Since my Useless Working Sister and Other Troublemakers Became Magical Girls, I have no Choice but to Support Them. - Chapter 1-40: Test of Strength

Chapter 1-40: Test of Strength

Aina wasn’t ready to give up yet.

“Hmph. We’re family, you know. It’s normal for us to take baths together. Even if we haven’t done it before, there’s no problem starting now.”

“Yes, there is!”

“There is a problem!”

“Ahaha. Come on, Yuuma. A bath in the middle of the day on a holiday is nice too.”

Aina tried to drag me to the bathroom but couldn’t. If she transformed, it might be different, but in a normal test of strength, I’d win. I’m bigger and stronger.

“Fine. If it comes to this, I’ll transform and force you.”

“I won’t let you, sister.”

“Oh, you too. Let’s settle which of us is stronger.”

“Bring it on.”

“Hey, stop. Don’t transform without an enemy around. Don’t fight in the house.”

“Don’t stop us, Yuuma. This is a serious fight between women!”

“Exactly! Sometimes we need to get serious! And this is one of those times!”

“Yuuma! The crow’s grave is almost ready, so let’s pray together!”

Just in time, Tsumugi returned.

Normally, I’d have no interest in such a task, but it was perfect timing.

“Okay, let’s go.”

“Me, his dearest big sister, has more importance to him. You, who’s only known Yuuma for a little over a year, should back off.”

“Acting all high and mighty just because you’re family is really stupid. And we’ve known each other for quite longer than a year!”

“You two, keep it to verbal fights.”

The two of them continued to glare at each other, seemingly not intending to escalate to actual fighting.

—

“Rafio, you’re actually taking the grave-making seriously.”

In a corner of the park near my house, Rafio in his boy form was filling a hole with a shovel. Inside the hole should be the dead crow.

“Surprised?”

“You don’t like Tsumugi that much, do you?”

“I definitely find her difficult. But she’s a magical girl and serious about the crow. In her own way.”

“You’re diligent.”

“Is that so? Tsumugi, it’s done. What now?”

“I’ll pray.”

Tsumugi stuck a fallen branch into the ground and clasped her hands in prayer. Rafio and I followed suit.

“Sorry. I didn’t expect us to fight living creatures. I’m sorry for involving you.”

After a short prayer, Rafio spoke to me apologetically.

“It’s fine. My sister and Haruka said they were prepared for this.”

Though they said it lightly, they were serious. Tsumugi too, probably. It might be a different kind of determination.

“Transforming into a magical girl involves altering the surface of a person without affecting the inner self, similar to the Fear-Eaters. We should have expected human Fear-Eaters.”

Is that so? Well, that might be true.

“Only girls can become magical girls. And only if they have the aptitude, right?”

“? Yes.”

“Does that mean the aptitude prevents someone wrapped in a core from becoming a Fear-Eater in mind as well?”

“… Yes. You’re smart, Yuuma. Though as I explained, if their mind becomes a Fear-Eater’s, they won’t function well due to the clash with their self.”

There’s a big difference between becoming dysfunctional and fighting as a magical girl by one’s own will. Rafio cares about the humans who cooperate with him.

“But the enemy found a way to overcome that. I don’t know how. But since he hates humans, he’d have no qualms about turning them into Fear-Eaters.”

“Hey Rafio, what kind of guy is your friend, the one who makes Fear-Eaters?”

“That is…”

“Hey, you two! Pray properly!”

Tsumugi, noticing our casual conversation, protested.

“We did pray. Your prayer was just too long.”

“Hmm. Is that true? Anyway, Rafio, let me pet you!”

“No.”

“Why? And Rafio, why are you in boy form? I want the fluffy form! The bigger one!”

“You asked me to dig and bury it!”

“Thank you! Now transform back to the fluffy form!”

Tsumugi reached out to tickle Rafio’s neck, knowing how to revert him.

“Huh?”

Rafio grabbed Tsumugi’s wrists and stopped her.

“Mmm.”

Tsumugi tried to bring her arms closer to Rafio with all her might but couldn’t.

“Huh? In a test of strength, I might actually be stronger.”

“That’s unfair because you’re a boy!”

“You were the one who tried to pet me first! Here, take this.”

Rafio pushed back Tsumugi’s arms, grabbed her wrists, and tickled her neck with his index finger.

“Ah! Stop it! Hahaha! It’s ticklish!”

“Tickle tickle.”

“Hahaha! Stop it!”

Tsumugi’s strength faltered, and she fell backward, with Rafio catching her to cushion the fall. But it looked like Rafio was pinning her down.

Seeing Tsumugi’s continued determination or desire to pet him, Rafio decided to continue. He crossed her wrists and held them with one hand, reaching her side with the other.

“This is for all the petting!”

“Ahaha! I give up! I surrender! Please stop!”

“I’ll stop if you promise not to pet me anymore.”

“Uh, no!”

“Tickle tickle.”

“Hahaha! Please forgive me! Hahaha! I’ll remember this! I’ll win if I transform!”

“Don’t transform for such a silly reason. Now, let’s go home.”

I called out to the two still tickling each other. They seemed to be having fun, but it might disturb the neighbors.

I couldn’t ask Rafio about the enemy, the friend who creates Fear-Eaters. What kind of person is he?