V3: Chapter 21: The Magical Girls Next to the Magical Alley?

Chapter 21: The Magical Girls Next to the Magical Alley?

The Kaminagi Group is a large corporation. It seems to have expanded into a wide range of fields, from factories and security to food... and even hostess clubs.

Well, I don't usually pay much attention to the size of corporations. And Chloe proudly told me that the Tachibana Zaibatsu is even bigger. I don't think there's any need to feel competitive towards them, though.

The current CEO of the group is Kaminagi Souichiro. Since this young man took over as president, the Kaminagi Group has been experiencing rapid growth... or so it seems.

A middle schooler like me wouldn't know something like that. Even when I saw him on TV, all I thought was that he had a suspicious smile...

So, the difficult part is that we can't just storm the Kaminagi Group. We're still just in the investigation stages, after all.

After all, there's no concrete proof or evidence. Naturally, the other party is a corporate group operating according to the law. Even if the law doesn't apply to Magical Girls, the association can't exactly take the lead in doing so. Turning the public against us would only lead to discrimination. We could eliminate all ordinary people, but we don't want to bring about the collapse of society.

Therefore, for the time being, we had no choice but to diligently gather information, and that opportunity came surprisingly quickly.

Many of the missing Magical Girls were Stray Magical Girls struggling financially. In other words, there was contact made with the members of New Star Magical Girls Association. They were asked if they were interested in a high-paying job.

"Ah, that's way too suspicious... No experience necessary, 50,000 yen a day with bonuses? That's a perfect combination."

"Bell thinks so too... all Bell can think of is a shady part-time job or being drowned in a bathtub ♡"

Well, a Magical Girl living like a homeless person would probably fall for it...

If they don't get their family's understanding, they might be treated like a monster.

I understand that it would be scary if your child suddenly turned 10 and could fly or breathe fire.

"So, why did a 'bathtub' come up in?"

"Wha?! Be... Bell doesn't know ♪"

This precocious kid... Shouldn't we cut her off from the internet? No, come to think of it, she's the princess of the 'Po-Maera' on the message board now... Maybe it's too late.

Chloe, please stay the way you are ♡

Even so, a verbal recruitment...

Apparently, he followed her after she refused, I wonder what he was planning to do. I don't think humans can defeat Magical Girls, and can we assume that the enemy's scouts might also have Magical Girls behind them?

"For now... let's wander around mainly the less crowded streets."

Inevitably, the only move we should take here is... that's right.... A sting operation.

★

After walking for a while, we arrived at a certain alley in Tokyo where orphaned Magical Girls huddle together.

Magical Girl Alley... also known as "Magical Alley," although their numbers have decreased thanks to our measures... a few girls can still be seen.

A place where girls who have been treated like monsters by their families and friends, who have lost faith in people... or who, unfortunately, were rescued from External Enemies and broken... live—a place that could be called the dark side of the neighborhood.

What we're trying to do is lure them in.

We'll act like typical girls and get them to approach us... a sting operation. It's a gray area in Japan, but there's no law to fear for us Magical Girls. If push comes to shove, we'll get through it with our dependable Ice Mirrors.

And as for who will be the decoy...

"Oh, wow... it looks better than I expected."

"Really? Are you complimenting me?"

Bell, who we sent out with just a few accessories, had an incredible affinity for this place.

A green-haired, edgy-fashioned girl. Pierced ears, black platform shoes. Perhaps she was trying to impress me, as her accessories were predominantly pink. She was exactly the image of a Magical Girl of the Magical Alley that I had imagined... 

Seriously, Gracia and I would stand out too much. And of course, Bradia would stand out way too much. Why does she always have fireballs floating around? It's scary.

"Well then, I'll go find a scary Onii-san or Onee-san for you ♡"

"Uh, um... see you later?"

She's completely immersed in her role; as expected of the crazy woman who gifted me an organization on our first meeting. She started this two-faced girl persona because she wanted to stay a kid, and it seems she's continuing it because I liked it.

She's seriously insane.

Perhaps captivated by my overwhelming charm, she seemed to accept me in no time. I could only hear their conversation through the smartphone app, and the content was quite brutal. She's lived a truly tumultuous life, far beyond what you'd expect from someone the same age.

★

About two hours later, around lunchtime, I was wondering if we should wrap things up when I saw a man in a black suit, completely out of place, enter the Magical Alley.

"Are you interested in a job? There is a job that I can only ask a Magical Girl to do."

The man was saying something like that.

One strike out... Isn't this soliciting a minor girl for work...?

"Huh? I'm not that cheap of a girl, you know~♡"

"I'll pay up to 100,000 for simple tasks, and there's a bonus too."

Two strikes... There's no way such a good deal as a high-paying, easy job exists...

"Where do I need to go and what do I need to do, Onii-san♡?"

"I can't tell you the exact location, but it's not too far from here."

Three strikes...! Want to make a girl do something that can't be openly discussed...

That was more strikes than I thought, but even if I catch him now, it'll only end up being like cutting off a lizard's tail.

"Well then, I guess I'll listen to what you have to say, handsome Onii-san♡"

"...Ah, then let's discuss the details over here."

Saying that, Bell and the man in the suit left the scene and headed towards the black van.

This was definitely a problem, and of course we couldn't just leave her there, so we followed the car.

For Magical Girls like us, running alongside a car traveling at 60 km/h is no problem. However, it would be quite conspicuous, so we used Gracia's Ice Mirror to disappear and pursue.

It's really convenient, the Ice Mirror... it's the kind of thing you'd want in every home.

The van then drove into the grounds of Kaminagi Heavy Industries.

It really drove in... Are they stupid, or do they think they can cover it up if they're discovered?

I don't know which it is, but we have no choice but to follow. It seems Bell has arrived in the guest room and is being instructed to sit down. So far, they haven't asked her to do anything strange...

"Have some orange juice and wait here, I'll go get my superior."

"Okay, see you later♪"

Even so, the other side had such a stern expression the whole time. Like soldiers...

Just as I was thinking that, we also entered the room, remaining invisible.

"Bell doesn't want it, so how about I give it to you, Gracia?"

"What will you do if I take you seriously?"

"Come on, I'm just kidding, okay?"

Gracia's tone became slightly stronger. Well, it's understandable that she's angry; there's probably something in this...

"There's something mixed in, isn't there? Something that can take away a Magical Girl's freedom of movement."

Up until now, nothing has appeared that could force a Magical Girl to obey.

It doesn't seem like they would have kindly offered a drink; that's probably what it is. The only thing that comes to mind is a drug made from the materials of an 'Enemy'.

In fact, there have been Enemies in the past that caused such status ailments. Most recently, the pollen of a flower-shaped enemy had aphrodisiac and sleep-inducing effects.

Looking at the corner of the room, I can see a surveillance camera rolling. It's far away, so I don't think it will pick up the sound, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Now, the question is what to do... what would happen if I drank this? It's extremely academically interesting.

"Well, Bell will put on a little act... let's think about it after that."

"...It's dangerous, you know?"

"But there might be a Magical Girl in trouble, right? We can't just... stay here, can we?"

I'm really glad I stopped myself from saying, "Should I drink it?"

Bell, holding the glass, brought the orange juice to her lips...

"...[Stagnation]"

She took a sip and seemed to swallow it... or so it appeared. In reality, she was probably planning to let it linger in her mouth and spit it out later.

Chloe, ever the thoughtful one, had made a mirror to catch it. Being able to separate work from personal feelings like that is truly befitting of the second-ranked Magical Girl.

After a few dozen seconds, Bell collapsed onto the sofa she was sitting on and closed her eyes.

A few minutes later, the man from before entered the room... and picked up Bell who appeared to be asleep, and tried to take her somewhere.

Just as we were about to follow, we noticed that we couldn't hear any footsteps. Bell-chan must have been "stagnating" the sound of our movements. She was quite skillful, even with her eyes closed.

After passing through about five doors, he swiped a key card and we found ourselves in a staircase leading to a concrete basement. The man descended the stairs, which looked more like a suspicious research facility than a factory, with practiced ease.

Once we entered the basement, she was carried into a facility filled with suspicious-looking equipment... presumably machines and chemicals meant to be attached to the head.

The evidence was completely undeniable.

I reconsidered, thinking, "Is it really this easy to get in...?"

Normally, it shouldn't be that easy to infiltrate.

It's like how corrupt corporations are associated with Magical Girls, and Magical Girls are associated with corrupt corporations.

In fact, if you want to control a Magical Girl who cannot be physically harmed, brainwashing is a very effective method.

What would happen if I were captured?

Would my ego be completely destroyed by drugs and brainwashing?

I don't know what effect it has, but brainwashing in these situations is often paired with pleasure torture.

I don't really know why, but that's what happened when I took down other organizations.

Me desperately enduring, and me being utterly destroyed by all sorts of drugs and machines. My dignity trampled upon, and they mocked me as I desperately endure...

Just imagining it makes me feel dizzy, but I remind myself that there's no love there.

This should be enough.

Before being seated in the chair, Bell-chan's eyes wide open, and she grins at the man... The astonished man cries out. No, he probably does cry out.

"Ojii-san, the way you're touching me is way too lewd ♡"

"...!?...!!"

His face was turning paler and paler, and his limbs were twitching uncontrollably. I thought he looked just like a frog. But still, that's a pretty nasty thing to do... Bell must have 'stagnated' the air around his face, targeting an ordinary human with no resistance to Magic.

"Well then, let's go see what's ahead ♪"

"You're using a pretty nasty technique..."

He couldn't breathe, nor could he make a sound. I felt a little sorry for the man in the black suit, but he must have been prepared for this when he participated in this experiment. He still seemed to be breathing, so I tied him up and left him in a toilet stall.

After taking a photo for evidence, we headed further inside... and the number of security guards increased. However, they were wearing unfamiliar equipment. Moreover, their weapons varied from person to person, primitive items like spears and axes. It was unusual for security personnel to lack uniformity. But I had a bad feeling...

After walking for a while through the glass-enclosed corridor, surrounded by the white floors and walls typical of a research facility, a foul odor hit my nose as we approached the back. It wasn't the smell of chemicals or factory oil...

"The smell of blood...?"

"...We must hurry."

The distinctive smell of blood, the scent of rust. Having smelled it several times before, I was probably not mistaken. Urged on in a low voice, we headed towards where we found...

"...!"

"Something like this..."

Leaning against the wall was a familiar cow's horn. It was probably a weapon with a handle attached so it could be swung like a greatsword, sharpened to its edge... but unmistakably, it was the horn of a classic, orthodox cow-shaped 'Enemy'.

It was a familiar sight—the blood-stained horns... and the fallen Magical Girl beyond them. It was a common occurrence in this world, but in this place, its meaning was entirely different.

Indeed, Magical Girls and the Enemies cannot be harmed by modern weapons. That's why humanity's living space has retreated so drastically... and why the task of eliminating the Enemies is currently entrusted to Magical Girls, not the military.

But conversely, if it's an 'Enemy' or a 'Magical Girl'... then it can harm a Magical Girl.

All that remains on the bodies of the girls standing there with vacant eyes are countless painful scars. Whether their continued breath is truly a blessing is uncertain.

Overwhelmed by anger and fear, the two were left speechless.

Amidst this, separate from their emotions, a part of me was calmly considering what would happen next.