The motorcycle roared as it crossed the red bridge spanning the canyon, following the highway into Fūmei Town.
The motorcycle began to slow down, and the scenery inside gradually unfolded before the three of them.
As Suhō had said, this was a town with a population of one million, its buildings arranged neatly and in an orderly fashion according to the terrain’s elevation.
In the distance, the skyscrapers in the town center spread across the flattest and most prosperous area by the sea, while pedestrians and vehicles on the streets in the surrounding areas flowed steadily.
Although the roads were not particularly wide, the road surface was exceptionally clean and tidy, and the shops and residential buildings on both sides of the road were arranged compactly, giving a sense of retro style.
Elwen’s motorcycle followed the stream of traffic all the way forward, then stopped at a certain intersection.
Ding, ding, ding— A crisp and rhythmic warning sound came from ahead.
The red and white striped barriers slowly lowered, cutting off the not-so-busy flow of vehicles and pedestrians.
A vintage tram with only two carriages was clattering slowly along the tracks in the afterglow of the setting sun.
Students who had just been dismissed from school passed by, laughing and playing by the roadside, while couples walked together and housewives chatting carried their grocery baskets.
The setting sun coated everything in a warm amber glow, making the scene appear peaceful and serene.
The black motorcycle continued its journey, heading toward the city center.
Finally, it came to a slow stop in front of a seven-story apartment building in the bustling district.
Elwen parked by the roadside and turned off the engine.
Her long, beautiful legs beneath her jeans lifted cleanly as she dismounted with a crisp motion and walked toward a vending machine on the sidewalk.
She took several silver coins stamped with a tree pattern from her pocket, inserted them into the machine, and turned back to ask: “What will you two drink?” Suhō raised her hand full of energy: “I want strawberry milk!” “Momo Senpai, what about you?” Then she saw the cherry-haired girl behind her staring intently at the various images on the vending machine, but she offered no response for a long time.
Just as Suhō was about to ask again, she suddenly realized why she wasn’t answering.
…She probably doesn’t recognize any of these drinks, does she?
Suhō pursed her lips, then suddenly flashed a bright smile at the girl: “Then let’s all drink strawberry milk!” Leon glanced at her without saying a word.
Clunk.
Thud.
Two cans of strawberry milk in pink packaging dropped down.
Elwen deftly tossed the milk to the two of them, then opened a black coffee for herself.
Suhō took the lead, twisting open the bottle cap and gulping it down, before happily wiping her mouth with the corner of her shirt: “This brand of strawberry milk is super-duper delicious, I’ve been drinking it since I was a kid!” On the other side, Leon gripped the bottle, twisting open the cap with two slender fingers, and took a tentative sip of the pinkish-white liquid.
Without any intention of judging the taste, he immediately downed the rest in one go.
The sweetness was high, and it was somewhat thick, which meant a lot of sugar had been added.
It was just what his body needed right now to make up for its lack of energy.
After hydrating, Suhō looked at Leon, then at Elwen, and suddenly asked with some worry: “Um…
Elwen Senpai.” “Since Momo Senpai has lost her memory and her phone is gone, doesn’t that mean she doesn’t even know where she lives?
What should we do?” “Should we go ask the Association?” “I’ll just look it up.” Elwen, whose figure was more like that of an adult woman than a young girl, set down her black coffee, pulled out a black smartphone, and slid her slender fingers quickly across the screen, explaining unhurriedly.
“Outland Investigators can investigate the identity records of everyone in the city, except for Magical Girls.” “However, she and I are both Investigators, so we have the authority to access each other’s files.” After a few seconds, Elwen looked at the information on the screen, paused slightly, then raised her head, her face showing a trace of regret and apology: “There’s some bad news.” She turned the phone screen toward the two of them.
The screen displayed a brief file: [Name: Momo] [Magical Name: Momo] [Age: 16] [Address: 3-chome, 12-ban, Fūmei Town (Lives Alone)] [Identity: Student (First-year at Mitaki Private High School)] [Guardian: None (Parents deceased)] Spy- Japanese addresses generally identify areas by neighborhood, chōme (district), and numbered land parcels rather than by street names.
Here, 3-chome, 12-ban means the 3rd section of Fūmei Town, parcel/address No.
12.
“The file shows that your parents have passed away, and you are currently living alone.” Suhō’s expression froze instantly, the smile gradually vanishing from her face.
She looked cautiously at her Senpai, who was quietly holding the milk bottle beside her.
The girl simply stared at the information on the screen with her cherry-red eyes, her sweet, slightly childish face betraying no emotion.
Perhaps she had no memory of it at all, or perhaps she simply did not know how to express her feelings like a normal person.
“Outland Investigator…” Although Elwen had not explained in detail, it was clear from her few words and her overall demeanor that this title was special, even among Magical Girls.
Orphaned, and yet she had become an Outland Investigator all on her own.
Senpai, what could she have been trying to achieve…
Elwen sighed softly.
“It is regrettable, but if you were hoping to recover your memories through your family, that is likely no longer an option.” “However, the things in your home might still be of some help to you.” “Your mana and mental state are relatively stable right now, so you can spend the night at your own place first.
Tomorrow, when I take Suhō to the Association, I will pick you up as well.
We can ask the Association if they have any ways to help, whether it’s medical treatment or something else.” Elwen pointed to the address and said, “So, I will take you back…” “No!
Absolutely not!” Before Elwen could even finish, Suhō excitedly interrupted her.
Her face flushed red as she grabbed Momo’s soft, slender hand.
“Momo-senpai just went through such a dangerous battle and now she remembers nothing.
How can we let her go back to live alone?
What if…
what if she encounters danger again?” She turned to Elwen, her gaze resolute.
“Elwen-senpai, I want to invite Momo-senpai to stay at my house for the night!” “My mom definitely won’t say anything!” Elwen looked at Suhō’s fiercely protective stance, clearly surprised, then turned to the cherry-haired girl.
“What do you think?” Momo looked at the girl beside her, whose face was full of concern, and at the gem pinned to her chest, shimmering with an azure light.
Her eyes flickered.
Free accommodation, and staying with a Magical Girl who was completely defenseless against her.
For her, who currently had zero information about the background of this instance, this was undoubtedly the best choice.
She lowered her eyelids slightly and spoke her first words after returning to the inside of the light screen.
“…As long as you don’t mind the trouble.” In an instant, Suhō’s eyes widened with joy.
“It won’t be a trouble at all!!” She puffed out her small chest, her right hand slapping it with a loud crack.
“Momo-senpai can stay as long as she wants!
Mom will welcome her too!!” “Mm.” Lin Guang nodded gently, accepting the proposal.
“Thank you.” “Then it’s settled!” Suhō excitedly took Lin Guang’s hand.
“Don’t mention it, we’re all Magical Girls, it’s only right that we help each other!” “…”