V5: Chapter 47: People Have Two Sides to Them... What's That All About?

Volume 5: "Love, Like, and I Love Me"

Chapter 47: People Have Two Sides to Them... What's That All About?

Stepping out of the car and taking a deep breath of the crisp air, I felt the end of summer in its coolness.

The season has already passed summer... it's autumn. The nights are a little chilly this time of year.

I was now... stepping onto the grounds of a clearly expensive-looking villa with a view of Mount Fuji.

The car waiting for me was, of course, a black luxury car.

From inside, Chloe-chan stepped out, unusually wearing khaki-colored pleated pants instead of a skirt. It didn't seem like she was inspired by Jane-chan, though.

"It suits you, but it's unusual, isn't it?"

"Oh, I'm glad to hear you say that."

Honestly, I've been incredibly anxious since I was summoned until today.

Chloe's father... is quite overprotective. She has no siblings, and as an only daughter, he naturally wants to dote on her... and his immense wealth only exacerbates the situation.

After all, he even bequeathed her a mansion. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he dotes on her.

To summon someone who's... "on good terms" with his only daughter...

What kind of conversation... awaits me?

I'm curious about the conversation, I am, but... there was something else that was bothering me more right now.

Her golden hair, blue eyes. Her navy blue gathered blouse, khaki pleated pants, and even her low-cut pumps. Her head and toes are within my line of sight... they're just within my field of vision.

"Doesn't it feel... kind of distant?" (Shizuku)

"I-It's just your imagination!" (Chloe)

The distance between me and Chloe, who's been clinging to me so much lately without any particular reason... feels distant.

Back then, whenever we're out of sight, she'll put her hand on my thigh or stroke my neck... that's how she usually was.

I thought there was no way there wouldn't be a little or two of physical contact in a place like a car... well, it's not like it's bad if there isn't any, right? It's just... it throws me off, somehow.

...It's a little unsettling, I guess.

"Are you feeling unwell?" (Shizuku)

"No, nothing." (Chloe)

Normally, she wouldn't say anything, and would at least come and link arms with me.

I didn't understand why I'd been thinking about that, so I stopped thinking and changed the subject.

"By the way, couldn't we have just talked at Chloe's house?"

"My father spends his holidays like this. I really wanted to come with you here in the winter, but..."

"Oh, really? But why in the winter, when it's so cold?"

"When the nearby pond freezes over beautifully, Mount Fuji is reflected perfectly on the surface. The view is so beautiful..."

Her blue eyes seemed to sparkle as she spoke. Perhaps that's where her magic name, [Ice Mirror] comes from. If so, it must be an incredibly beautiful sight. Such a view...

"It's impossible to describe in words. I have pictures, but you really have to see it to appreciate its charm..."

I honestly wanted to see it.

My dear friend was so moved by that scenery that it's etched in her memory that it became her Magic...

"Well, then, why don't we come again in winter?" (Shizuku)

"That's... a good idea."

"Okay, so it's a promise then?"

That promise for winter.

"Yes, it's a promise..." (Chloe)

I was genuinely looking forward to it...

★

Chloe seemed strangely distant, and to solve this mystery, I decided to devise a plan.

Is she avoiding me, or is she feeling unwell and doesn't want anyone near her?

The plan I devised... was a power I'd acquired through special training.

Chloe should be arriving soon with her belongings—she's here!

"Kon, kon!"

"Oh, what a cute little fox."

I rubbed against Chloe's feet on all fours.

My fox-colored fur, slender front legs, and bushy tail... from every angle, I didn't look human; in fact, I was a fox.

Just like Shirayuri-sama had done, in these past three months, I've become completely capable of mimicking a fox. With this, no one would ever suspect it's me...

"......So, what are you doing, Shizuku?"

"Wha-How did you know...?"

"Well, let's think about it calmly... There's no way a fox could sneak into the room."

Certainly, if there was a fox in the bedroom instead of me, she would notice whether she liked it or not.

...Maybe I should have considered the time, place, and occasion a little more.

Even when I sat down on Chloe's lap, she didn't seem flustered. It's not like she's avoiding me... but then I don't quite understand why.

Chloe then started brushing my hair with a brush she'd brought from somewhere. It was an unfamiliar sensation... but it was similar to the feeling of having my hair dried with a hairdryer after a bath.

In other words... it felt quite good. I could easily get addicted to it, but my intuition tells me that something bad will happen if I do. If I want to stay human, I probably shouldn't transform for too long.

Even though I said I had a wish for defeat, it's not like I wanted to be defeated as a fox.

"Kon...kon♪"

"Really, I don't understand... When did you stop being human?"

"Transformation... or rather, a change? I'm just changing, so I'm still totally human."

"Normal humans don't transform into foxes...!"

Of course, I don't have vocal organs, so I can't speak. But in this form, I can legally enjoy exposure... no, not really. Unfortunately, I'm not a furry. But things that wouldn't normally be allowed seem to be allowed.

"Ah, there's my tail... feels good..."

"Hmm? I'm starting to think it wouldn't be so bad to keep you as a literal pet..."

"Of course not!?"

After the brushing was finished, I stretched my body. Being petted on her lap, I really felt like a pet.

Even so, perhaps because of my small size, when I looked up, my field of vision was almost entirely filled with her breasts. Naturally, with them swaying so voluptuously right in front of me... I felt an irresistible urge to touch them, and I plopped my front paws down.　

"W-what are you doing!?"　

Almost simultaneously, I was thrown into the air.　

"Sorry! I-I just..."

"It's alright, just put your clothes on quickly! I'm out!"　

I seemed startled by the sudden impact and quickly returned to my human form, but my clothes were still folded up on the bed.

Seeing me completely naked, Chloe blushed and left the room. It's not like she couldn't have looked if she wanted to.

I totally don't mind if she sees me naked.

"I don't know..."　

Something was bothering me.

It was as if the answer was right on the tip of my tongue...　

But in the end, I couldn't resolve that question.

★

I changed my clothes and waited for Chloe... but the maid was the first to enter the room.

I'd been putting it off, but the master of the house must be waiting for me. Thinking about that made me a little nervous

"Master is waiting in this room."

"Ah, yes. Thank you."

I stood in front of the room I was led to, and the maid opened the door to what looked like a study. Inside was a study with a calm atmosphere. From the window at the back of the room, I could see a beautiful view of Mount Fuji.

"Hello, sorry to have you come all this way."

Sitting in a chair at the back of that elegant study was a dapper gentleman. His calm and composed demeanor gave him the air of a truly mature man. He was a type I didn't often encounter, which made me a little more nervous.

"Nice to meet you, Shizuku-kun. I'm Chloe's father."

"H-hello. I'm Hoshino Shizuku, Chloe-chan's classmate."

"Please sit wherever you like. Shizuku-kun, which do you prefer...coffee or tea?"

"Tea, please."

After a brief introduction, the homeowner rose to pour the tea himself.

And so, my meeting with him... began.

I observed him while sipping the tea he brought.

Looking closely, I could vaguely see a resemblance to Chloe in his eyes... or so it seemed. He must indeed be Chloe's father. And he was the one who had called me here, wanting to meet me.

"First of all, let me thank you. Thank you for always being so kind to my daughter."

"Oh, no, not at all! It's Chloe-chan who has always been so kind to me..."

"Hehe, when it comes to my daughter, she only talks about you, even at meals. She talks about what happened at school, or how delicious the parfait you two had together was... It might not be an exaggeration to say you're the center of her life. I'm almost jealous."

"Well... that makes me happy."

I could only offer a forced smile. I rarely get the chance to talk to a friend's father like this... I honestly didn't know how to react.

"And I'd also like to convey that I'm extremely grateful for your help as Magical Girl Satellite. Thanks to you, the Kaminagi Heavy Industries incident... was much easier for us."

"I'd like to say, 'No, don't mind it...' but since I'm here as her friend for now, can we save that for another time?"

"My apologies. Certainly, it's a bad manners to pry into the daily lives of Magical Girls."

At that moment, his gentle, fatherly demeanor suddenly transformed into that of a businessman.

I had expected him to possess that information, but...since I'm here as Hoshino Shizuku today, I have no intention of discussing such matters. When I said that, he surprisingly backed down quite easily.

In other words, what he wanted to discuss this time wasn't related to Satellite.

"A smart girl like you might have already guessed, but... there's a reason I called you here today."

"Yes..."

He stood up, seemingly choosing his next words. It seemed like he was struggling to decide what to say.

"The distance between you and Chloe... no, the look on my daughter's face when she was talking about you wasn't 'something' she shows to a friend—I could tell right away."

"Th-that's..."

He was implying I'd laid a hand on his daughter.

When he actually said it, I was speechless; I could only freeze. Whatever the circumstances, I was the one who seduced her. It was a fact I couldn't defend myself against.

"No, it's fine. You don't have to feel guilty. In this day and age, it's not that rare for Magical Girls... especially Magical Girls who have teamed up and faced death together... to become 'that kind of friends.' In that sense, I have no intention of making a fuss."

He traced the edge of the picture frame with his finger. The photograph showed a beautifully frozen lake, likely taken in winter, and a family of three, looking very close.

He carefully tilted the photograph... and turned it face down.

"My daughter... Chloe is our only daughter. It's not that my wife and I don't get along...but unfortunately, we haven't had the opportunity."

And there was no trace of the father who had been making small talk just moments before; he continued to state the facts dispassionately with a cold expression.

"Our company, the Tachibana Zaibatsu, is family-run. Naturally, we consider flexible strategies, but... even without parental bias, Chloe possesses outstanding qualities. Her talent for leadership, her business acumen... you know. I'm confident she'll become a better Head than me, even without making any mistakes."

Indeed, she has the talent to personally manage a brand. I had also felt that she possessed an extraordinary talent for leadership.

"As a father, I want my daughter to be happy. I feel that way, but... before being a parent, I have to protect my employees and my family."

After he said that much, I finally understood.

"Whether it's 10 years from now, or 20 years from now... I don't know, but the Tachibana Zaibatsu needs a 'successor.' I'm sure a smart Shizuku-kun like you understands that."

The reason he summoned me here and wanted to talk.

"We can't let the Tachibana Zaibatsu, the Tachibana family, end with Chloe's generation. We need a successor."

That was an unavoidable issue, especially since they were both girls... a natural challenge.

"Shizuku-kun. I'm sorry, but regarding Chloe..."

Although I had expected those words...

"...Could you please give up on my daughter?"

It felt as if time had stopped.