-----
-----
Blake narrowed his eyes and quietly looked toward the man in the distance.
Kuroneko might be a chuuni girl, but she wouldn't joke about something like this. Which meant… that gentle, refined-looking veterinarian was actually a cat abuser?
"We should tell Mrs. Suzuki about this," Goko Ruri said, biting her lower lip, her voice filled with anger. "Evil like that deserves to be punished!"
"Not yet." Blake shook his head lightly, his tone calm. "He's clearly trusted by the people around here. If we suddenly accuse him of abusing cats, no one will believe us… unless we have evidence."
"Evidence…" Ruri frowned. "Do we have to wait until he hurts another cat?"
"Don't rush." Blake's voice stayed steady as he pulled out his phone and walked outside. "I'll call in some backup."
…
Getting proof of his abuse in a short time wasn't something normal people could manage.
At times like this, only supernatural powers would do the trick.
So… gather, magical girls!
Blake stepped out of the pet clinic and found a quiet, empty corner. He sent messages to Yamada Elf and Miss Angel, briefly explaining the situation.
Yamada Elf: "What? Cats are so cute, and someone's abusing them?! I'm heading over right now!"
Mahiru Shiina: "That's… unforgivable. Mr. Blake, wait for me."
Both the fairy and the angel immediately agreed to help, determined to bring the abuser to justice.
Time passed quietly.
Eventually, the mother and daughter came out of the clinic. The little girl's eyes were red and watery, constantly wiping away tears. The mother, now calmer, bowed deeply to Blake and Kuroneko, then took out her wallet to offer payment.
Blake glanced at Kuroneko. Their eyes met. Without saying a word, they both understood exactly what the other was thinking.
"Mrs. Tanaka, we're really sorry about today."
"We couldn't return your cat to you unharmed, so we can't accept your commission."
…
Seeing how firm they were, Mrs. Tanaka hesitated, then slowly put her wallet away. She left with her daughter, both of them looking heartbroken.
"Let's go too," Blake said quietly, glancing once more at the brightly lit pet clinic behind them. "We'll find somewhere to rest and wait for the others."
"Okay."
"Hungry?"
"No… I don't feel like eating at all."
"Then let's get some cold drinks." Blake started across the street. "At least stay hydrated."
They entered a drink shop, ordered two beverages, and sat down in a corner.
"The helpers you mentioned… are they magical girls like me?" Ruri asked after taking a sip, curiosity getting the better of her.
"Yeah, but their abilities are different." Blake nodded. "One can turn invisible, and the other can stop time."
"Eh?" Ruri's eyes widened. "Time stop… that's amazing!"
If talking to cats was like a standard purple-tier ability, then stopping time was definitely an ultra-rare SSR. The difference in value was on a completely different level.
"The girl who can stop time actually envies you," Blake said, gently swirling the juice in his cup. "Her power comes with troublesome side effects. And every time she uses it, it's to help someone else."
"To help others…" Ruri took another sip, then looked up at him curiously, her contact lenses gleaming under the light. "If you had the ability to stop time, what would you use it for, Blake?"
"Studying," Blake answered without hesitation.
"Huh?"
Ruri blinked, clearly unconvinced.
"I'd outwork everyone," he said seriously.
On this island nation, what profession was the most admired?
Idols?
Singers?
Entertainers?
None of those.
Without a doubt, the most respected were literary masters.
If he had time-stop, Blake would grind his "literary genius" skill to the max and stand above everyone else.
At 8 p.m., night had fully fallen, neon lights flooding the streets.
The phone on the table finally buzzed.
Blake picked it up. It was a message from Yamada Elf: "Servant, we just got off the train. Where are you?"
"Stay where you are," Blake said, standing up. "I'll come get you."
Ruri quickly got to her feet. "Mr. Blake, they're here?"
"They're at the station. You'll meet them soon."
…
A short while later, the team finally gathered.
Except… there was an extra blue-haired girl in the group.
"Yanami?" Blake raised an eyebrow. "Why are you here?"
"Blake, good evening!" Anna Yanami waved cheerfully and ran over. Standing on tiptoe, she leaned close and whispered in his ear, "I finished the opening of my light novel. I went to your house after school to show you and get your feedback."
Yeah right. You just came to freeload dinner, didn't you?
"I'd only just stepped inside when I saw the message you sent to Mahiru. Of course I had to come help!"
You're not even a magical girl. What exactly are you helping with?
Still, she was already here. No way he could send the glutton back now. Blake sighed softly.
"Stick to my instructions. Don't act on your own."
"Roger!" Yanami snapped a salute.
"This is Yamada Elf, and this is Mahiru…"
After dealing with Yanami, Blake introduced everyone.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Goko Ruri. Please take care of me," Ruri said, a bit stiff and nervous around strangers.
"I'm Yamada Elf." The blonde girl put her hands on her hips, bright and confident, the opposite of shy. "My ability is invisibility."
"My name is Mahiru Shiina," the angel said gently. "My ability is time stop… please take care of me as well."
"Why… why am I the only one who isn't a magical girl…"
Anna Yanami took a heavy hit to her pride and went to squat in the corner, drawing circles in despair.
Nothing stings more than comparison.
When all your friends have amazing abilities and you're just… normal, it hits hard.
After brief introductions, Blake quickly got down to business.
"There were some details I didn't explain clearly in the message. I'll go over everything again…"
He carefully recounted how they discovered the cat abuser, his expression serious.
"The reason I called everyone here is to use your abilities to expose his crimes."
"A pet doctor secretly doing something so cruel…" Yamada Elf clenched her fists, furious. "We have to make him face legal punishment!"
"What's your plan, Mr. Blake?" Mahiru looked at him. Though she didn't raise her voice, her expression was just as serious. "We'll cooperate fully."
"....."