Tokyo: Magical Girl Shatters My Dream of Going Public

Inside the simple bathroom.

Xun looked around.

The space is small and simply furnished, but it has everything you need, including a water heater, hooks, and a floor drain.

She quietly opened the door a crack and peeked outside.

At the other end of the workshop, Kurokawa had his back to us, looking down at his phone screen, his fingers occasionally swiping, as if he were texting someone.

Once she was sure no one was watching, she turned back and locked the door.

She moved somewhat stiffly as she took off her clothes.

The clothes on the lower body were damp, cold, and sticky, making them particularly difficult to clean.

I had just piled up the clothes I had changed out of in the corner when I heard a very faint "click" sound from outside the door.

She carefully opened the door a crack.

A doll, about half the height of a person and dressed in an exquisite kimono, stands quietly outside the door, its mechanical tentacles on its back retracting silently, as if it has been waiting all along.

Kaoru recalled Kurokawa's words, saying that the clothes should be given to the doll to help wash.

She hesitated for a moment, then picked up the dirty clothes and handed them to the doll.

The tentacles extended, ready to take it.

Xun suddenly remembered something, and she immediately pulled her hand back.

Her face flushed slightly, she crouched down, her gaze meeting the doll's hollow yet exquisitely detailed face, and whispered:

"Um... I'll wash it myself. Could you... get me some laundry detergent?"

As soon as she said it, she blushed.

What am I doing? Talking to the doll?

But the next second, the doll actually retracted its tentacles, turned around silently, and left along the corridor.

Xun stood there, stunned.

Half a minute later, the doll returned.

A tentacle, carrying an unopened bottle of laundry detergent, steadily handed it to her.

Xun took it, checked the label, and confirmed it was indeed laundry detergent.

She couldn't help but murmur, "So intelligent..."

The puppet did not respond; after completing its task, it quietly retreated and stopped a few meters away.

A cool breeze blew in through the gap in the shower ceiling, and she couldn't help but sneeze, so she didn't linger any longer.

She washed very carefully and slowly.

The hot water rinsed my body, washing away the stickiness and coldness, and it seemed to wash away some of the fear and shame from before.

The sound of water didn't stop until a full hour later.

She moved a little awkwardly when she changed into the clothes Kurokawa gave her.

The shirt and trousers were both too big for her, so she had to roll up the cuffs and pant legs.

What made her most uncomfortable was that her underwear had already been taken to be washed, and at this moment she was wearing nothing but the borrowed men's clothing.

The feeling of the fabric rubbing against my skin was unfamiliar and strange.

She subconsciously lowered her head and sniffed her collar.

A very faint smell.

It wasn't perfume, nor was it the smell of sweat. It was like clean cotton fabric mixed with a very faint trace of machine oil, and there was also an indescribable, inexplicably reassuring sense of calm.

Is this what a man's scent is like?

The moment the thought crossed her mind, Xun's cheeks flushed red.

She hurriedly shook her head, as if trying to shake off the strange idea.

She quietly opened the door and peeked out.

Kurokawa was still sitting at the worktable over there.

He had his back to the bathroom, his hands flying across the computer keyboard. Occasionally he would pause, pick up a pen, and quickly jot something down in the notebook open beside him.

The blue light from the screen illuminated his straight back and focused profile, completely oblivious to her presence.

He breathed a sigh of relief and then came out.

Standing in the middle of the empty workshop, she felt somewhat lost.

My wet hair clung to the back of my neck, feeling cool and refreshing.

She adjusted the oversized collar of her shirt and glanced furtively at Kurokawa.

He was completely absorbed in his work.

Xun stood there for four or five seconds, but the other person did not react at all, as if they had not noticed her at all.

She pursed her lips, slowly walked to the old sofa, and sat down somewhat stiffly.

His back was ramrod straight, and his hands were neatly placed on his knees. This was not intentional, but simply a long-standing habit.

After sitting down, she was even more at a loss for what to do.

Not wanting to disturb Kurokawa, she could only sit there, her gaze wandering aimlessly.

His fingers unconsciously twisted the overly long shirt cuffs.

Time passed in silence, each second stretched out.

Just as she was becoming restless and her tension was rising again—

A doll came up in front of her.

The mechanical tentacles held a tray and placed it down steadily.

On the plate is a cup of steaming tea, the tea soup is clear and has a faint herbal aroma.

There was also an aluminum foil board with instructions for the pills printed on it, and a glass of water.

Xun was stunned, not knowing what it was for a moment.

"Calming tea can relieve mental tension."

Kurokawa's voice came from the workbench; he still didn't turn around, and the sound of typing on the keyboard continued.

"There are cold medicines over there. Your sister mentioned you're preparing for exams. Take care of yourself and don't catch a cold."

Were these originally meant for me?

She hadn't expected the other person to notice, and she whispered, "Thank you."

Kurokawa simply nodded and said nothing.

Xun held the warm teacup, feeling the warmth on her fingertips. She obediently took out the pills, swallowed them with water, and then sipped the calming tea.

A delicate floral fragrance and a hint of sweetness melt on the tip of the tongue, and the tense nerves seem to relax a little.

This is her favorite flavor.

At this moment, Kurokawa spoke again, his tone calm: "Your clothes will take a while to dry. You can take a look around the factory. Maybe it will help you understand your sister's work better."

The company's most confidential vengeful spirits have already been shown to her, so there's nothing else that can't be shown to her.

If he could completely put her at ease, Kurokawa wouldn't mind if she took a look around.

Xun held the teacup and gave a soft "hmm," but didn't move.

Even though that's what they said, a normal person...wouldn't actually wander around in an unfamiliar place, right?

She remained seated, her gaze unconsciously sweeping across her surroundings.

There were some odds and ends and reference books piled on the low cabinet next to the sofa.

Suddenly, her gaze fixed on the cabinet.

Below the calendar was a black hard-shell certificate with slightly worn edges.

On the cover, the gold-embossed badge and lettering are clearly visible in the center.

University of Tokyo

A Record of My Doctoral Degree

Xun thought she was seeing things.

She carefully pulled out the certificate that had been pressed under the old calendar.

Turn it over.

Inside the page, in the name section, is clearly printed "[Kurokawa Yoru]".

Degree awarded: Doctor of Science (Materials Science).

Awarding institution: University of Tokyo.

The date is one year ago.

She froze, her fingers unconsciously tracing the gold-embossed school badge.

This is real!

"You…" She looked up, her voice filled with disbelief and astonishment, "A PhD from the University of Tokyo?"

Kurokawa finally turned her chair away from the screen and glanced at the certificate in her hand.

"Oh." He said casually, as if talking about something insignificant. "So there's such a thing."

This thing?!

Xun stared wide-eyed.

For a student like her, a degree from the University of Tokyo is the unattainable pinnacle of a pyramid.

Yet it was so casually placed under clutter.

Kurokawa wasn't deliberately trying to seduce Versailles.

Rather, he had genuinely forgotten some things.

Reborn, everything from his past life, including his doctoral certificate, was an old relic from fifteen or sixteen years ago.

Whether glorious or arduous, all has faded into a thin layer of dust in the corner of memory.

"How old are you this year?" Xun couldn't help but ask.

"24," Kurokawa answered crisply.

"A 24-year-old...a PhD in materials science from the University of Tokyo?! How is that possible?" Kaoru exclaimed in disbelief.

"I got in when I was 14 and graduated when I was 23," Kurokawa said, turning around.

14 years old... admitted to the University of Tokyo?

Xun sat there blankly, her mind buzzing.

The way he looked at Kurokawa completely changed.

The fear faded, replaced by a mixture of awe and... indescribable reverence.

genius.

A true genius.

Her gaze swept over the quiet, efficient, and flexible puppets in the workshop once again.

A thought flashed through my mind like lightning.

"These...dolls," she said softly, tentatively, "were they also...designed and made by you?"

Kurokawa paused for a moment as he typed on the keyboard.

The doll's core technology was a gift from the Golden Finger.

However, the optimization of the blueprint, the actual manufacturing and improvement... are all thanks to the equipment from the previous generation.

Rounding down, it wouldn't be wrong to call it his work.

"I guess so," he gave a vague answer.

Xun's eyes lit up.

The last trace of doubt and hostility in my heart quietly crumbled in the face of this answer.

Instead, there was a deeper sense of shame.

She stood up and bowed deeply, a perfect ninety-degree angle.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Kurokawa!" Her voice trembled slightly, but was incredibly clear. "I sincerely apologize for my foolish misunderstanding and impulsive behavior... for mistaking you for a liar... I... I'm so ashamed!"

Kurokawa looked at the girl's tense nape and her fingertips, which were white from exertion.

"It's nothing." His tone remained calm. "Your concern for your sister was well-intentioned. It's just that your methods were wrong. And you... have learned your lesson."

He was referring to the unbearable "punishment" in the internment area.

Xun straightened up, her cheeks slightly flushed, but her eyes were much clearer.

Unbeknownst to her, her fear of the factory and the man had quietly transformed into a complex sense of security tinged with awe.

She took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind, and began to tell Kurokawa the truth.

"Actually..." her voice lowered, "My sister went to Yagi Heavy Industries to apply for a combatant position... I found that recruitment ad online and then told her about it."

Kurokawa's hands stopped moving completely.

He turned his chair around to face Xun directly.

Xun lowered her eyes and continued.

"My older sister... has been fascinated by magical girls since she was little. She has always dreamed of it and never given up."

"I didn't want her to take any risks... so I was thinking of finding her a legitimate job in the 'security' field, which might be able to distract her."

"I deliberately chose a job posting with a vague description but a high salary, a job that clearly had hidden issues, and asked her to give it a try... I thought she would be rejected..."

She gave a wry smile: "I never expected... she actually got accepted. And then... I met you."

Kurokawa remained silent.

It turned out to be the case.

Behind Chika's confused yet enthusiastic job application, there is a meticulous mastermind behind it all.

Moreover, Kaoru's plan could have succeeded, because he hadn't initially intended to take Chika in.

Chinatsu's initial interview was indeed quite terrible. She would definitely be rejected if she went to Yagi Heavy Industries, without any surprises.

He wouldn't have let Chinatsu join the company if he hadn't needed to complete the manual task in the first place.

"Sister, she's here," Xun looked up, her beautiful eyes filled with barely concealed worry, "How's her work performance...?"

"Very good." Kurokawa's reply was concise and affirmative. "Your sister has amazing talent. She was an indispensable help on both missions."

Xun's lips curved slightly, a pure joy at her sister being recognized.

But soon, the smile was replaced by a deeper solemnity.

She unconsciously gripped the teacup tighter with both hands.

Her gaze toward Kurokawa was filled with pleading and determination.

"Mr. Kurokawa... could you... allow my sister to resign?"

She paused, then quickly added, "Regarding the penalty for breach of contract... I don't have that much money right now. But I can assure you that I will definitely find a way to repay you in the future! I'll work, or... after I get into university and start working..."

Her voice gradually lowered, her confidence waning, yet she stubbornly gazed at Kurokawa, awaiting a verdict.

Kurokawa understood the girl's thoughts.

Who wouldn't worry when their loved ones are fighting for their lives against those terrifying monsters every day?

This is human nature.

He sighed softly.

"Chika has helped me a lot and has also generated... considerable profits for the company." He carefully chose his words. "If she insists on leaving, I will not ask for any additional penalty except for the 50,000 yen deposit, which cannot be refunded."

A look of surprise flashed across Xun's face: "Then..."

"But," Kurokawa interrupted her, changing the subject, "have you ever seen Chinatsu in battle?"

Xun was taken aback, then shook her head: "No...no."

How could she have seen it before?

"Alright then." Kurokawa proposed a compromise. "Three days from now. Come early, get to the factory before Chika. I'll let you see for yourself your sister undergoing training, even simulating combat."

He paused, his tone calm yet authoritative: "After you've read it, talk to her again. If she still wants to leave by then, I'll immediately process her normal resignation."

"Three days later..." Xun repeated softly.

"Yes. The training ground will be completed in three days." Kurokawa nodded. "Anyway, it's only three days. During this time, she won't have any field missions. You don't need to worry too much."

Xun remained silent for a few seconds, unable to find a reason to refuse.

She bowed slightly and thanked him again solemnly: "I understand. Thank you very much, Mr. Kurokawa. I will be there on time in three days."

The matter has been temporarily settled.

While waiting for the clothes to dry, this usually aloof and reserved girl seemed to lower some of her guard and quietly started talking.

She began to ask simple questions in a low voice about the factory, about how the puppets worked, and even about materials science.

His posture remained upright, but his eyes held a newfound, pure curiosity.

Kurokawa responded intermittently, his fingers never ceasing their tapping on the keyboard.

He wasn't just being perfunctory; he simply didn't have time for a deep conversation with her at the moment.

He has very important things to do tonight.

Night was falling.

After the clothes were dried, Xun changed back into her neat school uniform.

Kurokawa personally drove her to the street corner some distance from her home, just like he had done with Chinatsu before.

After watching the girl's figure disappear around the corner of the residential building, Kurokawa turned the car around and returned to the factory in the suburbs.

My phone vibrated as soon as the car came to a stop.

A number that wasn't saved called.

connected.

"Mr. President."

The voice coming from the receiver was deep and capable, with the directness of a soldier and a hint of barely perceptible tension.

It's Jin Kanzaki.

"We meet again," Kanzaki's voice continued, the background quiet. "I have arrived at the location you specified. You said before... that as long as I complete the 'test mission,' you can heal my eye injury."

He paused for half a second, his voice lowered, emphasizing each word:

Is that true?