The Magical Girl Bursts In
Silver Unit grunts start their mornings early.
First, they rise at 5 a.m., handle their preparations at home, and head straight to headquarters. Then they change into uniforms emblazoned with the Silver Unit logo in their assigned departments, and the real workday begins. Duties vary by department, but everyone contributes to the grand goal of world conquest from their station.
It sounds like a total black company—no different from the worst of them. Long hours, mandatory uniforms, the works.
But the work itself is surprisingly flexible, and the pay is top-notch, so job satisfaction runs high. Plus, most members are fiercely loyal, so internal strife isn't an issue.
I'd been throwing myself into the job as best I could, but my future still looked pretty grim.
"…Sigh."
No need to change—minimal prep done, I slipped out of the rundown warehouse labeled Operations Support Division.
Amber and I don't have to wear uniforms like the others. One of us runs a café, the other’s an academy student—makes sense. Instead, the boss ordered us to use a converted storage shed as our "office."
I get it. We're a two-person department from the start.
Fancy name or not, it's just a dumping ground for a pair of rookies.
A few passing grunts nearby snickered as they eyed us.
"Private trash wearing civvies? Must be some parachute drop."
"Not like they do jack anyway. Just leeching off Executive Amber."
Classic third-rate villain drivel. Childish as hell.
Wait—they are third-rate villains.
Bad line of thinking. They were playing their roles to a T, and somehow I hadn't seen through it…
"Oh, morning, everyone."
"…G-Good morning, ma'am!"
But the second Amber waved, their sneers vanished, replaced by enthusiastic salutes.
Honest bunch. I hate it, but she loves it.
"You should push back a little, senpai. Keep letting them walk over you, and it'll never stop."
"They're just jealous they don't get to work one-on-one with a cute girl. No need to sweat it."
"C-Cute…? This is serious talk."
Chatting idly, we joined the stream of grunts shuffling down the corridor.
We ended up in the briefing room, built for Silver Unit's command chain.
It's not for major ops—just morning roll call and daily directives.
"Salute the great Lapis!"
"All hail Lapis! All hail Lapis!"
Inside, the usual horde of grunts had gathered, saluting our leader as always.
(No clue why the salute's that weird. Don't care to find out.)
"As you're all aware, that accursed magical girl brat has foiled Silver Unit's plans yet again. At this rate, we must prepare countermeasures for the future."
Magical Girl Ruby. Real name, age, address: unknown.
Mana levels off the charts—strongest humanity's ever seen. Steeped in justice, she meddles in our affairs at every turn.
The real kicker? Even mighty Silver Unit hasn't pinned down her identity.
Not surprising. Magical girls transform, radically altering their appearance, and probably layer on perception-blocking spells too.
And I got a confession from a girl like that.
Knowing the Silver Unit's top target—along with just Amber—sent a chill down my spine.
Of course, no one else knew. No loose ends to snag on.
Still, that nagging what if they find out wouldn't leave my head.
"I've drilled this into your heads, but nailing that brat's weakness would propel Silver Unit to new heights. Rewards await whoever catches her tail—keep that in mind!"
"Yes, my lord!"
Roll call wrapped without a hitch. Time to scatter and tackle assignments.
Eager to bolt, I nudged Amber's shoulder.
"We should head out. You've got school soon."
"Still an hour left. Wanna nap in the shed?"
Just as the grunt pressure herded us toward the exit—
"……?"
I rubbed my eyes and stared at the boss. She was chatting with another department head, her face etched with exhaustion.
Just my imagination? Felt like our eyes met for a split second.
"…Senpai? Not going?"
"Nah, zoned out for a sec."
Probably nothing.
Half a day later.
I was managing the café Silver Unit had handed over, business as usual.
Brewing coffee to order, posting flyers for promo, wiping down the counter…
Doesn't scream "villain," but this unassuming spot is a legit Silver Unit branch.
Every little thing stacks up toward world conquest, or so they say.
…Right?
Whatever. Not my circus, not my monkeys. Paycheck's good enough.
"No customers at all today. Here."
Amber, fresh from Jewelry Academia, chimed in as I mopped the floor.
"Picking a fight? Rooftop duel, let's go."
"Quit joking… I'm the only real customer here."
"Ravi's a regular too. Hasn't shown lately, though."
A week since her confession, and shockingly, no sign of the girl.
Finally over me? Or just busy?
Personally, I'd take the former. Fading into irrelevance? Ideal.
Peaceful days returning was a win, at least…
"Anyway, senpai. You sure you don't wanna tell? About Magical Girl Ruby confessing to you."
"You're relentless. Said no for now."
So that's why she steered the convo here.
"Kinda bummed. Tell the boss, your standing skyrockets. Fat bonus too."
"Money, huh."
Silver Unit's finances are solid. Night shifts, year-end bonuses—the works.
Health insurance? They're swimming in cash.
White-collar villains value results. Spill on Ruby, and even a grunt like me could snag exec perks and a payout.
"Happy with the status quo. Not starving or anything."
"Such a normie."
Managing the café leisurely suited me fine. Perks outweighed the grunt treatment.
"Fits my vibe anyway."
Unlike Korea's café overload, coffee culture here is underdeveloped.
Magic streamlines labor—no fatigue buildup.
This place pushes meals and desserts; coffee's an afterthought.
"…Gotta admit it? Your brew's legit good."
Me, muddling through coffee back home, dominating here? Matchless.
Sensing my deflection, Amber pivoted.
"Kinda late, but Ravi and I are in the same class."
Way late, but whatever.
"You two tight?"
"Nah, just chit-chat. Normal at school. Pretty popular."
Per Amber, Ravi befriended everyone—guys, girls alike. Always—
"If she hadn't tied me up, she'd seem way different. Any super close friends?"
Even social butterflies have that one bestie.
Innocent curiosity, but…
"Huh, yeah—one. Closest is Sophia. Blue hair, stands out—"
As Amber described her, footsteps echoed down the stairs outside.
"Customer. Magical girl talk's over."
"Fine."
I stashed the mop for service, but that chat lingered. Something off. Important.
Hold up. Super close to Magical Girl Ruby, blue hair, named Sophia…
Ruby to Ravi. Sapphire to Sophia.
No. Couldn't be. Too coincidental.
Clunk!
"……."
A blue-haired girl shoved open the door, face twisted in fury—Ruby's bestie, Magical Girl Sapphire, or whatever.