*
They didn't gasp or do anything unnecessary. If they were to be brutally honest, they would note that this wasn't that rare of an occurrence...many of the 10 000 who lived here would understand how it would feel. But... Their experiences have already gone by earlier, they have moved on. The girl in front of them... Obviously wishes not to move on... Likely out of fear that she would forget...
It was normal. For her to fear the act of moving on itself. Because that to her, meant that she had forsaken and forgotten her mother's existence. It wasn't something she could forgive herself for. So she clings tightly to the past, allowing her emotions to drag her into the depths of the sea that is her despair.
"Haa~" (Marie)
She deeply exhaled, repulsed with how the world was so distasteful... As to put so many individuals through this pain. Ledia drew back in fear, suspecting that Marie was fed up with her.
"Ah... Ah! No! It's not about you, I'm sorry!" (Marie)
Relieved, Ledia drew back. She seemed incredibly meek and she was self conscious of it, her cheeks grew flush with red as she covered her face. 'What's wrong with myself?'. She felt like she was acting too odd... She did appreciate the kindness that they've shown her, but for a lack of a better word, she felt a little... Strange. Like she couldn't resume back into the cheerful and composed self she once was, stuck in a vulnerable state. Despite her heart rate having calmed down...
Then, it must have been a psychological matter rather than physical...
"Mu..." (Ledia)
At the very least, she was no longer drowning. Her chests heaves naturally with the rhythm of her breathing and her throat is less choked up than before. She could properly speak if she tried a little harder than usual, and she has 3 nice neighbours here looking after her. But the atmosphere was heavy, she had just bawled her eyes out and her neighbours found out, much to her chagrin. She feels a little conflicted that they helped her out of that self-made mess, but she felt humiliated at the same time.
"... It might not be much coming from a stranger, but don't worry about it. It sounds horrible to say but... We're all magical girls here, so... Some of us might know how you feel." (Asha)
"... She meant that you're not alone at all, so please feel free to rely on us when you need to. There's nothing shameful about receiving help. " (Temue)
"... Thank you... I'm feeling better now, so I'm going to rest for a bit, before going for a walk. I'll stop imposing on you... So you guys can return now. " (Ledia)
She then gave them a little bow before wobbling to her bed. Tumbling down onto the sheets, she felt a foreign sense of comfort from its softness. Her body sinks into the suspension of the mattress, the cloth cover of it wraps around her skin in mild coolness, relaxing her fatigued mind and body. Heavy. Her mind felt heavy, her eyelids felt heavy too. They were beginning to get difficult to lift up, as if her strength as being sapped away.
Any strength she mustered was fading away, eventually she let go. Taken to the land of dreams, she hoped to see her mother once more. What would she do then? Say goodbye? Ask for forgiveness? What should she do? She could never decide, but in the this unconscious realm where autonomy does not reside, her thoughts akin to clouds disperse and fray in the sky. Some tears manage to escape anyway, she could never truly accept it.
Watching her safely go to bed, Marie closed the door and instructed the rest to leave. One by one, they exit the apartment and closed the main door behind. Whether there were prying ears or not didn't matter, she doubted anyone wanted to engage in such a dreary matter. Everyone here had something similar in one way or another, and seeing a fresh case would only bring back bad memories.
"... To think that there would be a new one... Terrorism...? I thought it was just a rumour..." (Marie)
"Shh.... You might want to stop talking about that! I heard there are some magical girls involved with those cultist..." (Asha)
"... Regardless, there's reconnaissance magic technology. It's pointless to think about that now, since this conversation isn't encrypted anyway. " (Temue)
In this situation, Marie would say 'But we're Grade Cs'. Even most monsters would find it difficult to fight with them, the only foe that could terrify these individuals would be the demons who were at minimum grade C, but usually B and above. The monsters that they've gotten used to fighting were weak by such standards, but otherwise... Magical girls are an existence that not even the government could touch... Well, not the previous government. The present government includes Himei and the ArcMaidens, there's no circumventing that.
In such a fight... Between a C and an S grade, it would be impossible for the C grade to win. But...
"We have no choice, it's simply how life goes. That's why... We have no choice... But to simply live." (Marie)
Loss... It's too common, disgustingly so for magical girls. To awaken as a magical girl, the most common case was when a young girl undergoes great stress which activates the expression of the magic gene, allowing transformation. The easiest method for this outcome... Was to lose a loved one.
To Marie who has seen too much, she could only bow her head down and cow to herself, simply live life to the fullest and kindest. It won't make the world a better place, she doesn't have that much power. But it'll at least serve as some proof of humanity, vouching that humanity can do good and make each other's lives less painful to get through. She grabs her left wrist with her right hand, making a bitter face for a bit...
Turning her face up, the other 2 seemed to have already grasped her personality. They weren't classmates or people who were any close to each other than they were to Ledia. They were just neighbours and did neighbourly things... They occasionally chatted and shared some meals they overcooked, or even organised some games and sports they did together. They weren't classmates when they got their magical girl license...
They got close thinking that it'd be better to have a good relationship with their neighbours, seeing as they don't see a future living anywhere else, and to assuage their own losses...
"Well, I have some shopping to do... Could one of you stand by and watch over her?" (Marie)
She points her thumb back at the closed door behind her, her complexion recovers some colour as a casual smile breaks out. Obviously, she was referring to Ledia whom she was still concerned over. This was an odd case. Most magical girls awakened because of the build up of stress exploding from The Great Disaster's assault on society. It was also mostly in part due to the loss of their family members, homes, friends, in essence it was the sense of loss from having their entire life uprooted.
But it had already been one and a half years since The Great Disaster, tomorrow was the Life Festival. She awakened this late after the apocalypse... They've already heard the news that it was due to terrorists, but it still unnerved them to know magical girls are still awakening. Some not only lose their daily lives, but also their humanity.
"... It's fine, I'll do it." (Temue)
"I don't have anything to do, so I'll be in my home too. Rest assured, Marie.
You're really worried about the new girl aren't you?" (Asha)
"Mhmm... Well it would have been better if she didn't become a magical girl... Even though it looks like an easy life, the mortal danger could never outweigh the safety and simplicity of a normal life." (Marie)
The other 2 nodded in agreement, she didn't really have to say that much for them to understand.
" Alright, we know you're worried. But you best be going. " (Temue)
" Yeah! We got this! " (Asha).
A bubbly smile emerged on Asha as she gave a thumbs up. Her burst of high energy certainly soothed Marie's heart. They read her so easily, she almost stayed around longer... She really couldn't leave Ledia alone without feeling anxious for her.
"Fuh~ Marie hasn't gotten that worked up in a long time. It's awful that Ledia came here... But I'm glad she's bringing new colour to this place already." (Asha)
"I get what you mean... It's awful what happened to her, but... The constant bright lights and sterile air in this labyrinth made the entire region feel like a hospital. After a while... It starts to feel like I'm living in my own grave, even though we can't die out of old age as magical girls, it doesn't feel like we're living either... " (Temue)
".... It's just what happens here. For those who are courageous enough to brave the dangers... To go out and fight for your life against stronger enemies and other humans...
For those who are more attune to conflict and this violent way of life... They might truly be living in exchange for safety. We who indecisively try to choose both... " (Asha)
" You never know. There are those who enjoy this sort of thing. So I can only say it's not for everyone. Ledia... Would likely value the peace more and like it here, hopefully. " (Temue)
"... Alright, I'm heading back. Bye." (Asha)
" Bye. " (temue)
They each went back to their respective homes. Their lives jolted into a different direction.
"... Cultists...? In here?" (Ledia)
Her soul seemed weak and puny, but her visage burned with a dark ember.
'In here...? In here? In here. In here~. In here? In here! In here? In here.' (Ledia)
***
"...! Dad! " (Ledia)
After her rest, she went back to visit the hospital where her father was staying at. Upon seeing his figure sitting up against the bed, her face brightened and her complexion improved 3 fold. She runs to the bedside excitedly while being careful not to trip. Her father observed her exhilaration which was much akin to a puppy running to its owner and smiles in bliss. He was truly relieved to see her alive and well.
He had already received news on the status of his family... He knew his wife was gone and his daughter had become a magical girl, but he could never truly calm down until he saw it with his own eyes. But Ledia... She must have been more hurt, more afraid than he could imagine. He could easily deduce the horror from her perspective... When it seemed both her parents were no longer with her.
He reaches in for a big hug and she returns in kind. It hasn't been long since he last saw her... Because to him, there was a lapse in consciousness. He remembered waking up to the sound of explosions, rolling off his bed and covering the back of his head with his hands. A bookshelve had broken off from the wall and fell on his head, but it was also stopped by the wall, slowing its descent and lessening the impact. It wasn't fatal, and there weren't any problems with his body, but... His wive's body couldn't even be recovered from the wreckage.
He felt powerless, like a useless lump of flesh for a while... Until he saw his daughter. His will rekindled, as if she sparked his soul. He simply felt the duty to do better for his daughter, spurred by his love for her. He mulls over his words while they hugged, not knowing what to tell her after what has transpired. An explosion, a mother's death, a father's absence... It must have been hard for her to adjust to a new life underground as well, for her to leave their initial home which was chock full of their memories... It must feel like the world was forgetting her mother and trying to erase her from Ledia's memories...
But Ledia herself was proof that her mother once existed.
"... I'm back. Let's enjoy the Life Festival tomorrow. Mum is no longer around... So you'll have to enjoy her share of the fun for her." (Father)
"... I will!" (Ledia)