This is an emergency.

Yukieda’s eyes snapped to Mai. He gave her a firm nod. Old Man and Shizuku still hadn’t grasped what was happening… No time to wait.

“Um… My stomach! It hurts! Sorry—I need to step out! Mr. Keisuke!”

Yukieda shot up and jogged out of the steaming room, leaving a bewildered Keisuke and Shizuku behind.

*Did she drink too much milk?*

*Beep beep.* Her terminal vibrated. A new message—from Mai. He’d be right there.

She didn’t reply. While sprinting, she transformed. Leaping rooftop to rooftop like a ninja, each bound covered massive distance with unnaturally long hang time.

Though not yet late, citizens spotted a white blur flashing past. Whispers spread—*Something’s wrong?*

This was an emergency: no sirens. No warning.

Wind roared in her ears. Her costume whipped like a banner. Glancing at the address, a chill shot through Yukieda.

The incident site was near Ryozo Station—*right by her home*. What if Shizuku hadn’t gone out today? What if something happened to her?

She dared not think it.

Outpacing birds, Yukieda reached the scene in moments.

Police cars blocked the road. Officers evacuated residents. Mask secured, her earpiece crackled to life.

“There she is!” Officers on perimeter duty spotted the costumed girl moving against the flow.

The evacuees noticed too. A child pointed, eyes bright. “Mom! A Magical Girl!”

For many, this was their first—and maybe only—close encounter with a Magical Girl.

The parent quickly pulled the child away, offering Yukieda an apologetic glance.

“Do your best! Beat that monster!”

Cheers rose from the crowd. Yukieda stayed silent, but the weight on her shoulders felt heavier.

*Everyone’s counting on me… Can I really do this?*

“ID!”

Even with her unmistakable presence, the officer checked her credentials.

“Go ahead! Our team’s inside. We’re counting on you!”

“Good luck!”

Unlike civilians, the officers’ faces held only grim resolve. Yukieda waved and dashed inward.

“Codename Squirrel? So it’s a kid this time?”

“Looks even frailer than the last lead. Can someone this small handle Hakutsuru District?”

“The last one seemed strong too… lasted two years before she died.”

Two young officers lit cigarettes.

“Quiet,” an older officer cut in, hand outstretched. “Last time? *She* cleared the mission brilliantly. Pass me one.”

Leaning on the patrol car, he smoked silently. *Not confident either,* he thought. *But if cops show fear, what hope for the public?*

*Sigh. Monsters men can’t beat… left to a girl. Two more years. Then retire.*

This should’ve been dinner time—men with beer, kids watching TV.

Now, families fled in thin clothes, herded by urgency.

Gunfire.

Rapid gunfire.

Tires screeching.

Magic gathered in Yukieda’s palm. A white glow flared—a Western-style pistol materialized.

She raced toward the chaos. A police assault vehicle swerved wildly. A special forces officer leaned from the passenger window, firing backward.

Something was chasing them!

“Mayday! The monster’s on us! Civilians onboard!”

The man’s voice cracked. Command Center replied, calm: “Special forces en route. Hold on!”

“I don’t see her! Where is she? Hurry up!” Panic crackled over the radio.

Muzzle flash. Shell casings clattered across the floor. *Click.* He slammed in a fresh mag, cursing. Rage on his face—but fear deep in his eyes.

*That thing isn’t human.*

He leaned out again. Nothing.

*Giving up?* His body loosened slightly.

“Captain!” the driver yelled.

He turned.

The monster stood before the vehicle.

Gaunt. Pitch-black. Arms dragging the asphalt. Legs absurdly short.

The driver swerved, brakes screamed—too late. The vehicle flipped sideways. Cries erupted from the rear compartment.

It lifted, then slammed down.

The officer released the trigger. Shock froze his face.

*If it flips here—*

“Hold on!”

*BOOM!*

A colossal force halted the vehicle. Occupants jolted, then dropped.

The captain stared.

Yukieda stood firm before the wreck.

“Sorry! Get out—now!”

She kicked the driver’s door open. They scrambled out, yanking at the crumpled rear door. Jammed.

“Stand back.”

Her slender arm shot out. Metal shrieked. She tore the reinforced door off like fabric.

*Bulletproof steel… ripped barehanded?*

Inside: four young special forces recruits, pale but gripping rifles tight. Four civilians. One unconscious, bleeding.

*He needs help. Now.*

“You—get them to the building. I’ll—”

A cold prickle at her neck. She dodged.

A jagged gash split the vehicle’s side. *Like a can opener.*

*This Demon… isn’t like the last.*

“I’ll draw it!”

She fired and leaped. The monster pivoted—chasing her.

*Reliable.* Everyone thought it. Young, yes—but steady.

Their unit was evacuation detail. Collided with the monster by chance. No wonder the squad leader was bitter.

Without her? That strike would’ve killed them.

He barked orders: “Get civilians inside!” Glancing back, he saw her skirt flutter mid-dodge—graceful as a dancer.

*Codename Squirrel… I’ll thank her someday.*

(Yukieda would’ve laughed. *It’s the outfit. Anyone in this flashy getup looks elegant.*)

Deserted street.

“Hah… hah…”

Her chest heaved.

The monster had gone frenzied the moment it saw her.

Arms a blur. Stub-legged but *fast*—slithering, not running.

*Whoosh—* A black whip lashed toward her.

Eyes wide, she tilted her head slightly.

The newsstand behind her exploded. Paper snowed into the night.

“I… want you!”

A guttural, beastly roar.

*Does it even have sanity?*

No pause. The arm swung back—slower this time.

Yukieda pushed off her toes, vaulting clear. The limb scraped asphalt raw, exposing dirt.

Panting hard.

*Next time… will I dodge?*

Scary. Not like the first time—but still terrifying.

*They see me as a savior. But I’m just… ordinary.*

Magic drained with every move. Sweat chilled her skin.

Shots fired—dodged effortlessly. The Demon never tired.

But Yukieda noticed: when it swung its arms, its core froze.

*Now!*

Dodging the whip, she leaped to a rooftop. Crouched low.

Wind rushed under her skirt.

Fingers tightened on the trigger. White light bloomed in the barrel.

Her voice cut the night:

“RAPID FIRE!”

Consecutive blasts erupted. Smoke billowed.

Panting, Yukieda stared into the haze—hope burning in her eyes.