Since my Useless Working Sister and Other Troublemakers Became Magical Girls, I have no Choice but to Support Them.

Chapter 1-10: The Furry Enthusiast, Mitomo Tsumugi

If Rafio says so, it’s not my place to stop him.

After setting Aina’s breakfast on the table, I got ready for school.

“Can I come to school with you? I want to find the other two magical girls.”

“I don’t mind, but do you think it’ll be that easy?”

“It’s not easy. Only girls can transform into magical girls, and not just any girl. They need to have the right constitution.”

Rafio could check for this compatibility in some way. How he did it was beyond me.

“Is this compatibility inherited?”

“No, it’s not. It doesn’t pass from parents to children, nor is it related to one’s personality or other traits. It’s completely random. Only about one in five girls has any suitability at all.”

“That’s more than I expected.”

“That’s just if they have a little compatibility. I want to find someone with a higher compatibility like Aina.”

“What happens if they have high suitability?”

“Their physical abilities improve significantly when they transform.”

That was crucial.

“If the compatibility is high, other traits can be mostly ignored. Essentially, any girl would do as long as they have high compatibility.”

“That’s a harsh way to put it.”

“It’s the truth. Even an old lady with a bent back would straighten up as a magical girl if they had quite the potentia. The same goes for women who can’t move due to illness.”

“Why do you always want to transform women who aren’t young girls like my sister?”

“It’s just coincidence and for example’s sake. Of course, I prefer to transform beautiful women for aesthetic reasons.”

“That’s a rather distasteful way of putting it.”

As a symbol of hope, it makes sense that appearance matters, though it’s a cruel reality.

“And I want to live surrounded by beautiful magical girls.”

“I’ll hit you.”

“Eek!?”

There’s a hint of ulterior motive in his words. It’s honest enough that I can correct him when needed. He’s similar to my sister in that way.

“A-anyway! First compatibility, then looks! Even as magical girls, their intelligence isn’t boosted, so we should avoid toddlers and those with dementia.”

Makes sense.

“Combat-related senses and reflexes improve, so even elementary school girls can become magical girls. Do you know any?”

“Elementary school girls, huh…”

I do.

“Ugh.”

“You can come along, but stay quiet at school.”

Instead of responding, I shoved Rafio into my school bag. I didn’t want anyone at school to see him. I’d hate to be known as the guy carrying around a stuffed animal.

Opening the front door, I stepped into the hallway. The sky was clear and blue, a stark contrast to yesterday.

At the same time, the neighbor also came out into the hallway.

“Good morning, Yuuma!”

She greeted me as usual.

Mitomo Tsumugi, a fifth-grade girl.

Her short haircut and denim shorts gave a lively impression. The light blue backpack on her back was covered in scratches.

“Morning.”

I replied as usual, and we walked to the elevator together. It was a typical morning.

But today, Tsumugi stopped and didn’t continue following me.

“What’s wrong?”

“Yuuma, are you hiding something fluffy?”

“Fluffy?”

“Yes, I sense something fluffy.”

“Oh, that.”

I looked down. She must have sensed Rafio, with his white fur.

But Rafio, from inside the bag, was shaking his head with pleading eyes. He seemed to sense danger and was trembling.

What should I do?

Before I could decide, a meow sounded from below.

“A kitty!?”

Tsumugi reacted instantly.

She climbed over the hallway railing and leaped outside. This was the fourth floor.

She landed on the railing of the floor below, reducing her falling speed as she descended, then jumped onto the wall separating the apartment complex from the street. A cat, likely a stray without a collar, was walking along this wall.

Tsumugi dove straight for the cat. She grabbed it, and while the cat screeched in protest, she stroked its fur and nuzzled it affectionately.

“Hey, we’ll be late.”

“Okay. Kitty, let’s go to school together.”

Still holding the struggling cat, she headed towards the elementary school. Hopefully, she’d release it before getting there.

I needed to hurry too or I’d miss my bus.

“Wh-who is that girl?!”

Rafio’s trembling voice came from the bag.

It seemed like he had witnessed something terrifying.

“Tsumugi is a furry enthusiast.”

“What’s a furry enthusiast?!”

“Like a pianist plays the piano or an artist creates art, a furry enthusiast loves fluff.”

“A furry enthusiast?! But she doesn’t do it for a living!”