The 30-Year-Old Magical Girl - Chapter 13
“So, you’ve started getting into magical girls lately?”
“You Xi’s really into them,” You Dong replied while rapidly scrolling through page after page on his phone. “I figured I should learn more about them. It’ll give us something to talk about.”
He desperately tried to cram every bit of information he could find about magical girls into his head.
“That’s some serious dedication.”
Old Jin gave him a thumbs-up in admiration.
“I didn’t know you were this kind of father.”
“Well then, I won’t interrupt anymore.”
“I wish you and your little princess all the best.”
“May your family always stay happy.”
After watching his colleague leave, You Dong let out a long sigh and slumped into his chair.
What am I supposed to do now?
The previous night…
A few compliments from You Xi had gone straight to his head.
Without thinking, he’d accepted her request to become her mentor.
But…
What exactly was he supposed to teach?
The only reason everyone treated him as some legendary senior was because of a bizarre misunderstanding.
In reality…
If they compared the dates they had become magical girls…
You Xi was technically his senior.
Just imagining the day his identity was exposed…
And how one lie would inevitably require countless more to maintain…
Made his head throb.
Forget it.
Time for a cigarette.
With that thought, he headed toward the company’s smoking area.
Since it was still working hours, the place was completely empty.
“Well, well.”
“If it isn’t our esteemed Grand Senpai.”
Old Lin’s teasing voice sounded from directly behind him.
“I’m really not in the mood today.”
You Dong sighed.
“Give me a cigarette.”
Old Lin casually stretched out one fluffy paw.
As a Messenger of the Magic Kingdom, he remained invisible to ordinary people unless he deliberately revealed himself—or unless they were magical girls contracted through him.
Because of that…
He could stroll around the office as he pleased without anyone noticing.
“…Old Lin.”
You Dong handed over both his cigarette pack and lighter.
“Can’t you assign Violet Lightning to train You Xi instead?”
Old Lin lit a cigarette before returning the lighter.
The cigarette pack, however…
Went straight into his own pocket.
“Nope.”
He exhaled a cloud of smoke.
“The Second Ring is currently hunting an A-Rank Aberration called Nightmare Fiend.”
“I’m not exaggerating.”
“That thing is incredibly troublesome.”
“They’ll probably be tied up for quite some time.”
“I see…”
You Dong frowned.
“What about someone else?”
“The First and Third Rings have temporarily merged.”
“They’re preparing for the upcoming operation against the Sky Person.”
“The Fourth Ring has temporarily taken over both their territories.”
“That means they’re currently responsible for guarding the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Rings.”
The moment he heard the words Sky Person…
You Dong’s fingers trembled.
Ash silently fell from the end of his cigarette.
“…Can I participate?”
“Better not.”
Old Lin slowly shook his head.
“Remember why you became a magical girl.”
“Right now, the Fourth Ring is only temporarily covering the Fifth.”
“But that won’t last forever.”
“Once You Xi grows stronger…”
“And once I recruit three more suitable magical girls…”
“The Fifth Ring will eventually become their responsibility again.”
He looked directly at You Dong.
“Until then…”
“It’s your job to protect them.”
“And this period will also help you grow.”
“You need time to learn how to control that ridiculous amount of magical power inside you.”
“That’s exactly the problem.”
You Dong rubbed his temples.
“I don’t know anything.”
“How am I supposed to protect anyone?”
“That’s not a problem.”
Old Lin shrugged.
“I’ve already told you.”
“Once the contract is complete…”
“Using magical particles becomes instinct.”
“Just like eating.”
“Or breathing.”
“You haven’t forgotten that already, have you?”
“So stop worrying.”
“Trust your instincts.”
“You’ll naturally know what to do.”
“…You people are unbelievably irresponsible.”
You Dong couldn’t help complaining.
“Alright.”
Old Lin waved dismissively.
“Enough chatting.”
“I still have new magical girls to recruit.”
He sighed dramatically.
“Kids these days are far too cautious.”
“Every time I approach someone, they think I’m running some kind of scam.”
“…Oops.”
“I probably shouldn’t have said that out loud.”
He flashed a guilty grin before preparing to leave.
“Hold it.”
You Dong called after him.
“…You thief.”
“Give me back my cigarettes.”
The moment work ended…
You Dong clocked out without delay.
Tonight…
He had arranged to meet You Xi.
Naturally…
Not as her uncle.
But as Magical Girl Tidal.
Finding a quiet corner, he completed his transformation.
Once again…
The world seemed far larger than before.
His body felt strangely light.
Almost weightless.
He still hadn’t gotten used to it.
Walk around dressed like this?
Absolutely not.
Tidal shook her head vigorously.
Her cheeks flushed bright red.
She immediately transformed back into her ordinary appearance.
First things first…
I need proper clothes.
Considering Tidal’s petite stature…
He eventually entered a children’s clothing store.
“My distant relative’s daughter will be staying with me for a while.”
“She hasn’t arrived yet.”
“I’m just buying some clothes in advance.”
He gestured to roughly chest height.
“About this tall.”
The sales clerk smiled politely.
“Does she have a favorite style?”
“Any colors she likes?”
“N-No.”
You Dong awkwardly waved his hands.
“Just…”
“Whatever’s selling best.”
“I’m not picky.”
The clerk maintained her professional smile.
…Who buys children’s clothes like that?
Naturally…
She kept that thought to herself.
After purchasing several outfits…
You Dong stopped by the shop next door and bought a small round blue crossbody bag.
It matched Tidal’s appearance perfectly.
More importantly…
She needed somewhere to keep her phone.
Life without a smartphone was practically impossible nowadays.
After changing into the new clothes…
Tidal headed toward the agreed meeting place.
Sunshine Shopping Plaza.
The very location where Raging Flame had made her solo debut by defeating Bubble Person.
She immediately spotted You Xi among the crowd.
Putting aside her occasional rebellious attitude…
Her niece truly was an adorable teenage girl.
Fair skin.
Delicate features.
A small, beautiful face.
A slender figure standing around one hundred sixty-five centimeters tall.
Almost any outfit suited her.
…Wait.
Shouldn’t she have transformed into Raging Flame before meeting me?
A dull ache spread through Tidal’s temples.
“Senior!”
You Xi spotted her almost immediately.
Her face lit up with excitement as she hurried over.
“In public…”
“Just call me Tidal.”
“…So…”
“…Cute…”
You Xi completely ignored the reminder.
Her sparkling eyes wandered over Tidal from head to toe.
She circled around her once…
Then again…
Unable to hide the delighted smile spreading across her face.
“Hehe…”
“You’re so tiny…”
While You Xi happily admired her…
Tidal quietly observed her niece in return.
Come to think of it…
How long had it been since she’d truly looked at You Xi?
Every evening…
Work kept her at the office until after seven.
By the time she returned home…
You Xi had already disappeared into her room.
A bright Do Not Disturb sign permanently hung from the bedroom door.
Every morning…
Their interactions consisted of little more than brushing their teeth.
Eating breakfast.
Making brief eye contact.
Then immediately looking away.
Never…
Not even once…
Had Tidal imagined that becoming a magical girl would create an opportunity to understand her niece better.
Perhaps…
These precious moments…
Would eventually help repair their relationship in real life.
The thought quietly filled her heart with hope.
Still…
Being stared at this intensely by her own niece…
Was unbelievably awkward.
Trying to hide her embarrassment, Tidal coughed lightly.
“…Finished looking?”
“Ah!”
“S-Sorry!”
Realizing she’d been rude…
You Xi hurriedly bowed.
“At least behave yourself in public.”
“People will think you’re strange.”
Tidal reminded her once more.
“Ah!”
“That reminds me.”
“What are we doing tonight, Senior?”
You really don’t listen at all, do you?!
Tidal screamed inwardly.
Still…
For some reason…
That stubborn personality felt oddly familiar.
It wasn’t just around her uncle.
You Xi behaved exactly the same with everyone else.
For some reason…
That realization comforted Tidal.
“Let’s eat first.”
“My treat.”
“Anywhere you’d like.”
“Dinner?”
“Great!”
“I’ll let my family know I won’t be going home.”
With practiced movements…
You Xi pulled out her phone.
Her fingers flew across the screen.
…Wait.
Wait a second.
A horrifying realization struck Tidal.
How could I make such an elementary mistake?!
She instinctively reached out.
Trying to stop her.
Too late.
The moment You Xi pressed the call button…
A familiar ringtone suddenly echoed…
From inside Tidal’s blue crossbody bag.
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