"Oh my~ I didn't expect someone to be a step ahead of me. It seems I'm late." Just as Yoshino was about to walk towards the street, an unfamiliar voice suddenly came from behind her. It couldn't really be called unfamiliar; she had heard that voice before, but the feeling had become very vague.
Yoshinon, who reacted faster than Yoshino, made several ice cones appear from under the opponent's feet, but she did not control the ice cones to attack the opponent; it was merely a deterrent.
Each area has a dedicated Magical Girl, much like animals with territorial instincts.
She was worried that Yoshino's actions would displease the other party, so she could only control her in advance.
But she forgot that while each area indeed has a dedicated Magical Girl, the person in charge of Mitakihara is quite a familiar individual.
After Yoshino defeated the Dark Witch Suleka, the surroundings returned to their original reality.
Judging by the light coming from outside the building, it should be dusk by now.
"Oh my, you're quite vigilant.
But don't worry, I'm not your enemy."
Looking at the ice cones that appeared beside her, the other party did not show any fear.
Although she felt the ice cones could easily pierce her delicate skin, she knew from the opponent's build that she was a very cute Little Girl.
Even though her transformation outfit was a bit strange, she believed the other party should be a Magical Girl like herself.
Yoshino turned around and saw the other party's appearance.
The other party had beautiful blonde hair, just like Ayase Eli.
Her hair was curled on both sides, and she wore clothes like a hunter living on a ranch in Europe or America, with a small hat on her head.
However, there was a very mysterious creature at her feet.
If a Little Girl saw it, she would surely hug it excitedly, but Yoshino knew its true identity, and its crimson pupils made Yoshino feel very uneasy.
Mami Tomoe.
Upon seeing her, Yoshino knew her identity.
This warm-hearted, gentle, and elegant Big Sister was very good at taking care of others.
Although she appeared mature, steady, and strong, she was actually very fragile inside, the kind of girl who would cry in bed at night.
"Alright, can you put away these ice cones now, cute Little Girl?
I'm not your enemy, you know~" Mami Tomoe's gentle voice came, and seeing her genuine smile, it was impossible to harbor any hostility towards her.
"I... I'm sorry, Yoshinon did that to protect me, please don't mind it."
Waving her hand, the ice cones beside Mami Tomoe turned into fragments and disappeared into the air.
Then, a sky-blue light emanated from Yoshino's body, and her spirit dress vanished, returning her to her casual attire.
(It's just a little skirt~ don't overthink it.)
"What a cute child, just like a doll.
Like a French doll." Mami Tomoe said softly, looking at Yoshino's delicate beauty.
Upon seeing Yoshino, she couldn't help but feel fond of her.
No one could dislike such a cute child as Yoshino.
"Oh?
This appearance is new to me.
I didn't see a soul gem on you just now, could it be somewhere else?"
Watching Yoshino disarm, Mami Tomoe stepped forward, wanting to get a closer look at Yoshino, but Yoshino dodged her.
Yoshino put her hands in front of her, looking at Mami Tomoe with a fearful expression.
"Hmm?
Why has the Little Master become like this again?
Hasn't she become braver now?" Astaroth said somewhat puzzled, as several people watching Yoshino's situation internally saw her fearful expression.
She hadn't seen Yoshino make such an expression in a while.
"Hehe~ This is what I did with 'Evil'.
While it's good that Yoshino can be strong, I feel that the timid Yoshino from before is the real Yoshino.
So, 'Evil' and I teamed up to return the 'unease' and 'fear' in Yoshino's heart to their original levels, so we can see Yoshino's cute expressions."
'Good', drinking tea, chuckled "Hehe~" as she watched Yoshino's body tremble slightly from fear on the screen, seemingly very satisfied with this Yoshino.
"Hmph!" "Boring fellow." 'Evil' snorted, saying dismissively.
However, her gaze kept secretly peeking at Yoshino on the screen, perfectly demonstrating the skill of saying one thing and meaning another.
(After all, if she hadn't agreed, she wouldn't have done this with 'Good'.)
"Is it really okay for you to prank yourselves like this?
Regarding your behavior, I only want to say... well done!
I can now properly admire the Little Master's cute expressions; this is a moment worth recording." Astaroth's eyes lit up, her gaze fixed on Yoshino on the screen, as if wanting to record everything about Yoshino.
"..." Zadkiel did not express her feelings; she was already accustomed to their antics.
She drank tea while watching Yoshino on the screen; she felt content just silently protecting Yoshino from behind.
As for photos... confiscating Astaroth's collection would suffice; she still had many treasured ones.
(But why are you covering your nose with your hand?
Is your loyalty about to overflow?)
Although Yoshino did not notice the change in her personality, Yoshinon, being an experienced one, quickly noticed Yoshino's abnormality.
But she did not say it out loud.
Seeing Yoshino in her current fearful state, she felt as if she was seeing the timid Yoshino from before.
This feeling made her feel very good, as if she had returned to her younger days.
(Have you ever been old?)
"Oh my, oh my~ Although I know Yoshino looks very cute, approaching her like this will make her feel very uneasy.
Is it because you saw Yoshino's soft appearance that you plan to bully her?
Ah~ I thought you were a kind Big Sister, but you have such intentions?
I really misjudged you." Yoshinon's somewhat sharp voice came out, attracting Mami Tomoe's attention.
"Eh?
Bully me?
Are you really going to bully Yoshino?
Don't..." Hearing that Mami Tomoe was going to bully her, Yoshino's sky-blue eyes immediately filled with tears, looking as if she was about to cry at any moment, which made Mami Tomoe's emotions become agitated.
If Yoshino really cried because of her, she would feel full of guilt.
"Uh... don't cry, I didn't intend to bully you.
I just wanted to talk to you, don't be scared.
Big Sister me won't hurt you." Mami Tomoe said, flustered.
"Oh?
Don't want to bully Yoshino?
So you want to use your friendly demeanor to take Yoshino home and do some naughty things?
Wow~ This society is truly treacherous.
I didn't expect Yoshino to have to guard against not only perverted uncles but also seemingly gentle Big Sisters?" Yoshinon said to Yoshino with a wary tone.
"Yoshino, you absolutely must not go home with her.
Otherwise, when you wake up the next day, you'll find yourself naked, with both hands and feet tied up; this kind of person loves to play these binding games."
"!!!?"
Yoshino's face instantly turned pale, and she looked at Mami Tomoe as if she were seeing some terrifying monster, involuntarily stepping back a few paces.
"I would never do such a thing!
And what exactly is your standard for distinguishing!" Mami Tomoe exclaimed, rather ungracefully.
"Is this... ventriloquism?" Mami Tomoe asked, looking at Yoshino's hand puppet with an uncertain tone.
"Yoshinon is not ventriloquism!
She is my most important friend!" Hearing Mami Tomoe say that Yoshinon was ventriloquism, Yoshino, who had just been scared, showed an unhappy expression, and her voice was a little loud as she refuted Mami Tomoe.
However, after speaking, her expression froze, and she lowered her little head again.
"Oh?
I'm sorry, I didn't know she was your friend, Big Sister me apologizes to you." She stepped forward, wanting to stroke Yoshino's head, but Yoshino turned away and dodged her.
Seeing Yoshino's action, Mami Tomoe showed a wry smile, 'This child is very wary, but I will eliminate her wariness towards me.' Mami Tomoe vowed.
(She's just shy, that's all.)
"Um... my name is Mami Tomoe, Little Girl, what's your name?" Mami Tomoe asked, showing her kindest smile.
"Which area are you a Magical Girl from?
Or are you a child who just became a Magical Girl?"
"My... my name is Yoshino, I... I'm not a Magical Girl." Yoshino said softly, looking at Mami Tomoe's harmless smile.
"Eh?
Not a Magical Girl?
How is that possible?" Mami Tomoe said with confusion.
In her opinion, Yoshino, with her magical powers, should belong to the Magical Girls.
Is she lying to me?
"She's not lying, Mami.
She's not a Magical Girl." Just then, the white creature named Kyubey by Mami Tomoe's leg spoke without opening its mouth, yet a childlike voice could be heard.
"As far as I know, the magic that has appeared so far does not have abilities like hers, nor do such abilities exist.
I think the hand puppet on her hand should also be a real will.
Although she looks very much like a Magical Girl, she also feels somewhat different... she is not a Magical Girl, but she possesses abilities that ordinary people do not... However, her potential to become a Magical Girl is very strong."
Then it wriggled its body and came in front of Yoshino, saying to her.
"How about it, Yoshino?
Make a contract with me and become a Magical Girl.
Any wish can be granted."
"..." Without speaking, Kyubey's limbs were suddenly frozen.
This was Yoshinon's doing; she was extremely displeased with its attempt to mislead Yoshino.
"Although I don't know if you'd taste good frozen, I'm a bit unhappy with you talking to Yoshino like that.
Do you think Yoshino's current abilities aren't strong enough?" Although she couldn't reveal Kyubey's identity yet, it didn't stop Yoshinon from disliking her.
If she could, she really wanted to turn her into a Kyubey-girl.
"Alright, alright.
Don't be so impulsive, let's all get along peacefully." Seeing Yoshinon in a bad mood, Mami Tomoe came over to persuade her.
"Oh, right, I just heard that you don't have any place to stay, would you like to come to my house?"
"Eh?"
On a tall building in the distance, a figure watched everything unfold.
Her long black hair fluttered in the wind.
She frowned as she watched Mami Tomoe and Yoshino leave.
Then, she sighed helplessly, knowing she was powerless to stop this.
"Did Yoshino go with Mami Tomoe again?
It seems this cycle is still the same.
I hope things will be different once everything is known."
After speaking, the figure instantly vanished into the distance, as if she had never appeared.
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