Chapter 24 – The Magical Girls’ Party, Part 02

We had just returned to the Guild and decided to wait for Mizu and the others. We noticed that other Magical Girls were already there with party supplies in different colors. Among them was a girl with violet hair wearing an orange dress and black heels, a girl with orange hair in a black dress with matching heels, and even a pair of identical green-haired twins dressed in red with white shoes. Other girls had different hair colors, dresses, and heels of all shades.

“Taiyaki, do you want a coffee while we wait for the others?”
“Sure, Kori. But just one coffee, okay?”

Kori went to get two coffees while I stayed at the table, waiting. While I was alone, a girl approached me—it was the orange-haired one. She looked at me and said:

“Hey, are you new around here? I’ve never seen you at the Guild before.”

“Um, yeah, I’m new. I’ve only been a Magical Girl for a few weeks. By the way, my name’s Taiyaki. What’s yours?”
“Oh, my apologies for not introducing myself sooner. I’m Rous, nice to meet you, Taiyaki. By the way, is Kori your teammate? I noticed you were sitting with her.”
“Eh, yes, we’re part of the same team. We’ve only been together for about a week.”
“That’s amazing! Kori is famous because she never joined a team or wanted to be part of one. How did you convince her to join yours?”

I froze. I didn’t know that about Kori… but then I wondered: Why did she join us? Was it just luck, or did she see something special in us?
I couldn’t think of a proper answer, so I just said the first thing that came to mind:

“Well, I didn’t know she never accepted joining a team before. Honestly, I don’t know why she decided to join us. Sorry if I can’t give you a clear answer.”
“I see, I understand. Well, I have to go—my team and I are in charge of decorating the Guild for tonight’s party. Hope to see you here at 7.”
“Okay, I’ll also introduce you to my other teammates later.”
“Great, see you tonight.”

She went back to her group just as Kori returned with the coffees. She sat down and placed them on the table.

“Here you go, Taiyaki. By the way, who was that girl you were talking to? Anything interesting?”
“She just asked why you decided to join our team.”

Kori froze, almost like I had said something I wasn’t supposed to.

“Alright, just… don’t bring that up in public. Those kinds of things should only be reported to the King, the Queen, and the Royal Knights. Try not to talk about it—it’s a private matter.”
“Okay, Kori, I’ll keep that in mind. Anyway, let’s drink our coffee. Akane, Mizuki, and Mizu should be here soon.”

Her expression softened, and she smiled again. She took a sip of her coffee, and I did the same. Then I asked her about her plans for defeating the Demon Queen.

“Honestly, I don’t know yet. I think if we train intensely and then attack together as a large group of Magical Girls, we might be able to wipe out her army. What about you? How do you think we should deal with the Demon Queen and her demons?”
“I was thinking the same… but maybe we should ask some Royal Knights to join us too. Still, even then, I’m not sure if it’d be enough. We’d probably need something more.”

She sipped again and looked at me seriously.

“Well, we still have time to figure it out. There’s no need to rush. Try to enjoy your youth—you won’t get another chance like this. We’re young, and normally we should be in school, but because of this situation, and since only we have the magic to face it, we don’t have many choices. It’s hard, but… not like we have many options. For now, let’s just focus on tonight’s party and dance. I already invited a boy I like. But I noticed you and Mizu are going together. Tell me, why don’t you want to go with a boy? Don’t you like them? Or are you one of those girls who only go out with… well, other girls?”

“Ahem, no, it’s not that. I’m just not interested in boys in that way right now. It’s not like I like girls either. I just think it’s too soon for me. It’s not that I don’t want to someday—I just don’t want that kind of relationship right now.”

In my mind, I knew that wasn’t the full truth. The real reason was different. I wasn’t some creep thinking about relationships at this age. Deep inside, I knew I was only attracted to girls because in my past life I had been a boy.

Kori chuckled and took another sip.
“Don’t laugh—it’s not funny, Kori! I don’t want to talk about this right now.”
“Okay, okay, relax. Geez, you really overreact to these things. Can’t a girl talk about this with her friends? Anyway, let’s just finish our coffees and wait for Akane and the others.”

About an hour and a half later, Mizu, Akane, and Mizuki returned with the things they were assigned to bring.

“You guys are fast! It didn’t take you long compared to us—we spent two hours getting everything. Now we just have to hand this to the receptionist and then go change. Let’s go!” Akane said cheerfully.

Mizuki added:
“Well, not to brag, but the boy I invited is a bit taller than average.”
Mizu smiled: “I’m happy for you! Hopefully, you’ll become a lovely married couple someday, living together and raising lots of kids.”
Blushing, Mizuki snapped back:
“That’s none of your business, Mizu! I’ll decide that in the future. For now, I just want to enjoy my youth.”

After that, Akane handed the supplies to the receptionist while we waited at the exit. Five minutes later, she came out, and we all went home.

When I got to my house, I went straight to my room to get ready. I took a bath—but while I was in the bathtub, the same angel from my dreams appeared again, scaring me.

“WHAT THE HELL, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

I screamed so loud it echoed through the whole house.

“Honey, are you okay? Do you need help in there?” my mom called from outside.
“I-I’m fine, Mom! I just thought I saw a spider in here.”
“Alright, just don’t scream so much—you’ll ruin your beautiful, angelic voice.”
“Okay, Mom…”

The angel laughed at my reaction.
“Relax, I’m not a demon here to steal your soul. I have an important message for you.”
“A message? About what?”
“There is a traitor in the Guild. She will betray you all and try to destroy the Magical Girls. You must stop her.”

My blood ran cold. “Please, tell me—who is it?”

He sighed.
“Fine. The traitor is someone from your team. Be cautious. If she discovers that you know, she will act faster.”

I was shocked. Could it be Akane? Mizuki? Kori? It couldn’t be Mizu—she already knew about our mission in this world. That left the other three.

“In time, you’ll figure out who the traitor is,” the angel said. “Taiyaki, it’s simple: you just have to see through her eyes to know.”
“But why can’t you just tell me? That way I’d know how to act!”
“Because if I told you, it would shatter the image you have of her. You must see the truth for yourself.”

I had no words.
“Well, I’ll leave you to think it over. Goodbye for now.”

He vanished, leaving me alone in the bathroom, soaked and unsettled. Two names stood out in my mind: Kori—because of what happened today at the Guild—or, worst of all, Mizu. But why would Mizu betray the Goddess? Was the Demon Queen manipulating her somehow? None of this made sense.

Is this a divine test? Am I being tested to see if I’m too naïve, believing everything the Goddess and her angels tell me? Or is it really true that one of my friends is the traitor?

I didn’t know what to do. I had only two hours before the party, and I had to make a decision.

“If this is true, I must be brave enough to find out and ask the traitor why she chose this path. I need to be strong to save this world, even if it costs me a friendship. People deserve a life free of fear and suffering at the hands of demons. I just hope this doesn’t end in tragedy.”

Mizuki, Akane, Mizu, Kori… whoever you are—please, at least tell me your reasons.

I finished my bath and dressed in my gown and heels. Just then, my mother came in.

“Taiyaki, here—these earrings, necklace, and rings. I wore them at my first party with your father. They’ll be useful tonight.”
“Heh, thanks Mom. Could you help me put on the earrings?”
“Of course, dear.” She used a spell, and within a second, the earrings—two small diamonds—were on my ears. I put on the necklace and rings, and I was ready.

“Look at you, dear. You’re as beautiful as I was at your age. I bet some boy will ask you to be his wife someday. I hope that day comes soon.”

I froze, shocked. My mom noticed and laughed at my expression.
“Hehe, I see you’re surprised. Don’t worry, you’ll have time for that. You’re still too young to think about marriage. But you’re so responsible and mature compared to other girls your age. I remember back in kindergarten—you were the only one who listened to the teacher, did all your homework, respected your elders, and ate all your vegetables. I never expected to have such a good, diligent daughter. But you still made time to play with your little friend Tatsuki. You two were so close—I almost thought you were a couple without knowing it. Haha, well, enough chatter. You should get ready—the party starts soon. It’s already 6:57, almost sunset. I have things to clean, so I’ll leave you.”

After she left, I gathered my things and stepped outside. Waiting for me was Mizu, already dressed in her gown. She looked at me and smiled.

“Taiyaki, you look as pretty as me. Ready for tonight?”
“Uh, yeah, Mizu… you look beautiful too, hehe.”