[SHIZUKA POV]
"This way, please."
As the Y.E.I.D male enforcer led the three of us out of the district, I hugged the black cat tighter.
"Senior, I know you were... and still are a magical girl. But since you retired, please follow civilian protocol."
The male enforcer turned his head, glancing back at us—and his eyes settled beside me. On Rio.
"Yeahh yeahh, what can we do about that? I'm strong anywayss~"
Rio had her hands tucked behind her back as she walked, looking laid back instead of tense amidst the people screaming and scrambling out of the district.
Meanwhile, Miu didn't stray too far from me, clutching my sleeve and whipping her head in every direction as fast as she could.
"Relax, Miu. Even Rio-san isn't tense. We aren't in any trouble."
I leaned into Miu's ear, whispering in a volume only the two of us could hear.
"M-Mhm."
She looked up at me with those blue eyes that held nothing but trust.
But I could understand why she feels so nervous.
Though the enforcer in front of us wore the standard blue uniform—reminiscent of the police from back then, with the obvious addition of a bulletproof vest—
This isn't the look of Y.E.I.D specialists or military personnel.
In previous chapters, we'd seen standard military personnel. They looked no different than your average SWAT team.
However, for high-ranking officers and specialists... they wore suits and armor that were far more high-tech and urban/modern looking.
Still, I myself haven't seen those last two in person—only heard stories from my mom's friends.
And they all described them the same way: "Too scary."
I never understood why.
Until now.
"We salute Nova Eclipse, the Old Guard."
As we reached the evacuation center, two rows of heavily armored men marched out and snapped into a crisp salute as we passed.
"Long time no see."
Walking out to greet us was a very mature-looking woman, clad in a white coat over a white military uniform and a pencil skirt.
"Yo, Chinatsu."
Rio stepped closer, a grin spreading across her face.
"Who is that...?"
I asked myself. An acquaintance? Who could it be? I couldn't imagine anyone from Y.E.I.D connected to Rio.
It couldn't possibly be a relative, right?
As I stared at the two ladies chatting and smiling—
The black cat in my arms looked up at me.
『That... Master, is the true leader of the magical girls.』
Eh?
I looked at the cat. Then back at the woman.
Blonde hair...
Who had blonde hair back then...?
Eh?
Ehhh???
Luna Star?!
"Oh, and these two are...?"
Chinatsu pointed a slender hand towards me and Miu, causing both of us to jolt.
"Oh, that's my disciple. And her friend."
Chinatsu's eyes narrowed. She stepped closer, heels clicking against the pavement.
"Disciple? Since when have you taken subordinates?"
"Not subordinates. Disciples. It's for my dojo, dumbass. Something Himeno asked of me."
Chinatsu's eyes widened at Rio's words. Suddenly, it was like she'd connected the dots—her expression shifted from confusion to understanding.
"Oh... Oh, I see..."
As Chinatsu nodded to herself, I couldn't help but feel curious. I had to ask Rio myself.
"Uhm... Rio-san... that is...?"
I took a step closer, tilting my head to the side as I hugged IXX tighter.
Rio looked at me, eyebrow raised for a second before sighing—like she'd forgotten something important.
"Ah, right. This is Chinatsu. You know her best as Luna Star."
Rio raised a hand, presenting Chinatsu. In turn, the woman smiled.
"Right, I forgot to introduce myself~ I'm Chinatsu Fumie, A.K.A Luna Star. A.K.A current Board Director of Y.E.I.D."
Chinatsu puffed out her chest proudly—which, I noted with irritation, was no less than mine...
"Big..."
I blushed and immediately snapped my head toward Miu.
"Shush! Even if we're both women, you can't just say that!"
I scolded her in a frantic whisper.
"What was that?"
Chinatsu leaned in, a sly smile on her face.
"Oh—it's nothing! So, um... why is the Board Director here?"
I asked, genuinely curious.
"Because a dark pillar of light appearing out of nowhere isn't exactly a normal occurrence, no? Even back then, this never happened."
Chinatsu explained politely enough. But then, as if a switch flipped, her eyes snapped open wide and locked onto me.
"Wait a minute... those eyes... that cat... familiarrr... I sense Youma magic in both of you..."
Her cheerful demeanor did a complete 180. She stared at me with eyes that could freeze anyone solid.
As if sensing their Director's sudden hostility, the elite high-ranking Y.E.I.D soldiers raised their guns—aimed directly at us.
I was scared. Really scared. Even if I had my Youma powers, these guns obliterate Youmas like it's a casual Tuesday!
I tried to stay composed, my eyes darting around for any possible escape route. But that thought died quickly—we were completely surrounded.
"Now, now... relax. Relax. It's not that deep."
Rio stepped forward, waving a hand. But Chinatsu wasn't having it.
"What do you mean? You know how Youmas are... don't you? You, of all people, should know they're dangerous entities."
Chinatsu jabbed a finger at Rio. The angry gesture only made Rio sigh.
"Still as prickly as ever."
"P-Prickly?!"
Chinatsu turned bright red, her finger curling inward.
"I'm saving us from a potential threat! This girl has weird pupils and that cat is literally the m—"
"Shhhh."
Before Chinatsu could finish, Rio dashed forward and clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Not here, dumbass."
Rio's eyes darted meaningfully toward Chinatsu's subordinates. Chinatsu's eyes went wide... then slowly relaxed. It took a moment before she finally nodded in understanding.
Chinatsu led us into the evacuation center—which was, in fact, an underground bunker.
The building above looked like your average warehouse, but inside, a tunnel opened into an elevator shaft descending deep beneath the earth.
The reason the evacuation center is hidden inside a warehouse? In an urban city, it reduces the chances of detection by Youmas.
That's what I'd read in books, anyway. Though I'd argue it's a flawed idea—what if the building collapsed onto the bunker entrance? How would anyone escape then? Especially since bunkers like these usually have only one exit. With short term evacuation in mind.
Fortunately, structures like these are heavily protected and routinely maintained for structural integrity.
As for where I evacuated as a kid... it was a bunker near a hill, I think. Osaka, maybe? I'll have to ask Mom when I see her.
Anyway—
As we rode the elevator down into the bunker, the room fell silent. Aside from Miu's heavy breathing.
"Miu, relax."
I sighed softly, my eyes softening as I placed a gentle hand on her head.
"M-Mhm..."
Miu looked at me and nodded—uncertain, but trusting.
"So sweet~"
"Rio, shush!"
My cheeks turned faintly pink.
Soon the elevator door opened and my black iris widened as people turned their heads toward us.
"Director, director, is it safe to go outside now?"
A middle-aged woman ran toward us, filled with concern.
"That pillar of light—something is out there, huh? I'm scared to go out…"
"Mommy, can we go out already? I want to play in the arcade…"
A flood of sentiments and worries erupted the very moment Chinatsu appeared. Chinatsu simply sighed and raised her hand.
"Silence, please."
The whole bunker went dead quiet within seconds.
"As it stands, the people are still prohibited from going outside. The threat hasn't been assessed yet and there is a very real risk of casualties if we aren't careful."
Amazing. I looked at Chinatsu and my eyes glistened, reflecting her image.
So this is the original leader of the magical girls.
Chinatsu looked confident. Dependable. Her expression didn't hold a shred of anxiety—it makes you want to lean your head against her shoulder.
And her words… they reached every part of the bunker. It wasn't intimidating. It was warm.
I couldn't help but think of what could have been, had she not been fired.