"Guh... what was that? I think I'm gonna hurl..."Shizuka groaned, pressing a hand to her temple as the world around her spun.After being dragged through who-knows-where and phasing through the ground, reality felt like a distant memory.And to top it all off, that certainly wasn't how a delicate lady like herself should be treated!The very moment she laid hands on IXX, she was going to wring that damn rabbit's neck!After several agonizing minutes of groaning, cursing, and fighting off nausea that eventually ebbed, Shizuka forced herself to her feet, her legs shaky but determined. She took a deep breath and glanced around, assessing her surroundings.The first thing that struck her was the sheer emptiness of it all.A barren wasteland stretched endlessly before her, bleak and lifeless. The sky loomed overhead, an oppressive blanket of thick, swirling clouds that cast everything in a dull, suffocating haze. A fog clung stubbornly to the ground, swallowing the distant horizon.Where the hell was she?"Welcome to our headquarters!""KYAHHH!"The sudden, deep voice sent Shizuka into a blind panic. Without thinking, she spun around and slapped the black-furred creature that had materialized behind her.A resounding SMACK! echoed through the wasteland as IXX's small, shadowy form snapped sideways from the sheer force of the blow, tumbling to the ground in a heap."Why would you do that?! You damn rabbit!" Shizuka shrieked, pointing an accusatory finger at the twitching creature."I-I'm your mascot, you know! You shouldn't be so rough with me!" IXX groaned, floating back up with visible effort, its red eyes swirling in dizziness."Rough, my ass! You dragged me here without a word, and now you're telling me to be gentle?!"Fury bubbling to the surface, Shizuka seized IXX by the ears and shook the rabbit violently."AHH, stop! Stooop!"IXX let out an otherworldly squeal, squirming uselessly in her grasp.Only once she was thoroughly satisfied did Shizuka finally let go, dropping the creature unceremoniously. IXX flopped onto the ground, its fur now a tangled mess, panting heavily."So? What is this place?" she demanded, crossing her arms as she eyed the disheveled rabbit.IXX took a deep breath, composing itself before flashing an unnervingly wide grin."Huff... huff... this is our headquarters," it declared proudly.Shizuka narrowed her eyes. "Headquarters? There's no building. Just... nothing.""Yes, but this place is essential for your transformation."Shizuka cocked an eyebrow. "Transformation? Why the hell do we need a wasteland for that? Don't tell me I have to fight hordes of youmas or—explode?"IXX averted its gaze for a moment before turning back with a sheepish, yet still smug, expression."Well, we don't know if you'll explode, but we won't find out unless we try, right?"It smiled again. Wider this time. Too wide.Shizuka's stomach dropped.Wait. Explode?That was an actual possibility?!Her mind raced, flashing through every explosion scene she'd ever seen—fire, limbs flying, a cloud of smoke where a person used to be. Would she even feel it? Or would she just—blink—out of existence?Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.She could still say no. She could demand IXX take her back. She could turn around, walk away, go home, forget all of this.But... she couldn't.This was it.Her one chance. The thing she had dreamed of.Shizuka inhaled sharply, forcing her hands to stop shaking."Fine. What do I need to do?""Wait here."IXX floated forward, its body glowing faintly as it began carving intricate symbols into the earth with precise, fluid movements. The symbols pulsed, taking on an eerie, spectral glow.Shizuka assumed the ritual was done when IXX finished, but it wasn't over yet.The rabbit muttered an incomprehensible chant, its voice growing deeper, reverberating through the air as it added more details to the glowing circle.Despite its small, deceptively adorable appearance, IXX carried itself with an unnerving confidence. It knew what it was doing. Every movement was deliberate, exact. Shizuka had to admit—it was impressive.Once the final symbols were complete, IXX lifted its head, red eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity."Step into the circle.""That's it? Just step in? Sounds easy enough."Steeling herself, Shizuka stepped forward, placing both feet carefully within the ritual's glowing boundary.A single bead of sweat trickled down her temple.This was it.The moment she had been waiting for all her life. Although she wasn't going to fight for justice—only for her own amusement—this didn't seem so bad now that she thought about it.Whatever the price may be, she was willing to pay it."Alright! Ritual circle complete. Host ready. Let the transformation begin!"Shizuka snapped to attention, heart hammering in her chest as IXX's voice dropped several octaves, turning almost unrecognizable. The ritual circle pulsed violently, its glow intensifying. The symbols twisted, shifting as if alive.This wasn't so bad, right? She just had to stand there and wait for IXX to finish chanting and—"G-gah!"A sharp, searing pain stabbed through her chest.Shizuka gasped, doubling over, clutching at herself.What was that?!She darted a panicked look at IXX. The rabbit remained perfectly still, eyes closed, lips moving in steady incantation.Shit.Was this normal? Was this supposed to hurt?!The pain spread, burning through her veins like molten fire, consuming her from the inside out. Every nerve screamed in protest."IXX! What's happening?!"She barely managed to choke the words out.No response.The rabbit kept chanting, unbothered.No. No, this isn't right!Her body convulsed, agony lancing through her, sending her crashing to her knees. Tears welled in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks. Saliva dripped from the corner of her mouth as her breathing turned ragged.Her vision blurred. Her muscles locked.She was going to pass out.She was going to die.And still—IXX continued to chant."IXX!! Stop! Stop! I give up! I don't want this anymore! I want to go home!"Shizuka begged, her voice trembling as she tried to lift her gaze toward IXX despite the unbearable pain wracking her body. But no matter how much she pleaded, IXX's eyes remained closed. The agony only intensified with each passing moment.She knew what she had agreed to—she had said she was willing to pay the price of becoming a magical girl. But not like this! A magical transformation should be beautiful, elegant—not raw, unrelenting torment.The pain wasn't fading. If anything, it was getting worse. Shizuka felt her hope slipping away. Was this really how she would die? Or could a girl like her still dream that this wasn't the end?Her body had endured so much, but there was only so much a human could take. No matter how desperately she fought to stay conscious, her strength finally gave out. The world blurred into darkness as she collapsed.When Shizuka came to her senses, she was still lying on the ground. Her vision was hazy, and distant murmurs drifted into her ears, muffled and incomprehensible.It took a while before the murmurs sharpened into something she could understand."Shizuka... Shizuka."She blinked a few more times before forcing herself to sit up. A dull ache pulsed through her body, as if she had just undergone an intense workout despite having no experience with exercise. Every muscle protested, her limbs weak and trembling. She tried to stand but immediately gave up, realizing she wouldn't be able to get on her feet even if her life depended on it.With a frustrated sigh, Shizuka remained seated and let her vision settle. As the world came into focus, she took in her surroundings—still the same barren wasteland, empty and desolate.Then, her gaze shifted. Floating just ahead of her was IXX."IXX," she murmured weakly."You're awake. Finally," IXX sighed, as if the torment Shizuka had just endured was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.Shizuka frowned. "IXX, that was cruel.""You never mentioned there'd be a price... and that price would be pain."She pouted slightly, looking into the black bunny's glowing red eyes, seeking some semblance of sympathy.But IXX remained silent. The lack of a response made her chest tighten with disappointment. Then again, this was an evil organization she had willingly joined. What had she expected? A gentle pat on the back?"Are you done resting? If so, check out how you look now," IXX said, impatience laced in its voice as it hovered around her.Right... the transformation ritual.Shizuka's curiosity stirred. Had she changed drastically? The worst of the pain had subsided now, leaving only a faint soreness in its wake. Gathering her strength, she pushed herself up. Her legs wobbled but held.The moment she was fully upright, she ran her hands over her body, checking for injuries. Despite the sheer agony she had endured, there wasn't a single scratch."I think I'm fine?" she muttered.IXX gave a small nod. "Good. Now, as for your appearance..."The black bunny muttered a few unintelligible words.Suddenly, shadows began to swirl and coalesce before them.A chill ran down Shizuka's spine. The sight was eerily familiar—too familiar. The last time she had seen these shadows, they had grabbed her, dragging her through the alleyway ground and into this unknown place.She held her breath as the darkness twisted, morphing into a perfect rectangular shape. Then, with a burst, the shadows shattered—revealing a mirror.Shizuka's breath caught.The girl reflected in the glass was her, yet... not her.Her long black hair now bore streaks of white, an elegant contrast that made it look almost ethereal. Her simple earrings had transformed, now dangling slightly longer with delicate crosses as their design. And atop her head sat a lolita-style headband, subtle yet fitting.Her outfit had changed entirely. The black turtleneck and pants she had worn were gone, replaced by a gothic lolita dress. The fabric draped around her in intricate layers, exuding an air of mystery and elegance. But the most striking change? Her eyes. Still black—but her pupils...They were shaped like diamonds.Fascinated, Shizuka leaned in closer, mesmerized by her own reflection. A slow smile crept onto her lips."Do you like your transformation?"IXX's voice broke the silence.Shizuka turned to the bunny, excitement flickering in her expression. "Yeah... I think this suits me pretty well."She wasn't just a girl staring into a mirror anymore. She was a magical girl.And despite the agony she had suffered—despite the moments when she had pleaded for it to stop—Shizuka found herself feeling something unexpected.Gratitude.Because the girl looking back at her—the one who once thought she had lost her only chance of becoming a magical girl—was standing tall now, eyes bright, lips curled into the slightest of smiles.