CH 51

Voting Results

Translated by LyraDhani

Edited by LyraDhani

“Nice to meet you. My name is Inaba from the Demonic Beast Countermeasure Headquarters. Thank you for taking part in today’s interview.”

“I am Nanase Tsugumi. I am looking forward to work with you.”

A day after the incident – Tsugumi was in a reception room at the hospital, meeting with government officials. Apart from Inaba, who was the main speaker, there was also a staff member in charge of recording what Tsugumi had to say.

He had spoken with this government lady – Inaba – once before, as Hagakure Sakura, over the terminal. Since then, he hadn’t had a chance to talk to her because Bell didn’t lend the terminal, but it was a little surprising to see that she was a younger woman than Tsugumi had imagined she would be.

Judging by her appearance, she was probably in her mid-thirties. He had expected her to be much older than that.

Tsugumi sighed a little as he thought about this.

–Bell-sama, you didn’t come back yesterday in the end.

He didn’t think Bell would be in any danger, but not seeing her made him worried. She had said she was negotiating, but with whom? Tsugumi didn’t understand.

Hiding his depressed heart with a friendly smile, Tsugumi took the business card that they politely offered and slowly sat down on the sofa. However, Inaba remained standing and did not take her seat.

When he stared at her curiously, she looked at him straight in the eyes and pursed her lips.

“We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the government’s inadequacy. All responsibility lies with the government. You may curse at me.”

Inaba said this and bowed deeply toward Tsugumi. Seeing this, Tsugumi sat up with a start.

“Ah, please raise your head. I don’t think it’s the government’s fault, because who could have seen that coming?”

It was rare for ordinary people to get mixed up in the barrier. However, there were very few cases where multiple people got involved just like this time  Additionally, the actual number of Demonic Beasts was two, which was an irregularity. There might have been some mistakes due to the carelessness of the Magical Girl who fought, but he didn’t think the government side was responsible.

Besides, the two Rikka, who belonged to the government, did their job well enough. It was a loss that they could not defeat the Demonic Beast, but it was because of their efforts that Tsugumi was able to defeat the Demonic Beast. There was no reason to blame them.

When he explained this, Inaba looked up apologetically.

Then, as Tsugumi sat down again, waiting for the question, he noticed that Inaba and the others were staring at his face.

“Um, what is it?”

“Ah no, I heard from Chidori-san but you really do look a lot like ‘Hagakure Sakura-san’.”

“…Well, I got that a lot.”

When Tsugumi said this and smiled vaguely, Inaba laughed and took a seat.

“Forgive me, that was impolite. –Then I would like you to begin by explaining how your day went yesterday.”

In response to Inaba’s question, Tsugumi told her in detail what had happened yesterday. Of course, things that should be hidden, such as transformation and skills, were properly concealed.

When he finished his explanation and arrived at the part where he got attacked by the Ogre, Inaba gave a tense smile and said.

“You were very reckless. …As a government official, I would like to praise your courage, but as an adult, I want to express my bitterness. But–really, I’m glad no one died.”

“I think so too.”

–If he had pressed even one wrong button, there would surely have been a large number of deaths. There might even be a possibility of total annihilation. It was a miscalculation that Chidori had become a Magical Girl, but it couldn’t be helped.

Considering the limited conditions of the battle, Tsugumi thought he did well. He regained his composure and posed a question to Inaba.

“So, it’s about my sister Chidori…”

“Oh. I spoke with Chidori-san yesterday, did she give you any details?”

Tsugumi nodded in response to the question.

“Yes. I heard that you want to borrow Chidori’s skill as a Magical Girl–the power of ‘Gate’.”

“That’s right. The government is now in the greatest need of her ‘Gate’ skill.”

–The two skills that Chidori had acquired. It was the “Wind” skill to manipulate the surrounding air and the movement skill that enabled the transfer of multiple people through the “Gate”. The latter was a skill that the government, which was forced to deal with irregularities, currently needed.

According to the explanation he had received from Chidori this morning, it was only a”cooperation” and she didn’t belong to the government. It seemed there was also the intention of the contract God, but since she wouldn’t be affiliated with the government, there was no possibility that Chidori would be forced to go out on a mission.

In exchange for lending the government the right to use the “Gate” skill, Chidori could freely use the government’s facilities – like simulators and other equipment. In addition to that, rewards would be given according to the number of uses.

Chidori’s contract God – a God in the form of a white rabbit named Shiro – was apparently less focused on combat, unlike Bell. Chidori herself didn’t have much conversation with him, so she didn’t know the details, but it seemed unlikely that the contract God would force her to fight.

The contract God himself was apparently have been summoned today by the Gods in charge of the management regarding the use of power within the barrier, and was not expected to return until evening. It seemed there were many things going on in the world of the Gods. Perhaps Bell was also involved in one of them.

“I think it’s fine as long as she’s happy with it, but it’s a little difficult to tie her up for so long… Chidori is still a student, so please be moderate about it.”

“Yes, I understand your concern. The government is not black, either. Basically, we’re thinking of cooperating in accordance with the work rules of ordinary part-time jobs.”

“I see…”

Tsugumi breathed out a sigh of relief, but there was one more thing he was worried about.

“I want to check something. –I heard once you become a Magical Girl, you can no longer participate in official sports competitions.”

When he spoke with Chidori this morning, she sadly told Tsugumi that she had to quit club activities. Magical Girls’ physical abilities were enhanced with each battle. Such people couldn’t be treated by ordinary standards. Especially in the world of sports.

Tsugumi knew best how much effort Chidori had put up until now. This was why he couldn’t help but feel frustrated.

“Unfortunately, it’s the rule. There are no exceptions.”

Inaba apologetically replied, but it didn’t clear Tsugumi’s mind. What Chidori lost in this accident was too much.

As he looked down with his eyes downcast, a piece of paper was quickly placed on the table in front of him.

“What is this?”

“It’s a consent form for a blood test. As you may have heard from Chidori-san, there is a high possibility that the same irregular accidents will occur in the future. We are asking everyone to cooperate with the blood test in order to find out what the victims have in common and what their characteristics are. How about it?”

“Oh, I don’t mind.”

With that said, Tsugumi filled in his name on the form. The only thing in common between the people involved was their aptitude as Magical Girls, but since Tsugumi’s gender was male, the government couldn’t affirm.

The blood test results would show that Tsugumi also had the aptitude, but he doubted it would change anything. Even the government would not recruit a man who still was an uncertain factor, no matter how high the aptitude he had.

The government certainly had its own suspicions, but as long as Chidori, who had the ability to transfer, was cooperating with the government, they would show some consideration to Tsugumi. There was nothing to worry about.

“That’s all for the interview. Do you have any questions?”

“Uh, yes. I have one.”

Tsugumi put his hand to his chin in thought, then looked up as if he had just thought of something.

“You got the results of Rikka’s vote this morning, right? There’s no TV on the floor we’re on, so no information coming in. Can you tell me?”

Since he was in the hospital, he couldn’t look it up on his phone. This time, it had something to do with Hagakure Sakura, so he was really concerned. Fortunately, there were people from the government right in front of him. They would have reliable information.

“Yes, that’s fine. First of all, let’s start with the first place–“

Inaba then pulled a notebook out of her breast pocket and showed it to Tsugumi. The names of the Magical Girls were written there, in order from the top to the bottom.

First place: Toono Sumire.

Second place: Yukino Shizuku.

Third place: Mibu Yurie.

Fourth place: Suzushiro Ran.

Fifth place: Hyuga Aoi.

Sixth place: Hitsugi Airi.

There was a slight change in ranking, but the Rikka members themselves remain unchanged. Tsugumi exhaled a small breath of relief at the absence of Hagakure Sakura’s name.

“And this is not yet confirmed, but the government is considering the expansion of Rikka, in response to the accident of this irregularity.”

“…Eh?”

When Tsugumi asked back, Inaba rolled up the pages of her notebook.

From seventh to ninth place, some familiar names continued, and theTsugumi’s eyes were glued to the tenth place column.

–The tenth place: Hagakure Sakura.

…The ranking was higher than Tsugumi had expected. It was a little frightening that he had wished to not get voted on TV, and yet here he was in this position. He wondered what the people who voted were thinking.

But what does Inaba mean by expansion? As Tsugumi tilted his head, Inaba brought her face closer, as if she were talking privately.

“There are talks about creating a new framework called ‘Jukka’ with the members up to the tenth place. Well, it is still in the conceptual stage. …What’s wrong? You look pale.”

“Ah, no. I was just wondering if it’s okay for a regular guy like me to ask such an important question.”

Tsugumi replied, breaking out in a cold sweat.

–The worst possible development. He didn’t make the top six, but there was such an unexpected pitfall. What would Bell say? It was the only thing he was worried about.

“You are the victim this time. I think you have the right to know. But please don’t tell anyone yet.”

Saying this, Inaba smiled.

–Then, after separating from Inaba and the others. Tsugumi groaned as he plopped down on the bed dizzy, mussing and stirring his own hair.

‘…What should I do now?’

About Chidori. About himself. –And about Hagakure Sakura. The problems were piling up.