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When Steffi got The Dream, Ben insisted on patrolling with her. He knew she’d object, as would his parents. But he had lots of good reasons.
He knew Steffi. She’d struggle to get on a team, probably even insist on soloing like some big hero. If he couldn’t fight, he could at least stop her from biting off more than she could chew and getting hurt. That’s what he told his parents. It was a good reason.
Besides, was it that much of a risk, even? Civilians go out with magical girls all the time, and they almost always come home fine. That’s what he told Steffi. That was a good reason!
After Techno and Swing joined the team, his parents asked him why he still needed to accompany Steffi. She was safer now, and Techno seemed like a sensible girl. But he was still useful! He helped them coordinate patrols, checked in on other teams, even did some light research. Plus, he was pretty sure Steffi still wanted him out there. She hadn’t said anything to the contrary. Those were still good reasons!
But. From their first patrol there’d been a feeling, like a finger tapping the back of his head. He wanted to protect Steffi. He liked helping out magical girls in his small way. That was all true, he knew it was. Perfectly good reasons for Ben to be outside at night.
So why did he feel so… dishonest?
Techno gave Swing a quizzical look. “I fail to see the practical application of such a small, slow robot.”
Swing spluttered. “What?! It’s a stag beetle! They’ve got that cool horn! Big cool horn! Come onnnnn, make one!”
Steffi wasn’t listening. She’d been excited when Ben wasn’t here to scold her for being late, prepping her very best hur-dur-you’re-always-late-Steffi’s for his arrival. But he was never this late. The barrier was already up. She’d always worried what might happen if he ran into a monster on his own.
Finally, Ben appeared around the corner, and her worry morphed into a muffled squawk. Instead of his suit, he was wearing a baggy tracksuit and a brimmed cap, pulled right down to his eyes. He didn’t even have his briefcase.
“Well, this isn’t very managerial!” she crowed. “Did the dry cleaner have a waiting list?”
She saw his cheeks flush red as he pulled the cap off. “Yeah, uh… about that…”
…blue. Steffi felt every thought roll out of her skull and splatter on the ground, save that one word.
Benzine, sporting bright blond hair and unnaturally blue eyes, tried to grin. “I uh… I guess I have some stuff to work through,” she said. “But now I have a good reason to be here, at least.”