"JuJu-sama, did you also receive the game notification?"
Umi's concerned voice broke the silence as she noticed the magical girl's pale complexion and anxious expression.
Sajuna nodded slowly, biting her lower lip. She spoke in a subdued voice, "Yes... I got a notification. It says I'll be participating in the filming of 'Horror Cinema.'"
"So this movie ticket must be the medium," Amamiya remarked, raising an eyebrow as he took the suspicious ticket from Sajuna's trembling hands.
The moment he held it, a chilling prompt echoed in his mind.
[Congratulations: You have picked up a ticket for 'Horror Cinema.']
[A random dungeon has been triggered.]
[Players must visit any cinema within 24 hours to participate in the filming event.]
Amamiya inspected the ticket's cover. It depicted a blurred image of a seaside building, but most of the details were obscured by smudges of dark, indistinct stains.
"Horror Cinema..." he muttered before glancing at Umi. "You've got some serious luck, finding this by just picking up trash."
"I didn't mean to!" Umi protested, her tone a mix of guilt and regret. "I thought it was garbage and was going to toss it, but who could have guessed it'd trigger a dungeon event? I regret it so much right now."
Amamiya raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "So, lesson learned—don't pick up random things from the ground."
"I won't! Not even money!" Umi clenched her fists as if vowing to the heavens. "Even if I see money lying on the street, I won't touch it!"
"That won't change the fact that this is a mandatory dungeon," Amamiya said flatly. His gaze shifted to Sajuna. "You'd better prepare yourself."
Sajuna lowered her head, her hands clutching the hem of her skirt in dismay. "…I know," she murmured.
Her mind raced with frustration. First, that incident just moments ago, and now this dungeon activation? Her horoscope this morning had been right—Mercury retrograde was in full effect, and she definitely shouldn't have come here today.
I regret everything. Absolutely everything!
Umi sighed, seemingly trying to lift the mood. "At least we have a day to get ready. Let's head to the cinema tomorrow. For now..." She turned to Sajuna with a mischievous smile. "By the way, JuJu-sama, I just saw you and Amamiya-kun doing that high-lifting pose. How's your role playing progress coming along?"
"It wasn't a high-lifting pose! I was just helping retrieve an elementary schooler's bracelet that got stuck in a tree!" Sajuna snapped, stealing a quick glance at Amamiya and grinding her teeth in irritation. Her expression shifted as she glanced at her status screen. "Wait... huh? My progress level... it's at 50% now?!"
Amamiya's curiosity piqued. "Have you unlocked any active skills?"
Sajuna's eyes lit up with surprise. "I actually did!" She quickly summoned her character panel, revealing its details.
[Role Play: Magical Girl for Kids]
[Current Acting Level: 50%]
[Unlocked Abilities:]
Hope and Love (Passive):
The magical girl embodies love and hope, enhancing basic attributes.Initial favorability in "good and orderly" alignments begins at "Friendly."Automatically earns hostility from "evil" creatures.Transform! Magical Girl!: (Active Skill)
Description: As every magical girl does, you must transform before battle. During the transformation sequence, all enemy units enter a 'Dementia' state, rendering them incapable of moving or attacking.Note: "Let me show you what it means to be invincible!"
"A transformation skill?" Sajuna's eyes sparkled, a mix of awe and excitement washing over her.
Umi laughed. "That's so fitting! A magical girl transformation! JuJu-sama, you're practically born for this role."
Sajuna huffed, her cheeks puffing slightly in mock annoyance, but a faint smile tugged at her lips.
Amamiya, however, looked at her with a teasing grin. "Well, Sajuna-san, it seems you're destined to save the world. Ready to transform and dazzle us all?"
"Ugh, don't push your luck!" Sajuna shot back, but her soft tone betrayed her amusement.
Deep down, she wasn't entirely ready to embrace the magical girl role... but for now, there was no turning back!
"It looks amazing," Umi's eyes sparkled with excitement. "JuJu-sama, let us see your transformation!"
"No way!" Sajuna's cheeks flushed as she hastily covered her skirt with her hands. "This is a park! There are so many people here. How could I possibly transform in a place like this?"
"Then should we go home?" Umi suggested.
"It's too late," Sajuna replied with a sigh. "The role playing skill time will run out soon."
"What a shame," Umi said with a theatrical pout, looking genuinely disappointed. "I bet your transformation would be super cute!"
Sajuna's face turned an even deeper shade of red. "If you want to watch a transformation, just go watch an anime! There's a magical girl show airing on Tokyo TV at 5:30. You'll see plenty of transformations there!"
"…"
Meanwhile, Amamiya had pulled out a notebook and was scribbling something.
"What are you writing, Amamiya-kun?" Umi asked curiously, rising on her tiptoes to peek.
"Just drafting a 'Magical Girl Part-Time Job Plan,'" Amamiya replied nonchalantly.
"Wait, what?" Sajuna blinked, tilting her head in confusion. "Magical girl… part-time job? I understand those words separately, but together, they make no sense."
"What a missed opportunity," Amamiya said with a mock sigh, closing his notebook and glancing at Sajuna. "Role-playing is just a temporary skill. If you could permanently transform into a magical girl, there'd be so many ways to, well, maximize efficiency…"
"Wait a second!" Sajuna interrupted, glaring at him. "Did you just say 'maximize efficiency'?!"
"Slip of the tongue. Don't read into it," Amamiya replied, unfazed.
Umi chuckled at their banter before making an offer. "JuJu-sama, how about coming over to my place for dinner? I'll cook tonight!"
Sajuna hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. "Thanks, but I'll head home. We're entering a dungeon tomorrow, and I want to spend more time with my mom and sister."
Her tone softened as she spoke, a hint of melancholy slipping through. Each dungeon came with its risks, and there was no guarantee she would make it out alive.
"That's fair," Umi agreed, her expression understanding. Then she turned to Amamiya. "How about you? If you're not in a hurry to get home, why not stay for dinner at my place?"
"Sure," Amamiya replied with a nod.
"Great! I'll head back first to start cooking," Umi said, waving goodbye. "Oh, and don't forget to copy 'Evil Spirits Repel' to JuJu-sama before you leave!"
"Got it," Amamiya assured her.
Once Umi had left, Amamiya's tone shifted, growing deliberately ominous. He looked at Sajuna and said in a low voice, "JuJu-sama… no one can save you now."
Sajuna crossed her arms, unfazed. "Hmph. Nice try."
The crowded park offered safety, and Sajun knew Amamiya wouldn't dare to pull anything.
Amamiya sighed dramatically. "JuJu-sama, you're becoming harder to deceive."
"That's because I'm not gullible!" she retorted, glaring at him.
"…"
The two eventually sat down on a nearby bench.
It was already past 5:30 in the evening. The setting sun painted the park in golden hues, and the growing number of children and adults filled the area with laughter and cheerful chatter. The scene exuded tranquility—a rare moment of peace amidst their otherwise chaotic lives.
If only there weren't malevolent spirits wandering in the shadows of the sunset.
Neither Amamiya nor Sajuna said a word as they sat together, their hands intertwined. They savored the fleeting serenity in silence.
A few minutes passed.
"Alright," Amamiya said suddenly, loosening his grip on her hand.
The warmth of his palm disappeared, leaving Sajuna with an inexplicable sense of loss. She bit her lip, stood up, and whispered softly, "Thank you." After a brief pause, she added, "I'll head home now. See you tomorrow."
"Wait a minute," Amamiya called after her. "Are you just going to leave like this?"
"Huh?" Sajuna blinked, confused.
What did he mean? Why wouldn't she be allowed to leave?
Her mind raced, and a sudden thought crossed her mind—a ridiculous possibility.
'Could it be… he wants to take advantage of me?!'