Chapter 415

Because of the cold weather, a thick layer of frost had formed on the glass high in the sky, but Star Flower's fingers still managed to melt it, leaving a trail in the mist.

"I often beg to go with my grandma."

"Then you'll see that Ferris wheel in the distance, and you'll feel envious."

Star Flower chuckled as she shared her childhood memories with Haihara.

At this moment, Haihara couldn't help but notice that the Ferris wheel was slowly returning to the bottom.

It's so sad to go from such a vast expanse of sky to such a low place.

Moreover, upon closer reflection, Haihara doesn't seem to enjoy talking about her childhood with others.

The only people who existed in her childhood besides her childhood sweetheart Kougami were her parents.

When the Ferris wheel reached its lowest point, Haihara, who had never ridden one before, asked rather unambitiously:

Will it spin around again?

"You can spin as many times as you want."

Haihara breathed a sigh of relief.

Now that she felt relieved, she could start to recall what Sakaki Chika had just said.

She asked:

"Does your grandmother often go to that orphanage to play with the children?"

He's such a wonderful person.

Star Flower nodded, then lowered her head and counted on her fingers:

"They bring their own homemade food and toys, and they also plant lots and lots of flowers outside the orphanage."

"I heard they also donated a lot of money to the children there."

This seems to paint a picture of a very kind old man.

But besides being kind, she probably genuinely likes children.

But the thought that these elderly people have passed away, and that most of the children there have found new homes, inevitably brings a sense of sadness.

Moreover, Haihara wasn't entirely sure what would happen to the orphanage in the end.

"Later, I also came to really like children, and I even dreamed of opening an orphanage or becoming a teacher someday."

That sounds perfectly reasonable.

Ideally, however, we wouldn't need an orphanage at all.

"After that, did you go back to that orphanage?"

Haihara likely refers to the period after Sakaki Chika's grandmother passed away.

However, this is unlikely to happen for a very long time.

Because if a child is alone, let alone going to such a far place away from their parents, it's difficult for them to even decide what clothes to wear.

Star Flower nodded.

"After becoming an idol and earning money, I missed that orphanage and didn't want the place my grandmother cherished to become sad."

"So, I secretly donated my salary to that place a few times without my dad's knowledge."

At that time, it was the first time she had ever received such a large sum of money at once.

At the time, it seemed unbelievably large.

Using only a small portion of it is enough to eat one's fill and even pay for tuition.

The rest can be done however you like.

I don't know if I can use the money I got so easily to indulge in self-gratification.

"Is it still being done?"

Haihara realized that everything she said tonight was filled with question marks, making her seem a bit silly. Maybe next time she should use a declarative sentence.

But this time, Star Flower shook her head.

She looked somewhat shy, as if she couldn't look Haihara in the eye.

The girl's two hands were clasped together, her long, slender, fair fingers gently pinching and rubbing against each other.

"Later, I found myself short of money for various reasons."

"And then I didn't do that for a long time."

Perhaps feeling foolish for acting that way, or wanting to be a kind person but ending up being selfish, Star Flower readily admitted it:

"Do I look like a coward?"

She giggled.

She probably wasn't able to be a truly selfless and kind person like her grandmother.

Although she once had the ideal of bringing happiness to others, in the end, she has become an idol.

As they were talking about this, the Ferris wheel started to rise again without them noticing.

A sense of anticipation and longing rose within Haihara.

But after hearing this, she couldn't help but wonder, do Magic girls really all seem to be good kids?

Although Takanashi, Kuroki, and even Sakaki Chika in front of me all give the impression of being very lecherous.

But they each have their own dazzling, unbearably beautiful aspects.

However, they also seem to have their own unfortunate pasts.

At least Haihara felt that they were all very lonely.

"I actually think it would be better if Sakaki-kun were a little more selfish."

Haihara's tone was flat.

Star Flower, whether from the cold or something else, rested one hand uneasily on her knee, cautiously watching Haihara:

"I think I've been very selfish tonight."

Why do you say that?

"Everyone did their best to save me today, but I secretly ran away and ended up here with you, Teacher Haihara..."

To be honest, Haihara doesn't like women who are too sentimental or too gentle.

Especially since they've already sneaked out, it's really troublesome that they're being so hesitant and cautious here.

However, since the date seemed to have a long way to go, she decided to put it aside for the time being.

She also wanted the Ferris wheel to spin a few more times.

After that, a period of peace returned between the two. Star Flower was lost in thought, perhaps about what had happened between her and Tachibana.

Or perhaps it was everything I endured inside the tree and in the nightmares.

It could also be the regrettable aspects of her real-life experiences.

She thought of her grandmother.

She also began to understand why she had felt a sense of closeness to Tachibana before.

She hadn't thought about these things before.

"Teacher Haihara, do you also think this place is beautiful?"

The Magic girl's eyes, though bright and beautiful, appeared dim against the dazzling lights of the amusement park.

Tonight, Haihara and Star Flower kept looking in the same direction.

"Very beautiful."

However, this light and prosperity were brought by the Magic girl, while in reality, both the amusement park and the orphanage in the distance were already quite desolate.

"If it was such happiness, why did it disappear so easily?"

As an immature child, Star Flower... or rather, Sakaki Chika, would always express such confusion.

And she hoped an adult would answer her questions.

Such a vague question is difficult to answer.

Haihara thought for a while.

"Fleeting happiness can never truly satisfy a person."

Even if one cherishes the moment, one cannot remain in a particular moment forever.

"We cannot let down those who are waiting for us tomorrow for things that only exist in yesterday."

"Perhaps that's the right way to think about it."

Haihara wasn't sure if that was an appropriate answer.

I don't know if this is an answer to Sakaki Chika's question or an answer to myself.

Just like the Earth, the Ferris wheel is slowly rotating, moving back and forth between desolate cities and brightly lit amusement parks.

Chapter 175 Makemagic

In the darkness, the lights of the amusement park were dazzling.

Haihara had some difficulty opening her eyes because of the glasses she wore.

She was considering whether or not to take off her glasses.

After riding in skyscrapers for too long, Haihara suddenly wanted to swing on a swing, but she couldn't find such a simple facility in the amusement park.

So, the Magic girl Star Flower her Magic to easily weave the swing that Haihara wanted from vines covered in blooming flowers.

To be honest, Haihara has always felt insecure on swings since she was a child.

But if there's a Magic girl pushing you from behind, it's a completely different feeling.

"Speaking of which, you have a performance tomorrow, why don't you go to sleep earlier and stay here with me instead?"

Because everything happened so naturally, Haihara had to bring it up at an inappropriate time.

It's Magic that I don't get cold even when I'm just wearing a cotton-padded jacket over my pajamas.

Star Flower floated in the air, scattering wisps of light as they moved.

The dust, now shimmering with light, was dazzling.

"I'm full of energy right now, and I should be able to keep it up until tomorrow. In fact, I can't sleep at all."

Star Flower said with a smile.

Propelled by the Star Flower, Haihara swung through the air, reaching ever higher angles.

Haihara felt as if she were flying towards the moon.

"Real?"

She asked casually.

Then, although Star Flower's hand was still steady, she was a beat slow when she touched Haihara's back.

Haihara heard the child behind her say:

"Actually, I was extremely nervous."

So you were really nervous.

Star Flower stopped pretending and admitted that she was actually very nervous and a little scared.

Regardless, anyone would feel uneasy in a situation like this.

After Haihara had her fill of playing on the swing, the swing woven from flower stems was transformed into a simple suspended seat.

Star Flower also sat on the broom, keeping Haihara company, or perhaps she was seeking Haihara's companionship.

"Although I doubt asking you now will be as effective as asking you when I'm all grown up."

"But why announce the idols' graduation all of a sudden?"