The Last Magic Chapter 21

Interview 3

If I had to describe Kurosaki Natsuki in a single word, it would probably be refined.

Her hair, untouched by dye, was jet black, and aside from a simple silver necklace, she wore no other accessories. Her outfit was understated—a white knit sweater and a black skirt—with almost no exposed skin.

"So, you wanted to interview me about Sakurako-san?"

Inside a private room at a café in Sangenjaya, Kurosaki Natsuki agreed to my request. 

She took an elegant sip of the tea she had ordered.

Refined, intelligent, and utterly unapproachable—her presence was almost intimidating. As a sorcerer, she had risen to prominence at a young age, with clients including politicians and business magnates.

And it made sense. She was undeniably captivating. Even if she weren’t a sorcerer, she had the kind of charm that made you want to meet her. In a way, that very allure was what made Kurosaki Natsuki a sorcerer. I cleared my throat, paused briefly, and started the voice recorder.

―Then, first—could you tell me about your relationship with Nagumo-san?

"We were senpai and kouhai in high school and college. As sorcerers, too, of course."

―Nagumo-san referred to you as her ‘other teacher.’

"That’s... a complicated topic. If I were to call Sakurako-san my apprentice, it could cause problems professionally. Some people don’t exactly approve, you see. After all, her work as a sorcerer is very different from the conventional kind."

Kurosaki Natsuki chuckled softly.

"Still, it makes me happy to hear her say that. sorcerers are selfish creatures. We rarely open up to one another—it can be quite lonely. So, no, our relationship isn’t something as rigid as ‘master and apprentice.’ We’re friends."

―Friends?

"Yes, friends. Like Sakurako-san, I decided to become a sorcerer in elementary school. I convinced myself I was special, different from everyone else, and devoted myself to training. Ah, but I wasn’t the only one with such arrogant ambitions—most sorcerers are like that. A mass of elitism. Thanks to Darwinian genetics, we’re blessed with good looks and high intelligence. Naturally, we turn out this way. Conversely, we tend to look down on others and have few friends. That’s why Sakurako-san is precious to me."

―Why were you able to become friends?

"Probably because, from the moment we met, I knew the path she’d chosen wouldn’t overlap with mine. She could never be my rival. So…"

Kurosaki Natsuki averted her gaze from me, took another sip of tea, and looked out the window—as if reminiscing about her high school days.

―What do you mean by ‘not a rival’?

"What I—no, what most modern sorcerers—strive for is ultimately worldly profit. There’s no difference between us and those aiming to be doctors, politicians, or entrepreneurs. We take up the title of ‘sorcerer’ to reap greater benefits. But Sakurako-san? She wanted to become a ‘sorcerer’ in the truest sense. The kind from fairy tales—the ones who grant wishes with magic. See? Our paths don’t cross at all."

A mocking smile played on her lips.

―And you’re saying the current Nagumo Sakurako is that fairy-tale sorcerer?

"Her image is exaggerated, but isn’t that the kind of sorcerer she embodies? When we were children, sorcerers were dismissed as ‘useless failures.’ But now, they’re treated like artists. Of course, this could just be a passing trend, but she showed that such a path exists. I think that’s remarkable. She helped shed the image of sorcerers as shady, dubious figures who might dabble in crime."

―Yet you didn’t choose that path yourself?

"Honestly, I never imagined things would turn out like this. That we’d live in an era where individuals could broadcast videos and change the world. When Sakurako-san first started her channel, I even gave her misguided advice—‘You’ll fail, so just quit.’ Looking back, it’s downright embarrassing."

―Still, I heard you supported her when she began uploading videos.

"I wasn’t the only one. Everyone in our circle at the time supported her, each in their own way. Even the club president from her freshman year—who didn’t seem to like her much—continued defending her after graduation."

―Despite disliking her?

"Of course they dislike her. We’re all sorcerers, after all. While the rest of us had our feet planted in reality, Sakurako-san kept chasing her dreams. Don’t you think that’s infuriating? But…"

Her eyes drifted back to the window.

"When we were little, that’s the kind of sorcerer we all wanted to be. That’s why we began studying magic. But somewhere along the way, reality swallowed us whole. Deep down, we wanted to be like her—someone who could work miracles for others."

―Including you?

"Naturally. I was inspired by Mickey Mouse’s ‘Sorcerer’s Apprentice’—that’s why I became a sorcerer."

For the first time, she smiled brightly—as if finally revealing her true self.

"...But somewhere along the way, I ended up as little more than a sorcerer in name. Life rarely goes as planned. So, no matter how irritating it may be, we all want Sakurako-san to remain that kind of sorcerer. Even if there’s nothing waiting for her at the end."

―‘Nothing at the end’—does that relate to the Last Magic?

"I can’t—and won’t—say anything about the Last Magic. Even if I did, it wouldn’t matter. That’s just the nature of that spell. A sorcerer’s one and only small miracle."

―What do you mean it ‘wouldn’t matter’?

"It depends on the circumstances, but in Sakurako-san’s case, the causality would dissolve. The question itself would cease to exist."

―I don’t understand.

"I’m sure you don’t. In short—it’s a secret. Also, please don’t write about this part. Even if you do, I’ll have it removed during my review. It’s best not to meddle, understand? Modern sorcerers wield more than just magic—we have other means of influence."

As she spoke, she raised a finger to her lips. In that moment, Kurosaki Natsuki felt both refined and sinister—like a witch. Through this interview, I also learned that a sorcerer’s hands are longer than one might expect.

―Then, regarding Nagumo Sakurako’s high school days—it seems something happened that made her resolve to become a sorcerer. Do you know about that?

"I do. Her closest friend died in a traffic accident. I never met the girl, but she attended the same high school."

―A friend who made Nagumo Sakurako want to use magic?

"Most likely. I’d say that person had the greatest influence on Sakurako-san’s life. I’ve heard her decision to spread the beauty of magic through videos was also because of her."

―So, after her death, Sakurako-san chose to honor her wish by becoming a sorcerer?

"Well, I suppose you could put it that way."

At last, I understood Nagumo Sakurako’s motivation for becoming a sorcerer. Relieved, I exhaled—this would make for a compelling book.

But then, Kurosaki Natsuki muttered something strange.

"The real reason will be erased anyway."

―What does that—?

Kurosaki Natsuki smiled faintly, but there was a sharpness to it. She had no intention of answering. What were they hiding? No—it wasn’t so much hiding as it was the sense that explaining would be pointless.

―One last question. How do you feel about Nagumo Sakurako?

"How? Like I said at the beginning—she’s my friend. I had superficial school friends to get by socially, but in truth, I never had a real one. Sakurako-san might have been the only one. We’d hole up in the literature club room, debating whether my original magic training methods were right or wrong. I was serious about it—and so was she. We even experimented with outfits and incantations, scouring magazines and the internet for ideas. It was fun. Magic training alone is just lonely and dull. But thanks to her, I can look back on those days as my youth. Without her, my life would’ve been bleak. I’d have measured happiness solely by status, prestige, and wealth. But she…"

Kurosaki Natsuki lowered her eyes. For a moment, I thought I saw something glisten.

"She’s going to leave me behind. I don’t want her to cast the Last Magic. But I can’t stop her. No one has the right to deny someone their one true wish. That’s what it means to be a real sorcerer."