At Binhai Park on a weekend morning, it was as usual crowded with citizens. And on the path near the tennis court, Wuhua stared at the woman before her, momentarily frozen in place—
“W-Well,”
Wuhua said, looking around awkwardly before finally fixing her gaze on the woman. She had no memory of either her outfit or her slightly mature, beautiful face.
But her way of speaking and tone gave Wuhua a familiar feeling. As if she had just met her a few days ago.
“U-Ugh, c-could it be that I mistook her?”
Seeing Wuhua had no reaction, the girl shyly bit her lip and pulled down the brim of her beach hat, covering half of her face already hidden by her bangs.
“Although I had arranged to meet Miss Wuhua near here, I didn’t confirm the time or outfit. And no matter how you look at it, she’s just a child…”
“Hmm…?”
Unintentionally hearing her own name faintly confirmed Wuhua’s conjecture. Then she tentatively spoke slowly.
“Qianhan, you’re Qianhan, right?”
“—!?”
Hearing her name, the girl’s eyes lit up and she leaned in.
“G-Good morning, Miss Wuhua.”
—
“What a surprise, Miss Wuhua.”
Sitting primly with her legs together on the bench, Qianhan let out a sigh of relief.
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
Sitting beside her, Wuhua casually leaned back against the bench and looked at the sky.
“You’re, you’re even younger than I imagined.” Worried about offending the other, Qianhan said respectfully. “Although, it’s very similar to your transformed appearance.”
“I see.” Wuhua didn’t know how she appeared in others’ eyes. “By the way, Qianhan, how old are you this year?”
“T-Twelve?”
Wuhua stared incredulously at her chest. It was a size that didn’t match that number.
“Kids these days develop so…”
“R-Really. I just started middle school this year!” Noticing Wuhua’s gaze, Qianhan shyly covered herself with her hands. That was a weight she couldn’t handle, pressing and deforming.
“Hmm… that is indeed an age when one can awaken as a magical girl.” Wuhua crossed her arms and nodded thoughtfully. “From what I know, most start around middle school.”
“Y-Yes. But there are exceptions…” As she said this, Qianhan secretly sized up Wuhua. “Miss Wuhua, um, if I may be blunt, you look like you’re still in elementary school.”
“Eh? Ah, that’s right.” Wuhua didn’t hide it and nodded honestly. “Although I’m not in school now, if I enrolled, at age seven I’d probably be assigned to first grade or…”
“Seven?! Seven years old!?”
Qianhan was dumbfounded and couldn’t help interrupting.
“That surprising?”
Wuhua shrugged, not understanding what was strange.
“But, but, Miss Wuhua doesn’t seem seven years old at all. Except in appearance.” Qianhan was also doubtful about that.
“Pfft. It looks like we’ll have to get to know each other from here.”
Seeing Qianhan had the same reaction as herself, Wuhua couldn’t help but laugh. Then she stood up from the bench.
“Let’s go. Let’s change locations.”
Wuhua looked at the occasional citizens passing by.
“It’s not convenient here. Let’s talk business.”
—
A seven-year-old girl and a twelve-year-old girl walked side by side. This pair, who looked like sisters, introduced each other’s situations and gradually moved on to talking about magical girls—
“I’m a bit curious.” Wuhua suddenly asked. “Qianhan, how did you awaken as a magical girl? Was there a reason?”
“Eh… let me think.” Qianhan thought seriously for a while. “Actually, it’s not a special reason. I’ve just admired magical girls since I was little, thinking they could do things I couldn’t.”
“Gradually, I started taking them as role models, learning from them, following their news and whereabouts and every move. Then I came to want to become a magical girl myself—a somewhat greedy reason.”
“Hmm. I see. It’s not greedy at all.” Wuhua said. “Actually, many people think the same as you. From admiration and liking, to wanting to try that feeling of being admired by others yourself.”
‘Actually… I was pretty much the same before.’
‘But back then I was male, and I thought I had no connection with magical girls in this life, so I gave up early.’
Wuhua thought more and more and felt that she was lucky, or rather, incredible.
“That’s right! That’s exactly what I mean!” Hearing Wuhua’s agreement, Qianhan nodded excitedly. “Wuhua is amazing. You always speak in such an adult-like manner.”
“R-Really? Ahaha, maybe I just read a lot.”
Wuhua scratched her head with an apologetic laugh. Then, to change the subject, she pointed at her pocket.
“Oh, right. You should still remember, my partner fairy.”
As Wuhua introduced, a doll popped out from her pocket.
“Its name is Ruibi. It looks a bit like a rabbit.”
“I have no relation to rabbits.” Ruibi said, floating over to Qianhan’s side. “Previous magical girl. May I ask, are you Lost?”
“L-Lost?”
Qianhan tilted her head in confusion.
“It seems to mean someone without a contractor.” Wuhua explained.
“Ah… yes, that’s right.” Qianhan admitted somewhat awkwardly. “Since I awakened, no fairy has appeared before me.”
“Why is that, Ruibi?”
Wuhua was also curious about the reason.
“Everyone’s situation is different.” Ruibi moved its arms in a motion resembling a shrug. “Generally, one naturally awakens when they reach a certain age. Wuhua, you’re special because you signed a contract with me. That prematurely stimulated the factors in your body, making you a magical girl too early.”
“This magical girl probably just awakened recently. The concentration of Miracle Power in her body is still insufficient, so other fairies can’t detect your presence. That’s why none appear.”
“So that means the timing isn’t ripe yet.” Wuhua nodded in sudden understanding. “Well, I only awakened a few days ago, so I’m not one to talk.”
“Mm-hmm, I understand.” Qianhan accepted this result frankly. “I’ll keep working hard until a fairy appears before me.”
“…In that case, let’s work together, Qianhan.” Wuhua suggested. “Didn’t you say before that you wanted me to guide you? Maybe this is an opportunity.”
“I-If you don’t mind… Ah, but here, it’s not possible, right?” Qianhan looked around; everywhere within sight, people were passing by. “We’ll definitely be exposed, Miss Wuhua.”
“…I particularly don’t want to hear that from someone who asked if I was a magical girl the first thing they said.”
Wuhua couldn’t help but say.
“That’s true. It feels like after transforming, you become the center of attention no matter where you go. We’d better choose the location carefully.”
Wuhua lowered her head in thought. Originally, she had planned to invite Qianhan to her home—more precisely, Lianying’s home—but she didn’t want to burden Lianying.
‘After all, I’m also living under someone else’s roof.’
While Wuhua couldn’t make up her mind for a long time, even considering finding a secluded corner…
“Um, Miss Wuhua…”
Qianhan, who had an idea, raised her hand and said in a small voice:
“How about trying my house? Just, just me and Wuhua, the two of us…”