Regret.
An emotion that someone, somewhere, at some point, would experience at least once. Moeka, too, had lots of regrets. She wished she had spent more time with her father when he was still alive. She wished she had paid more attention to her single mother sooner. Plans she had to cancel, courses she could have taken—Moeka occasionally wished she could turn back time.
But then... nothing could have prepared Moeka for the confusion she felt after having sex with Fumiko.
Curtains shut, damp. The lab in the afternoon's tail was permeated with a strangely sticky and awkward scent. The mixture of Fumiko and Moeka's ripe pheromones seemed to have created a foggy perception within. A little dreamy. To both of them, who just had their first experience, even more so.
''Hah...''
Moeka exhaled, as if relieved. She sat on the sofa, wrapped in nothing but a towel. She could hear the sound of running water. Her partner was in the bathroom, which was why she could relax in the first place. As she glanced at the rather... violent aftermath on the sofa—her own masterpiece—Moeka could not help but blush.
In this relative quietness, she finally had some moments to reflect on the events that had transpired. It would be a lie to say that she did not see this particular development between her and Fumiko as rushed. They kissed once a few days prior, and now, Fumiko was ready to make Moeka a wife. Granted, their relationship had been shimmering for years at this point, so it was not an uproar.
Still... having her first time taken in such a manner dealt a massive blow to Moeka's ego. The fact that she, a powerful magical girl, was bullied until her eyes bawled out—it did not inspire an attribute she was often proud of, strength.
Nevertheless, Moeka was delighted, more than anything. Even though she would have liked their first time together to be a little more romantic, she was glad she could connect with Fumiko in this way.
'I guess we're dating now...'
She thought to herself, smiling. If someone who knew Moeka caught her making this sort of expression, they would think they were looking at a double.
''Let me dry your hair.''
''...Ah, okay.''
While she was giggling to herself, Fumiko had already exited the bathroom, looking as languid yet seductive as ever. In Moeka's objectively correct observation, her childhood friend possessed a face and aura that could rival a top-tier celebrity. Despite holing herself in the lab all day, Fumiko's back was suspiciously straight, her frame tall and slender. Her face—the deadly weapon that broke countless hearts—retained a sort of unique pull Moeka had not seen from anyone else.
And, for some reason, she looked even better after 'eating up' Moeka.
Moeka thought she understood it. She just could not see her partner as anything less than beautiful anymore. Was it the side effect of exchanging marks? Mixing pheromones? Dangerous, the way it could influence the brain, Moeka thought. But the good part? All of Fumiko's was hers.
Some sort of pride smashed the last bits of shyness from Moeka's heart. It almost made her want to announce their relationship to the world.
Suppressing the excitement, Moeka closed her eyes, enjoying Fumiko's gentle touch as she blew her hair. Either of them could have used magic to have it instantly dried, though it would have been risky in the lab. And... they both wanted to spend more time with the other person.
'This coziness is strangely addicting.'
While Moeka was dozing off, Fumiko suddenly spoke, ''Hey, I just thought of something...''
''Hm?'' Moeka tilted her head slightly.
''...Won't we be in a lot of trouble if my mark on you acted as a deterrent for other Alphas?''
''That...''
''...''
''...''
Neither of them had ever considered that with Moeka being marked, others might be reluctant or even avoid touching the Omega. Furthermore, the mark was permanent, and Fumiko's scent had already embedded itself deep within Moeka's being. A normally joyous connection now became a potential risk, all thanks to Moeka's immense value as the sole Omega magical girl. If it truly would not work, Moeka's career would take a turn for the worse, and who knows what the inhumane higher-ups of the Federations would do to her in that case?
''W-Well, you also bit directly on top of Miss Haruno's mark, so it should be fine, right?'' Moeka reasoned, ''Besides, I'll only let them bite somewhere safe. Your scent shouldn't be unbearable.''
''Somewhere safe?''
''Like the arms... or the hands.''
Fumiko's eyes narrowed, ''Then why did I have to see that girl's teeth marks on your chest?''
Moeka, facing an imminent threat, profusely explained, ''That was an accident...! Miss Haruno completely lost herself back then.'' She slowed down, ''It's... dangerous, really. The heat period. That's a part of the reason why I want to do this.''
Fumiko's expression was grim. Even if she decided to become a living Buddha for Moeka's cause, allowing other women to touch her prized possession, there was still a limit. If any of them harmed Moeka, Fumiko did not think she could ever forgive them or herself.
''Frankly speaking, I don't want you to be put in that position.'' Fumiko said, ''I hope you're not forcing yourself just because you're the only one who can do it.''
''...''
Moeka did not know what to say for a long while. Fumiko never pursued a reply either, merely caressing her partner's hair. In the end, Moeka admitted, ''...A part of it is because I feel obligated, sure. Combined with the other reasons, you could say I am being involved rather than involving myself in it. But I'll still do it so those girls won't have to commit something unspeakable. Saving people—that's the first and final goal of being a magical girl, no?''
Fumiko quietly hugged Moeka from behind, sighing, ''I'm worried.''
Hearing the sincerity in her voice, Moeka was ecstatic, ''Don't worry, I'm not that weak. And... you'll protect me if something goes wrong, right?''
''That's a given.'' Fumiko immediately nodded, ''...If you're this committed to the job, I have no other choice, do I?''
''Thanks. Really.''
Moeka turned around and softly kissed Fumiko's lips—a gesture that fluttered the Alpha's heart helplessly. But when the atmosphere seemed as if it would reignite, both of their phones rang.
''The alarm... The Legion is finally showing itself again.'' Moeka clenched her fists, ''Let me handle this.''
An unknown fear surged in Fumiko's heart. It was a perfectly routine response. Yet, even knowing how reliable Magical Osbkecia was, she could not help but fret. The Omega, her delicate girlfriend... what if something happened to her?
But in the end, looking at Moeka's determined expression, Fumiko could hardly cling to her. Magical girls appearing at the same spot—this alone could allow criminals to act out wildly, knowing the girls were occupied elsewhere.
Still, just as a precaution, Fumiko summoned her familiar, a purple-ish owl modeled after her mascot, ''Follow her.''