Two days has passed since Executioner No.4 was given the mission to find the culprit of the theft that has been happening around Verdant Market.
There has been reports confirming the disappearances of various items. Food, toys, clothes and hygienic supplies. All were basic supplies a person would need, and strangely enough nobody was seen on the cameras and the items simply vanished from sight. Thus police investigations were on hold due to lack of evidence.
"I've already collected traces of magical energy around the shops affected...Wise wasn't able to come up with any findings. Perhaps, a new magical girl? Or maybe a Card on loose?"
No.4 thought to himself.
Cards are one of the sources of power a Magical Girl can tap onto. It is the sealed manifestation of a mystic, be it a spell or a beast. Back then there were only a number of cards available, but ever since the leak of magical power to the outside world various duplicates of varying strength manifested. The situation was more than simply increasing number of magical girls. Artifacts and beasts also increased in number.
"If it's a Card on loose then it's outside my jurisdiction as an Executioner."
"That's not entirely true, No.4. As an Executioner, your duty falls more than simply apprehending dangerous girls."
A womanly voice came out from the sky. A figure of a lady hangs from the body of her staff. She drops herself to the roof where No.4 was on.
"No.2, came here to get me my yogurt milk?"
"For a high school boy you sure still have pretty childish tastes. Here you go."
The young man only peeked at where No.2 is when he felt the cold touch of the bottle.
"Thanks." the man only replied before taking the bottle from her hands. Shaking it before taking the cap off and taking a good drink out of the yogurt milk.
"Having a hard time?"
She asked sweetly, and No.4 only shook his head. Executioner No.2, unlike No.4 is much more gentle with her approach. Convincing her targets to surrender their weapons. Although her efforts only worked thanks to her kind and trusting aura. Even so when worse comes to worst, she will not hesitate to use her gift "Maiden in Love" to restrict the Magical Girl's movement. She clings to her staff and fly using it, as for the reason why she clings to it: she's having a hard time to balance herself on such a thin pole.
"What brings you here anyway? I feel like this is the fifth time we've "coincidentally" met."
"Lunapolis is not that big that two Executioners assigned on neighboring sectors never meet."
No.2 sat beside the young man.
"That is true. Now go back on your post, who knows what could happen when you're gone. Shoo shoo."
No.4 answered back while waving the bottle as if shooing her like a dog.
"Hahaha...let me slack off a biiit? I'm booored--"
"Don't pin it on me when they ask you for a report. Haah, you seem sweet and diligent at first but turns out you're just one slacker"
He sighs as he reminisces the past when he first became an Executioner. Months have passed since then, and everything seem to have happened in a flash.
"Yes yes! Keep me company and you might get something juicy~"
Seemingly hearing only what she wants. She leans in on to his ear and whispered. He felt ticklish by her breath and twitched in response.
No.4 feels something soft hit his arms as No.2 wraps herself around it. He blushed for a second, but composed himself. Much less help is the woman's coat revealing a bit of her cleavage and more if she pushed herself further.
"It seems that you found something. Tell me about it."
He stiffly said, trying to release her grasp on his arms.
"The culprit you're looking for? The reason you were never able to trace the magical energy? Little kid travels far just to avoid being pursued easily."
"Are you suggesting that the culprit may reside in your area? They could be using invisibility and travelled a long way to avoid any eyes."
The young man fell into his thoughts. He starts to stare blankly into the floor as he gets preoccupied in deducting ways to catch the thief.
"Oh more than that. I actually did a bit of snooping myself. Having free time on my hands. Meet with me tomorrow, around 2 pm at the center of the park."
No.2 said before jumping on to her staff and flying away with an excited wave from her hands as she says good bye to the young man.
"Did she really have to do all that before giving me the info?"
Defeated, No.4 realized it was time for him to go back home. He dropped to a nearby dark alley and transformed back to his school uniform and started to head back to his apartment room. As he gets home he opened the lights and went straight to heating up his store bought meal.
Hans Charlestone, though at a young age have to gain independence for himself due to unkind circumstances. His mother was the head of their business while the young man's father died soon than they expected. Nevertheless Hans' mother tries to make time for her son but is unable to do so due to always being overseas. Nights like these were much common for him.
School was none the easier for Hans, despite his duties he must also diligently attend classes.
"Hey, did you all hear about the disappearing items on the market? Totally creepy!"
"Isn't that just a new trend? To gain clout for their store."
"A ghost glutton is much more interesting reason though! Imagine--"
Hans entered the room with news of the supernatural spreading. It isn't unusual for them anymore, and some even transferred to Lunapolis to experience the strange occurrences for themselves.
"Good morning, Selene. What a way to start the morning huh."
Hans approached his classmate Selene Avynn. A girl from his childhood, though they haven't caught up since they first meet again, which saddens Hans. She now keeps her hair at medium length, compared to her childhood where she keeps it short. Unlike her sweet and tomboyish appearance before, she now wears glasses and a mean expression on her face. It didn't take long for Hans to remember her thanks to her...as observed by him, her mole near the corner of her lips.
"Hello, Hans."
As per their usual greetings. Selene greeted Hans back, albeit giving no space for a proper conversation. Hans only smiled and laughed nervously before heading to his seat. He rests his head on his hand, and stared at Selene's back which is in front of him.
"Yep, getting back us three won't be easy. Everybody has changed since these years...well, Selene has. I have no idea where Hood is right now."
Hans thought to himself as he remembers the young days. Hans, Hood and Selene were always together when they were kids. Until Hans himself had to move away due to an accident. He tried to call them but the service only answered that connection does not exist or has been cut. Now that he is back, the young man wishes to bring back the group together. However he is unable to do so thanks to his "new duties".
"Avynn and Charlestone, as per agreed you two are scheduled for classroom duty. Don't leave without cleaning up the room."
Their teacher sternly reminded the two of them before heading out of the classroom.
"Ack--I forgot about my schedule."
As the two starts to clean up the room, a noticeable awkward silence fills place. Hans hurriedly cleans up the board and the eraser.
"You don't seem to be in a rush like you always do."
Selene unexpectedly shares her observation, surprising Hans. Yet her initiation sparked joy in Hans' and he answered gleefully.
"Yeah? Well I don't think I have any need to this time."
"Well you don't need to hurry up."
And just like that, the two began to not speak again. Only but the sweeping can be heard in the room.
"Selene, it's been awhile huh. How are you and Hood?"
"Fine."
"Heard you're the school's librarian?"
They continued sweeping.
"I am, I have no duty today though."
"That's great...do you perhaps want to--"
"I don't. Don't you have an errand to do?"
"I...do. Then the next time."
"..."
Awkward and distant. Hans can't help but feel guilty for how distant they've all become.
"I'm done on my side. I'll be going to the library."
"Oh uh, yeah. I'm close to finishing up too. Bye..."
"See you."
Selene answered back before heading out of the room in a rush. Hans can't help but feel a little shy whenever he talks to Selene, after all it has been a while and she seemed different somehow. So he thinks.
After cleaning up, the young man walked up to the roof and brought out his necklace.
"Unveil your magic and pass judgement. Only we were given the right by the world to do so. Revocation!"
And so the Executioner arrives.