Akari grabbed the leaves off her bag and stepped out onto the back porch of the Shinonome Labs. The sun was shining brightly, and the smell of detergent flew through the air as the laundry waved in the wind.
She made sure Sakamoto was within range. Those who are chosen to become magical girls often draw upon their childhood dreams. Akari knew precisely what moment to draw from. She placed the leaves on her eyes and struck a ridiculous pose, calling out across the city.
"Change! Leaf Mask!"
Nothing happened.
Akari stepped forward, slipping on a spare lab coat that had been left by the back door. The leaves fell off her eyes and onto the ground. Akari tumbled backwards, bonking her head against the wall. A piece of paper floated down from a nearby shelf and into her hands. It looked like a haiku.
Whoever obtains
The weapons' two keys - Woodcube
Mogami River
Akari had no idea what that meant. Sakamoto walked over and sat on her back. He remembered where it had come from, but this was an opportunity. This Akari girl was desperate enough to listen to him and actually consider what he had to say. Sakamoto brushed his tail across Akari's forehead.
Akari bent down and looked at the ground. The dropped leaves were being carried off by an ant each. Despite their size relative to the leaves, the ants were carrying it like it was nothing. Akari had always admired them for that. Nobody ever ignored an ant.
Perhaps I need to become an ant.