『Stella Commet, that is going to be your name. You will shine as bright as the stars, and your impact on the world will be as great as a comet.』
I had just managed to flee from those horrible ink-like monsters. My feet hurt so much, and my lungs burned as they begged me for air.
Then suddenly—like the black creatures themselves—a very cute pink bunny appeared before me out of thin air, right in the alley I was hiding in.
And just as abruptly, it gave me a name.
Frankly, I knew this cliché scenario all too well. I'm 14, and I've watched way too much anime.
But to think I'd get shoved into an actual magical girl offer… and in a situation I couldn't refuse, no less...
I couldn't help but narrow my eyes at the pink rabbit. Its eyes scanned me—innocent enough, or at least pretending to be.
"Sure! I accept."
I smiled and extended my hand.
The rabbit looked puzzled at first before realizing I wanted a handshake.
Surprisingly, its paw was so soft!! I even squished it a few times before the bunny yoinked its hand away.
"I wanted to squish at least a bit more…"
I puffed my cheeks.
"No! No! No squishing! Besides, you have something to worry about!"
The pink rabbit got all red, shaking its tiny arms like it was rejecting the thought of being squished again.
"Something to worry about?" I asked.
The bunny then pointed outside the alleyway—where something was peeking.
I squinted, trying to focus. And when I finally did, chills ran down my spine.
There it was—one of those black, inky creatures peeking right at us! It looked like some sort of monkey hybrid!
"Eek!!" I jumped back.
"W-What do I do, pink rabbit?!"
I hid behind the small pink bunny—though, honestly, I was way bigger than it, so it was kind of pointless.
"Pfftt, hahaha! Don't be so scared of some youma!"
"Those are youmas?!"
I squealed like I'd just seen a cockroach. The youmas I'd seen in anime were so much cuter—like someone slapped a filter on them.
This? This was not it!
"Pink rabbit, c'mon! What do I do?! You said I'm Stella Commet, right?"
I nudged the bunny impatiently.
"Fine, fineee. Repeat after me."
I nodded.
And together—me fumbling a bit behind—we began reciting what the pink bunny said:
『Through the darkest nights, I will be the star that shines the brightest. I will guide lost souls like a comet traveling through the cosmos. I am pure, I am kind, I am humble. I am Stella Commet.』
With those words uttered,
A pink array formed beneath my feet, light enveloping my body!
Oh God—I'm transforming!
The light felt warm. And surprisingly, I didn't feel naked or anything—it was as if I was fully clothed through the process.
So that's how it actually works?! The transformations don't strip you down?!
Noted.
As the light faded, I gasped.
"Beautiful…" I murmured, admiring the red dress that now adorned me.
"Now's not the time," said the pink rabbit, breaking my trance as it pointed toward the same youma—now crawling toward us.
"Uh—what do I do?!" I panicked.
"Summon your wand by thinking of what protects you best."
What protects me best...?
Puzzled and panicking, I pictured the generic magical girl wand from every anime ever—
"Wait, why is it a staff?!"
I stared in awe (and mild confusion) at the long staff now resting in my hands.
…Well, it's still a weapon.
"Now go fight!"
"Excuse meee??"
I'm a 14-year-old girl! I study, I watch anime—I've never fought in my life!
But I knew I had no right to complain. I wanted this power.
So I ran toward the youma—and it lunged right back at me.
At the last second, I slid underneath it and swung my staff upward, striking its belly.
The impact dented its midsection and launched it nine feet into the air.
And the moment it hit the ground—
I slammed my staff down onto its head.
It popped like a berry.
I looked at the pink rabbit, catching my breath.
"It popped like a berry!"
"Is that really what you should be saying right now?"
The bunny said, kicking at the air.
"Rauur!"
I looked to my side and, out of panic, swung my staff. Thankfully, it hit the youma right in the face—sending it flying into the horizon.
...
I'm... way too OP.
"Well, that wasn't so bad for your first fight."
The bunny looked at me, a glimmer in its eyes. As if I was truly the right choice.
"Erm, rabbit... what should I call you?"
I tilted my head to the side.
Surely a pink rabbit, all fluffy and cute, should have a girlypop name, right?
"Call me Lya."
Kyahhh! So cuteee!!
"Oh my gosh, you must be like... a girl then?"
I hugged the rabbit tight, causing it to fluster.
"Hands off!! Yeah, I'm a female rabbit—so what?!"
"So cuteeee~"
I snuggled even harder.
"Stop stop! This is sexual harassment!"
"I'm only hugging you!"
"HELP, COPSSS!!"
"E-Eeek!"
???
Both me and Lya stopped fooling around.
"Lya, that wasn't you, right?"
"I would never squeal like that—and you know it."
"Right."
I walked out of the alleyway and couldn't see anybody.
"Did you know you could fly?"
I immediately looked at Lya.
"Say what?"
"Yup."
"Why didn't you say so?"
"...."
"You didn't ask?"
"COME HERE, YOU!!"
A vein popped on my hand as I was about to grab that smug pink rabbit.
"A-Ahh! Waittt, I'll teach you!"
Following Lya's directions, I started with a jump—but once midair, I had to will myself to fly.
Basically, flying felt like trying to reach for something invisible. Hard to put into words... but it was a continuous, conscious choice to move midair.
It was both amazing and weird, being as high as the rooftops. But it proved useful.
In the distance, I saw a mother running from a pack of youmas—with... a baby in her arms?!
"Lya! I'm not hallucinating, am I?"
I looked at the pink rabbit, panicked.
"You might as well be—if you're delusional enough to ignore that mother and child fleein—A-Ahhh! Stop stop, I'm sorry!"
Lya rubbed her head after I gave her a light noogie.
My heart started pounding faster. This was dangerous—too dangerous for them!
I didn't want to get involved, but... magical girls are supposed to save people.
To be a beacon of light!
So, with some reluctance, I flew toward them—taking out youmas on the way.
When I reached the top of a building, I looked down—and my eyes widened.
"Shit, they're surrounded!"
My heart dropped. Tears nearly formed.
"Stella, you have the power now. You can save them."
I jolted and looked beside me. The pink rabbit stared at me with compassion.
Right. I can save people. Not just myself.
"Right... I got this."
I steeled my heart, walking calmly on air before dropping down from above.
If I could cleanse this world from evil—I would. That's what I thought.
As the cat-like inky creature was about to pounce on the mother and child, I closed my eyes.
I placed my staff and hands close to my heart—and instinctively began to utter:
『Oh heavens above, please help this poor girl cleanse the world of evil.』
My hands began to glow. I opened my eyes and gripped my staff tightly.
A magical girl's power lies within her will and faith.
And right now, my will to exterminate these youmas was immense.
With a point of my staff, a concentrated beam struck each of the youmas cornering the mother and child.
As the youmas fell lifeless, I gently—gracefully—descended to the ground.
I walked toward the mother and child, careful to avoid the disgusting inky substance their corpses were excreting.
「Are you okay?」
I extended my hand. The woman looked exhausted—she must've been running for her life. How cruel...
"Thank you for saving me... may I know your name?"
She bowed repeatedly, and I didn't know what to do! I was flustered—it was my first time saving someone.
I turned red and scratched the back of my head.
"Hehe! The name's Stella Comett, leader of the magical girls—please remember it!"
I smiled and struck a cute pose, forming a V with my fingers.
"Bwahahah babaaa!"
I jumped a little—then looked at the baby, who was smiling too.
"Not a care in the world... I think she likes you."
The mother smiled and cradled her child.
"Hehe... pleaseee, I'm not that admirable."
I giggled, stepping closer.
"Can I touch her? What's her name?"
"Shizuka. Beautiful, isn't it?"
I nodded, tears welling up again.
"Mhm... the first two lives I saved... I'm glad. I'm really glad."
I couldn't help but cry in front of the mother and her baby. The baby's black eyes glimmered—and for a moment, the world felt warm.
As I escorted the mother and daughter to a bunker, I made my way out.
"Why did you say you were the leader?"
Lya's tone felt serious — so serious it made a cold sweat run down my back.
"A-Am I not? I'm the first one, right?"
"Who told you you were the first? Don't go saying you're the leader. What if that baby became obsessed with you? What will you do then?"
My pupils dilated from the overwhelming questions...
"Uhm... that is..."
I looked down, feeling humiliated.
"Next time, don't go saying something you're not. Got it?"
Lya looked at me with her piercing gaze.
"O-okay..."
I whimpered.
I thought fighting against the youmas with my newfound power would be fast, easy. But it wasn't.
The reason Lya was angry at me for claiming to be the leader was because there were magical girls recruited before me.
I just happened to be the second-to-last.
But even so, it filled me with joy that day by day, fewer youmas appeared. Eventually, with the help of me and my fellow magical girls—
We were able to help Japan rebuild several cities. With Shin-Tokyo being the biggest one!
When I turned 15, because of my status as a savior of humanity, I became independent. Meaning my parents—who are still alive btw—
Had no hold on me. That meant I was free to go wherever I wanted! During my free time, I would visit cities and, after exterminating youmas,
I'd search for Shizuka and her mother. Yes, I hadn't forgotten about the first people I successfully saved.
It took three months, but finally, I found them. They lived on Sakura Street, where tons of apartments stood.
Thankfully, it was easy to find where Shizuka lived. A modest house, with a spacious lot—enough for a child to play safely behind a fence.
I rang the doorbell, and a familiar face appeared at the front door. It was Shizuka's mother.
"Uhm... who?"
The mother looked concerned. Then I remembered—
When I'm in civilian mode, I usually have my hair down. Yeah, I don't really like twintails at all.
I'm a grown lady!
"Ah! Shizuka's mother! It's me!"
I struck a confident pose, flashing a V-sign with my fingers again.
Shizuka's mother brightened up.
"Oh, it's our savior! Please, come on in!"
When I entered the house, my lips curved into a smile immediately. I couldn't help but look at the photo frames—pictures of the mother and daughter smiling.
I felt like I'd truly done a great job as a magical girl.
The mother guided me to the living room, and I sat on the couch.
"What brings you here, my savior?"
I laughed awkwardly—being called savior is a little...
"Please, just call me Himeno."
I smiled at her.
"Ah, erm... okay," the lady nodded.
"I'm just here to see how you guys are doing," I said with a smile.
"How's your baby? Shizuka?"
The mother sighed softly.
"Oh, if only you knew... she's so hyperfixated on being a magical girl, and fighting together with you."
"Ehhh??"
I blushed a little—what a cutie! I'd love to have a cute kohai like that!
"That's so cutee!"
I giggled.
"Yeah, but all she talks about is how cool you are, how kind you are... that's all she ever says."
I blushed even harder.
"Gosh!"
I hid my face in my hands.
"In any case, she's ten years old now, and she still hasn't stopped doing your pose."
I turned bright red again.
"Ack, sorry!"
"You don't have to be."
And so, after finally finding Shizuka, I felt at peace. They didn't die. They lived.
Whenever I could, I'd visit Shizuka's mother when Shizuka wasn't home, and we eventually grew close.
She has my contact info, and we call and text often.
In a way, I felt like I was Shizuka's mother too. Her mother would tell me how Shizuka had become quite an outstanding student.
Oh, how I wish I could've continued my education... but alas... I'm a magical girl.
In any case—
This went on for years, until I turned 28.
The youmas became few in number, but even so, I loved my job as a magical girl.
But one day—
『Quit』
"What?"
I stared at the pink rabbit.
『Quit』
"But why? I'm still capable! There are still youmas out there—I can't just retire!"
『I don't care. I don't need you anymore.』
My heart sank as I heard those words.
『In fact, I don't need you, and you, and you.』
The rabbit began pointing at the rest of my crew.
『The magical girls are over. You are no longer needed. Make up your own excuse and announce it on TV in the next few days.』
I looked at my crew. They looked back and shook their heads—as if it was no use fighting back.
Just like that...
I lost my job.
Just like that,
I was forced to retire.
I did wonder how this would affect Shizuka... I was afraid to visit her mother.
Not to mention, I had no source of income now. Nothing to my name.
So I went job hunting.
At first, it was hard. Who would hire a former magical girl?
So I decided to take a short-term course and, well, I got a diploma—just enough to land me a job in human resources.
In a way, it was similar to what I did back in my magical girl days, so I fit in perfectly.
One day, on my way to work, I decided to stop by Shizuka's mother's house to apologize.
At the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of familiar hair color.
I turned my head—and I was right. Across the street, I could feel evil energy emanating from the alley.
But more importantly... Shizuka came out of it unscathed?
I have to look into this...
I clenched my fists and prepared to cross the road.
My dear Shizuka... I may not have been perfect, but I swear—
To you, the one I saved years ago—
I will not let you down this time. Whatever you've experienced... I will save you twice.