KariAli MSS

thanks bst for reviewing (nano)
======

What Does Halloween Feel Like?

Karin: "Uun...Uun..."

-1-

Karin
[It all started when I was hospitalized with Alina-senpai.]
[The bad dream I had...]

-Dream-

Momoko
Grats on being discharged! Karin-chan!

Everyone
Congratulations~!

Karin
You guys, thank you all a bunch!
I'm super happy that Alina-senpai is getting discharged together with me!

Alina
…………

Kaede
Definitely, it's so wonderful~
That reminds me, Karin-chan...
There's actually something that's been bothering me.

Karin
Mm? About me?

Kaede
Yeah...well, you see, it's really hard for me to just say it, but...
Karin-chan, you don't really give the feeling of Halloween, do you?

Karin
――っ!?

[*SHOCK*]

Karin
[I...don't feel like Halloween? That shouldn't be true at all!]
[Because I am... The mahou shoujo born of Halloween!]

Kaede
Ah - I'm sorry! I didn't mean it in a bad way, okay!?

Karin
B...B...
BAD IS THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN MAKE THAT SOUND!

Momoko
What you said just now is NG, Kaede. You need to apologize to Karin-chan.

Rena
She's right.
There's times where you shouldn't tell someone the truth.

Momoko
Woah, Rena!

Karin
[I don't feel like Halloween... Everyone really thinks that?]
[But...being the mahou shoujo born of Halloween was something only I could celebrate...]
[………… …………]

-End Dream-

[*Jump*]

Karin
...?
...It was all a dream?
(I can still remember that shocker)
(that Kaede-chan told me in my dream before...)
(It was a dream, so the details are fuzzy, but...)

Alina
Mounin, Fool Girl.		(Morning)
So you're finally awake?

Karin
...Senpai?
(We're both...still in the hospital...)

Alina
You've been having nightmares, ya know.
Even when the naasu brought breakfast, you wouldn't wake up at all.			(nurse)

Karin
I wouldn't...?

Alina
Today's drink is strawberry milk,
however if you have no appetite Alina WILL drink it.

Karin
W-wait a second...!


-2-

Mifuyu
...So you had a nightmare like that.

Karin
I sure did...
I was depressed the entire day.

Mifuyu
But, Karin-san,
you are so actively involved with Halloween events,
so don't you think you have plenty of Halloween spirit?

Karin
Thanks a bunch!
Since it was Kaede-chan that told me that,
hearing it straight from her was a big shock.
I wanted to become the most Halloweeny mahou shoujo there is,
so I've been putting full effort in.
At least I thought I had gotten my confidence back...but...
…………

Mifuyu
(Kaede-san's words truly had an effect on her, didn't they...)

Karin
There's no way I can help with the Sakae Halloween Festa anymore.
It may a bit of a shock.

Mifuyu
Halloween Festa?

Karin
It's an event organized by the Sakae Comprehensive School.
I was picked to be part of the executive committee and got super excited, but...
I can't participate while I'm hospitalized.

Mifuyu
………… …………

Alina
...The fact you have nightmares
over the littlest of things
means you intend on overcoming them,
but in the end you have yet to overcome anything ya know.

Mifuyu
――っ!? Hold on, Alina!

Alina
Wattsu? Something wrong?			(What)

Mifuyu
…………
...Perhaps it is just as Alina says.
(She's been hurt even deeper than I had thought...)

Karin
That's what I thought, too,
so I decided to face it head on again.

Alina
Face what?

Karin
The spirit of Halloween, of course!

Alina
Alina has no care in the world about any of that ya know...

Karin
I don't care!
As the mahou shoujo born of Halloween,
my pride is on the line!

Mifuyu
But...what will you do to face your problem?

Karin
How nice of you to ask!
Since it's nearly Halloween...
I've decided to draw a manga with the theme of Halloween spirit!
My dream is to become a mangaka, so through my work
I feel like I can get closer to answering
the question "What does Halloween feel like".

Mifuyu
"What does Halloween feel like"...?

Alina
Why do you think it's such a rare theme throughout the history of art.

Karin
I don't care if it's something insignificant!
I'm going to draw a manga with the most amazing Halloween feeling,
and this time I will prove myself to Kaede-chan.

Mifuyu
How wonderful, that's the spirit!

Alina
Haa...

Mifuyu
Besides, it is almost time for you to be discharged from the hospital, Karin-san,
so I am sure people will read your manga just like before...
Spending time doing what you used to normally
I don't think is a bad idea at all.

Karin
Discharged... Now that you mention it, that is true.
I did dream that I was being discharged since it is almost time for me.

Mifuyu
And Alina, please give some gentle coaching to Karin-san, okay?

-3-

<The next day...>

Karin
…………

Alina
What is it you are doing?

Karin
I'm reading up on Halloween spirit.

Mifuyu
"Phantom Thief Girl Magical Kirin"...?

Alina
But you're just rereading your favorite manga, no?

Karin
You're wrong!
"Trick and Treat: The Miracle of Devil Purification"...
This is the 30th volume, around the time I became a mahou shoujo,
and it was a huge inspiration for me!

Alina
In other words, the volume where Fool Girl plagiarized the setting?

Karin
Senpai, you couldn't be any more blunt...
But anyway, within this story
is everything I can think of when it comes to Halloween spirit.
If I use this as reference, I'll bring out the best feelings of Halloween.
I'm totally sure Kaede-chan will be left utterly speechless!

Mifuyu
You are in a good mood today too, aren't you? It is such a relief.

Alina
Pua, aato.			(Poor, art.)

Karin
…！
...I don't understand, but I feel like you're making fun of me!

Alina
Fool Girl is really fuurishu ya know...			(foolish)

Mifuyu
That is enough, Alina!
This is not only to get discharged, but also for rehabilitation,
so do not look down on her indiscriminately and offer her some proper advice, please.

Alina
Noo, ai kyanto.			(No, I can't)
Alina knows nothing of painting to prove oneself to others.
If you want to be recognized by the gyararii, then instead of relying on Alina,
don't you think you should ask the opinion of the gyararii though? 		(gallery)

Karin
――っ!?
...I hadn't thought of that.
I thought that
if I could draw manga that feels like the greatest Halloween spirit to me,
that everyone else would feel the same way...
So to return to my roots I started reading MajiKiri again.

Mifuyu
...Certainly, you cannot know what others will think of the outcome
until you show them yourself.

Karin
That's right!
The way oneself feels is different from others... That's something very important!
If I want to prove myself to Kaede-chan by showing my Halloween spirit,
I've gotta meet my readers halfway there!

Alina
…………

Karin
Thanks so much for the advice, Alina-senpai!

Alina
...Wattsu?			(What?)
Alina didn't mean to give you advice though?

Karin
Ehehe... It's a little nostalgic.
It feels like before you lost your memory, senpai,
when you would be all stuck-up and give me the perfect guidance I need...

Mifuyu
Almost as if everything were okay.
And I did hear that that Kaede-san's trio would be paying a visit today as well.

Karin
Talk about good timing!
This is my chance to hear Kaede-chan and her friends' opinions
about what Halloween feels like in person!

Mifuyu
Good timing...
I am certain Momoko-san would love to hear that.

---

[*Open...*]

Kaede
Excuse the intrusio~n...

Rena
We heard you're getting discharged soon, is that right?

Karin
It sure is. Thank you guys for all the concern!
Actually, I've been waiting for you three.

Momoko
Mm, for us?

Karin
That's right! You've got the bestest timing.

Rena
To be with Momoko and hearing those words...

Momoko
That's a shocker for me, too.

Karin
I've got a request to ask you.
What you three feel is the most Halloweeny thing in the world -
I want you to tell me!

Momoko
Eh...? Why?

Karin
Umm, well... It would be a long story if I get started, but...

---

Momoko
You're trying to figure out Halloween spirit, so you want our opinions...?

Kaede
...I'm sorry, Karin-chan,
I said something really mean to you, didn't I...

Karin
No, you did nothing wrong, Kaede-chan!
If I had unwavering confidence in myself
I wouldn't have gotten upset over what you said, Kaede-chan.

Alina
...But, you said you wanted revenge by leaving her speechless, ya?

Karin
T-that was...
I said I wanted to resolve my Halloween spirit to surprise Kaede-chan.
A declaration of my determination!

Rena
The point is that you're upset Kaede-chan told you that you have no Halloween spirit,
so you want to prove yourself to her, right?

Momoko
...Wait, you're putting the blame all on Kaede here,
but you said something awful yourself, didn't ya Rena?

-Flashback-

Rena
There's times where you shouldn't tell someone the truth.

Momoko
Woah, Rena!

-End Flashback-

Rena
Uu... T-that was rude of me!

Kaede
...I am really sorry.
If you want to regain your self-confidence,
then I'll support you any way possible...!

Karin
Thanks a bunch!
But what I want now isn't an apology.
What I want to know is
what you guys feel is the greatest part of Halloween!

Momoko
Something that feels like Halloween... Halloween spirit, huh...

Karin
Oh - don't think about it, just tell me your gut instinct.
I think that's how I'll get closer to finding Halloween spirit!

Momoko
Sure...well for me,
shouting "trick or treat!" has gotta be it!

Rena
For Rena it's...costumes?

Karin
Mhm, mhm...

Momoko
Oh, speaking of costumes,
LinkS' Ricchan... Her new Halloween costume sure is cute.

Rena
Hold on, you're changing faves? Weren't you all about Sacchan?

Momoko
Nah, I'm talkin' about their costumes.

Karin
Umm... And Kaede-chan?
What makes you think of Halloween spirit?

Kaede
Well...for me... Pumpkins, I suppose?
...Every year, my family and I pick pumpkins from our vegetable garden
and we carve them into faces and decorate them...

Mifuyu
Hehh...so you do homemade jack-o'-lanterns.

Kaede
Yeah, they're pumpkin lanterns.
When we decorate our rooms with pumpkins, that's what feels the most like Halloween...

Karin
...I see.
Pumpkins...costumes... Trick or treat...

Kaede
U-umm...did those answers help you...I wonder?

Karin
Of course they did! Thanks a bunch, you three!
[After these events, I began.]
["What does Halloween feel like?"... To find the answer this question, I began drawing a new manga.]

Karin: "Alina-senpai is Alina-senpai after all!"

======

Straying Identity

Karin: "Pumpkins...costumes... Trick or treat...?"

-1-

[*Scribble scribble...*]

Karin
Uuu~n... This isn't it.

Alina
What isn't?

Karin
After I got Kaede-chan and everyone's opinions, I started drawing my manga right away...
But I'm feeling a little differently about it.

Alina
Hmm.

Karin
I want you to look at this, Alina-senpai.

---

Alina
...Alina wants to burn this quickly.

Karin
Don't do that! The hospital will burn down with it!
...But you're right, it isn't very good.
I listened to their ideas,
put a pumpkin in the background and had the main character dress up,
give out candy everywhere she goes,
and had her say "trick or treat," but...
Well, the character's grand entrance had no Halloween spirit at all!

Alina
First of all, is "trick or treat" even the norm for Halloween, though?
You've made a strange arrangement of other people's opinions, ya know.

Karin
This is Magical Kirin's greatest quote of quotes!
As a true MajiKirinite, that is non-negotiable!

Alina
Who cares, though...

Karin
...Kaede-chan and her friends didn't really help with their ideas.
Setting pumpkins, dressing in costumes,
and saying trick or treat as Halloweeny things,
I thought those would be too normal of ideas for kids who don't draw...

Alina
...Shit.

Karin
I'd appreciate it if you didn't whisper verbal abuse at me!

Alina
It's because Alina is getting irritated.
The only reason you draw that manga is to get back at that girl, ya know.

Karin
That's right! I want to prove myself to Kaede-chan!

Alina
If that's true, then the one evaluating is not YOU, but that girl.
Even if you are an amateur, if that girl says it feels like Halloween,
then she is who's correct.
Even if all gyararii are full of amateurs,			(gallery)
if all of them agree it feels like Halloween,
then that IS what Halloween feels like.
None will give a damn about Fool Girl's viewpoint.

Karin
――っ!?
Then, to have Kaede-chan gasp and be left speechless...
No, something even greater than that,
is to draw a manga
that everyone will agree and say "now this is Halloween"...?

Alina
Alina has no interest in any of this, so there is no advice to be given.
Go get a suitable gyararii instead of asking for Alina's opinions.
It would be MORE preferable to have the majority's vote, ya?

Karin
...!
I knew it... I haven't been taking this serious enough.

Alina
Wattsu? ...Serious?

Karin
Creating a truly Halloweeny character.
To make the greatest Halloween manga,
I should have been gathering opinions from tons and tons of people.

Alina
…………

Karin
I've heard that even manga magazines make use of the results
from reader questionnaires, and take them very seriously.
Once I'm discharged, I'm going to get lots of friends,
and I'll listen to all kinds of opinions!

Alina
What will you do until discharged?

Karin
There's another manga I want to draw, so I'm going to sketch the storyboard for it.
Once it's done, I want you to look at it too, Alina-senpai!

Alina
Ambition is the only thing you're brimming with, ya know...

Karin
It's all thanks to Alina-senpai that my path is now clear!
Thanks a ton for all your advice!

Alina
Advice...? Alina didn't really...

Karin
[And then a short time later... The day I would be discharged came.]


-2-

-Mitama's Adjuster Shop-

Mitama
Happy Halloween!
Congratulations on being discharged, Karin-chan!

Karin
Thanks a lot!

Mitama
It's almost Halloween...
Karin-chan's the star of the season♪

Karin
Actually, I had a little something to ask about that.

Mitama
About that... You mean something regarding Halloween?
What in the world could this be?

Karin
I'd like to ask you to give a questionnaire to customers that come in to the adjustment shop.
[While I was trying to draw a Halloween-themed manga, I ran into a problem...that the characters don't appear to have the spirit of Halloween!]
[So to make the most Halloweeny characters ever, I thought I'd ask for lots more opinions!]

Mitama
I see. But, why a questionnaire?

Karin
Ehehe...
That's because Alina-senpai gave me some advice!
If I want to appeal to readers with the feeling of Halloween,
she said I need to grab lots of people and hear their opinions.

Mitama
Alina did...? That's a bit surprising.
(Alina, I wonder if she's one to listen to the opinions of others...?)

[*Clang*]

Emiri
Hello hellooo!!!! Mitamaccho!

Mitama
Oh my, Emiri-chan and friends. As enthusiastic​ as ever, are we♪

Ren
...Good day...

Mitama
Welcome, and happy Halloween♪
This is just what we needed, lots of customers coming in.
Karin-chan has a favor to ask of all of you.

---

Emiri
...Yep, I got the gist of it!

Hinano
Did you now...?

Emiri
The short version is she wants to know what to draw to make the Halloweeniest character,
so she wants to go with majority vote, right?

Rika
And to do that we get a questionnaire, huuuh? Sounds fun, doesn't it Ren-chan!?

Ren
...yeah...

Emiri
But a contest would be more fun than a questionnaire if anything, right??

Karin
...A contest?

Emiri
Yeppers, a Halloween spirit contest!
We can have everyone transform, then score each other for how Halloweeny we look!
Then the three people with the highest scores
can appear in your Halloween manga! ...Something like that?

Karin
That's an idea; maybe I could have the top girls model
and draw the characters with lots of Halloween spirit...!

Rika
And besides that, while you're drawing
you might even come up with more interesting characters!

Mitama
A Halloween spirit contest...
In the end, isn't Karin-chan herself the surefire winner?

Hinano
...No, but, is this okay?
As Karin was saying, she feels like she was
losing her own confidence about feeling like Halloween?
I mean, suppose some new candidate showed up unexpectedly...

Karin
It's no problem!
No matter the results, I'm ready to face the facts!

Rika
Yeaaah, show them your crazy serious side!

Emiri
Alright, let's get this party started! Halloween spirit contest is a go!

[*Clang*]

Mitama
Oh? Another customer?

Natsuki
Good daaay! Trick or treat!

Everyone
――っ!?

Emiri
What, that's a costume radiating pure Halloween energy!

Natsuki
Ahaha...I just got back from a costume event I was invited to.

Mitama
Will costumes be judged in the contest too now, I wonder?

Rika
There isn't any problem with that, is there?

Karin
The winner takes the stage~!


-3-

Mitama
Here's the current standings for the Halloween spirit conteeest!
Currently our number one iiis~ the ghostly Natsuki-chan!
And in second place is...
The mahou shoujo born of Halloween, Karin-chan!
And we have a contender tied for second place! The little devilish mahou shoujo Emiri-chan.
Our fourth place contestant iiis...
scoring high for her phantom-like appearance, it's Ren-chaaan!
…………

Hinano
Oi, what about fifth and below?

Mitama
The three of us don't really have anything to do with Halloween spirit, though.

Rika
I guess we have a more cosplay feeling, huh...
But...when those three line up it feels a lot like Halloween!

Karin
...It's disappointing to be second, but I totally understand!
I think Utsuho-senpai's ghost feels a lot like Halloween!

Natsuki
Ahaha, that's just because I'm wearing a Halloween costume to begin with.

Mitama
This contest isn't in the bag just yet, you know? Because now I'm calling in some heavy backup.

Ren
...Backup...?

Rika
Who could that be...?

[*Clang*]

Shizuku
Good day.

Emiri
She brought out the big guns!!!

Ayaka
We heard from Mitama that there's a laughter costume contest goin' on.

Karin
It's not for laughs, it's a Halloween spirit contest!

Mitama
Okaaay, entries added.
Little Red Riding Hood aaand... Some kind of...clown costume I guess?

Hinano
This is gonna turn into a close match...

---

Hinano
...First of all, when it comes to Halloween,
it's a day where the boundary between our world and the next becomes blurred.
That's why when spirits of the deceased appear, they get mixed up with evil spirits that do bad things.

Rika
Then what's the point of costumes and candy?

Hinano
It tricks the evil spirits into thinking you're their buddy and cease their attacks.
And you hand them sweets so they turn a blind eye... Well, kinda like protective charms.

Mitama
That's why kids who look like phantoms and demons feel the most Halloween-like.

Karin
...Miyako-senpai, you sure know your stuff!

Hinano
All I did was look it up on the net, though. I have no clue if any of it's true.

Karin
How does a witch with a pointy hat like Kirin-chan
relate to Halloween then?

Natsuki
Maybe because they summon evil spirits to their side?

Karin
Magical Kirin-chan purifies demons,
but she definitely uses some powers that feel like they're from the dark side!
I feel like I'm starting to understand just what Halloween feels like...!

Mitama
...But, it still feels like something is missing, doesn't it?

[*Clang*]

Mitama
Oh, who could it be this time?

Kushu
...Umm...?

Mitama
Welcome, Kushu-chan!
That's right! I knew I was forgetting someone.

Hinano
...?

Mitama
It's a little sudden, Kushu-chan, but could we see you transform for a minute?

Kushu
Eh? Ah...yes...

Everyone
――っ!?

Karin
That's some incredible Halloween spirit!

Emiri
We got a champion already!?

Karin
Accompanied by her bats, the vampire ruler of the dead...
Now this is what Halloween feels like!

Kushu
Umm...? I'm not sure I understand...

Mitama
The adjuster shop is in the middle of a Halloween spirit contest at the moment.
Now that the big shot has made her entrance
the true battle can finally begin.

Ayaka
Everything up until now was just the qualifiers?

Shizuku
I figured as much...

Karin
[With so much excitement in the air, the final results of the "Halloween spirit contest" are...]

Mitama
Third place iiis...the child of Halloween herself, Karin-chan!
Second place iiis...Kamihama's own cute ghost! Natsuki-chan!
And the winner iiis...
The mahou shoujo who looks the best for Halloween:

Mitama's Voice
It's Kushu-chan~!

[*Clap clap clap...!*]

Karin
Huu... I managed to make third place.

Mitama
Alright, let me take a photo of you three for the occasion!

[*Snap*]

Karin
There's decorations all over the picture!

Mitama
It's a virtual background.
You should be able to do it on your smartphone too, Karin-chan.

Karin
I can... Ah...you're right!

Ren
...Emiri-san... Was in fourth place...then...

Rika
That's too bad, Emirin!

Karin
Emiri-chan, come take a commemorative photo with us too!

Emiri
But I got fourth?

Karin
I did say I would draw the top three as models,
but if I draw myself,
it would just end up looking like Kirin-chan...

Rika
You're right about that!

Karin
I'll take a picture of you three!

[*Snap*]

Karin
If I draw my manga using this picture as a reference,
I feel like I can create the most superb Halloween characters ever!

Mitama
I'm glad we were able to help out.

Karin
Everyone, thank you all a ton!

---

[*Scribble scribble...*]

Karin
I've made good progress on the draft today.

[*Snap*]

Karin
This photo really does feel like Halloween.
Ah...
It feels so much like Halloween even without me...

---

[*Scribble scribble...scribble...*]

Karin
…………

[*...scribble...*]

Karin
...Haa...

Alina
If all you do is emit useless CO2, Alina would prefer you get out.

Karin
S-sorry about that...

Alina
Why is it you're stuck on your Halloween manga's storyboard?

Karin
It's not that...

---

Alina
...After the contest
you looked at the photo of the most Halloween-like girls,
and now feel you're unneeded...?

Karin
That's right...
I feel pathetic for getting myself down.
I went through all the trouble of asking you for advice,
and asked everyone to help me understand what Halloween feels like...

Alina
Alina gave you no advice though?

Karin
Eh...but
if I want to be praised by the gallery, I have to collect the opinions of the gallery...

Alina
Did Alina say that though?

Karin
If I want everyone to approve, then I have to do what the majority decide...

Alina
And who was YOUR gyararii?

Karin
Eh-

Alina
First you said you wish to prove yourself to some girl who made fun of you,
then you go rile yourself up to get approved by everyone,
so you expand your target readership, ya?

Karin
Ah...

-Flashback-

Then, to have Kaede-chan gasp and be left speechless...
No, something even greater than that,
is to draw a manga
that everyone will agree and say "now this is Halloween"...?

Alina
Alina has no interest in any of this, so there is no advice to be given.
Go get a suitable gyararii instead of asking for Alina's opinions.
It would be MORE preferable to have the majority's vote, ya?

-End Flashback-

Alina
For Alina, this is not something to give advice over,
since she said the majority's vote is preferable, correct?

Karin
...!
I forgot all about my first goal!

Alina
Wattsu? ...Goal?

Karin
That's right!
The whole purpose of the Halloween manga is
to prove myself to Kaede-chan...
So the target readership should be narrowed down to just Kaede-chan - I needed to hear her opinion!
(And for Kaede-chan, I'm pretty sure...)

-Flashback-

Kaede
...Every year, my family and I pick pumpkins from our vegetable garden
and we carve them into faces and decorate them...

Mifuyu
Hehh...so you do homemade jack-o'-lanterns.

Kaede
Yeah, they're pumpkin lanterns.
When we decorate our rooms with pumpkins, that's what feels the most like Halloween...

-End Flashback-

Karin
That's it! The keyword is pumpkins!

Alina
...Wattsu?

Karin
The thing that was missing from my Halloween manga...
It's jack-o'-lanterns!
The key to victory lies in pumpkin lanterns!

Alina
Alina can't keep up with this story anymore...

Karin
Thank you, senpai! With that, excuse me!

Alina
Where do you go?

Karin
To research!

---

Karin
[The origin of pumpkin lanterns, from the man known as "Jack-O'-Lantern",]
[who deceived the devil into promising to not take his soul so that he would not go to hell when he dies...]
[However, being a villain all his life, he could not pass through the gates to heaven.]
[With ghastly lantern in hand, he wanders purgatory to this day, an eternal sinner.]
(I knew about this story because it was in MajiKiri,)
(but it's such a sad story.)
(You can't erase the sins you've committed...)
(Obaa-chan... Alina-senpai...)
…………
(No... There's no sin that can't be erased!)
(If senpai repents from now on,)
(I'm sure she will go to heaven instead of hell!)
Ah-...
(I've got it! Now what to draw.)
(Basing it off of the legend of the Jack-O'-Lantern,)
(I'll create an original protagonist!)

---

Karin
Hu hu hu... It's finally complete!

Alina: "Halloween? Alina has nothing to do with it though."


======

The Distance Between King and Servant

Karin: "The Halloween-themed manga is finally finished!"

-1-

Karin
[And what I created is...]
[Countless souls, wandering purgatory for the sins their bodies committed in their past lives.]
[It's a story of the kind-hearted King of Pumpkins, Jack-O'-Lantern, and her ghostly servant!]
[As the ruler of purgatory, Jack-O'-Lantern's mission is to protect the festival of the dead, "Halloween," until the final day of judgment...alongside...]
[Her ghostly servant, who may return to the land of the living on the condition she atones for the 99 sins she committed in life.]
[For these two, a tiny bit of a dark story of atonement is unfolding!]

Everyone
…………

Karin
...Well? How is my new manga?

Kaede
Amazing!! That sounds so interesting!

Karin
Um... You mean it captures the feeling of Halloween?

Kaede
Yes, very!
Especially because the Pumpkin King is the main character!

Rena
And the ghosts and vampires that show up along the way really make it like Halloween, too.

Momoko
They're real nice characters! They do feel just like Halloween.

Karin
(It's all thanks to everyone who helped in the contest.)
(Since I had real models, it was so much easier to draw...!)

Kaede
So a girl like Kirin-chan won't be showing up this time, then?

Momoko
Kirin-chan, that "Phantom Thief Girl Magical Kirin" character?

Kaede
Yeah, that's the one... Karin-chan's manga always
has a girl that's the spitting image of Kirin-chan as the main character...

Momoko
So this time you're goin' completely original?

Karin
The setting of purgatory and the Pumpkin King
are very briefly in MajiKiri,
but I used them as a hint and worked to expand them.

Momoko
Well, almost original then!

Rena
Trying out a different pattern is always refreshing.
Besides, this way is more Halloween-like.

Karin
Then, how would you score its Halloween spirit on a scale of 100...?

Rena
Isn't it 100 points?

Momoko
No objections here!

Kaede
I think...it might be 120 points!

Karin
――っ!?
(Kaede-chan gave me her heartfelt approval...!)
…………
(I'm so deeply moved...!)

Momoko
Plus this has a happy end, which sure feels nice.

Kaede
Yeah...at first I thought it was going to be a little scary,
but what a relief that the pathway to heaven opened up in the end...is what I thought.

Rena
Kaede's just a scaredy-cat, aren't you?

Karin
(Putting a happy ending in was the right choice...!)
(Good thing I kept Kaede-chan in mind while I drew it.)

-Flashback-

Karin
That's right! I want to prove myself to Kaede-chan!

Alina
If that's true, then the one evaluating is not YOU, but that girl.
Even if you are an amateur, if that girl says it feels like Halloween,
then she is who's correct.

-End Flashback-

Karin
(Thank you, Alina-senpai.)
(You're the one who guided me here...!)

[*Tap*]

Karin
...Huh - what's this?

Manaka
A Walnuts special: our seasonal pumpkin pie!

Momoko
...Did someone order this?

Rena
Wasn't Rena.

Manaka
There's no need to pay, could you just do a taste test and give me your impressions?
It's a menu item for young kids, so we'd like your honest opinion.

Kaede
Waah...it looks so tasty!

Karin
Thanks a bunch!
(She thinks about others while she cooks... Cooking and drawing manga are one and the same!)

[*Ring♪*]

Manaka
...You got a message?

Karin
Looks like it...
…………
"From the Sakae Halloween Festa Executive Committee"...?


-2-

Karin
[Sakae Halloween Festa is a community driven event organized by Sakae Comprehensive School.]
[I was so excited to be an executive committee member, but due to my hospitalization I had to decline. It was so disappointing, but...]
[I got a call, saying "Now that you're discharged, why not come join us again?" straight from the head of the committee herself!!]
[So, that's why...]

Mitama
...You want me to adjust you a Halloween costume?

Karin
If you'd please, adjuster!

Mitama
But Karin-chan, aren't you always full of Halloween spirit?

Karin
That's different,
I'd like a costume to wear for the Halloween Festa!

Mitama
Halloween Festa...?

---

Mitama
...So that's what this is about.

Karin
It's a festival I'm super attached to, so I want to ensure the greatest success.
So to fire myself up to the max,
I want to show up in a special costume,
but I don't really want to just dress up in my normal mahou shoujo outfit
and call it a costume...

Mitama
It's really nothing like a costume.
...But anyways, what costume do you have in mind?
A vampire? ...Ghost? Or perhaps a little devil?
I'll fill your costume with Halloween spirit to your heart's content!

Karin
I'd like to ask for the Pumpkin King.

Mitama
...Pumpkin King?

Karin
You got it!
The protector of Halloween, the kind-hearted King of Pumpkins!

Mitama
Pumpkin King... Did you have any particular image in mind?
Like having a lantern, or wearing pumpkin pants perhaps...

Karin
Use the image in this manga, please!

Mitama
The title of this is... "The Pumpkin King and Ghost Servant"?
Ah, this...
I heard you had drawn this, Karin-chan.
It's a manga with a theme of Halloween spirit, right?

Karin
Right on! I'd love it if you gave it a read.

[*Flip...*]

Mitama
How incredible! If this isn't the most Halloween thing I've ever seen.

Karin
Thanks a bunch!

Mitama
Just as promised,
the characters you modeled after Kushu-chan and the others are all in it.
Holding that contest was so worth it♪
...Alright then, I'll give it a read so I can get a clear image.
Let's begin the adjustment.

---

Mitama
How's that, I wonder...?

Karin
It's awesome! It's just how I imagined!

Mitama
Huhu, I'm glad!
Just like a king,
it gives off the image of both "ruling" and protecting Halloween.
It suits you so well.

Karin
Ehehe... Thank you so very much!

Mitama
...And may I add, this manga is really well done.
Not only does it give the impression of Halloween, but it's also easy to read and very interesting.

Karin
I'm glad I kept who was reading it in mind while I drew it.
Alina-senpai's advice made me realize that.

Mitama
Alina did, huh...

Karin
Senpai may have a bad mouth, and she may have done some bad things she doesn't remember,
but I believe she definitely has a kind heart...!


-3-

Karin
[And then, Sakae Halloween Festa has finally begun...!]
[I had recommended Alina-senpai be the face of the event, and to my surprise, I was contacted to let me know she accepted...]

Karin
Huhu~nn nano~♪
(I thought for sure she'd say no, so I'm so happy!)
(First things first, I need to show everyone how motivated I am...)
...Let's see...there's no one here.
Alright!

---

Alina
…………

Karin's Voice
Alina-senpai!

[*Shut*]

Karin
Let's start getting ready for the Halloween Festa!

Alina
...Haa? Halloween? What are you spouting all of a sudden?
Or rather...What's with that look...?

Karin
This is...

---

Karin
...So I had the adjuster adjust it for me!

Alina
Hmm...

Karin
...You sure don't sound interested.

Alina
Yes, because Alina's not interested.

Karin
Geez... You don't have to say it.
["Alina-senpai, get dressed up for Halloween too!"]

[～～♪～～♪]

Karin
Ah, my smartphone's in my bag...give me a second here.

Alina
What's with her...
.....HAA!?
WATTSU!? Why does Alina look like this? What is the meaning of this though!?

Karin
Huh...?
Alina-senpai, you already changed your clothes?
And it's even a ghost servant costume! Talk about full motivation...!

Alina
Alina didn't really change clothes...

Karin
When I heard from the head of the executive committee
that Alina-senpai agreed to be the face of the event...
I could hardly believe my ears, but...
You really are motivated for this! I'm so happy!

---

Karin
I had just got done telling Alina-senpai
when she got dressed up in a Halloween costume, so she's super into it...!

Head of Executive Committee
Yes, it's such a relief.
Some students have this image in their minds
that she's this solitary artist who's hard to get close to...
But she has this other side to her...
One where she puts her utmost effort in for others.

Karin
...!
[At that time, I had thought]
[that this would be like the journey of "The Pumpkin King and the Ghost Servant",]
[that Alina-senpai would one day atone for all her sins, and that the day she would reach a happy ending would come.]

---

Karin
…………
(Thanks to the advice senpai gave me)
(and drawing "The Pumpkin King and the Ghost Servant",)
(I feel like my Halloween spirit has been lifted too.)
(I'm really so, so glad!)
(Wait? ...But Alina-senpai still hasn't)
(read the manga yet...?)
(...I left it back in the art club room. I still haven't shown her it yet.)
(Then why is Alina-senpai in a ghost servant costume...?)
(When I asked her to dress up for Halloween,)
(unusually, she did as I said...)

-Flashback-

Karin
["Alina-senpai, get dressed up for Halloween too!"]

-End Flashback-

Karin
………… …………
(I'm sure she must have spotted the manga a mile away and read it.)
Alina-senpai really does
care about me after all...!

---

Mitama
…………
(When I adjust a mahou shoujo's appearance, their abilities change along with it,)
(Karin-chan's new costume included,)
(so I wonder what new magic she can use?)
(I prioritized getting her appearance right, so I adjusted her without putting much thought into it, but...)
…………

-Flashback-

Mitama
Just like a king,
it gives off the image of both "ruling" and protecting Halloween.

-End Flashback-

Mitama
Ruling over Halloween... With the Pumpkin King's powers...
And that's...?
Ordering everyone only for the Halloween season...perhaps?

---

<The next day...>

Mifuyu
T-this is incredible...

Alina
Outsiders are prohibited from entry however.

Mifuyu
I got proper permission to tour the place.

---

Mifuyu
…………

[*Shut...*]

Alina
Huu...today's work has finally ceased.
...Mifuyu, why is it you're here?

Mifuyu
Though I did receive permission,
wandering around the school too much would make me suspicious...
But I did also find Karin's manga, so I have been reading that.

Alina
Fool Girl's manga?

Mifuyu
"The Pumpkin King and the Ghost Servant"... It was lying on the table here.
This is what she spoke of at the hospital,
her Halloween-themed manga, no?

Alina
Is that so? This is Alina's first time seeing it though?

Mifuyu
It has to be it.
I received a message from Karin-chan that it was completed.
She told me the title of it as well...
But, she has yet to show you it?

Alina
Yes.

Mifuyu
Ah, then that ghost servant costume
was not yours, but Karin-chan's decision.

Alina
...Why was it that this gousuto in this outfit appears in the manga?		(ghost)
Let Alina see.

Mifuyu
Here, help yourself.
It really captures the Halloween spirit and is quite interesting as well.

---

Alina
...Shit. It's getting even worse now.

Mifuyu
Ehhh!? I don't agree with that at all!
The art in it... She is not necessarily great at it,
but she brings out the true spirit of Halloween in its theme...

Alina
She listened to the opinions of others and drew them as is, ya?

Mifuyu
But everyone seems to enjoy the happy ending...

Alina
Probably only to suit the tastes of who she wanted to prove to, ya?
To start, when the sinners are released from purgatory
Halloween comes to end.
No matter how you look at it,
this is not an ending Fool Girl would be satisfied with drawing...
It's clear she lies to herself and is flattering her readers ya know.

Mifuyu
Eh - but...!
It is you who advised her to listen to her readers, no?

Alina
Fool Girl said a similar thing...
However Alina gave no such advice.

Mifuyu
――っ!?

Alina
...Wanting to prove oneself to another - working to draw with such motivation -
Alina has no such interest.
Alina paints only what Alina wants to paint.
Alina doesn't have the nouhau of being evaluated by others,			(know-how)
because memorii is rosuto, though?			(memory, lost)

-Flashback-

Alina knows nothing of painting to prove oneself to others.
If you want to be recognized by the gyararii, then instead of relying on Alina,
don't you think you should ask the opinion of the gyararii though?

-End Flashback-

Mifuyu
…！
(Is that not...still advice...?)
(Was that just you saying... I do not know, so do not ask me...?)
B-but... She has become so much more expressive than before,
and I think there was value in her listening to everyone's opinions, too...

Alina
It's only a difference of good trash and bad trash ya know.

Mifuyu
What more could I say... Compared to before, she has much more originality.

Alina
Haa...
Alina is interested in intrinsic aato...			(art)
That is the kind of artwork that comes from within the creator.
Alina does not understand why one would copy a manga
that is nothing but an imitation of MajiKiri.
It was much better when her impulses would ooze out ya know.
This is why Alina cannot find any brilliance from this manga.

Mifuyu
(Ahh...I just remembered.)
(Yacchan did say Karin-chan)
(is a good girl, however)
(she is a child who makes many mistakes.)
(I do not know what makes art good or bad...)
(So for her to listen to everyone and create such a wonderful work as this,)
(I cannot think of it as a mistake...)
(But, in the eyes of the genius named Alina,)
(Karin-chan's work this time)
(showed that she has lost sight of herself, that is she is straying off course. ...That is what it looks like to you, does it not?)
…………
(I... I do not understand...)
(What is right... Or what is wrong.)
Um...if you were to grade this manga,
what would you give it out of 100 points?

Alina
…………
0 points.

Alina: "Alina wants you to get her back to her original form though..."