V3: Chapter 18: A Heart-Pounding Sleepover Plan!? (Part 1)

Chapter 18: A Heart-Pounding Sleepover Plan!? (Part 1)

In Squire's private room at the back of the office, there are almost no personal belongings. It's a white room with just a bed and minimal furniture. Because of her own magic, she doesn't want to go outside, either mentally or physically... even though she lives at the headquarters of this association.

"Would you like some tea?"

"Then, I'll have some."

While there are the bare minimum, like a TV and a refrigerator, there are no cute, girly bags, and only the bare minimum of simple clothes. There are some clothes I gave her as gifts, though.

In fact, the only personal belongings she has are the eye mask and headset she was wearing earlier... and a book. And even that book is from the library at this association headquarters, so she really doesn't have any personal belongings.

The TV is playing continuously, showing not anime or dramas... but NHK news. She's not interested in the mundane world, or rather... I've never seen her cling to anything.

"Squire's cute too, you should dress up."

"Next you will say 'Not as cute as me, though' ...right?"

"Well, I'm the cutest in the universe, after all."

"... I don't dislike that part about you."

There's no point in putting on an appearance when the other person can read mind.

Besides, my cuteness is the type of the 'most beautiful girl in the class', Chloe is a 'refined young lady', Bell is a '(sassy) little sister type', and Squire has an 'otherworldly cuteness like a doll'.

Just like it's pointless to compare steak and hamburger, I think it's pointless to compare cuteness to other people.

"Not everyone can be that pragmatic like you."

"I think Gothic Lolita would suit you."

"......That's not the point."

Her slightly dissatisfied expression is cute, or rather, unusual. She's always so expressionless, I thought her facial muscles had finally died.

"......I won't deny it."

"No, I don't think that far, do I? I just think you don't seem to have any other friends besides me."

"I won't... deny it."

"I wish you'd denied that."

Actually, I think it's easier to be around someone I don't need to pretend to be anything I'm not. She's seen everything about me, and accepted it all... I don't know if that's true, but she's still my friend.

On the TV, which is still playing and I'm not even sure if she's actually watching it... they're showing a press conference about some recently talked-about equipment business or some private military company.　

["We believe we must change this distorted social structure that relies entirely on magical girls."]

For example, these cow horns that were not properly cut down earlier. Weapons and armor made from such materials are effective against monsters, and are mainly deployed to Magical Girls who lack direct combat ability, or to the police and Self-Defense Forces... but now that the Demon King is dead, the plan is to sell them off for civilian use.

I've never seen anyone using them around me. Most of my acquaintances are just high-level Magical Girls, and of course, I don't need them either. Their goal seems to be to enable non-Magical Girls to fight with such equipment...

["The life of being constantly threatened is over."]

There are annoyingly loud flashes of light. Well, for them, who have no means of resistance whatsoever, even one means of self-defense would be desirable.

I can understand how you feel, but...

["Let's join hands and face this together!"]

A man with a suspicious, almost plastered-on smile strikes a triumphant pose towards the camera.

Well, the idea is grand. However, I don't think it will work. Without magic or magical power, I can't imagine them being able to fight against External Enemies.

"I have something to do."

"Really? Well, it's almost dinner time, so I think I'll be going now."

It was already getting quite dark outside; it was certainly a good time to wrap things up.

"Maybe I'll need you to come again sometime?"

"Is that as the Association's President? Or as Squire?"

"As the president of the association."

"So, it's work, huh..."

Even after defeating the Demon King, the Magical Girl's battle isn't over. It's good that I wasn't dismissed from my duties, but I hope the other Magical Girls find peace soon. I want my Master to end my life as soon as possible.

"Take care, Satellite."

"Okay, and take care, Squire."

As she stood up to see me off, she waved her arms, which were so thin they looked like they might break. And so, my long-awaited reunion with Squire was───

"...you really won't break that easily, huh..... Satellite."

★★★

The following Saturday, the day after that incident, I was invited to what seemed to be Chloe's house, having been told there was something important to discuss.

Why am I not certain? Because...

"Why are we in the middle of nowhere like this...? Do you usually commute from here?"

"No, this is one of the mansions owned by the Tachibana family... I 'asked' my father, and he gave it to me."

The mansion was quite deep in the mountains. I think we were in the car for over an hour. Even for an overnight stay, we had come quite far.

But still, she was given a house...?

I still entrust my salary to my mother; what kind of upbringing is that from the Tachibana family?

Well, apparently Chloe already has several projects under her management. Perhaps Chloe's parents already see her as an independent adult.

"What a magnificent mansion! Isn't it a bit too extravagant for a birthday present?"

"The mansion... or rather, this whole area belongs to me, you know?"

"Huh, really...?"

The scale is just too big!

Satellite-chan, whose family is just an ordinary commoner, is bewildered!

Seriously, you really get the feeling she's a truly wealthy, elite young lady in moments like this.

As expected, I got out of the car with a driver, and a maid was waiting to receive my luggage. Before I knew it, I was led to what seemed to be a reception room, and tea was served. I'd told them I liked it, but the scent was definitely different from the one they usually serve.

"I've been thinking, and I think sunlight is really important. Being underground has its limitations, after all."

"...Sorry, what are you talking about?"

"Shall we talk while we walk a bit?"

The well-maintained, lush garden was so vast it was larger than a small park. In the center was a fountain and tea set, predominantly white... the scene unfolded like the wealthy man's house I had imagined.

Chloe and I walked side-by-side through this garden. What could this conversation possibly be that's dragged on this long?

"I've been thinking about a lot of things...and I've decided I want to be on equal footing with my partner."

"Yeah, well, normally..."

According to common sexual preferences, that reaction seems correct.

While romantic relationships between Magical Girls aren't entirely unheard of...the general world is one where men and women marry and start families.

"But I've been studying a lot lately. Even in relationships that fall under the S&M category in terms of play, trust is important... and there must be a solid trust there."

... So what does that mean? 

The conversation seems to connect, but not quite. Besides, my self-destructive tendencies aren't something that can be handled by something as half-hearted as S&M play—

"So, just in case I were to keep you... I've prepared a house for you for now. This garden would be perfect for walking a dog, wouldn't it?"

"──────Huh?"

It took me several moments to understand what she was saying. In combat, that would be a fatal gap.

And then I froze again trying to comprehend what she was saying.

The ground I was standing on, the garden with red roses... it all seemed like something from a different world.

"Of course, walking around on all fours without any clothes would chafe your feet... so I've prepared some gloves with paw prints on them, you know?"

I understood the meaning of those words.

No, I was forced to understand.

A shiver ran down my spine, and my lower abdomen tightened. I had unknowingly stepped into a terrible place.

"It's still hot now, but... when winter comes, it'll be cold without clothes, won't it? What should we do then... I wonder if Shizuku would like that kind of thing?"

"Ah, no... um...!?"

She, Tachibana Chloe,... really intends to keep me as a pet.

The "ending" she told me about one day... now it's become a reality before my eyes.

The fact makes my legs tremble, and I can't move properly.

"What's wrong, Shizuku?"

"Ah, yes...♡"

Her voice, ringing in my ear, sounds completely different. The effect of the Lust Mark is gone now. And the person in front of me isn't my Master Gracia, but my best friend Chloe.

"Oh, perhaps just imagining it has made you unable to stand?"

No, Chloe said she wanted a normal romance.

To ruin my precious friend's future because of me... it's absolutely wrong, and that's why my body aches so badly.

"This is troublesome, today has only just begun..."

"S-sorry...!"

"Just so you know, this is only in case you absolutely can't control yourself... Even if you just live here normally, this is a very nice place."

That's righ—, NO!!

I almost wagged my tail.

I instinctively looked up at the sky, and the sun was still high...

It's a sleepover tonight. That means I'll be spending a full 30 hours or more here. 

Will I be safe until I go home tomorrow?