Chapter 215

The once bustling square was disrupted by the commotion. The sounds of the crowd shouting and yelling grew clearer and clearer, confirming that it was indeed a Monster incident.

In this area, there had almost never been Monster incidents before, and it wasn't a typical urban area, so there were no Monster alarm systems in place.

Before I knew it, the surroundings became much quieter after the crowd had left.

Therefore, Silver Feather clearly heard Haihara's words:

Yes.

The woman spoke very calmly.

"Other Magic girls will be here soon, so there's nothing to worry about."

Tonight is the time for the weekly fireworks display in this area. The usually quiet square will be filled with people, bringing a lively atmosphere.

However, tonight, after the chaos, the square became unusually quiet.

In the center of the square, everything was occupied by dark vines and thorns. Countless tendrils danced wildly like tentacles, wantonly occupying the street. They dug deep into the ground, tearing apart the bricks and stones.

However, its main body did not riot, but stood there quietly, like a flower bud waiting to bloom.

As it was damaged, its flower buds gradually matured, becoming increasingly beautiful and eerie.

Its flower buds are covered with strange black patterns, like tattoos.

The fear of the crowd transformed into a dark power, constantly flowing into the branches and becoming nourishment for this Monster.

[Hehehe... Magical Girl Silver Feather... Hurry up and appear...]

[The great... commands me... to make you taste despair...]

This Monster is undoubtedly a being that has reached the Perfect Form level.

Moreover, its appearance is more complex and bizarre than that of ordinary Monster, clearly making it an extremely special individual.

As it continuously absorbs resentment, its power keeps increasing.

Such power would be no match for even Silver Feather, who had previously defeated two Perfect Form Monster. Only a Magic girl of Phantom Wind's caliber could probably handle it easily.

As the petals gradually opened, the aura of evil reached its peak.

The Monster's pale mask peeked out from among the flower petals.

It is searching for the Magical Girl Silver Feather, who should be arriving soon.

However, as it bloomed, it did not see any Magical Girl Silver Feather.

It couldn't help but sense something was amiss.

Where is Magical Girl Silver Feather?

Just as it was thinking this, it finally vaguely saw the figure of a girl dressed in elaborate clothes and exuding a Magic Power aura in the distance of the square.

This Monster named Black Orchid burst into maniacal laughter before he could even see clearly:

[Magical Girl Silver Feather, you've finally arrived! Prepare to die... Huh?]

Just as it was laughing maniacally and speaking in a shrill voice, the figure drew closer, revealing its clear form, which abruptly silenced the Black Orchid Monster's laughter.

Something seems off...

The Magic girl held Magic Wand that was very similar to that of the Magical Girl Silver Feather, but it was pure black.

And embedded in the Magic Wand's ring was a Crystal that emitted an aura that almost made it freeze in place.

Just sensing even the slightest trace of the Magic Crystal's aura was enough to make the Black Orchid Monster barely able to control his trembling.

---That's a Magic girl who transforms using Devil King Crystal.

The aura of Magic Power, if not deliberately suppressed, would even taint the sky with its power.

The girl in the black dress stopped in her tracks after hearing its words.

"It's a pity that it wasn't Silver Feather who came."

The girl said calmly.

Under the deep black night sky, the silhouette of a dark Magic girl emerged. She casually toyed with the Magic Wand in her hand, as if it weren't a weapon but a toy she played with, and said indifferently:

"---Now, let me taste despair."

Chapter Twenty-One: The Curtain Falls

When does winter begin?

There may not be a precise date each year, but for many people, winter only truly begins after they have seen the first snowfall.

So today can probably be considered the first day of winter.

After hearing Haihara's words, Silver Feather was a little confused, and for some reason, he felt that what Teacher Haihara said might be true.

If you were to describe Silver Feather's current mood, it would probably be one of frustration. She felt completely drained and her head was spinning.

As Magic girl, this was the first time she had ever experienced a fever.

We finally had this opportunity, but then this Monster showed up.

What should we do?

She had originally planned to create wonderful memories from this trip.

I wonder if I'll ever have another chance like this.

And then, like this, she occasionally appears, pretending to be Kirishima Ai, enjoying a trip just like any other person, like eating delicious food and taking her own photos.

Finally, she also really wanted to watch the fireworks tonight.

However, things don't always go as planned, leaving behind such regrets.

Just as Silver Feather was thinking this, she suddenly felt a chill, as if something icy had gently fallen onto her hair and then quickly melted away.

She was panting, and soon exhaled a breath of white air.

Silver Feather lowered her head, her eyes seemingly frozen in the cold weather. After a moment of blank staring, she looked up and saw silvery-white snowflakes falling in the wind from the gray sky.

At some point, a woman sat down next to her, seemingly only leaving to stroll around for a short while before returning quickly.

After remaining silent for a while, the girl opened her mouth, then turned her head to look at the woman beside her.

Time seemed to slow down all of a sudden.

Perhaps it's because there's no one else around?

Today, that woman is still exactly the same as when we first met, especially her expression.

Silver Feather hadn't seen many faces.

In her memory, what she always saw was the same pale mask on the Monster.

Silver Feather felt happier seeing smiling faces.

If defeating the Monster could protect the smiles of others, that would be a wonderful thing.

I wonder if she was able to protect Teacher Haihara's happiness.

She seemed to rarely see Teacher Haihara smile.

Rather, did she actually see it?

I don't remember.

"Teacher, is everything really alright over there?"

Silver Feather glanced slightly towards the plaza.

She clearly sensed the Monster's presence at first, but shortly afterward, it was as if nothing had happened; the Monster simply vanished.

No.

Haihara said casually.

Perhaps because her head felt a little uncomfortable, Silver Feather couldn't figure out what was wrong for a moment.

Silver Feather looked completely bewildered.

Haihara didn't seem inclined to explain.

Although it's a rare opportunity to transform into Magic girl and fight, it doesn't actually feel that exciting when you talk about it.

For Haihara, it was just a matter of one punch to kill him; there's nothing more to say.

After a fierce battle, the Black Orchid Monster didn't even leave behind Crystal.

It's definitely a bit cold tonight.

That's truly unbelievable.

After that, Silver Feather's eyes suddenly dimmed.

Her gaze flickered slightly, and her throat moved as if she wanted to say something.

"Teacher, why did you say you wanted to watch fireworks with me that day?"

Even now, Silver Feather still doesn't know what kind of person Teacher Haihara really is.

Does anyone know anything about Teacher Haihara?

If I had the chance, I'd really like to ask that person for advice.

But then I'd feel inexplicably annoyed.

Upon hearing the girl's question, Haihara tilted her head slightly, as if she were slowly pondering it.

After a while, she casually replied:

"Because I feel a little lonely."

Lonely?

It was a somewhat unexpected reason.

Silver Feather slightly raised his head and glanced at Haihara, seemingly wanting to learn more about this woman.

Do Teacher Haihara, feel lonely?

If that's the case, then surely there are people willing to keep Teacher Haihara. Why call her that...?

She's really nothing special.

Well... how should I put it...?

Haihara spoke slowly, her eyes, filled with a cool mist, calmly gazing at the night sky. The gray haze, the snow clouds piled high with cold air, and the gray snow falling continuously from the night sky created a strange sense of peace.

As she spoke, it seemed even she herself found it somewhat unbelievable:

"... I envy you a little, dislike you a little, and therefore care about you a bit."

This is Haihara's answer.

In the past, Haihara would sometimes think about this question, wondering why she cared about Problem Child and occasionally did strange things.

However, she recalled her initial feelings for Kirishima Ai.

It's a very strange kind of longing.

Silver Feather was initially confused, and stared blankly at Haihara for a while.

However, in the end, she could only lower her head again:

"I still don't understand."

It doesn't sound like something an adult would say to a child.

Like a failed and willful adult.

They haven't grown up at all.

So this is what Teacher Haihara is like.

Speaking of which, Kirishima Ai once disliked Teacher Haihara because of the Magic girl thing.

Why does Teacher Haihara both dislike and indulge her?

Thinking of this, Silver Feather slightly raised her head.