I Became a Tentacle Monster that Corrupts Magical Girls Chapter 16 – Spare Keys and Traditions

I woke up the next morning, tangled in sheets with a sleeping Miki on one side and an equally dead-to-the-world Akane on the other.

"You were quite silent last night, Gemgem? Guess our little fight was too boring for you, huh?" I thought in my head.

I gently untangled myself and poked the cheeks of the sleeping girls. "Help find a mission for the team. In the anti, you and I are going to check on our future healer."

"Your silly fights are a matter of morale," Gemgem's voice stated, flat and emotionless. "They have no tactical value. I wasn't bored. I was processing data on our primary target."

"Your plan is logical. A public mission for the whole team will be a good debut for The Fallen Stars and provide cover for your real objective."

It paused for a mont. "I have identified a suitable team mission."

Monster Profile

Na: Sli Fiend

Abilities: Thick skin that can absorb all physical attacks. It can also produce slimy acids that can dissolve clothes and weaken prey.

Threat Level: B

"There have been reports of a Sli Fiend terrorizing the old sewer network beneath the financial district. It's a mindless, mutated creature, a public nuisance, but not a real threat. A perfect, low-risk debut."

"As for the healer, Chiyoko Satori, she keeps a predictable schedule."

"She volunteers every Sunday afternoon at the City Central Hospital, in the children's ward. Her work involves reading stories to sick kids, using faint traces of her healing aura to soothe them. She'll be there today."

I woke Akane and Miki up, then sent a ssage to the group chat, calling Aoi and Homura over for breakfast and a briefing. Soon, my apartnt was filled with the sll of pancakes and the chatter of my girls.

"I'm sitting this one out," I announced to the team. "Aoi's in charge. Got it?" I asked, as Homura and I put fresh pancakes on their plates.

"A Sli Fiend? In the sewers? Eww..." Akane said, stuffing her face. "But if it's a team mission, I'm in! And Aoi's the boss? Fine by . Sis' plan worked last ti."

"A team debut!" Miki added, her eyes sparkling. "Ooh, we'll need to work on our group pose for the cara afterward! Aoi-chan is a natural leader, Master. Perfect choice."

"I will follow Aoi's commands," Homura said quietly.

Aoi herself set down her fork, a serious expression on her face. "I accept the responsibility, Master. I won't fail you or them. I'll start the planning based on the sewer maps. We'll be ready."

"Speaking of debuts," I said, changing my clothes. "How's the idol stuff going, Aoi, Miki? Kyoko says you're making good progress."

"It's amazing, Master!" Miki's face lit up. "Kyoko-san is a total slave driver, but she's a genius! My debut single is already recorded! It's called Heartbeat Paradox, and we're filming the music video next week!"

"The progress is good so far," Aoi added, a flicker of professional pride in her eyes. "Kyoko-san got my first release a feature in Music Vanguard magazine. They're calling an enigmatic new voice. My song is titled Shattered Lullaby."

"Wow. You guys are gonna be famous for real," Akane said, looking genuinely impressed.

As I finished changing, I saw Aoi was already directing the team, her voice low and confident. "Alright, team. Let's review the entry points. Akane, you and I will take the primary tunnel here. Miki, Homura, you'll cover the overflow junction here to stop it from escaping."

I patiently waited until she finished her briefing. "Well, here," I said, placing four spare keys on the table.

Each had a different keychain: a heart, a fire, a snowflake, and a star. "One for each of you. Feel free to co by whenever."

I opened my arms. "And one more thing. From now on, goodbye hugs and kisses before every mission. It's a team tradition."

Miki was the first to react, her eyes getting a little misty as she picked up the heart keychain. "Master... A key? For us? That's so, so thoughtful."

Akane grinned, snatching the fire keychain. "Sweet! A secret hideout! I'm totally having my pizzas delivered here."

Aoi picked up the snowflake keychain, her expression unreadable, but her grip on the small tal object was tight. It was my symbol of trust, and she knew it.

Homura tentatively reached out and took the star keychain, her fingers tracing its shape. A key. A place to co back to. She clutched it like a holy relic.

Then ca the new tradition. They didn't hesitate.

Miki gave a warm, lingering hug and a sweet kiss on the cheek. "We won't let you down, Master."

Akane gave a quick, rib-crushing hug and a loud, smacking kiss. "We'll kick its slimy ass!"

Aoi's hug was formal but firm, a sign of respect. Her kiss was a soft, brief brush against my lips, a silent promise. "We will return victorious."

Homura was last. She approached shyly, her hug feather-light. She stood on her tiptoes and gave a tiny, chaste peck on the corner of my mouth. "...Be safe, Master."

With the new tradition established, they turned to leave, pockets jingling with their new keys. Aoi gave one last nod, and then they were out the door, a real team on their first official mission.

I was left alone in my apartnt, the scent of their perfu and pancakes still in the air. Now, for my own mission.

"The assets are deployed," Gemgem stated. "Ti to focus on our primary objective. Proceed to City Central Hospital, host. Chiyoko Satori is waiting."