Misunderstanding

Twisting her thigh, Yoshira Kihaku quickly covered her mouth, trying not to make a sound that would alert the creatures in the living room.

It hurts… this isn’t a dream.

Is my home really surrounded by monsters?

Peeking from behind the wall, Kihaku noticed Florina was there as well.

Are the monsters trying to kidnap Florina?

No, I can’t let them succeed!

Her eyes hardened, fingers pressing against her rabbit-ear hairpin. At any sign of movement, she was ready to transform immediately, not caring if she’d be exposed.

However, Florina’s next words made Kihaku freeze.

“The Extermination organization has a branch in Seito City. With my abilities, joining them might not be impossible.”

Infiltrating them would help her gather information about Uru.

Isn’t “Extermination” the organization extremely hostile toward magical girls?

Why would Florina join them?

Kihaku was full of question marks, wishing she could directly ask Florina, but she held herself back.

After confirming she had received the Extermination organization’s address on her phone, Florina began planning her next actions, casually adding, “I also have refugee status from Yunkyu City.”

Refugee!

Hearing this, Kihaku began to understand Florina a little.

Was Florina resentful of magical girls because they couldn’t protect the cities?

No wonder when I previously mentioned Magical Girl Gintsuki, her reaction was so indifferent. If it weren’t for me, she probably would have shown her disgust.

Lowering her hand from the hairpin, Kihaku felt a bit downhearted.

If Florina dislikes magical girls, that must mean she would dislike me, who can transform into a magical girl.

For some reason, thinking of Florina’s disdainful gaze made Kihaku’s heart ache slightly.

“Thanks, Potato, for telling me this.”

Potato flapped its wings and left the room, “You’re welcome, just remember to help me against my master in the future. Also, next time don’t forget to feed me fries.”

【What a poor child, manipulated so thoroughly by lies. Even when abandoned by her master, she still cares about fries.】

The eyeball looked on at Potato’s departing figure with pity, then glanced at the doll.

No doubt, lies are truly devastating when the target is unprepared. Better not to tease the doll in the future, or she’ll lie to me before I can counter.

Noticing the eyeball’s gaze, the doll proudly raised her arm, trying to show off her strength.

Now you know how powerful I am.

But to Florina, this action looked more like acting cute—in other words… moe.

“Kihaku and the others need to get ready for school. I’ll check the porridge, then wake them up. Make sure to disguise yourselves when the time comes.”

With a plan in mind, Florina’s steps became lighter. She instructed the eyeball and the doll, then headed toward the bedroom.

Meanwhile, Kihaku tensed at the sight of Florina approaching.

No, no, no!

If Florina discovers my secret, she’ll hate me! I absolutely cannot be found out; I need to get back to the bedroom quickly!

While Florina was in the kitchen, Kihaku tiptoed back to the bedroom.

Pushing the door open just a crack, she peeked inside. Seeing Saki sleeping soundly, she exhaled and quietly slid to the edge of the bed.

She pulled the blanket around herself, closed her eyes, and even slowed her breathing deliberately, while her ears secretly remained alert to sounds outside the door.

After a while, Florina pushed the door open.

“Get up quickly! You still have school today!”

After several calls, the two began reacting.

Florina looked at the still half-asleep girls and suddenly had the fleeting feeling of being a mother taking care of two children.

Shaking her head to dispel the strange thought, she blamed it on Kihaku calling her too often, which sparked the bizarre idea.

Just then, she noticed something off about Kihaku, who was rubbing her eyes deliberately.

Putting aside what she saw earlier, the poor sleeping posture with her thigh on Saki had been corrected. But when did Kihaku change into her uniform?

Could it be that Kihaku had already woken up and was pretending to sleep?

Kihaku, feeling Florina’s gaze fixed on her, tensed even more.

She hasn’t noticed, right?

Soon, Florina’s attention shifted to Saki, whose uniform was on backward. Florina immediately stepped forward to correct it, hand guiding hand.

In the past, Kihaku would have felt Saki’s trick was too much—using it to distract Florina, something she never thought of herself.

But now, she secretly felt relieved.

As long as she wasn’t discovered, it was fine.

Little did she know, Florina’s gaze never really left her face, silently observing every subtle expression.

“It seems Kihaku is already awake; I just don’t know how much she understands.”

Florina thought while helping Saki with her uniform.

Even if Kihaku discovered everything, it wouldn’t matter as long as there were no misunderstandings.

Florina guessed that Kihaku didn’t immediately transform into a magical girl to eliminate the eyeball and the doll, probably because she had no misunderstandings yet.

It was also a good chance to confess her identity as a saint to Kihaku.

After spending some time together, hiding things was no longer an option. Saki already knew; Kihaku couldn’t remain in the dark.

Moreover, Florina vaguely sensed that if she didn’t actively say something, Kihaku, that silly rabbit, might never find out in her entire life.

…

The wooden cabin was dimly lit, with only the summoning circle in the center emitting a faint glow.

Three spent white candles were scattered around the circle, their wax hardened into irregular blocks on the floor.

“So this is the summoning circle that can send me back to my world?”

Mukooi circled the summoning circle, wanting to poke it with her staff, but Abigail quickly took it away.

Holding her staff, Abigail said, “Stay still and don’t touch the circle. I’ll look for its backup power.”

She couldn’t resist Mukooi’s persistent poking and planned to activate the summoning circle to drive the troublesome girl away.

Naturally, she wouldn’t let Mukooi traverse back to find Florina.

The circle was under her control; where it summoned to was entirely up to her.

Her staff released magical particles, forming faint trails like a silver ribbon woven from moonlight.

“So slow.”

“Don’t rush.” Abigail followed the trails, “Found it.”

Pressing lightly against the wall, a hidden compartment quietly popped open.

But it was empty.

“Nothing?” Abigail looked shocked, turning to Mukooi, “You stole it.”

Mukooi looked innocent, “Why did you immediately think I stole it?

With that tone, think carefully—if I could steal it, I wouldn’t be bothering you.”

“Sorry, it was instinctive.”

Saying sorry, yet Abigail’s expression showed no real regret.

The hero had been acting irresponsibly, messing around with the staff she just took from her.

“Even though I like stealing, I’m not so habitual to make it instinctive.” Mukooi scratched her head awkwardly.

“Do you want me to list everything you’ve stolen?”

Abigail had great confidence in her memory.

“Stop, stop.”

Mukooi interrupted immediately; if Abigail started counting, it would take forever.

She had stolen so many things—from teammates’ clothing, to dragon hoards, even the demon king’s daughter she had snatched from the demon king’s castle.