Voting Results
Translated by LyraDhani
Edited by LyraDhani
“Nice to et you. My na is Inaba from the Demonic Beast Counterasure Headquarters. Thank you for taking part in today’s interview.”
“I am Nanase Tsugumi. I am looking forward to work with you.”
A day after the incident – Tsugumi was in a reception room at the hospital, eting with governnt officials. Apart from Inaba, who was the main speaker, there was also a staff mber in charge of recording what Tsugumi had to say.
He had spoken with this governnt lady – Inaba – once before, as Hagakure Sakura, over the terminal. Since then, he hadn’t had a chance to talk to her because Bell didn’t lend the terminal, but it was a little surprising to see that she was a younger woman than Tsugumi had imagined she would be.
Judging by her appearance, she was probably in her mid-thirties. He had expected her to be much older than that.
Tsugumi sighed a little as he thought about this.
–Bell-sama, you didn’t co back yesterday in the end.
He didn’t think Bell would be in any danger, but not seeing her made him worried. She had said she was negotiating, but with whom? Tsugumi didn’t understand.
Hiding his depressed heart with a friendly smile, Tsugumi took the business card that they politely offered and slowly sat down on the sofa. However, Inaba remained standing and did not take her seat.
When he stared at her curiously, she looked at him straight in the eyes and pursed her lips.
“We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the governnt’s inadequacy. All responsibility lies with the governnt. You may curse at .”
Inaba said this and bowed deeply toward Tsugumi. Seeing this, Tsugumi sat up with a start.
“Ah, please raise your head. I don’t think it’s the governnt’s fault, because who could have seen that coming?”
It was rare for ordinary people to get mixed up in the barrier. However, there were very few cases where multiple people got involved just like this ti Additionally, the actual number of Demonic Beasts was two, which was an irregularity. There might have been so mistakes due to the carelessness of the Magical Girl who fought, but he didn’t think the governnt side was responsible.
Besides, the two Rikka, who belonged to the governnt, did their job well enough. It was a loss that they could not defeat the Demonic Beast, but it was because of their efforts that Tsugumi was able to defeat the Demonic Beast. There was no reason to bla them.
When he explained this, Inaba looked up apologetically.
Then, as Tsugumi sat down again, waiting for the question, he noticed that Inaba and the others were staring at his face.
“Um, what is it?”
“Ah no, I heard from Chidori-san but you really do look a lot like ‘Hagakure Sakura-san’.”
“…Well, I got that a lot.”
When Tsugumi said this and smiled vaguely, Inaba laughed and took a seat.
“Forgive , that was impolite. –Then I would like you to begin by explaining how your day went yesterday.”
In response to Inaba’s question, Tsugumi told her in detail what had happened yesterday. Of course, things that should be hidden, such as transformation and skills, were properly concealed.
When he finished his explanation and arrived at the part where he got attacked by the Ogre, Inaba gave a tense smile and said.
“You were very reckless. …As a governnt official, I would like to praise your courage, but as an adult, I want to express my bitterness. But–really, I’m glad no one died.”
“I think so too.”
–If he had pressed even one wrong button, there would surely have been a large number of deaths. There might even be a possibility of total annihilation. It was a miscalculation that Chidori had beco a Magical Girl, but it couldn’t be helped.
Considering the limited conditions of the battle, Tsugumi thought he did well. He regained his composure and posed a question to Inaba.
“So, it’s about my sister Chidori…”
“Oh. I spoke with Chidori-san yesterday, did she give you any details?”
Tsugumi nodded in response to the question.
“Yes. I heard that you want to borrow Chidori’s skill as a Magical Girl–the power of ‘Gate’.”
“That’s right. The governnt is now in the greatest need of her ‘Gate’ skill.”
–The two skills that Chidori had acquired. It was the “Wind” skill to manipulate the surrounding air and the movent skill that enabled the transfer of multiple people through the “Gate”. The latter was a skill that the governnt, which was forced to deal with irregularities, currently needed.
According to the explanation he had received from Chidori this morning, it was only a”cooperation” and she didn’t belong to the governnt. It seed there was also the intention of the contract God, but since she wouldn’t be affiliated with the governnt, there was no possibility that Chidori would be forced to go out on a mission.
In exchange for lending the governnt the right to use the “Gate” skill, Chidori could freely use the governnt’s facilities – like simulators and other equipnt. In addition to that, rewards would be given according to the number of uses.
Chidori’s contract God – a God in the form of a white rabbit nad Shiro – was apparently less focused on combat, unlike Bell. Chidori herself didn’t have much conversation with him, so she didn’t know the details, but it seed unlikely that the contract God would force her to fight.
The contract God himself was apparently have been summoned today by the Gods in charge of the managent regarding the use of power within the barrier, and was not expected to return until evening. It seed there were many things going on in the world of the Gods. Perhaps Bell was also involved in one of them.
“I think it’s fine as long as she’s happy with it, but it’s a little difficult to tie her up for so long… Chidori is still a student, so please be moderate about it.”
“Yes, I understand your concern. The governnt is not black, either. Basically, we’re thinking of cooperating in accordance with the work rules of ordinary part-ti jobs.”
“I see…”
Tsugumi breathed out a sigh of relief, but there was one more thing he was worried about.
“I want to check sothing. –I heard once you beco a Magical Girl, you can no longer participate in official sports competitions.”
When he spoke with Chidori this morning, she sadly told Tsugumi that she had to quit club activities. Magical Girls’ physical abilities were enhanced with each battle. Such people couldn’t be treated by ordinary standards. Especially in the world of sports.
Tsugumi knew best how much effort Chidori had put up until now. This was why he couldn’t help but feel frustrated.
“Unfortunately, it’s the rule. There are no exceptions.”
Inaba apologetically replied, but it didn’t clear Tsugumi’s mind. What Chidori lost in this accident was too much.
As he looked down with his eyes downcast, a piece of paper was quickly placed on the table in front of him.
“What is this?”
“It’s a consent form for a blood test. As you may have heard from Chidori-san, there is a high possibility that the sa irregular accidents will occur in the future. We are asking everyone to cooperate with the blood test in order to find out what the victims have in common and what their characteristics are. How about it?”
“Oh, I don’t mind.”
With that said, Tsugumi filled in his na on the form. The only thing in common between the people involved was their aptitude as Magical Girls, but since Tsugumi’s gender was male, the governnt couldn’t affirm.
The blood test results would show that Tsugumi also had the aptitude, but he doubted it would change anything. Even the governnt would not recruit a man who still was an uncertain factor, no matter how high the aptitude he had.
The governnt certainly had its own suspicions, but as long as Chidori, who had the ability to transfer, was cooperating with the governnt, they would show so consideration to Tsugumi. There was nothing to worry about.
“That’s all for the interview. Do you have any questions?”
“Uh, yes. I have one.”
Tsugumi put his hand to his chin in thought, then looked up as if he had just thought of sothing.
“You got the results of Rikka’s vote this morning, right? There’s no TV on the floor we’re on, so no information coming in. Can you tell ?”
Since he was in the hospital, he couldn’t look it up on his phone. This ti, it had sothing to do with Hagakure Sakura, so he was really concerned. Fortunately, there were people from the governnt right in front of him. They would have reliable information.
“Yes, that’s fine. First of all, let’s start with the first place–“
Inaba then pulled a notebook out of her breast pocket and showed it to Tsugumi. The nas of the Magical Girls were written there, in order from the top to the bottom.
First place: Toono Sumire.
Second place: Yukino Shizuku.
Third place: Mibu Yurie.
Fourth place: Suzushiro Ran.
Fifth place: Hyuga Aoi.
Sixth place: Hitsugi Airi.
There was a slight change in ranking, but the Rikka mbers themselves remain unchanged. Tsugumi exhaled a small breath of relief at the absence of Hagakure Sakura’s na.
“And this is not yet confird, but the governnt is considering the expansion of Rikka, in response to the accident of this irregularity.”
“…Eh?”
When Tsugumi asked back, Inaba rolled up the pages of her notebook.
From seventh to ninth place, so familiar nas continued, and theTsugumi’s eyes were glued to the tenth place column.
–The tenth place: Hagakure Sakura.
…The ranking was higher than Tsugumi had expected. It was a little frightening that he had wished to not get voted on TV, and yet here he was in this position. He wondered what the people who voted were thinking.
But what does Inaba an by expansion? As Tsugumi tilted his head, Inaba brought her face closer, as if she were talking privately.
“There are talks about creating a new frawork called ‘Jukka’ with the mbers up to the tenth place. Well, it is still in the conceptual stage. …What’s wrong? You look pale.”
“Ah, no. I was just wondering if it’s okay for a regular guy like to ask such an important question.”
Tsugumi replied, breaking out in a cold sweat.
–The worst possible developnt. He didn’t make the top six, but there was such an unexpected pitfall. What would Bell say? It was the only thing he was worried about.
“You are the victim this ti. I think you have the right to know. But please don’t tell anyone yet.”
Saying this, Inaba smiled.
–Then, after separating from Inaba and the others. Tsugumi groaned as he plopped down on the bed dizzy, mussing and stirring his own hair.
‘…What should I do now?’
About Chidori. About himself. –And about Hagakure Sakura. The problems were piling up.
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