The sun was up and its rays shined through the apartment window, and inside, a young woman with long black hair and a blue off-shouldered dress was kneeling on the ground.
That girl is me.
"sniff I'm sorry, Himeno-nee~!"
I whimpered as I stared at the carpet, my eyes unable to even dare look up and see what my idol thought of me.
"Young lady, you are in deep trouble. Not only did you die, you also had the audacity to ask God for more power!"
I winced at Himeno-nee's words, feeling a little hurt.
"B-But Himeno-nee, I wanted to be strong and cool!"
"And what would you have done if God smited you?"
My eyes turned blank for a second before I opened my mouth in protest.
"That didn't happen! It was a calculated risk!"
Himeno-nee couldn't help but facepalm at my words.
"Shizuka… that's not what I'm getting at."
A sigh escaped her lips.
"You could've gotten cursed, seriously hurt… or heck, died for real. Do you know how worried I was when I heard your story?"
I couldn't hold any rebuttal. My black eyes shimmered before tears slowly began to form.
"I'm sorry… I just really wanted more power, so that I could fight against the world…"
I said it in a soft, almost whisper-thin voice—one that might've been impossible to hear.
But Himeno-nee kneeled in front of me, and she gently caressed my face. Instinctively, I leaned into her soft and warm hands.
"Shizuka, I appreciate what you do. I really do. I don't have any qualms with what God has tasked you with, or the conclusions you've drawn after seeing my retirement."
I looked up at Himeno-nee's gentle, caring face, and tears began to drop freely.
"But please—please—have some self-preservation.
Never gamble with your life. Don't be like me, recklessly jumping into danger.
I don't want you to disappear. You're my first fan, and I don't want to lose you."
My black irises shook violently at her words. All this time I'd been so focused on gaining power…
That I ultimately forgot one thing: myself.
From hunting mascots in alleyways, underneath bridges, in abandoned buildings… to wagering with Ms. Bunny and IXX and God…
I was so busy that I forsook myself. And I made Himeno-nee worry. Guilt flooded my system, and my tears had no mercy either.
I couldn't stop them, no matter how hard I tried.
"I'm sorry, Himeno-nee… I won't do that again…"
I cried as tears ran freely down my face.
Seeing me like that, Himeno-nee sighed softly and smiled. She opened her arms and pulled me into a hug, making me jolt for a second.
But that was all it took for everything bottled up inside me to erupt—from the frustration of not becoming a magical girl,
To my deep-seated anger at the status quo. To my worries when I saw Himeno-nee get sick.
I hugged Himeno-nee tightly as I cried my heart out.
...
..
.
A few minutes had passed, and my eyes were all swollen from crying.
"Pfft… Bwahahah! You look so cute, Shizuka!"
Himeno-nee kept snapping pictures of my pouting face as I crossed my arms.
"It's Himeno-nee's faultt! Dummy! Dummy!"
I retorted playfully, pointing my finger at her.
"Okay okay, I'm sorry."
I felt her hand gently caress my head as she helped wipe away my tears.
"Anyways, I was curious about what God said. If I'm the most you hold dear… then how exactly are we supposed to unlock your power?"
I shrugged, bobbing my head left and right.
"I have no clue either."
I sighed as I sank onto the living room couch, watching Himeno-nee pace back and forth.
"Ah, I know! What if you transform into your magical girl form!"
I tilted my head.
"A-Are you sure?"
I asked, just in case.
"Yup! Transforming into a magical girl enhances a positive trait for us magical girls, but you mentioned that yours—"
"Enhances a negative trait, and I lose a trait as well."
I helped Himeno-nee fill in the blanks.
"Right! So what I want you to do is transform right here and now. Don't worry, I have it under control!"
Himeno-nee beamed at me and gave a little v-sign with her index and middle fingers.
I couldn't help but smile.
"Okay."
Soon, the shadows across the living room began crawling toward me. Despite the direct sunlight, the entire room dimmed into pitch-black darkness—then erupted a second later.
Himeno-nee instinctively shielded her eyes from the blast of darkness. When she finally lowered her hand and opened them—
Her blue eyes dilated at the sight of my new form.
Gently hovering down, my black boots touched the soft carpet. My blue off-shoulder dress had shifted into a beautiful black gothic lolita dress.
And most importantly—an unfamiliar black umbrella hung from my arm, ornate as ever, its iconic gold handle detailed with intricate designs.
"Behold, my grandeur."
My arms opened wide as a smug grin spread across my face. My eyes opened fully, revealing my white diamond-shaped pupils and black irises.
"Gosh, you are so smug."
Himeno-nee sighed, placing a hand against her cheek as if she had suddenly been saddled with a chuuni daughter.
My face reddened and I pointed at her.
"S-Silence! You ought to respect me! I am second only to God in power—you should fear me and etch my name—Caelumbra—onto your mind!"
I puffed out my chest, arms crossed. However… Himeno-nee seemed to be holding back laughter.
"Why are you laughing at me? Do you not take me seriously?"
I exerted my will, spreading a wave of authority. The building trembled; the sunlight outside flickered, swallowed in total darkness for a whole second.
If it were the youma mascots, they'd be terrified. Yet Himeno-nee's expression didn't change—pure amusement.
"No no, it's not that I'm not afraid. You're terrifying in this form, Shizu… but—"
Himeno-nee circled around me. With her countless experiences fighting youmas, she could instantly tell that even with my lack of battle experience…
Shizuka might be able to overpower her—and that was a scary thought. Yet Himeno-nee remained calm, smiling.
"It's not like I haven't fought strong youmas before."
I looked at Himeno-nee—she was taking pictures again. This time, though, I made sure to pose whenever she clicked the shutter.
"However, you really do feel formidable as is. I can't imagine how OP you'd be if whatever God locked away actually got unlocked."
Hearing that, I couldn't help but feel very smug.
"Now you understand!"
I nodded proudly.
"But the fact still remains—we don't know how strong you are in actual combat, now do we?"
My eyebrow twitched at the provocative comment. As much as I wanted to test my lethality…
The person in front of me wasn't a disposable youma.
She was my idol.
"You're right. As much as I have the power to decimate anything I want to, I am far from ready for an actual fight."
I said through gritted teeth. Usually, even in this form, I could keep my calm—my composure. However, that isn't so in front of Himeno-nee.
"Strength is meaningless without technique! Just as technique without strength is useless."
Himeno-nee raised a finger.
My eyes narrowed as I comprehended her words.
"What you need is experience, right?"
My eyes widened upon hearing those words.
"Precisely."
I nodded my head up and down.
"I cannot use youmas as my training dummies, as much as I want to. It wastes resources. So I need your help, Himeno-nee."
I looked away, closing my eyes as I crossed my arms. A small blush appeared on my face.
"Pfft... that's sweet, but as much as I want to, I can't. Sorry, Shizu."
My eyes immediately jolted open and I turned towards her.
"What do you meaan?"
I asked, leaning forward toward Himeno-nee as I searched her face for answers.
"Well, I have work tomorrow."
Hearing those words, I couldn't help but fall on the floor.
"That makes sense..."
I scratched my head as I stood up, dusting my black dress.
"Then—"
"I'll recommend you someone."
Himeno-nee winked at me as she walked to her bedroom. After a few minutes, she returned with a call card and handed it to me.
"This is...? A dojo?"
I tilted my head sideways. Why would I need to go to a dojo?
"Yup. A good friend of mine runs the place. Rio-chan!"
Rio-chan? Who's that? Hearing that name, my face went blank.
Himeno-nee looked at me, immediately catching on as she hammered one hand into the other.
"Ah, right. Forgot civilians never hear our real names. Nova Eclipse, perhaps you know—"
"N–Nova?!"
I interrupted, my eyes widening in shock. Why would—no, why should I learn from a brute like her?!
"I know what you're thinking—she's probably the second most open-minded member in my group. She doesn't care if you're from the light or dark faction, so long as you can fight."
Himeno-nee crossed her arms, looking at me with a smile.
"Why couldn't you just teach me yourself? I get work, but we could train when you don't have work!"
I begged Himeno-nee, even hugging her, but it was no use!
"Nope~ I won't teach you the fundamentals, but I will teach you how to always be two steps ahead~
Though, judging from how you bargained with God and got power...
I think you only need some polishing in your mentality so you don't die a second time~"
I released my hug and stepped back a bit after seeing Himeno-nee's smile become a bit weird.
"O-Okay, I get it!"
I said, extending my arms as if they were a shield.
"Oh, I'll also teach you how to use magic properly."
My eyes sparkled upon hearing those words.
"Yay!"
I jumped cheerfully.
"Still, you really need to decide on a personality, young lady. I don't know if you're a chuuni in this form, a gyaru, or some royalty or whatev—"
I stopped mid-jump, turning stiff like a statue.
"T-That's only because I'm with you! If I was with my subjects I would be scary! Like, super scary!"
I pointed a finger at Himeno-nee as if blaming her.
But she only smiled and hugged me.
"Okay~ okay, Your Highness, I won't tease you anymore!"
My face turned red as I gritted my teeth. It's not like I don't want physical attention b-but right now I'm being treated like a child!
"A-Aahhhh! Don't call me Your Highness!!"
I stomped my feet, punching the air.
"You're really one funny girl, Shizu."
Himeno-nee laughed as she petted my head.
"You tease me too much. Preposterous."
I pouted, crossing my arms as Himeno-nee hugged me tightly.
"I just can't help it! You look so cute in this dress and you look so refined and elegantt—kyahh!! My babygirl is all grown upp!"
My eyes closed and my face turned red as Himeno-nee snuggled against me.
"Stopp—sttopp! I get it, I get it!"
I gently pushed Himeno-nee away, panting as I finally gained a moment of respite.
"Himeno-nee, I'm glad you love my magical girl form, but honestly you're too much!"
I accused Himeno-nee, pointing at her again.
"Hehe, sorry!"
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.
"Anyways, since I've shown you this form, I guess it's also fine to show you my kingdom."
I crossed my arms as I tilted my head to the side. Himeno-nee looked at me, confused.
"Shizu, I don't know… is that alright?"
I nodded.
"Of course. I'm their leader. Their Goddess. My words are law."
My black irises became a dark void as my smile widened, my white diamond-shaped pupils reflecting Himeno-nee's face.