episode_0002

What exactly is a magical girl?

Through her work as a counselor, she had defined them simply.

Girls who wield dangerous power. Yet, because their purpose is just, society accepts them as those who wield such power.

And—

Pitiful children who, because of that dangerous power, are forever separated from normalcy.

That was how she defined magical girls.

Indispensable beings who fight in place of others against the demonic beasts and the forces of evil that harm humanity—all in the name of justice.

Because of this, society and people depend on them, leaning on their strength.

They cannot be done without.

Magical girls are a necessary force for good.

But the expectations and pressures placed upon them are far too great for girls whose mental and physical growth has halted, leaving them no different from children.

As an adult, it’s shameful, but this is the unavoidable reality.

After all, ordinary humans cannot defeat demonic beasts or evil spirits.

—Buzz!

A familiar vibration from her phone, followed by a notification.

[Emergency Disaster Alert] [-City B-] At approximately 12:50 PM today, a demonic beast containment alert has been issued for residential areas in City B. Citizens are advised to prepare for evacuation.

“Lately, demonic beasts have been appearing more frequently.”

Demonic beasts had emerged one day and began threatening the world.

They were enemies humanity could not easily oppose.

Conventional weapons were useless against them, and their terrifying power had reduced cities to ruins.

Just as humanity was on the verge of total defeat, the first magical girl appeared—and everything changed.

After the first magical girl, the existence of the spirit realm was discovered, and magical girls began appearing like mushrooms after rain.

The history that followed could be found in modern textbooks.

—Tap.

Dismissing the alert, she opened a government-approved app—one only accessible to counselors.

Was it called the Magical Girl Management App?

It displayed the status of the magical girls under her care and the current situation in the city.

[Multiple low-to-mid-tier demonic beasts sighted in City B] [Nearby magical girl Ai has responded to the summons] [Currently engaged in combat]

“So it’s true she’s been active in City B a lot lately.”

From what she remembered, Ai had originally operated in City A.

But ever since they met, her range of activity had expanded to include City B.

Coincidentally, that was also where she lived.

It was probably a simple, affectionate act—a desire to be seen by someone she cared about.

And thanks to that, she would soon have another chance to see Ai again.

—Boom!

While others were evacuating, she headed toward the site of the ongoing battle.

Evacuation was ultimately a personal choice.

Some office workers stayed behind to keep working or eat lunch.

And occasionally, there were people like her who came out to watch the magical girls in action.

But no one would compensate for any damages suffered there.

It was, after all, their own choice.

As she neared the site, she saw people.

Some were keeping their distance, but others had gathered to catch a glimpse of the magical girl.

—Click!

‘That camera looks… pretty high-end. A professional photographer?’

Magical girls were somewhat like idols.

Or more accurately, idols of the battlefield would be a better description.

With their beautiful appearances and the fact that they never aged, magical girls were deeply intertwined with the idol industry.

As a result, there were fans who followed them professionally.

“Ai-chan is… so pretty today. Look at that confident face. The way the corners of her lips curl up is adorable…”

“Ugh… I thought Freif-chan would show up since it’s City B. Guess it’s the local’s turn.”

Weaving through the crowd of fans, she slipped into a nearby building.

And there, she watched Ai’s battle unfold.

The impression Ai gave off while fighting the demonic beast was simple.

—Crash! —Kwaaaah!!!

‘She’s pretty aggressive. Even though she mainly fights with magic, her physical strength is no joke either.’

Wild movements, her silvery-white hair swaying with each motion.

Her fluttering dress only added to the spectacle.

The way she tore through monsters was terrifying, but her cute face—befitting the title of magical girl—easily drew attention.

‘No wonder she has so many fans.’

Ai was a magical girl with deep roots, classified as an A-rank.

She had been active for a long time and had accomplished much, so she likely participated in many public events.

Naturally, that was the perfect environment to cultivate a fanbase.

“This ends now!”

—Whooosh!

Mana gathered at her fingertips.

Even from a distance, the overwhelming pressure of the spell being formed was palpable.

A completed spell.

A massive fireball launched from the tip of her staff, incinerating everything—as if the demonic beast had never existed.

‘Fan time, huh.’

Fan time.

Once the danger had passed and safety was restored, the fans would begin to move.

A period where, after rescue efforts and cleanup, the magical girl would entertain fan requests.

Zooming in with her phone, she observed Ai’s reaction.

“Phew… Huh? Agh, it’s already this late?! Lunch break’s almost over!”

“Huff, huff… Ai-sama, I’m your fan!”

“Thank you for always protecting us, Ai!!!”

“Can I get just one photo?!”

“Uh…”

The moment the fans swarmed, the brightness in Ai’s face dimmed slightly.

Even so, as if out of a sense of duty as a magical girl, she forced a smile and greeted them.

‘Does she not like fan interactions?’

Occasionally, some magical girls disliked their fans or fan activities.

Naturally, since their hearts and minds were still those of girls, excessive attention could be uncomfortable.

And most of those who called themselves “fans” were either overly obese or painfully thin—hardly the most pleasant company.

Honestly, she could understand the aversion.

But Ai’s reaction was different.

‘What is this reaction?’

It wasn’t dislike.

If anything, she seemed abnormally averse to physical contact.

Not out of disgust or revulsion.

She simply avoided touch altogether.

Otherwise, she was kind enough to take photos or give autographs.

‘Don’t tell me…’

On a hunch, she grabbed her phone and decided to join the fan time.

Pushing through the sweaty crowd of fans, she approached Ai.

“Thank you for always supporting me… Ah.”

“Before you go, would it be okay if I got a photo too?”

She called out as if stopping Ai, who seemed ready to take off at any moment.

Ai’s footsteps froze mid-air.

Then, her wandering eyes locked onto hers—before immediately darting downward.

Silence stretched between them.

One fan, unable to bear it, grabbed her shoulder as if to pull her away.

“Ai-chan seems busy, so let’s not bother her.”

“Hey, you look like a salaryman. Don’t annoy her, alright?!”

“It’s… okay.”

Despite the fans’ protests, Ai quietly agreed.

With no further reason to stop her, the fans reluctantly let go.

Brushing them off, she stepped closer to Ai.

Behind her, grumbling continued—likely complaints about her wasting Ai’s time.

‘First, let’s see how far she’ll allow this.’

Casually, she stood beside Ai and raised her phone.

The monochrome screen framed the two of them.

Just like the other fans, she closed the distance.

Shoulders nearly touching—an uncomfortably close proximity.

Given Ai’s earlier reactions, she should have kept her distance.

But—

—Tap.

Instead, Ai leaned in, pressing her shoulder against hers.

Her skin radiated warmth.

A glance to the side revealed tiny ears turning red.

“Um… a-aren’t you taking the photo?”

Snapping out of it at Ai’s shy murmur, she quickly took the picture.

Normally, fan service ended with a single photo.

But.

Ai didn’t leave. Instead, she fidgeted, glancing at her expectantly.

‘Well then, one last thing.’

“Could I… maybe shake your hand?”

Other fans had been refused the moment they asked.

Perhaps aware of this, the stares from the surrounding fans grew heavier.

Their thoughts were easy to read.

Back off. Can’t you see she’s uncomfortable? This guy’s such a nuisance.

But there was one more thing they didn’t expect.

“Y-yes… Thank you for always supporting me…”

Contrary to their assumptions, Ai reached out and accepted the handshake.

Behind them, confused sighs and murmurs erupted.

Her hand was small and cute—seemingly fragile enough to vanish if squeezed.

Embarrassed, Ai covered her mouth with her free hand, fidgeting.

Testing her reaction, she gently held that tiny hand.

Warm. Soft.

And slightly damp with nervous sweat.

It was less of a handshake and more of a caress.

Yet Ai said nothing, as if savoring the moment.

After what felt like both an instant and an eternity, she let go.

Ai let out a tiny sigh—one only she could hear.

As soon as their fan service ended, the crowd surged forward.

“Hey, Ai-chan! Me too!!”

“One more photo, please!”

“W-we also… um!”

Perhaps envious of what she’d received, they closed in.

The fans gradually encircled Ai.

The stench of their bodies made her stomach churn.

“I-I’m sorry…!”

Ai took to the sky, escaping the fan service.

And with that, she was certain.

‘It’s not that she dislikes fan service—it’s because of me.’

The heart of a girl in love was simple.

She wanted to avoid physical contact with other men.

She wanted to remain pure, more than anyone else.

She wanted to show him how clean, how innocent she was.

And in front of him, her guard had crumbled.

A new problem had emerged because of her.

If left unresolved, it might intertwine with other issues and deal a major blow to Ai’s career.

Especially since magical girls were so similar to idols.

“Tch… You stole all the fan service.”

“Hey, what’s your fan club number? You look like a single-digit kinda guy. There are rules among fans, you know…”

To the grumbling fans, she showed one thing.

The badge displaying her fan club number.

“Number… 1? Wait, the actual Number 1 badge exists?!”

The fans were stunned.

Of course they were.

Who would dare question the Number 1 fan?

Walking past the speechless crowd, she pondered.

How should this be resolved?

What method would make a lovestruck girl return to normal?