Refusal

(Bai Ziye)

I, a magical girl pretending to be an ordinary girl, am supposed to disguise myself as a magical girl and participate in a magical girl audition?

I need to sort this out to make sense of it; what a tongue twister!

"Won't I go to jail for doing this?"

Jolina shook her head, feigning profundity.

"Miss Sikong Cai, there are currently no laws against 'fake magical girl activities' because such things simply cannot be carried out; they will be exposed 100% of the time."

"Since you know you'll be exposed 100%, why are you contacting me?"

"Because I am one thousand percent!"

"Isn't being exposed 1000% worse than being 100%?"

"Uh, what I mean is... I have a way that will absolutely never be exposed."

"What method?"

"I can tell you, but you have to promise me first..."

Still dare to keep us in suspense?

"I'm going back."

I turned around decisively, but she pounced on me again, grabbing at my legs and pulling at my skirt.

"Wait! I was wrong, please don't go!"

"Sigh! Let go!"

What possessed me to believe her nonsense and come to this suburban bungalow to waste my time and breath on her?

"We can create a magic that can't be detected!"

"For example?"

"Mind-reading magic"

"... Indeed, the lack of special effects leaves room Past deception, but verifying this is far too easy."

"What about lie detectors? They use logic to analyze the flaws in the other person's words!"

"Actually, I had a Golden Arches's double cheeseburger this morning."

"This must be... the truth!!"

She blinked, trying to hide her guilt by speaking loudly.

"It's fake. Golden Arches's doesn't sell Double Cheesecake during breakfast hours. If you can't even see through this deliberate slip-up, don't even think about using lie detector magic."

I pressed my temples, trying to smooth out the bulging veins.

In my Miluno state, I am a rational person. For someone as calm as me to feel my blood rushing, Jolina is quite a talent—I was deceived by her feigned maturity when we first met, and I thought she was such a reliable person.

Forget about learning about brokerage; this agency is practically a rickety little boat.

"You haven't really thought through your plan thoroughly at all, have you?"

"How was I supposed to know that even regular idols weren't qualified to participate this time..."

"These are all audition programs for magical girls. Ordinary people would only humiliate themselves if they participated. Even if they barely passed the preliminary rounds, they would be eliminated later. You should know this very well, let alone trying to impersonate a magical girl with clumsy tricks..."

The path she chose was destined to fail, but even so, I could feel her unwavering determination.

I helped her up from the ground; it looked so awkward of her clinging to my leg like that.

"Ms. Jolina, can you tell me why you are so persistent in this firm... All the other employees have already left, there is absolutely no need for you to continue."

"It is necessary."

She answered so simply, yet I could sense a deep conviction in her words.

"I'm sorry, Miss Jolina."

"Your attempt to save the firm is truly inspiring, but I see no hope in the Future you've envisioned."

Although I could reveal my identity as a magical girl, I don't want to have too many connections with others as Miluno.

This is a choice made to protect oneself.

"I'm sorry, but I really have to go."

"Miss Sikong Cai, please reconsider..."

"That name is fake too, didn't you notice?"

They left the office located in the dilapidated bungalow.

To say that he felt no remorse for refusing Jolina's request would be a lie.

Continuing to make her pointless efforts on a path destined for failure would only cause her further harm. It's better to let her see reality as soon as possible.

My phone vibrated in my pocket.

It's Sirius.

"What's up?"

"Huh? Is this Miluno- chan's form now?"

"I was out running errands... I think I just finished."

"I saw that you signed Ceruno- chan up for the Supernova Idol Festival, so I wanted to chat with you. Are you free now? Want to come over for lunch?"

A narrow alley in an old Commercial District.

"Miluno- chan, over here~ over here~"

The world's number one idol was hiding by a trash can, waving at me. His blond hair was wrapped in a beret, and he was wearing sunglasses and a mask, making him doubly suspicious.

Do you always have to act so mysterious every time you go out?

"I'm a super celebrity! Although this time it's to avoid SpiCa..."

"Hmm? SpiCa?"

I didn't understand at first.

"Only after sitting in this position did I realize that the job of the Association chairman actually includes so many meaningless trivialities and social obligations. I need to bring A-Ji back from the Other Side. He doesn't need to go to jail; I think just punishing him by making him the Association chairman for life will suffice."

A life sentence of forced labor?

It sounds like a proposal that capitalists would put forward.

"So, shall we talk right here by this trash can?"

"Of course not, come with me."

Sirius led me through a small iron gate.

This was the back entrance of a disco; without going through the main dance floor or even seeing any staff, she went straight into a karaoke room.

"Is it okay for the world's number one idol to bring me to a place like this?"

"What are you thinking about? I'm just here to eat."

She tapped my head and explained, "The dance hall isn't open during the day. The soundproof private rooms are great for secret conversations. Besides, this is a legitimate dance hall; there's no flirtatious advances involved, like you're thinking."

I don't think normal people would come to a disco for lunch...

"Alright, let's get down to business."

"Pretentious."

She plopped down on the sofa in the private room, making a creaking sound.

"You offered the spot to Ceruno- chan without even waiting for my notification. Your progress as a manager is commendable. So, what are your plans for the future?"

"Next steps? Continue training and perform on stage?"

She breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's not that simple! Don't underestimate talent shows! They're the battleground for idols. That kid can only cover my songs or other idols' songs right now... That won't do."

Even if you say that, I don't understand music and I can't compose.

"I've already arranged that part, of course, but I'm a special judge for this talent show, so I can't give that kid special treatment..."

"What's the meaning?"

"I will release a new song after the quarterfinals, as a test for the semifinals."

"Does everyone have to sing the same song?"

"That's right."

"Won't this attract professional players to kill low-level accounts?"

"Hahaha, magical girls have far greater control over their bodies than ordinary people. You keep telling that kid to be confident. Why don't you give Ceruno- chan some confidence instead?"

If the people around her could believe in her, she would become more confident...

Should I say something complimentary or praise me?

"I understand. So you came here today to leak the exam questions to me in advance?"

She nodded and tossed her a USB drive.

"Let Ceruno- chan practice a lot... Oh, and this too."

She took an envelope out of her pocket.

"What's this?"

It feels quite thick, and I vaguely noticed...

"That's your salary as an intern agent."

Oh! It really is money?!

What a pleasant surprise! I had a terrible day, but this unexpected good thing happened.

"They're unlikely to give me the bounty for defeating Monster..."

I poured it out, roughly counted it, and it looked to be around five thousand yuan?

Cash might seem a bit stingy for Sirius, but having received the money, I certainly can't say that...

I've spent a lot lately, and my wallet is practically empty. It's so great to have some money coming in.

I took out my wallet and stuffed the money in, but now my wallet wouldn't even fold up.

"Hmm? This is..."

Sirius picked up a white business card from under my feet.

It fell out of my wallet.

"Joanna, Kuluoluo Idol Agency... Is that person still working hard?"

Accident.

Does Sirius even know Miss Joanna?