Chapter 31: Unexpected Revelations and Secret Alliances

Of the three magical girls, two immediately pursued Kamen Rider Great Aum.

Yet, Ink Crystal, who should have been the most concerned about Kamen Rider’s identity, did not give chase.

She remained by Zhang Xiao’s side.

The young girl had not been truly devoured by the monster; rather, she had simply struggled to control herself.

Now, she slowly opened her eyes. “Aren’t you going to check it out? That so-called Kamen Rider?”

Ink Crystal shook her head. “I knew Magical Girl Emerald was here, which is why I brought you. But Amethyst also arrived very quickly. As for the Kamen Rider… he appeared with astonishing speed as well. For me, that’s enough. Both of their identities are questionable.”

Zhang Xiao’s words caught in her throat, then she swallowed them, opting to change the subject. “Still, it’s wonderful that this issue could be resolved today. I won’t be treated as a monster anymore, will I?”

“No, I will report this matter. The authorities should issue you a certificate or something. If you encounter any further difficulties, you can seek government assistance… or you can come to me.”

Ink Crystal wasn’t particularly keen on Zhang Xiao seeking her help.

The girl always struck her as cunning. Ink Crystal knew she herself was rather sly, but she preferred interacting with straightforward people like Teacher Lin.

Many often claimed that clever people always understood each other implicitly, but if forced to choose, clever people still favored honest ones.

In any case, He Yao personally did not care much for Zhang Xiao.

“I’ll escort you home!”

Zhang Xiao nodded.

Ink Crystal then carried Zhang Xiao back to her home, and in her identity as Ink Crystal, explained the situation to the family—that the monster had been vanquished.

“We are incredibly grateful, Magical Girl Ink Crystal!”

Having received their parents’ thanks, Ink Crystal offered no further explanations before flying away from the residence.

Truth be told, the ability for a magical girl to fly was quite convenient.

****

“Has Ink Crystal already left?”

“She’s likely gone to settle that girl.”

Amethyst spoke with a hint of exasperation. “What exactly is the deal with that Kamen Rider?”

“I heard he helped Ink Crystal defeat Snake Mask during the previous battle against the mask wearers. I had planned to inquire about Snake Mask’s situation, but I never expected him to show up again today…”

Emerald recounted the information she possessed. “It’s possible this person is watching Ink Crystal.”

“Are you saying a Kamen Rider has fixated on Ink Crystal, so he might appear wherever Ink Crystal does? What is this? Ink Crystal’s superfan? But she’s only just begun her activities.”

Amethyst analyzed the situation. “Does this imply that this Kamen Rider knows Ink Crystal’s true identity, or perhaps has a very close relationship with her—like a friend, or even more intimate—which is why he appears where she does?”

“But Ink Crystal is a magical girl. Would she have a monster friend?” Emerald sounded somewhat perplexed. “This might just be a coincidence. Besides, not all monsters necessarily pose a threat to society.”

“Historically, there have indeed been such cases, but as magical girls, we cannot be complacent. Even if the other party is genuinely a victim of a monster, we must ascertain their identity and monitor them to prevent them from harming society. That is the proper conduct for a magical girl.

As for whether this is a coincidence… the next time Ink Crystal engages in battle, I will secretly lie in wait and observe the situation. If the other party still appears, it will prove there is indeed some connection with Ink Crystal.”

She truly was an experienced senior.

Emerald couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion. In the realm of magical girl work, the disparity between herself and Amethyst was still too apparent. The resolve of a veteran magical girl was indeed different; a magical girl like herself, who had only been active for just over a year, had much to learn from these seniors.

Amethyst waved a hand. “Regardless, the monster situation has been resolved. Shall we all head back?”

“Yes, yes! See you next time, Senior Amethyst!”

Then, both of them took flight simultaneously.

They discovered they were heading in the exact same direction.

“…Hm?” Both uttered, their voices mingling.

Moments later, in the orphanage restroom, Liu Xingyue and Liu Yun exchanged glances.

Liu Yun’s expression was utterly bewildered. “You’re actually Magical Girl Emerald?”

“I never imagined that you, Teacher, were Magical Girl Amethyst… I should have realized it sooner. Last time, when you said Ye Liuyun would proctor, you were participating in a subjugation, weren’t you?”

“And you said you were sick and missed the exam because you were fighting too!”

Liu Yun immediately thought of something else. “He Yao was injured while helping Magical Girl Emerald subjugate a monster… Did he learn your identity then? Is that why you started dating?!”

Liu Xingyue nodded.

Liu Yun looked at Liu Xingyue in despair. “Then my request to you last time! Wasn’t that just ridiculous? You and He Yao aren’t even properly dating!”

“That’s not necessarily true.”

“Hm?”

“I think He Yao probably likes me.” Liu Xingyue hesitated. “Although it sounds a bit bad, He Yao used my secret as a magical girl to ‘threaten’ me into dating him.”

Liu Yun’s face changed dramatically. “What did you say?! He actually threatened you! I don’t recall having such a student under my guidance! I must correct him!”

Liu Xingyue held Liu Yun’s hand. “Teacher, don’t worry. While it sounds unpleasant, it’s subtly different. I don’t dislike it; in fact… I’m somewhat happy.”

“…Are you out of your mind?” Liu Yun now looked genuinely worried. “Liu Xingyue, you’re an excellent child. If you’re having any emotional issues, I suggest you talk to Teacher Lin Han to process your feelings. This is a very troubling sign.”

Her words were difficult to refute.

However, Liu Xingyue still explained, “Perhaps, I’ve actually always hoped someone would discover this secret. And while he claims to be threatening me, I know that even if I disagreed, he wouldn’t expose my secret. He Yao and Teacher Lin have a very good relationship, and since you, Teacher Liu, like Teacher Lin, you should trust Teacher Lin’s judgment.”

These words made Liu Yun blush slightly. “W-well, that’s one way to put it… So you believe He Yao still likes you, which is why he found ways to interact with you, and used the excuse of helping you cover up to date you?”

Liu Xingyue nodded.

“And you’re not resistant to this, which suggests you might have some affection for him too?”

At this, a faint blush finally appeared on Liu Xingyue’s face. “No matter which girl it is… when facing an unbeatable enemy, if a boy suddenly appears, clearly not powerful, but still fights for you without regard for his own life, there will always be some… emotional impact, right?”

“Ah… when you put it like that, yes, it’s true!”

Liu Yun imagined the scene: when she was about to be defeated by a monster, Teacher Lin would descend from the sky and protect her at all costs…

Ah!

How blissful that would be! If such a thing happened, she would die content right then and there!

“So, what does this make you two?”

“He Yao said we should see how things go. Since he knows my identity, if we both develop feelings for each other during our time together, then we’ll truly date. If not, we can break up whenever I no longer wish to be a magical girl.”

These young people today!

Liu Yun suddenly felt like she was the child in comparison. At least He Yao and Liu Xingyue had clearly defined their relationship, unlike herself, who didn’t even dare to confess to Teacher Lin. She hadn’t even managed to let Teacher Lin know she was a magical girl or involved in magical girl activities.

In contrast, He Yao and Liu Xingyue were already keeping each other’s secrets and providing cover.

“What do you think I should do next?”

“Should I lay everything out for Teacher Lin?”

The restroom was not an ideal place for serious discussions, yet Liu Xingyue and Liu Yun were deep in animated conversation.

****

He Yao lay on his bed, pondering. Magical Girl Amethyst—who was she? And Kamen Rider Great Aum—who was he?

It was possible that the orphanage was Kamen Rider Great Aum’s base. He himself might be a staff member there. Such a setup was common—protagonist-like figures often started as orphans.

Perhaps in the future, a series of stories would unfold concerning his background.

But setting that aside for now—what about Amethyst?

Only a few dozen people from his class were active at the orphanage today. He was a magical girl, Liu Xingyue was a magical girl, and there was still another hidden magical girl? Was the number of magical girls in this class somewhat excessive?

How many magical girls were there in the entirety of Clear Sky City?

Was there some inherent connection?

No, that wasn’t right.

He recalled the previous subjugation of the mask wearers.

Amethyst had appeared in that battle. If she were someone from their class, then on that day, she should have been absent from class, just like him and Liu Xingyue. Her exam score should have been zero.

But…

That wasn’t the case at all.

Did she possess some ability, similar to a clone?

No, there was one more person.

He remembered.

The one who had been missing from the very beginning.

Their teacher, the homeroom teacher of their class, Liu Yun.

He Yao gasped sharply.

Teacher Liu was almost thirty. Could she still be called a magical girl? A magical matron was more fitting…

Wait, if he, a man, could become a magical girl, then it wasn’t too outrageous for Teacher Liu to be one either. After all, despite the name ‘magical girl,’ it essentially represented the convergence of positive energy in the world.

Thinking this, he suddenly chuckled.

Did Teacher Lin know about this?

Transforming back into Magical Girl Ink Crystal, she snapped two rather provocative photos and sent them.

[Teacher Lin~ I fought a monster today~ Fought very hard~ Aren’t you going to praise me~?]