Magical Girl Eve's Debut
On the way from the Gray Market—that lost haven of magic—to the boundary of wild space and the Nox-4 Planet.
It was a peaceful time with the autopilot engaged. The universe was silent, but inside the ship, it was noisier than ever.
"Kal! Kal~ Look at this!"
Eve came dashing down the corridor from the far end, her footsteps pattering like rain.
A large blue ribbon—likely a gift from Lydia—fluttered in her ponytail.
Her bright smile as she ran made her look every bit the angel, but to me, she was a walking hazard first and foremost.
She's gonna...
Trip.
"Whoa!"
Sure enough.
Too excited, Eve's left foot caught on her right ankle. Her body pitched forward.
"Eek!"
In the instant before she hit the deck, I was already moving.
My arm hooked around her waist just shy of face-planting.
"Be careful, Eve. You could've gotten hurt."
I scooped her up and scolded gently. Cradled in my arms, she beamed unrepentantly.
"Hehe, sorry. But Kal, look at this anyway!"
More eager to show off than worry about the near-miss, Eve thrust something new under my nose.
It was a gaudy toy wand, pink and gold swirling in flashy design. A big heart-shaped gem crowned the tip, with wing ornaments on the handle.
Probably buried in that mountain of junk Lydia had hauled aboard.
"What's this?"
"This? If you press here like this~♪"
Eve mashed the heart button.
"Magic~ Power! Tiny Tiny Yap!"
A cheery electronic chime rang out, and the wand's head spun like a top.
Then—
Whoosh—! Light burst from the tip. Not just light—countless optical particles enveloped Eve's body.
"Transform!"
A brilliant flash erupted, overlaying Eve's casual clothes with a new form.
It happened in a blink: black-and-pink harmonious top, frilly skirt, matching gloves, and boots—a perfect magical girl outfit.
"Magical Girl Eve, transform! In the name of justice, I won't forgive you!"
Eve struck a solemn pose. Of course, the solemnity lasted all of three seconds.
"How's that? How's that? Cool, right? Kal! It even makes wings—look, look!"
She spun in place. Her ponytail whipped wildly, like an excited puppy's tail wagging out of control.
High-tech features in a kids' toy? Unnecessarily top-tier quality.
"Yeah, yeah. Looks great. You'll conquer the universe next."
I stroked her head to calm her down and asked,
"Lydia give you this too?"
"Yup! This outfit's what the magical girls wear to protect the fairy kingdom! It's the protagonist Tiny's— she beats bad guys and saves her friends, a total hero!"
My attempt to settle her had backfired, igniting her passion. Eve launched into nonstop chatter.
"Tiny has a cat fairy named Lulu who loves churu treats! Her finisher's the Love-Love Beam—makes everyone nice when it hits! And then..."
She was gearing up to recite the fairy kingdom's history and character charts from memory.
Lydia, what the hell did you show her...?
"Heh, never thought I'd see Magical Girl Tiny out here."
Then Bani approached from the lounge entrance, chuckling dryly, coffee mug in hand. His eyes widened at Eve.
"Bani? You know what Eve's talking about? Pretty famous show?"
He nodded with a wry grin.
"Oh yeah. Huge with parents. Wallet-drainer extraordinaire... My daughter was obsessed back in the day—sucked me dry on merch. Begged for that wand nonstop. Now I know Tiny's theme song by heart, even side character Night Shadow's lines."
Bani's eyes narrowed nostalgically. A father's smile softened his rugged explorer's face.
"She still like it?"
I asked lightly, trying to brighten the mood. But his answer threw me.
"...Probably, yeah."
"Probably?"
I tilted my head, studying him. And I got it.
The weight of that "probably."
His mouth smiled, but his eyes held deep sorrow.
Not present tense—past longing. Someone gone, beyond asking if she liked it or not.
"...Ah."
I swallowed a sigh. The mood plummeted. My bad.
"Sorry, I killed the vibe."
Bani caught on and pivoted quick, feigning surprise at the wand.
"Damn, Lydia's not just rich—she's got connections. Isn't that the season 4 limited edition? Optical nano-fiber for full transform? Rare even in the Federation capital. Takes serious pull."
"Oh, this? Nothing special."
Lydia swept in on cue, elegant silk robe draped over her, arms full of more toys. Ladylike poise, but servant-like service to Eve—somehow it fit.
"If Eve likes it, it's no big deal."
She winked at Eve.
"No big deal, my ass."
Bani shook his head.
"More curious about your secrets than Kal's... Why's a loaded designer like you slumming it in the dingy Outer Rim, Gray Market no less?"
Fair question.
Her wealth screamed beyond small-time fashion gigs.
"Oh? Curious?"
Lydia set the toys down, smiling.
"Needed inspiration, you could say..."
"Inspiration?"
"Yeah. Federation core's all slick, polished designs... Boring. Lifeless. But the Outer Rim? Raw, dirty, dangerous... Overflowing with vitality. Pure energy."
Her eyes sparkled.
"Wandered till fate dropped our cute Eve in my lap!"
She glomped Eve.
"Right~ Eve?"
"Right~ Sis!"
Eve giggled into her embrace.
Their synced lines and eye contact? Eerily sisterly. They'd clicked like blood despite just meeting. Lydia had a gift with kids.
Bani whistled.
"Keeping it secret then. Wouldn't wanna pry on our benefactor."
"Hehe. Mysteries make a woman beautiful, right Bani?"
Lydia pressed a finger to her lips seductively.
"Shh."
Bani didn't budge.
"I avoid dangerous women."
"Aw, no guts? And you're an explorer?"
"Call it not being reckless. And..."
His hand drifted to his chest unconsciously.
An old locket hung there. Guessing from context, I could imagine the story.
"Haven't forgotten her yet."
He gripped it tight, knuckles whitening.
"The one I loved."
His voice was flat, but heavy.
Lydia's playful smile dimmed.
"Romantic under that mug."
"Face like this? Makes me cherish anyone who loved me back. In this brutal universe."
He grinned bitterly. So genuine, the air grew solemn.
"Kyaha. You got me there."
Lydia clapped lightly to lighten up.
"Fine, you're a closet romantic. So..."
Her sly eyes turned to me.
"Kal? What about you—mystery women?"
Sudden heat on me. I petted Eve's head, shrugging casually.
"Dunno. Got Eve."
"Hmm..."
Lydia eyed me oddly.
"'Got Eve,' huh. No need for women? Or no room but her?"
"Nothing impure meant..."
I waved it off, flustered. Meant I'd focus on guarding Eve— but she twisted it weird. Playful, sure, but Eve's not...
"Passing for now. We'll crack that over drinks later."
"Haha..."
I laughed awkwardly, averting eyes. Her pace was exhausting.
Then—
The main computer's AI shattered the quiet. The lounge's warm air tensed instantly.
"We're here."
Bani's eyes sharpened. Neighborly warmth gone—veteran explorer's edge returned.
"Gear up, folks. Nox-4 natives are vicious. Steel yourselves."
"Eve, c'mere."
I picked up Eve, her transform undone.
"All hands, prep for landing. Rendezvous in briefing room for Bani's rundown, then descent."
"Got it."
"See ya soon."
We scattered to our quarters.
En route, Nox-4 filled the viewport.
A jungle world, dense green over vast continents. Scans needed for details, but Bani mentioned toxic air—new gas masks prepped.
Find Bani's lost ship Nomad, then Eve and I head to xenoform turf.
What choices await then?
If Nahibi were here, she'd chew me out over my face again.
For now, focus: Bani's ship.