"Just like I said, Yuri now has the backing of the Zenith. She could leave us at any moment."

"What do you mean? She's my daughter. She won't leave me," my father insisted, his certainty evident even through the camera. His assurance was so misplaced it made me nauseous.

"Osamu, tell me. You're my brother. Yet, ask yourself, how many times have you dreamed of usurping me, becoming the head of Shirayuki? Or making it big in other companies?" Kageyama queried.

"You mean…"

"No, that's the problem. See, if Yuri wanted to become the head of Shirayuki, it would be much easier. I could simply install her as a shareholder. But she's just like I was when I was young." Kageyama stroked his chin, lost in thought.

"What?"

"Remember when I ditched school with you? I said then that I hated Shirayuki and wanted to leave this heavy burden. I was jealous of you. No, now that I think about it, maybe it was just frustration. Our father demanded so much from me yet expected so little from you."

"It's not like I lived in heaven. He always compared me to you. He said I was a failure and you were the only hope Shirayuki had left."

"If you had become a Magical Guardian back then, if some stuffed animal had asked you for a contract, what would you have done, Osamu?"

"So, should we pamper her now? Let's give her the clothes she wants, or maybe jewelry, or accessories. Maybe we should give her a new bedroom? How about prestige? You could welcome her as part of the main family?"

"Osamu… she's not like you. Any kind of gifts or pampering we offer now will only be met with hostility. She knows we only want her because she's a Magical Girl. I considered inviting her to join the main family, but I wonder if being part of the main family is something she even wants."

"Then, what should we do?"

"Show her that we genuinely care for her."

"What do you mean? We always care for her. I care for her. She's my daughter. She always went to the best schools and always had everything she wanted." Warm feelings went through me; it was soothing to know they, at least my father, cared for me. But it was complicated. Their love was painful. I don't like it.

"Really? Did you really give her everything she wanted, Osamu?"

"Yes! She had the latest phones, the most luxurious clothes, and the newest computer. She didn't use them much, though. Jennifer, her mother, didn't like it. She was a bit demanding of her. Although strict, It was a good education. Look at her—the best in her grades, polite, and gentle."

"Her clothes… where are they from?"

"From the Shirayuki brand, of course. The best. Jennifer and her manager picked most of them."

"We're screwed…" Kageyama facepalmed. "I always wondered why she always wore such bland or formal clothes. The clothes were expensive, proper. But I always wondered why they seemed so bland."

"What? Our mother was the same, right? We had the best computers and clothes, but since my scores were below yours, I couldn't play. But you always got to play them first, right? Yuri is smart, the best in school, and doesn't have any siblings to compete with. Surely she enjoyed her privileges, unlike me. You also got the best clothes, right? The best son got the best things. I enjoyed your secondhand clothes, by the way. You must be glad that you always got the new stuff, right? Yuri is the same."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm getting a headache now. Well, now that I know her circumstances, I think I can manage this. Good night, Osamu."

"By the way, brother. Will I come back to Shirayuki? Or will I have to stay in that warehouse department all my life?"

"Why? Are you unsatisfied? I didn't think you had that passion."

"The environment was a bit... well, I guess I have to stay there until the rumors die down, huh?"

"Yeah. You have bad PR from New Mesa. You're under heavy scrutiny for allowing two thousand people to die."

"But…"

"Yes, I know. It wouldn't have made any difference if you were the last to evacuate. However, this is about feelings. I'm sure their feelings toward Shirayuki would change if they knew Yuri stayed behind."

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"Then…"

"However! As I said before, her feelings need to be prioritized over our name. Besides, even though getting Yuri to go public would restore Shirayuki's name, I don't think it would restore yours. Yuri has grown popular with the servants, you know. The fact that she used that personal bunker to save her school friends has gained the approval of the mass media. Even now, she has yet to receive any criticism. Her advertising and acting work offers are still high."

"I see. It was only me who had to suffer, huh?"

" And that mayor. It was par for the course for you and that mayor to get the blame. We need something for the family of two thousand people to vent their anger. It should not be permanent, though. While not the most ideal, you did your job, after all. The ferry and the transport were average jobs. Some lives were saved thanks to the mayor and you. By the way, about your wife, Jennifer. What are you going to do with her?"

"Yes? Hm... I don't know about that…"

"I thought she was loyal to our company. Was she such an opportunist and selfish person?"

"You know how she is more than I do. She jumped into our company after her previous company, Green Peace Company, went under."

" I see. I tolerated her until now. I was thinking about taking more drastic measures, but seeing as Yuri doesn't seem to like her, I'm fine with her jumping ship to Newstarco. But she knows Black Lily's identity. Do you think she will pose a danger to the company?"

"She might try some methods to lure Yuri to another company. Do you think Yuri will accept?"

"Yuri should be smarter than that. She should know her mother only wants to use her."

"Then there's nothing to worry about, right? Jennifer won't move anywhere without Yuri. No company will accept her without bringing a Magical Girl along."

"Yes. You are right. Let's attach one or two maids for Yuri. It would be best if we knew what she wanted after New Soil. We can negotiate with her then."

"I see. Well then, good night, brother."

"Good Night. The night has grown long. I want to rest." Both of them left the room. As the light went off, my vision went dark.

...

"Fel…"

"Yes?"

"What should I do now?" Kageyama read my emotions better than even myself. I don't know what I should feel about Shirayuki. Is it hate, respect, love, or disgust? I don't know.

"Well, let's sleep. You have a job tomorrow. While your parents haven't shown their best behavior, I don't think it's bad enough to warrant action now."

My mind wandered as I thought about their conversation. The curse of Shirayuki still latched onto me. I have the power to get rid of it. But should I? Do I want to? If I abandon Shirayuki, who will I become? Is Black Lily, me?

A maid woke me up at dawn. After I cleaned myself, I went to my Seinjet and flew to Eden's harbor. A huge cargo ship loaded with containers and amphibious trucks rented by the Shirayuki family was anchored there.

"Hm... I thought Kageyama said they would have four ferries," Fel said as I transformed into Black Lily before getting out of my Seinjet.

"Maybe they couldn't find anyone willing to rent it? All of this was done under a time limit, after all."

"Are you okay with sleeping in the cabin?"

"Greetings, good morning, Black Lily. Please let me introduce myself. I am Captain Pieter von Eden. Pleased to meet you. Such a pleasure to meet you."

We shook hands, but he kept holding it as his smile grew wider. "Black Lily, sorry, but you see, my neighbors talked about you. They talk about how you saved them during New Mesa."

"It's not just me. There are others…"

"But you are from New Mesa, right? A New Mesa's Magical Girl! We are your fans!"

"Yes. I moved to New Mesa about five years ago…"

" I see. Thank you! Please sign this!" He handed me a photo. My heart almost stopped when I saw the picture. It was Yuri, not Black Lily.

"... what is this?"

"Hmm? You don't know? It's a picture of Yuri Shirayuki! New Mesa's idol. She mainly worked as an advertising idol, but she played in movies, too. When those filthy Anathema attacked, she was the last one seen. Passengers saw her on the last ferry. Unlike the mayor and Shirayuki's CEO. They are a bunch of cowards."

"Stop. I know about Yuri. Here. I will sign the photo." I hurriedly signed the photo and walked away, unable to listen to him any longer.

"Fel, where are the others?"

"Edward is picking them up."

"They are late…" I thought to myself after seeing a Seinjet land near me. Shining Arrow's team arrived, looking haggard. The Seinjet flew away immediately after dropping them off. It still had to pick up Serene, huh?

"It's 7 AM! I forgot we have to attend this early…" they whined.

"You are late…" I complained.

" Sorry. We played MGSR too much."

"That online game again?"

"Ehehehe…" Shing smiled wryly.

"Hm? I thought Kageyama said it was four ferries?" Red Flame muttered.

"I apologize. After discussing with the supply department, Kageyama decided it would be better to use a cargo ship instead. It was larger overall and cheaper. There are quite a few pieces of equipment that need to be moved."

"Are there enough beds?"

"Of course. The employees we will pick up later are fine with sleeping on the floor. But don't worry. You girls will absolutely get a room for yourselves."

"... I see."

"I shall welcome you. This ship, Earth Traveler, is a bit old, but she has never failed me. It was one of the few artifacts that had minimum intervention from Zenith! It is humanity's original product."

"Such a cheapskate. There isn't any defense shielding on this one, right? Any anathema with the long-range attack could sink it with one hit."

"Shhh! That's our job to not let that happen. We have 8 MG guarding this ship. It's going to be fine." Sapphire hushed him.

Pieter smiled as he welcomed us. He offered to guide us through the ship, but Red Flame and Sapphire wanted to know where their room was. Apparently, 7 AM was too early for most Magical Girls and Guardians. Serene and her team also arrived looking haggard, blaming their mistake of taking patrols in the middle of the night.

The ship departed immediately. With nothing to do, I strolled outside on the deck. Seeing a sunrise was a luxury in Eden. The morning breeze and the rising sun were stunning. Sanctuary Cities were full of concrete forests, and there were only a few specific places where you could see the sunset or sunrise on the horizon: the eastern harbor, the Guardian Command, and the roofs of four other skyscrapers.

I stared at the empty blue sky while fish and dolphins roamed the seas. Anathema couldn't live in the sea, so life at sea was mainly untouched. There was a plan to make underwater cities or floating islands, but it was scrapped because Anathema could teleport there. Enlarging Sanctuary Cities is a different matter, though. There were plans to enlarge Sanctuary Cities to ten times their original size, but without the crucial RED, it was pointless.

A sensation of passing something crawled into my skin, and I realized we were now outside the boundary of Eden. I looked toward the skies and saw black dots here and there. They were flying Anathema.

"Working hard, Miss Black Lily? You could take a break in the cafeteria. Maybe drink some coffee or tea? We will call you if those cockroaches come close," a janitor currently sweeping the deck greeted me.

"No, I am just admiring the sky. It's a rare view from Eden."

"Haha! Even heaven lacks something, too, ain't it? Eden is nice and all, but I can't get over how cramped it is. I feel like a caged bird there. If you will excuse me, I still have some useless job to do. Sweeping the floor, it is. If my boss doesn't see me working, I might lose my job. Losing my job and being in a NEET shelter feels like hell. See you."

"It's fine. See you," I replied while waving.

We saw a landscape at dusk the next day. A small beach was sandwiched between cliffs, with hills and mountains strewn all over behind it. An abandoned port is in view. It was too small for our cargo ships, so the zenith truck would have to swim the distance. Newsoil, a frontier city made by investment from several companies, was on the other side of one of those hills. We will have to drive from here to there by truck.

When the sky turned dark, and the moon rose on the other side of the horizon, Pieter called us to the bridge.