Confusion (Part 2)

Listening quietly to her niece’s confession, Tidal gazed into the distance.

This kind of confusion, this struggle—this deep doubt about herself and the world around her—was a crucial part of growing up. The fact that You Xi was truly maturing brought Tidal a quiet sense of pride.

“…If you feel it’s not right… why not just quit?”

“Huh? Q-quit?”

Raging Flame’s pupils trembled. She hadn’t expected such an answer from her senior.

“You see? The moment I said ‘quit,’ you felt unwillingness—resentment, resistance,” Tidal said softly, a faint smile forming. “Often, the reason to keep going isn’t some grand ideal. It’s just to avoid regret. You asked me about my motivation as a magical girl, right? I’ll tell you.”

“Truth is, I don’t have a noble dream like you—saving everyone, changing the world…”

Here, Tidal let out a cold chuckle.

“My reason for becoming a magical girl is simple: to protect someone extremely important to me. Just one person. For her alone, I became a magical girl. And from now on, I’ll probably only ever wield this power for her.”

“…Just one?” Raging Flame hesitated.

“Yes. Just one.”

Tidal looked at Raging Flame beside her. The girl didn’t yet know what kind of resolve burned behind those eyes.

“As long as she exists, I’ll never run out of motivation. That’s all there is to it.”

Hearing Tidal’s words, Raging Flame spoke up.

“Senior… you make it sound so easy. But it must be really hard, right?”

To dedicate your entire self to another—to carry the burden of a martyr… that was too heavy, too difficult. Not a life for an ordinary person.

“Yes, it  is hard. But I have to do it. It’s my responsibility.”

Tidal’s voice was calm, yet beneath it lay an iron will that could not be bent.

“…Senior, you’re amazing.”

Raging Flame felt something stir deep inside her, and she whispered in awe.

“If only I had your kind of strength… I started doubting my choice over just a few setbacks. I almost betrayed the vow I made when I became a magical girl.”

“I’m sorry… I’m so weak…”

“That’s normal. You’re still a child. I’m an adult.”

Tidal offered comfort.

“Trying, failing, giving up, then rethinking your future—this is a privilege only kids have. And it’s our duty as adults to protect that right. By the way—”

“The thing I said earlier—about quitting if it’s not right—that wasn’t a joke. I meant it.”

“S-Senior…” Raging Flame stared at Tidal, stunned.

“Continue or quit—that’s a choice in itself.”

Tidal now looked at her with a challenging gaze.

“Well, Raging Flame? What’s your choice?”

“I’ll keep being a magical girl.”

Raging Flame answered firmly.

“During the first lesson, you told me, right?”

“…When you feel lost or tired in endless battles, remember how you felt the moment you became a magical girl.”

“I think that version of me—the one who made that vow—was truly cool. Way cooler than the depressed mess I am now. Ten times cooler. No—a hundred times.”

“So I can’t give up. Because I absolutely won’t let that past version of me be disgraced.”

“Hehe.”

In response to her senior’s challenge, Raging Flame smiled—a grin brighter than the setting sun.

…Worried for nothing. She’s perfectly fine.

Tidal finally relaxed, and her flying form began to accelerate.

“Keep up.”

“Yes!”

“…Uh, you’re Lao Lin, right?”

“Sigh. That’s the third time you’ve asked. I’m telling you, can’t you remember anything?”

“Hey, I had a concussion the other day, okay? Is it so wrong to double-check? And seriously, aren’t you being a little petty?”

“What seriously? What petty? You said it, so why am I saying it? Once I’ve said it, you don’t need to repeat it. Got it?”

“…Huh? Are you doing a tongue twister?”

“My point is—stop repeating what I say! I’ve signed contracts with dozens of magical girls, and you’re the first one so casually familiar!”

“Really? Awesome!”

“I didn’t say it was awesome.”

“Pfft, why so serious? Not that I blame you—the magical girl outfit is so cute. I can’t get enough of it. And the hair… wow, how do they even style it like that? It’s like it’s straight out of a manga. So cool!”

“Clothes and looks aren’t the point. I’m telling you—did you even *hear* what I said? Magical girls fight aberrations. Fight. You get that, right?”

“Wooow~~ So I was right to become a magical girl! Now I can brag to all my friends! Magical Girl Huangxing—enter stage right! Uh… what’s a cool line to say?”

“…What are you even focusing on?”

“Ah, speaking of fighting, I just remembered. On TV, magical girls always work in teams of four. So what about me? Am I gonna be fighting alone?”

“Of course not. I already explained this before the contract. My mission is to rebuild the Fifth Ring’s team. You, Magical Girl Huangxing, are now the second member of the Fifth Ring Magical Girl Squad.”

“So there’s already one senior before me? Who is she?”

“Her name is Raging Flame. Magical Girl Raging Flame—the captain of the Fifth Ring Magical Girl Squad.”

“I hope she’s easy to get along with. But hey, I’m so cute, how could anyone not like me~?”

“…Now I already have a headache.”

“Why?”

“Because both of you have such strong personalities. You two might clash all the time.”

“Nah, don’t worry. You might not know this, but I’m super popular everywhere! From childhood to now, no one’s ever disliked me.”

“It’s good you’re confident. Though it’s sudden, I’ll assign you a mission soon—mainly to introduce you to your teammate and familiarize you with the workflow.”

“Huh? I have to fight already? Against an aberration?”

“What else would you fight? Of course it’s an aberration. Seriously, do you even understand what kind of job you signed up for?”

“Defeating an aberration? Awesome! Now I can brag to my friends even harder!”

“…”