Regarding the fact that my best friend is a magical girl

Metal took the pseudo-factor from Seruno and examined it closely, not minding the dirt.

"It was probably tracked by the association's drones and then dropped off when it passed by here... No, it might have been given to this dog... given to the Golden Ship to bring over. If it came back now, it might expose my identity, so I ran away for that reason, right?"

A reasonable analysis.

"That guy runs very fast and can easily outrun the drone, so I don't think there's anything to worry about."

Moreover, they are incredibly resilient, giving the impression that they would crawl out of the ruins even in the face of the apocalypse.

Metal added, "However, my repair fee won't be that cheap. After all, there are so many pseudo-factors that they're practically worthless! I might consider it if it's his own..."

"Do not."

I interrupted Metal.

“The mimicry factors of other freaks can expand his abilities. He made a great decision to entrust this to you.”

"Really?"

Hearing this, Metall put the pseudo-factor into his pocket.

"Then I'll take it for now and sell it to him next time he comes."

Are you a demon?

------

"Oh dear, it's already midnight."

On the taxi ride home, I glanced at the time.

"Wang!"

Gold and Serino sat in the back row, the latter holding the dog and looking very sleepy.

"Are you tired? You have a press conference to attend tomorrow, go home and get some sleep."

"Mmm."

The only response I received was a dreamlike snoring.

I took out my phone and started looking through the battle log of ui-31. There wasn't much to see in the process. It was a one-sided crushing victory, so there was nothing to learn from it. The main thing was the evaluation: what kind of reaction would this being, who was not a magical girl at all and was more like a monster, cause on the internet?

"..."

【Dark Hero】.

That's what ui-31 was called.

I admit that his mechanical-style armor is indeed very cool, but it is still unexpected that there are no negative comments at all. Don't people have any doubts?

The scene of him extracting the mimic factor from the Minotaur's body was also captured on camera. The association, which usually cuts off the live broadcast when the monster falls, chose to live-stream tracking ui-31 this time, contrary to its usual practice. The latter did not damage the drone, but quickly fled the scene and disappeared into the complex terrain of the factory area under the cover of night.

The video's views increased at a visible rate, and its unique style, different from that of a magical girl, brought it popularity. If it really is a mole sent by the other side, things are getting a bit complicated.

That's right, I still can't completely trust that guy.

Perhaps we should find a way to test him.

We must ascertain whether he is truly on the side of humanity, or a spy planted by the other side. After all, he calls Seruno a princess. If his target is Seruno, I must proceed with caution.

The taxi drove up to the high-rise apartment building.

"Dummy, wake up, we're home."

"Wang."

The Golden Ship, which had dutifully served as a pillow the whole way, now raised its head to pay homage to Seruno, who was lying on its back.

"Huh? Oh."

"I know you're tired, but you should still take a shower when you get back."

"Um, Yezi, don't treat me like a child."

After helping the swaying Seruno back home, it was almost 1 a.m. For a soon-to-be idol who had a public event the next day, not being asleep was really inappropriate.

Even so, I still need to take a shower first. It's so convenient that magical girls don't need to carry any clothes. I just pushed her into the bathroom and that was it.

"Hurry up and wash, don't fall asleep in there."

"Know it!"

I had just closed the door when I received a phone call... at this hour of the dead?

Jira Kidman.

Our translator guide in Hawaii, who is also one of the local Hawaiian magical girls, said she wanted to come to Changkong City to develop her career, so we exchanged phone numbers at the dinner table beforehand.

I glanced into the bathroom, confirmed the sound of water inside, ran to the guest room, locked the door, and only answered the phone after transforming into Miluno.

I cut to the chase and asked, "...Do you know what time it is here?"

"It's probably midnight? It's only morning here, so please don't mind."

"So, you called from overseas because you've decided to come to Changkong City?"

"Yes! I'm checking in."

Why today of all days?

I asked, "Sirius is coming tomorrow too, can't you go through the wormhole with her?"

“I have a lot of luggage, so I can’t go through the wormhole. Besides, travel isn’t about the result. As a tour guide, I understand that very well.”

"But I have something very important to do tomorrow..."

Although I promised to host a welcome party for her, Serino's debut press conference was still more important.

wrong.

Judging by the time, she should have arrived at Changkong City International Airport at nine o'clock in the morning, while Sirius had scheduled Serino's press conference for one o'clock in the afternoon...

Four hours, which seems to allow for some flexibility.

"...I understand. I'll pick you up from the airport first thing tomorrow morning."

Chapter Twenty: Taking Yang Yan Out for a Breeze!

(Sun Yao)

"You can't get here until the afternoon? Why?"

The next morning, while I was having breakfast, Yezi told me this "bad news".

"I had other things to do this morning, sorry."

"...Then what should I do?"

Without Ye Zi, I'm worried I'll get stage fright at the press conference.

"Miss Yinlu will come to pick you up soon. Don't forget you are a magical girl. You will always have a more reliable contact person than me."

But all I want is for Yezi to stay by my side...

It would be a bit ambiguous to say it out loud, so I can only keep it to myself.

"Can you tell me? What are you going to do during the day?"

Ye Zi scratched her cheek and stammered, "If I had to say, I have a friend who has come from afar and I need to entertain him."

Friends who have come from afar?

I asked, "Is it some kind of online friend meetup?"

"Hmm? Yes, that's right, that's exactly it."

"...So, is this netizen male or female?"

Why are you getting nervous?

I didn't mean anything by it, I was just curious.

After all, I've never heard Yezi mention anything about online friends, so it's understandable that I want to know more details, right?

But Yezi shook her head and put her hand on my shoulder.

“Serno, these so-called online friends are like opening a blind box before you meet them in person… Even if someone claims to be a reliable middle-aged man online, he might be an underage girl in real life, and vice versa. Do you understand?”

Although I understand what he means, but...

"Is it really that outrageous?"

"Reality is just that absurd, but someone as handsome as me wouldn't be afraid to meet someone in person no matter what."

Even though I knew he was trying to ease the tension, I couldn't help but retort, "Ye Zi, you can be quite arrogant sometimes."

"I'll head out now. Remember to clean up the dishes after you finish eating. I promise I'll be there before the press conference starts."

"Okay then." My answer was somewhat reluctant.

Ye Zi patted my head and then went out to meet his mysterious online friend. Huang Jinhao looked up from the sofa, then lay back down to continue sleeping.

But... netizens?

I haven't completely cut off social interaction online, but I don't have any close friends I could meet in person.

Ultimately, "Sun Yao" is already socially dead. If fellow magical girl fans met me, they might just tear me apart.

"……Ugh."

I sighed, put the dishes in the kitchen sink, and just as I rolled up my sleeves, my phone rang at the most inopportune moment.

I wiped my hands, took it out, and saw that it was Miss Lu'er calling.

"Serno, we're downstairs! When can you come down?"

You can see the time on your phone.

It's only eight o'clock.

"So early? Isn't the press conference at 1 p.m.?"

"There are still many things to do when you get to the scene: rehearsals, makeup, script readings. Do you have the ability to sit down and answer reporters' questions?"

"No," was the immediate answer.