[HIMENO POV]
"Of course. I'm their leader. Their Goddess. My words are law."
My blue eyes reflected the young woman before me—her smile was beautiful, yet also poisonous.
It was as if her words were blasphemy, yet also the truth.
I would never imagine that Shizuka would really turn to the "other side", but on the other hand… I know full well the cost of what being with Lya is.
So I understand why she became the way she is,
「It is also my fault」
That was my thought.
I was merely making light of the situation, but I know full well that humanity now has a new threat to worry about, and I'm afraid that I would no longer be able to help them.
Because the threat in question is a person I love dearly.
So I could only look at Shizuka and smile, doing a curtsy despite wearing only a plain t-shirt and black shorts.
"Okay your majesty~ I will do as you please, so can I take a bath and change first?"
I winked and smiled, leaning forward.
Seeing Shizuka's reaction always brings me joy. At the end of the day, she's still my fan. And selfishly, I know that she won't harm me… no matter what.
I don't know why, but I'm more or less assured.
It's not wrong to place your trust on someone, right?
"Fine, but make it quick."
My train of thought got cut when Shizuka's voice broke through the silence.
I don't know why exactly, but when she's in her magical girl form, her voice is so… gentle. Reminds me of a mother sometimes.
I couldn't help but giggle as I went to the bathroom with my towel in hand.
...
..
.
After taking a quick bath, I went to my room to change. Shizuka was sitting in the living room, legs crossed, waiting patiently.
Honestly, her magical girl form is kinda cool.
Unlike the color palette of me and my girls back then—while we evoked cuteness and a simply girly vibe—her magical girl form is pure regality and elegance.
I sighed as I opened my closet.
"For today… I guess I'll go for something formal?"
My eyes drifted across the hangers before settling on a crisp white button-down with a soft collar. Then I reached for a pair of tailored high-waisted black cuffed shorts—simple, but structured enough to look polished. Cute, but still proper.
After slipping on the buttoned shirt, I tucked it neatly into the high waist of the shorts, smoothing the fabric with my palms. Then I grabbed a thin black cloth ribbon, tying it carefully into a neat bow at my collar.
"Mm… not bad,"
I murmured.
I combed my hair next, gathering it into a clean ponytail. Wearing twintails is such a pain—everyone recognizes me as Stella Commet. I don't want people crowding me and Shizuka today.
With a final small nod to myself, I stepped out of the room, ready to face her again.
"Done!"
I said cheerfully as I walked into the living room. Shizuka turned toward me, her white, diamond-shaped pupils staring at me intensely.
I almost wanted to cover myself as a blush crept up my face.
"Why are you staring so much?"
My voice shrank into something small and shy, my eyes darting away from her. Did I dress too weirdly? Too childish?
"You look very pretty, Himeno-nee."
My eyes widened at what I heard, and I couldn't help but smile.
"Thank you, Shizu."
Shizuka stood up, nodded at me, and smiled.
"It's time to depart."
She looked at me and extended a hand.
『Take my hand』
Her voice grew even softer—soothing, like a siren's call.
I couldn't help but reach out and hold her hand.
The moment our hands touched, her smile widened, and her mouth formed silent words.
〔Hold on tight〕?
Shizuka took a single step forward—and mid-step, the world around us seemed to warp.
I felt like I was being dragged at impossible speeds, faster than anything I'd ever reached even in my magical form.
I felt like I was everywhere and anywhere all at once, my perception twisting. At one point I swore I saw myself in third person.
Then I blinked—
and I was no longer in my apartment.
I stood behind a small building. Benches, lightposts, plants…
A park?
『We're here』
Shizuka turned around and looked at me.
Here? Did I just get teleported? This was nothing like anything I'd ever experienced before.
"How did you do that?"
I asked Shizuka, curiosity spilling out.
Her smile widened, as if she had been waiting for the question.
『Anywhere there is a shadow, I can walk into. Anywhere there is light, there is darkness』
Shizuka opened her umbrella, letting it rest on her shoulder.
『Now, shall we enter? My kingdom, that is?』
With a snap of her fingers, a portal opened before us, seemingly fused to the back wall of the little building.
Shizuka stepped in first. Then I followed—
It was finally time to enter the place of my old enemies…
As I entered the realm, the first thing that struck me was its barrenness.
It seemed the headquarters of the youmas was situated in a place devoid of trees and fauna. Yet, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't picture where this might be.
So, I shrugged off the thought and concluded—this must be another dimension.
Ahead of us, as I walked following Shizuka, loomed a castle. It carried a cathedral-like aura, and the closer we got, the more it dominated the landscape.
It was towering. If I had to guess, around 150 feet. Perhaps an exaggeration, but from where I stood, it felt impossibly massive.
"So this is where they hide," I murmured.
『Beautiful, isn't it? The moment I saw this black castle, I knew it was meant for me.』
I glanced at Shizuka. Her eyes were gentle, as if the building before us reflected some part of her.
"I agree. It suits your attire," I said, moving closer and bumping gently against her side.
『You flatter me.』
Shizuka laughed, warm and soft.
『Let's get going, shall we?』
---------------
As we entered the castle, my eyes widened.
"This is amazing!"
My mouth fell open as I took in the interior—it shattered all my expectations!
The exterior was already beautiful enough, but I didn't expect the inside to be just—no, more beautiful than the outside.
The walls were pristine, the furniture varnished and gleaming like everything had been crafted only moments ago.
As we walked deeper through the hallway, I couldn't help but stare at the beautiful paintings lining the walls.
I bet each one would sell for a fortune… but my eyes also kept drifting toward the shadowy silhouettes of tiny creatures lurking just out of sight.
My gaze narrowed—then softened.
They were once my enemies. But Shizuka is someone I love, and those under her… are my allies as well.
So I clenched my hands into fists.
I looked at Shizuka's back, unable to stop admiring the quiet certainty in her stride. Her black gothic-lolita dress fluttered with each step, its frills and ribbons swaying like a soft warning.
For once, I didn't see the vulnerable girl who once cried in my arms.
Now, what I see is the silhouette of someone who has found her place in the world—someone regal in presence, almost ethereal, yet carrying an aura sharp enough to make the air feel thinner.
Her back looks larger now, her shadow stretching long and commanding, as if the castle itself bowed to her steps.
I couldn't help but think:
『You have changed, for the better』