Black Twilight Settles into the City (3)
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Liliza, who had visited Black's room, gave some simple precautions and left right away.
Now the room was left with just Black and Cookie again.
"How about it, Black? Think you can manage living here?"
After Liliza departed, Cookie had returned to her human form.
Cookie's mysterious pink eyes reflected Black's figure.
"...Not confident. Can I just go back?"
"Don't talk nonsense. You said you'd help."
"No, back then I was kinda excited, or maybe swept up in the moment, something like that..."
When Cookie first made her proposal, Black had harbored a bit of hopeful expectation—maybe even someone like her could make a difference.
Even a total loner NEET hikikomori like me can save the Earth.
She'd imagined starring in some light novel-titled adventure.
But after hearing Liliza's briefing, that arrogant confidence vanished in a puff.
This city was a total hellhole. A single slip-up could lead to catastrophe. And above all, what they expected from Black was way too much.
She lacked faith in herself. The idea of being a key player in something this big? No way.
If possible, she'd prefer a tree role in a play—some unnoticed extra who shows up casually and vanishes without a trace...
"Shut up. You're in too deep now to back out. If you whine about it at this point, I'll shoot off a massive firework into the sky right now, announcing you're here. 'Rape-loving magical girl spotted~!'"
"That's too harsh!"
Of course, it was a joke. Half-serious, though. Cookie sighed.
"Anyway, no turning back now. And like I always say, you're way too harsh on yourself. Me, of all people, picking a magical girl? I scouted specifically for you, not anyone else. Think hard about why."
And, Cookie added,
"Won't this be great for your hobby? Overflowing with material."
"?! Cookie, how do you know about that?!"
Black cried out in shock. Cookie gave her a "what a weird question" look.
Black had a secret hobby she didn't want anyone knowing.
How did Cookie find out...?
"I know you stay up all night writing smutty novels and jerking off alone in your room. Don't worry—I’m not Earthling, so no prejudice against that. I just thought you were one seriously twisted bitch."
"Uwaaaaaah~~~~~!!"
Black wailed in agony.
It was her hobby and her sexual outlet: writing hardcore humiliation novels, then using them to pleasure herself.
She'd even posted some online and gotten paid. For a total loner NEET hikikomori magical girl who couldn't fathom a part-time job, those manuscript fees were her lifeline, her only income.
Exposed like this. Oh god. Time to die. No other option...
"That's why I figured you'd enjoy a situation like this."
"N-No way~! I-I'm still a virgin!"
"You were until recently. Not anymore."
Right. Come to think of it, those soldiers took her virginity before.
Cookie piled on.
"Be honest. Did you hate it back then?"
"O-Of course! Losing my precious virginity like that...!"
"Really?"
"......"
Black fell silent. She averted her eyes from Cookie's piercing gaze, which seemed to see right through her.
No, actually...
...To be honest, she didn't truly hate it.
Not that it was great, but the revulsion was less than expected.
As someone who wrote humiliation stories, had she secretly hoped for something like that?
She didn't want to admit it. Didn't want to think about it anymore.
"That's why I thought you'd adapt no matter what happens. Might even like it."
"No... like it?..."
"Plus, as a bonus, living here should spark inspiration for your writing. Endless material, right? Just like the pervy novels you churn out."
Cookie seemed genuinely convinced.
Fairies from the magical realm loved dreams and hopes—no matter how twisted. They just wanted to help fulfill them.
Cookie purely believed this aligned with Black's desires and had proposed city life to support her.
"......"
"Well, as a noble fairy, I can't fully grasp pathetic human hearts. If my consideration annoys you, fine. But do your part. You know things can't stay as they are, right? If not, I wouldn't have asked, and you wouldn't have agreed."
"...Ugh...."
"Black. For the peaceful world you crave where you can do nothing and be fine—at least try. You're greater than you think. You can do this."
With Cookie's coaxing words, Black finally nodded, convinced.
Thus began Black's full-fledged life in the hypnosis city—her infiltration truly underway.
…………………………………
…………………
……
That magical girl... is she really okay?
She seemed sloppy in every way.
Liliza—former Mech拉克 scientist and current Cookie collaborator—drove through the streets, a cigarette dangling unlit from her lips, just fidgeting idly from boredom.
Her hands weren't even on the wheel; the car glided smoothly via AI autopilot.
Her mind replayed her recent encounter with the magical girl.
She was cooperating with Cookie out of circumstance.
But that didn't mean she had any attachment to Earth or felt compelled to side with magical girls.
...Idiot seniors.
Other figures surfaced in her thoughts—fellow disciples under her master, her seniors from Liliza's perspective, all men.
Her master was Mech拉克's premier genius scientist; Liliza his prized top disciple.
Jealous of her talent, those seniors had bribed the master with prime material they'd acquired—a certain magical girl—to gain permission.
They demanded Liliza.
Not as a lab assistant, but to brainwash her with their hypnosis machine into their slave.
And the outrageous request was approved.
Top disciple or not, to the master she was just a research tool—nothing more, nothing less.
Even under hypnosis, her intellect remained; the researcher Liliza would persist, so no real loss.
Sold off to her seniors like that. But Liliza, sensing something fishy early, fled the lab upon learning the truth.
Half-Mech拉克 with alien blood mixed in, her position was precarious. Nothing protected her.
In the end, she became a wanted fugitive on Mech拉克.
Bam!
Liliza's fist slammed the steering wheel hard.
The AI detected the impact and chimed.
I'll get revenge.
Those trash who made me like this. Incompetent bastards who only know how to swing their dicks.
If I can get payback on them, I'll do anything. Ally with anyone.
That was why Liliza allied with Cookie and the magical girls.
Honestly, she'd side with anyone useful.
The magical girl faction just fit best—viable potential, shared enemies.
Anyway.
If her current allies proved useless, Liliza would ditch them without hesitation.
Call her a bat if you want. She didn't care. No attachments, no sense of duty.
She loved research.
As long as no one bothered her and she could pursue her studies freely, she'd be content.
Was that really so much to ask...?
The car carrying Liliza pulled smoothly into her mansion's parking lot.
But upon arrival, Liliza sensed something off.
...That car—I’ve never seen it before.
Near her assigned mansion, an unfamiliar vehicle sat.
She activated the car's sensor program, scanning surroundings. Suspicious heat signatures dotted here and there—even inside her home.
She lived secretly alone; no roommates. So those indoor signatures meant uninvited guests.
Tensing, Liliza opened the glove compartment and gripped the pistol-shaped weapon inside...