I’m A Magical Girl Now!?

🎩 Asa Ayusaki

“Would you like to make a contract with Nipo and become a magical girl? Kira-kira♪”

“⋯⋯ Huh?”

I, Takanashi Rika, am 29 years old.

It happened on my birthday.

I moved to Tokyo from the countryside to attend university.

And I didn’t want to go back to my rural hometown, so I had been clinging to Tokyo ever since.

To be honest, life is not easy.

Rent is high in Tokyo, and my finances are always tight.

“Oh… that reminds me, today is my birthday.”

My birthday, which no one celebrates anymore.

For the past few years, I’ve felt like the day would pass by before I even realized it, but this year, for some reason, I remembered it on the very day itself.

“Well, today is fine. It’s my last birthday in my twenties after all.”

Then, at the supermarket where I work, I bought a higher-grade beer than usual, some snacks, and a small cake.

“Happy birthday to me ♪ Happy birthday to me ♪”

As I sang that while lighting the candles on the cake, it happened.

“Whoa!?”

A dazzling glow enveloped this one-room apartment!

Are cake candles like this nowadays?

⋯⋯But!

“Nipo~! Nipo is here, Nipo!”

And there, in front of me, was this fluffy, fuzzy mysterious creature.

…Cute ♪

… No, wait!

“Who are you? What are you!?”

“I’m Nipo, an agent from the magical world! I came here today because I want you to become a magical girl!”

“⋯⋯a magical girl? Me?”

Is this some kind of joke?

To a 29-year-old spinster like me?

“Now… sign this contract.”

“Wait a moment.…Well, I can see that you’re a magical mascot. But I’m not a magical girl, am I!?”

Saying it makes me sad.

“Why Nipo?”

“You know, magical girls are supposed to be younger⋯⋯ like elementary school students. It’s a job that girls dream of.”

“Ah, that used to be the case, Nipo. But recently, due to the declining birthrate, there aren’t many such girls with the aptitude to be magical girls, Nipo. So, the age limit for magical girls is gradually rising, and now the law has been amended to say that as long as you have magical aptitude, age doesn’t matter anymore ⋯⋯ Nipo”

“What? Is that how the magical world works now? It’s so harsh everywhere.”

“That’s how it is⋯⋯Nipo.”

Well, I get that the magical world is struggling too, but me becoming a magical girl is a whole other matter.

“Why was I chosen in the first place?”

“Rika had overwhelming potential, Nipo! She possesses immense magical power and is still a maiden who can’t let go of her dream of a handsome prince, Nipo!”

“Shut up!”

I want to punch this guy.

“So, sign here.”

All I could sense was suspicion toward this mascot.

Because he didn’t add “Nipo ♪” when asking for a signature.

There is a sense of trying to create a character.

“Is there any benefit for me?”

Magical girls are a child’s dream.

But in reality, it’s a dangerous job.

The magical girls I knew when I was a child often fought until they were battered and bruised.

Even so, magical girls who smiled bravely were my idols.

However! I’m too old to become a magical girl with such a dream!

“…Tch. Old hags are always like this.”

“You’re showing your true colors!”

“If you had just shut up and signed it, I could have pocketed the signing bonus. Oh well.”

Surprisingly, this mascot has a deep voice.

Although it looks like a fancy ball of fur.

“All right, let me explain. By signing this magical girl contract, you’ll be tasked with defeating the monsters that appear in this world. The reward will be 200,000 yen per sortie.”

“200,000!? I can get that much?”

“Don’t get excited. You can’t get the full amount.”

“What? Because you’re going to take a cut?”

I guess this guy can’t be trusted.

“Cleaning up after the magical girls fight is the responsibility of the magical world, but it costs a lot of money.”

“Really?”

Speaking of which, I had never thought about that.

The magical girls I saw in the past also caused a lot of property damage ⋯⋯.

“So⋯⋯ we’ll deduct those expenses from your allowance.”

“Huh!? Don’t mess with me! We’re risking our lives to fight here!”

“Now, calm down. You don’t want that to happen, do you? That’s why I’m making you sign up for the Magical Girl Insurance.”

“⋯⋯ insurance?”

“Plus, when you deduct the rental fees for the costumes, cleaning costs, and ammunition for the provided weapons….”

“How much will be left?”

“Well, about 50,000?”

“So cheap!”

Still, considering that a single mission could bring in 50,000 yen in extra income, it might be a decent side job.

“How many sorties will there be in a month?”

“Well, once a week at most.”

“That means 200,000 a month… not bad “

My mind was already made up.

“So, sign this contract, Nipo~!”

“Don’t act all cute now⋯⋯”

“It’s just a formality… I’m doing my job too.”

“You seem to have it tough too.”

“Yeah… I’ve got to work away from home to support my wife and kids.”

“You’re married?”

“My child was born last year. Thinking about making the world peaceful for this child’s sake, this job isn’t so bad.”

Damn, that’s underhanded.

I’m weak to this kind of thing.

But I read the contract carefully.

⋯⋯ There’s no strange notation anywhere, right?

I carefully read the contract, paying attention to vertical text as well.

“Okay, let’s make a contract!”

“Seriously! ⋯⋯ Really Nipo ~!”

⋯⋯ What a materialistic guy! But then again, so am I.

And I signed the contract.

“Alright! Now I’m a magical girl too! Come at me, evil organization! For my reward(business)!”

“⋯⋯ I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that, Nipo”

This is how I, Rika Takanashi (29 years old), became a magical girl.

⋯⋯ But then, for about a week, there was no work.

After that, Nipo has returned to the magical world.

Apparently, he’d come back if monsters appeared.

And so, my boring, peaceful days returned once again.

So that’s how I’ve been working part-time as a cashier at a supermarket since morning.

When I was leaving the apartment.

“Oh, isn’t that Akuto-kun from next door!”

“Good morning, Takanashi-san.”

This Akuto-kun is a young man who recently moved into the apartment building.

To be honest, I’m interested in him because he’s pretty good-looking.

“Oh Akuto-kun⋯⋯ your tie”

I fixed his tie, which didn’t look particularly out of place.

“Ah⋯⋯Thank you, Takanashi-san.”

Hehe⋯⋯ This is how I’ll gradually seduce him with my adult charm.

Well, I didn’t expect anything to happen any more than I would from buying a lottery ticket.

⋯⋯Really?

But I have to indulge in a little fantasy to get by at 29.

“Thank you as always.”

“That’s fine. Well then, do your best at work.”

“Yes!”

⋯⋯ Easy!

I sensed a slight possibility in this handsome boy.

Well, I don’t know what kind of work he does.

I have a good eye for men! I just wasn’t chosen… dammit!

And so I went to work at the supermarket checkout.

When I’m at work, I work with a blank mind.

Hey, you guys should line up at the self-checkout next door. It’s free, isn’t it?

But you idiots keep lining up on my side.

And it was almost time for work to end.

“There’s been an incident, Nipo~!”

“Uwa, that scared me!”

Nipo suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

“Oh Takanashi-san, what is that?”

“Ahahahaha! It looks like the stuffed toy that a child left behind earlier… excuse me. I’ll go ahead!”

And with that, at exactly 5pm I punched my time card and left the supermarket.

“Oh! Takanashi-san!! Can you please stay for another 2 hours? I’ll give you a bonus.”

“Sorry, manager! But I’m in a hurry today!”

Overtime during the busy season after this is paid at 20% above the hourly rate ⋯⋯ but I’m sorry, manager, my next job pays 50,000 yen an hour! If you want to blame someone, blame the evil organization!

And so Nipo and I headed to the scene….by taxi!

Damn! It’s a bit far, so the taxi fare is going to be expensive!

“⋯⋯ I’ll write off the taxi fare as an expense, Nipo. It’s better than being late and causing more damage, Nipo.”

“Thanks Nipo!”

While in the taxi, Nipo gave me a quick lecture on magical girls.

The taxi driver stared at us as if we were a sore spot…

“⋯⋯This is ventriloquism. I’m practicing for a performance at a children’s club.”

“Well, it’s a part of the job. There are plenty of stranger customers out here, so don’t worry about it.”

Damn… this kindness really touches my heart.

And then I arrived on the scene!

“Now it’s time to transform, Nipo! Magically change into a magical girl, Nipo!”

“Alright! Lovely Magical Power! Set Up!”

Mysterious rays of light and fluttering ribbons enveloped my entire body!

And in just 0.03 seconds, I had become a magical girl.

“⋯⋯ This is me!?”

I looked like myself at around nine years old, when I was at my cutest and most radiant.

“A magical girl transforms into the form that best expresses her magical powers.”

“So, when I was younger?”

“Well, more like… the time when dreams are the most dazzling, Nipo.”

“Ugh! This is embarrassing!”

However, this body ⋯⋯ I have to check it!

“Ready? Lolicon Arrest! Lolicon Retribution! 1, 2, 3, 4, Let’s Dance ♪

⋯⋯ I can do it! These nimble steps are mine! I’ve definitely gotten younger!”

“What’s with that sharp dance ⋯⋯”

“It’s a song that’s going viral online. It’s All the rage(Oh Buzz).”

I tried to imitate that dance before, but my knees screamed in pain, and I was shocked by how difficult it was.

“I can do it! With this body I can fight!”

And I rushed to the scene.

There, numerous black-clad combatants were looting nearby stores, creating an apocalyptic scene.

“That’s enough! Stop it, you guys!”

“Who is it?! What the hell is that!?”

And then I introduced myself with the pose I’d been practicing all week!

“I will not forgive you for disturbing the peace of this city! Magical Girl Magica Lyrica! Is here! ⋯⋯Kira~n ♪”

And behind me, a pink smoke screen exploded ⋯⋯ Nice Nipo!

The mascot silently gave a thumbs-up. What’s wrong with your hand?

“It’s a magical girl!? I thought they were extinct in this land!”

Are magical girls extinct? No wonder someone like me got hired.

“As long as evil prevails, magical girls will never die! I, Magica Lyrica, will punish you! ⋯⋯Kira~n ♪”

“What’s with the ‘Kira~n♪’?! Attack! You lot!”

So the boss-like commander urged the combatants on!

Okay, let’s start the battle!

“Now, Magica Lyrica! Take this Magical Machine Gun!”

“I don’t need that!”

“Nipo!?”

How could I use a weapon that uses 50,000 yen worth of ammunition in just 60 seconds?

I have these fists!

“MAGICAL STRAIGHT PUNCH! MAGICAL ROUNDHOUSE KICK!”

When I was a kid, I used to go to a karate dojo.

As you can see, with this body I can now do the aerial roundhouse kick, which I was previously unable to do!

“Ugh!?”

“Fugya!?”

“Ahh! Combatant A-kun! And B-kun! Damn you!”

And then the boss came towards me.

“Take that! CYCLONE SWORD SLASH!”

I’ll block that sword from above!

“MAGICAL PARRY—SPIN!”

Blocked it brilliantly!

“MA-WA-SI U-KE⋯⋯ Magnificent “

Even Nipo was surprised at how well I did.

“That’s ridiculous… How can you block this high-frequency vibration sword with your bare hands!?”

“This is my resolve… Ready?”

My eyes burn bright red!

The aura of that burning flame resides in my fist!

“Magica Lyrica! Finishing move! BURNING LOVELY PUNCH!”

“GUHAA!?”

And the boss was blown away.

“Yes, I won! …Ah!

Oh no! I won!

If evil is eradicated like this, then I’ll lose my extra income!

At that moment!

A nearby kindergarten child was almost run over by a truck!

“Watch out!”

I immediately moved and saved the child.

“Are you okay? No injuries?”

“Yes, thank you Magica Lyrica!”

How lovely, the pure eyes of a child… no, wait!

“Let’s call it a day for now! The battle will continue another time! Farewell!”

“Wait, you!”

The child in my arms was frightened.

He must have just remembered the fear of nearly being hit by a truck.

Before I knew it, the combatants were gone… Maybe they had escaped.

“Don’t worry about it, Nipo. It’s understandable that you couldn’t finish them off, but you did it to protect the child, Nipo.”

“⋯⋯ I guess so.”

It seems they didn’t notice. Good.

“Besides, if the battle ends so quickly, I’ll be sent back to the provinces again….”

“…I think we’ll get along just fine.”

Thus, Magical Girl Magica Lyrica’s first battle ended in a splendid victory.

And now, on to the main topic!

“Err, here’s this mission’s financial report ⋯⋯ Nipo”

“Yay, I’m excited ♪”

I was all about that cash money.

“The damage this time was minimal, with no human casualties. Therefore, everything was covered by insurance, Nipo.”

“Mhmm, mhmm.”

“And there was no costume damage either, just needs cleaning. And since we didn’t deploy heavy artillery….”

“Ho-ho!”

“⋯⋯ About 90,000 yen will be transferred to Rika’s account, Nipo!”

“90,000! Yay!”

Nice extra income! For less than an hour of combat, this is too good!

Ah, I wonder when the evil organization will come again ♪

“Rika ⋯⋯ You really do have the qualities to be a magical girl, Nipo. I hope you’ll continue working with me.”

“Likewise, Nipo.”

And I shook hands with this furball.

“I’m counting on you, buddy!”

“You too, furball oyaji!”

I thought I could get along well with this guy.

“Today is the day to celebrate! Let’s drink!”

So I returned to the supermarket where I work to do some shopping, but the manager begged me to stay, so I ended up working two hours overtime.

⋯⋯ Well, it’s alright, I’m in a good mood.

And the manager gifted me some expensive alcohol on my way home, so I’ll forgive him! Yay ♪

So I ended up getting home later than usual….

“Oh, Akuto-kun? Are you just getting home now?”

“Oh, Takanashi-san! Yes, I was a bit late because I was just finishing up some work.”

⋯⋯This may be my chance.

“Akuto-kun⋯⋯ Have you had dinner yet? If you’d like, you can eat at my place?”

“Is that okay Takanashi-san? Then I’ll take you up on your offer.”

Maybe there really is a chance with this guy!

And so I served him my pride and joy, meat and potato stew.

“It was delicious Takanashi-san, thank you for the meal.”

“It’s no big deal.”

Hehehe… Single men, now or in the past, can’t resist a woman’s meat and potato stew.

That’s something I heard from my mother back home.

“By the way, Akuto-kun, what kind of work do you do?”

I casually asked him about his income and other details, making sure not to miss anything.

“Actually, my parents run a major real estate company.”

“Really?”

What a winner! Guhehe, my eyes were not deceived.

“But I thought that even if I inherited the family business, I wouldn’t be recognized by my subordinates just because of my parents’ connections, so I started a venture company with a friend from my school days and became its president… hahaha, it’s just a hobby and we’re not making any profit yet.”

“That’s great. That experience will definitely be an asset to you.”

“Really? I’m so glad to hear you say that, Takanashi-san! It’s given me courage! I’ll try my best at my current job!”

“Don’t give up. A few failures in your youth are nothing.”

“…That’s true. I messed up a bit at work today, but I can still make up for it, so I’ll keep trying!”

“You can definitely do it, Akuto-kun.”

“Takanashi -san ⋯⋯”

And so, the night came to an end.

From here on, I’ll keep you dependent on me… slowly but surely ♪

Mufufu⋯⋯ ♡

　☆＝ ☆＝ ☆＝

After returning to his room from Rika’s, Akuto checked his smartphone.

“⋯⋯ I got a call from father. I have no choice.”

Then he calls his father on the phone.

“Takashi”

“…Good evening, Chairman.”

“⋯⋯ You can call me Papa if you want.”

“No… this is work-related.”

“Hmm… I see. Then let’s hear your report.”

Takashi Akuto nervously gave his report on today’s activities.

“At around 5:20 PM today, we engaged in combat with a magical girl.”

“Hou⋯⋯”

“Unfortunately, we were defeated. I apologize.”

“I see.”

“This outcome has brought dishonor to the Chairman’s name —”

“Listen carefully, Takashi. The fact that a magical girl has been dispatched to that planet means there is a high likelihood that the Dream Stone we are targeting is there.”

“The Dream Stone! The legendary magical stone!”

“Hehe, I thought this was just my son’s hobby venture, but it’s turned into a major project. Well then ⋯⋯ I—”

“Please wait, Chairman! ⋯⋯Can you entrust this job to me?”

“Why?”

“Because this is a job I started! I don’t want to hand over my first job to my father!”

There was a moment of silence.

Takashi felt nervous.

“You’ve changed, Takashi. Fine, I’ll leave it to you.”

“Really?”

“Yes, but the deadline is one year! If you don’t deliver results by then, I’ll take over! Got it?”

“Yes! Leave it to me, Dad!”

“Kukuku, it’s nice to see my son growing up. Do your best. Your mother wants to see you, so come home sometime. See you later.’

“Yes ⋯⋯ Dad”

With that, Takashi ended the call.

“Okay, I’ll do it! I’ll make this Earth my own and I’ll definitely find the Dream Stone and give it to Takanashi-san… hehe.”

Takashi Akuto, 24 years old.

He was still a rookie Earth invader.

He was also a young man experiencing his faint first crush.

　☆＝ ☆＝ ☆＝

That aside, in Takanashi Rika’s room next door!

“Now! Let’s toast to our first victory!”

“Is it okay? Can I have a drink too?”

“Sure, sure! Drink up, Nipo!”  !”

“Alright! Gulp, gulp, gulp! That’s good! Who would’ve thought I’d end up celebrating with a magical girl.”

“Today is a free-for-all! Drink! Drink up!”

“Alright! Dad’s doing his best, Nico! Nino!”

Nipo was looking at a photo of his family.

“That’s your family? They all look like balls of fluff, I can’t tell them apart!”

“That’s why Earthlings are so annoying. Look at how cute this girl is!”

“Wahahaha! So cute!”

The battle of Magical Girl Magica Lyrica has only just begun.

Fight, Lyrica! Don’t lose, Lyrica!

Fight until evil has perished!

“I’ve got a high-paying part-time job and the possibility of marrying the handsome heir of a wealthy family! This is the shining road of my life!

“Rika, if you think marriage is the goal of life, then you’re still a dreamy young lady!”

“Shut up! I’m still in my 20s! I’m young! What’s wrong with dreaming!”

Rika Takanashi (29 years old) has only just begun her final battle!