Fighting Darkness with a Smile

(Miluno)

With the personnel, venue, original music, and choreography basically finalized, the next step is execution. Halley will arrange most of the things; I just need to talk to Principal Xiao Yi and finalize the venue arrangements.

"Okay, I'll go back and organize the concert's setlist. After the stage is set up, I'll take you through it a couple more times, and then you can rehearse with it."

Once all the food was served, the fundraising plan had been discussed to a great extent, and the conversation drifted into casual chatter.

As my agent, Halley displayed the gossip typical of people in the industry, chatting about everything from my and Ceruno's cosmetics brands to our favorite lingerie styles, and even asking who was more proactive when kissing...

Of course, this is confidential.

Finally, she twirled her fork deftly between her fingers, then pointed at me and asked, "Little Yezi, when are you and Ceruno getting married?"

"Puff--"

I sprayed the lemonade in Mono's face, and amidst shouts of "Wow! You're so dirty!", I retorted emotionally:

"Hey, sis, isn't it a bit too early to get married? Why are you suddenly asking such a question that only distant relatives would ask?!"

Ceruno and I are the same sex both physiologically and emotionally, therefore, legally speaking, we cannot marry...

Besides, we are still minors.

However, one thing I'm certain of is that even if we don't get married, we'll be together for life, so marriage is more of a formality than a practical thing; it's a process that's optional...

"I think your relationship is pretty much done! You should have a child soon, no, two! One child each, and a pair of twins."

"If two people have children, they're no longer called twins, and who should we choose to have the baby with?"

Halley was getting all excited over there, completely oblivious to the fact that she thinks a kiss can lead to a baby! What kind of pampered young lady is this?!

Okay, I'm just teasing you.

Picking up the last piece of steak from the plate, he stuffed it into his mouth, chewing as he said:

"However, you seem much more approachable after you de-transform. As Miluno, you always gave off an untouchable aura... I mean, why don't you create a new account and become my idol?"

Dual-accounting to become an idol?

Impossible. Even with two identities, there's no double the time. It would only make an already fast-paced life even more unbearable.

"Please spare me."

Only Metal could enjoy that high-pressure life of living each day as if it were several days. Even if a magical girl's body could handle it, my mind couldn't!

Halley still advised:

"Ha, really not going to consider it? These days, being an idol can make a lot of money, you know? After all, there are very few magical girls in total! You guys naturally have the potential to become idols."

Tsk, speaking of money...

What I'm about to say makes me hesitate; I don't know how to begin. I can only try to hint at it indirectly first...

"That meal must have cost a lot of money, right?"

When Mono and I came in, Halley had already ordered almost everything, so there was no room for saving, and we probably didn't have enough money left in our pockets.

I don't expect her to treat me, but I'd at least like to ask her to cover my expenses.

But she laughed and said, "Hey, are you treating me?"

Um?!

Although she was sent by Sirius, she was indeed helping me, so it's only proper etiquette for me to treat her to this meal.

"Ahem, sis, to be honest, I'm a bit short on cash lately. You remember what happened at the Bay Training Camp, right? To appease Ceruno's little temper, I gave her all my bank cards to keep. My pockets are emptier than my face. I'm afraid I can't afford to treat her to dinner today."

Although it was a bit much to say it after I finished eating, I still swallowed my pride and confessed honestly.

Halley suppressed a laugh, her face becoming more playful, and the devil's tail, capable of injecting misfortune, peeked out from under her tight skirt, swaying merrily to the side.

"Hey, you're already this henpecked before you're even married?"

Ceruno usually gives me some pocket money every month, but I haven't received this month's yet, since it's the beginning of the month.

But even if you get it, it's not very useful. Being a magical girl is very expensive. Not only do you need to buy new clothes and cosmetics, but you also can't get reimbursed for the money you spent bribing Aldebaran...

"So, could you pay for today's meal in advance, or could you accept Mono's gold?"

Mono took out a few small pieces of gold, about the size of pebbles, from his pocket and handed them Past, but Halley pushed them back.

"Alright, alright, we're practically family."

She was still smiling, but her frivolity and playfulness had vanished.

"If it weren't for you and Ceruno, I wouldn't be sitting here like a normal person. You even fulfilled my wish to go on stage and prove myself... Little Yezi, the kindness of pulling me back from the wrong path can't be repaid with money or words."

I shamelessly asked:

"... Then how will you repay me?"

"This meal is on me, and you can also be my meal ticket from now on. Come to me whenever you're short on money for food... Of course, little Mono can come along too."

He's hooked up with a rich woman.

"Yay! I love eating the most!"

Mono raised his hand in cheers, then took my arm and said:

"Halley, I'm Miluno- chan's Witch Persona, and I have all of her memories, so I know about what happened to you back then too~ But compared to then, the darkness in that Contaminated Crystal inside you seems to have lessened considerably!"

The darkness is actually decreasing?

Although the Association developed a purification device, the darkness inside the Contaminated Crystal could not be purified. Even Ceruno's magic could not pull the darkness out of it... Halley's situation was somewhat special.

"Is that so?"

She herself seemed surprised and speculated with great seriousness:

"I've also read some reports, and if I remember correctly, darkness feeds on people's negative emotions, right?"

"Fear is the breeding ground of darkness, which is why 'the Other Side' constantly creates chaos in order to increase the Corruption Rate and create the conditions for the Great Will to descend."

This is all old news, and Halley naturally knew it too.

"Since closing down Kuroro Agency, I've been free of any pressure~ When I'm in a good mood, I write new songs or give lessons to young idols. I live a spiritual life every day, so naturally, I don't have any negative emotions to feed it... In short, maintaining an optimistic attitude and the idols' smiles is enough to starve the darkness to death!"

It's easier said than done.

"Perhaps you can become the first person to purify Contaminated Crystal on your own."

I rested my chin on my hand and thought for a moment, then asked:

"If you're free this afternoon, why don't you come with me to the City School?"

"Huh? What would I be doing at the City School?"

"I'd like to have a researcher look at your case."

It is said that the professor is researching methods to purify Contaminated Crystal, and perhaps Halley's situation can offer her some inspiration.

Halley closed his eyes, his expression revealing a hint of helplessness.

"I'm afraid that won't work! I have a lot of things to do this afternoon. Sirius is a hands-off manager, so I have to handle all the concert-related matters... But I'll have to go to the City School to prepare for the stage sooner or later, so let's talk about it then?"

"That works too..."

I glanced at the empty plate on the table that Mono had licked, and said to myself:

"Then... I'll leave the bill to you."