Since my Useless Working Sister and Other Troublemakers Became Magical Girls, I have no Choice but to Support Them. - Chapter 1-42: Aina's Bath

Chapter 1-42: Aina’s Bath

Aina might just want to be with me. Or maybe she just wants to talk. Is she lonely, or is she finding the battles tough?

“Hey, Yuuma! I want to drink alcohol in the bath! Bring me a beer!”

“No way.”

It’s dangerous. She really doesn’t care about the battles or the criticism that they’ve been getting from the media.

While looking at my smartphone, I checked the public’s opinion on magical girls.

Although it’s said to be divided, there are more supportive and favorable comments. It feels good to be told to keep up the good work.

Sometimes, there are even comments saying that they want to marry the magical girls. That’s kind of unpleasant. They probably aren’t serious, though.

Regarding the casualties, many people thought those who didn’t run away were at fault or criticized the onlookers for filming instead of fleeing.

I think they’re right. Those people were too careless. They just got what they deserved.

On the other hand, some argue that if the magical girls had moved faster or were stronger and could kill the monsters instantly, there would have been no casualties. That’s unreasonable.

But those who criticize are probably serious too. I saw the lament of the owner of a small store in the department store where Aina first transformed.

He had fulfilled his long-held dream of owning his own store, only to have it ruined. I do sympathize.

Fine. I’ll try to move faster from now on.

If that leads to less fear among people.

There are those who evaluate the situation without taking sides.

They probably think they’re being neutral and calmly observing, but it’s disgusting. They’re just using the magical girls for their curiosity or to increase their own popularity, desperately trying to maintain a neutral stance.

Many are also trying to uncover our identities. I found a video of an unknown girl wearing our school uniform claiming she might have figured out who we are.

The thumbnail and title suggested she knew magical girls, but there was nothing substantial in the content.

Who is this girl? Wearing our uniform and boldly claiming our identities as her classmates—I’ve never seen her before.

Judging by the ribbon color, she should be in the same grade. But it’s likely someone who graduated the year before I enrolled or even three years before, wearing the uniform to pose as a current student.

It’s turning into chaos.

I don’t really care. Neither does Aina nor the other magical girls.

But how does Rafio feel, coming here to protect humans?

If he’s been exposed to human ugliness, he must be hurt.

“Hey, Yuuma. I was thinking.”

“What?”

“Instead of beer, shouldn’t I drink sake while in the bath?”

“Hey.”

I thought it was going to be something serious.

“Hey, Yuuma! Bring me sake! It’ll feel like an onsen! And I want some snacks too!”

“I’m not bringing you anything! And it’s dangerous to drink in the bath!”

In an open-air bath, the outside air cools you down, but it’s risky in a home bath.

“It’s fine. You’re nearby, right? If you don’t hear my voice, come help me!”

“Don’t drink assuming you’ll pass out!”

“It means I’m relying on you, Yuuma!”

“Don’t try to make it sound cool just so you could drink! You’re planning to pretend to pass out and drag me into the bath anyway, aren’t you?”

“Wha!? No, I’m not!”

“Your reaction is too obvious.”

She still hasn’t given up on getting me to bathe with her.

“Hey, Yuuma. Wash my back!”

“No.”

“Then bring me the sake! And I want kanpyō maki! Ask Rafio to make it!”

“Even Rafio isn’t skilled enough to make that without preparation.”

“Come on, Yuuma! Choose! Bathe with your sister or bring the sake!”

“Don’t make it a two-choice ultimatum! Alright, I’ll prepare some drinks for you. Wait a bit. You can drink as much as you want after you get out of the bath!”

“Yay! I love you, Yuuma!”

“Hey! I said wait!”

I held the bathroom door shut, stopping Aina from coming out immediately. Why do I have to face my naked sister here?

“Wait properly!”

Leaving those words, I headed to the living room.

I was also a bit curious about Rafio.

“Yuuma, has Aina calmed down?”

Rafio, the small fairy, was sitting on the low table in front of the TV, watching the screen intently, said those words to me without even glancing my way.

He seemed to be watching a drama. A scene where an unfamiliar actress looked deeply troubled.

Since it’s a drama airing at this time of night, it must be a new show. The TV station must be promoting it earnestly, but I haven’t noticed.

The ending song was playing, signaling the show’s conclusion.

“Spending three months watching whether this heroine’s love will come true. It’s a wonderful culture. Watching this culture directly through the magic mirror in the other world was nice, but it’s more enjoyable to see it in person.”

With the preview moving to commercials, Rafio finally looked at me. He wanted to talk about romance dramas, it seemed.

“Do you like it?”

“Romance dramas? Yes, I like them. Love is good.”

“I see.”

He mentioned wanting to watch a romance movie before.

It’s not a typical hobby for a boy his age, but it’s his choice.

“My sister wants a drink. Can you make something?”

“Sure. Any specific requests?”

“Kanpyō maki. You can’t make that, right? I’ll buy it.”

“Got it. I’ll prepare the rest that she might need.”

Rafio transformed into a boy and headed to the kitchen.