Off Work, Then I Become a Magical Girl
Book 2: Chapter 145: Confession

Vol 2 Chapter 145: Confession

After the Remnant Beast was vanquished and the danger in the urban district was confirmed to be eliminated, the Magical Girls' mission came to an end. What followed was the Civil Administration Bureau's jurisdiction—public security officers maintaining neighborhood order, organizing specialized teams to rebuild damaged structures, and overseeing residents' return.

Having reported their successful subjugation to headquarters, Cornflower and Nina left the scene, embarking on their journey back to base. Each held a large candied hawthorn stick in hand, their heads adorned with various peculiar little trinkets—gifts from the district residents who always showed extraordinary enthusiasm toward Magical Girls.

The return trip was unusually quiet between them.

Nina occasionally nibbled at her candied hawthorn, her expression still haunted, seemingly trapped in the terrifying experience they'd just endured. Though she'd used magic to heal her injuries and repair her outfit after the battle, the sensation of her entire body feeling submerged in water—almost dissolving into liquid—remained too horrifying for someone her age. Physically present, her spirit still lingered in those traumatic memories.

As for Cornflower, having been raised male as Lin Yun, she only felt mild lingering fear. More than dwelling on fear, she preferred analyzing her combat mistakes—whether she'd underestimated their foe initially, given the Half-Molt too many opportunities, and how she could improve next time.

Her silence also stemmed from recalling the battle's awkward moments. During combat, she could ignore or set aside such things, but afterward, remembering how she and Nina had been drenched and disheveled, pressed together, with Nina's outfit mostly corroded away—it made Cornflower hesitate to even glance her way.

Though she believed she harbored no strange thoughts, as Lin Yun—an adolescent boy—such intimate contact with the opposite sex inevitably caused discomfort. Trapped in this unspoken awkwardness, silence seemed the only option, allowing the peculiar atmosphere to persist.

Only when they'd flown most of the way, with base coming into view, did Mohe seem to regain her composure, her pallor normalizing. Examining her half-eaten candied hawthorn, she manifested her magical equipment and used "Grasp Now" to preserve it.

"What is it?"

"Nim... always told me how amazing you were as a Magical Girl. Other squad members even said you're the rare, exceptionally talented kind that appears once in decades." Holding her preserved treat, Nina looked at Cornflower. "But only today did I truly feel it—you really are incredible."

"Come on, they're exaggerating." Flustered by the earnest praise, Cornflower rubbed her neck. "I know I'm decent, but 'once in decades' is too much."

"No, Captain. What's most impressive is how calm you stay in battle." Nina shook her head. "Even now, facing Remnant Beasts that could actually kill me... I still feel terrified. When frightened, I can't think straight. Without you directing me, I'd probably forget to use my magic gear."

"Eh? Really?" Noticing her despondency, Cornflower pretended ignorance. "You did great against that Half-Molt. You contributed significantly."

"That... was only because you commanded me. What's amazing is how you accounted for my abilities mid-battle and utilized them." Nina pressed her lips together. "So I think... I understand Nim's perspective better now."

"Your sister's perspective?" Cornflower looked surprised.

"Yes. I... see why Nim prefers learning combat techniques from you, always saying she wants to become a Magical Girl like you." Nina spoke more fluently than usual, clearly having contemplated this deeply. "Because you're vastly superior to me. Though there's only one rank difference in our Bloom Levels, the gap feels immeasurably wider."

"...Ah, so you were jealous after all." Cornflower blinked in realization. "It's good you said it—I told you before, I don't mind."

"Because I only just realized my true feelings." Mohe tilted her head up, feeling the wind against her cheeks. "It wasn't just guilt toward you. Hearing others—even Nim—praise you so much made me feel... resentful, even envious. That's why I avoided you."

"I see."

"Aren't you angry? Or think I'm despicable for feeling this way...?" Nina ventured cautiously.

"Hmm, a little? Mainly because you avoiding me was upsetting." After brief consideration, Cornflower continued, "But now we're comrades who've faced death together—almost died together through bad luck. That bond makes past grudges meaningless, don't you think?"

"R-really? To that extent?" Nina's eyes widened, her sudden movement nearly blowing her hat away until she grabbed it. "But I was practically dead weight—saying we faced death together seems..."

"Telling you how vital you were won't change your self-deprecation, will it?" Sighing, Cornflower gave a wry smile.

"Then let me phrase it differently—even at our most desperate moment, I felt I had a teammate beside me. Someone I trusted completely to help turn the tide. That's why I could stay so calm."

The setting sun painted the sky gold as the two Magical Girls flew amidst clouds and currents, locking eyes in a moment that seemed to suspend time itself.

Nina gazed at the girl before her—navy dress fluttering like radiant wings in the golden light, azure hair dancing with gem-like eyes, composing a breathtaking tableau. That sunlit smile would undoubtedly become one of Nina's most cherished memories.

Years later, even as seas turned to fields and countless things became unrecognizable—even if she herself changed beyond recognition—this smile would remain, eternal and unchanging.