Tokyo: Magical Girl Shatters My Dream of Going Public

"I'm here for a part-time job interview! My name is Suzukawa Chinatsu, nice to meet you... um...!"

Who?

Kurokawa looked at the girl who had suddenly appeared at the factory gate with a puzzled expression.

She has short, honey-brown hair with naturally curled ends. A strand of hair on the right side is highlighted with a warm, bright orange. The most eye-catching feature is the single tuft of hair on the top of her head, which looks like a dog's tail and is currently sweeping back and forth nervously.

That ahoge (cowlick).....

Is it because of the wind? Or is it driven by magic?

I can't figure out the principle behind it at all....

Let's look at the girl's clothes.

Because it was still spring, the school uniform was still long-sleeved, with the sleeves hanging down naturally, covering the back of her hands.

Beneath a miniskirt that reached mid-thigh, mid-calf stockings encased her shapely calves.

But perhaps due to her clothing style, the girl's left sock had slipped down to her ankle, and she seemed unaware of it.

He was wearing a pair of slightly dirty sneakers, making it look like he had just run a long distance.

"The applicant?"

Kurokawa does not recall posting any job advertisement.

Could it be... a job posting he made before? But he forgot?

After all, it happened fifteen years ago. Unless it was something particularly important, who would remember it so clearly?

Kurokawa looked the girl, who was only 1.5 meters tall, up and down, and asked with a puzzled expression, "What position are you applying for?"

A hint of nervousness flashed deep in Chika's eyes: "I'm here to apply for a combatant position!"

Combatant?

This surprised Kurokawa even more.

Even if I wanted to recruit people before, I wouldn't recruit combatants.

At that point in time, we simply didn't have the capability to mass-produce combat suits.

He seemed to notice the obvious confusion on Kurokawa's face.

Chika gripped her backpack straps tightly and hurriedly asked, "Excuse me, is this Yagi Heavy Industries? I saw the job posting online."

Yaqi Heavy Industries?

In an instant, all the doubts were resolved.

Just because they don't recruit combatants doesn't mean that Orochi Heavy Industries, which already knew about the existence of magic, doesn't recruit combatants.

They have the ability and the need.

Moreover, the headquarters of Yagi Heavy Industries is right next to his factory, about a 30-minute bike ride away.

that is......

Just how directionally challenged must this girl be to have found her way here...?

Chinatsu wasn't really stupid; she noticed Kurokawa's expression and realized she might have really gone to the wrong place.

"I think I've come to the wrong place... Sorry to bother you!"

With that, Chika prepared to turn and leave.

Kurokawa quickly called out to the man, "Wait! I do indeed need to recruit combatants."

Those who dare to apply for combatant positions at Yagi Heavy Industries must have excellent qualifications. If they can stay, it will definitely benefit the future development of the group.

Moreover, one of the manual's operational tasks was to have him recruit an employee.

Let's try an interview first.

If someone is truly incompetent, they can be dismissed after receiving the reward.

"Come in, I'll give you a quick interview."

Kurokawa took off his work gloves, picked up his teacup, took a sip of water to moisten his throat, and prepared for a simple interview.

Finally granted permission, Chika entered the factory and curiously looked around at everything inside.

When she saw the huge printing equipment, the purpose of which she didn't know, she just exclaimed in amazement, her eyes filled with undisguised curiosity.

Judging from the looks of it, they clearly believe that this is Yagi Heavy Industries.

Approaching Kurokawa, she excitedly pointed at the combat suit hanging on the wall and asked questions.

"Excuse me! Is this the standard combat uniform for the company's combatants?!"

"?"

Kurokawa silently watched the girl, whose emotions were written all over her face, without saying a word.

I could feel the pressure in Kurokawa's eyes.

Chika blushed and lowered her head to apologize, "I'm sorry... It's the first time I've seen such a cool combat suit, so I was a little... out of control!"

"..."

Kurokawa glanced at the work he had created himself.

This girl, at least, seems interested in technology like combat suits, which is acceptable.

Kurokawa chuckled lightly twice and, without wasting any time, asked a few simple interview questions.

Have you studied any martial arts before?

"Martial arts? I learned judo for a week when I was in elementary school, does that count?"

"?"

"If you haven't learned martial arts, you should at least have shooting experience, right?"

"When I was a kid, I participated in target practice at a temple fair. Did shooting down a teddy bear with three shots count...?"

"?"

"You have no experience in combat or shooting, so have you ever participated in any clubs or organizations?"

Chika shook her head again: "I'm now in the Homecoming Club. I did participate in the track and field club a year ago, but I don't participate anymore."

"?"

real or fake?

With qualifications like that, he dared to apply for a combatant position at Yagi Heavy Industries?

Kurokawa was momentarily unsure whether the girl in front of him was joking or genuinely that confident.

"Your qualifications..."

To be honest, the girl in front of me is not qualified at all.

Go find a homeless man on the roadside; his fighting ability is probably two to three times that of the girl in front of you.

"I can learn!" Seeing that she was about to be eliminated, Qianxia hurriedly added, her amber eyes almost overflowing with seriousness.

Afraid that Kurokawa wouldn't notice her seriousness, she took two small steps closer.

I tried to stand on my tiptoes, wanting to make myself look taller.

"....."

There's no problem with their enthusiasm...

Kurokawa pondered for a moment before asking the crucial question.

"Can you tell me why you're applying to be a combatant? It's so rare to see a student like you applying. Do you have a gambling father, a sick mother, or a young brother?"

Being a combatant is not a good job; you can die at any time.

"A gambler... what?"

Chinatsu blinked, clearly not understanding what Kurokawa meant, but it sounded like he was asking about her family situation, so she replied.

"I don't have a younger brother, but I do have a very outstanding younger sister. As for why I'm applying for this job..."

Qianxia remained silent for a moment, her fair face gradually becoming serious.

Seemingly finding it difficult to speak, she paused for four or five seconds before asking seriously.

"Do you believe in magical girls and ghosts?"

"oh?"

Hearing the words "magical girl" from the interviewee was quite a surprise to Kurokawa.

"You might not believe it, but I've actually seen magical girls before!"

It seemed she had mentioned it to others before, but no one ever believed her relationship. Before Kurokawa could say anything, Chinatsu almost instinctively kept making assurances.

"Please believe me, I really did see a magical girl, right on a shopping street. I, I..."

Kurokawa raised his hand to interrupt the other person's explanation.

"Don't worry, I don't distrust you. Could you give me a detailed description of when, where, and what physical characteristics you saw this person?"

This was the second time someone had asked her in detail, and Qianxia suddenly felt a little touched.

The last time someone asked her in detail was by her younger sister.

"Three years ago, I saw a magical girl in the shopping district of Bunkyo Ward. That magical girl was wearing a golden tutu, and her hair was..."

Chinatsu is trying her best to describe the other person's physical features.

As Kurokawa listened, he already had someone in mind.

He interrupted Chika's description again, asking directly, "Was that magical girl very fast? Also, did you see lightning-like patterns on her thighs?"

Chika's eyes widened instantly.

"How do you know all this!"

Kurokawa fell silent.

It really is her, the magical girl [Tensen].

Magical girls [Hiyō] and [Hakuhana] are his greatest enemies, but [Tenshō] is no less formidable; she played a part in destroying his company in his previous life.

A ruthless glint flashed in Kurokawa's eyes, but his expression remained largely unchanged as he calmly spoke.

"I've met the other person before."

"You've met her?" Qianxia asked, as if she had found a kindred spirit, launching into a barrage of questions, "Where did you meet her? Are you friends in real life? Is she an exceptionally outstanding woman?"

An exceptionally outstanding woman?

Kurokawa raised an eyebrow.

But no one stipulates that all magical girls must be academically excellent women.

Moreover, he had investigated the selection mechanism for magical girls extensively in his previous life but had not found the truth.

This seems to be a top secret among magical girls.

The only thing he knew was that one of the important criteria for becoming a magical girl seemed to be the amount of magic power within one's body.

As for ability, experience, and even morality, none of these are taken into consideration.

"Sorry... I got too excited again..."

Chinatsu's apology pulled Kurokawa back from his memories.

"I didn't expect that anyone other than me had seen a magical girl, and then suddenly asked you a whole bunch of questions."

Kurokawa didn't hear what the other person had just asked.

But none of that matters anymore.

Having encountered magical girls and magical vengeful spirits, she also wants to apply for a combatant position.

This aspiration and courage alone already puts them ahead of many others.

This job is impossible to do without immense passion.

As for the strength of their abilities, there are opportunities to cultivate them in the future. Even children can have a certain combat ability simply by wearing a magic-powered combat suit.

Kurokawa decided to give the other party a chance.

"It's okay. As long as you join my company, you'll definitely have a chance to see her again in the future."

Kurokawa did not shatter the girl's beautiful fantasy.

Sometimes, protecting a child's aspirations is also an adult's responsibility.

"One last question, are you over 18?"

"I took a year off from school for some personal reasons, and I'm now 18!"

As she spoke, Chinatsu handed her student ID to Kurokawa.

Confirm that the other party is indeed over 18 years old.

Kurokawa returned the student ID to the other person and said, "Very good. Come to my factory again at this time tomorrow. I'll take you on your first mission. After the mission, you can decide whether to stay or leave."

"yes!"

Watch Qianxia go.

Kurokawa's gaze gradually darkened.

He wasted no time and began working on the final finishing touches.

It was 11:55 p.m., five minutes before the containment mission refreshed.

Kurokawa finally looked at the three containment missions listed in the manual.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Containment Missions (Refreshes weekly; please choose one of three to complete)

1. Can you hear the sound of running deep underground? (Easy)

2. The head hanging from the top of the tower seems to be saying something. (General)

3. She could no longer be contained within the old school building. (Nightmare)

(Note: Some containment missions are extremely dangerous; please choose carefully.)

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Without much hesitation, Kurokawa accepted his first simple task.

He's currently wearing a standard combat suit that doesn't even qualify as magical technology. To attempt a normal, or even a nightmare, mission would be pure suicide.

Even with this simple task, he wasn't entirely confident of success.

Once the mission is accepted, the three containment missions disappear, replaced by a simple mission description.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

[Class F Containment Mission: It runs underground, guarding...]

[Mission Location: Please proceed to Akabane Iwabuchi Station]

[Mission Requirement: Please contain the vengeful spirit before 4:0 on April 20, 2023. Otherwise, you will never be able to contain this vengeful spirit.]

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Akabane Iwabuchi Station? I remember it was sealed off due to a disaster about a year ago and hasn't been rebuilt yet. Could it be that a magical vengeful spirit has been born there?"

Kurokawa had no memory of the location of this mission.

The past life should have been resolved by someone else, such as a magical girl.

"Completing containment within a day... that's a bit tight..."