V3: Chapter 20: What's This about the Dark Rumors Surrounding Kaminagi Heavy Industries?

Chapter 20: What's This about the Dark Rumors Surrounding Kaminagi Heavy Industries?

I woke up in bed, my whole body aching terribly. It hurt so much from chafing and swelling. "Hickey" sounds nice, but it's really just a bruise from sucking too hard. I pinched Chloe's cheek as she snuggled up to me apologetically. I sighed and said to her:

"W-well... I definitely went too far yesterday, didn't I? But you were kind of into it towards the end...!"

"...Pervert."

What a cute sulking! Ahem, forget about that.

I can't believe she'd make me use magic to do something like that. She's crossed the line... This Lust Mark isn't a Yes/No pillow, you know? If it doesn't resolve normally, I'll go crazy, so I hope she understands that.

"...Well, I thought maybe I went a little too far... too!"

"...Chloe, you naughty girl."

And besides, after doing something like that with a friend, I don't know what kind of face I'll make at school next week. But seeing Chloe flustered like that is kind of refreshing and interesting.

"Well, let's get dressed for now, shall we?"

"Y-yes, you're right..."

Taking a bath before bed was a wise decision; otherwise, the bed would have been a complete mess. Though that did mean I ended up taking a really long bath.

While fending off Chloe, who immediately puts her arm around my waist if I let my guard down, we got dressed and ate breakfast.

We parted ways before evening to prepare for school tomorrow. It was fun, but I feel like we somehow misjudged the distance between us.

★

Despite all that, I continued my daily routine much the same as usual... and before I knew it, the next holiday had arrived.

However, I didn't have any particular plans this week, so I decided to go back to basics and live my life as usual.

Suddenly, Satellite, the greatest Magical Girl, has an early start to the day.　

I leave home before 7 AM and transform into a Magical Girl a short distance away to prevent my identity from being revealed. After all, when you're number one in popularity, there are bound to be a certain number of troublesome people who want to know your true identity. In the brightly lit residential area, I do some stretching to prevent injuries before starting my jog.

Even on Saturdays, I don't indulge in lazy sleep in bed. My life begins with my first jog of the day to maintain my physique and patrol the neighborhood. Don't underestimate this as merely gaining goodwill in the community; popularity and appearance are cultivated through these small steps.

The official reason is physical fitness and maintaining public order... but that's not the real reason.  

Running without transforming would be a much better way to build stamina. Besides, what do I even want to do if I get any stronger? That's the question. Running for such impure motives? Am I underestimating Magical Girls? Heh, you can complain about that after you bring someone who can beat me.

"Running in the morning, you're really putting in the effort, Satellite-chan♡"

"L-Lux, you came to run too?"

"I came more to see Satellite-chan, I guess?"

The shocking pink-haired succubus had apparently been following me. However, from the side, it seemed like she didn't have horns, wings, or a tail.

While I was surprised she could do that, I also felt like it was something she could do. After all, she can turn into a stuffed animal.

I started running my usual route, but having someone beside me felt quite refreshing. I waved to the old lady who always waves to me, and Lux, who was behind me, waved back. 

The media might ask who she was... but I'll just stick with saying she's a friend. The perception-blocking seems to be working, so I doubt her true identity will be revealed.

"This is a nice country... much better than the Demon World. I can certainly understand why someone would want this land and want to invade."

"So there are External Enemies with those kinds of motives... I wish I hadn't known that..."

Not all of them, but... knowing that there are enemies with ulterior motives, not just malice, makes it a little harder to strike.

No, that's not true.

Either way, once we're at odds, we can't understand each other.

"Here, a towel and a drink. Be careful not to get heatstroke."

"Thanks."

The cold drink she handed me at the end was very welcome. After she's been so attentive and caring, what can I possibly give her in return?

Of course, I know what she wants the most, but I just can't give it... yeah.

That said, I can't keep putting it off forever...

Just then, whether it was a good or bad timing... my smartphone, which I had in my pocket, rang.

"A call... from the association. Just a moment."

I checked my work phone and saw the caller was...

★

Magic is said to be primarily based on childhood experiences. The reason it's not definitive is simply because the total number of Magical Girls is small.

However, I still vividly remember the beautiful reflection of Mount Fuji and the sky on the frozen lake that my father took me to as a child.

Well, whether or not one can use that magic effectively depends entirely on their own aptitude.

I've heard that Flamma had a strong attachment to mirages, and apparently, Bradia said, "Big, heavy flames are the strongest! Exactly!! I'm right!!!" A teleporter I know had the desire to "go somewhere other than here." So, while they can manipulate radio waves, create fire... and even read minds... basically, 99% of magical girls' magic falls into this category.

Among those who try to transcend the rules with their Magic, those who wield Magic that distorts the world itself... are the magical girls who fall into the 'Law-Based' category.

These "Law-Based" Magical Girls, who can do whatever they want, like distorting the laws of physics or slowing down the flow of time... were thought to have somewhat distorted mental structures. Lately, I've actually come to think that's true.

Well, the reason I'm thinking about this now is...

"Because there are two Magical Girls like that." (Gracia)

"Hmm, are you talking about me?" (Satellite)

"Satellite-nee-san, here's some candy!" (Tinkerbell)

"You're really putting on a facade, it's almost refreshing..." (Squire)

There are three Magical Girls who were summoned. The fact that they've all gathered in the innermost room of this association means...

"We're about to begin the meeting..."

And so, the meeting is about to begin with this group.

★

The conference room where Squire, Gracia, Satellite, and Tinkerbell gathered. The meeting, with its unusual group, was fraught with difficulties even before it began. 　

"Let's get to the point already, Bell is getting bored."

"You're quite impatient, aren't you? You were like that during the fight too." 

"...Come outside, you perpetual second-rank girl, let's settle this once and for all!"

It may be obvious, but everyone I'm close to... is not exactly on good terms with each other.

In fact, you could even say they're not on good terms.

Bell and Gracia are unhappy with Squire because of how she handled my disappearance, and Bell and Gracia are fiercely competitive with each other. Squire doesn't hold any ill feelings towards them, but there's nothing she can do if they dislike her.　　

"About 30% is your fault."

"Oh, you're so kind, Squire..."

Honestly, about 90% is my fault. And the remaining 10% is Lux's fault.

....No, I'm starting to think the Demon King is to blame.

It's all the Demon Lord's fault, not mine! 

There's no way this perfect and intelligent Satellite-chan could have any flaws.

"You've made more friends... That's a relief."

It's rather offensive to hear that from Squire. Though, it's true that I might not have had many friends who were my equals. Above all, I used to be a little edgy... yeah.

"Used to be a little...?" (Squire)

"You were always putting on an act, so I didn't know what was changing inside." (Gracia)

"I'm interested in the old Satellite-sama too!" (Tinkerbell)

"Oh come on. Look at the current me, not the old me☆" (Satellite)

It's best to ignore embarrassing topics. However, it seems that the only way they can talk amicably here is through me, or only about me.

... Wow, that's really terrifying... How did things end up like this?

Just as the frozen air began to thaw a little, Squire finally brought up the main topic.

"Now, to the main point. Recently, there have been several reports of Magical Girls disappearing."

"Isn't that because they came to our place?"

"The missing Magical Girls... aren't registered with either of us."

That means they're stray magical girls, and the only reason we noticed their disappearance was...

"A coincidence. But it's not just one or two cases."

"I see, so there's something suspicious going on..."

Someone is plotting something.

Is it an external enemy operating beneath the surface, or is it the Magical Girls themselves... or are they a Criminal Organization?

Either way, it's easy to imagine we're not getting anywhere.

"We've got a lead on a suspicious organization."

"Kaminagi Heavy Industries...?"

Saying that, she handed me something about Kaminagi Heavy Industries, part of the Kaminagi Group.

I felt like I'd heard that name somewhere before, but where?

"...You saw it on the news."

Squire gave me a somewhat sullen look. It wasn't that I'd forgotten... I just wasn't interested.

But looking at the documents reminded me. It was that company that said something about making weapons from materials of External Enemies for the civilian market, right? Their ambition is admirable, but I had a bad feeling about them. They had a poker face, but somehow they seemed like they'd be creepy at night.

"This time, it's information gathering."

"So that's why there's an 'Outside' Magical Girl instead of Bradia." (Gracia)

Well, Bradia doesn't seem suited for infiltration or espionage...

"Oh no, a Magical Girl who's ranked second is discriminating?" (Tinkerbell)

"It's not discrimination, it's distinction, isn't it?"

Of course, these two couldn't possibly get along. At times like this, I miss the silly... carefree Bradia...

Please come back, Bradia, for the sake of the world's mood...! 　

"Well, I suppose Bell could lend a hand for the missing Magical Girl?"

"Oh, but it would be fine if it was just me and my 'Best Friend' Satellite, too, you know?"

"W-what? That's cheating..."　

Can these two really work together? I'm a little worried. The meeting concluded after I finished explaining the outline of the plan. Now we'll move on to the actual operation...　

"The purpose this time is purely investigation. Please be careful... okay?" (Squire)

With this many people assembled, there's nothing to worry about.

That's what I thought at the time.