Chapter 13: The Private Meeting with Strawberry Sweetheart

“Well, well, Senpai! Seeing me here, are you, like, totally surprised or what?”

The JK—the bona fide Japanese high school girl—beamed at Ren Akiyama, her smile radiating pure, undiluted sunshine.

Ren froze, his brain short-circuiting. “Y-you’re… Akari Natsume?! The Akari Natsume?!”

“Ehehe~ So Senpai does know little old me after all! I’m honored!”

The sunny, effervescently beautiful JK before them was none other than Akari Natsume, a legend at his very own high school. A girl who, from the moment she’d first gracefully stepped through the school gates, had been confessed to by a veritable legion of hopeful, love-struck admirers. She was universally hailed as the perfect, almost mythical blend of quiet, scholarly grace and stunning, heart-stopping beauty; of infectious, bubbly vivacity and unwavering, admirable optimism—the undisputed, reigning "Number One on the Ideal Girlfriend Ranking Chart" for three years running! It was whispered in hushed, reverent tones that even Hana Tanaka, an actual, honest-to-goodness Esper, ranked slightly lower in overall school popularity than the ethereal goddess known as Akari Natsume. Even someone as generally oblivious to the fickle whims of high school social hierarchies as Ren couldn’t help but know her illustrious name. This was big.

“But… but you… aren’t you the same age as us? A second-year?” Ren stammered. 

“Well, you see, my super-secret magical girl activities made me take a little ol’ year off school a while back. Study abroad, you know? Wink,” Akari explained cheerfully, a playful twinkle in her eye. “So, I ended up a grade below everyone else when I came back. C’est la vie! Or, as they say in Japan, shouganai!” She then gracefully, and with an almost unnerving amount of poise for a supposed first-year, took a seat opposite them. “So, let’s reintroduce ourselves properly, shall we? Ren Akiyama-senpai, I’m Akari Natsume from Class 1-3! It’s a pleasure to finally meet you formally! And this lovely, incredibly competent lady sitting next to me is my amazing volunteer—my Supporter, codenamed Camellia!”

It was common practice for some Supporters to use codenames for their official activities, a necessary security precaution in their line of work. Better safe than fiend-napped.

“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Black, Mr. Akiyama.” Camellia, exuding the polished, no-nonsense air of a top-tier corporate professional, greeted them with a crisp, serious nod and also sat down gracefully beside Strawberry Sweetheart—no, Akari.

Miss Black—Kenji Tanaka in a frilly skirt—was at a complete and utter loss for words. She felt her mind reeling. She had never, ever, in her wildest, most stress-induced nightmares, imagined that the legendary Magical Girl Strawberry Sweetheart, the idol of millions, was actually a student at her own daughter’s high school! The world is too small! And far, far too complicated for my poor, aging heart! This is a disaster! A catastrophe of cosmic proportions!

Ren, ever the pragmatist, voiced his own burning question, his Supporter instincts kicking in. “Miss Natsume, if I may be so bold, why don’t you let others at school know your true identity as Strawberry Sweetheart? While I understand that having your secret identity publicly known might cause… certain problems… wouldn’t it also come with a plethora of significant privileges? Like the undisputed right to take leave from school more easily, for example? Or, you know, unlimited free ice cream from the cafeteria?”

“Ara ara, Ren-senpai might not be fully aware,” Akari said gently, her smile kind, “but I don’t actually spend much time at school on a regular basis anyway. Some people there probably think I’m some kind of mysterious, ultra-rich heiress who only shows up for kicks… but just between us, all my money, every last yen, I earn it myself through… extracurricular activities.” She gave another enigmatic wink. “I only really make an appearance at school when there’s an important event or a particularly fun-looking activity I don’t want to miss out on.”

So that’s why. No wonder he hadn’t heard much gossip or specific details about Akari Natsume’s daily school life, even though everyone knew of her, the campus legend. She was like a rare, mythical creature.

“Do you… do you know me?” Ren asked. 

Akari covered her mouth with a delicate hand and let out a musical giggle. “Oh, Senpai, you’re quite the celebrity at our school, you know! Even someone like little old me, who rarely attends classes, has heard tales of your legendary intelligence and quiet coolness. I was so incredibly surprised when I saw you the other day at the concert, Senpai! I never imagined that the Ren Akiyama-senpai, the boy genius, had already aced the Supporter exam and even become the personal Supporter for the enigmatic Miss Black! Could this be… could this be fate, Senpai? A destined encounter between us?” She leaned forward slightly, her eyes sparkling with playful mischief.

Strawberry Sweetheart! What in the seven circles of hell are you implying with that suggestive tone?! What kind of scandalous words are those coming out of your innocent-looking mouth! Are you trying to seduce my precious daughter’s devoted boyfriend, right here, right in front of me, her father (in disguise)! The sheer audacity! The unmitigated gall! This is an outrage!

Magical Girl Black’s expression instantly soured, her eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. An aura of pure, unfiltered paternal rage began to emanate from her.

Seeing her look, which could probably curdle milk at fifty paces, Akari seemed to understand something, though probably not the actual reason for Black’s sudden murderous intent. “Oh, my! Miss Black, please rest assured,” she said quickly, her smile still in place, though perhaps a tad more strained. “I have absolutely no intention of stealing your wonderfully competent Supporter. Miss Camellia here is also a very, very excellent Supporter, and I wouldn’t trade her for the world!”

“That’s not what I meant, you little…!” Black snapped, perhaps a little too defensively, her voice tight with suppressed fury. How dare she imply I’m jealous of her Supporter! I’m jealous of HER trying to hit on MY future son-in-law!

Ren, sensing the conversation was rapidly veering dangerously towards either a full-blown catfight or some kind of bizarre inter-magical-girl territorial dispute (and desperately wanting to avoid either scenario), quickly picked up the dessert menu from the table and, with a polite smile, handed it to Camellia. “Ahem! Would you two lovely ladies care for anything to drink? We’ve already taken the liberty of ordering some rather delicious-looking desserts, but we thought we’d wait for you to arrive before ordering any beverages.” Smooth save, Akiyama. Crisis potentially averted.

“Ooh! Do you happen to have any strawberry pudding on the menu?” Akari asked, her eyes instantly lighting up like a child in a candy store.

“But of course, Mademoiselle,” the waiter, who had magically, almost silently, appeared at their table, confirmed with a professional bow.

Camellia nodded curtly and, with an air of practiced efficiency, casually pointed to a couple of items on the menu; clearly, she knew Strawberry Sweetheart’s favorite drinks by heart, a testament to her skill as a Supporter.

After placing the order and the waiter had glided away as silently as he’d arrived, Camellia’s expression turned coolly professional. “Well then, Mr. Akiyama, Miss Black,” she began, her voice calm and businesslike, “regarding this… rather impromptu private meeting, am I correct in assuming that you have some specific matter you require our assistance with? Or is this purely a social call to admire Miss Natsume’s school uniform?” A hint of dry amusement touched her lips.

“Indeed, we do have something rather urgent that we desperately need Miss Natsume’s help with,” Ren affirmed, not trying to be evasive, his own expression turning serious. “To be perfectly, brutally honest, during the rather… eventful… battle the day before yesterday, I’m not entirely sure if Miss Strawberry Sweetheart herself noticed in the heat of the moment, but under Maiden Bandage’s insidious spiritual attack, Miss Black showed faint, but definite, signs of… potentially Inverting. We have, of course, already reported this critical incident to the organization, but we were sincerely hoping to gain some invaluable insights or practical experience from you both, given your expertise.”

Hearing the dreaded word "Inversion," the cheerful, sunny smile instantly vanished from Strawberry Sweetheart’s face. She looked at Black with an expression of extreme, almost palpable concern, her eyes wide with alarm. “Miss Black! Oh my goodness, are you serious?! Have any… strange or suspicious individuals approached you recently? Said anything unusual, anything unsettling, to you? Have you been harboring any… any dark feelings? Any deep-seated resentment towards the world, or anything like that? If you have, you absolutely, positively must tell us immediately! Everyone, the entire magical girl community, we’ll help you resolve it! You’re not alone in this!” Her voice was filled with genuine, heartfelt worry.

Resentment towards the world? What in blazes is this naive girl talking about? If you’re seriously talking about harboring resentment towards the cold, cruel, uncaring world… Kenji Tanaka thought with a surge of bitter, internal cynicism.

Which overworked, underpaid, perpetually stressed corporate drone doesn’t harbor a deep, burning resentment towards the world on a daily basis? We all secretly, desperately want to live lives of decadent luxury and carefree leisure, free from the crushing weight of responsibility! But the relentless, soul-crushing pressures of modern reality… who among us doesn’t occasionally, in their darkest moments, wish for the sudden, cleansing arrival of the apocalypse? That way, regardless of poverty or wealth, regardless of social status or power disparities… everyone finally, mercifully, dies equally. A perfectly equitable end to a fundamentally unfair existence.

“N-no, of course not! I haven’t had any such… dark thoughts. Not at all,” Black replied, the lie feeling heavy and awkward on her tongue. “And aside from Mr. Akiyama here, who occasionally says some rather… peculiar… things, I don’t think anyone has said anything particularly strange or unsettling to me recently.”

Ren: “…?” Excuse me, Miss Black? Do you perhaps want to elaborate, just a tiny bit, on what you mean by ‘strange words’ and ‘peculiar things’? Because I might have a few follow-up questions. For the official record, of course.

“Oh, thank goodness! That’s a huge relief, Miss Black.” Akari let out a visible sigh of relief, her shoulders slumping slightly. “I was really, truly worried something might be seriously wrong with you. But I’m so glad you’re okay.” Her gaze then fell on Ren, her expression turning thoughtful. “So, Senpai, aside from wanting to know more about the dreaded Inversion phenomenon, is there anything else you needed our help with today?”

Ren nodded, his expression earnest. “Yes, actually. I know this is incredibly bold of me, perhaps even presumptuous, but if it’s at all possible… could you please tell us more about your… your Sparkling Form? If Miss Black could somehow learn to transform into a similar state, a state with enhanced mental fortitude, she should, theoretically, also gain the ability to effectively resist those insidious, mind-affecting spiritual attacks from future enemies.”

“Hmm, I roughly understand the situation now…” Akari paused, then looked at them both, her expression surprisingly serious, her usual bubbly demeanor replaced by a quiet thoughtfulness. “However, Senpai, Miss Black… although I’m technically your kouhai in terms of school grade, and probably Miss Black’s kouhai in terms of sheer age, as a magical girl, as Strawberry Sweetheart, I suppose I can legitimately consider myself something of a seasoned senior in this crazy business.” She took a deep breath. “And though it’s also very bold, perhaps even arrogant, of me to say this… every single magical girl is unique. Profoundly, fundamentally unique. The Sparkling Form that I possess, the power that I wield, it might not be suitable or even achievable for Miss Black. It’s even highly, entirely possible that Miss Black might not be able to transform into a Sparkling Form at all, no matter how hard she tries. If you intend to simply try and copy my experiences, my methods, my specific path, I’m afraid you might very well end up with a deeply disappointing, perhaps even tragic, outcome. Just like those few unfortunate magical girls who tried and failed in the past, with devastating consequences.”

Her words, spoken with a quiet, unexpected gravity, gave them both serious pause.

Ren processed this new, rather sobering information. “So, what you’re saying is… being able to control your Inverted state and access your Sparkling Mode… it’s because you are specifically Magical Girl Strawberry Sweetheart, with your unique heart and experiences, and that’s why you can do it. Even if Black meticulously imitates your every step, there’s still a very high probability of complete and utter failure.”

Akari nodded gravely, her expression somber. “I don’t mean to look down on Miss Black’s potential in any way, please understand. I truly don’t. I’m just saying that Miss Black should perhaps… endeavor to delve deeper into understanding her own heart, her own unique emotions. To acknowledge those feelings, both light and dark, and learn to transform those specific emotions into her own personal strength. To find her own unique path, her own unique power. That is the only true way.”

It had to be said, this was a perspective that neither Ren, with all his book smarts, nor Black, with all her… unique life experience… had ever truly considered before. Wow. As expected of a veteran, top-tier magical girl, Ren thought, a newfound respect dawning in his eyes. She has a wealth of practical, hard-won experience in this incredibly dangerous field. She truly is someone to learn from, someone to admire.

After that, Akari, with a quiet, gentle sincerity, recounted some of the difficult, often painful things she had encountered in her own past as a magical girl. It wasn’t a praiseworthy, heroic tale filled with glorious victories and adoring fans; it was a story that only conveyed hardship, sacrifice, and a profound, soul-deep weariness.

“Well then! I suppose that’s all the advice I can offer for today! Senpai, Miss Black.” Akari finally bade them farewell, her usual cheerful smile returning, though perhaps a little more subdued now. “If you have any more questions, or if you just want to chat, please don’t hesitate to find me! Oh, right, Senpai,” she added, turning specifically to Ren, her eyes sparkling with a friendly warmth, “let’s exchange contact information! If Miss Black ever… accidentally… enters an Inverted state, I might be able to help out a little—at the very least, with my Sparkling Form, I can probably try to stop Miss Black before she accidentally… you know… levels half the city!”

She energetically raised her small, determined fist, trying (and adorably failing) to flex a non-existent bicep on her slender arm. “Don’t let my cute appearance fool you, you know! I’m the strongest magical girl in the world! Teehee~”

Watching her depart, a whirlwind of pink sparkles and infectious optimism, Black couldn’t help but let out a soft, involuntary sigh of genuine admiration. “She… she really is a good person, isn’t she? An incredibly, almost unbelievably good person. I don’t think I’ve ever met such a purely, genuinely good person before in my entire cynical, jaded life. Is this what the strongest magical girl is truly like? You can directly, almost physically, feel the immense difference in her sheer presence, her magnanimity, her… heroism!” Even the hardened, perpetually grumpy Magical Girl Black had to feel a profound, newfound respect, bordering on awe, for this remarkable young girl.

“That’s probably the main reason why most people like her so much, why she’s so universally beloved!” Ren also mused, a thoughtful expression on his face. He hadn’t expected the legendary Strawberry Sweetheart to be his unassuming junior at school. That was certainly a surprise. Anyway, he’d managed to add her private contact information to his phone; he’d just discreetly tell her later not to spread his number around to others. He didn’t need that kind of hassle in his life.

“I seem to recall you mentioning another appointment you scheduled for me?” Black asked, her voice still a little rough.

Hearing Black’s question, Ren nodded. “Yes, that’s correct. However, I probably won’t be able to accompany you to that particular one, Miss Black. The magical girl you’ll be meeting has already officially retired from active duty and has other, civilian commitments. The appointment is scheduled for midday, during the daytime, and unfortunately, I’ll be at school then, attending classes. You’ll have to go and talk to her by yourself, I’m afraid.”

“Is she strong? This retired one?” Black asked.

“Honestly, it’s impossible to accurately evaluate her current strength.” Ren shook his head. “Although many people, many organizations, have attempted to analyze the true nature and limits of magical girls, ultimately, it all comes down to a results-based methodology. The magical girls themselves often don’t truly know the full extent of their own power, or how long it can be sustained under pressure. This Miss Lapis Lazuli… she hasn’t been active in the field for many, many years; there are absolutely no public records of her transforming or using her powers in at least the last five years, possibly longer.”

Black made some quick, internal calculations, a thoughtful expression on her face. She then put on her most dismissive, almost bored, magical girl persona. “Hmph. Well, if you don’t have anything else particularly urgent or life-threatening to report, you can just… go. Shoo. This ridiculous concert tour is about to end soon, thank the gods. And then I, too, have my own other identity, my own other life, my own actual job to get back to, you know. So, if you don’t have anything specifically, critically important to discuss, do not come looking for me. Understood? Regarding this whole Inversion state issue, if you have any brilliant insights or sudden epiphanies, just compile them into a neat, concise report periodically and email it to me. I’ll… read it. Eventually.”

Ren’s eyes immediately took on a slightly resentful, almost wounded look. The way Black was acting right now, so cold and dismissive… it felt exactly like being used and then unceremoniously discarded by some kind of heartless, scumbag player who disappears the morning after. One minute she needs his help, the next, she doesn’t even want him to contact her. The emotional whiplash was intense.

However… now that I think about it… this is actually a pretty sweet deal. A cushy assignment, even.

In fact, the work of many, perhaps most, Supporters was unexpectedly, incredibly troublesome and demanding. They often had to take care of every little aspect of their assigned Espers’ daily lives, from scheduling appointments and managing finances to doing their laundry and providing round-the-clock emotional support. Someone like Magical Girl Black, who actively, vehemently didn’t want her Supporter meddling in her personal life or bothering her unnecessarily, was actually quite rare. A blessing in disguise, even. It certainly made the Supporter’s job significantly easier, if a little… lonely. This could definitely be considered a good thing, from a work-life balance perspective. After all, in her other affairs, he probably couldn’t interfere much anyway, even if he wanted to.

With these somewhat conflicting thoughts swirling in his head, Ren bid a polite, professional farewell to the enigmatic Magical Girl Black and then, with a sigh of relief, finally returned to the comforting normalcy of his own home.

Coincidentally, just as he reached the street corner near his house, he bumped into a familiar-looking, slightly rumpled man carrying a battered travel bag, looking like he’d just returned from a long journey.

A warm, friendly smile immediately appeared on Ren’s face. “Mr. Tanaka! Long time no see, sir! Are you just back from your business trip?”

Kenji Tanaka stopped, the smile on his face just as warm, just as genuinely friendly as ever, as he greeted Ren with an enthusiastic wave. “Ah, young Ren! My boy! Fancy meeting you here! You’re only heading home at this late hour? How has our dear Hana been lately? Behaving herself, I hope?”

“Mr. Tanaka, please rest assured, Hana has been doing very well recently,” Ren replied, his own smile perfectly polite, perfectly reassuring. (He, of course, couldn’t possibly give Kenji Tanaka a detailed, unedited report of everything that had actually transpired.) “Both in her studies and her daily life, she’s been doing great. No problems at all, sir.”

Kenji Tanaka, of course, knew exactly what Ren (and Magical Girl Black) had been up to these past few chaotic days. And he also knew, with a father’s weary intuition, exactly what his rebellious daughter had been up to as well. Oh, the tangled webs they wove.

“Mm, that’s good then. Excellent. Thanks to you, Ren. You know how it is, Hana… she isn’t always the most obedient or sensible child, is she?”

The two of them, the unsuspecting future son-in-law and the secretly-a-magical-girl father-in-law, chatted amiably for a little while longer like that, two ordinary neighbors exchanging pleasantries on a quiet evening street. Then, with polite farewells, they returned to their respective, and deceptively normal, homes.