After a day of intense and stimulating cram sessions,

Yukieda pulled a pack of cookies from her luggage. Under Shizuku and Mari’s incredulous stares, she calmly divided them among everyone.

Seeing Yukieda’s indifferent expression, their concern deepened instantly.

*Did her confession fail? Or did she come to her senses?*

It had to be the latter. Shizuku and Mari both thought—unless someone was blind, who could possibly reject Yukieda?

Top grades, domestic skills, pure-hearted, and stunningly beautiful. Sure, her chest was modest and limbs slender—but her legs and hips held a soft, pleasing curve.

Mari shot Shizuku a horrified look.

“How do you know *that*?”

“Ahem… I helped her wash her back once.”

Mari fell silent.

If it wasn’t rejection, then Yukieda must have made peace with it.

Shizuku and Mari clapped hands right before Yukieda.

Yukieda blinked, utterly confused.

The cookies vanished quickly.

Mai already knew about last night—and that Yukieda was being eroded by magic.

Yukieda hadn’t hidden it, though Master Dai warned her to keep it quiet.

Mai gazed at her, worry etched deep.

Yukieda smiled gently. “It’s fine. Master Dai said as long as I don’t use my second weapon, nothing will happen.”

Seeing Mai’s unease linger, she added lightly, “If I turn into a Witch… go easy on me, Mai?”

“If Master Dai says so…” Mai shifted topics, avoiding the tension. “So… are you giving up?”

Then he saw it—the unwavering resolve glowing in Yukieda’s golden eyes.

“I’ll visit Master Dai again tonight.”

*Just like her.*

—

Night fell.

Yukieda glanced at the sleeping Shizuku and Mari, voice hushed with worry.

“That thing… no side effects?”

“None. I reduced the dosage this time.”

Yukieda nodded, transformed before Mai’s eyes, and said, “I’ll leave things to you.”

With a dancer’s grace, she leaped from the window—silver light trailing as she bounded between rooftops.

The penthouse balcony drew near.

“Master Dai, I’m here—”

A sharp pain exploded in her skull. Her body spiraled downward.

Dazed, she glimpsed crimson ripples in the air above. Master Dai’s voice echoed:

“Use the front door.”

*Some kind of barrier.*

Mai blinked as Yukieda reappeared moments later.

“Done already?”

“No. Climbing windows feels… impolite. Proper entrance is better.”

Yukieda reverted, changed into her uniform, rode the elevator up. The black-suited guard stepped aside—clearly notified.

She knocked politely.

The door slid open on its own. Eerie.

*Why does Master Dai hate lights…?* Steeling herself, Yukieda stepped in.

“You’ve come, white-haired Magical Girl.”

Moonlight bathed Master Dai seated on the balcony ledge, chin on knees, one bare leg dangling. Her crimson nightgown clung like temptation. Barefoot, just like Yukieda.

Wind tousled her black hair. Yukieda stood in shadow—only her golden eyes gleamed.

“Yes, Master Dai. I… sincerely beg you to revoke the curse.” Yukieda bowed her head.

Master Dai gazed at the moon, then back at her, chin propped on palm.

“Traffic lights?”

“Rules are meant to be broken.”

Yukieda’s voice held firm. A flicker of red flashed in Master Dai’s eyes.

“Ordinary reasons won’t work. Tell me—does casting or revoking my curse cost magic?”

Yukieda thought carefully. *Of course it does.*

“Yes.”

“Then why should I spend my magic… for you?”

Wind swept stray strands across Master Dai’s face. She tucked them behind her ear, waiting.

Yukieda had imagined it’d be as simple as “pass me that.” It wasn’t.

“B-because… you ate my cookies last night!”

Her heart hammered. *Will this work?*

Master Dai let out a soft laugh. “Even if I ate one cookie… that price is far too low.”

*Price.*

Hope sparked. Yukieda whispered, “How can I help you, Master Dai?”

“Help? Anything you can do… I can do too.”

Yukieda’s eyes dimmed.

“But.”

Yukieda lifted her gaze. Master Dai’s stare traced her like a tongue—lingering on her chest, then settling on her face.

Yukieda’s throat tightened. *Mai mentioned… Master Dai confessed to his sister? Does that mean…?*

Master Dai dropped beside her, slender fingers lifting Yukieda’s chin. A soft inhale at her neck.

Yukieda trembled but stayed still.

*I must confess to Shizuku.*

A warm breath brushed her ear. Her knees nearly buckled.

“Play with me properly. Use every skill you have… to make me happy. Then I’ll consider it.”

Yukieda nodded.

Windows and doors slammed shut—as if sealed by unseen hands. Even moonlight vanished.

—

At the foot of Maple Mountain, lanterns glowed for the approaching Lunar New Year.

Yet shadows clung to narrow alleys.

A ragged man sprinted, pursued by thugs wielding pipes and bats.

“Stop, you bastard!”

Moonlight caught his gaunt, gasping face—but his eyes feared the darkness ahead more than his chasers.

“Catch you? We’ll break your legs!”

He halted.

The gang leader sneered—then froze. A hooded figure stood beside the man, robe swallowing all shape.

“Who the hell are you? Scram!”

“I promised to resolve his trouble.”

A gentle female voice. Beautiful, even unseen.

The ragged man shook violently.

“Anime fan? Chuunibyou?” Laughter erupted.

“M-Master… I brought them. Can I go?” he begged.

“I keep my word. Leave.”

As he stumbled away, the thugs lunged—

—tentacles shot from the robe. Suckered, serpentine. They stuffed mouths, swelled inward.

Blood and bile flooded the air. The men collapsed, eyes dangling, alive but broken.

“I saw nothing! Please—!” the man croaked.

“Then why linger?”

He scrambled out, sobbing with relief. *She spared me. I’ll change. I’ll repay everything.*

He even laughed—until he flew upward.

Saw his own body gushing like a fountain.

And a Magical Girl in elegant battle gown, blade gleaming under the moon.