V1: Chapter 3: I Won't Give In To Giving Up!

Chapter 3: I Won't Give In to Giving Up!

"H-HOW COULD SHE NOT DO ANYTHING TO SOMEONE AS CUTE AS ME? I'M PRACTICALLY A READY-MADE MEAL!"

After that, I was released from my chains (unwillingly), and without anything particularly happening, I was led to a lovely room.

While there was an explanation of the lewd mark, other than that, we only talked about everyday things like my favorite foods and things I like, my preferences like my type and hobbies, and whether I had any problems. It was just casual small talk, or maybe a matchmaking session... or maybe just being taken care of. That's all we talked about.

The room I was led to had a TV showing information from the human world, a refrigerator, and even a game console. She must have prepared it to keep me from being bored... but it was a little uncomfortable because it was much bigger than my room at home. Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Knock knock

"May I come in?"

"Y-yes...it's alright?"

I managed to lower my voice from its usual high-pitched tone and reply. The succubus had knocked before entering the room, carrying what looked like a first-aid kit. This place belongs to her, so she could have just come in, but she went to the trouble of knocking and asking before entering—it was so conscientious, or something... It's even harder to ask such a kind person to scold me.

"Um, does your stomach hurt? I'm not very good at healing magic..."

"...I'm fine."

My magic isn't anything like healing magic either, so I'll just have to leave it to natural healing. Even so, the fact that she noticed the injury to my stomach means...

"To lose consciousness to stop the activation of that technique of mine... as expected of Satellite♡"

"N-no, that's not it...!"

"Oh, you don't have to hide it, you know? Otherwise, there would be no need to do something like that."

After saying that, she applied what looked like medicine, and her fingertips lovingly stroking around my solar plexus, along with her admiring gaze, tickled me. Even so, it's becoming increasingly difficult to tell the truth.

What kind of attitude and mindset should I have when interacting with her?

"You are..."

"Lux Luxuria."

"Huh?"

"That's my name. I thought it would be unfair if I was the only one who knew your name."

Lux-chan smiled shyly as she said that, and she was dazzling, too dazzling...

The fact that I had been harboring such impure thoughts made me feel so pathetic that I wanted to disappear.

Sensei, I want to die!

Well, I won't actually die, but...

However, I can't see her suddenly changing and attacking me from here on out. The mark on my lower abdomen, meant to prevent escape, must be Lux's way of understanding that if I leave here... I won't come back.

I'm sorry, but I'm not going to easily compromise my beliefs either.

"I'll go prepare dinner. Is there anything you don't like?"

"No, not really..."

"I'll put my heart and soul into making it. Look forward to it, okay?"

Saying that, Lux leaves the room. I think I could leave here without saying anything, but that would be ignoring her confession... trampling on her courage and resolve.

If I showed her my true self, she might be disillusioned, but that would be shattering her dreams...

No, it's no good, there's too much going on, my head's spinning.

"I'm so tired..."

It's a little impolite, but I collapsed onto the bed in my clothes. In the now quiet, spacious room, news reports were playing about a large magical energy signature and an increasing appearances of monsters... 

The fact that my disappearance, Satellite, wasn't being reported must be a result of information control. Announcing Satellite's disappearance to the public could easily throw the world into chaos. Even releasing information requires preparation.

Speaking of which, I wonder how everyone else is doing. I disappeared without saying anything... but we'd prepared for something like this, so they'll be fine.

We defeated the boss, the Demon King, so I think they'll manage somehow. There are many other talented magical girls besides me, and of course, there's Gracia.

My sudden disappearance might be quite strange for her, but she has many other friends and is a strong-willed girl, so I'm sure she'll recover.

The thought of her sad face makes my heart ache. It was a parting that was bound to happen someday, but it was necessary for my dream, so I hope she'll forgive me.

Well, this time it ended in failure, though. It's not like things can be fixed in a day or two... right?

So there's nothing to worry about, right? I feel like I've forgotten something, but if I've forgotten, it's probably not a big deal.

Contrary to these worries, sleepiness from fatigue washes over me. Lack of sleep is bad for my skin, and I'm the type who can sleep even with a different pillow, so I let go of consciousness without resisting.

★★★

A plain room, piles of documents in the corner. Beyond the stark marble floor, devoid of any sense of everyday life, sat a girl like a doll on a chair. A girl with lifeless eyes, seemingly bored and resigned to everything... an otherworldly aura. If someone told me she was a doll, I'd believe it.

"Thank you for answering my summons, Gracia."

"I'm busy, so could you please keep it brief, Squire Association President?"

She was the magical girl who had summoned me here, the president of the Magical Girl Association... Magical Girl Squire.

To be honest, I wanted to go search for Satellite, who I was sure was fighting alone somewhere. So I didn't have time to waste on a summons like this. However, angering her would be a bad move considering the investigation, so I couldn't simply refuse the summons.

"Analysis suggests you haven't been getting enough sleep."

"If you're making fun of me, may I just go home?"

She said something so obvious that I became so irritated that my voice grew harsher at the end. Of course it would be. It's impossible for me to be sleeping so soundly while that girl is working so hard...

"It's been a week since then. The possibility of her coming back is—"

"Say anything more. Even if you're the head of the association... I won't show you any mercy."

I pointed my wand, ready to cast a spell at any moment, and more importantly, to demonstrate that. My insides were churning; I bit my lip, and blood flowed.

Did she really call me here just to tell me something like that?

"... I see."

She murmured slowly, her eyes completely devoid of emotion. Even in this situation, her emotionless eyes, showing neither anxiety nor fear, stared at me. It was foolish to even think of engaging in psychological warfare with her. There's no time to waste in a place like this; I want her to get straight to the point.

"She doesn't want you to get hurt."

"You talk like you know everything...!"

She was the first to give the 'stand by' order, and yet she's sitting comfortably in a safe chair... and yet she says such things, acting as if she understands 'her'.

"...You have the right to do as you please."

"I understand that even without you telling me. Well, I'm in a hurry."

As I left, perhaps due to fatigue or frustration, I slammed the door shut roughly, the sound echoing in my sleep-deprived head and causing pain.

I know, I know she doesn't want anyone to get hurt because of her.

—But then, who will protect her?

Even if she's the strongest magical girl, even if she's the most beautiful and accomplished student... she's still just a middle school student like me. Everyone was just resting on their laurels in the peace that was built upon the sacrifice of the "strongest."

I absolutely won't accept it ending like this... it can't be accepted.

"I will never give up..."

I knew deep down that there was no hope of her showing me her usual smile again.

"So please... don't give up, Shizuku...!"

Even if you come back looking completely changed, as long as you come back to me...

That's all I need...

You're all I need...