Living with a magical girl, but a weirdo cadre

　"Ugh……"

　With a sigh, Cong Yu closed the door and looked at the magical girl and the man in a suit and sunglasses who had already sat down on their own.

　"Then, please?"

　Magical Girl Shining☆Jiang seems to think that Cong Yu's gesture of "raising her hand" is cool.

　So, with stars in his eyes, he began his clumsy imitation.

　Cong Yu: "..."

　So, what exactly are you here for?

　"Mr. Cong Yu...is that right?"

　A man in a suit respectfully handed Cong Yu his business card: "I am a member of the Central Magical Girl Agency's Fuuto branch, or 'Fuuto Magical Girl Agency' for short. Please take a look."

　The other party was very polite, but Cong Yu did not offer a business card in exchange. He simply accepted the card and said, "I am Cong Yu."

　"Hi! Mr. Cong Yu, it's a pleasure to meet you. Please take good care of me."

　Although Cong Yu's choice of words and etiquette during her self-introduction were somewhat odd, the man in the suit still responded earnestly: "I've heard of her, the famous cartoonist—Cy-sensei."

　Cong Yu stared at him, her expression calm as she replied, "This isn't just something I've 'heard of,' it's something I've 'investigated'... When will citizens' information security be adequately protected?"

　That's right, Cong Yu has made a name for herself in drawing manga, such as "Shining! Magical Girl!" and "Magical Girl Connect: Re".

　However, netizens are familiar with the pen name "CY," but if you want to connect it with Cong Yu, it's not something you can just "hear" about casually.

　They're under investigation...

　The blonde girl, seeing the conversation veer off in a strange direction, immediately clasped her hands together to interrupt: "Stop it, everyone! We're here to talk about compensation! Let's get down to business!"

　That makes sense... compensation.

　The man in the black suit slowly began, addressing Cong Yu who was looking at him: "It's like this, Professor CY. Our firm has a new project regarding residential development; we've decided to build a series of 'shelter' residences."

　This was a new term that Cong Yu had never heard of before, but he was somewhat interested in it and nodded to signal the other person to continue.

　"The 'Shelter' will serve as welfare housing for the magical girls who reside in Fuuto, the agency's headquarters. The resulting high level of security gives it commercial value."

　"The housing has been completed and you can check it out on the official website. The conditions are much better than the house you live in. It has now begun to be distributed to working magical girls as a welfare benefit, but the rental process has not yet started."

　"To be honest, we think that announcing CY's move in would be a good opportunity to promote the 'shelter'."

　"..." Cong Yu roughly understood. He looked at the man in the suit very simply and asked briefly, "Send me a place to stay?"

　Seeing Cong Yu's obvious interest, the man in the black suit smiled: "Not only that, as long as you promise not to spread negative information about the apartment, and sometimes the advertising is based on the contract, you'll also receive a monthly endorsement fee..."

　"make a deal!"

　Cong Yu's words carried an unwavering force. Without hesitation, he extended his hand and shook hands with the man in the black suit: "Pleasure doing business with you!"

　"Pleasant to work with."

　Although [Magical Girl Shining☆-chan] didn't understand why the two of them reached an agreement so quickly.

　But it's great that my embarrassing past won't be uploaded by this strange boy!

　Then she saw the man in the black suit look at her: "Yaochuan, the room I arranged for you, is it only occupied by two people now?"

　The shelter is a four-person dwelling with four bedrooms and a large shared living room, and there is also a semi-open-air swimming pool on the roof.

　It's a well-equipped place, close to the firm, and conveniently located.

　Shining☆chan, the magical girl known as Yaochuan, paused for a moment before replying, "Huh? Hi... that's right."

　"..." Magical Girl Shining☆Jiang: Huh?

　Cong Yu: Huh?

　Could it mean that...?

　"You're going to live with her?!"

　Is he going to move in?

　Chapter Four

　Self-isolation

　"It's so crowded...it's really so crowded!!!"

　A tall, mature woman complained as she jumped through the narrow window into the cramped room.

　This is a very, very cramped little room with a neon-style decor, featuring tatami mats on the floor, closets, and a desk.

　It looks like Nobita's room from Doraemon. But it appears much smaller overall, making it seem very cramped.

　The cramped feeling was even more pronounced when there was a bunch of random books in the corner.

　A tall, sophisticated woman dressed in casual clothes and jeans stared at the pile of books and snapped at it impatiently, "Hey! Get out here!"

　As the tall, mature woman's voice rang out, the pile of books stirred, and then a little girl's head popped out.

　Then a little girl wearing a monocle that looked high-tech and resembled a "combat power detector" emerged from the pile of books.

　"Hong? What's up?"

　The little girl asked this question.

　"..." The mature woman known as "Red" did not respond to the loli's question at first. Instead, she struggled to find a place to sit down in the messy and cramped room.

　Then, "Red" breathed a sigh of relief and spoke to the little girl in front of her: "BOSS, Cong Yu called."

　The little girl, referred to as "BOSS," paused for a moment, then smiled with relief: "Haha, so he's finally out of money?"

　"Cong Yu doesn't plan his spending at all. He probably spends all the money he earns from drawing comics in no time... When is he coming back to join the company?"

　"..." Listening to the seemingly expectant loli, Hong glanced at her and casually said, "Ah, she's coming tomorrow and even said she wants to marry me."

　Immediately, the loli known as the BOSS froze: "What, this is impossible... um—"

　She stopped mid-sentence, then realized what she was saying and complained angrily, "You're at it again? Talking nonsense."

　The little girl seemed a bit annoyed. She had known all along that "Red" was this kind of person who talked nonsense, and she had almost believed her lies.

　Speechless, the little girl buried herself deeper into the pile of books, staring at Hong with an expression that seemed to ask, "Are you going to tell me or not?"

　"Ah, don't look at me like that... Well, it seems one of our oddballs broke into his current house and then forgot his package there."

　As she spoke, "Red" stared sharply at the BOSS and demanded, "Don't tell me this is a coincidence?"

　"..."

　"Perhaps it is? Perhaps it isn't?"

　The fact that the BOSS said this, but avoided eye contact with Hong, proved that she had something to hide.

　However, Hong didn't press the matter. Instead, she stared at her with a more serious look: "Also, tell me the truth about Cong Yu's resignation!"

　In response, the BOSS coughed twice and said, "Actually, I also regret Cong Yu's resignation."

　The BOSS pointed to the extremely small room as he spoke: "Before, none of you wanted to come here. Only Cong Yu and I lived here together, eating and living together... He even helped me clean the room."

　What is this supposed to be, playing the emotional card?

　Hong squinted as she watched the BOSS's performance, knowing she wasn't lying. But that didn't conflict with her desire to know the truth.

　"..."

　"So, even though we're such good friends, I let him go, so why are you still nagging me about it?"

　The boss said this, looking pitiful.

　Red took a large step to her side, raised one hand in her direction, and began to gather a dangerous crimson magic.

　Then, under the BOSS's cold, sweating gaze, Red, who looked ready to strike at any moment, softly explained, "I am a witch personally corrupted by Cong Yu. Don't I have the right to know the truth?"

　"If I didn't know the truth, how could I have called Cong Yu back?! You're all so silent!"

　"I'm going to find Cong Yu!"

　As Hong spoke in such a loud voice, the crimson magic in her hand began to twist slightly, looking as if it might go berserk at any moment.

　"..."

　"Gulu——"

　The boss swallowed hard, then immediately waved his hand awkwardly with a smile: "It's all negotiable, it's all negotiable... Hong, calm down first."

　Then, looking at Hong, who had withdrawn her hand and crossed her arms, the BOSS sighed, lamenting that he, as the boss, showed no respect for anyone and had no authority whatsoever.

　"There are very complicated reasons behind this."

　After saying this, the BOSS looked around and tossed a book to Hong, gesturing with his hands outstretched: "The answer you're looking for is in here."

　A book?

　Hong hesitated for a moment, thinking of many things... This world has many secret books, some of which record some secrets.

　Books about magic, even books about the laws of the stars in the sky, and even prophetic books that reveal the future.

　Looking at the Chinese characters on this book, or rather this "booklet", she tried to recognize the numbers "three" and "five".

　This is "Three Years of College Entrance Examination, Five Years of Mock Exams"

　……

　"Isn't this an exam question?"

　Hong, after flipping through the book, was getting a little frantic. She quickly finished...

　She tore the book in her hand to shreds: "You can't just brush me off like that, can you?!"

　However, the BOSS did not look away, but nodded very seriously: "It's true. Cong Yu said she wants to study hard and then go to Fengdu University."

　Eccentric...University...High-ranking cadre of the 22nd Group...Studying diligently.

　How are these words connected?!

　Hong couldn't understand it. Rubbing her head, she asked, "Why? Didn't we all become cadres?"

　Although Group 22 is not a top-tier group of freaks, it is still part of the dark side of the world and a group that controls the world's destiny.

　Having gone this far, why are you still thinking about going to university?!

　Seemingly sensing Hong's disbelief, the BOSS sighed: "I don't quite believe it either, but that's what Cong Yu told me... and then the higher-ups specially approved Cong Yu's resignation, preventing him from undertaking a high-risk escape mission."

　As the BOSS spoke, he looked at the gradually waking witch and recalled the past: "Cong Yu said she wanted a normal, ordinary high school and college life without the troubles of being a magical girl."

　So, you really want a normal experience as a precious treasure in your memory? That's quite understandable.

　Thinking this, Kurenai recalled her life as a magical girl who had been fighting since middle school...

　If Cong Yu hadn't rescued her, she might still not know what freedom feels like.

　If that's the case, then Hong... really doesn't know what expression she should make?

　Smile? You can't force a smile.

　"Sigh... Hmm? When are you planning to leave this awful place? Are you really going to stay here forever?"

　Hong said this with a hint of disdain, and after receiving a shake of the BOSS's head in response, she showed a "hopeless" expression.

　Then, as the BOSS, like a lake fairy, disappeared into the pile of books, she also jumped out of the window.

　Standing safely on the open ground, what was reflected in the red eyes was a place that resembled a "base".

　The venue features a variety of doors and passageways.

　There were many strange-looking people walking around, seemingly carrying something or fiddling with weapons.

　After noticing Hong, they all greeted her.

　"Good morning, Lord Hong. Have you just talked with the BOSS?"

　"Good morning, Lord Red."

　"..." Red nodded in response to the strange people who greeted her, then looked at... a small room with thin walls placed in the center of the open space.

　It looks quite abrupt.

　Our own boss prefers to stay in this fake room rather than in her own large and comfortable all-in-one office.

　"This is hopeless...!"

　Chapter Five: Responsibilities of a Moving Company