Magical girls could recognize each other quite easily.
When transformed, a magical girl's face would be covered by a layer of cognitive disruption magic, ensuring the concealment of their true identity. However, this spell was drastically less effective on other magical girls. Additionally, those adept at handling magic, like Moeka, could intuitively grasp her colleagues' signals in a flash.
Rather, Moeka often encountered other magical girls on campus. Orion University, the place she attended, was a state-funded institution that provided generous benefits to on-duty and retired magical girls. Because of it and the city's peaceful reputation, many chose this place instead of cramming to join more prestigious universities in big metropolises.
That said, magical girl students from the capital city, Helios, were rare. One could say that the place was a world of its own, boasting remarkably foreign politics compared to small states like City O.
Not to mention...
'Didn't I see her on TV the other day...?'
Moeka stared blankly at the person who had just arrived. Long, natural blond hair, blue eyes, and a confident smile—a striking look. As the girl approached her, Moeka finally recalled the name—Magical Marigold, often called 'Gold' by fans. One of the strongest magical girls in the country, and the earliest to be differentiated as an Alpha.
In other words, a real celebrity.
What was a person like her doing in this rural town...?
Before Moeka could finish pondering that question, the girl had approached her, ''Hello?'' She greeted, ''You're also a student here... right?''
''...Yes.''
'Also?' Moeka thought. Something sounded wrong here.
''Can I sit beside you?''
''Sure...''
Taking Moeka's reluctant answer as a confirmation, the girl flopped down beside her, beaming, ''That's a relief! I just moved here, so I'm a little lost.'' She smiled, ''I'm Haruno Himeko, a freshman! What's your name?''
''Kisaragi Moeka. Second year.''
''Oh, I should call you 'Senior,' then.''
Moeka took another bite of her melon bread. Somehow, she could feel Himeko's curious gaze stuck to her face. Eventually, the blonde girl cautiously asked, ''Senior, you're also... a magical girl?''
''Mhm.'' Moeka nodded, ''Miss Haruno, are you Magical Marigold?''
''Ah... so you know.'' Himeko scratched her cheek, ''Yes. I've been temporarily transferred here due to some circumstances...''
Moeka had always made sure to pay attention to the city's order. The fact that a powerful magical girl had been assigned to city O could very well mean something was threatening this place.
'Strange... Miss Casey hasn't told me anything.'
''Could you provide some information?'' Moeka inquired, ''I believe it also concerns me.''
Faced with such a serious, business-like attitude, Himeko frantically shook her head, ''It's nothing like that! Um... you know, there've been cases of magical girls losing control during their heat cycle, right? It's a bit common in Helios. The stronger the magic, the worse it is.''
''I've heard of it. Please continue.''
''My manager said that if I went berserk, it would be a national disaster... so she told me to find the Omega magical girl in this city! She explained it to me as well, but I didn't quite understand what she said. I guess only that Omega can soothe my heat if it happens? Something like that?''
Looking at Himeko's silly smile, Moeka fell into deep thoughts. From those words, it was not difficult to deduce that the higher-ups had already decided Osbeckia's role as the 'relief' magical girl. The situation must have been quite dire for them to send Marigold so quickly. It would be wise to assume other magical girls' eventual arrival, too.
Miss Casey's silence most likely meant protection. She was giving Moeka a chance to decide for herself, despite the inevitable pressure from above. If Moeka refused, Miss Casey would probably do her best to get her out of this.
''...''
Moeka's perspective immediately changed. If The Federation had insisted on this solution... it would be tough to reject it, exceptionally so. At some point, she would have to give in. Even she knew the state was not all that friendly at times. She could not let her family be affected by this.
Suddenly, the blond girl leaned closer, ''Senior, would you happen to know her? Magical Osbeckia... I think that was her name.''
Moeka took a deep breath, ''...That's me.''
''Huh?''
''I'm Magical Osbeckia.''
''...''
''...''
At the sudden admission, Himeko nearly recoiled back half a meter, not because she had developed a hatred for Omegas, but her face, like an innocent puppy's, betrayed a clear sense of guilt, ''I-I'm sorry, senior! I didn't know you were an Omega...''
''It's fine. My pheromones are stable, which is a good thing.'' Moeka stated, ''Besides... we're both girls, so I don't mind the earlier distance.''
''Is that so...''
Knowing Moeka was an Omega made all the difference. In Himeko's eyes, the pink-haired senior looked aloof, beautiful but hard to approach, like a cold princess, but if beneath that layer of ice lay something sweet... her throat felt a bit dry.
While she was daydreaming, Moeka extended her phone forward, ''This is my contact. Text me if you need help.''
''A-Ah, yes!''
After exchanging contacts, Moeka promptly rose to her feet, having finished her lunch, ''Then, I'll return to class now. See you later.''
''Wait...!''
Himeko herself did not know what pushed her to hold Moeka back, only that she had done it. So, mustering up every ounce of courage she had, Himeko uttered, ''Can we meet this afternoon...? I'll treat you to a drink or something. I mean, I'm kinda unfamiliar with how things work here...''
Seeing no reason to refuse, Moeka nodded, ''Sure.''
An hour or two after classes was not a big deal. She could certainly obtain useful information from Himeko, a top magical girl. Besides, it would be a lie to say that Moeka did not fancy the junior's looks. Beautiful people always had it easier, she thought.
Afternoon.
As soon as Moeka exited her class, she bumped into Himeko, who had been waiting conspicuously outside for a while. With her flamboyant impression, Himeko naturally stood out among the students. A noble girl, an Alpha, attractive and vibrant. She seemed to draw eyes wherever she went, and to other magical girls, she was no less than a superstar.
''Ah, senior!''
''...''
Moeka could feel piercing eyes the moment Himeko cheerfully greeted her. She could tell the girl to tone it down, though outsiders' opinions never really affected Moeka. They often ended up not mattering one bit, after all.
''Let's go.'' Moeka said, ''Do you have a place in mind?''
''I do. It's called...''
Inevitably, gossips spread around the area. The fact that one of them was A and the other one was O was never a secret. An energetic Alpha, as bright as the sun, and the ice queen Omega—together, the two looked rather... scandalous. In a short time, shippers popped up in the dozens, some even teasing fanfics between the two.
Yet, the involved girls still had no clue as to what was brewing in the community.