A Heart-to-Heart with Yang Yan

(Sun Yao)

The city lights were too bright. Being so close to the night sky, yet not a single star could be seen.

“Hey, we’re here, Miss Sailuno.”

“Ohh!”

It wasn’t until Yin Lu spoke that I realized the rotor blades had stopped. I hurriedly jumped off the Association’s helicopter. Beneath my feet was a rooftop helipad belonging to a specialized “medical facility.” This was the Association’s private hospital for magical girls. Those injured in battle received the best treatment and care here.

Even though I hadn’t lost a single hair, I had asked Yin Lu to bring me here to see Miss Yang Yan using the Association’s special helicopter stationed on-site.

“It only took five minutes to cross half the city. Is the Association’s helicopter always this fast?”

I’d been moved around quickly when going to the Changkong branch during the day, too, but the atmosphere back then hadn’t exactly allowed me to voice any complaints.

“Is this your first time seeing it, Miss Sailuno? The Association’s jet-helicopter can switch between turbine and rotor modes. Otherwise, do you think I could have gotten to the scene so quickly after arranging your call with Miss Yang Yan?”

Even though she was dressed in a formal black suit, Yin Lu walked with a bounce in her step—far from what I’d call “dignified.” Her high heels clicked a rhythmic beat on the black tiles.

“What were you doing at the scene earlier, Miss Lu’er?”

“Heh, technically it’s confidential, but you did well today, so I’ll let a little slip. Actually, the Association arranged a reliable bodyguard for you. I won’t say who it is—I think you can guess. I went to make contact.”

I was stunned, then my mind quickly connected the dots. “Huh?! Could it be… Miss Miluno?!”

The only other magical girl active in Sector D3 was Miluno.

“I didn’t say that. You’ll just have to guess~” The way Yin Lu said it practically confirmed my suspicions.

I fought that entire battle under Miluno’s watch? I wonder what she thought of me…

“Hurry up, Miss Sailuno. It’s late—sleeping too late is bad for a patient.”

As the older sister, Yin Lu was more lively than Yin Wei. At the very least, she was easier for me to get along with. I didn’t dislike Yin Wei, but she was too serious; being around her always made me feel exhausted.

“Miss Yang Yan called you over because she wants to understand your magic in depth and formulate some battle strategies for you.” Yin Lu swiped her Association employee card and led me from the rooftop into the heavily guarded facility. It was only once we were in the elevator that she continued, “What about you? Do you have any other plans for coming here today?”

She seemed to have guessed my intent, but I still answered, “Yeah. I want to confess my true identity to Miss Yang Yan.”

“Made up your mind that quickly?”

“Better to endure short-term pain than long-term guilt. If I don’t make it clear, I’ll never be at peace.”

“Ho~” Yin Lu smiled at me meaningfully as she pressed the elevator button, then changed the subject. “Speaking of which, Miss Sailuno, do you know why the Association chose you to be Miss Yang Yan’s substitute? My sister probably didn’t tell you, did she?”

“No. Is it because of my father’s status?”

“You’re way too lacking in confidence, aren’t you?” Yin Lu shook her head. “In the afternoon battle, even when your life was threatened, you still managed to analyze ‘Rockmelt’s’ ability mechanism. Maintaining your reasoning under that much fear is remarkable. You have the makings of a warrior. And coincidentally, the Association happened to have a Star Crystal that matched you… But as for you becoming a magical girl, Chairman Sun hasn’t made a statement yet—he hasn’t supported it, nor has he opposed it.”

Mentioning my father made me uncomfortable. I interrupted her. “I know. He hasn’t cared about me for a long time.”

If he still hated me, that would be one thing. But in his heart, he doesn’t even feel that much. I’m just a burden he sends money to regularly, and even that is handled by his assistant.

“Sailuno.” I looked up. Yin Lu had already stepped out of the elevator and held out her arm to block the door for me. “I don’t know what happened between you and your father, but the Chairman Sun I know wouldn’t be indifferent to his own family!”

Unlike crowded general hospitals, the magical girl treatment facility didn’t have many patients. In the ascending elevator, it was just the two of us. I looked at the mirror inside at my unfamiliar reflection and hesitated before speaking.

“…Miss Lu’er, what kind of person do you think my father is?”

“Chairman Sun? He’s a great man.”

‘Great’—that was a high-level compliment.

“As the head of an international organization, he managed to break free from the political quagmires of various countries, support magical girls worldwide from a neutral position, and maintain ample funding. Your father’s efforts are behind all of this. He works harder than you can imagine to help magical girls. But no one is perfect… I think he’s just too busy, which is why he neglected you.”

I forced a bitter smile. “No, you might misunderstand. Although our relationship is cold, I’ve never resented him. My father just… he can’t forgive me.”

“Sorry… did you do something that hurt him?”

Does she always push this far? I scratched my cheek and answered, “…Sort of. Something similar to this.”

Fortunately, the elevator reached the floor at just the right moment and the doors slid open.

“Take me to see Miss Yang Yan first.”

“Huh? Is it something you can’t talk about?” Though Yin Lu was cheerful, she seemed a bit lacking when it came to reading the room.

“It’s a family matter I’d rather not bring up.”

“Sorry, sorry. Then follow me! The wards here are all private suites, and they’re huge!”

Most magical girls operated in secret, registering their identities only with the Association. Because magical girls even kept secrets from each other, the hospital never assigned two to the same room, ensuring total privacy.

Ding-dong—

Yin Lu pressed the doorbell at Miss Yang Yan’s ward.

“The door isn’t locked! Do you think I can get out of bed and open it looking like this? Come in!” Miss Yang Yan’s loud voice came through the intercom.

The ward’s amenities were so advanced that I almost wanted to stay there myself.

“Sorry for the intrusion,” Yin Lu greeted casually.

“Sorry for disturbing you, Miss Yang Yan,” I added.

“Don’t be so polite. You’re Sailuno, right? Your debut battle wasn’t bad, but it exposed a lot of problems. I have many questions about your abilities. If you don’t mind the time, stay a while tonight.”

She was straightforward and blunt, but thankfully lacked the explosive temper from our first meeting. Her body was covered in bandages and casts; her fight with “Rockmelt” had left her with severe internal injuries and fractures. The sight made my guilt flare up again.

“Actually, there’s something I want to tell you too…” I gave Yin Lu a meaningful glance.

But she just blinked back at me, as if we were in a staring contest. She had zero talent for being considerate. Was she really fit to be a magical girl liaison?

“Miss Lu’er, can I talk to Miss Yang Yan alone?”

“…Ah? Oh! Take your time, you two. I’ll wait outside. Call me if you need anything!” She finally caught on and left, closing the door behind her.

Yang Yan asked, “What is it that Lu’er can’t know?”

“Miss Yang Yan, I want you to accept my apology.”

“Huh? Why are you apologizing to me?”

“Because of my true identity…”

I reached for my chest and pulled out the Star Crystal.