“…When you’re near, Mai, I can use magic.”

One morning, Rei muttered that out of nowhere—

right as I was agonizing over how crispy to make the fried eggs.

“Eh? What did you just say?”

“I mean… I can only use magic because you’re here. Which means this world really only needs you and me, right?”

“Okay, TIME OUT!!”

I instinctively hurled a slice of toast at his forehead.

The fluffy bread stuck to his cheek with a soft smack, and Rei silently peeled it off.

“…Violence.”

“No, it’s not violence!! That was a physical intervention to stop your dangerous ideology! Big difference!”

But Rei continued, completely serious.

“Think about it. Mai nearby = I can use mana = my world exists. Therefore, all other humans are…”

“They are NOT ‘delete targets’! Close that notebook right now! And where did you even get that notebook!? Why does the cover say Ideal World Construction Plan!?”

I snatched it away in a panic.

Inside were disturbingly detailed illustrations of “The Perfect Two-Person World with Mai,” including:

• ・Residence: heart-shaped castle
• ・Food: Mai cooks (pancakes every day)
• ・Enemies: neutralized with fusion Light-and-Dark magic

“…This is so wrong…”

“Then, Mai… you don’t want to live in a world with just me?”

“It’s not about want or not want!! That’s not the point!!”

I slammed my hands on the desk.

“Rei, listen! I don’t just care about you. I care about lots of people! Dad, Mom, the milk-lady, Ami, Teacher Lorl…”

“…That’s too many…”

“Quiet!!”

Fueled by momentum, I jumped to my feet and looked out the classroom window at the wide-open sky.

“In this world, we meet all kinds of people—

we laugh, we get mad, we cry, we smile—

That is life!

That is magic!

And that is Mai’s Magical-Girl Justice!!”

The entire classroom turned to stare.

“…Isn’t Mai giving a speech again?”

“Yeah, that’s normal for her.”

Meanwhile, Rei had slumped forward on his desk, mumbling:

“…Then at least… make pancakes every day.”

“…That much, I can do.”

Macikado Mai, age eight.

A summer morning spent thwarting her brother’s budding dictatorship—

and rediscovering the importance of breakfast.