Chapter 6 – Shopping with Friends

The rest of the day was spent downtown. Our first stop was a trendy boutique for girls.Of course, the moment we stepped inside, Akane and the others dragged me straight to the fitting rooms.Apparently, “trying on everything in sight” was on the agenda.I must have modeled a dozen outfits—a sleek black dress,a casual white blouse with blue pants,even a rather revealing white dress that made me blush in front of the mirror.In the end, I settled on the black dress.Akane claimed it would be “perfect for magical girl parties at the guild,” whatever that meant.After that, we decided a new hairstyle was in order.We arrived at a salon run by an incredibly beautiful woman—long blonde hair, figure like a supermodel, the kind that would’ve made her a celebrity back in my old world.Compared to the average beautiful women there, she was on another level.I… might have blushed a little.“Have a seat. I’ll take care of everything. Just relax,” she said with a gentle smile.I sat down where she indicated, while Mizu, Akane, and Mizuki chatted nearby.I closed my eyes, keeping quiet.Thirty minutes later, she announced, “All done.”When I looked in the mirror… I froze.My hair was black, silky, and long, with a single white streak running through it.It was… more beautiful than I’d ever imagined myself.“Looks like you like it,” she teased. “I’m sure you’ll have boys lining up.”“I’m… not really interested in that,” I replied.She laughed softly. “Give it time.”But no—there was no “giving it time.”I knew perfectly well I only liked girls.Mizuki paid for the styling, and we left for my neighborhood.They wanted to know where I lived, and I ended up telling them.They immediately decided we’d spend the next weekend at my place.I hesitated—“I’m not sure my parents will be okay with that…”—but Cleer assured me they’d speak to them about it.We parted ways, promising to meet the next day.By the time I got home, it was already six in the evening.When my parents asked why I was late, I wasn’t sure whether to tell them about the magical girl thing yet.But then my mom said,“Sweetie, we already know you’re a magical girl.We just want you to know… we’re proud of you for choosing this path.”I must’ve looked completely shocked.They thought I was only twelve, yet they didn’t seem to see any danger in it.Dad added, “It’s normal for girls your age. You’re not a little kid anymore.If you’re working with a team, you can even have them over for a sleepover.”I was still processing this.In my old world, sending a twelve-year-old to fight monsters would have been insane.But here? Magical girls were the kingdom’s strongest military force.The knights acted more like the police.It made me wonder if things could be changed… but anyone who tries to change the status quo is hated.Just like Jesus was hated for speaking the truth.Still, that was a problem for another day.For now, my priority was defeating the Demon Queen.Even as a Rank A, I doubted I could match Mizu’s strength, but we’d see.That night, I read books about this world’s history.I learned that the Demon Queen had been attacking for the past 3,000 years,kept at bay but never truly defeated.What if several magical girls attacked her at the same time?Would our powers combine, or would they clash?“Think carefully, Franqui…” I muttered to myself.I had resources now, but bringing her down could take years—if it was even possible.So I decided: I’d train every day.Tomorrow morning, I’d meet Mizu, Akane, and Mizuki to recruit the magical girl we still needed.For now, I’d relax by playing on my special console—a far more advanced version of the PCs from my old world.Mom called me for dinner.While we ate, my parents asked if I had friends now.When I said yes, they told me they’d be out tomorrow, so I’d have the house to myself.They trusted me because I’d always been responsible here—though in reality, my mind and soul were that of a man in his thirties from my previous life.After dinner, I helped Mom with the dishes while Dad chopped firewood outside.She smiled and told me I was mature, that I’d be a successful woman one day if I kept this up.I only nodded, even though I knew there was a chance I wouldn’t live long enough for that.When I went to my room to sleep, my magical cat Miku appeared.“I see you’re still having trouble adjusting to this world,” she said.“Keep your voice down—my parents are downstairs,” I whispered.“They can’t hear me. We can speak telepathically,” she replied.I agreed and asked how my old world was doing after Mizu and I died.She projected a holographic screen showing me… and I was stunned by what I saw.