Chapter 45: Lies Covering Lies

Clara raised her phone and took a step back, loudly accusing in the middle of the street.

“Magical Girl Kamui, without any relevant documents, even a hero cannot trespass into a private residence. Your actions have already violated the laws of Central City!”

The surrounding passersby all turned their attention toward them.

“Wait, that’s not how it is…”

Now it was Kamui’s turn to fumble helplessly, but Clara continued firmly:

“Besides, we’re working for a legitimate hero company, yet you’re baselessly claiming that we’re connected to an evil organization, deliberately smearing the company’s image! As an employee of Dream Witch Manpower Dispatch, I have the obligation to send you in for a pork cutlet meal! And I’ll be sending you a lawyer’s letter!”

She shook her phone again, as if deliberately drawing the attention of the people around.

Kamui pleaded, “Whoa! Don’t do this! I’m only worried about you—that’s why I came. If I get penalized, my rating will be ruined!”

The Hero Association places great importance on the overall image of “heroes.” Anyone who damages the “hero” image or acts contrary to the “hero” identity risks punishment, or even having their hero license revoked.

So Clara’s threat was very effective against Kamui.

However, Clara had no real intention of calling the police.

If a case got dragged into just before the company’s opening, and someone discovered that Knightmare was secretly funding it, the one who’d be in trouble wouldn’t be Kamui, but herself.

Clara’s high-handed stance was only meant to see if Kamui was lying or if she truly had evidence connecting the company to an evil organization…

But judging from her reaction, it turned out she was just making up an excuse to “save” herself.

Clara twitched the corner of her mouth.

Do I need saving? Does she think I’m some kind of pawn?

Do I look like someone so careless?

Even if Kamui’s intentions were good, Clara just found her troublesome—and she nearly slipped up…

If she had to talk to Lucia any longer, this whole mess would’ve been impossible to clean up.

Come to think of it, how did Kamui even find this place?

Did she follow me all the way here?

Or does she have some special tracking technique?

What a troublesome woman.

At least the undercover operation hadn’t been exposed—small blessings in misfortune.

But next, Clara would have to come up with a new lie to cover up the previous one…

Tch, all this trouble is Kamui’s fault.

Clara gathered her thoughts and spoke again.

“Miss Kamui, haven’t you realized by now? Actually, my name isn’t Lucia.”

“Huh?”

Kamui blinked her sharp eyes, completely confused.

“The lady in the apartment is the real Lucia. That day I just borrowed her name.”

Only then did Kamui show a surprised expression.

“Ah? Then what’s your real name?”

Clara flashed her phone, displaying her new identity.

“Just Clara.”

“Huh? Clara isn’t that…”

“That’s right, it’s my manga character. But who would name the main character after themselves? I couldn’t bring myself to say that, so I just used Miss Lucia’s name to get by, thinking I’d never see you again…”

“In that case, Clara’s character really is a lot like you. Both in body type and appearance…”

Kamui stroked her chin, circling Clara and asking, “Are you very narcissistic?”

“Not at all. It’s just work-related.” Clara, of course, denied it.

“Work-related, huh? So you’re that… Dream Witch…”

“Dream Witch!” Clara corrected firmly.

“Oh, so you’re the hero about to be launched by that small company? Named Magical Girl Clara? Planning to use the manga of the same name for promotion? Didn’t you say you wanted to become a manga artist in an honorable way?”

“Being an honorable manga artist isn’t the same as being an honorable hero. So stop digging into company secrets!”

“Hmm, so you’re also a magical girl. Where’s your magic gem?”

“Not carrying it! Since the misunderstanding’s cleared up, you’d better leave quickly!”

Kamui propped her chin on her hand.

Has the misunderstanding really been cleared?

She had a feeling Clara was still hiding something, not telling the whole truth, but couldn’t pinpoint what was off. Yet, with Clara ready to call the police at any moment, she didn’t dare pry.

“So, your financial problems got solved because you became a hero?”

Clara raised an eyebrow, surprised Kamui even knew about that.

“I almost didn’t become a hero before, so I was a bit anxious… But Miss Nangong really told you everything, huh? What’s your relationship?”

Kamui glanced toward the ground and quietly answered:

“Um, we’re drinking buddies.”

Ah, that made sense.

The scar-faced ramen shop owner often chatted with her, and so-called drinking buddies were basically the same kind of relationship. Kamui must have told Miss Nangong about herself during those drinks, which is why she came all this way to be her unpaid editor, right?

“Ah, Miss Nangong has helped me a lot. She probably sent you here because she was worried about me. I won’t say more… It’s already late; you should get some rest.”

Clara waved her off, then looked up at the tall building. She still had to take the elevator back after jumping down…

Troubles, all because of Kamui.

“Um, do you want me to take you up and apologize to Lucia?” Kamui offered.

“No need! I’m leaving first!”

There was no way she’d let Kamui and Lucia meet again!

Her lie wouldn’t survive their scrutiny, so Clara ran off before Kamui could even react, confident Kamui wouldn’t dare chase her into the apartment.

“Phew…”

She only relaxed once inside the scenic elevator of the upscale apartment, though her expression remained tense.

“In the end, it wasn’t a coincidence that Miss Nangong found me. Recommending me to her was the repayment Kamui mentioned?”

[I think Miss Kamui acted with good intentions.]

“Of course I know that, but her goodwill almost made me slip up.”

[She’s even been nicer to you since you dropped from A-rank hero to B-rank.]

“Are you my mom now?”

Exiting the elevator, Clara used the key Fran gave her to open the door.

“Lucia?”

“Ah! Miss Clara, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. That troublesome one has been sent off.”

Clara said that, but Lucia held her slim laptop and said:

“Her name’s Kamui, right? I just looked her up in the hero directory—she’s also a magical girl?”

“Yeah, I know her. She just came to cause trouble for the company. Don’t pay much attention to what she said; she was just looking for an excuse to accuse me. Dream Witch Manpower is definitely a legitimate company. You’ll see for yourself tomorrow.”

“Mm…”

Lucia nodded, though it was clear she was still uneasy…

Tch, still Kamui’s fault.

Stretching lazily, Clara squeezed out tired tears from the corner of her eyes.

The child’s body wanted to sleep again.

“I’m going to take a shower.”

“Miss Clara, can I sleep with you tonight?”

“Ah?”