After that incident, me and my mom got to evacuate from Tokyo and relocated to a new city called Shin-Tokyo after spending 2–3 years inside an evacuation bunker.
This city was built during the years my mom, I, and the rest of the people from Tokyo were hiding.
They said it was constructed while the magical girls fought off the youmas.
『August 20, 2042』
I finally turned 7 today, and I remember it clearly—as if it happened just yesterday.
"Shizuka, geez. At least wipe the frosting off your mouth."
My mom sighed, chasing after me with a napkin.
But it didn't matter to me. Not even my birthday mattered.
I ran as fast as my short legs could carry me, nearly slipping halfway across the living room before the news came on.
"[Breaking news] a dozen youmas have appeared near Hanamizuki Central Park. Three were reported injured, but the magical girls luckily arrived just in time."
Yes—this… this was more important than my birthday!
My black eyes shimmered with sparkles as I stared intently at the TV, my mom finally catching up to wipe the cake off my mouth.
At that time, I didn't care what the news reporter lady was saying about complicated things. My eyes were locked on the screen, scanning and scanning—
until I found her.
Pink twintails. Red dress. A bright, charismatic smile.
"It's Stella Commet!"
I yelled at the top of my lungs.
My mother couldn't help but laugh, though a bit annoyed. She pinched my cheeks, and I teared up a little.
"A-ack! Mommyyy!"
I pouted, glaring up at her with watery eyes.
"Oh, you're the one who's angry? I told you not to scream, it's embarrassing for the neighbors."
"Hmp!"
I didn't argue further, just turned back to the TV—my eyes never leaving Stella Commet.
She was my savior. Every time I have a birthday, I always make sure to watch the news, just like now.
I knew I wouldn't even be here if she hadn't saved me and my mom.
And now, seeing her again on TV, I knew she was still out there—saving more people like us.
I felt something warm in my chest as Stella looked straight at the camera, her smile reassuring everyone that everything would be okay.
I don't know why I was feeling this feeling in my chest. But it wasn't a bad feeling.
I was unsure of what it meant.
But even with my young mind, I grew up watching Stella and her friends become stronger, saving the world bit by bit.
I was inspired.
I gulped as I stared at the TV, then at my mom.
"M-mommy…"
My mom looked at me with a curious expression, anticipating what I'd say.
"When I grow up… I wanna be like Stella Comett!"
I was unsure, but I also felt like I was saying the truth—like a child saved by a superhero, telling their parents they wanted to become like their saviors.
My mom smiled at me and caressed my head.
"I'm sure you'll become like Stella Comett, as long as you become someone who is kind, humble, and honest. I'm sure you, my babygirl, can be anything you want."
I nodded at my mom's words, smiling happily.
I was very sure then that I'd be a magical girl someday! But maybe Mom didn't feel the same? She looked a bit worried, but I didn't mind. I'd become someone as good as Stella Comett!
"Stella Comett, to the people you saved and to your fans… what can you say?"
My attention quickly snapped to the TV, my heart racing, waiting for Stella's words.
"To my fans, to the people I have saved… all I can tell you, as I have always said, time and time again, is that we—the magical girls—will always come to your aid. I hope that one day, this world will become peaceful again."
"Then… what about the young ones who dream of becoming magical girls someday?"
My eyes lit up at the question. I even leaned closer to the TV! I had just talked about this with my mommy!
"Well… to anyone who wants to be a magical girl, all I can say is this: live your life in pursuit of kindness, strive to become the best version of yourself, and… maybe a mascot will recruit you."
Her words ignited a flame in my heart. Just like my mother said! But… mascots?
"Mascots?"
See! Even the reporter didn't seem to know.
Stella scratched her head and smiled nervously.
Yeah! I bet you haven't told us at all! We didn't see any mascot when you saved me and Mom!
"Ahaha… well, I didn't become a magical girl out of nowhere… show yourself, Lya."
Something the likes of which had never been seen—by me, by Mom… no, by the whole world!
As if all the light in the world gathered into one place, it condensed into a tiny, radiant ball before exploding in a blinding flash!
When the camera refocused, what appeared was… a very cute, pink, rabbit-like creature.
It looked… fluffy!
"This is Lya. She spotted me in an alleyway while I was being pursued by youmas… and she recruited me."
The news reporter looked utterly stunned, though she maintained her professionalism.
"I-I see…"
The reporter cleared her throat.
"So... this pink rabbit is the mascot of magical girls? I can't seem to argue. It looks cute."
"Righhhttt?"
Stella Comett smiled.
"Can it talk?"
The reporter asked Stella, and she nodded.
"I can talk,"
Lya interrupted the two.
"Woah!"
The reporter jolted in surprise. She should be used to otherworldly stuff by now, but it still shocked her.
The fact that a pink rabbit could talk like a human was just... weird.
"So... you're the one responsible for Stella and the other magical girls being able to wield power to save mankind?"
The reporter asked, a cold sweat trickling down her face.
"Yup!"
Lya's response was short and simple. The rabbit's blue eyes seemed to hold something far greater, yet she refused to speak further.
Seeing that pink bunny made me more curious than ever — even my little mind was conspiring.
『Was it on a whim? Or is there some standard to become a magical girl?!』
What Stella said about being kind was one of the factors for sure... but you wouldn't become a magical girl without the mascot acknowledging you.
Despite my doubts, I shrugged them off.
Because I believed — that if I tried hard enough, I'd be acknowledged.
Most of the news report became a blur to me; I was too focused on what I should do when I grow up to notice the other magical girls interrupting the interview with Stella.
『September 5, 2045』
A few years have passed. I'm 10 years old now. But even so...
『Oh heavens above, please help this poor girl cleanse the world of evil!』
I chanted as I copied Stella Comett's pose. It was simple! You basically just pose like you're praying, then close your eyes.
Oh! I forgot to tell you — the youma attacks have decreased a lot lately. So much so that animators even made an anime about the magical girls!
When I don't have classes, I always watch this afternoon show called 『The Beauty and Toils of a Certain Magical Girl』.
It's a homage to Stella Comett and her magical girls!
Honestly... it's embarrassing to copy these poses. I consider myself a big girl already. But even so! As a future magical girl, this much is nothin'!
"You really love that anime, huh?"
My mom stepped into the living room. She leaned against the wall, looking at me with that warm, gentle smile of hers.
"Well duh! She saved us, mommy!"
I grinned, full of confidence.
"And someday? I'll fight alongside her!"
My mom couldn't help but laugh — not out of mockery, but because she probably found my dream kind of sweet.
"Wouldn't Stella be a middle-aged woman by then?"
My mom's teasing me! I pouted.
"Even so, I'll fight alongside her. I'm pretty sure!"
I really believed those words back then. I held onto that hope... until I eventually turned 14...