It was foreboding as one could expect, the location of the little blip on the system. While Kizuna’s outpost had been perched higher up on the city-scape, this creature hid, stationary, below the city. The ever-evolving subway lines, in their efficiency, left a few discontinued stations, abandoned. The trains still ran through, but never stopped. It was in such a station that young Mika stood very expectantly. Hands clasped in front, back straight. Unremarkable and plain, what must have been a boys hoodie draped over her petite form in navy waves.

‘What are you expecting her to say? She might not take kindly to you even being here!’

The soft, open smile Mika had been holding onto crippled immediately. Her brows drew down, narrowing her gaze at this unwelcome nagging. It was always unwelcome, it had been since she’d chosen the life of a magical girl. Her lips were whetted and parted to produce the subtlest of whispers.

“I’m not that fresh. I know how this could end.”

‘It’s a bit bold, though? Just waltzing into another girl’s territory, you’re asking for trouble… you don’t even have an advantage, she’s ranged, like you.’

“Mm, you did give me lacklustre magic.”

‘I didn’t choo—’

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t need blaster-beams, cannons or time-travel.” Mika supplied, her hair whipping to the side as a train ripped through the old, musty station like a bullet. Pushing her thick, square spectacles up her nose, the mousy girl regained that smile, eyes watching the stairs expectantly. A few steps were taken towards a tiled pillar, which she pressed her back to, head hung low with her hoodie pulled up to obscure her face.

“What do you think? Do I look mysterious and cool?”

‘…No.’