Chapter 26: The Ever-Positive Angel Is in Charge of the Magical Girl's Mental Care

Let My Heart Reach You

I said I’d contact Yoo Seo-ah, but I don't actually have a way to reach her.

What am I gonna do? I mean, it’s not like I have a cell phone or anything!

And it’s not like I can send a letter either.

Using a payphone? There aren’t any payphones on the streets in this city.

And most importantly—

I don’t even know Yoo Seo-ah’s phone number!

It’s not like I deliberately avoided learning it.

It’s just that she never once pulled out her phone, so it never even crossed my mind.

So then, how was I going to contact her?

Well… there’s only one way.

“Let my heart reach you…!”

A pose so dramatic I could almost shout Solar Beam! along with it—

That’s how I send telepathy.

…Okay, just to be clear in case anyone misunderstands, this isn’t because I’ve lost my mind or anything. Seriously.

[Let My Heart Reach You: Sends telepathic messages to the magical girl of your choice! (Sender pays the cost)]

It’s not that I’m incompetent or incapable of using my powers, I just don’t know how to use them properly yet!

I’m not stupid.

Intuitive abilities? I’ve got those down in no time.

But this sort of vague, soft-focus kind of skill?

No clue how I’m supposed to activate it…

So what else can I do?

Just keep trying until it works.

“Uuuuughh…!”

Come on, come on… reach her!

Furrowing my brow, I pressed my fingers hard against my temples.

Suddenly, I felt a throbbing headache.

Could it be… did it work!?

I opened my eyes in surprise, but nothing had really changed.

Telepathy is supposed to be mental, right?

I don’t really know how it works, but it’s basically like human Bluetooth or something, right?

Not the sort of thing with obvious signs on the outside.

So there was no way to confirm it.

‘…Am I connected…?’

I blinked and stood there blankly for a moment.

“What is this feeling…? Don’t tell me… Sarah?”

Hearing Yoo Seo-ah’s voice in my head made me grin from ear to ear.

“Seo-ah! Can you hear me!?”

“Huh? Ah, yeah… I can hear you, but… what’s going on? What is this?”

“My heart has reached you, Seo-ah!”

Okay, maybe I paraphrased a bit. But it wasn’t a lie.

I did reach her with my heart.

That’s the name of the skill, after all—‘Let My Heart Reach You.’

Yoo Seo-ah didn’t respond right away, as if she was deep in thought processing my words.

“Pffft… still spouting dreamy nonsense out of nowhere. Just like always.”

“Hehe. Have you been well?”

“Yeah, I’ve been fine. Recently the frequency of monster appearances has gone down, so I’ve had some time to relax.”

So it really was that humanoid monster from the other day that was causing all the trouble.

Knowing that what I did helped Yoo Seo-ah, even a little, made my heart flutter.

‘Good deeds really do feel great…!’

A shiver of delight ran through my body.

“And what about you, Sarah? Is the thing you were trying to do going well?”

Snapped back to reality by her voice, I scratched my head sheepishly.

“Ah, um… something a bit complicated came up. It’s not like it’s completely hopeless, but it’s kind of… well, you know.”

“Judging by that reaction, I think I get the gist. So what happened?”

“I wanted to ask you something about Han Soyu. More specifically, about the AI robot that’s with her.”

“AI robot?”

…Huh? That reaction was kind of lukewarm…

Could it be that Yoo Seo-ah doesn’t know either?

“She said the robot’s name was Cyclamen. Does that ring any bells?”

“Wait, what? What did you say the name was?”

“Cyclamen.”

Yoo Seo-ah didn't say anything for a while after I said that.

I thought the connection might have been cut off because she was silent for so long, but that wasn't the case.

“Seo-ah?”

“…Ah. Sorry. I was just… thinking. So the robot’s name is Cyclamen, huh?”

“Yes. I heard Han Soyu-ssi call it that directly.”

“I see, so that's how it is …”

After I confirmed it, she let out a sigh so heavy it felt like the ground might cave in beneath it.

“Cyclamen was… the name of Soyu’s mascot.”

“Are you saying that robot is her mascot?”

“No. It’s dead. That mascot died.”

…What?

Did I hear that right?

Dead? The magical girl's mascot?

“Is that… even possible?”

“It’s not impossible. If the cost of their familiars runs out and the core shows up, you can kill them if you hit the real body. Not that it happens often. Most mascots don’t expose their core. But if they do… they can die.”

“…So then, if a magical girl loses her mascot, does that mean she stops being a magical girl?”

“No, not necessarily. Soyu kept operating as a magical girl even after Cyclamen died. But that’s not the real issue. The real problem is Soyu’s mental state.”

Just like Yoo Seo-ah said, the real issue is Han Soyu’s mental health.

She’s spent the last six years holding onto a robot named after her dead mascot.

Anyone would lose their grip on reality after that.

And to think, she shut herself away from the world as a child—

The trauma alone would be enough to break anyone.

The fact that she’s held on for this long… is honestly impressive.

“…What exactly happened six years ago?”

“Sigh... I hadn’t planned on telling you, but…if it’s gotten that serious, then you deserve to know. It might even help Soyu.”

“Please.”

“I wasn’t exactly in my right mind back then either, so I don’t know all the fine details. However, from what I’ve heard…”

Yoo Seo-ah sighed and began explaining what happened six years ago.

Even though she was trying to summarize in the most organized way possible, it was still a complicated story.

“…So, from what I understand, Han Soyu created some kind of invention, it went out of control, and in the process of trying to stop it… the mascot died?”

“That’s what I was told. That’s all Myoa ever told me. And as for that invention, I don't know anything other than that it was dangerous, something that could easily be misused. I don’t even know if it was real, or if Soyu actually made it. That’s everything I know.”

It’s a shame, but I couldn’t blame Yoo Seo-ah.

Back then, she was going through her own breakdown.

Just getting this much was already a huge step forward.

“Thank you for telling me.”

“Sorry I couldn’t be of more help. But I hope it’s useful somehow.”

“It is. Now it’s up to me.”

“Heh… I figured you’d say that, Sarah. Ah shoot, that’s the alarm. I have to go, so I'll leave now.”

“Take care out there!”

“Mm. You too, Sarah.”

And with that, the connection cut off.

I didn’t notice earlier, but how do I notice now?

Well…

“Oh… ohhhh, ugh…! Heeuugh—!!”

As soon as the connection was cut off, my head hurt like it was going to explode.

So this is what “sender pays the cost” means…!?

In the end, I had to writhe alone in sheer agony for quite a while.

“Hrrrggghhh…!”

***

[It’s morning.]

I opened my eyes at Cyclamen's voice.

Was it the usual time?

…I wasn’t quite sure.

For some reason, Cyclamen didn’t tell me the time today.

“Mmm… Cyclamen, what’s for breakfast today…?”

[Today’s breakfast is—]

I nodded at Cyclamen's usual answer.

Yeah. It must be my imagination.

Everything was normal.

I ate breakfast like always and got ready to wash up.

Or… I tried to wash up.

[I will help you shower now.]

“Eh?”

Unlike usual, Cyclamen barged in without permission and began washing me herself.

“W-wait…! I can do it myself…!”

I protested, but Cyclamen didn't listen and started washing me.

From head to toe, literally every corner of my body.

[Assistance is provided due to oversleeping. I will now begin washing your hair.]

…Oversleeping?

Did I… go to bed late?

[Please close your eyes.]

I had no way of confirming anything at the moment, so I just gave a small nod and closed my eyes.

Once the shower was over, Cyclamen finally told me the time.

[7:45 AM. It’s work time.]

Right on schedule.

I sat down at my worktable at the same time as usual and started working right away.

But for some reason, I couldn’t focus at all today.

It wasn’t mental fatigue, more like my concentration was scattered.

My mind was all over the place.

“Hey, Cyclamen. What time is it now?”

[Have you finished your work?]

“Huh?”

[There is still much to do. It's good to play, but if Soyu does not continue her work, the safety of the citizens may be compromised. Please concentrate, even if it's hard.]

“R-right… I-I will.”

Yeah… she’s right.

If I don’t do it—if I don’t do it—

No one else can.

I nodded and busily moved my hands again.

Repairing broken things. Charging batteries. Reinforcing the cradle where it had been damaged.

Once I’d completed a good portion of the work, lunchtime arrived.

And after lunch… she always comes.

The self-proclaimed angel.

I was preparing to greet her as usual when—

[Soyu.]

Cyclamen stood in front of me, blocking my path, wearing that doll-like smile.

[Stop meeting with the angel.]

She is not someone who will help you.

Along with those words.

“C-Cyclamen… you're weird... Why are you being like this today...?

[This is for your own good, Soyu.]

“For my own good? What do you mean…?”

[I have detected significant disruptions in your recent behavior patterns. In order to return to your previous routine, I will be managing Soyu’s lifestyle for a certain period of time.]

Don’t worry.

Just leave it all to me, like we’ve always done.

[Everything I do is for your sake, Soyu.]

Her words made me hesitate for a moment.

Cyclamen doesn’t lie.

And as Cyclamen said, from six years ago until now, she has been the only one who stayed by my side, the only one who helped me.

Even at my lowest, when I didn’t know anything, when I was completely helpless, when I was having the hardest time, she always helped me.

If I just did as she said, I wouldn't have to worry about anything.

I didn’t have to think, and nothing ever hurt.

And Cyclamen…

Six years ago, for my sake—

―■■, ■■■■!!

A piercing pain shot through my head, cutting off the memory.

I pushed away those thoughts and nodded.

Yeah.

I just have to do what I’ve always done.

Stick to the routine.

Just like I always have.

“…Okay.”

When I nodded, Cyclamen smiled and nodded back.

I should ask her to go back early today.

Next Chapter