『The next day』
Beep beep beep
"Ugh...the alarm."
I groaned, my eyes still sore from crying yesterday.
My mom tried to comfort me, but at the same time she was laughing—probably because my eyes looked like this…
Usually, I'd wake up right away, but…
I feel numb.
It's like all the colors in the world have vanished.
On one hand, I'm happy that Stella recognized me.
But on the other, it hurts that she said that… as she's graduating.
I glanced at the clock. 6:30am. Usually, I'd be up by 6, but again… I just don't feel good.
Yet, even so, I sat up.
Maybe it's the values I've forced into myself since I was young.
Despite not being in the mood for anything, my body moved on autopilot. It didn't care that I was depressed.
I went downstairs, ate breakfast, kissed my mom goodbye, and left the house.
As I walked the streets, I couldn't help but avoid the neighbors. I didn't explain myself to them, but it still hurt to see their confusion…
And somehow, the warmth of the sun didn't fill my heart with joy. Instead… it felt hollow.
Don't get me wrong, I still have some lingering hope. Being a magical girl is still within the realm of possibilities.
I'm just... very sad that when I finally become one, Stella won't be the senpai I could look up to as I work...
And also, knowing that being a magical girl these days is boring... it made me wonder what I'd even be doing if I became one, then?
So many thoughts ran through my head that I didn't even realize I was already at the university, brushing past the greetings of other students as I went straight into the classroom.
"Hey, Shizuka."
"Shizuka!"
I jolted at the sudden scream.
"W-Wha?!"
I closed my eyes, hands over my head as I curled up in surprise.
But when I opened my eyes and looked up—I saw a familiar face.
"Ah... Miu."
I slowly stood up, fixing the wrinkles in my clothes.
"What do you mean 'ah... Miu'? Girl, you look like someone died."
I couldn't help but force a smile at Miu. Technically, someone did die... in my heart.
Miu looked at me the way my mom would—half concern, half worry.
"I'm fine," I said, patting her shoulder gently.
I should probably just... focus on school. Do what I can to earn Lya's acknowledgement...
---
『January 2050』
It's the start of a new year. Youma attacks only happen once in a blue moon now. They still exist, but humanity can fight back.
I don't know exactly how, but it has something to do with technology.
Anyway, I turned 15 this year. It's been months since Stella Commet's retirement. I hope she's doing better.
I guess I'm doing fine in high school. Still top of my class. Still holding on to my values.
Though I've somehow lost a clear goal... I still cling to the idea that I'll get recruited!
---
『August 2051』
I've turned 16. Still no sign of Lya. Come to think of it, that mascot hasn't appeared in the news at all...
Whenever I'm done with school, I go out into alleyways—risking my life, just for a chance encounter. Just so I could finally be recruited. But so far... no luck. I guess I should keep trying...
---
『February 2052』
I'm 17 now. Still no sign of being recruited. I'm already applying for college. And honestly... I'm starting to doubt whether I could ever become a magical girl at this point.
It's been years.
And moreover, I'm way past the age magical girls were usually recruited. But... I still have some hope...
---
『March 2053』
18 years old. Still no sign. I can still hope... right?
---
『July 2054』
....
Still nothing...
Why?
I've done everything like Stella said—like mom said. I tried to be genuine, kind... I became the best version of myself.
I even kept searching in alleyways, going underneath bridges, just to have a sliver of a chance.
And yet!
And yet...
Why am I still not a magical girl? I don't understand at all. I'm already turning 20 in the next four months...
I couldn't help but sigh.
Ever since I went to college, Miu changed schools. Meanwhile, I stayed at the same university I'd studied in since middle school.
Since I didn't want to bother mom and wanted to be independent, I applied to board at the school too.
As I walked through the back part of the main university building, I couldn't help but smile at the lavish furniture.
"I may have seen this plenty of times, but wow!"
I giggled.
The furniture really was lavish—it evoked this feeling that I'd suddenly been sent back to the Elizabethan period. The classical music, the ornate décor, the state-of-the-art service—it was all so... surreal.
Surprisingly, since I've been doing well in school, mom doesn't need to pay much for me to stay in a VIP room.
I'm basically a scholarship student, you see.
When I got to the elevator and finally reached my room, I couldn't help but flop onto my bed.
Somehow, the softness made me feel... warm.
Usually, when I look at the clock and see it's 4 p.m., I'd be so happy—because that's usually when I get to see Stella again.
But now? It's like the world's forgotten magical girls entirely.
Just because they can manage youma attacks better now...
It's honestly disappointing. It's as if magical girls never existed in the first place!
Who are we fooling around here?
And to make it worse, almost everyone seems fine with how things are.
I can't help but scream into my bed—
My voice muffled as I vent out all my frustration.
"The world has stagnated,"
I spat out, flipping around and hugging the nearest pillow I could grab.
I can't even begin to tell you how boring these past few years have been.
And yet, even if I did... I'd probably just make myself look like some kind of villain.
Or some spoiled brat.
And that's something... I don't want to be
Then, my phone buzzed.
I sat up and reached for it.
??
"It's Miu."
I tilted my head.
What's she calling me for? She's usually so busy—she's taking a nursing course, after all...
I decided to answer, judging that it must be important.
"Miu! What's up?" I asked.
"Gurl, haven't you seen the news?"
Huh? What news?
"What news?"
"Look at the news—hurry!"
I hurried to the living room and grabbed the remote.
When I turned on the TV—it just happened to be on the news channel—my eyes went wide.
The same pink hair. The same red dress.
"S-Stella?"
My guard dropped completely.
It wasn't just her!
Nova Eclipse, Luna Star, Aurora Sparkle... and another magical girl I barely remembered...
They're all back!
"Miu, am I seeing things?" I asked, flabbergasted.
"Nope! But heh, I knew you'd like this news."
Maybe I did.
But...
Wait...
I looked at Stella Comett and something felt... off.
"Good afternoon, citizens of Shin-Tokyo. Today is a day of glorious news!"
Before I could analyze what I was seeing, the reporter's voice cut through my thoughts, dragging me back to the broadcast.
"This year, 2054, Lya has decided to recruit five girls to take on the mantle of their predecessors!"
The people at the scene cheered.
While I just stared—my black eyes narrowing.
No wonder Stella Comett felt different...
The Stella I know is already an adult—heck, she's already working a 9-to-5!
Then... who the FUCK is that?!
I gripped my phone tighter.
Miu's voice over the line got muffled by the ringing in my ears.
Then that white bunny appeared—floating.
"Hello! I am Lya! You already know me from when Stella Comett introduced me!
But I feel like now's the right time for me to fully expose myself, now that the youmas are gone!"
The pink rabbit pranced around, the audience in awe—
While I could only grit my teeth.
"As reporter-san said, I have recruited five fourteen-year-old girls to be the new magical girls!
Instead of fighting youmas, they'll be fighting... in movies! They'll also do brand deals!
They'll basically become idols!"
『Yesss!!』
"Nooo!!"
The crowd cheered while I screamed in agony.
"Shizuka? Shizuka! Are you alright?"
Miu kept calling my name, but all I could hear was white noise. My hand clenched harder around the phone—
So hard my fingers turned white... and the screen cracked.
"Yeah... I'm fine."
I forced a smile as I replied to Miu.
"I'll call you back later."
My smile grew wider as I ended the call—
and broke my phone.