shook her head vigorously. Then, with a belated "Oh!" she hurried over to the Cerberus.
"I don't give this to just anyone... Commissions have been slow lately, money's tight. So this is me going big. Here."
She plunged her hand into its gut. Sticky squelching sounds followed as she rummaged around for a while. Finally, she pulled out her fist.
"Ugh, fuck, that's nasty..." She shuddered, shaking her arm vigorously. Then she came over and opened her hand in front of me.
"...Ah."
A small stone sat in her palm, sparkling like a red ruby. Instinct told me this was a Core.
"Here... take it."
Pink Star placed the Core in my paw. "It's low-grade, but this alone could cover a month's living expenses. I'm giving it up for you. So, please—don't ever betray me. Promise? Yeah?"
She grabbed my hand tightly, her voice trembling. "I really, really don't want to die."
"...Don't worry."
Pat pat. I tapped her back reassuringly.
"I won't let you die. Ever."
"...For real? Promise?"
"Yes."
Pink Star stuck out her pinky. I went to hook mine with hers, then hesitated—no fingers.
"..."
Plop. I brushed my paw against her palm instead.
"Seal it."
"Huh?"
"Promise sealed. Rubber stamp."
Pink Star blinked blankly. Ah, she doesn't know that one.
"Anyway, see you next time."
"...Got it. When I call, you have to come, okay? You have to!!!"
She repeated it several times before finally letting me go. I watched her back as she left, then tapped my phone.
[Human Realm Access] Tap.
Ping! A pink portal swirled open, filled with clouds and rainbows.
I stepped right through.
"Yo!"
A familiar face stood before me.
"Back already?"
"Senior."
Slap. Bear Teddy Senior slung an arm around my shoulders.
"One mission in, and your eyes are already sharper. How was it? Impressions?"
"...Not sure yet."
I muttered blankly. I'd only done support. Yet suddenly a magical girl was clinging to me, desperate to keep me around. My senior was hyping me up as an ace. I'd just done what I always did in my past life.
It felt like I'd stepped into the protagonist spot in some light novel or manga.
"By the way, Senior. I heard from the magical girl that we..."
"Magical girls can be prickly, huh?" Bear Teddy cut me off. "Always demanding more power ASAP. Throw a fit if you don't deliver. Even begging for stuff beyond our authority... Man, why are they so impatient? Life on the line and all."
"..."
"And honestly, we're nothing special. They think we're the ones who turn them into magical girls and grant powers, like we can do anything... But what can we actually do?"
Bear Teddy crinkled his lollipop wrapper. Crumple.
"We're just run-of-the-mill mascots. Can't give less or more power. Telling them that doesn't help from their perspective."
"Senior..."
"They're risking their lives out there. If we didn't take the flak in the middle, nine out of ten would've snapped and turned witch by now. Then what? Total chaos."
He shook his head. "So... just placate them however you can. Hang in there."
"..."
"Who knows? Stick it out a year, snag an exclusive newbie magical girl, maybe score a Core or two. That's fast tracking."
"Senior."
"Yeah?"
Whoosh. I pulled the Core from my pocket right away.
"I got one."
"...?"
Clunk. The lollipop dropped from Bear Teddy Senior's hand.
"Wait... Newbie. Am I seeing this wrong?"
"No."
"So that's... a Core? From the monster those kids took down?"
"Yes."
"How'd you snag it?"
"..."
I hesitated. Spill the whole truth, or not?
"Newbie."
"Yes."
"Can I still call you Senior?"
"...Huh?"
"Could you—just once—tell me how you got it, Senior?"
Grab. He clutched my arm.
"...Senior?"
"No, seriously. Just once!!!"
"Senior!!!"
I knew instantly: tell him, and it'd be endless hassle.
"Senior!!!"
"Just once, Senior!!!"
His obsession was relentless. He held on for hours.
"..."
Pink Star—real name Han Yuna—returned home and flopped straight onto her bed.
"Haaa..."
Thud. She stared blankly at the ceiling.
The scene from moments ago lingered in her mind.
What was that guy... for real?
She blinked at empty air. Suddenly, she snatched her phone and opened the messenger app, diving into her group chat.
A gathering of fellow magical girls—her closest friends among them.
The chat exploded in a frenzy.
The bizarrely heated chat kept rolling. And soon, it veered into unexpected territory.
"...Huh?"
Han Yuna froze. Realization dawned, and her eyes trembled.
I'm screwed.
That doll was supposed to be her exclusive mascot. Now these bitches might steal him away.