Yuka's POV

I heard some groaning, followed by movement which made me look down at Hiroyuki. He slowly opened his eyes, blinking. "Did you sleep well?"

"Y-Yūka!!" he yelled out, jerking away from me and falling to the ground. I stood up and went to him, trying to see if he got injured. "That's a good reaction to someone who stayed with you until you woke up," I said sarcastically.

"S-sorry. I was just surprised to see you so close. Not to mention that I was sleeping on your lap..."

"Oh..." I refused to meet his eyes and instead looked at the sky.

"I didn't make you uncomfortable with that postion, did I? Your legs must be sore," he said, concerned. I instantly smiled at him, waving my hand in a 'It's fine' manner.

"No, no. It's alright. You're a priority, with all your injuries."

"By the way, what happened? I can only recall being in intense pain then blacking out. Before that... Oh! That weird blob thing that attacked us also frightened me. It can't be a dream.. Do you know what happened?"

"I don't really know myself. Luckily, someone came to our aid."

***

When I reached the house, I dodged my mom's questions about my day and immediately headed to my room. I changed out of my clothes and laid down on the bed, taking out my phone to get rid of my boredom. I don't even know what to do. I could sleep but I know I won't be able to. I stared at the ceiling to clear my thoughts, but it's not really working like I thought.

"You seem to have a lot in your mind."

That voice...

I looked at my left to see the cat-like creature pass through furnitures. His magenta eyes stared at me unwaveringly. His silence made me think that he can see through me and that gave me an unsettling feeling. I closed my eyes and opened them after a few seconds, but he's still there. I stared at his cat ears which protrudes two "long ears" with rings surrounding them. He looks alive and well, as if he wasn't sliced in half....

"B-but I thought—"

"I died? Well, I suppose you can call it that. But it's not a problem. If I have to say anything, I'd call it an inconvenience." Yūbi took notice of my bewildered expression so he climbed up at my bed. "If my body is deemed nonfunctional, I can just conjure a new one and eat the former."

"So, you're immortal?"

"You can say that. But it's really a pain to have to do all that, so I'd rather not "die". Even if my kind don't feel pain since we don't have emotions, it's still discommoding."

"How about that time in the labyrinth? Hiroyuki acted as if you're not there at all."

"Didn't Mitsuko tell you this before? Our species are only visible to magical girls. In your case, magical girl candidates." He said, getting comfortable. He looks kinda normal, as a stuffed toy that is.

"I see...."

The whole 'if I die, I'd just make another one body and eat the other' thing still didn't sink in, but that's expected. I mean, I know they're aliens and all, but to be immortal? Then again, they can grant wishes so.... Well, they can, right? I haven't really seen him grant any wishes... But Mitsuko-san and Masami-san are proof of his abilities. They wouldn't be magical girls if it weren't for him.

"If you're done with asking, then can I ask the questions now?"

My eyes followed him as he went around in circles, waiting for my answer. "Sure..."

"Haruna Yūka. Will you form a contract with me and become a magical girl?"

"You're asking that now?" I retorted. He sighed and shook his head.

"That event earlier made me think that it would make you form a contract with me."

"Event?" I asked, bewildered. I tried recalling scenes that happened before, and the encounter with the witch instantly came into mind.

"Well?" Yūbi questioned.

"Can you really grant me anything I want?"

"Of course. You have what it takes."

My eyes travelled down to my hands who were clasped on one another tightly. They were trembling even though my hold was firm, making me release a heavy sigh. If I do this, then there's no turning back.

"Don't ever think of making a contract with that devil. You don't want to be tormented for eternity, do you?"

Should I do this? That girl really looked serious when she warned me. Was there something about the contract that I don't know? But... Mitsuko-san doesn't trust her. I've been with Mitsuko-san for a while and I don't think she would be the type to lie. She may be secretive, but everyone has something that they're afraid to let others know. There... There's a reason why Mitsuko-san told me to stay away from that girl. Who should I trust?

"Yūbi...." I called weakly. Talking became a hard thing for me to do. My throat has dried up, and my voice failed me. I inhaled deeply and exhaled, before speaking while clenching my fists.

"I'm going to form a contract."

Yūbi went mute for a few seconds before he closed his eyes and nodded. He opened his eyes slowly and walked closer. "Alright. Go ahead and make your wish."

"I want...the power to protect Hiroyuki. I want to keep him away from harm.."

"You're using your wish for someone else?" He asked, ears flopping.

"It's what I truly want. It's what I wish for."

"If that's what you say...." His "bunny" ears inched towards my chest. "This is going to hurt for a while, but it'll be over before you know it."

Light enveloped my chest. My hands move to clutch it when breathing was suddenly difficult.  My eyes fluttered as I felt the abrupt strike of pain and I let out a groan. I felt my eyes watering as they were closing tardily, but Yūbi's voice kept me awake.

"Yūka, stay with me."

I fully opened my eyes to see a soul gem floating in front of me. The color was similar to Yūbi's eyes, only darker.

"That's your soul gem, Yūka. Grasp it with both of your hands and don't let go."

My hands moved towards the soul gem, my fingers curling around it in no time. When I held it tightly, the light dissipated. "The contract is complete. You are now a magical girl, Yūka." I stared at the soul gem in awe. I can't believe it. I'm now a magical girl! Now I can protect Hiroyuki with this power!

"Thank you, Yūbi! I'm—"

"Just how stubborn can you be?"

A firm but calm voice sent shivers down my spine. When I turned around, I saw the same girl standing on the balcony, leaning on the railings for support. It may seem like she's been there for a while, but the sweat trickling down from the side of her forehead gave it away. Why was she such in a hurry? "W-what are you doing here? How?"

"That's a pretty dumb thing to ask a magical girl," she replied, hair waving as the cold wind blew outside. "You're such a pain. I just went to take care of some business and when I came to check up on you, you're doing whatever the hell you want, ignoring my warnings." She then sighed and shook her head, massaging the bridge of her nose. "Well whatever. I can't do much now. The only one who can save you is yourself."

"What—"

"I should've paid more attention to you. Dang, I shouldn't have showed any mercy." She gritted her teeth and growled, sending a glare towards Yūbi.

"What do you know about being a magical girl?" I questioned. Yūbi immediately came to me when he heard my question. "Yuka don't! You shouldn't trust her! Asking her is a bad idea!"

"Not right now, Yūbi." I heard Yūbi gasp, before he backed away.

I saw her lips curl into a smirk. "Rest assured, fiend. I won't say your secrets that easily," she said, sparing a glance at Yūbi's direction before turning to me. "As for you, Haruna, I can't really tell you anything. Revealing the truth will be the fastest way for you to go down that path. However, I can say with confidence that that thing right there is not something you should trust." She pointed at Yūbi with a sneer.

"You can try to learn the truth little by little. But don't be greedy. Too much information isn't always good. Try asking this to Tachibana for starters. Have you ever heard of old magical girls? Listen carefully to what she has to say." She looked at her watch and her lips pressed into a thin line. "I better get going. Remember. From now on, you have to be extra careful. If I have to describe you along with Tachibana, I'd say you're the very embodiment of innocence for magical girls. You're still ignorant of reality. Be careful with playing hero in this world, you might end up walking on the wrong direction."

She leapt out of the balcony before I even had the chance to speak. The words I want to say were left hanging, making me facepalm. She needs to stop and listen to what others have to say. I turned around for some advice from Yūbi but there's no traces of him anywhere. Why should Yūbi leave too? That girl's attitude is already making me want to punch a wall.

Speaking of...

"Her name? What is it?" I whisphered to myself. I already met her several times and it sucks that she knows my name (and it looks like she knows a lot about me) while I don't even know a single thing about her. Well, except for the fact that she's a magical girl and studies at the same school. I would joke and call her a stalker if she wasn't serious with her words, but her steady tone suggests otherwise. Ugh, I trust Mitsuko-san, truly. But that warning of hers.... That's not something that you can just throw around. You can't just say 'hey if you do this you will suffer' and say it's a prank afterwards. Besides, she doesn't look like she's kidding. She's being earnest.

And what is she talking about anyway? What would happen to me if I know the truth? What would happen if I become heroic? Aren't magical girls supposed to be the hope for the world? Why does she make it sounds like it's the opposite?

With all these questions in my mind, I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight. Just thinking about the possibility that things might go wrong with me being a magical girl is enough to keep me up all night. Let's assume Mitsuko-san doesn't know what that mysterious girl is talking about. Then maybe Masami-san.... But she doesn't look like she knows either. I'll try asking her sometime.

But.. What if really she doesn't know? What would I do then? There's Yūbi... If I try asking him, will he lie? And that time earlier... Yūbi also doesn't trust that girl. But why? Why doesn't he want me to interact with that girl? And his reaction when I asked the question....

Is that girl speaking the truth? Was I too gullible?

"I should've paid more attention to you. Dang, I shouldn't have showed any mercy."

Paid more attention? Mercy? Would she go to such great lengths for this?

Silver hair... Sea-green eyes...

She's..!!

"The girl that spied on Mitsuko-san and I on my first witch encounter..." I mumbled, looking down at my soul gem.. "Is it possible...? That she's also the one that I caught escaping from the house one night?" So that's why I kept on thinking she's familiar. I've been thinking of it over and over but I just can't put my finger on it. But now...

If it was her then how did she know my address? What happened then? Is it the thing that Mitsuko-san told me before? Witches controlling people.... Were we under a witch's influence? Then how did she know what happened? It was around midnight if my memory is correct. Why would she even come?

"Ugh... My head's going to explode from all these brainstorming," I complained rubbing my temples. I should just go to sleep. I'll force myself to rest and sleep. I arranged my bed and turned off the lights. I stared at the door of the balcony for a while.

"Yuka don't! You shouldn't trust her! Asking her is a bad idea!"

A simple act of asking isn't a bad idea, yet why did Yūbi react like that?

"Am I putting my faith on the wrong people?"

=====
Indeed. Am I putting my faith on the wrong people? Voting will prove me wrong.

Aight enough. This chapter is shorter than usual (for about 400 words) but I can't really add anything because this is okay I guess.

Oh right. I noticed something. Why did the reads suddenly increase last chapter? Like bruh, from seven it shot up to fourteen. Well, I'm grateful for those who took their time reading but dang, that seriously surprised me. Okay, it's not a lot but come on. Let me be happy just this once.

For those wondering why there's a lot of mistakes (probably), then it's because I don't really check the chapter after I write them. I just don't want to see my terrible work, kinda like how I hate seeing my face (whether it's a photo or in front of the mirror).

Anyway talking (typing) is over. Time to go home bois.

~Kazumi_Nyay624