ALL NOVEL chapter 19
Chapter 19: Suspicion
It can’t be true… there’s no way Luna…
I keep thinking about what Christina said the other day.
“Luna is a traitor.”
Christina coldly told us when we were all gathered that day.
Immediately, my mind vehemently denied Christina’s words.
That can’t be true… because Luna is kind and cool… she always cared about everyone… there’s no way Luna would betray us…
“That’s not true! Luna would never betray us!”
“Fiona is right, Luna is one of us magical girls. Christina, you know that too, don’t you?”
“…That’s… impossible…”
Then, as if she knew everyone would argue, Christina began to explain her reasoning.
“Omega often appeared when we were in trouble and saved us… but what if that was all planned from the beginning… what if Luna and Omega were in cahoots from the start? If that’s the case, doesn’t it make sense why Luna protected Omega?”
“That’s ridiculous———!”
I tried to deny it, but no words came out. A part of me was slightly convinced by Christina’s words.
No, no, no! Because Luna———
“Luna has been deceiving us from the beginning.”
“That’s not true, Christina is wrong!”
“…Fiona, are you still our leader?”
Christina sighed in exasperation, looking at me as if I were a child.
“If Luna really is a traitor, how do you plan to take responsibility?”
—
—
“That is…”
“See, you’re not thinking about anything. You’re really a terrible leader.”
Christina’s every word pierces deeply into my heart.
I’ve always thought… someone like me who can’t study, can’t do sports, has no strength, no ability to bring people together… is it really okay for someone with no redeeming qualities like me to be the leader of the magical girls…
Even so, since I became the leader, I did my best. I always cheerfully spoke to everyone and constantly paid attention to the members’ conditions.
Even so, I couldn’t gain confidence as a leader.
Am I… unfit to be a leader…
“Christina, what’s wrong? You’re acting strange today. Normally, you wouldn’t say such things to your comrades.”
“You’re too soft, Noah. Just being kind won’t protect your comrades.”
“……”
What Christina is saying is correct. If, hypothetically… though I think it’s impossible… if Luna’s betrayal is true, then I…
“Anyway, I think we should strip Luna of her qualifications as a magical girl. But the decision is up to the leader. Whether to judge Luna as a traitor and expel her from the team, or to trust her and let her be. Come on, Fiona. Decide.”
“Christina, you——!”
“Christina… I can’t overlook this any longer… retract your statement.”
“I just said what I thought. I don’t feel the need to retract it.”
I… have to decide…
The pressure of being a leader, it’s the first time it has weighed so heavily on me.
Everything will be decided by my words as the leader.
“I——”
Just as I was about to say that Luna isn’t a traitor, Christina’s earlier words flashed through my mind.
‘If Luna really is a traitor… how do you plan to take responsibility?’
I want to believe in Luna… for that reason——
“…Alright. Then let’s cut off contact with Luna until the suspicion of betrayal is cleared.”
“Fiona!”
“As expected of our leader. Reliable in times of need.”
“But if Luna’s innocence is proven, apologize to her. We’ll apologize too.”
“Of course, I promise. Though I don’t think that will be necessary.”
“…It’s a promise.”
And so, we decided to cut off contact with Luna for a while.
“Yui… good morning.”
—
—
“Rena…”
As I walked, lost in thought, Rena called out to me.
She had a somewhat anxious, almost tearful expression.
I wanted to immediately respond with a cheerful “Good morning!” and dispel that anxious look… but—
No, I am the leader of the magical girls. To prove Luna’s innocence, for now…
I reminded myself once again that I am the leader and desperately suppressed those feelings.
“Today, if it’s okay, would you like to have lunch together? My pet will be there too, but Yui said she gets along well with him———”
“Sorry, I have to hurry a bit.”
Rena’s expression instantly turned to despair.
“…! Right… I’m sorry for asking too much…”
“It’s okay, see you later.”
With a heavy sense of guilt, I hurried to the classroom.
I’m sorry, I’m sorry… Rena… I’m sorry…!
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