Episode 10 : Flip the friendship flag forward

"For the time being, you've done well. A herd of 60-sized critical beasts and two demon-class beasts...I'd like to think that with your efforts, the damage to the city area has been greatly suppressed."

　We quickly left the scene before the media and other people flocked to us and returned to our secret base, the maid cafe ``Maki-ya''.

　The post-mortem process is left entirely to the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces.

　Whether it's a special class magical girl or a third class magical girl sent to the front, when it comes to cleaning up the aftermath of the battle, it won't matter unless someone at the national level takes action, or rather, there's nothing we can do about it.

　It would be possible to cut the enemy into pieces, but that would be a pain to dispose of, and above all, the corpses of critical beasts that had reached their limit of activity would naturally disappear without being able to maintain their existence.

　When it comes to that, it doesn't make much of a difference whether you cut it into two pieces or cut it into small pieces.

　The problem is the collateral damage to the city caused by them and us going berserk.

"...I trying to limit the collateral damage as much as possible. I thought it was necessary to use 'Thunder Emperor Summoning'."

"I know, but, well...for now, I'll think of an excuse for the big guys. Saijo Chihaya."

"That's helpful."

　That's what it's like to do, after all. The store manager, also known as the colonel, exclaims, and there is something that could be called the sadness of a middle manager on his face, and it makes you realize that rising through the ranks isn't always a good thing.

　As your position rises, your enemies will no longer be limited to outsiders.

　There's a bug inside every organization. Whether you're a part-time worker, an office worker, a politician, or a soldier, middle management is a difficult position to be in, caught between both the top and bottom.

　However, if you ask me if it's easy on set, that's not the case at all.

　The rate of death in the line of duty for magical girls is relatively high despite their rarity.

　During this time, there are cases where people die after being given harsh missions, such as a third-class magical girl whose name I don't know who went on a power reconnaissance mission to Pig Sage and never returned home. For whatever reason, there are always going to be deaths.

　If that's the case, you might think that it would be fine if we special-class magical girls took on all the missions, but special-class magical girls are like the country's trump card, and from a meta point of view, when you die, you die. There is no difference.

　That's why, to be honest, the country wants to preserve it as much as possible, but the current situation where we are frequently dispatched is abnormal.

　Koyomi, who had been looking down, timidly raised her hand and asked the colonel, perhaps noticing the situation.

"...Um...uh...uh...recently, there have been...a lot of special state of emergencies declared..."

"That's right...the number and quality of the people who emerge from the 'hole' are higher than before. It's dangerous to think that the Pig Surge incident and this time are just a series of exceptions."

　While nodding, the colonel let out an incomprehensible groan.

"What do you mean?"

"As it stands now, anything I say is still just speculation on my part. Analysis data will probably come from MAGIA, so we need to carefully assess trends based on that... It's time. All you have to do is continue to fight with caution."

　Lazy and dodging Yukina's questions, the colonel exaggeratedly rolled his shoulders and put on a nihilistic smile.

　If we were to tell the truth, the invasion of critical beasts was not happening without any plan.

　Judging from the setting materials and the depiction in the game, they probably have intentions. It's just that we don't yet have enough data to make a judgment or prove it to be trusted.

　──To me and to the colonel.

"senior?"

　Hazuki, who had raised her eyebrows as if noticing the way I was looking down, looked into my eyes with a worried look on her face.

　I seemed to be somewhat irritated just a moment ago, but somehow I seems to have changed my mind quite quickly.

　If possible, it would be better to quickly reconcile with Koyomi, but this will probably be difficult until the end of the route.

　Is it because of the coercive forces in the world that are making this happen, or is the flow of history starting to go awry because an irregular like me has survived?

　Unfortunately, I don't know which one is correct.

　However, I answered Hazuki's question, hoping that if I was going to go crazy either way, I would be able to speed up reconciliation between the two of them.

"...It's just as Koyomi and the colonel said. The number and quality of the enemy has increased compared to before, so I think we need to remain vigilant as well."

"...I see, well...that's right. Well...I'm annoyed that the secret weapon got the better of me, but the response when I crushed the type gargoyle was clearly different."

　Hazuki exclaimed while biting her thumb nail.

　The girl named Hazuki Shinonome is honest with me, or rather with Chihaya Saijo.

　In fact, it wouldn't be strange for me, who is in charge of close range, to be jealous because my position is slightly overlapping. Well, I guess it can't be helped because of the circumstances.

"Isn't that what Senpai said? If it's too crunchy, you might get a hole in your stomach."

"You're too easygoing."

　Hazuki glared at Yukina, who had provoked her into making fun of her, and replied, her shoulders slumped in an air that was half angry and half disgusted.

　I guess it's not like they're carefree, but Yukina and Hazuki are close enough that they fight.

　It's not wrong to say that if you worry too much, you'll feel a pit in your stomach.

"Well, well... for now, would you like to take a shower? I was sweating a lot from the battle..."

　Perhaps she couldn't help but notice Koyomi's gaze moving back and forth between the two of them, and Mayu, who intervened with a wry smile, dropped such a bombshell.

"Well... Mayu might be right. Colonel, can I use the shower room?"

"I don't care."

"Thank you. Okay, let's go. Senpai, let's go too."

　Yukina wraps her arm around mine and gives me a mischievous smile.

"...Hmm. Won't Koyomi come too? When your sweat gets cold, it hurts your body too."

　Holding my breath, I took advantage of Yukina's suggestion and called out to Koyomi.

　The idea of ​​talking to someone naked is old-fashioned, but the more opportunities you have to open up to them, the better.

　At least we're friends, brought together for the same purpose. It would be inconvenient if it remained awkward.

"...Eh...? Ah, yes... I too, if you don't mind... uh..."

"Um, no problem. Isn't that so, Yukina?"

"Yes"

"Mayumo, I want to be with Koyomi-chan."

"...I understand. If it's a majority vote, I'll lose, right?"

　I'd like to tell Hazuki, who pouted her lips, that she shouldn't bend her belly button in the shower, but if she asked me if I wanted to take a shower with someone I don't get along with, I'd probably look sour, so I understand how she feels.

　Even so, it will be difficult to survive unless we build early relationships where we can protect each other, help each other, and trust each other with our backs.

　In the original story, Koyomi fought while feeling crushed by the guilt of letting Chihaya Saijo die because of her, but at least I'm still alive.

　No matter whether I tried to laugh or not to tell a lie, I decided to blow this hell away and survive, hoping that no one would be missing out.

　In that case, it wouldn't be a problem if one or two of the settlement flags were brought forward.

　In fact, I don't need to ask permission from anyone. I've managed to survive, and I intend to take advantage of my position as a reliable senior to proactively move things forward.

　Following the will of the people, we start walking from the backyard towards the underground changing room.

　Reconciliation between Hazuki and Koyomi. I wonder if this will be my next goal for the time being.

　With that in mind, I reached the changing room and took off my clothes with an empty mind.