Encounter at Night

Translated by LyraDhani

Edited by LyraDhani

As Tsugumi walked through the garden, he saw someone by the fountain in the center of the courtyard.

As he got closer, he saw a boy with golden hair that shimmered in the moonlit night and wearing black clothes like a cassock Azalea sitting on the edge of the fountain with a melancholy look.

Lake-san? What are you doing so late at night?

When Tsugumi unintentionally called out, Azalea turned around with a surprised face and gave Tsugumi a strange look.

Then Azalea looked Tsugumi up and down as if confirming, and with a curious look, he said, Uh, youre Hagakure-san, right? Im sorry, your clothes are so different from usual

Tsugumis current appearance was very simple, a large hoodie he brought from home with a pair of loose, three-quarter-length trousers.

In this outfit, it would certainly be hard to notice that he was Hagakure Sakura, who was always dressed cutely.

Because he had just been with Toono, who knew his situation, he had forgotten about these small details.

While complaining in his mind that he had made a mistake, Tsugumi smiled deceptively

Oh, sorry for the confusion. I meant to go for a walk before bed, so I came out in my off-duty clothes. Im a little embarrassed, so please keep it a secret from everyone, okay?

Tsugumi told him as he put his index finger to his mouth.

It might seem a little fake, but this kind of brusqueness was more effective for deception. Above all, it was difficult for the other party to get too deeply involved. It did cause some damage to his own heart, though.

Then Azalea nodded calmly with a small smile. Apparently, he didnt care about Tsugumis outfit.

Toono-san is not with you?

When Azalea asked, Tsugumi shook his head.

Toono-san is already resting in her room. Fufu, would you have preferred Toono-san here over me?

Azaleas face tightened as he replied, No way!

Then Azalea let out a loud sigh as he lightly rubbed the goose bumps on his arms as if he had imagined that Toono was nearby.

It was hardly a believable response to the number one Magical Girl. He suspected it from the movie theater, but it seemed Azalea really didnt like Toono.

As Tsugumi smiled wryly, Azalea looked up and said as if to fix his words.

Im sorry. About Toono-san, I am not good with her

Well, it depends on each person. But please dont be too mean to Toono-san, okay? She may be a bit of a bully, but basically, shes a good person.

Haha, yes. I will do my best.

With words that sounded like a refusal, Azalea looked at Tsugumi as if to cut to the main point.

Im with the Japanese governments Ministry of Divine Worship, but I havent had much opportunity to talk to Magical Girls. Hagakure-san, if you dont mind, would you like to sit down and talk?

In response to this request, Tsugumi was a little at loss with what to do. He had to wake up early tomorrow morning, but it was still too early to go to bed. It should be fine to stay up for a little while.

Yes, I dont mind.

Besides, Tsugumi was interested in Azaleas story. He usually talked to Azalea as a classmate at school, but this was the first time he had spoken to Azalea as a religious person.

With this curiosity in mind, Tsugumi said so and slowly sat down next to Azalea. Then Azalea laughed in relief and opened his mouth happily.

Thank you! Ive been wondering about the Magical Girl system

For a while after that, they talked about Magical Girl-related matters, and then Tsugumi talked about things like what Azalea thought when he first came to Japan, and what he would think if he actually confronted a Demonic Beast.

Among the topic that came up, there was a complaint that all the personnel of the Ministry of Divine Worship were researchers and peculiar people, and the atmosphere of the place was heavy, Azalea must be having a hard time so Tsugumi sympathized with him.

As they talked, the conversation suddenly stopped, and Azalea clenched his fists tightly as if he had decided something, and opened his mouth while looking at Tsugumis eyes.

Hagakure-san, what did you think when you heard about the Demonic Beast that appeared in this country?

At the ambiguous question, Tsugumi tilted his head.

Even if you ask me Its tough. In the countries across the sea, Demonic Beasts dont appear much, and if you cant create a barrier, it will be hard to deal with it, right?

That was all Tsugumi could say. But he also wondered if countries without Magical Girls would have such a hard time with a single Demonic Beast.

Perhaps his unspoken thoughts were seen through, Azalea looked down sadly and clutched the rosary hanging on his chest.

Yes, thats right. You girls, who are protected by the Goddess Amaterasu, have the means to defeat Demonic Beasts. But we dont. IIm not happy about it.

Azalea continued speaking, his face contorted in frustration.

I couldnt believe it at all. God only gives people trials that they can overcome. But this has already reached the point of disaster. So why does our God remain silent?

Thats

Azalea believed in one and only one Godthe Almighty God.

At present, no manifestation of a similar God had been confirmed in Japan. There were various reasons for this, but for Azalea, not appearing itself was a problem.

Unlike you, who have so much power, we are limited in our ability to deal with the Demonic Beasts. Why is it that we cannot get salvation?

While repeating the word why, Azalea said bitterly.

There was no Magical Girl system outside of Japan. Azalea understood that, but as a servant of God, he probably had mixed feelings about it.

I heard that the Gods of your country sent a spirit entity for the believers living in Japan. If so, why doesnt our God, who has billions of believers, show Himself to us? I thought that if I could come to Japan, I would have a clue. But the result is this. This defeats the purpose of my arrival to Japan.

Azalea ruffled his hair in annoyance.

Hearing this, Tsugumi had a thought. The reason Azalea came all the way to Japan to study was to learn how to fight Demonic Beasts. In that case, it made sense why he would go to the Ministry of Divine Worship even at the invitation of Toono, who he was not a fan of.

Then Azalea, perhaps thinking he had spoken too much, looked up and held his mouth.

Im sorry. I didnt mean to say this to Hagakure-san. I guess I was getting a little sentimental. Please forget it.

Saying this, Azalea made a regretful face and lowered his eyes.

While listening to Azaleas spitting monologue, Tsugumi tilted his head in doubt.

Thinking about Azaleas story carefully, there was something a little strange about it. Azalea was lamenting the fact that the God he believed in wouldnt appear on earth, but such a thing, no matter how hard he tried, was impossible.

Tsugumi thought so, and quietly opened his mouth.

The only God that Lake-san believes in is that One, right? Then I dont see how it would be possible for Him to manifest. At least, I think it is absolutely impossible.

When Tsugumi simply told him so, Azalea looked at him with wide-open eyes.

What are you saying?

Azalea stood up and took a step closer to Tsugumi. He could hear his voice mixed with anger, as if he thought he was being mocked. Additionally, his pupils were dilated, which was a bit frightening.

Tsugumi didnt mean to say anything strange, but apparently, he had offended Azalea.

This may require a proper explanation. Thinking so, Tsugumi let out a small sigh.

And just as Azaleas outstretched hand was about to touch Tsugumi, he pointed a plastic bottle of water at Azalea and said.

I will explain the reason properly from now on. So, um, please calm down.