December 2015

  ***

  Ever since their hug, Miori fell head over heels for Hitoishi, for Minerva Crimson, all over again.

  But what now? She brought up all her courage to ask for a hug after Hitoishi already promised her a favor – and confessing her feelings was various magnitudes of bravery beyond that.

  At some point she figured out that the Ayame Hitoishi mentioned when she was alone was the same woman who worked part-time at her favorite boutique and helped to push her into the very expensive world of gothic lolita fashion.

  “So you are the young harlot making my beloved Seika's heart flutter!”

  Ayame let out a laugh while Miori's face turned a few shades more towards the red. Ayame had just clocked out after Miori came to buy some new pieces for her outfits while peppering the red-haired woman with questions about Hitoishi. Naturally, she left out the crucial detail that she witnessed her transforming into a Magical Girl, though reflecting on her senior's words she guessed that Ayame was in the know.

  “Now here's what I heard, young Miori!” Ayame declared as she leaned closer and wiggled her eyebrows. “She’s aware that you have a crush on her. But she's not the type to make the first move on a younger girl like yourself. Actually, I think she's not the type to make the first move on anyone. Seriously, I've been giving her some signals that I wouldn't mind to… experiment a little, but she thinks I'm just yanking her chain.”

  Ayame raised her hands defensively as she saw Miori's expression after that last sentence.

  “Hey, hey, calm down. I'll gladly step aside for you, though. If she’s happy, I'm happy. I'm pretty sure bumping uglies with her would have made our friendship awkward anyway.”

  Miori showed Ayame a pout and held it a while before she tendered up again.

  “So it's on me to initiate something? Ugh, just asking for a hug took all the bravery I got from wearing my lolita dress.”

  Ayame let out a little sigh and patted her head.

  “Tell you what. On Christmas, Seika and I often hang out, kick back and drink to celebrate being single during the couple's holiday. I'll tell her that we two have been talking and gently nudge her your way. Would you like that?”

  “You’re doing so much for me recently, Ayame…”

  “Hahaha, I'll gladly accept love confessions as well!”

  “I love you. Like a big sister.”

  “Ow, my heart.”

  Christmas finally came. The outside world was grey and snowless, though, with nothing to look at and fewer customers than usual – save for the occasional loner buying alcohol for himself.

  Miori complained about the state of things appropriately.

  “It’s so grey and monotone out there. We don’t even have snow.”

  Hitoishi dutifully listened to her complaints with a little smile.

  “And the only customers we get today are sad people who aren’t spending any time with a partner.”

  Like me. I wish I could spend tonight with Senpai…

  Hitoishi let out a chuckle and looked at Miori with an inscrutable expression.

  “Do you have any plans for today, Miori? Like, going out with a boyfriend after work?”

  A shiver ran down Miori’s spine, causing her to stand up entirely straight.

  This could be her chance to nudge Hitoishi into the right direction without needing Ayame! Or so the thought.

  “Ah… no, not… particularly. I mean, there is someone… but we aren’t together yet… like… I haven’t asked them yet…” was all she managed to speak – or rather, whisper.

  Damn it! I wish I was wearing my dress!

  She saw a glint of amusement in Hitoishi's eyes – if what Ayame said was true, she was aware of Miori's feelings.

  “Well, good luck. I’m sure if you work up the courage in the future things will work out for you.”

  Why is she toying with me?!

  In that moment the door opened and the two turned towards the entrance, bowing to the customer. “Welcome!”

  It was an odd woman in a fur coat with a large pair of sunglasses. Quite the sight for a winter evening. Her lips were way too red, almost hiding that her skin looked green – like she was about to throw up.

  She moved like she was absolutely healthy, though, stepping right in front of the counter to look at both Miori and Hitoishi.

  “Hello, Miss. Can we help you?” Hitoishi sounded a hundred percent professional, but Miori could tell that she was putting up a front while being extremely put off. For some reason a strong smell of roses filled Miori's nostrils. It would appear the green woman was heavily perfumed.

  In that moment she could feel the stranger's hand closing around her wrist, tightening like a vise.

  Miori wanted to shout, to exclaim her pain, but for some reason all sounds were stuck in her throat. Instead, she felt a sense of dread, like something terrible was about to happen. On top of that, she felt like the strange woman was in her mind - and worst of all, she was touching her thoughts about Hitoishi.

  “Miss! I have to ask you to let go of my junior!”

  Her senior's voice cut through the curtain of dread that was draped over her mind's eye. She stumbled backwards and saw Hitoishi now holding the woman by the wrist.

  After a second that felt like an eternity the stranger shook off Hitoishi's hand and licked her wrist where she got touched.

  “Very interesting…” said the woman with a voice sweeter than sugar before she simply turned and vanished out of the door.

  She felt Hitoishi's hand on her shoulder. A small blessing coming out of a surreal situation.

  “What a weirdo. Are you alright, Miori?”

  Miori gathered herself and tried to shake off the ominous feeling that permeated her entire body. She wasn't entirely successful.

  “I’m alright… but she really gave me the creeps.”

  “Yeah, no kidding.”

  ***

  “Are you going to be okay on your own from here?”

  Hitoishi insisted on walking Miori to the station after the incident, reasonably worried that the weird woman would assault her again on her way home.

  “I'm going to be okay, Senpai, don't worry about me.” Miori was dressed in her gothic lolita outfit again, which boosted her confidence quite a bit. Enough that she felt like she could take on a weirdo grabbing her this time – yet still not enough to take the chance to tell her crush how she felt about her.

  She watched Hitoishi leave for a few moments longer before she decided to take the train home.

  Arriving at home she couldn’t shake a feeling of unease. It persisted throughout the evening, while she ate dinner, while she bathed, while she was lying in bed. Something terrible was happening, but she didn't know what.

  Something was wrong with Hitoishi. Miori could tell that the smile she wore to work after Christmas was fake – that she was hiding tremendous pain from everyone around her. Whenever she inquired if anything was bothering her senior, she just brushed the question off, making up an excuse or two.

  She took more smoke breaks than usual – and when Miori decided to spy on her she found out that Hitoishi hadn't taken them to transform and save people, but to cry behind the store.

  She felt utterly useless, unable to help Hitoishi or even say anything, since she was clueless as to what even happened to her in the first place. Her cluelessness continued like that for a week longer, until…

  “By the way, Miori. I'm quitting my job here today.”

  Miori didn't even realize what her senior told her at first - she was simply grateful that she was talking to her. But then the realization dawned on her what her precious senpai meant by those words and she could hear the sound of shattering glass as her world crumbled. She forced herself to contain the raging storm of emotions inside her to not let them paint the tone of her next words.

  “Oh? Are you switching stores? Like, are you moving, Senpai?”

  Hitoishi averted her eyes as she answered.

  “Something like that.”

  No! Don't do this to me! I just found you after all this time!

  “Will… will you exchange LINE information with me, Senpai?” was all she managed to get out. Not an unreasonable request for a person she got along with and who was moving away.

  “I'm sorry. I'm not doing LINE or any SNS like it.”

  Miori could tell that this was a lie. Hitoishi wanted to cut contact, for whatever reason.

  ***

  The shift continued in awkward silence – Hitoishi avoiding eye contact while Miori did her best to stop herself from breaking out in tears.

  This was the worst possible outcome. She was aware that Miori had feelings for her, wasn’t she? And Ayame said she would talk to her on Christmas. What happened?

  At the end of the shift Hitoishi said a hushed ‘goodbye' and hurried out the door. Miori chased her.

  This is my last chance!

  “Senpai!” she shouted after Hitoishi, causing her to turn around.

  She could see tears accumulating in the corners of her eyes.

  “I love you, Senpai. Please go out with me!”

  It's so easy to say these words… why did it take me until now to say them?

  Hitoishi's answer, strangely enough, came without hesitation.

  “I'm sorry, Miori. I can’t return your feelings. I shouldn't.”

  The older woman turned around and sped up her steps as she walked away. She may have thought that she was slick and managed to hide that she was crying, but Miori noticed.

  She shouldn’t? What does that mean?

  January 2016

  ***

  Miori went to the only person she could ask.

  And as fate would have it, Ayame was working her shift at the boutique on the weekend. She must have made for an odd sight, storming towards the store employee with a flushed face.

  “Ayame, I need to talk to you!”

  “Oh, hey, Miori. Need help with a new outfit?” the woman seemed unbothered by whatever happened to Hitoishi.

  “Not about that. Can you come with me really quick?”

  “Ehhh?” Ayame let young Miori drag her along, but didn’t appear too thrilled about it.

  ***

  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Do you know what happened to Senpai?”

  “Sheesh, Miori, you have to be more specific. Do I know any of your senpais at school? Actually, aren't you a third year? You shouldn't have any of them left there…” the red-haired woman scratched the back of her head, looking at the younger girl.

  “You know who I mean! Hitoishi!”

  “Hitoi…?” there was genuine confusion on her face.

  “Seika!” Miori blushed after speaking her crush's first name like that.

  “Seriously, Miori… I don't know who that is.”

  Miori couldn't believe her ears. Just a few weeks ago they enthusiastically talked about this very same woman, with Ayame giving hints that was at least physically attracted to her. And here she was, denying all knowledge of her longtime friend.

  “The woman on your lockscreen!” Miori tried after remembering it.

  “Hm, this?” Ayame got her phone out and turned on the screen.

  It was the same photograph – but Hitoishi was replaced by an ugly glitch. Rainbow-colored pixels spread in every direction and almost consumed Ayame.

  “Ugh, what the hell! As if it wasn’t sad enough that I did a photo hugging the air like the friendless loser I am, it went all haywire, too… I really need friends. How about you, young Miori? Want to be friends?”

  Miori felt cold. Dread overtook her and filled her entire being. Something happened to Hitoishi, making Ayame forget her, and corrupting her in digital records that Ayame held.

  Is this related to her being Minerva Crimson?

  “Oh… right, Ayame. We can exchange LINE contacts. And be friends.”

  For now, I'll keep Ayame close.

  Miori let out a heavy sigh as she stared at the sky above.

  She sat on a bench in Yoyogi Park after walking there directly from the boutique, now utterly clueless on how to proceed.

  Something happened to Ayame. It erased all memories of Hitoishi from her mind – and even from her phone. It might be possible that Hitoishi got removed from any pictures that other people took of her, as long as Ayame was in the frame as well.

  There was most definitely something supernatural at work here – which meant that Miori was utterly out of her depth.

  “How do I help the Magical Girl who helped me?” she whispered to herself.

  To her surprise, someone answered.

  “By becoming one yourself.”

  “Huh?”

  She looked to the side and jumped away – there was a woman on the bench with her, wearing purple cloth and silver armor pieces. Miori must have been deep in thought for someone like this to sit down next to her undetected.

  She got a closer look at her now, noticing that from under her silver helmet her purple hair flowed freely, swaying in a wind that wasn't there, and glowing with an innate magic power. Her skirt was comprised of countless leather strips, with the back ones being extended with decorative peacock feathers. Her face was of androgynous beauty, with golden, glowing eyes staring straight through Miori's very being.

  “I'm sorry, who – oh!”

  It finally clicked for her.

  “You're like Minerva Crimson!” she exclaimed.

  “I'm nothing like my husband's little bastard.” The woman responded, her eyes narrowing just a little bit. As if she caught herself doing something she shouldn't, she shook her head and rose to her feet. She was magnificently tall, towering above even Miori, who just recently experienced her final growth spurt.

  “Pardon. I harbor no ill-will against her, even if I sometimes get angry when I get reminded of Jove's dalliances. But it would be more accurate to say that she is like me, since she came after. My name is Juno.”

  She simply picked Miori up and launched into the sky to take her somewhere else.

  “And you shall be the partner of my daughter.”

  ***

  Miori found herself on top of one of the city's tallest buildings; just looking around made her dizzy. Juno simply placed her here and put a small gemstone in her hand. A sapphire, judging by its azure color.

  “I'm sorry, all of this is going so fast. You want me to be the partner of your daughter? Where is she? And… what does that entail?” Miori asked in a shaky voice, examining the tall woman who stood towering above her like a goddess.

  Said goddess pointed towards the gemstone Miori was holding.

  “She is right there. Careful with her, she is a newborn, though your kind wouldn’t believe it if you talked to her.”

  Miori looked to the little gem on her palm, raising a brow at it.

  “You can believe her, mortal. I am very much alive.”

  Miori twitched and almost dropped the gem as she suddenly heard a voice, though she managed to close her fist around it before anything happened.

  “It talked.”

  “They tend to do that.”

  Miori stared at the strange woman with some confusion before she continued.

  “My time in your world is limited. I can’t maintain this form forever without a human host, so we’ll have to go through the steps faster than I would like.”

  “Seriously, stop for a moment to explain things to me!” Miori shouted – she wasn’t going to let this person walk all over her, not like her timid past self.

  The tall woman seemed taken aback, but then she cracked a smile.

  “Not only does your heart carry great love, but you’re also fiercer than you look. You might be a worthy partner for Bellona yet. Fine. I’ll tell you.”

  The woman sat down on the edge of the building and after multiple reassurances Miori followed suit. As they looked out over the bustling city, she told Miori everything.

  “We are Deogemma, people made out of crystal and pure magic who exist in another world entirely.”

  She pointed at the gem in Miori’s hand.

  “Though we look like this when we are unable to retain our physical form. Be it because we spent too much energy, or because we are in an environment that cannot sustain us.”

  Miori nodded along, though she already felt somewhat lost. She was vaguely aware that there must be other worlds out there – she spent a few minutes in an exact copy of Kawaguchi before Minerva Crimson saved her, after all, but to be presented with the fact that there are people living in those was something else entirely. It made the concept more real.

  “Shouldn’t we be speaking different languages?”

  Juno chuckled at Miori’s earnest question.

  “I am translating for the two of us with magic. Once you merge with my daughter you will be able to do it yourself.”

  “Right.” Miori could answer no other way.

  Juno continued.

  “Despite our inability to stay too long in any world but our own, my husband loves traveling. We would go and see all these different worlds whenever the dimensions overlap. We’ve been to worlds that are nothing but an endless ocean with small islands in-between, in which the occupants rely entirely on sailing ships to move around.

  “We’ve been to worlds with technology indistinguishable from our magic, in which civilizations have settled every light in the night sky.

  “We’ve been to worlds that are nothing but desert, where the sand itself is haunted by spirits.”

  She looked to Miori and smiled again.

  “We love them all, even if we can never stay long. Sometimes we find people in these worlds with magic potential who show promise. People we can entrust our children to, so they gather life experience and can help guard against threats.”

  “That happened with Senpai, yes? She became Minerva Crimson because you found her.”

  “Yes, trapped inside a Shadow Queen, like you were. We saved her and Jove saw her potential.”

  Miori nodded.

  “Something has happened to Senpai… so if you say I can become powerful… maybe I can help her.”

  Juno rose to her feet.

  “Then let’s begin.”

  ***

  They spent the entire day on the roof to have Miori learn how to transform. According to the tall woman’s description it was a lot like learning to ride a bicycle. A very particular sense of balance that needed to be learned – but afterwards it would be impossible to unlearn.

  “Transform!” She shouted into the evening sky.

  Her hair was caught by a breeze that the rest of her body couldn’t feel and glowed in a blue color for only a second.

  “You’re on the right track.” Juno assured her, stepping closer. She adjusted Miori’s posture and patted her shoulder as she finished.

  “Hang on to that feeling and try again.”

  Miori closed her eyes, tensing her body in the ways she tried before, varying it just a little bit.

  “Transform!”

  With that she was enveloped in a bright light that disintegrated her clothing and absorbed it into the crystal.

  Bit by bit pieces of armor and fabric appeared on her body as she felt her hair grow just a little bit longer.

  At first a breastplate that seemed to be right out of an RPG covered her chest, with a short skirt sticking out from under it. Garter fastened tall boots protected by greaves to her legs.

  Bracers and pauldrons attached to her arms and shoulders, and a dark red cloak fell onto her back. Her hair took on a blue color with a purple glow, swaying gently in a non-existent breeze, while her eyes were now the color of gold, glowing with an inherent light.

  She successfully transformed into Bellona Azure.

  “We need to continue to the next step.” Juno said before kneeling down in front of Miori, now Bellona, to look her in the eyes.

  “The last time we tried suppression, but that did not work. Instead, I’ll need you two to share. To co-operate and guide this mighty form of yours.”

  “Hmm… if mother says so, I will oblige.”

  “Ah! It’s that voice again!” Bellona looked around as if she would be able to see whoever spoke to her by doing so.

  “Best get used to her. And you can talk to her by thinking. That might prove essential for getting along.”

  Uhm… nice to meet you.

  “Just so. I will assist you, as mother commands. It’s part of me… growing up, as it were.”

  She nodded and looked at Juno, who smiled as if she was able to follow their interaction.

  “Well… time for training, then.”

  She summoned a spear with a heart-shaped tip and assumed a combat stance.

  Huh?!

  February 2016

  ***

  Miori was lying in her bed, almost unable to move thanks to her aching body. Before Juno was forced to leave, she used every opportunity to spar with Bellona. In the past month she was slashed, impaled, almost bisected, you name it.

  And yet after undoing her transformation, she was completely fine, save for ugly bruises wherever her transformed self was wounded. No matter what, when her transformation came undone Juno would be there to catch her, cradling her like a caring mother would her own child.

  All that brutality was simply training, necessary for her future survival. Lessons from a strict but loving mother.

  Apparently, her own weapon that she could summon was the halberd. She wondered if her German ancestry played a role in it, since Juno seemed surprised by some of the armor and weapon choices her appearance brought with it.

  But now what? She was given the ability to transform, and training, as one-sided and rudimentary as it had been, but with no guidance on what to do next.

  She looked to the side, to an empty notebook she bought yesterday.

  If her hunch was correct and she was up against an enemy who erased memories, it would be prudent to keep notes of important things.

  She would also have to start a diary – though she wondered if the same effect that erased Hitoishi from a photograph on Ayame’s phone would likewise get rid of diary entries.

  Maybe she would be able to see when an attack took place by gaps appearing between entries. She would make it a habit to never leave space in her diary to check just for that.

  ***

  After she recovered enough to move around, she put on one of her dresses and went into the city. She was wandering rather aimlessly, trying to come up with her next step.

  Her actual life away from the entire situation with Hitoishi was still happening. She would graduate in March, with no plans to go to College or University. She thought about doing something customer service related like Ayame, in full time, though she’d have to pick a job with a wardrobe that would boost her confidence.

  Her phone alarm went off.

  ‘LIVE FOOTAGE

  Magical Girl Minerva Crimson is battling the ???’

  An unknown or unclassified enemy type?

  Miori fidgeted to unlock her phone – to watch more footage of her favorite Magical Girl, but stopped halfway as she realized that she was given better options.

  Wait, this is it.

  She transformed and ascended into the sky, flying straight towards wherever Minerva Crimson was at this very moment.

  I’ll get closer to her as Bellona Azure and I’ll prove myself to her. And once we’re close enough I’ll reveal myself to her as Miori. I’ll show her that I can take care of myself.

  She landed at her destination as people ran away screaming. There she was, Minerva Crimson in the flesh. She faced off with a group of roughly fifty rats the size of children, all of them wearing odd little uniforms like they were on parade; one of them was even holding a set of drums, directing the battle group to ready their arms, which turned out to be flintlock long-guns with fixed bayonets.

  On further inspection, it wasn’t all rats. There were mice, hamsters, and guinea pigs. She even saw a capybara holding a banner that depicted two long incisors in silver on a Prussian blue field cornered by golden cannons.

  “Uhm. You guys are kind of cute. Could we solve this in a way that doesn’t end with me blowing all of you to bits?”

  Minerva Crimson spoke to the giant rodents.

  “Squeak!”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Squeak, squeak!”

  “Now, now, there’s no need for those kinds of words here. Though you have a point, we are hairless below our necks. Mostly.”

  She understands them?

  “You can, too. Bring us a little closer and we can translate via magic.”

  Bellona hovered closer to Minerva’s position, keeping to a side alley so neither the red Magical Girl nor the regiment of rodents could spot her.

  “So!” Minerva continued.

  “Do tell me, what do you want here? Maybe I can get it for you. Is it cheese?”

  “Cheese?!” the rat who was talking to Minerva exclaimed in a deep voice. It was dressed in a blue uniform with a yellow sash spanning across its chest. The fringes of its epaulettes were dangling freely as it gestured in an offended manner.

  “Gentlemen, did you hear her? She asks if we’re here for cheese! The gall!”

  The regiment of various rodents erupted into shouts.

  “Kill her! For this insult, kill her!”

  Minerva Crimson took a step back, looking around in a panicked manner as she realized that she just blew her chance at diplomacy.

  “Truly, such a barbaric people, these ‘humans’ who live here. No tact at all!”

  “Hear, hear!” his comrades roared.

  “Well, we have no choice but to show them the error of their ways.”

  The rat walked back into the rows of rodent soldiers and the sound of drums was swelling. Minerva let her shoulders hang as she watched them.

  “Take aim!”

  The first row of fighters raised their rifles, all barrels pointed at the red Magical Girl – who didn’t seem too bothered.

  “Ah, really? I can handle a few lead bullets, you know.”

  “Ignite!”

  Suddenly all the rifles were surrounded by their own magic circles – five each, going from the muzzle down the entire length of the barrel. They started spinning from the back to the front.

  “Uh-oh!” exclaimed Minerva.

  Bellona had a pretty bad feeling about this, which was very obviously shared by Minerva Crimson, who hurried to put up a few more barriers.

  “Fire!”

  Beams of concentrated magic hit Minerva’s shield head on. The street’s asphalt exploded and left her standing in a crater as the first of her three shields shattered.

  “Next row! Fire!”

  The first row of rodents turned on their heels and walked through the gaps of the rows of comrades behind them to the back, ejecting what looked like used-up vials from the bottom of their rifles – it appeared that their flintlock design was only for looks and they were more like magic cannons. The next row of soldiers took a step forwards, aimed, activated their magic circles, and fired, cracking the next of Minerva’s shields.

  There were five rows of rodents for continuous fire and Minerva only summoned three shields – it didn’t take a genius mind to figure out where this was going.

  “Next row! Fire!”

  As her third shield cracked and broke, Minerva cursed and tried to launch herself into the air, ten barrels trained on her.

  “Next row! Fire!”

  The drums relayed the command with a rhythmic signature that only the regiment of rodents knew before their muzzles flashed yet again. A concentrated mass of magical projectiles approached the crimson Magical Girl – and just as Bellona wanted to intervene, she saw Minerva retaliate. With a bright beam of her own magical energy she clashed with the projectiles, pushing them towards the regiment of rodents.

  “I really didn’t want to hurt you, but if you keep this going, I don’t have a choice!”

  The creatures saw their predicament and dispersed – though the ones currently firing were still locked in the struggle. A moment later they vanished in the beam’s bright light as a new crater appeared in the street.

  “Casualties! Run away, run away! Tactical retreat!”

  She could hear the panicked squeaking even through the translation magic as dimensional portals opened and the assailants hopped through them.

  “A lot of firepower, but quick to run away, hm?” Minerva observed with a sigh – then she simply flew away.

  “Ah…” Bellona suddenly realized that she simply watched the entire thing without moving a muscle.

  I missed my chance.

  July 2016

  ***

  Miori and her alter ego Bellona kept tailing Hitoishi and Minerva, finding out where she lived and what she did for work. Stalking her made Miori feel guilty, but it was all for Hitoishi’s sake. Or so she told herself.

  Miori learned that Hitoishi just started her first job at a Light Novel publisher called ‘MagiColle’. A new startup with less than ten series. It would depend on Hitoishi herself and her few editor colleagues to grow those numbers into a profitable business.

  After investigating the founder Watanabe, Miori also found out that his favorite little watering hole was in Kabukichō. While he was still employed at a larger publisher, he would regularly invite his junior editors to go drinking with him in that very place whenever they did a good job.

  Her assumption was that he would continue this behavior even now, after becoming the boss of his very own company.

  And if Hitoishi was still the hard-working woman she knew, it would only be a matter of time until he introduced her to this place.

  Luckily, they were hiring, and even luckier, Miori felt confident while wearing a suit.