Embers Slowly Kindling at the Foothills (2)
"Hey, Blue... what do you plan to do now...?"
Black asked Blue Sapphire, who shared the room with her, in her usual somewhat timid tone.
Having spent time together with Blue Sapphire, even a total loner loser like Black had opened up a bit.
But the current Blue Sapphire exuded a harsh, resolute chill, like a biting cold wind howling through, making it impossible for Black not to tense up and revert to her cautious speech.
It had been a full day since Dane had given her that sharp rebuke.
Yesterday, she'd spent the whole day fuming, hurling every curse under the sun. Today, from morning, she was silently radiating an icy aura, lips sealed tight.
With little experience in interpersonal dynamics, Black had no idea how to comfort a comrade in this state.
She'd ended up just watching her mood, bringing meals now and then, waiting for her expression to soften—but she couldn't let it drag on like this. Deciding she had to say something, Black broached a topic.
And truthfully, this was something they urgently needed to discuss right now.
From the nuance Dane had dropped, it seemed she planned to drag them both to the Liberation Front base, willing or not.
If that happened, rescuing Alpha or Cookie would become a pipe dream.
Even to Black's question, Blue Sapphire kept sulking, staring at the wall.
Guess it's no good after all~ Black thought, ready to give up without a second try.
Then, suddenly, Blue Sapphire let out a sigh and turned her head back.
"Hoo, sorry, Black. Didn't mean to make you worry over nothing."
"N-no, it's fine... uh."
"Yeah. So... hoo, I think I need a bit more time to sort out my feelings. Seriously, I can't calm down."
"Th-that makes sense! Uh, need anything? I can fetch whatever. If I'm in the way, I can step out? I'll be back tomorrow."
"No... it's okay. Really. Yeah. Actually, I'd prefer if you stayed."
Blue Sapphire waved her hands, stopping Black who looked ready to bolt out the door.
With a wry smile, she added,
"Forget the rest. Just... a vent, but could you listen for a bit?"
That was no big deal.
If it meant back-and-forth chatter, Black would've surrendered on the spot—she couldn't squeeze out responses to save her life. But just shutting up and listening? She could do that all day.
Of course, if Blue expected perfectly timed agreements or, after spilling everything, hit her with "What do you think?"—Black would have to bite her tongue right then and there.
Anyway, Blue Sapphire's story began.
Black listened intently, nerves on edge, desperately timing her nods so as not to disappoint.
Blue Sapphire's tale was about her past with Dane.
It laid bare, in vivid detail, exactly how she'd come to despise her.
In the past, Dane had teamed up with Blue Sapphire and a few other magical girls.
But one day, Dane betrayed them, selling them out to the monster soldiers.
With help from the other magical girls, they barely escaped, but Dane vanished without facing judgment.
After that, Dane stirred up another major incident, dragging Blue Sapphire and many others into it, forcing them to suffer all sorts of humiliations... but the story drags on, so we'll skip those parts.
Having heard it all—including the skipped bits—Black reached a conclusion.
Wow, Dane's even more of a total bitch than I thought.
Black was almost impressed she hadn't gutted her on sight.
A woman who deceived and deceived and deceived again, plunging others into misery for her own gain without a shred of hesitation.
Black couldn't fathom what change of heart had let such a person become leader of the magical girl group called the Liberation Front.
"She's definitely not doing it for any noble reason. That woman's only out for herself."
She wasn't the type to fight for something lofty like "for Earth"—the kind of justice anyone might claim.
That was Blue Sapphire's assessment of Dane.
Blue Sapphire was convinced she'd discard the Liberation Front like trash the moment it was no longer useful.
Past Black might've thought Surely not... But after this story, it felt entirely plausible.
No—100% likely. Black had a gut feeling.
"...But that's not why I'm mad. The Liberation Front or whatever? Honestly, I don't give a damn."
"Really...? Then why...?"
"Just pissed. Not at Sis Dane—at myself."
Blue Sapphire spoke gloomily.
"Sis Dane's utterly vile, selfish, egocentric to the point of chills... but still, she's amazing in so many ways."
"She's a master at deceiving others, never gets fooled herself. Her vision's broader than mine, her mind works leagues faster. Her magic? She downplays it, and her mana output's lower than mine... but in a one-on-one? No confidence I'd win."
"She has charisma to lead people too. Even being that awful, folks flock to her. Tons need her. The Liberation Front, and me too."
Blue Sapphire spoke in a rare, downcast tone.
In truth, she hated dealing with her arch-nemesis Dane, but had come here recognizing her abilities anyway.
Eyes slightly reddened, Blue Sapphire sighed and continued.
"But me? I've got nothing. Can't do a damn thing. I'm so pathetic. After Sis Dane's jab yesterday, rethinking it... I see just how worthless I am."
"That's not—"
"No, I am. Pathetic as hell. Incompetent idiot with no skills, just big dreams. All I do is bare my teeth and complain to Sis Dane—I'm nothing but dead weight. My sisters... they were all incredible. Could handle anything solo..."
She seemed to recall the other magical girls she'd followed, from the earlier story.
Among them was Alpha, now trapped in the Factory, and even the "strongest magical girl" Cookie had once mentioned.
She knew the "strongest," and had even fought alongside her.
Shocking stuff for Black.
"Er... Er... Er's way better than me too—"
'Huh?'
The familiar name slipped from Blue Sapphire's lips as she murmured in a daze.
Black's eyes widened in shock. Hesitantly, she started to ask about it.
But right then—knock knock.
Someone was at the door.
Creeeak—
"Knew you'd be here. Long time no see. Nice to see you."
The door opened, and in walked Noah, the brown-haired magical girl.
Her maid-like costume stood out. Black winced slightly at her entrance.
No wonder—she had no good memories of her.
She always tagged along with Dane, toying with Blue Sapphire while Dane teased Black.
What mischief now? Black tensed.
Noah grinned cheerfully, waving it off.
"Sorry about before. Here to apologize—and want you two to come with me somewhere. Someone... important wants to see you."
Black exchanged glances with Blue Sapphire at Noah's words.
Just tagging along briefly shouldn't be an issue.
So judged, the two followed Noah.
………………………
………………
……
Something prickly brushed her skin.
Not actual splits or electric air—just the sensation.
Like the warden's office, this fully sci-fi Facility maintained perfect humidity and temperature everywhere—no dryness to sting.
So, it was that.
The ominous feeling she'd sensed before.
That gut instinct, like a harbinger of trouble, warning something was coming.
The foreboding that had crept in sometime ago now manifested as this stinging illusion on her skin.
...Come on. Why am I like this?
Did reclaiming the Facility too easily make me uneasy instead?
Things had gone exactly as planned—too smoothly, reaching her goal effortlessly.
Now, with spare strength and time, her mind wandered to "what ifs," turning leisure into worry.
But Dane's creed: Operations needing 100% or 120% effort to succeed were failures from the start.
A successful plan achieved goals with 60%, maybe 70% effort.
That left margin for contingencies.
Workplaces worked the same.
If a company with 10 employees needed everyone at 100%+ to stay afloat, any new task or crisis would overload and collapse it.
So, finishing a mission with spare capacity? Not anxiety—praise yourself.
As she thought that, pushing unease aside—
Knock knock.
"Come in."
With Dane's permission, the door hissed open, revealing the knocker.
Dane greeted her with slight pleasure—and equal annoyance, frowning faintly.
"Noah. Where've you been? I was looking for you."
Her close aide, absent the past two days.
The brown-haired magical girl Noah entered the office, beaming as if delighted by something.