Magical ☆ Star Lily 

“I want to become a magician!”

Her real name is Ririka Motomiya. Since she was a young child, she’s always dreamed of becoming a magician, and has just started her training in professional magic. She loves surprising and amazing people—an innocent and cheerful natural entertainer.

“Lily” is a stage name, given to her by her teacher. She’s inexperienced and has a long way to go, and she’s a bit of a scatterbrain—but when she takes the stage, her demonstration of bravery outshines even that of an adult.

“Now, it’s time for me to take the stage!”

“When I grow up, I wanna become a magical girl!”

I think that was back in kindergarten. I think I said something like that when the teacher asked me what I wanted to do. It seems like it’s super hard to become a magical girl. But, I’ll never give up. Incredible, amazing magic that can grant any wish…it’s like a dream.

“I’m definitely gonna become a magical girl in the future!”

When I said that in elementary school, everyone laughed at me. My seniors told me that it's not that simple, and that it requires training.

By the way, what is magical girl training? I didn’t know, so I asked my mom, but…

“You’re old enough to know that’s a ridiculous thing to say, Ririka.”

She said something like that and gave me a cold look. Awful. I then asked my dad about it, and he said, “why don’t you call this phone number?”

So, I called it.

That’s how I learned magic from Master.

To cut to the chase, thanks to Master’s arrangement, I’m going to perform magic in front of an audience. It’s a really small venue that can fit about 20 people, though. I get so nervous when I have to perform in front of an audience~

I’m still inexperienced…but I’ll do my best anyway. After all, I train so I can entertain people, right?

“And now, what’ll come out?”

The magic box is a jack-in-the-box. First, the magician shows the audience that the box is empty, and then closes the lid… The next time they open the box, surprise!

“Three! Two! One! KYAAA!!”

Huh?! Fish came out of the box!! I had no idea this would happen! Master!!

“Oh, so you’re Lily! Nice to meetcha!”

I made a phone call, and that’s how I became my Master’s apprentice. They're a lively, cheerful, and kind person. Master’s particularly skilled at magic tricks performed close to the audience, using dexterity and sleight-of-hand. It’s called “table magic” or “close-up magic,” and I’m being taught the basics of it too. But sometimes I also learn large-scale “stage magic.”

“Master~ I finished the rope-escape homework assignment from the other day~”

“Alright! Next, try the tortoiseshell bind challenge!”

Sometimes I don't understand what Master is saying. Isn’t it like hearing a foreign language?

Master is apparently from some Eastern European country that disappeared off the map a long time ago. I was told before that it was named something like “Nia.” I don't know all the details, and it’s unrelated to magic, anyways.

I decided to make the props I use for my magic tricks myself. Of course, Master will teach me how to make them.

I rolled up cardboard into a loooong, thin rod, cut out a star shaped ornament and stuck it on the end, and attached a transparent thread—like a fishing line.

“As long as I have this I can use magic too, right, Master?”

“You betcha! You’re a magician!”

Master said that with such confidence that it fully motivated me. But, I was a little worried because the star on the cane wasn’t glued on enough.

“Now, this cane will slowly float up into the air…”

When it was time for me to perform on stage, I boldly raised my cane towards the audience, pulling it by the transparent thread.

“...Wha– wait, WAIT A MINUUUUTE~!!”

I pulled the thread so hard that the cane flew all the way across the other side of the stage!

Aaaah~! The star’s gonna fall off~!!

At one point, Master decided to return to their hometown temporarily… I thought their home country no longer existed? But, Master said it was a visit to its grave.

“It’s hard for me to train when Master’s away…”

When I said that, Master gave me a teddy bear.

“It’s alright! Mr. Bear will give you some advice!”

Mm~ I get it… Ah, but, a stuffed animal…

It seemed like Master was gonna be out of Japan for about two weeks.

I didn’t have a stage performance scheduled, so I had no choice but to go to a neighborhood park. I put the “Mr. Bear” stuffed animal in front of me and performed magic tricks, pretending it was an audience member.

I don’t think he’s very eager.

But! It felt like Mr. Bear’s eyes sparkled at me! I really felt it!

“Bzzzt! That ring flight was worth a 30 point grade!”

Uuuu. Mr. Bear’s criticism is harsher than Master’s.

Hurry back soon~ Master~

“Lily, you’ve worked hard, so I’ll give ya a hat!”

Master suddenly brought that up. What kind of hat?

It’s a standard item in parlor magic: a top hat. It's shiny and sparkly, and it even has a big, cute bow attached. Ah, Mr. Bear’s sitting on the ribbon.

“In that case, let me pull something out of this hat!”

I was so overjoyed that I used the hat for a performance.

“Do you have any eggs, spectator— …Huh, you do?”

Ah! I made a mistake~ Fiddlesticks. The punchline was supposed to be that I took an egg out of the hat and handed it to the other person. But since I had already asked, I took the egg from the spectator, put it in the hat, and shook the hat lightly.

“Click clack… Yes, the hat creates more eggs… Huh?”

Hmm? Something’s off. What’s this feeling…?

Uwaaa–! I get it now! Fried eggs!!

Since I had the chance, I wanted to practice silk hat magic a little more so that I could do it properly.

“There’s a knack to keeping ‘em asleep ‘till it’s your turn on stage.”

I feed them, thinking “such is life~.” But to be honest, I’m not good with birds! I can’t handle them! Uuuu, can I hold out during a performance…?

“What’ll come out of the hat next is… What’ll come out, is…”

Magic involving animals won’t be successful unless the magician properly handles trained animals. Master said trust between partners is important. But still, just as I thought, I’m still bad with birds…

“Doves please come out… Doves please come out…”

Before I knew it, I was saying that on stage. The audience burst into laughter in an instant.

Magnificent! A dove came out from the hat! A dove from the hat! Isn’t it great, Master? A dove from the hat!!

Huh… Were this many planned to appear?

“‘Scuse me, I gotta have a talk with you, Lily…”

Master spoke with an unusually serious expression.

“What is it, Master?”

“There’s nothin’ more I can teach you.”

“Huh?”

I was taken aback, but Master insisted that they had truly taught me everything they could. No way~ I still seem like a total amateur. I've already paid the expensive monthly tuition for the next six months, Master.

But Master shook their head. Our lesson was over anyway. There might be a reason why, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask.

“Here, come take your graduation gift.”

Master pinned a star-shaped medal on my chest. It made me feel a little bashful. The sudden graduation ceremony was a bit of a shock, but I'm also proud.

“Congrats… Wearin’ this, you’ll become a real magical star…”

With that, Master left.

“Ta-da! Sorry to keep you waiting! It's Lily!”

My Master isn’t around anymore, but I continue to perform magic on stage with Mr. Bear. As always, it’s in a small venue with a capacity of around 20 people, but I'm happy that spectators keep coming.

“Today’s magic show scored 65 points. Just barely passing.”

Mr. Bear is as talkative as ever. So talkative that it's frustrating.

Yesterday, I secretly used magic to make the curry Mr. Bear was eating spicier (from medium to very spicy). Mr. Bear was surprised and teary eyed as he drank the water...! This is the magic of spices. Hehehe.

Lately, I've been hooked on star magic. It’s so beautiful. When the lights are dimmed, the venue looks like a planetarium. When I wave my cane, the stars dance, and the customers' smartphones ring along with it—lighting up in rhythm.
Just as I thought, magic is really fun.

One day, while I was performing my magic show as usual, an unexpected person appeared at the venue, and it totally surprised me.

“Ririka…you’ve got a phone call.”

It’s my mom. She had brought my cell phone with her. Oh, I left my cell phone at home~

“How are ya, Lily?”

The person on the other end of the phone was none other than my Master.

“I'm super great, Master! Where are you now?”
“Stranded at the country border.”
“Border… What? I mean, what are you doing…”
“Wanted to meet your pops—”

I remembered. My father hadn't come back for a long time. He was still on the other side of the border. If I could use magic, I could go get him right then and there. That's right... I've thought that since kindergarten.

I rode my magic cane and flew through the sky with Mr. Bear.

Hold on for a bit, Dad!