Chapter 76: Unexpected Encounters at Daeshin Shrine

In an instant, an overwhelming aura of ferocity swept through the air. The deep, rumbling voice came from behind.

“How dare you hurt my beloved Lilica…?”

A chiseled jawline and sharply extended nose looked as if they could slice through anything like a rose-bladed knife. Behind a pair of opaque glasses adorned with polka dots, a fierce gaze seemed to pierce through. The tightly pressed lips finally parted.

“You must truly not value your life.”

“Ugh, you pervert!”

The man he bumped into immediately made a hasty retreat. The one he had been fighting also quietly slipped away with his lover.

‘How infuriating.’

Karlahee smoothed his frowning brow behind the glasses and repositioned his hold on Lilica’s Dakimakura. He pulled her close to his chest as if safeguarding a treasure, and quickly headed toward the entrance of Daeshin Shrine.

“Rahi?”

It was then that a familiar voice from behind halted Karlahee’s steps. Spinning around quickly, he saw a woman with neatly tied coral hair. It was Lara.

“Of course it’s Rahi. You can tell by the way she carries herself, right?”

The sight of her smiling warmly made Karlahee tighten his grip on the Dakimakura without even noticing.

“Rahi? Lilica-chan is about to have her waist split open!”

“Ah.”

Karlahee then gently wrapped the Dakimakura of Lilica once more, clearing his throat awkwardly.

“Well… meeting here is such a coincidence. Things have been hectic lately, leaving me no spare time. If you must know, I missed seeing you last time, so, uh, I really wanted to see you.”

“Me too.”

Unlike Rahi, who seemed shy and embarrassed, Lara responded calmly. Trying to brush away her own awkwardness, Rahi finally voiced a lingering question.

“But what brings you here…?”

“Ah, I was just about to recite a vow.”

“…”

In that moment, the name ‘Pea’ flashed through Karlahee’s mind – hadn’t someone mentioned their affection for a man named Pea before? A chill of dread seeped through him.

“Rahi?”

“…If it’s not too rude, may I ask who you came with?”

“Hmm, since it’s Rahi, I’ll introduce you properly.”

Embarrassed, Lara passed him a handkerchief she held. When unfurled, it revealed the meticulously embroidered face of Lord Robes – a piece of carefully crafted merchandise.

“I picked this little one up just for today. Isn’t he handsome? Especially those eyes – they have such refined charm. I even chose a luxurious fabric that feels as soft as Lord Robes’ own essence…”

“Lara… you really…”

Karlahee, looking down at the handkerchief in dismay, suddenly lifted his head.

“Absolutely perfect!”

In seeing another die-hard fan who shared his enthusiasm, he was so moved that he swept Lara into a tight embrace, accidentally sending Lilica’s Dakimakura crashing to the floor.

“R-Rahi?”

Lara froze in panic. His build was far more robust than expected. Though not the athletic type, the solid chest visible under his checkered shirt left her surprised.

“Wow! Look at you, such a passionate couple.”

“You two, may it last forever!”

“Whoosh~”

“That’s not what I meant!”

At the sound of a mischievous whistle, Lara hurriedly released the man from her grasp. With whispers of scandal already on the brink, she couldn’t risk any rumors that might jeopardize her own prospects. She urged Rahi to explain, but he remained strangely silent.

“Hey, Rahi?”

“…”

Karlahee, now coming to his senses, glanced at Lara before swiftly turning away.

Clearing his throat, he muttered, “I didn’t mean any harm. I was just overly happy for a moment… Sorry if it offended you.”

Scratching his chin and awkwardly glancing skyward, Karlahee’s hand trembled ever so slightly.

That earlier touch—the warmth unlike the cool Dakimakura—kept replaying in his mind. The left side of his chest, where Lara’s face had brushed, beat unusually loudly.

Before he could lose himself in his thoughts any further, the Dakimakura was gradually trampled away by passing feet.

Inside Daeshin Shrine, the two reconnected enthusiastically, chatting like true fans. They even recited rare limited-edition Magical Girl Lilica merchandise news and memorized official lore that would bore most outsiders.

“Oops, I just lost my train of thought.”

Realizing they had ventured far into a secluded area, Lara stopped suddenly. It was hard to tell just how deep they had gone. Although it looked like a restricted area for ordinary folk, a few recognized Paladins might have let them pass.

“We’d better head back.”

“But do you remember how we got here…?”

“…”

Neither Karlahee nor Lara had any clue. Lara sighed inwardly as she adjusted her round glasses, scanning the area a bit more keenly.

“I think we should head that way.”

Thankfully, they had come here many times to see Mikhail. The pair resumed their walk, their tongues seemingly equipped with automatic motors for chatter.

“Lilica-chan’s true charm is her ordinary self when the magic wears off. Sure, she’s amazing when transformed, but I love her just as she is.”

“Ah, I get that, though among her fans, that version is kind of underrated.”

“Underrated, huh…”

“Ah, calling someone ‘underrated’ to a die-hard fan is a huge insult, I’m sorry…”

“It’s fine. I know exactly what you mean. But Lara, do you prefer Lilica-chan’s transformed side?”

“When she transforms, she exudes such confidence. And let’s be honest, her post-transformation form is super popular. It’s not about being underrated—it’s just that magical stuff comforts ordinary people like me. Isn’t that why we all love magical girl tales?”

Lara, candidly baring her thoughts, worried that her words might come off as dismissive of his taste. She quickly added,

“Of course, there’s something undeniably attractive about the contrast when Lilica-chan shows her vulnerable, unguarded side after a transformation.”

Fumbling through her words, Lara stole a glance at his face. Unfortunately, his eyes were hidden beneath thick glasses.

“Your point makes sense, too.”

Then Karlahee spoke softly, his tone unexpectedly wistful.

“But honestly, as much as I appreciate that contrast, I simply adore Lilica-chan for who she is at heart.”

“Ah.”

Lara couldn’t quite fathom his words. After all, before being chosen as a Magical Girl, Lilica was just an ordinary seventeen-year-old—unremarkable in sports, academics, or looks.

Was he saying that her ordinariness was endearing? Or was it pure pity…

“Even if she doesn’t change or try to be different, she’s irresistibly charming just as she is. It doesn’t matter whether she’s transformed or not—Lilica-chan is, simply put, breathtaking…”

‘I guess she never needs to change for anyone. The more you watch her, the more captivating she becomes.’

Listening to his words, memories of Pea surfaced—his gentle hand ruffling hair, and those teasing words that had felt oddly ticklish. Lara’s face flushed a deep red.

“…Lara?”

Breathing out a warm sigh, Karlahee finally glanced back. Not far off, Lara stood alone with her head bowed.

“Lara! Are you hurt?”

“Ah… I’m fine, really.”

“Not fine! Let me see your face.”

Hearing his hurried footsteps, Lara felt a surge of embarrassment. With Rahi trying to catch her eye to check on her, she reluctantly lifted her head.

“Your face is bright red!”

“Ah, I, I know!”

“It might not just be blushing. You should get checked by a priest at once…!”

“Oh, please. What a fuss…”

Accepting defeat, Lara slowly exhaled.

“Actually… I once heard something similar somewhere before.”

“Similar words?”

“Years ago… I was so stressed about being ordinary that I even considered cosmetic surgery. But then someone told me, ‘You’re attractive just the way you are, you don’t need to change.’ Those words… they really resonated with me. Ah, anyway!”

Feeling that her point had been made, Lara quickly ended her explanation. Rahi, though unacquainted with her, found the topic rather embarrassing.

Striding ahead confidently, Lara suddenly paused when she realized Rahi was lagging behind. Looking back, she noticed him standing alone with his head bowed.

“Rahi?”

“Ah, um… about that day…”

“Wait, are you experiencing facial paralysis?”

It seemed the numbness had started from his tongue. Alarmed, Lara reached out and began rubbing both his cheeks vigorously.

“Agh, stop, ahhh…”

Overwhelmed by her relentless touch, Rahi winced before grabbing her wrist and finally wriggled free.

“How’s the numbness now?”

“It feels like I got a numbing injection…”

“That’s serious! Hurry and get to the priest…”

“No, you rubbed too hard! What is this, working at a Chinese noodle shop?”

Rahi’s words made Lara laugh nervously, apologizing as her cheeks turned a deep red. At least her touch had masked the blush on Rahi’s face.

The two resumed their walk slowly, and Lara broke the silence with a soft remark.