Chapter 1: Tears

“Drip… drip…”

The sound of the machine echoed in her ears.

Jiang Lingwei opened her eyes.

“…?”

(A strange ceiling…)

The rhythmic beeping of the machine continued in the background.

No explosions, no dark clouds—only sunlight streaming through the window, gently warming her feet, giving a cozy, comforting feeling.

With a slight turn of her eyes, she saw that the room held only her bed. No other patients, no doctors, no nurses.

It felt less like a hospital ward and more like a small room in some kind of sanatorium.

(It looks like we really won.)

She felt relieved.

Jiang Lingwei was the name she used when working part-time as a magical girl.

Her real job? A seventeen-year-old male high school student named Jiang Wei.

At fifteen, by sheer chance, she had signed a contract with a fairy to protect others, gaining the ability to transform into a magical girl.

Normally, a man couldn’t become a magical girl.

But it was a twist of fate. During an incident caused by a magical beast, the fairy had no other options, and Jiang Lingwei showed an astonishing compatibility. So, she stepped up and took the lead.

After that, she gradually met many magical girl companions—mostly from her high school—who fought against darkness on the other side of their daily lives, battle after battle.

At first, as a typical teenage boy, Jiang Wei had entertained some fleeting thoughts.

Imagine it: a guy transforming into a magical girl, surrounded by other magical girls. Wasn’t that straight out of a light novel? Who wouldn’t have a few fantasies?

But as the darkness grew stronger and the battles became graver, facing the pure-hearted magical girls, he set aside those stray thoughts. More than romance, he wanted his companions to return safely after each fight.

Until the darkness was completely banished, he couldn’t let his guard down.

The inevitable came. One day, they faced the final battle.

The gate of darkness opened in the city center. That day, the demon clan invaded in full force, black miasma spreading, and lives were ravaged. Jiang Lingwei, her companions, and the fairy who crossed worlds stood against the surging demonic tide. None of them showed fear; they all drew their magical armaments without hesitation.

They fought relentlessly to protect the citizens, to uphold the light in their hearts, advancing toward the dark gate at the center.

“We have to close it!”

“Shut that gate!”

Her companions’ shouts still echoed in her ears. She remembered the overwhelming dizziness that hit her after exhausting all her magic. She could still hear her companions’ excited voices:

“We did it!”

Then, she seemed to see sunlight breaking through the rolling black clouds.

And so, Jiang Lingwei fainted with relief.

(…Ugh.)

The memory faded. Back in the present, Jiang Lingwei blinked. She could feel her consciousness gradually reconnecting with her body—first her head, then her torso, her hands, her legs. She touched the soft bedding, her toes brushing against the blanket.

Sensing her body, she realized she was still in her transformed state, though not in her magical girl outfit—just underwear, covered by a blanket.

Based on the situation, she hadn’t been unconscious for long. It was time to fully wake up and check on her companions.

Just then, a sound came from the door—someone was entering.

(Heh heh.)

Perfect timing. A playful urge sparked in Jiang Lingwei. She closed her eyes and steadied her breathing.

(Oh? They came to see me first. Heh heh heh, let’s pretend I’m still out and see what they do.)

To her surprise, it didn’t sound like a group visiting. Only one set of footsteps approached, followed by the sound of a chair being moved—the visitor sat by her bedside.

“…I… I came to see you again.”

It was a girl’s voice.

Jiang Lingwei felt puzzled.

(I don’t recognize that voice. Who is it? Someone we saved before?)

It wasn’t impossible. After two years as a magical girl, she’d fought countless beasts and saved countless people. No matter how good her memory was, she couldn’t recall everyone.

But she quickly dismissed the thought.

(No, no… we never forgot to erase memories. If it’s someone we saved, they wouldn’t be visiting me.)

The more humans feared, the stronger the darkness became. As magical girls, they erased the memories of those involved after every mission. Even if someone slipped through, they’d have no reason to find her here.

As Jiang Lingwei’s mind swirled with questions, the girl said one word that sent her thoughts spiraling and her brain crashing.

“Mom.”

(Wait, what? Who?)

Jiang Lingwei had to open her eyes.

Before her was a girl in a summer school uniform, her black hair tied simply, no fancy styles. She wore no makeup, her face plain yet comparable to Jiang Lingwei’s magical girl companions, radiating a pure, youthful beauty.

Her skin was nearly flawless, exuding a vibrant energy.

If that shameless fairy saw her, he’d probably call her a natural-born magical girl.

Jiang Lingwei had been a magical girl for a while, but only in her transformed state. In daily life, she was still a normal boy, and seeing this girl stirred an appreciation for her beauty.

—Of course, it was just admiration, nothing more.

But looking closer, Jiang Lingwei noticed something off. The girl’s face, which should have been lively, carried a heavy exhaustion, with faint dark circles under her eyes.

Jiang Lingwei opened her eyes, racking her brain for any memory of this girl.

Meanwhile, the girl stared blankly at the ceiling, speaking as if to herself rather than to Jiang Lingwei.

“A lot happened today… Mom…”

“I’m a bit tired. I just want to rest sometimes…”

“That jerk Lin Yu said something really hurtful…”

“And, and…”

(She sounds like she’s being bullied.)

Jiang Lingwei, certain she’d never met this girl, felt a pang of sympathy.

(…But, girl, I hate to say it, you’re so tired you’ve got the wrong person!)

(How do you even get the wrong room looking for your mom?)

As she pondered, the girl turned, meeting her eyes, and continued in a tired but effortfully cheerful tone, talking about school.

“But my grades are still great. I got first place again today… I…”

The girl’s face froze.

She held her breath, staring straight into Jiang Lingwei’s eyes.

In response, Jiang Lingwei blinked.

“Wink wink.”

Then she heard the girl’s voice, a chaotic mix of nerves, excitement, and shock, completely off-pitch:

“Mom?! Y-you, you’re awake?!”

The girl, overwhelmed, covered her mouth but couldn’t stop her trembling voice.

“I-I, is this real… Mom… you’re finally awake!”

Tears streamed down the girl’s face.

“I…”

Jiang Lingwei tried to explain.

No matter how close they were, or how clearly she saw her face, mistaking someone like this was absurd!

She sat up in bed, about to speak, when something warm slid from the corner of her eye.

She touched it, looking at her hand.

It was a tear.