Magical Girl: Human Rebellion

“A backer? As in, this company is funding them?” I asked.

“We only had a quick flick through the documents, but it seems that way. Lots of mentions of ‘supply’ and ‘facilities.’ We’ll have to go through them properly later, but what we know for certain is that, for whatever reason, this corporation is aiding and abetting our enemies.”

It seemed that my fears were founded. It’s not just a group of superpowered maniacs trying to get famous that we’re dealing with. There’s some deeper conspiracy here.

In short, we had absolutely no idea how deep of a rabbit hole we had fallen down.

“Akuyaku… w-wait, I know this company…” Sunao said, seemingly recognising the logo. “They’re a pharmaceutical company, I’ve bought supply from them before.”

“A pharma company? Oh, yeah, I guess that’s the kanji for medicine…” that explains how they got ahold of a dangerous and illegal drug like the mind control stuff. But still…

“This all begs the obvious question. What does a trillion yen pharma company want from this? Or more specifically, why are they willing to shell out hundreds of millions of yen for this? Especially when you consider that it would absolutely ruin them if all of this was leaked to the public.” Saki asked the question on everyone’s minds.

“Maybe to drive up sales? Have us ‘cult members’ hospitalise people, then draw all the attention away using the magical girls?” Hana suggested. It’s not something I would put past a shady pharma corporation, but it seemed unlikely.

“If it was proliferation of disease or something, that’d make sense, but there’s no way they’re making enough money from this to pay back some two million yen per day. I think this is something that goes deeper than that.” I was mostly musing to myself at the end, but it seemed to get the others thinking too. What on earth could some enormous corporation get out of supporting these terrorists?

“M-maybe we were right about superpowered slaves? We’re not 100% sure that every girl that gets kidnapped ends up as a cult member. Maybe Akuyaku are selling some of them for slave labour?” Nao suggested

“If it was just the disappearances that would be plausible, but why put on this big show with magical girls and cult members? To keep the heat off themselves?”

Every idea we threw out seemed to have some fatal flaw. It was obvious that we were missing some vital information.

“Argh, it feels like we’re so close to figuring something out. We just need more info.” Saki seemed to share my frustrations. “Nao, you know something about these guys, right?”

“O-only through work. All I’m certain of is that they supply chemicals like medical drugs.”

“Still, it’s a starting point. I want you and Mai to turn over every stone you can and find out what this company’s deal is. Between your knowledge of the field and Mai’s skills for reasoning and gathering information, you two are our best hope.”

“I-I’ll do my best.”

“Hana,” said Saki as she turned to address our newest comrade, “remember how we said we wanted your help freeing the other kidnapped girls?”

“Of course. And I pledged my services to you for it.”

“Well this is your chance to really make good on that pledge. Once your girls are awake, try and get them onside. If the four of you can work to free more ‘cult members’ by finding these hideout places, I want you to make it your top priority. You on board with that?”

“Sir! Yes sir!” Despite having only met her yesterday, Hana seemed to already revere Saki as a figure of authority. I guess saving someone from a lifetime of servitude will do that.

“That just leaves the two of us,” said Saki, turning to address me. “I’ve got a more… direct approach for how we can be of use.”

“Something tells me I already know what it is.” Saki’s expression curled into a smile as I said this.

“Mai and Nao will only be able to glean so much information from what’s publicly accessible. It’d be helpful to hear some of it straight from the horse’s mouth, don’t you think?”

Nao looked back and forth between us for a second, before suddenly seeming to catch on.

“Y-you can’t!” she shouted.

“It’s the best method.” I replied, calmly.

“It’s dangerous!”

“Everything we’re doing is dangerous. We need to take action quickly.”

“But you can’t go alone!”

“It’s safer alone, I can sneak around with 「Illusionist」without getting caught. So long as Saki is on the outside for support, we’ll be fine.”

“Bu-” Nao didn’t seem to have any further rebuttals, but she clearly still wasn’t on board with the idea. I understood why, of course. It was arguably far more dangerous than anything else we had done up to this point.

“I’m… not sure I follow. What are Saki-senpai and Sora-senpai suggesting?”

“They want Sora to sneak into company property on her own and spy on them.”

“Are you guys insane?!” That reverence Hana had seemed to disappear on the spot.

“Do you girls forget that we’re in danger every day just by being alive?” Saki’s tone was stern, as if she were a teacher reprimanding her students. “We don’t have the luxury to be careful. It’s only been four days since Sora first got her powers and we’ve already been attacked four times. If we don’t take measures to end this fight soon, there might not be a minute of our lives where we’re safe from danger. We all have to make sacrifices if we’re gonna get through this together. If Sora’s willing to put her life on the line for our cause, you need to let her make that decision of her own free will. Understand?”

Nao and Hana squirmed a little in their seats. It was clear that Saki’s words were resonating with them in some way, but that they still weren’t entirely on board.

“Girls, I want to do this. If this is the price I have to pay to make sure we’re not in the dark about the threat we’re facing, I’ll pay it happily. We all have a part to play. For me and Saki, this is it.”

The two still shared an expression of worry, but they collectively sighed as if giving up the point.

“I-if this what you want to do, I suppose I can’t stop you.”

“Saki-senpai saved my life, so I’ll trust her judgement. Plus it’s not like my job is gonna be much easier. If you two are certain about this, then you have my support.”

It seemed that me and Saki’s resolve had won them over. And with that, everyone’s role was decided.

Finally, we had a way to bring the fight to our enemies.

This was no longer just a small rebellion. This was our declaration of war.

***

“Am I… in heaven?”

“No, you’re in my lap.”

“Same difference to me.”

Mai had finally begun to stir from her unconscious state, and immediately began sweet talking me the moment she woke up.

“Where are the other girls?” she asked, looking around the room without removing her head from my lap.

“Saki and Nao are transporting some precious cargo, and Hana’s standing guard on the ground floor, so It’s just you and me here. Unless you count the three unconscious girls in the corner.”

“Just the two of us here and you have my head in your lap? How scandalous of you, Sora.” I gave her a light chop to the forehead, causing her to pout dramatically at me.

“I can’t believe you just ran in like that. You didn’t even have powers, you reckless fool. What possessed you to do something so dangerous?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” She raised her arm until her hand was lightly touching my cheek. “I just couldn’t stand watching you get hurt anymore.” My heart skipped a beat. I felt like I was more and more in danger of falling in love with this girl every second.

“Idiot. I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if you’d gotten yourself killed.” I said, lightly stroking her hair.

“You’re so sweet to me, Sora. Marry me when this is all over.”

“Keep asking and I might just take you up on that offer some time soon.”

“I’ll be waiting with baited breath.”

For one moment, one heart-pounding moment, I let myself get lost in Mai’s beautiful eyes. In her wide cheeky grin and her affectionate gaze.

I decided to enjoy that moment for as long as I could.

Because I knew, from today onwards, we would be in constant danger of losing moments like these.

I felt an intense desire in my heart. The desire to make them count while I still could.