episode_0008

Teenage magical girls’ sidabari-

“Since saying that is too intense, let’s call it behind-the-scenes work.”

In a positive light, it can be called a care service, and those who make it a concentrated profession are called road managers.

Isn’t this a term used in the idol industry?

That’s right.

In reality, magical girls are also engaging in activities similar to idols.

“Young girls who become celebrities with just a transformation, would you leave that alone?”

Even at a school on the verge of closure, a group of young girls responsible for not only the school but also the local economy has emerged through idol activities.

These young girls have superpowers, actually go out to save people, and their actual ages are around their teens?

It’s strange not to become an idol.

Moreover, after Clifort disappeared, magical girls have relatively lived in peaceful times for the past 10 years.

Magical girls no longer need to risk their lives to hide their identities.

There’s no need to be nervous about demons attacking their families and friends; instead, they reveal their identities and even receive legal protection.

Magical girls no longer have to fight to the brink of death.

Magical girls cannot be killed by the power of monsters or demons, and only Clifort’s Archdemon could actually kill them, but they’re all dead.

Naturally, even if they become idols, it’s not a big problem anymore, and I, as a road manager for these magical girls, wouldn’t have a problem either, but-

“Um, excuse me. This is a government official institution, right…?”

“That’s right.”

I am someone who cannot work officially.

Apart from curses, there are social issues.

“…It’s a bit awkward to say this, but I’m someone who shouldn’t casually reveal my identity. I mean, I don’t have an ID card…”

“……”

Misaki’s expression stiffens.

Even if someone seems nice, the fact that a late twenties beauty lives alone without an ID card can be interpreted in various ways.

Fundamentally, one could say she’s a ‘freeter kicked out of her home,’ and as for why she was kicked out…

“Umemei, have you done anything bad?”

“Huh? Of course not!”

I haven’t done anything wrong.

While I have blown up a city while fighting an Archdemon, it was a trivial sacrifice for the greater good.

“I don’t have a criminal record! I don’t…”

“Alright then. Maybe, you’re someone who shouldn’t be taxed?”

“W-well, sort of…”

I’m an illegal resident.

But it’s not something I can casually mention.

“So, if we don’t pry into Umemei’s identity and you’re willing to work, will you work?”

“…How much is the hourly rate?”

“3,000 yen per hour.”

“……!”

$30 per hour.

Even though ten years have passed, my mind automatically converts yen to 100 yen = $1.

Of course, considering the current exchange rate and cost of living in 2030, 3,000 yen per hour might not seem like a lot, but it’s enough to cover breakfast, lunch, and dinner at an average restaurant.

“I’ll consider it as a daily wage. Payment will be made weekly.”

“……”

“I don’t know people like you.”

Misaki looks at me with pitiful eyes, then turns her gaze out the window.

“You couldn’t reveal your identity casually, and you probably came all the way to Neodongtan because you had nowhere else to go.”

A tone that implies understanding everything.

I felt a slight pang in my heart, but isn’t it human nature to see and hear things the way you want?

“So, I won’t ask.”

“Do you think there’s some misunderstanding…?”

“Shall I clear up the misunderstanding?”

“Is that so? I don’t know if there will ever come a time when we can reveal such things, but if Mumei doesn’t wish for it, I’ll just keep it a secret.”

Misaki handed me a file folder.

“The tasks related to the Road Manager cannot be leaked outside casually, so this is a contract written within the permissible scope. Take it home and think about it. If you have any thoughts, come back here tomorrow morning at 10.”

“I’ll think about it.”

With those words, Mumei left the room.

Misaki watched Mumei leave for a while.

She didn’t take any pictures, but her image would surely be captured on the CCTV.

“Sorry.”

Though the person wouldn’t hear it, Misaki apologized to the departed Mumei.

“We are meticulous in our approach from our end.”

“Oh, the results are out.”

As the door opened, a middle-aged man with a thick beard sat down holding a freshly printed paper.

“Not in the database. At least an illegal resident.”

“You mean she’s at least an illegal resident? Team Leader Minamoto. What do you think of her?”

“At least I don’t think she misunderstood you.”

The middle-aged man, Team Leader Minamoto of the Devil Countermeasures Department, twirled his beret on his head.

“You should talk to people. How do you expect to persuade anyone with that tone?”

“I’d rather not hear it from you, sir.”

“But you need to hear it, right? The girl who just left was practically the last chance. Or will Chief Misaki personally handle the Road? Those little ones?”

“Ugh…”

“But it has to be done. If the Devil Countermeasures Department starts operating in earnest, the Monster Countermeasures Department loses its meaning.”

“Sir!”

“Don’t raise your voice. I have heart disease, so if you startle me, I could have a heart attack. Hehe.”

Team Leader Minamoto tapped the paper lightly.

“That girl, she’s definitely not someone who sells her body. There’s no information in the entertainment industry, and she doesn’t seem like a Gyaruna mine.”

“…Isn’t that domestic information? Do you have other evidence?”

“Well, my gut feeling?”

Minamoto made a horn-like gesture above his head.

“I, Minamoto Unicorn, am shouting out my intuition. This girl is a virgin, a virgin.”

“Disgusting.”

“Disgusting? You asked for evidence, and I answered. Don’t you know what ‘jeyukgam’ means?”

“How can you believe in that?”

“Why wouldn’t you believe it? Try guessing what kind of person Chief Misaki is. Well, if I had said that, I would have vomited blood and collapsed right here.”

“Do you want to die?”

Misaki blushed and snapped, but Minamoto laughed heartily and playfully stroked his beard.

“According to my thoughts, that girl will definitely come. She seems like she could be very helpful in many ways, so get ready in advance.”

“What’s your evidence?”

“I told you. At least she’s an illegal resident. So, what’s the maximum?”

“Not the worst?”

“The best. Look. According to my intuition…she’s a witch.”

“…?”

“I don’t know where she’s from, but she probably came to Japan because she couldn’t operate in her own country. She must have confidence in surviving wherever she goes, so she’s not desperate.”

“Not desperate…”

Misaki looked out the window and closed her eyes.

“We need someone desperate.”

“It’s not just about desperation, Manager Misaki. Using desperation to force passion, they call it ‘passion pay’ over there, right?”

“The salary isn’t high, is it?”

“Even if the salary is high, if there is more mental stress than the salary, that’s black.”

“So, the basis for Ms. Mumei’s return is…?”

“Desperation.”

“…What nonsense.”

“Not her own desperation, but the desperation of this person here.”

Team Leader Minamoto pointed a finger at Misaki with a scowl.

“You’re begging so desperately, acting like you can’t get past it at all. Did you not see something?”

“…Was I making such an expression?”

“What? You couldn’t see when it was right in front of you? Oh well, I shouldn’t say more. You can use my tip on that lady.”

“I won’t use it.”

“In reality, you’re hiring to exploit, aren’t you? Well…”

Minamoto stood up from his seat, about to leave.

“If you bother her or anything, shall I take her to my team?”

Leaving those words behind with a serious look, he left the room.

“…”

Manager Misaki quietly gazed out the window.

* * *

Late evening.

Returning home, I placed the contract on the desk and went to the park for a walk.

With the advancement of smartphones, the playground-cum-park where children no longer seek was adorned with a lone rusty swing, and I sat on it, staring blankly at the night sky.

“What should I do.”

I don’t know about other things, but I understand that Murata Misaki is in a very difficult situation.

Me?

Whether it’s a delivery company or whatever, if I work hard, I can afford the rent easily.

As long as it’s under 90,000 yen, I can manage somehow, feeling safe.

And if need be, even a bank-

“…Huh?”

Just as I pondered about my future for a moment.

“Oh, again?”

Next to the playground, something transparent resembling a jellyfish swayed under the long bridge over the river.

Even though it was night.

“…Hmm.”

Right.

My mind is complicated, but moving my body might clear my head.

“Japan is nice because there are fewer CCTVs.”

China is another story, and even subtly, South Korea with many CCTVs is the same.

“Transformation.”

I lightly placed my hand on my abdomen.

[…….]

Reflected in the playground mirror was my appearance, unmistakably a suspicious polar bear doll costume.

‘Rather than changing appearances for no reason, it’s better to hide my identity clearly.’

Tap.

I leaped up in one breath, running towards the river.

And jumping towards the jellyfish-

Crashhh!

With the sound of glass shattering, I entered a changed world.

[“Who goes there!!”]

A sharp voice of a monster.

And on the opposite side, a magical girl bleeding-

‘Two.’

[“It’s a passing polar bear.”]

[“…That can’t be true!!”]

Clearly looking like a monster, a crow-headed giant taller than 2m shouted towards the ceiling where I fell.

[“What passing polar bear broke through the barrier of ‘Another World’ and appeared!!”]

I’m angry, but what can I do.

[“What passing polar bear did that?”]

I saw it while passing by.

[“Me.”]