Chapter 5: Magical Girl? Me?

“So, what exactly are you?” Wuhua sat in a chair, scrutinizing the plush toy before him.

It was modeled after a cat, with triangular ears perched on its head. It had a fluffy tail like a squirrel, and its limbs and body were stubby. Different parts were painted in a mix of three colors: peach pink, sky blue, and orange-yellow.

At first glance, it looked like an ordinary plush toy sold in stores. But the fact that it could talk meant it was anything but ordinary.

“My name is Miaokemiao. As you can see, I’m a plush toy meow.”

Even though the toy itself said so, Wuhua’s face was still full of disbelief and suspicion.

“Sigh. After experiencing so many strange things, I’m starting to get used to it.” Wuhua rubbed his eyes, looking tired as he observed the toy and the room behind it.

‘Being able to idle around in Lianying’s room. It’s definitely related to magic or something.’

‘And the fact that it looks like a plush toy… just now before Lianying left, she even talked to it…’

Wuhua already had a guess.

—

“By the way, you can actually see me, meow,” the toy named Miao Ke slowly spoke, also carefully looking Wuhua up and down.

“How incredible, meow. You’re the fourth girl to appear so far, meow.”

“The other three you mentioned… no, forget I said anything.” Wuhua suddenly realized that continuing this conversation would expose his identity.

He quickly changed his words and adjusted his tone to sound like a little girl.

“Th-then, why is that? I can see you, isn’t that strange?” Wuhua said.

“Of course it is, meow. Very special, meow.” Miao Ke nodded its head, which was bigger than its body, and explained:

“Usually, only girls who have the potential to become magical girls can see me, meow.”

“…Magical girl.” Wuhua lowered his head in thought, repeating those four words over and over in a murmur. As he gradually realized Miao Ke was talking about him…

“Huh?! A-a magical girl… me?!” Only then did Wuhua’s face show an expression of disbelief mixed with a hint of shyness.

“Yes, meow. That’s the reaction I was hoping to see. I thought you were the kind of girl who wouldn’t be surprised, meow.”

Miao Ke’s voice carried no emotion, and its facial expression didn’t change, giving an unfathomable feeling.

“How about it, meow? Are you interested? Do you want to become a magical girl, meow? If you sign a contract with me, you can become an existence that girls look up to and admire, meow.”

“Even if you suddenly say that…” Wuhua had never considered or fantasized that one day he would receive an invitation to become a magical girl.

After all, just a few days ago, he was undeniably a real man.

“It’s okay, meow. I’m not a plush toy that pressures girls, meow.” Miao Ke shook its head and said.

“You can take your time and think it over before coming to me, meow. I’ll be staying in Xiao Ying’s room, meow.”

“X-Xiao Ying… you mean Sister Lianying?” Wuhua asked in confusion.

“That’s right, meow. I’m their contract partner, meow.” Miao Ke flew into the air and spun around a few times.

“I’m responsible for helping the three magical girls, supporting them in their fight against monsters and evil organizations, meow. The Xiao Ying you live with is actually a magical girl, meow.”

“Haa.” Wuhua didn’t know how to react, standing there dumbfounded.

Watching her reaction, Miao Ke realized it had said something it shouldn’t. Even without an expression, sweat could be seen dripping from its forehead.

“A-ah, ah ah ah ah. That just now… that was something I shouldn’t have said, meow.” Miao Ke quickly flew back to the bedside and hid itself.

“…That won’t do anything, you know. I heard everything clearly.” Wuhua said with a bit of a teasing tone.

“An-anyway, meow!” Miao Ke flew back in front of Wuhua, waving its arms shorter than its head.

“You, you can’t tell Xiao Ying about what happened today, meow. It’s our secret!”

“Eh, why should I listen to you? It’s not like I get anything out of it, meow.” Wuhua mimicked Miao Ke’s “meow.”

“Th-then, you’ll be living with Xiao Ying from now on, right, meow? I heard you’re her adopted child. I can play with you, meow.” Miao Ke proposed a deal.

“I’m not a kindergarten kid anymore. I don’t need to play with plush toys.” Wuhua put his hands on his hips, dissatisfied with the deal.

“Th-then I can help you with magic, meow. If there’s anything you need, meow.” Miao Ke said.

“Mmm… okay!” Wuhua agreed to keep the secret together.

“Though I wasn’t planning on telling Sister Lianying anyway.”

“Phew, that’s good, meow.” Miao Ke breathed a sigh of relief.

“Because I saw you have the potential to become a magical girl, I accidentally let it slip, meow. Wuhua is quite the girl who likes to tease plush toys, meow.”

“Hehe.” Wuhua felt genuinely happy, a bright smile spreading across his face.

Just then, the sound of an electronic key unlocking came from outside the room.

“Hm? Someone’s back.” Wuhua instinctively wanted to leave the room. But thinking about it carefully, there was no need to.

“It’s Xiao Ying back. I’ll turn back to normal for now, meow. Please keep what just happened a secret, meow.” With that, Miao Ke returned to being a motionless plush toy by the pillow.

Wuhua waited in the room for Lianying to find him.

“Oh, here you are, Wuhua.” Lianying saw her and walked over with a smile.

“Welcome back, Sister Lianying.” Wuhua said obediently.

“Mhm, how was it staying home alone? Were you scared?” Lianying took off her coat and hung it on the rack.

“No, I’m used to being alone. I’m fine.” Wuhua answered.

“Good girl.” She gently ruffled Wuhua’s hair.

“It’s getting late. Wash up a bit and then go to sleep.”

…

…

Evening, but not quite midnight yet. After quickly washing her face, Wuhua and Lianying, who had taken a full bath, were busy in the room together.

“This goes here. And that one…” Lianying was sorting the plush toys and pillows.

She cleared a space near the wall for Wuhua to sleep.

Wuhua watched from the side, her heart racing with a bit of shyness. Especially knowing that she would not only share a room with Lianying but also sleep in the same bed.

‘I know I don’t have my own room for now.’

‘But when it actually comes to sleeping together, I can’t help but feel nervous and shy.’

‘And also… Lianying’s scent…’

The strong smell of the room mixed with Lianying’s post-bath fragrance kept assaulting Wuhua’s rationality. Before she knew it, the bed was ready.

“Alright, all done.” Lianying clapped her hands, pretending to be tired.

In reality, she had just moved the pile of plush toys to a different spot.

“Come on, Wuhua.” Lianying took her hand and gently guided her onto the bed.

“Eh, ehh.” Caught off guard, the two of them fell onto the soft bedding.

“Hehe. Wuhua is as cute as my plush toy.” Lianying hugged her, unable to resist, and nuzzled against her silver-white hair.

“Such a beautiful hair color… like a night-blooming epiphyllum. Makes me want to keep you by my side forever.” Lianying murmured softly.

“Sister Lianying…” Without resistance or disgust, Wuhua let herself be held. After Lianying was satisfied, they both lay down on the bed.

“Can I… call you Xiao Hua?”

Lying flat on the bed, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, feeling the gentle and quiet atmosphere, Wuhua suddenly heard Lianying’s voice by her ear.

“Huh?” She turned to look at Lianying beside her. The other girl also turned her head to look at her.

“Of course. It’s just that Wuhua is a nice name too, but…” Lianying hesitated, observing Wuhua’s reaction.

‘It sounds more intimate, implying a closer relationship. That’s probably what she wants to say.’

Able to guess the other’s concern, Wuhua looked at this person, whose mental age was closer to that of a younger sister, yet now felt like an older sister.

“Okay.”

From meeting at the orphanage, to going home together, sharing dinner, and now sleeping together—so many things had happened in just one short day.

“…Th-then. Good night, Xiao Hua.” Lianying’s eyes first lit up. Then, a little shyly, she stammered.

“Good night, Lianying…” Before Wuhua could finish, her breathing gradually steadied.

Warmth and subtle emotions sprouted in her heart. The future would be even brighter—for some reason, both Wuhua and Lianying firmly believed that at this moment.