Chapter 21 – Preparing for the Magical Girls’ Party

After getting out of the bath, all of us headed to the city center to buy elegant dresses for the party that would be held in just three days. I was a little nervous… ever since I died and reincarnated in this world, I hadn’t gone to a single party.

Back in my previous life, I used to turn down invitations. I simply didn’t want to share those moments with children who, in my eyes, didn’t understand anything about life. The only friend I ever had was Tatsuki, and even then, we just went to the park or the shopping district together. Other than that, I had always been a solitary person.

Now, once again, I was walking with friends, yet deep inside, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going to happen at this party—something either really good… or really bad.

As we passed by a bakery, the scent of freshly baked bread filled the air. It was so tempting I nearly stopped, but it wasn’t the right time. Only ten blocks left until we reached the dress shop… and then, suddenly, something flashed in my mind.

Corpses. Ghosts. Demons and zombies crawling out of a graveyard. Distorted voices echoing:

“We want the souls of humans. Those souls are ours, not the goddess’s. We despise her. May she perish forever, and let terror reign across this world. This world belongs to demons, not to the goddess, not to humans.”

I froze, but quickly composed myself. Was this a premonition? Or just fear of our looming battle with the Demon Queen? If that fight against the Demon Ogre Boss was already that difficult, what awaited us against her? For a moment, I regretted being dragged into this. Maybe I should have asked the goddess to send us to heaven, purgatory—or even hell—instead of forcing us into this. After all, this wasn’t our world. We were adults in the bodies of twelve-year-old girls.

Shaking those thoughts away, I focused back on the others.

“Taiyaki, are you ready to try on all the dresses you can?” Kori asked, smiling.

“I can’t wait to see what we’ll end up wearing,” Akane added cheerfully.

“I really hope the boy I plan to invite says yes,” Mizuki said with a blush.

Mizu, calmer than the rest, reminded us, “We’ll enjoy the party, but let’s take things one step at a time. We’re still just twelve-year-old girls.”

Kori puffed out her chest.
“Well, I’m already a teenager. I’m older than you guys.”

Akane pouted.
“Only by a year! Don’t act like it’s such a big deal.”

We all laughed as the conversation continued. Mizuki wanted a green dress; Kori insisted a golden one would look perfect on me, matching my dark hair.

When we finally arrived at the boutique, it was like stepping into a dream: elegant dresses, sparkling jewelry, stylish shoes, and even hats. We held hands and walked in together.

Two hours later, everyone had chosen their outfits:

Kori: red dress with matching heels.

Mizuki: green dress with black heels.

Mizu: silver dress with silver heels.

Akane: pink dress with pink heels.

And me? I was the only one left. They handed me a golden dress with matching heels. My heart pounded as I struggled to put it on. When I finally stepped out of the fitting room, their reactions stunned me.

“Taiyaki, you look gorgeous!” Kori gasped.
“You look just like a princess, with that golden dress and your black hair,” Akane added.
“I have to take a picture of this!” Mizuki exclaimed.
“That color suits you very well, Taiyaki,” Mizu said softly.

Her words made me blush instantly—and she noticed.

We paid for our dresses and went our separate ways. When I arrived home, my parents greeted me warmly. They told me they’d be out for the evening and that I could order food if I liked. I assured them it was fine.

Noticing the dress in my hands, my mother asked with a smile,
“Is that the dress you’ll be wearing to the party, sweetheart?”

I nodded, and her smile widened.

Later that night, I ordered pizza and soda, then sat down to read more about this world… trying to uncover the secrets that still lay hidden.

I felt as if I could finally become something real—something that was truly me.
Before calling to order pizza, I decided to look at the photos of my earliest years in this new childhood of mine. I reached for the family album, and as I flipped through the pages, I saw so many pictures of myself as a little girl. They were like fragments of a past far more beautiful than my previous life as a boy—a life filled with bullying and pain.

I remembered how they used to mock me for the way I acted. They even picked on Cleer, simply because she chose to stay by my side. But unlike most kids, I always fought back. I defended myself… and I defended Cleer. Even so, the teachers always sided with my bullies. I was punished again and again, but in the end, I didn’t care too much. I always found ways to get back at those teachers for standing by and doing nothing.

Tears welled up in my eyes, dripping down my cheeks. Nostalgia wrapped around my heart like chains. It had been so long since I last saw my family from my previous life… and yet, I knew they were thinking of me. I knew that, from heaven, I was still watching over them.

After calming down and wiping away my tears, I finally picked up the phone and ordered a pizza. They said it would take about thirty minutes, so I gave them the address and waited.

As I sat there, another thought crossed my mind: Miku… should I ask her what I must do to defeat the Demon Queen? Deep down, I already knew the truth. When that day finally comes—if I can save this world—then maybe… just maybe… I’ll at last be able to rest in peace.

After all, there are times when a person must accept the call to sacrifice themselves… for the sake of others.