Tsundere Rival: Part 1

"So, you found out my name. So what?"
Mai dramatically puffed both cheeks, tapping her foot restlessly as our eyes met.

Of course, my eyes were smug and mischievous.

"Matsui Mai, nineteen years old. You're five-feet-three-inches tall. Long, brown hair and adorably large glasses. You attend Mizuya University."
I circled around her, plopping cookie after cookie into my mouth as I studied her like prey.
"This would make an interesting scoop, indeed. A magical girl fighting kaiju to save Tokyo."

Mai huffed loudly, crossing her arms as I continued my annoying circling.
"That wouldn't be a problem if the Novas didn't reverse everyone's memory. Nobody is going to believe such a ridiculous story without proof!"
She snatched a cookie from my hand.

"Well, all I have to do is record you, right? Pictures, video, audio; the whole shebang."
I smirked confidently,
"I'm sure with a little explaining people would come to believe just about anything."

"You don't know that! The Novas probably affect inanimate objects such as cameras too! If they didn't, I'm sure someone would have leaked CCTV footage a long time ago!"

Damn, she's making a valid point. How could I find a way to document her magical girl heroics without camera footage as proof?

There was one word she had said that caught my attention: 'probably.'
If she didn't know, there was only one thing left to do.

"Why don't we test it? Next time a Mërk appears, I'll record you with my cellphone."
I triumphantly held my phone toward her.

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"I'm telling you, there's no way that would ever work. Plus, what if the Mërk is strong and I need your help?"

"I'm sure it will be fine. I mean, I don't know the first thing about being a sorcerer boy. I should probably sit these fights out from now on."
I let out a nervous chuckle, hoping she wouldn't sense my fear behind my smiling mask.

What she said next could be considered one of the worst turning points in my entire life thus far. I was thoroughly unprepared for the impending doom that soon awaited me just a few train stops away.

"How about we have Hina-chan train you? She's the magical girl that taught me all about fighting Mërks!"
Mai smiled innocently, as if meeting this mysterious Hina-chan was the greatest idea in the world. Naturally, I trusted her. Any girl with a cute name like 'Hina-chan' was bound to be a princess through and through.

"I guess so. It would make me feel more comfortable if I had some experience under my belt. Let's go see this Hina-chan."

* * *

Mai and I stepped off the train and onto the concrete platform. Tokyo was a large city, and I had seen it all multiple times before, but I had rarely ever been to Shirokane in the Minato Ward outside of just passing through to get somewhere else. Today was the first time I would ever be meeting somebody who actually lived in such a gorgeous and wealthy area. Hina-chan was becoming more intriguing by the minute, and I couldn't wait to finally speak with someone so sophisticated and knowledgeable about this dangerous line of work I had accidentally gotten myself into.

Through the smoldering heat of mid-July, Mai and I marched forward toward the mansion that rested in the middle of a residential street deep within the neighborhood. The placard on the brick wall read "Himawari."

"This is Hina-chan's place! I haven't seen her in months!"
Mai repeatedly pressed the call button attached to the gate that separated the streets from a massive four-car driveway.

An elegant voice crackled through the speaker static. It was a manly voice befitting a true butler.
"Himawari residence, state your business."

"Hi, Akichi! It's me, Mai! I'm here to see Hina-chan!"
Mai shouted playfully into the speaker, seemingly unfazed by the serious tone in the man's voice, whom she already seemed well acquainted with.

What the hell is going on? Mai is acting like a child begging her friend to come out and play with her.

"Certainly, Matsui-san. Hina-chan will be delighted by your presence."
As the voice on the other end ceased, the gates to the driveway simultaneously began to swing open via an automated system.

Like entering a Victorian castle, Mai and I walked through the driveway surrounded by skyscraping trees. Chiseled marble statues of various animals lined the walkway toward the door as we approached. Before I could get a word out, that red-painted door swung open.

There, stood a small girl; around eight to nine years old if I had to guess. Vibrant burgundy hair and a cute white sundress, this little girl wore a wide smile upon seeing Mai. She dashed forward, practically toppling Mai over with a powerful hug to her waist.

"Mai-chan! Did you come back to play with me?!"
The little girl's eyes shone brightly as she gazed up at Mai, who seemed equally as excited by the child's hug.

"Emi-chan!"
Mai swung the little girl around in the air, holding her under her arms.
"You've gotten even bigger!"

"Mai-san... is this the Hina-chan girl you mentioned?"
I gently tapped Mai's shoulder, seemingly perplexed about why Mai was calling her Emi-chan.

"It seems you brought yet another unsightly face to my home, Matsui-san!"
A feminine voice echoed from inside the mansion. Judging by the pitch and tone, this girl must have been in high school.

I peeked my head just far enough to see a girl walk down the stairs and in front of the door. With the same burgundy-colored hair as the tiny Emi-chan, a new face emerged from the doorframe and onto the porch. She wore her hair in perfect twin tails and had some of the cutest bangs I've ever seen styled on a woman. Her pastel purple dress swayed with each step she took.

She placed her hand on her hip, giving me a pretentious once-over.
"Who might you be?!"

Without thinking, my natural instinct was to bow my head. It felt as if I were in the presence of royalty, given the luxurious home and silky attire.
I shouted,
"Nakahara Kazuo! I'm a journalist... kind of."

"Huh?! A journalist?! Why is the press here?! If you want an interview, my daddy isn't home right now!"
The twin-tailed girl kept her hand on her hip, narrowing her eyes in annoyance at my lackluster introduction.

"Hina-chan, don't be so mean to Kazuo-kun!"
Mai approached, clutching Emi-chan close to her body, who was already wrapped around her like a koala.

"Hina-chan? So... the magical girl-"
I was cut off mid sentence by yet another boisterous shout.

"Zip it!"
The girl known as Hina-chan glared at me with fury in her eyes, seemingly ready to clock me upside the head if I said another word.
"I understand why you're here now... Nakahara-kun."

I hadn't realized I was about to expose her as a magical girl in front of her sister, Emi-chan. Well, at least I think they're sisters; I hadn't really been formally introduced to either of them yet.

"Come up to my room. Matsui-san, put Emi down."
Hina-chan began to walk up the steps before stopping abruptly about halfway.
"Nakahara-kun... you don't... smell like boy, do you?"

Smell like boy? What does that even mean?

"I... don't think so?"
I scratched my head.

"Good... I hate boys, especially gross ones. You should be lucky to even be breathing the same air as me."
Hina-chan stormed up the stairs, leaving me alone while Mai put an end to Emi-chan's play session.

Could it be that Hina-chan is actually... a royal tsundere?!