*
"!...." (Paridia)
Her face more tense than ever before, her usual smug demeanour was nowhere to be found. It truly looked like she was a stressed hamster that kept glancing around warily. She couldn't tell me anymore information, she couldn't share her thoughts... With Paridia, there should be a valid reason for it right? I'm too clumsy with that kind of thinking stuff, so if it should be fine as long as I stop pursuing the matter. As if sensing my thoughts, she heaved a sigh of relief and gave me a slight smile and a small determined nod.
"Well, I'll keep your advice in mind. But we should go to sleep."
She nodded once more, as if she had become mute. Paridia wasn't much of a social person, I've learned that much since the few days I've been with her. Although it was strange to trust us so quickly, Gerald and Paridia had made no qualms about being our companion's in this trip. After Myuu and I defeated them, we didn't make them into slaves but actually sought a mutual partnership, perhaps that was why they let their guard down around us. They knew we gained nothing out of killing them.
Paridia was always straightforward with her words. She tries her best to elaborate on her thoughts and gives reasons to her actions or thoughts, it wasn't exactly how normal conversations would go. But it wasn't hard to see that she was a hard working sweet girl. One that was stronger than me and risked her life along side me, one that I could trust my life to during critical moments.
Her normal despondent speech was a far cry from her prideful arrogant battle personality. But I never saw it as her trying to hide parts of herself to us. After all, if she was trying to hide it so much, she wouldn't be so blunt with her words towards us or towards me. It was odd, but I felt a little prideful when she speaks so directly to me. I'll just think, 'ah. I'm her comrade now'. Such small quirks combined with everything else and how she carries herself, they were all parts of her that I like.
So I found it especially odd. Even if she wasn't much of a socially adjusted person that pays attention to atmospheres or nuances, she was a kind friend that wouldn't keep her silence usually. She would respond to questions, try to continue conversations. Tiny efforts that I found incredibly cute. Though I could never say that out loud. She was the serious type that looked out for what was best for all of us.
On such a scenario, I can't overlook her silence. That must mean that we may be heard or eavesdropped even with my air barrier blocking the sound. I can't wrap my head around it, but that meant that the opponent's skill was either more specific or that it could go across space and directly draw information from us. In that case, are my thoughts even safe? Without much to do, we went to sleep as usual. I released the air barrier to allow some ventilation into our room. Wouldn't want the air to get stale now.
It felt too awkward to get back into her couch, so I went back to mine and blacked out. I could feel a soft tugging at the edge of my consciousness, light was pouring through and it was irritating my eyes.... Wait, my eyes are closed. I gradually pry them open, causing my eyelashes to shiver out of the force exerted into my eyelids. I stretch a little before getting up. Paridia was standing next to me, she went back to sit at her couch once she saw I was awake.
"So, what should we have for breakfast today?" (Paridia)
I point to my cheek as my thoughts deepen into the food choices. Maybe cheap bread would be fine today? But I got a little too wild with training yesterday, so I'm in the mood for meat again. Especially with sunny side up eggs and the dripping yolk on the sausages... Ah! Wait, I should be telling her instead of daydreaming. A slight blush crept on my own cheeks as I quickly tell her my suggestion.
"hmm... Let's go for some sausage and eggs! The prices have gotten cheaper since they became able to mass produce."
She seemed indifferent as usual. It was at times like this that I wonder what she was thinking of. Her face was cute like a doll but also expressionless like an actual doll. It was enjoyable to look at, but her periods of unchanging expression aroused my curiosity at times. Well, whatever it was I'm sure it's something important. Best to bring out a smile and carry on. Flipping the door open, I led the way out of the office with a rhythm in my footsteps. It was dark and there was only a single employee, Damien there who always arrived early. Leaving off with a minor greeting, we waved to each other before leaving the office.
It looks like they don't remember the interrogations that we had with them. So they have completely lost all memory regarding the murder. It was done by magic so surely it would be thorough to make us forget as well... But that was not the case. Me and Paridia still remember that the murder case very well exists, then... Are we the targets? Or is it Palmicia? We crashed here a few days ago, they shouldn't be expecting our arrival. So we should be anomalies outside of their plan. After all, their greatest enemy here is Palmicia.
We were walking outside under the bright blue sky and blinding sunlight, nearly cloudless the sky was akin to a wavy ocean hitting our faces with the cool ocean breeze. In contrast, the buildings of shimmering white concrete lined the streets neatly, giving off the atmosphere of a shopping mall from before The Great Disaster. Things were finally getting better for human society, but that wa sonly because of our location.
The Sanctuary of the Eye God was positioned between the Grundo Alliance from the West or the Middle East asia and the Illnoia Administration from the North. For some reason, those 2 countries face the most monster attacks after they dissolved the Gangrea Monarchy that took over Europe.
That monarchy was just unlucky, the Haradell Union that took over the United Kingdom had pulled strings to sabotage the monarchy from the back, while it was faced with 3 fronts. It was stuck in a perpetual war with the demon country that resided in Africa, the Grundo alliance and the Illnoia Administration. Compared to them, we had one of the best locations, with plenty of fertile land to focus on agriculture and food production, and resources to build homes with.
That was the information accepted by the general public. Typically, the government would hide the magical girl side of things, what significant magic phenomenon was caused and how many died. In that past, this has always happened before. Plagues, earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters may have been caused by conflicts between magical girls. We were taught that much and which disasters were particularly important. But some of these were speculations.
Even magical girls wouldn't be able to tell unless they were specialised in this field, some disasters were natural and some were not. From the point of view of humans who cannot comprehend magic, all of them were natural. They could form conclusions on how the disasters transpired and brought destruction to civilisation, but not what started them. Usually attributing their causes to plate tectonics or a combination of other factors unique to the location like exposure to sunlight.
We went to the usual shop we've been patronising for the past few days and sat at our usual seats. Since we came everyday at around the same time, the owner had recognised us and ushered us to our seats immediately, even pulling the seats out for us. Oh yeah, I havent forgot to untransform every once in a while, so my normal body can exercise too. Like that time a couple of guys decided to hit on us, it may have been excessive to untransform there but it sure gave them a scare.
Both had average looks that didn't suit my fancy, but I made sure to ask Paridia first if she was fine getting hit on. She meekly shook her head, it was so cute I nearly lost it. But I manage to regain my composure and thought changing back into a guy would be the fastest way. Unexpectedly, one of them fainted onto the ground with foam in their mouth and the other had to drag him back. If not for Paridia being there, perhaps I could have gotten a little flustered as well. I guess there was a first for everything.
I push those thoughts to the back of my head as I gave my usual order to the waitress. The waitress' name was Carrie, since the shop wasn't so crowded in the morning, she would occasionally make small talk with us. Maybe she doesn't see girls her age a lot... She was quite young herself, it wouldn't be surprise if she was a high schooler.
"How was your life like before the disaster? Did you have any hobbies?" (Carrie)
"Ah... I was an otaku, though not a big one. I actually spent half my time studying, but it all seems useless now huh? Hahah"
She closed her eyes, as if savouring the taste of the egg white and sausage on her tongue, but she was in fact in deep thought. 'A hobby... Did I have something like that? I was too busy caring about my survival in the facility... Ah, I guess there was one...' She twisted her head to the side in a quick fit, her eyes swam wildly as if there was something she was worried about.
"I suppose I used to collect dolls, but I loved to talk to my friends more. Ah, I guess we had really liked this one band, but who knows what happened to them after the disaster." (Paridia)
"Ah. I was also into music in the past, though not to a professional degree. I've only listened to those that were widely popular." (Carrie)
"Heh! I bet we can guess what kind of music she preferred listening to." (Paridia)
Reviving some of her smug aura, she turned towards me with a crooked smirk, her ridiculing gaze lay pointed at me. If it was just the 2 of us, I would have let myself shiver a bit under that expression. But alas, I was in public so it was better not to get weird under her demeaning expression.
"... You got it right... I've heard of popular songs before but I often don't know their names. So when it came to music, I only listen to those related to.... Ah... It's too embarrassing!"
" Come on, spot it out! I told you guys about my past hobbies, so you should say your secrets too! "(Paridia)
" Mfhmm! Fine... I listened exclusively to magical girl anime at one point, though my taste expanded after that... "
"Heheh! Now that wasn't too hard was it?" (Paridia)
Witnessing our interactions, she let out a soft chuckled as she brought her right fist closer to her chin.
"You guys get along very well huh." (Carrie)
She gave a silent smile and said her goodbye before getting back to work. After enjoying a scrumptious breakfast with Paridia, we left to do some window shopping. Ah... Perhaps have I gotten to used to this? After my training is done, I'll have to leave this place eventually.... Well, I don't think it'll be done anytime soon. The world was still bright outside as we walked peacefully along the row of shops.
Looking at Paridia, she was gazing at a few food shops discretely, when she turned to face me I quickly twisted my head away. Hopefully she didn't saw me saw her... While we continue to walk forward, I spoke without turning my head back.
" How about we buy some food back? I'm feeling up for some snacks today. Even if magical girls don't need food, we still need to act human to stay sane, right?"
She spoke as if she was in a fervour, like something was chasing her to finish her sentences but she didn't have the composure to stop.
"W.... Well, if you're feeling that peckish than I suppose it can't be help then! We'll have to get some stuff back just for you. I also think some of these products look enticing, so I can understand where you're coming from... But take it in moderation okay? "(Paridia)
"........ Mhmm. "
.... Why did it become my turn to get a scolding... Well, as long as she was happy... We also bought some items we thought were useful for traveling and called it a day. It was true that as magical girls, we didn't need nutrients since magical particles could substitute and serve as a source of energy, recycling every metabolic process in our body with the same substances forming and breaking.
Since waste is converted back into useful substances via magic, there was no need for magical girls to excrete unless they ate food. It meant that at most, we would go for a single meal in a day to remember how it felt to taste. We won't want sensory deprivation to mess something up. In some cases, magical girls have gone insane before. Though it was over years of not experiencing environmental stimuli, not a few days. They were sealed by magic and only let free after a long while.
Well those were all just excuses. I simply wanted to taste delicious food.