After hearing the news, I went upstairs to my room.
Although I was disappointed, confused and hurt, I know that I have no right to be selfish.
I know that I may still have hope.
In just a few weeks, Stella is going to be retiring. That means I'd still get to see her for a while.
They say that in times like these, you should cherish your time well.
「Two weeks before Stella retires」
A week has passed ever since her announcement.
I had almost given up, but I remembered that I shouldn't give up. So long as I uphold my values, I'm sure I'd get noticed and scouted.
I continued my days as usual: Greet the neighbors, be helpful and kind to my mother, stay as the top student in school.
「One week before Stella retires」
Only seven days left. Honestly, I'm really scared about what's gonna happen to the world once they're gone.
At this point, there have been only a few news reports about them.
I'm still upholding the values that I promised myself.
Doubt no longer lingers in my mind, because I know that after Stella retires, it's my turn—the next generation!
「Stella Retirement—D Day」
The day of Stella Comett has come. It just so happened to be on a Saturday, so I was able to catch it without interruption. Once again, it happened on a news segment.
However, what appeared on the screen first wasn't Stella.
She had long, flowing blonde hair and deep blue eyes. She wore a white dress, quite similar to how wedding dresses look.
"Good morning, citizens of Shin-Tokyo. I am Luna Star, the leader of the magical girls."
Wow, she looked dazzling.
The yellow filter from the bright morning glow made her blonde hair almost glow under the sun.
Her voice was authoritative and charismatic, as expected.
No wonder she was called "The Brilliant Leader, Shining Like The Light Of The Sun."
"As you may have all heard from Stella Commet, the announcement is true and not, in fact, a hoax.
We, the magical girls, have decided that after these remaining three weeks, humanity is more than capable of handling the threat."
I already knew that...
I looked away from the TV screen for a few seconds, staring out the window. The birds flew by with a kind of melancholy that matched my own, before I went back—preparing my poor heart.
"We, the magical girls, have been fighting youmas since we were teens—that much is obvious.
Now, it is time for us to retire and pursue the things we've never had the chance to do.
I, myself, wish to be a simple housewife. Had I not been recruited, I would already be betrothed to someone I love."
Luna Star's face turned away from the camera, as if she wanted to say something she couldn't, before taking a deep breath.
"As for the other magical girls... well, I'll let them take the stage and share their own words."
Luna Star smiled and waved at the camera before walking off-screen.
"Thank you, Luna Star. The next one is..."
The camera panned left, then zoomed in on a girl with green hair.
The moment her yellow eyes met the lens, she began trembling.
She tried to run away, but it was no use—she was gently cornered by the others.
"Guh..."
The young woman stepped forward, avoiding eye contact.
"U-Uhm... hello, I'm Aurora Sparkle... haha."
Ah, so she's Aurora Sparkle!
I've heard she's quite famous despite her shy and awkward behavior.
She rarely appears on camera, too.
She's... even cuter than I thought.
"I-I have something to say as well."
Aurora fidgeted nervously.
"L-Like the others said, we've been fighting youmas since we were very young, and uhm... I think it's fair that we step down as well."
Aurora laughed awkwardly, trying to brighten the mood.
"A-and uhm, I think humanity has all it takes to prevent youma attacks... after watching us fight all these years."
Aurora's reasoning was sound.
No.
Every person who's come up till now had valid answers — they deserve to rest now. I agree too...
"T-That's why, I think it's right that we... the magical girls retire. So that we can pursue dreams we never achieved."
Aurora's smile, instead of bringing me comfort, felt like a stab.
『Dreams we never achieved』
My mind froze on those words.
Would becoming a magical girl be yet another dream I'd never achieve?
I watched the TV screen as Aurora ran away from the camera.
"Is it finally my turn?"
I stared at the screen — a flash of red hair.
"Nova Eclipse."
I muttered her name under my breath.
Unlike the other girls, whom I've felt deep admiration for... Nova was different.
She intimidated me — even through a TV screen.
She's known for one of the highest kill counts among magical girls.
I always thought all she truly loved was fighting.
"Yo, reporter. Am I up next?"
Nova tilted her head to the side.
"U-uh, yes," the reporter stammered.
"Good."
Nova snatched the microphone right from her hands, leaving the poor woman frozen.
"Listen, I love beating the [bleep] outta youmas and all, but these days? That just ain't possible. We rarely fight anymore — it's all paperwork and taxes. That shit ain't fun. So yeah, it's time for me to quit this [bleep]."
Just like that, Nova shoved the mic back as quickly as she'd taken it.
The more the magical girls spoke their minds about retiring, the more I struggled to accept it.
I'm happy for them, but...
I wish they'd stay. Just a bit more.
Just a tiny bit longer... until I could finally join them as their cute junior.
Then — a flash of pink hair I'd known since I was a baby filled the screen. My heart clenched.
"It's Stella."
"I'm Stella Commet."
My black eyes trembled as I watched her open her mouth.
"Hello, fellow citizens. As the most known magical girl — and the first to announce my retirement — I feel like I shouldn't burden those who've admired me any longer."
Stella forced a smile.
"It's been quite a journey. I remember thinking I was fighting a hopeless battle... After Tokyo fell. After countless cities.
I felt incompetent — that I, together with my fellow magical girls, weren't enough.
But I was mistaken. Looking at Shin-Tokyo now, I'm filled with nothing but joy.
Seeing the baby I once saved grow into a role model"
!!
What—?
S-She...
Tears welled up in my eyes.
"She remembered me?"
I thought she had forgotten me. All these years, I believed I was just one among the thousands she saved, just another number in the system.
"Stella, you're so cruel."
I laughed, even as tears streamed down my face. I tried to wipe them away, but they were quickly overwritten by new ones.
She's so cruel... but I love her.
I cried and cried, as pathetically as I could. Staring at Stella's warm smile through the TV screen.