“Cognitive Hindrance”
This is a term used to describe the phenomenon where the image of a magical girl in the eyes of ordinary people undergoes a complete transformation before and after her transformation.
A simple explanation is that after transforming, even if many of her physical features remain, most people cannot recognize her pre-transformation appearance.
This is not just like makeup or plastic surgery, or other common methods. It is unique to magical girls—
One of the so-called “miraculous powers,” along with the unconditional ability to float in the air, superhuman physical capabilities, and the ability to see and talk to fairies.
To overcome and adapt to this cognitive hindrance, there are usually the following methods:
Witnessing the magical girl’s every move and any changes before and after transformation firsthand.
The magical girl herself confessing her other identity and true appearance.
Having a deep connection with the magical girl, to the extent of seeing her almost every day.
Of course, the above methods vary from person to person, influenced by talent and ability in this regard.
But overall, it is very difficult for ordinary people to come into contact with magical girls.
Therefore, most fans focus their attention on the transformed image itself, rather than the appearance behind it.
Except for Wuhua, who is now the adopted daughter of a magical girl.
—
“…What’s wrong, Cute Cherry?” Noticing her unusual behavior, Qinglan, who was originally controlling the scene on the first floor, came to the top floor of the mall after getting approval from her teammates.
Qinglan, who had been wondering why Lianying, who hadn’t stopped talking a moment ago, suddenly fell silent, followed her gaze—
There stood two little girls huddled together waiting for rescue. One of them was the child who had been adopted by a friend yesterday.
“…I see.” After thinking for a moment, she suddenly understood, then shook her head. “Ah, no, no. This is when I should—”
Qinglan, replacing the stunned and at a loss Lianying, flew over to Wuhua and the girl. In a gentle tone different from usual, she slowly spoke:
“Hello, little sisters. I am the magical girl Cute Ice. This is my companion and captain, the magical girl Cute Cherry. We are the Cat Garden Group, and another member, Cute Sunset, is on the first floor.”
Seeing that real magical girls had come to them and actively greeted them, the girl next to Wuhua couldn’t contain herself and waved at them.
“H-hello! M-my name is Xinyu! My dream is to become a m-magical girl too!”
The girl named Xinyu introduced herself enthusiastically but also very nervously. Her cute face turned red, and she lowered her head in shyness—
“Ah, this big sister came to rescue me. Oh, right, I still don’t know your name, big sister.”
Suddenly remembering something important, Xinyu asked Wuhua beside her.
“Just call me Wuhua. Yeah! Because I heard there was an adult looking for you outside. I originally just wanted to help, but I accidentally barged in, hehe.”
Having quickly gotten into character, Wuhua switched back to her usual demeanor in front of Qinglan and Lianying.
“Eh? Big sister, you were always like this…?”
Xinyu looked at Wuhua, who seemed like a different person, scratched her head, but didn’t dwell on it.
“That monster is right downstairs! Me and Big Sister Wuhua will take care of ourselves. Please go and defeat it!”
Xinyu gave the two warm and trusting looks, patting her chest as a guarantee.
“…You’re both good children. Big Sister promises you, once we defeat the monster, we’ll take you out.”
Qinglan smiled at them confidently, then turned to look at Lianying, urging her to react.
“Alright, Cute Cherry. As captain, aren’t you going to say something…”
Before Qinglan could finish, Lianying bypassed her and swooped straight down.
Under everyone’s surprised and confused gazes, she hugged Wuhua, who was also frozen in place.
“Huh?”
—
Are there any other differences between magical girls and ordinary girls besides appearance and having miracle powers?
Or rather, is the same person before and after transformation truly a completely different person, as rumored?
When she first started this job, Wuhua had thought about such questions. But there was no way to verify.
But at this moment, she had a clear answer in her heart.
“…”
Wuhua and Lianying held each other tightly, silent, maintaining a delicate silence.
Whether it was the shared body heat, the strength of the embrace, the overflowing emotions, or the unspoken concern,
Wuhua firmly believed that the girl before her was the Lianying she knew.
Everything about her after transformation was so unfamiliar, yet so familiar.
“Th-that.” To avoid revealing her identity, Wuhua pretended not to know her.
“…Next time, don’t do such dangerous things.”
Lianying whispered with a choked sob, burying her face, which didn’t look like that of a strong magical girl, into Wuhua’s shoulder.
“Why didn’t you listen? Your family will be worried.”
Feeling the warm and touching breath, Wuhua couldn’t defend her actions.
“…I’m sorry. Magical girl, big sister.”
—
After about half a minute, Lianying, who had calmed down emotionally, gently let go of Wuhua.
“Th-then, big sister has to go fight. Leave the monster to us. You two stay put, absolutely don’t go anywhere.”
Gently wiping the tears from her eyes, Lianying pretended nothing had happened and instructed Wuhua and Xinyu.
“Can’t keep her waiting too long. Let’s go.”
And before leaving, she gave Wuhua a stern look, as if saying, “Especially you.”
‘I’ve been scolded… It definitely looks like she’s angry.’
‘Speaking of which, they don’t call each other by full names anymore. It seems Miao Ke was right.’
As Wuhua thought this, she suddenly noticed Xinyu beside her staring at her with an incredulous expression.
“Wh-what’s wrong?” Wuhua asked knowingly, feeling shy at being seen in a situation like being scolded by a parent.
“Big Sister Wuhua, you… are really amazing!” Xinyu said, suddenly leaning in.
Children usually have no sense of distance, and in a flash, the two were almost kissing.
“Amazing… referring to earlier?” Wuhua wondered, not having figured out where the earlier mist came from.
“It’s about just now. Do you, do you know the magical girl, Big Sister Cute Cherry?” Xinyu judged sharply.
“I have a feeling you’re like family.”
‘Kids these days have such sharp intuition?’
Wuhua thought, then continued to defend herself, “Why would you think that? She might just be worried about me. After all, barging in is really dangerous.”
“Eh, that’s because…” Xinyu hesitated, poking her index fingers together.
“Big Sister Cherry hugged Big Sister Wuhua, but she didn’t hug me.”
‘So she’s being sulky. What a cute kid.’
Wuhua smiled helplessly, stepped forward, and hugged Xinyu. Patting her shoulder, she comforted, “It’s okay. There will be chances in the future. A good girl like Xinyu will be liked by many.”
“R-really?” Xinyu nodded heavily, perking up.
“Then I have to keep working hard.”
—
“Oh, speaking of which,” Wuhua hadn’t had a chance to ask earlier. “Xinyu, did you come in because you were lost? I remember the anomaly just started, and the mall was locked down.”
“Eh? No.” Xinyu shook her head and denied it.
“I heard that wherever there’s an anomaly, magical girl big sisters appear. I wanted to see them up close, so I snuck in without telling my mom, hehe.”
Wuhua was taken aback, then let out a heavy sigh. Finally, she couldn’t help but give a small fist to the similarly small head.
“B-Big Sister Wuhua?!”
“You’re the one who needs to be taught a lesson the most!”
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