Magical Girls Are Basically Spirits Too

"So, you actually don't have a name." Shiori listened to what the other girl said in surprise.

"Mm." The purple-haired Spirit thought for a moment. "Now that I have someone to talk to, a name is necessary."

"Since she's a newly born Spirit," Qian Huanyue, who had seen the story, was not surprised at all. She blinked cutely. "I came up with my own name—Qian~ Huan~ Yue~ How does it sound?"

"It suits you very well."

Shiori praised her sincerely, her gaze drifting between Qian Huanyue's luminous silver hair and gentle violet eyes. She felt that the name truly suited her perfectly.

The purple-haired Spirit looked at Qian Huanyue, then at Shiori, her expression solemn as though she were carrying out some important ritual.

"You two! Give me a name."

The purple-haired Spirit's gaze moved between them before finally settling solemnly on Qian Huanyue. She leaned forward slightly, carrying a clumsy sort of anticipation.

"Me?" Qian Huanyue's eyes shifted slightly, and her gaze fell on Shiori again.

Say something already. If this naming moment gets taken by me, it'll turn into me winning over the Spirit, idiot!

Their eyes met, and Shiori immediately understood what Qian Huanyue meant. The situation had suddenly become urgent.

A name—think, Shiori! What name would suit the girl in front of me?

At the same time, the members of Ratatoskr also began searching for a suitable name.

Kotori's somewhat frantic voice came through the earpiece.

"Let me see... Kawagoe! Isn't Misako the name of your ex-wife?"

"Y-Yes... Sorry, I couldn't think of any other names..."

Amid all the noisy suggestions, Shiori felt her head begin to ache.

"Tohka." Shiori quickly offered a name. "How about Tohka?"

They had first met on April 10, which was why she had chosen that name.

"Tohka." The purple-haired Spirit softly repeated the syllables. Ripples gradually spread through her eyes as she turned to Qian Huanyue, as though seeking her opinion.

"What do you think of this name? It sounds nice, right? My name."

"It feels very fitting."

Hearing Qian Huanyue's words, Tohka's eyes lit up. Then she turned her gaze back toward Shiori.

"It really is. It sounds wonderful."

A trace of guilt flashed through Shiori's heart. Tohka was actually a homophone for April 10. Wasn't that naming her a little too casually...?

But Tohka was completely immersed in the joy of receiving a name. She repeated the name "Tohka" again and again, and each time she said it, her face grew brighter.

"Tohka... that's my name..." She raised her head and looked at Shiori, her eyes shining with unprecedented brilliance.

"Thank you, Shido."

Seeing how sincerely she loved the name, the little guilt in Shiori's heart was washed away by that pure joy.

Tohka looked toward Qian Huanyue again, as though eager to share her happiness. "Qian Huanyue, did you hear that? I have a name now. It's Tohka!"

"Mm, I heard you, Tohka."

"It's a very nice name." She added gently, her gaze resting softly on Tohka as she smiled. "It suits you very well."

Those words made Tohka even happier. As if she had confirmed something immensely important, she nodded hard.

Ah, silly child. She's this happy just because she has a name.

Qian Huanyue smiled helplessly.

On the bridge of the Fraxinus, Kotori watched the happiness nearly overflowing from Tohka on the screen.

"Looks like we passed the naming stage smoothly." She spoke into the microphone, her tone returning to its usual commander mode. "Good job, Shiori! Next, strike while the iron's hot and move on to the next stage—take her on a date."

"Tohka, um... to celebrate you getting a name, how about... how about we take a walk around town? I'll take you to try some other delicious food and see some fun things." This probably counts as a date, right? Shiori silently thought.

In front of Qian Huanyue, Shiori simply could not bring herself to say that word. The two of them had gone on a date just a few days ago, and now she was asking someone else out today. No matter how she put it, that made her a terrible woman!

"Delicious food?" Tohka's attention was immediately captured. Her violet eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Is it even better than soybean flour bread?"

"Mm! There are lots and lots of different flavors." Shiori nodded vigorously.

"Okay!" Tohka agreed without hesitation, tightening her grip on Shiori's hand with a smile full of complete trust.

Qian Huanyue watched their natural interaction, as well as Tohka's expression filled with such simple happiness, and a tranquil smile appeared in her eyes.

Hmph, it's not like I like Shido Itsuka. How could something this minor make me wear that ridiculous expression—drooping brows, curved eyes, and a forced smile like some pitiful cuckold? Still, it's pretty entertaining to think about.

"Then, I'll be going first..." She had just started to say goodbye.

"Qian Huanyue, come too!" Tohka suddenly turned around and quickly grabbed Qian Huanyue's sleeve with her other hand, her eyes earnest. "Come with us too, okay? I want... to share it with you."

She looked at Shiori, then at Qian Huanyue, and added, "You're both... the people who gave me a name and were kind to me."

"Sure."

On the Ratatoskr bridge, Kotori watched this sudden three-person situation on the screen. She raised an eyebrow, then shrugged indifferently. "Well, fine. Do your best to win over all three on the next date, Shiori. No problem, right?"

"Huh?! Kotori, even if you say that, I..."

Shiori's cheeks instantly turned crimson. Kotori's chaos-loving comment in her earpiece nearly made her bite her tongue. What was this supposed to be?!

She instinctively looked at Qian Huanyue, only to find the other girl watching her with an amused smile. Those pale violet eyes seemed able to see straight through her embarrassment, making Shiori's face burn even hotter.

"What's wrong, Shido?" Tohka tilted her head in confusion, looking at the suddenly stiff Shiori before glancing at Qian Huanyue. "Can't we go together?"

"No, of course we can!" Shiori hurriedly shook her head.

Tohka suddenly felt her body become light and floaty. This was a sign that a Spirit was returning to the Neighboring World.

"Goodbye, until next time—" Before her body vanished, Tohka said with a smile, "Don't forget to take me there."

Shiori looked toward the place where Tohka had disappeared, her eyes carrying a trace of loss, but even more determination.

To make sure that sad expression never appears again, I'll definitely help her.

Huanyue looked so at ease. Had she also experienced something so heartbreaking before?

Shiori imagined the other girl being surrounded and attacked by AST from the moment she was born, wearing the same sorrowful, near-tearful expression as Tohka. Her mood could not help sinking.

She had named herself.

Having a name made Tohka so happy. Then what about Huanyue?

When she gave herself the name "Qian Huanyue," what kind of feelings had she held?

Had she also spent long years feeling helpless, without any sense of belonging?

Had she ever felt this helpless too?

Why had she met her so late?

If she had met her earlier, then perhaps, when Huanyue had still been confused and lonely, she could have reached out to her as she had to Tohka now, given her a place to belong, and told her, You're not alone.

"Mm... How about I take you home next, Shido?" Completely unaware of what Shiori was thinking, Qian Huanyue spoke simply.

She even stretched lazily.

Shiori looked into Qian Huanyue's clear pale violet eyes. There was none of the loneliness or sorrow she had imagined in them.

That was right. She had always been a strong person.

Shiori watched the naturally lazy posture Qian Huanyue displayed as she stretched.

She realized that her worries might have been unnecessary, even... presumptuous.

At that thought, the heavy regret and tenderness in Shiori's heart gradually transformed into a purer admiration and... a faint, imperceptible sense of disappointment.

She admired Huanyue's strength and composure, while feeling disappointed that she seemingly could not become someone Huanyue could rely on, the way she could protect Tohka.

"Mm, let's go home." Shiori composed herself and gave Qian Huanyue a more relaxed smile than before. "Today... thank you so much, Huanyue."

Qian Huanyue keenly noticed the subtle change in Shiori's tone. She leaned closer and carefully stared at her face.

Strange.

It feels like... her neck is rather slender, and her Adam's apple doesn't seem very prominent.

Is that just my imagination?

Shiori's entire body stiffened at Qian Huanyue's sudden approach and intent gaze. Her heart suddenly skipped a beat.

"H-Huanyue?" Shiori's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible nervousness, and her cheeks began heating up beyond her control. "W-What is it?"

"I suddenly feel..." Qian Huanyue gave a mischievous chuckle. "Mr. Shido would look very good in women's clothing."

"Huh—?!" Shiori practically cried out, her voice going shrill. She abruptly stepped back, her hands instinctively rising to shield her chest, though it was currently flat beneath her binding.

"Really? Ugh! Not today."

Sorry, Shiori-chan. It's not your time to appear yet.

Seeing the panicked expression on "Shido's" face, Qian Huanyue temporarily set aside the doubts in her heart.

"I'm just joking~" Qian Huanyue casually stepped back twice, as though her aggressive advance moments ago had never happened.

"Then I'll be going now." Qian Huanyue waved at Shiori, her tone light. "See you next time, Shido."

With the Seraph of Thousand Blades, getting anywhere was instantaneous.

Only Shiori remained where she stood, still holding one hand half-raised in a pose that had not even managed to say goodbye, staring blankly at where Qian Huanyue had disappeared.

"...She left so quickly." Shiori muttered, feeling inexplicably empty inside.

Did she... dislike me?

Shiori lowered her head and looked at her empty hands, her heart covered by a subtle sense of disappointment and self-doubt.

"I really... still have a long way to go." She whispered.