V3: Chapter 17: Is This a Set-Up Strategy?

Volume 3: "The Girl's Heart Unravels"

Chapter 17: Is This a Set-Up Strategy?

It was a perfectly ordinary afternoon at school, a little on the humid side.

"Um... Chloe-chan?"

"Oh, what is it? Shizuku-san, you suddenly disappeared without even contacting me... and then you suddenly reappeared, dumping the media on me and leaving?"

Well... while the environment is normal, her mood in front of me doesn't seem normal at all.

Even though it was necessary, the lack of follow-up was quite excessive.

"Those earrings really suit you, don't they?"

"Y-yes..."

Even for a Magical Girl, ear piercings don't heal completely in a day or two. I'm exposing my ears defenselessly in front of her, as if completely oblivious to that fact. If she were to pull them like this, it would definitely hurt quite a bit.

It would feel so good... No, that's wrong. I should definitely show my gratitude this time.

"Well, I'm not really that angry, you know. Regarding the media matter..."

"Um, well..."

How incredibly forgiving. I watched the recording, and even the announcer's face was contorted... Gracia was desperately trying to salvage the interview, but it just didn't liven things up... The atmosphere in the room was like very awkward.

"Those piercings... well, they're fine. Though I have a lot to say about them."

"...Yes."

I've told her about the Lust Mark. So, she probably understands what happened after I left with Bell-chan. Well, actually, if left untreated, it could easily drive me insane.

"What do you mean you didn't contact me at all? I've been waiting all this time..."

"Ah..."

"I knew you were up to something. But you really don't trust me that much...?"

Seeing Chloe with tears in her eyes, an overwhelming sense of guilt washed over me. I had hurt her, my Chloe. I don't really like seeing people sad. In these times, I'd rather the people around me be smiling.

"I-I'll contact you properly next time... okay?"

"...It's a promise, right?"

She stared at me with a sullen look, and she was just like me... a middle schooler her age.

Calling someone like that "Master" and wagging my tail like that... I might be pathetic. But it was unavoidable because of the Lust Mark...

"That being said, I have something to discuss with you soon."

"Y-yes..."

Saying that, she pulled hard on the choker around my neck. My airway was constricted, making it a little difficult to breathe, but not too bad. No, I think it's probably about what happened yesterday... but I was too scared to ask.

★

That afternoon after school. I wasn't summoned by the association... but I was at the Magical Girl Association headquarters. It's a huge building, as always; at least it's bigger than the mansion Chloe usually lives in. That's a reflection of the power they wield, of course.

By the way, existing laws don't apply to Magical Girls.

There are roughly two reasons for that.

The first issue is that detecting and prosecuting illegal activities is difficult due to girls who use passive magic that is always active, or girls who use magic that is so subtle it's unclear if they're even using it. Tinkerbell's [Stagnation] is a prime example. It can be misused endlessly, and there's no way to prove whether it's being used or not.

The second issue stems from the inability to crack down on Magical Girls who are immune to modern weaponry. State powers like the police can be defeated by a single young girl.

That's why the Magical Girl Association—commonly known as the "Magical Association"—is tasked with cracking down on such Magical Girls.

Among them, the girl with the most "lawless" magic in terms of combat against people is the President of the Magical Girl Association, whom I will meet now... Squire.

Her information-gathering abilities, depending on the time and situation, far surpass even those of second-ranked magical girl, Gracia.

The headquarters of the Magic Association, located in the heart of the city. Passing by the reception desk, and walking down a corridor far too long for everyday use, I knocked on a heavy-looking door. A tiny, faint reply came back.

"Hmm..."

"Yes, yes, I'm coming in."　

A room devoid of any signs of life, with a table piled high with documents. Sitting in a chair in this room was the occupant... still wearing her eye mask, not moving a muscle. A gray-haired girl, shorter than me, always in her transformed state. Seeing her so still, it's easy to understand why she's said to resemble a doll.　

"It's been a while since we've talked like this, just the two of us, hasn't it?"

"The other day, I was busy."

She finally removed her eye mask, and my eyes met her dull gray eyes. Her somewhat downcast and reserved way of speaking was probably simply because she didn't like talking to people much. It's understandable considering her nature, but... I wish she'd make more friends besides me these days.

"...Nothing comes out no matter how much you look."

"No, I just think you're cute."

"...Liar."

The reason I'm showing my true self like this is because she's one of the very few people who know my true nature.

Only my mother and... Squire.

This isn't so much because I don't trust others, but rather because of her magic.

Although the name of the Magic is unknown, it's a mind-reading ability that allows her to understand what anyone she looks at is thinking. This incredibly powerful ability has only one drawback: it's a constantly active passive magic. Her Magic, which reveals the complete psychology of anyone she looks at, is invincible in negotiations and internal affairs.

However, even without that Magic, she possesses another... special talent.

That is photographic memory. It allows her to remember everything she sees without forgetting it.

If it were just one of them, it might have been enough to be considered merely excellent.

But what if you possessed both?

What if you could read the thoughts of people you don't want to hear, and remember them all?

How great would that pain be?

"---That's quite a belated realization."

"That's true."

She was one of the few people I could interact with without reservation. Since she knew my true nature, there was no need to pretend. I was only pretending for the sake of the contrast; even if she saw my inner self, my cuteness wouldn't waver.

"Because you're like that, I didn't think you'd come back."

"Well, there were circumstances..."

"Yes, I understand now."

Therefore, she knew all of my plans.

Why did the association abandon me, a Magical Girl, and issue a standby order?

The conclusion was that it was all because I was deeply involved with those in power. It wasn't something we specifically planned, but I suppose Squire respected my wishes.

No, if I were to make just one excuse, I never thought things would turn out like this... Really...

"You've changed, haven't you?"

"Really...?"

I don't really know myself, but if Squire says so, then I guess it's true.

"For now... Welcome back, Satellite."

"Yeah, I'm back... I guess?"

The person accused of the kidnapping, and the head of the organization, are now on the same side.

The friction caused by the Association President's decision, and me resolving it... that's not going to work, is it? This is a terrible setup.

"You've changed... Really."

I didn't understand the meaning behind that murmur.

Emotions are usually something you can't understand unless they're put into words.