The Magical Girl is a Lesbian
Who is the strongest magical girl in this world?
If you asked that question, nine out of ten people would unhesitatingly name Ruby. It's already famous knowledge that she was born with overwhelming innate mana.
In other words, there's no disagreement that Ruby is the strongest magical girl.
But let's tweak the question a bit: Who is the most perfect magical girl in this world?
Ruby's out right away. Strength aside, she still has rough edges in handling her mana, so "perfect" wouldn't quite fit.
For this one, I'd nominate the magical girl Sapphire.
Even debuting around the same time as Ruby, she's a monster who's racked up thousands of monster takedowns.
That's on par with the all-time greats among magical girls, earning her the flashy moniker "Flash."
The reason she reached such heights? Sapphire is a genius of a different caliber from Ruby.
A perfect hexagonal gem, shining in every aspect. That metaphor might work.
For a magical girl whose destiny is saving citizens even a minute, a second faster, speed is a crucial factor.
In that regard, Sapphire possesses judgment matching her innate genius, plus battle sense honed through countless reversals. What more is there to say?
Ruby handles the heavy hitters. Sapphire wipes out hordes.
Like they complement each other perfectly, safeguarding the nation's peace—
'Why would someone so esteemed show up in a dump like this…'
No, it's not confirmed yet. No matter how perfectly the timing fits, the odds that this girl is Amber's classmate Sophia—or even the magical girl Sapphire—are slim.
I desperately denied reality, trying to ignore what was happening right in front of me.
The girl in school uniform who burst through the Cafe Eclipse door. No doubt the uniform from Jewelry Academia, where Amber and Ravi attend.
She glanced around the shop once, then headed straight for my counter.
For a split second, I glimpsed her name tag starting with an "S"—but it's probably not Sophia. Something like Song Dae-ho, yeah.
"Oh? It's Sophia!"
I swear Amber just clearly called out "Sophia," but I didn't hear it. Pretend I didn't.
"…Amber. What a coincidence."
"First time running into you outside school, right? What's brings you here?"
But reality was merciless.
My gut told me the girl Amber described as Ravi's best friend—Sophia—was the magical girl Sapphire.
And here she was, standing right in front of me.
'Déjà vu…'
The puzzle pieces clicking together felt just like the moment Ravi confessed while tying me up.
I wanted to go back to the carefree me chatting with Amber moments ago.
For now, act normal, serve her like any customer. I still don't know her intentions.
"Table for one?"
"Can't you tell?"
Unlike before, her face smiled, but her tone felt off—blunt, almost sizing me up.
"…Please have a seat wherever you'd like."
Sophia left the counter at my response, scanning for a spot.
'The magical girl Sapphire.'
Our boss Lapis rated her threat level at 3. Max is 5, for reference.
'At least unlike Ruby, she hasn't shown signs of actively hindering Silver Unit, so her threat's on the lower side…'
Of course, it's not like we have zero contact. She's clashed with Silver Unit grunts multiple times.
But that was just her busting obvious crimes—no signs of targeting us aggressively.
'Whereas Ruby's wrecking Silver Unit like we have a personal grudge.'
That's why Ruby's slapped with a solid threat level 5.
As an evil organization bent on world conquest, buying grudges is par for the course. If she suffered losses before, her actions make sense.
Still, we can't drop our guard on Sapphire. In my mind, her threat just bumped up to 4.
'No moves so far.'
She just sat at a random table, chatting with Amber who'd snuck up on her.
"I had some business at this cafe today. Are you close with the owner, Miss Amber?"
"Close… like a cool big bro? Something like that."
Grateful as I am that she sees me that way, it feels like handing ammo to the enemy.
'Well, if Sapphire sniffed out Silver Unit and came hunting, she'd have jumped me already.'
Since she didn't, her goal's elsewhere.
'Still, better stay cautious.'
But there's no guarantee lightning won't strike twice.
Just like Ravi tied me up for a one-sided confession, Sophia could snap and restrain me too.
'Use yesterday's trick?'
The memo I slipped Amber behind Ravi's back. This time, something safer.
Perfect. Short enough to read without opening a messenger app.
I hit send on my smartphone and stepped out to take Sophia's order.
Ravi's been off lately.
Her childhood friend and bestie Sophia first noticed about a month ago.
"Then, for this problem… Miss Ravi, please solve it."
"……."
"Miss Ravi?"
She'd been spacing out way more—at meals, in class.
Losing yourself in thought now and then is human nature, but this was different.
She'd zone out, then sometimes wear an ecstatic expression while rubbing her lower belly.
"Feeling off today?"
"You were daydreaming all through class. Want me to walk you to the nurse?"
"Nah, it's nothing. Just thinking about stuff."
She brushed off her classmates' worries with a straight face, but Sophia—who'd watched over Ravi since childhood—knew better.
She was wrestling with something serious.
"…Ravi, got something bothering you?"
"Huh? Nothing at all?"
Sophia mustered the courage to ask, but got a polite deflection.
She let it slide at first, but as it dragged on, her worry grew.
After all, they were the magical girls Ruby and Sapphire, guardians of world peace.
If Ravi's funk continued, it'd impact their duties.
After days of agonizing, Sophia latched onto a clue one typical after-school.
She spotted Ravi heading into a building's basement.
"…Ravi?"
Tailing her secretly, Sophia found a cafe called Eclipse.
A cafe in a deserted alley basement. Who even picks a spot like that for business?
"Why would Ravi come here…"
Back home, piecing it together, Sophia reached one conclusion.
That rapt expression she'd seen in class so often. It was the face of a girl in love—something she never showed her friend.
In other words, her bestie was secretly meeting someone here.
So, she had to scrutinize the cafe's men and confirm if they were worthy of Ravi.
That was why Sophia came alone.
"Oh? It's Sophia!"
She turned at the voice calling her name the moment she entered—and spotted an unexpected face.
"…Amber. What a coincidence."
Amber, her classmate from Class 2-A. Known throughout Jewelry Academia for her wide circle.
"First time running into you outside school, right? What's brings you here?"
"Well, a bit of…"
No other customers besides her and Amber. Just the guy who seemed to be the owner.
"Table for one?"
"Can't you tell?"
"…Please have a seat wherever you'd like."
She tested him with a curt reply, but he stayed mature, unresponsive.
'Not this guy. No fire—doesn't suit Ravi at all.'
Average looks, no chaebol vibes.
Money isn't everything, but she couldn't imagine her childhood friend falling for this.
'Wasn't expecting to spot him right away anyway.'
Conveniently, a familiar classmate was here. Sophia planned casual chit-chat to dig for info.
Luckily, Ravi was swamped lately—no risk of bumping into her.
Sophia had to uncover the mystery man, no matter how long it took.
'Because I'm the only one in the world who truly loves Ravi.'
…A reason she couldn't quite own up to proudly.