In the backstage dressing room, Inaba Tsukiyo had transformed into Illya, preparing for her upcoming performance.
Shiori and Tohka's act was before hers, so she needed to prepare her own performance here.
"Um, the previous contestants have finished their performance. The next group from Raizen High School, it's almost your turn to perform."
"Yes~ I understand."
Nodding, Illya walked towards the changing room. She couldn't perform this song in this school uniform.
"ruby, I'm counting on you."
"Yes~ yes~ Really, you only remember to call on me at times like this. Illya-san really likes to make things difficult for people, doesn't she?"
As a colorful light flashed, Illya completed her transformation. Her Magical Girl form appeared in the changing room; it wasn't the catgirl state from Hitogami Island last time.
"Good, this time, ruby, you didn't cause me any trouble. I was wondering how I would deal with you if you made me look as embarrassing as last time."
"Oh~ what does it matter? That catgirl outfit from last time was so cute, why doesn't Illya-san like it? But Illya-san, don't worry, I won't let anyone else see you in that state."
"So you mean you want to monopolize that look of mine? Your little schemes are really not ordinary, ruby."
Illya pulled hard on ruby's wings, listening to ruby's screams while complaining.
"By the way, ruby. You have so many functions, can you connect to the stage's sound system?"
ruby had many functions: video calls with sapphire, recording, phone calls, and even fortune-telling.
"Yes, I can. It's not a complicated device. I can hack into it in just one second. What? Does Illya-san want me, a mystic code, to be a microphone this time? Isn't that overkill?"
She was a top-tier mystic code. It was one thing to be idle normally, but now to make her a microphone was simply too much.
Who knew Illya would look at ruby with a 'you're so smart' smile, leaving ruby speechless.
After Shiori and her group finished their performance, Illya also prepared to go on stage.
Shiori, who had returned to the backstage resting area, was stunned by Illya's attire, wondering if there was an enemy here that caused Illya to transform into her Magical Girl form.
Illya smiled and walked past Shiori onto the stage.
As Illya stepped onto the stage, a burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the audience, indicating that most people were very pleased with Illya's outfit.
[A girl in youthful love, everything she has experienced so far, woven into the bonds that connect us!]
As Illya's cute voice rang out, cheerful music began to play. The magic staff in her hand became a microphone, spreading Illya's lovely singing.
[Sweet impulses drive us to step and run, secretly harboring a thought no one knows~]
[Discard all doubts and move forward, and you will find a 'strength' unlike the past, right in your hands.]
[And because we're not alone, surely even the stars in the sky are within reach.]
As if narrating something, recalling Illya's past experiences, she poured all her emotions into her singing.
Shiori, watching Illya's performance backstage, stared blankly at the happy elf singing on stage. At this moment, she couldn't distinguish if this was Illya or Inaba Tsukiyo.
Just then, Tohka, next to Shiori, heard footsteps approaching them. She turned around and saw a short-haired, black-haired Little Girl walking towards them.
Tohka's movement caught Shiori's attention. She turned around, looking at the Little Girl, who somewhat resembled Origami, with a hint of confusion.
The other person bowed to Shiori and Tohka, said nothing, and walked directly past them.
As she walked, a light flashed around her, and a slightly revealing outfit appeared on her. In her hand, she also held a staff similar to Illya's.
Illya: [A girl in youthful love, everything she has experienced so far, woven into the bonds that connect us!]
???: [Actually, I've already noticed your thoughts. It's okay even if you remain silent.]
While Illya was singing, a voice different from Illya's emerged.
A voice not on the performance list made Illya look vaguely to the side of the stage.
When she clearly saw the figure of the person who appeared, her pupils widened, and she looked at the Little Girl in disbelief.
"Miyu..."
The one who appeared there was Miyu, Illya's most important partner as a Magical Girl, and the Little Girl she ultimately saved.
Miyu, at this moment, was dressed as a Magical Girl, just like Illya, and was using sapphire as a microphone to sing the song.
Because she was an honor student, after only a few glances at the lyrics, she had already memorized how to sing the rest and how to harmonize with Illya.
Miyu slowly walked to Illya's side, reached out and took Illya's free hand, a gentle smile on her face.
Miyu: [Ah, as long as I feel your heart. The thought that anything can be challenged will emerge.]
With Miyu's appearance, the atmosphere in the venue turned pink.
Everyone gossiped as they watched the two Little Girls on stage. The students from Raizen High School were also curious about Miyu's appearance, as they didn't know her identity.
But from the interaction between Illya and Miyu, it was clear that their relationship was very intimate, even beyond the level of friendship.
???: [Still young, a Little Girl who knows nothing.]
[Slowly getting to know herself]
[Gradually blooming proudly, confident like a flower.]
Illya, who was about to sing the chorus, was once again interrupted by a sudden singing voice.
She looked vaguely at Miyu, but Miyu wasn't singing; she also looked vaguely at Illya.
This voice was very familiar, though a bit strange, but somewhat similar to Illya's voice, only it sounded more... mischievous?
"Waaahhhhh!!!"
Suddenly, the audience erupted in enthusiastic cheers.
Noticing where the audience was looking, Illya and Miyu turned around and saw a familiar figure appear there.
"Chloe!"
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