Give children a little self-destruction shock to their worldview.

“…Teacher Kirino?” She trembled with fear, feeling a chill run down her spine as she was being stared at by her teacher.

Ms. Kirino snorted: "Sugiyama."

"Why are you waiting here?" Sugiyama Rika leaned closer. "About the home visit... is there anything else you want to ask me?"

Ms. Kirino always felt that this student was not mature enough, and even after ten years, he had not grown much.

She had grown accustomed to the high blood pressure that Sugiyama Rika often caused her, and upon seeing this long-unseen, grinning face, she couldn't muster any anger.

"You...you should pay more attention to Yuhe-kun sometimes, shouldn't you?"

Ms. Kirino said that, heaven knows, when she saw that the guardian summoned by the Word Magic was not Sugiyama Rika, she thought that Sugiyama Rika had become an ATM that only transferred money to Haga Mayumi. "That child is not used to this world yet and needs more care. If you can't do it, can't you ask Terasaki for help?"

There's also the matter of magic.

She wouldn't normally tell Sugiyama Rika about Mayumi Haga skipping class, but since magic was involved, she had to report it to the administrator of Miracle City.

"It seems that it was just that Hitomi accidentally revealed her identity to Mayumi. Mayumi is cautious by nature and wouldn't reveal it carelessly." Sugiyama Rika thought that Haga Mayumi shouldn't have been involved in the magical battle yet. After all, Mayumi is just an ordinary person, and even if she wanted to, it would be difficult for her to play a role in a magical battle.

Protected by the magical barrier, Mayumi could stand by and watch the magical girl and the monster exchange magical cannon fire without getting hurt.

Wait a minute, she suddenly realized something was wrong.

Sugiyama Rika suddenly looked up, incredulous: "Kirino-sensei, you also know that Mayumi is from another world!?"

"That child has no magic at all... You can't tell, can you?" Ms. Kirino was puzzled by Sugiyama Rika's shock, and her gaze towards this oblivious girl grew increasingly suspicious. "You really didn't notice?"

Sugiyama Rika: ...I really didn't notice.

Seeing Sugiyama Rika's expression, Ms. Kirino rubbed her temples, realizing that she still couldn't expect too much from her.

So, the conversation shifted to the next topic: "What are your plans for the future? Do you intend to have that parent take Yuhe away?"

“No, I plan to let Urzana stay,” Sugiyama Rika said. “This house was originally bought for Mayumi to live in while she goes to school, and the other suites are still empty. Ayasa will probably come and live with us later.”

Although she doesn't usually pay much attention to her clothes or shopping brands and prices, her family is still quite wealthy. She not only owns property here, but also the cheap apartment where the strange people from the Abyss Gentlemen live.

Although it seems like a magical girl is making money off a monster, the monster can't even afford the rent and utilities, and the shortfall is paid by Sugiyama Rika from her own account.

“It’s good that you know what’s going on, but Miss Urzana probably can’t stay here for too long,” Ms. Kirino said. “My Word Magic can only last for less than three hours, and half an hour has already passed.”

Sugiyama Rika was unaware of this, and her expression immediately changed. She hurriedly asked, "Where will she go after the magic's effect ends?"

“Go back to where you were before,” Ms. Kirino explained. “That woman’s existence depends on some kind of external force, and she will perish once she leaves that force, so that force has always been pulling her along. Once my magic is dispelled, she will be drawn back.”

Sugiyama Rikka looked rather worried.

However, Worry can't think of any solution right now, unless he can use magic to revive Urzana.

However, Urzana's body is not in this world; she is essentially just a soul. To revive her, one would need to use the knowledge of human alchemy.

That's taboo for modern magic.

Aside from human alchemy, there must be other methods.

Sugiyama Rika plans to explore the magic of resurrection in other countries, but for now, time should be given to those two people she hasn't seen in a long time.

...Oh right, I need to call Hitomi out so she doesn't disturb Mayumi and Urzana's reunion inside.

.................................................. .................................................. .

[Hitomi! Come out, come out! Let Mayumi and Ulzana have a good talk, don't stay inside!]

Sugiyama Rika's voice rang directly in Haga Mayumi's ear. She even felt her head buzzing because of the volume. For a moment, her expression went blank.

After Tono Hitomi heard Sugiyama Rika's call and made up an excuse to go to the toilet to leave, Haga Mayumi finally looked at Urzana, who was standing to the side.

The latter was also startled by the sudden sound and became alert, but after meeting Mayumi Haga's gaze, she suddenly realized what was happening.

The two can roughly understand each other's meaning without needing to speak.

Sure enough, the senior was also able to hear telepathic communication.

Or perhaps it's because the senior is also a guardian that he can hear it. Megaran, standing nearby, looks completely oblivious.

Ulzana whispered, "Mayumi, shall we talk?"

Mayumi Haga did not refuse, but stared intently at Urzana, waiting for her to speak.

“I’m sorry, Mayumi, I actually…” Ulzana had barely begun speaking when she noticed that Mayumi’s expression seemed even more unhappy.

The latter interrupted her directly, frowning: "Senior has already apologized to me, there's no need for a second time. Besides, this is not like you, senior."

For her, the only thing Urzana did that would make her unhappy was this one time when she avoided her.

Urzana was not in her right mind at other times, so that doesn't count.

“…Then, how can you forgive me?” Urzana asked helplessly. “I can’t carry you around on my shoulders anymore, I can’t teach you how to hunt and use weapons, and I can’t make your favorite roast meat anymore. Can you tell me what I need to do to get your forgiveness?”

Mayumi Haga kept her head down and remained silent.

Urzana felt that Mayumi Haga was still the same as before, although she had become much more taciturn.

She couldn't help but raise her hand and gently stroke Mayumi Haga's hair. Although she could no longer ruffle the child's hair into a ball as freely as before, she could still feel it.

This may be because they are all guardians, and the power they have gathered comes from the previous world.

Urzana gradually recalled some memories of children throwing tantrums, and she gently coaxed, "Okay, I won't do that again."

Despite not feeling much physical contact, Mayumi Haga still sensed Urzana's warmth.

She didn't know why her eyes always felt sore and her nose was red, which was very noticeable because of her fair skin, so she didn't dare to look up.

She stared intently at the floor, her vision slightly blurred, and mumbled, "Then, I forgive you."

Even in the future, please don't leave me alone.

Main text: Chapter 103 Fear Jack

"Jack! Jack!" Standing at the door of the weirdo's apartment, the Orange Juice Monster, Jeffrey, who had finally reformed his body, was so excited that he pounded on the door, making a painful sound. "Jack! I know you live here, open the door!"

Jack is an old acquaintance of the Orange Juice Man.

When the Orange Juice Man first came to Miracle City a long time ago, he befriended this strange man named Jack. After that, he heard that Jack seemed to be doing quite well in Miracle City and had a lot of connections, so he thought of coming to ask him for help.

He found the mysterious ingredient for orange juice and wanted to ask the knowledgeable Jack if he knew what it was.

Because the orange liquid was mixed with sewage when he discovered it, the orange juice monster's orange juice did not reach the quality he had envisioned after turning it into orange juice.

For this reason, he did not drink it directly, but sent it for testing.

In the past, when researching new products, the Orange Juice Monster wouldn't drink them rashly. After all, it would be quite troublesome if his body were contaminated.

Test results showed that the orange juice made with unknown ingredients had just the right amount of nutrients, sugar, and other substances that determine the flavor of orange juice.

In other words, if the orange juice freak can find this ingredient, he will be one step closer to his ideal orange juice.

Therefore, he hurriedly brought over the remaining unknown raw materials, and on the way, he also bought gifts to ask for favors, making full preparations for his visit.

He had been criticized before when visiting other people's homes, with comments like, "Why do you always bring orange juice?" So this time he learned his lesson and bought a lighter instead.

At least among the bosses that Orange Juice Man has worked with, few would refuse a gift like a lighter from a well-known brand.

Although he himself has no interest in tobacco or alcohol, there are people who do enjoy them.

As for Jack, although he's a weirdo, I've heard he's the leader of the weirdos in Miracle City. Choosing a gift like this shouldn't be a bad idea, right?

After all, Jack seemed like the type who smoked and drank a lot.

With this in mind, the Orange Juice Man made thorough preparations and finally found the dilapidated apartment by following the address Jack had left him years ago.

...Huh? Why does Jack's place look so run-down?

Perhaps this is just a meeting place?

But it doesn't look quite like it.

When the Orange Juice Freak first arrived, he saw a strange person hanging clothes out to dry in this building.

And since it's dinner time now, you can smell the aroma of the food.

The more he thought about it, the stranger it seemed, and the orange juice weirdo gradually softened his knocking.

Did Jack deliberately give a wrong address?

Come to think of it, Jack used to like making random jokes... Maybe the other person just gave him a fake address to fool him.

The Orange Juice Man thought to himself that it was unlikely he would find Jack here. He hesitated for a moment, then began to consider whether he should just retreat.

And I've been knocking on the door for so long, but there doesn't seem to be any response from inside... Wait, there's a sound.

Because the door panel was of poor quality and quite thin, it was practically useless for sound insulation. Just as the Orange Juice Man had the idea of ​​leaving, footsteps came from inside the house.

It was a familiar voice: "Who is it? Who's knocking?"

...Huh? That voice is...

The door opened, and standing before the Orange Juice Monster was not the always-dressed, faceless man, but rather a figure just up to his waist with ball joints—

—The Prankster.

"Orange Juice? What are you doing here?" The prankster could only look up at the Orange Juice Monster, who was blocking the doorway completely. She looked surprised, then suspicious. "You were just calling Jack... Are you here to find Fear?"

The Abyss Gentleman's name is Jack.

The name comes from Jack the Skeleton in the claymation film "The Nightmare Before Christmas," because the author himself likes that character and is also fond of the fear that character represents.

Of course, even though Skeleton Jack has always lived on Halloween and enjoys scaring people, he also longs for Christmas Eve, and the current Abyss Gentleman seems to have some overlap with Skeleton Jack's character experience.

It would be impossible for the Orange Juice Monster not to be surprised after seeing the current Abyss Gentleman.

He exclaimed in surprise at the older man wearing an apron, "Huh?"

"Isn't this Jeffrey! Long time no see. Would you like to stay for dinner? Only Anna is home today; my younger siblings aren't here." The Abyss Gentleman's eyes practically lit up when he saw the Orange Juice Monster.

He was cooking in the kitchen and didn't hear the noise, while the prankster was lying on the living room floor playing games. He happened to be playing a difficult boss, so he delayed opening it for a while.

Otherwise, the Gentleman of the Abyss would have rushed over to open the door for the distinguished guest immediately.

This is a weirdo who can turn water into orange juice!

If guests come to visit, I won't have to worry about drinks for a while.

The Abyss Gentleman is short of money lately; he's having trouble even affording food, let alone drinks.

At least I used to be able to pour some chilled barley tea into my water bottle, but now I don't even know how many times I've brewed it, and it tastes no different from plain water.

And now, the orange juice weirdo has arrived. Not only can his family afford to drink orange juice, but he also offers the most expensive brand in the beverage market!

It's like someone just delivered a pillow when you're about to doze off.

The Abyss Gentleman warmly welcomed the Orange Juice Monster standing at the door: "Come in, I'm making dinner right now, why don't you stay and have dinner with us?"

The Orange Juice Man stared blankly: "...Ah, okay, okay...Jack, you've changed quite a bit in the last few years."

"Hahaha, a little, come, please sit down." The Abyss Gentleman pulled out the most intact-looking cushion in the house for him, turning it over so the patched side was underneath. "Shall I pour you some tea, or would you prefer orange juice?"

Seeing the Abyss Gentleman's attentiveness, the mischievous woman next to her couldn't help but roll her eyes inwardly. She was temporarily staying here because she was short of money.

Isn't it just about turning water into orange juice?

...Damn it, why hasn't her subordinate brought the money yet! She also wants to upgrade to VIP treatment at the Abyss Gentleman's place!

Currently penniless and too afraid to wander the streets alone, the prankster, who is tormented by anger every day, is quite resentful.

As competitors for the same spark, how come orange juice is living such a comfortable life?

Neither the Orange Juice Monster nor the Abyss Gentleman noticed the prankster's displeasure.

The former first placed the gift he brought on the table and said cautiously, "Um, Jack, I hope you like this gift."

"You've come all this way, why bring a gift? You're too kind." The Abyss Gentleman looked at the understated yet luxurious handbag, initially hesitant to accept it. "This is too valuable, I shouldn't accept it."

"I need your help with a very important matter. The value of this gift is far less than what I will gain from its success... Please accept it, or I will feel guilty!" The Orange Juice Man said earnestly.

Since the Orange Juice Freak had said so, the Abyss Gentleman had no choice but to accept it.

But... a lighter? He doesn't smoke.

I'll use them to light candles when the power goes out at home.

Thinking this through, the Abyss Gentleman considered that if he lost control of his temper, the high temperature might cause the lighter to explode, so he decided not to keep it at home.

I'll carry it with me from now on; after all, it's a gift from a friend.

Seeing that the Gentleman of the Abyss was willing to accept his gift, the Orange Juice Monster felt that his goal was about to be achieved!

"Dinner is unnecessary. I came to you because I have a favor to ask..." As he spoke, the Orange Juice Monster took out the jar containing the important raw materials from his body.