Wishing to the Stars
“No, uh… no more…”
What exactly do you hate? The choice was yours.
“Hic, ugh, mmph-♡ Th-that…♡ E-end the d-dream… I want to w-wake-”
Too bad. Sincerely.
Slowly, cracks began to spiderweb across the pink jewel, and then—crack—it was over.
“Star, moon, sun… all you folks up there in the sky. Please help me become a magical girl.”
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve made that wish. Even though I’m over twenty, I, Yuseong-ah, still dream of being a magical girl. At this age, I cling to urban legends and superstitions like they’re real. It might make me seem pathetic or foolish, but I’m desperate—desperately so.
Magical girl. It’s been my dream since childhood, unchanging through the years. Idol of the stars, goddess guardian of the city, protector against evil—whatever it is, I want it. If I’m not careful, I’ll hit an age where “girl” doesn’t fit anymore…
“Ugh, nooo… N-no, I won’t let that happen. I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna be a magical girl. For sure.”
I shake my head vigorously to banish the ominous thoughts.
Ding-dong. Huh? I didn’t order delivery. No packages expected either.
“Coming~”
Without a second thought, I fling open the front door.
“Hi~”
A total stranger beams at me with the brightest smile.
“Who…?”
She looks just like a magical girl cosplayer. Orange twintails, sparkling yellow eyes… even her outfit is identical to Altair’s. Where’d she get it? I want one too.
…Wait, no—this isn’t just cosplay. It’s too… too perfect.
“G-gasp. A-Alta…”
“Shh.”
Altair’s finger gently presses my lips, silencing me. She winks—so cute. I’m losing it. She’s like a goddess.
“Mind if I come in?”
I nod eagerly. Altair’s a super famous magical girl I’ve admired since I was little. To see a legend from the stories right in front of me… my hands are shaking uncontrollably.
“Alright! Greetings done—let’s get to the point~”
I hadn’t turned on a single light in my apartment, but the moment Altair steps in, the whole place feels dazzlingly bright.
“Th-the point?”
“Yup. You’ve been wishing on stars forever, right? To become a magical girl.”
“Y-yeah…”
Every day. For nearly ten years straight.
“Perfect timing! The Spica spot just opened up~ Wanna take it?”
“……”
My jaw drops; words fail me.
“M-me, a m-magical g-girl…”
“Yup! You’re the first candidate for the new Spica. You’ll do it, right?”
“Yes!!!!!!!”
Thud. I clapped my hand over my mouth too late—way too loud. Altair’s eyes sparkle as she flashes another wide grin.
“Great~ It’s settled! Here, take this.”
Something like a glowing jewel appears in her hand. I accept it.
“It’s the jewel holding Spica’s power. It can change into earrings, a pendant, a tiara—whatever form you want.”
A pink gem the size of my palm, emanating a soft glow on its own. It’s… mystical.
“It’s beautiful…”
“Right? Grip it tight~ and spin around once! That’ll trigger your transformation.”
Transformation. The inseparable duo of magical girls. Me, doing it? Am I really becoming a magical girl?
My grip tightens on the jewel unconsciously.
“I-I’ll try.”
I’m so nervous. I swallow hard, squeeze my eyes shut, and slowly—spin.
A sparkling light pours over me even through closed eyelids. It lasts mere seconds.
But when I open my eyes…
“…Wow.”
Pure white gloves catch my eye first. Then, no longer my drab loungewear, but a flashy idol-like dress. My hair shimmers with a blue tint, swaying gently. The jewel has split, adorning both earrings. In my hand, a pink short magic wand replaces it.
“W-wow… I-I really t-transformed…”
It feels a bit loose around the chest, but who cares right now?
“As expected~ Nailed it on the first try! The stars must really like you!”
“Heh, heh… R-really…?”
A goofy grin spreads across my face.
Then—
“Ah, ow…”
A sharp sting pierces my head, followed by—
‘Hah, haah—hah, ah, nngh… No more, ah, stop…♡ Please, stop…’
A ragged, urgent voice, laced with something lewd and unfamiliar.
“Wh-what…?”
The headache vanishes as quickly as it came. I glance around—only Altair’s here. Whose voice was that?
“What’s wrong, Spica?”
“…Ah.”
Right. Spica—that’s my name now.
“I-I thought I heard someone’s voice. It sounded… urgent.”
Altair stares at me silently. The cheerful smile is gone; her expression turns a bit… scary?
“…Really?”
Her tone was stiff. Did I ask something I shouldn’t have…?
But just as quickly, her smile returns.
“You’re not used to the power yet~ It’ll pass, probably?”
Probably…?
“I-is that so…?”
Something feels off, but whatever. It’s Altair. If she says so, it must be true. Becoming a magical girl trumps any weird voice by a million!
“Anyway~ Spica, do you know what magical girls fight?”
Oh… battle. A magical girl’s duty!
“N-no.”
“Figured. Remember this: We fight the Abyss.”
She gave a quick rundown after that. Rifts tear into our dimension, letting the Abyss invade. It has no fixed form and lacks intelligence, making it straightforward to handle. Near rifts, people can get corrupted by the Abyss, losing reason and turning villainous. So magical girls battle the Abyss spilling from rifts, seal the rifts, and subdue then restore any corrupted humans—all so people can live peacefully, unaware of the rifts.
“Got it?”
“Uh… um… pr-probably…?”
It’s a lot to take in at once. But it feels so magical girl. Kinda thrilling too.
“No need to tense up! The stars are watching over you.”
Whoa, that was peak magical girl talk.
“It’ll be awkward using your powers at first, but…”
Altair trails off, glancing my way before smiling again.
“…you’ll get the hang of it quick!”
“H-how?”
“Hmm, who knows~? Hands-on is faster than words, right?”
She grins and heads straight for the window in my apartment, shoving it wide open.
“Let’s go! Spica, your first mission.”
“E-eh? I just transformed…”
“I’ll help~ Hurry!”
She’s already perched on the sill, hand extended. Dark night sky, twinkling stars, bright moonlight, and a magical girl reaching out. It’s mesmerizing—I take her hand like I’m entranced.
And just like that, I’m pulled out the window.
“Eeeeek—!”
I’m flying through the sky right now. I have no idea what’s happening… but please, don’t let this be a dream.
Altair and I landed in a dark alley. No signs of life—the kind of creepy spot I’d avoid alone.
“See that?”
Something’s in the corner where she points. A rippling black mark… what is it?
“That’s a rift. A tiny one, so it’s safe even up close.”
“Rift…”
The mark writhes like it’s tearing longer. Then it spits something out—liquid monster? Slime? Weird black blobs anyway. They squirm across the ground toward me.
“Kyaa, kyaah!”
“Haha, Spica! Time to fight? You’re a magical girl, remember.”
Oh, right. I am.
“E-ei! Hiyah!”
I swing my magic wand wildly and slam it down. Boom!
“M-mommy…!”
Purple smoke explodes on impact. When it clears, the slimes are gone.
Instead—
“What’s this…?”
Black shards like the rift’s color scatter the ground. Safe to touch? I turn to ask, but Altair’s vanished.
“Eh.”
Absurd. As I turn back, the shards float up.
They fly straight to my earrings—to the jewel holding the star’s power.
I squeeze my eyes shut in panic.
“……”
Silence. Peeking, they’re gone.
“Wh-what? Did the jewel absorb them?”
I fiddle with my earring. That was… too easy? Well, Altair said it was tiny. Guess she left me to handle it solo.
“…So how do I get home now?”
Some people stared weirdly, but… I made it home. Got asked for pics thinking it was cosplay. Thought about flying back but chickened out—scared I’d plummet midair. First time, so nerves are normal, right?
“Ugh… tired.”
I flop onto bed without undoing transformation. I’m really a magical girl now. Surreal. Not a dream, right? Still sinking in. Too much happened in hours… Sleepy. Just a quick nap.
Pitch black. Up, down, left, right—all void. Not even sure what I’m standing on.
“Dr… dream?”
If it is, it’s an unsettling one. The thought hits: Yes, this is a dream.
“Eek—! Wh-who’s there!”
A sticky, lewd voice echoes from nowhere. Scary, but I’m a magical girl—I gotta be brave. Right.
That resolve evaporates as the darkness warps before me, a giant eye slowly opening.
A massive pupil stares straight at me.
“……”
Terror? No—just crushed, unable to move.
“Y-yes? I-I mean, yeah…”
What? H-how does it know? Looks like Altair skipped all explanations.
Altair…? She knows?
“Wh-what explanation…? Wait, first—who are you?”
A low, rumbling chuckle emanates from the giant eye.
“…Yes?”