Transform into a magical girl after getting off work

"This is a misunderstanding, sister. Even myself, I wouldn't be unable to tell the difference between a harmless joke and an embarrassing prank. Inviting a friend on stage to make a fool out of them is not just a disregard for friendship but also a desecration of the stage."

Asou Haruka's lips curved, her crimson eyes narrowed: "Especially for the fans below, if I selfishly revealed our relationship, and then let you speak under the guise of being a friend, then the significance of this action would be completely different for them."

"In what way would it be different?"

"At the least, it's called 'alienation'; at the worst, it could be called 'betrayal'?"

Asou Haruka slowly stepped out of the dressing room, gradually closing the distance with Emerald Sparrow: "Whether it's singing or a concert. Though on an objective level, it's about distributing my songs to the fans, in the fans' own experience, it's closer to a 'one-on-one' direct spiritual conversation."

"In a setting like a concert, if a singer explicitly states that their concert has other purposes, or, in other words, their heart is elsewhere, then it's neglecting the fans who spend money to support them, which is also unprofessional."

Walking up until she was half a meter from Emerald Sparrow, she stopped and looked down slightly: "Just like a qualified Magical Girl has the duty to both defeat the Remnant Beasts and stabilize the public's spirit; a qualified singer needs not only good works but also to resonate with the fans at the concert. The emotional experience is very important, so I wouldn't do anything too outrageous on such an important occasion."

Emerald Sparrow looked back at her, not understanding: "...So?"

"So, inviting you to the stage was simply my impulsive desire to commemorate the moment of reunion with an old friend, nothing more calculated than that, sister."

Asou Haruka said softly: "No need to feel estranged because of the many things that happened. No matter how much has changed from before, at least our previous relationship won't have changed."

"Is this also a 'emotional experience'?"

"Yes, you can consider this as my regard for an old friend's emotional experience, offering an explanation, or rather an apology, for the actions I took before, as I never intended to upset you." Stay connected through My Virtual Library Empire

Asou Haruka said helplessly: "But my judgement was perhaps a bit off... no, should I say your temper has gotten a lot worse? I'm sorry, I thought you wouldn't get angry over such a small joke."

"Rather than angry, I'd say I am confused."

Emerald Sparrow frowned slightly: "You know, Asou, it's been thirteen years. A full thirteen years you haven't returned to this city. Suddenly coming back at such a time, I thought we ought to discuss more pressing matters."

"More pressing matters... confusion..."

The woman with the crimson eyes looked at Emerald Sparrow with a slightly puzzled expression and then, as if realizing something, nodded: "Ah, so that's it. You think my joke was meaningless."

Immediately after saying this, she closed her mouth as if pondering something, and then showed a slightly complex smile: "Meaningless, meaningless. Sigh... you really have changed a lot."

Her words seemed somewhat out of place in this context, even abrupt, but Emerald Sparrow subtly picked up on the intended thought and responded.

"After all, so many years have passed, if there isn't any growth or change, wouldn't that seem like a waste of time?"

She raised her head to look at her former team member, her voice a bit softer: "The Asou Haruka I remember wasn't someone who would apologize for things like this. The you from before wouldn't bother to explain your actions to anyone."

"Explaining your actions? Don't you do the same? I thought I might never see 'Emerald Sparrow' again in my lifetime."

"...I thought so too."

Emerald Sparrow hesitated: "But a lot has happened recently, and in the end, I couldn't just sit by."

"I've heard about it, Fangting City has had its fair share of disasters lately."

"Who told you?"

"The principal."

"She told you after all?"

"I asked her proactively."

Emerald Sparrow gave her a puzzled glance: "What suddenly made you think to ask her about it?"

Asou Haruka smiled cryptically: "Of course, it's because I heard that a certain former retired team member had come back into action and even made a big impression in my city, teaching my juniors and students quite a bit. Who do you think that person might be?"

"...I knew that old woman was up to no good."

Hearing the other party's words, and recalling who had suggested that she be sent to Bai An, Emerald Sparrow realized the crux of the matter and couldn't help but press her temples, "I really shouldn't have accepted her request to resume my position."

"Directly calling someone 'old hag' isn't nice, you know. She seems to quite dislike being addressed that way."

Unlike Emerald Sparrow's troubled expression, Asou Haruka, the beneficiary of this situation, seemed much more cheerful, "Anyway, the outcome is good. It's a rare joy to meet an old friend, or are you saying you actually didn't want to see me?"

Emerald Sparrow pursed her lips with a hint of helplessness.

Emotionally, of course, it was not a bad thing to meet a long-lost friend, but meeting her at this critical juncture was really just adding trouble.

Or, to put it a little more sentimentally, it wasn't that she was unwilling, she just wasn't mentally prepared.

She had some experiences she was not that willing to share with her children and descendants, things that even Hong Siyu was not very clear about; even if he knew a bit, he would consider her feelings and not speak of them lightly.

But Asou Haruka was different; this woman never minded if her words and actions caused trouble for others, saying whatever she wanted without a filter.

This woman named Asou Haruka differed from Hong Siyu, who was also an old teammate, in one major way: she had been a companion from the very beginning when she first became a Magical Girl, and thus, they shared a great many secrets between them.

From their time as rookie Magical Girls to the subsequent Garden Defense Wars, the more they knew about each other's secrets, the more they understood one another, and the more casual their interaction became.

Could Asou Haruka distinguish between what could be said and what couldn't? To be honest, Emerald Sparrow also wasn't sure; but it seemed too heartless at this juncture to say "I don't want to see you." Clearly, that wouldn't be appropriate.

"...If I had to say, a reunion is still a happy occasion." She concluded this after much internal deliberation.

"So it's mutual?" Asou Haruka laughed upon getting a response.

"Mutual, then," Emerald Sparrow conceded.

With a short sigh, Emerald Sparrow slightly lifted her eyelids, "Anyway, long time no see, you seem to be in good shape."

"You look well, too," Asou Haruka echoed back, "Or rather, seeing you standing here like this tells me you're in even better shape than when I left."

As she spoke, she extended her right hand, her palm open in an inviting gesture for a handshake, "So, perhaps it's time for us to start cooperating again."

"Cooperate? On what matter?"

"Many things, such as protecting the city, national affairs, An Ya's matters, Su Shengzi's matters, and even yours and the Chief's matters."

While saying so, Asou Haruka's expression became much more serious, "You said earlier, let's talk about something serious. Are these the things?"

"...Are you investigating?" Emerald Sparrow fixed her gaze on her eyes.

"I am investigating, rather, I am clearer on the progress of events than anyone else," Asou Haruka earnestly met her gaze.

"Is that so, very good."

Nodding her head, Emerald Sparrow extended her hand, clasping with the other's, and shook it gently, "In that case, let's cooperate."

"Magical Girl, Flower Card Certification Number 21032, affiliated to the Investigation Institute, code name Margaret." Asou Haruka suddenly said.

Hearing her stating her number, Emerald Sparrow was momentarily stunned, then realizing it seemed to complete some sort of ritual, she also said, "Magical Girl, Flower Card Certification Number 41076, Emerald Sparrow."

After speaking, the scene suddenly went quiet again, not just the two shaking hands, but even the girls watching the gossip around them held their breath, in total silence.

Then, out of the blue, Asou Haruka laughed.

She laughed while bending her knees, maintaining the handshake, and gently took to one knee. Then, as she changed the handshake to an upheld gesture, she gently lifted the back of Emerald Sparrow's hand. And then, before anyone realized what she was doing, her lips gently touched the back of her hand:

"At your service, my lady."