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Chapter 70
Chapter 2 — Expand, my world! • Episode 2-Leisure • Extend
Translated by KaiesV
Edited by KaiesV
After the incident came to a close and the Tyrant Sylph’s group disbanded, the three Magical Girls from Junkoi Town gathered in a room of a tower apartment given to them by Extend.
It doesn’t mean that they have to live in this room even if it is given to them, some Witches use it as a storage room, others have never set foot in it. Only three of the current witches, Permafrost, Simeracres, and Bullshark, use it as a residence, while Extend is used as a meeting place with Samurai Peach and Knuckle, like a secret base.
「I wondered what was going to happen, but I guess it’s all settled for now.」
「Yes. I have some concerns, but I guess we should be happy that the Blade’s team are growing up now.」
Sitting on a soft, well-sink sofa set up in the living room, Knuckle and Samurai Peach talk peacefully to each other.
By nature, the three Magical Girls from Junkoi Town have nothing to do with the turf war in Sakira Town, but they’re not so heartless as to stand idly by while their close neighbors, Elephant’s group, being attacked. If Elephant’s group had failed, they had planned to fight themselves, but they were honestly happy that they were able to settle the matter by their own hands.
「Those girls have talent. I knew they would all eventually reach Phase 2, but I never thought they would wake up this quickly. That’s terrifying.」
Samurai Peach, who until a few minutes ago had been somewhat tense so as not to ruin the atmosphere of being a dependable senior in front of her juniors, smiled softly and muttered, thinking back on the growth of his successors. She didn’t intend to fall behind yet, but as she once told Blade, eventually she will surpass herself.
「I agree. And Elephant-chan tends to stand out, but she can accept that, so we’re all good.」
It’s not easy to forgive someone who attacked you to take your territory and welcome them as one of your own, even if they had their own reasons. It is easy to focus on Elephant who came up with the idea and carried it out, but the damage was done to both to Blade and Press. Normally, there would be nothing wrong with a rebuff. However, the two girls were not reluctant, but showed a favorable acceptance of the Elephant-like situation.
「What a nice team they have.」
「Yeah. By the way, Ex?」
「…Hey, how long are you going to stand there?」
In front of the Tyrant Sylph and others, Extend had been acting as a dependable senior without losing her fearless attitude, but now she was acting somewhat strangely.
Ever since she entered the room, she has been standing there with her head down, not uttering a word. Samurai Peach ignored it, thinking it was a usual thing, but when Knuckle took advantage of the situation to call out to her and throw harsh words at her, she began to pull and shake and looked up vigorously as if she couldn’t take it anymore.
「Uwaaaaahhnnn!!! You have to comfort me firssssssstttt!!!」
Silently slinking up to them, Extend jumped onto Knuckle’s lap and flailed her arms and legs, suddenly crying a lie. The way she is lying on her back and being spoiled, she looks like a child.
When Knuckle patted her head as if she was soothing a young child, the rampaging Extend stopped moving and did as it was told.
「I’ve done my best! There is nothing like that! It’s unfair! Duke-class was even out there! I wanted more prominences～!」
「Yeah–yeah. Ex did her best. I’m sorry about your bad luck this time. You’ll be more successful next time.」
「I’m awesome, aren’t I!? I’m cool, aren’t I!?」
「Of course you are. Ex is a Witch, so of course you’re awesome. I’d like to see a lot more of your cool stuff.」
「Right, right!」
While affirming all of Extend’s words, Knuckle never stops patting her head. Extend doesn’t shake her hand away, but rather relaxes her face in comfort.
This isn’t the first time that Knuckle has spoiled Extend in this way, and it was always the case when something bad happens or goes wrong. It’s hard to imagine this figure from her usual fearless demeanor, but it’s not that she is acting or in infantile regression. Rather, it was the true identity of the Extend, and when she is involved with other Magical Girls, she is acting. There is no special reason for this, but it just seems cooler to her that way.
「I’ve told you many times, don’t spoil her too much. You’re like that, and that’s why Ex is always in such a bad shape.」
Samurai Peach looks at them with a dumbfounded expression and gives Knuckle a hard time. The behavior of the Extend, who aren’t unlike the Witches at the top of the Magical Girls’ game, is also unremarkable, but ultimately it was the sweetness from Knuckle that brings it out. Samurai Peach believes that if Knuckle were more resolute and less indulgent, Extend would grow naturally.
Having said this, it’s not the case that Samurai Peach and her friends do not get along. In fact, because they are friends who weren’t afraid to tell each other, they can tell each other tough things without hesitation.
「Don’t be so crabby. A little bit is fine.」
「You think it’s just a little bit? She’ll be in that state for a whole day!」
「Shut up～! Even Peach deserves a compliment for trying so hard this time!」
「I agree, I agree. But really, you did a great job this time. I don’t think we would have done as well as we did without Ex.」
「That’s… yeah, but…」
Extend didn’t think too much about it and just retorted in her usual ah-ha spirit, but Knuckle had a point. From the perspective of the individual Extend, the end of the project was a bit of a mess, but looking at this series of events, Extend has done a great job. And since Samurai Peach can understand it, she’s at a loss for words.
In the end, as usual, she had to wrap things up and praise Extend for her greatness with a stick. There’s no such thing as winning a tongue fight with Knuckle.
「But I didn’t think she could even open up and get hit. Permafrost was that strong.」
「I told you she was cheating! I know she chanted, but the range is too wide and I can’t even defend myself, that’s definitely a cheat!」
「Extra Freeze, right? I don’t know about you, but I still think it’s great?」
「I don’t know how well it works on Diest, but as far as I’ve heard, if it’s against a person, that’s all it’s going to do. There doesn’t seem to be any visible cold air flying around, and perhaps within a certain range, it can be iced in an instant.」
「I guess that means she’s not the only one who’s been a high ranking Witch for a long time.」
「Knuckle! Your hands stopped!」
「Ahaha, sorry–sorry. There, there, you did your best—」
Grimacing and pressing her head against Knuckle’s stomach without regard to their conversation, Extend demanded more petting and praise. Knuckle gives a gentle smile and pats her head to such a handful of friends.
「…I’ll admit I’ve been working hard, but I don’t think I’m being too lenient.」
「Well, well, it’s okay this much. They say that the more difficult a child is to take care of, the cuter he or she is, right? It’s the best thing I can do for a pet owner.」
「I think I heard some disturbing words just now.」
「Now, now, Ex doesn’t have to worry about the hard stuff.」
「Hawaa～」
Extend makes a sloppy sound as she is patted on the head and embarrassed.
Peach looked at her and made a sullen face as if she didn’t want to be around her.