Chapter 49: Everyone has a plausible plan.

A magical girl from Tokyo has started activities in Korea.

That alone was enough to spark buzz, but it being Kisaragi Nemuri amplified the hype.
A top-tier star in Japan with a global fanbase, Korea included.

[Post Title: Went to Kisaragi Nemuri’s Signing Event]
(Photos of fans in line + signed item)
She answered tons of questions so kindly.
Her Korean’s basically native, and her fan service is top-notch.
Up close, she’s even prettier. Voice is super cute too.

– No surprise, she’s known for great fan management in Tokyo.
– What’s with “prettier”?
– So cute.

– Japan’s 2nd gen = Korea’s 3rd gen, right? How old is she?
– Probably early 20s.
– Saw her interview, she seems sharp.
– Feels like she goes to a prestigious uni.
– How is she this perfect?
– Fights monsters well, gorgeous, and smart. No flaws.

– Sigh those curves…
– Why “curves”?
– Mune > Nemuri, boobs > curves.
– Lmao.

A magical girl with talent and diligence.
Endlessly kind to fans, with stellar speaking skills.

But even someone as impeccable as Kisaragi Nemuri isn’t immune to nitpicking.

– If she’s in Korea, ditch karate for taekwondo.
– Taekwondo’s just flashy kicks now.
– She’s trained in karate, judo, and MMA too.

– Don’t Japanese know magical girls originated in Korea?
– It’s in the history books.
– Seriously, magical girls started here, right?
– Her logic is Japan created the concept, so they’re first.
– Imagination nation Japan, wow.

– She met Scarlet Lily right away. Seems like she’s lowkey seeing her as a rival.
– Rival? No contest lol.
– Her fight with Mors suggests she’s definitely competitive.

People don’t hate her, but they’re not blindly worshipping either.
When word of the sparring match spread, negative comments ticked up slightly.

– Coming to Korea just to challenge people?
– Her intentions are too obvious.
– Showing up solo to spar is reckless.

– Gotta admit, her guts to pick a fight in enemy territory are impressive.
– Not enemies. Magical girls are all allies.

Still, her built-up goodwill hasn’t crumbled.
More people are excited for her next moves.

– Who’s her sparring partner?
– Not decided yet.
– Feels like a 3rd-gen will step up.

– Would be fun if Scarlet Lily joined.
– Outcome’s obvious, so it’d be boring.
– Seems like Nemuri wants to face Lily though.

– Now that I think about it, exchanges like this are rare.
– Would be cool if they did exchange programs.
– A magical girl nation alliance sounds dope.

Whatever happens, it’s juicy gossip for netizens.
The online communities are buzzing as always.

When you don’t untransform, people recognize you everywhere.
Kisaragi Nemuri doesn’t just soak up the attention—she treats it like a vital task.
She happily signs autographs, takes photos, and chats briefly.
Her earnest fan engagement makes it hard for antis to gain traction.

“Why go public with the sparring match?”

After the signing event, she’s doing another interview—her second since arriving in Korea.

“I planned to do it privately at first. But magical girls’ techniques are so flashy, it’s hard to find an inconspicuous spot in Seoul.”

Doing it half-heartedly risks people mistaking it for a monster attack.
Explaining that would be a hassle, and civilians could get hurt.
So, she opted for a public venue where people can watch, Nemuri explains.

“Some online comments and communities say this is about proving superiority between Korea and Japan or among magical girls. Thoughts?”
“Not at all. Think of it like a friendly sports match.”
“So it’s purely for exchange?”
“Yes.”

Initially, she wanted the spar to be discreet.
A crushing defeat could embarrass not just her but her teammates.
But her mindset shifted.
Her passive teammates wouldn’t dare something this bold.
She felt compelled to show what only she could.

“Your opponent is Frozen Princess. How do you predict the outcome?”
“Frozen Princess is experienced and skilled with magic. She’ll be a tough opponent.”
“I heard you wanted to spar with Scarlet Lily too but got turned down.”
“Yes, it’s a shame, but I respect Lily’s decision.”
“If it had happened, what were your odds?”

A magical girl considered untouchable.
Some say Nemuri’s lucky to be rejected, but she’s aiming for the top.
If she could choose, Scarlet Lily would be perfect.

“Scarlet Beam is deadly to monsters but survivable for humans. With my martial arts training, I could dodge her gauntlet strikes. It wouldn’t go perfectly, but I think I’d have a shot.”
“That’s quite a strategy.”

With skill and technique, nothing’s impossible.
People might laugh it off, but Nemuri, who’s relentlessly honed herself, genuinely believes it.

“If it’s okay, could you say something to Scarlet Lily, who might be watching?”
“Sure, look this way.”

Nemuri faces the camera and speaks.

“Lily, if you change your mind, come here. I’m sparring with Frozen Princess as planned, but I’m fine doing two matches today.”

Her boldness is world-class.
You can’t help but respect it.

Clear skies, a gentle breeze, and warm sunlight.
Perfect weather for an outing, but Frozen Princess is at a park for a sparring match, not a picnic.

“Should I have stepped up instead?”

In a tent serving as a waiting room, Aurora Lora scratches her head.

“Nah, too late to switch now.”
“I provoked Nemuri. Well, half of it was Mors’s fault.”
“That’s why you can’t. Emotions could lead to trouble.”

After discussion, Frozen Princess was chosen as Nemuri’s opponent.
Other 3rd-gens were considered, but her slight familiarity made her the best fit.

“If you’re ready, please come out,” a support staff member says, poking their head in.

“Good luck. Don’t lose.”
“Got it.”

With Aurora Lora’s send-off, Frozen Princess steps out.

Over a thousand people crowd the park.
A fenced-off area contains the roaring cheers.

“Frozen Princess, fighting!”
“Win this!”

It’s not a win-or-lose match, but the crowd’s fixated on who’ll come out on top.
Grateful for the support, Frozen Princess feels the spar’s true meaning is getting lost.

Amid the cheers, she faces Kisaragi Nemuri.

“Thanks for agreeing to this tricky request.”
“It’s not a big deal. The support staff setting this up did the real work.”

Perhaps thinking it’s rude to go bare-handed, Nemuri holds a fantasy-style greatsword.

“No levitation or long-range magic. Other rules depend on the situation.”

A loose set of rules to prevent damage to facilities or harm to civilians.

“Sounds good.”

Frozen Princess summons her weapon: a blue ice sword, carved from a glacier, emitting white mist.
Its strength, enhanced by extreme cold and mana, rivals steel.
Coincidentally, both are sword-wielding magical girls.

“No need for a countdown, right?”
“Start whenever.”
“Then I’m going first!”

Nemuri charges, closing the distance with lightning speed and swinging her greatsword down.

Clang!

The clash of metal echoes.
Despite being ice, her sword holds firm against the greatsword.

“Haa!”

Nemuri presses with relentless strikes.
It’s an even match, neither yielding.

“Isn’t this too unfair for you? Maybe I should take a handicap,” Nemuri says with a grin, swords locked, her expression brimming with confidence.

“I’ve got plenty up my sleeve besides long-range magic.”

For Frozen Princess, the sword is a secondary tool for close-range monsters.
For Nemuri, the sword is her primary weapon, with martial arts as a means to hone her body and mind.

“Your swordplay’s solid, but your hand-to-hand is lacking!”

With a quick shout, Nemuri knocks the ice sword aside and rams Frozen Princess with her shoulder.

“Ugh…!”

Frozen Princess stumbles, trying to create distance, but Nemuri gives no quarter, striking at every opening.

“Surrender if you don’t want to get hurt. Or go all out!”

Crack!

The ice sword fractures.
The tide’s against her, and her weapon’s in danger.

Even if it’s a friendly match, getting steamrolled would disappoint fans.
No time to hold back.

“I was aiming for a draw, but that won’t be easy.”

Frozen Princess quietly channels her mana.

“She’s pretty good.”

I’m in the crowd, watching the spar, dressed like a civilian to blend in as a spectator.

Nemuri’s slightly ahead right now.
Given the conditions, it’s tough for Frozen Princess to counter.

I expected this, but I know she won’t go down easily.

“Haaa!”

As Nemuri charges, white mist erupts from the ground beneath her.
A massive ice pillar shoots up, swallowing her greatsword.

“Woooah!”

Nemuri’s disarmed.
As Frozen Princess takes control, the crowd roars deafeningly.

“Now it’s getting serious.”