Ch.133Chapter 22. Hope (3)

One of the few things I’ve liked since coming to this world is how clear the sky is.

In this universe, Earth no longer needs to worry about global warming. Of course, the environment hasn’t completely recovered yet, but at least we don’t hear those stories about what will happen decades from now like in the world I used to live in.

I don’t know exactly how it works. Well, I guess politicians did something about it somehow. From what I’ve heard, they changed almost all power generation methods to be environmentally friendly, and meat consumption shifted from grazing animals to cultured meat. But it seems a bit strange that global warming was resolved in just five years with only those changes.

Well, it was probably just a convenient setting that the author included. It just became something on a much grander scale when it turned into reality.

Anyway, for various reasons, this country has many days when the sky looks bluer. And I like that. Just looking at the sky gives me a feeling of openness.

The sky was like that today when I was discharged from the hospital.

The scattered white clouds look pretty. After taking a few steps out of the hospital, I spent a while just gazing up at the sky.

“Jieun.”

Hayun approached me from behind.

When I turned around, I saw she had various documents in her hand. She must have gone to take care of the payment after telling me to wait for a moment.

“Now, we just need to go back home.”

Seeing Hayun say that with a smile, I nodded.

“What are you going to do?”

I’m going back to the orphanage. Fortunately, I’m still young enough to stay there. I can probably continue living there for about two and a half more years.

There are some uncomfortable aspects, but it’s the only place in this world that I consider “home.”

“Ah, I…”

But Hayun is different.

The other magical girls too.

In the end, in other people’s eyes, these kids are just runaways. Even though they’re magical girls, they’re still minors, and their parents are all alive and well.

Thinking about it again, one could ask what I was doing with these minors… Well, I can’t really say anything since I was fighting hard alongside these same minors.

I thought for a moment.

Hayun’s parents aren’t very good parents. I’ve rarely met them directly, but they don’t seem to approve of my existence as Hayun’s friend.

They sent Hayun to a school that was difficult for me to attend. Though I worked insanely hard to follow her there.

After we entered high school, they don’t seem to stop Hayun from taking the bus to school with me.

…Actually, maybe they know that if they did, Hayun’s power as a magical girl would weaken?

“For now, go back home.”

That’s what I said.

Yes. That’s the best solution.

I know that no matter what, her parents don’t openly hit Hayun. To others, they probably look like parents who adore their daughter.

“…”

Hayun hung her head at my words.

Is she thinking that I’m sending her away because I don’t like her?

That’s not it.

I approached Hayun and took her hand.

Hayun looked up at me again. Why is she making such an expression when we’re not parting forever?

I guess the time she spent with me was that enjoyable for Hayun. We went through a lot together, and there were quite a few dangerous situations, but still.

And to be honest, I felt the same way.

“If anything happens, make sure to tell me. You’ll be taking the pager with you, right? You can contact me anytime if you want.”

Even if phone communications are cut off, the pager signal won’t be interrupted.

“If you think you’re in danger, I’ll definitely come running.”

“…Okay.”

Hayun nodded at my words. Seeing a broad smile appear on her face, it seems she liked my proposal.

I looked around at the other kids.

It seems the hospital staff can’t control the lobby. Considering the size of this hospital, there must be many patients coming every day, and they can’t interfere with all those patients.

Other people were watching us from a distance, and the other kids were standing a bit apart, looking at us with strange smiles.

Hmm.

I can handle this kind of attention now. Honestly, I’ve had my kissing scene plastered all over newspapers, and I have to wear strangely revealing clothes every time I transform.

It would be a bit odd to be embarrassed to death at this point.

“So, where should we play today before going home?”

I deliberately asked in a somewhat cheerful voice.

“It’ll be our last day living together. How about we play until as late as possible before going home?”

“That doesn’t sound like something you’d suggest?”

Rose said in surprise.

That annoyed me more than her usual pretend-surprise.

I mean, I’m the kind of person who makes various suggestions to Hayun. I’ve asked her where she wants to go to cheer her up…

Though I wouldn’t say such things to Rose.

“…So, you don’t like the idea?”

At my question, Rose smirked and looked around at the other kids.

“Lily made this suggestion, what do you think?”

Is she deliberately calling me Lily here to embarrass me? Sorry, but I’m already somewhat used to it, so it doesn’t bother me.

“That sounds good. If we’re all going back anyway, it would be nice to have fun on our last day.”

Ju-a nodded and said.

The other kids also agreed one by one.

“Well, can I make a suggestion first?”

Rose said with a smile.

“For our last place to play, how about where we’ve been staying?”

…Well.

It was such an excellent suggestion that even I couldn’t argue against it.

*

Maybe it’s because they’re magical girls after all.

They really enjoyed playing with children. And since the children also loved magical girls, it was truly a perfect combination.

It’s not like they were forcing themselves to act; even Rose looks like an angel when you see her genuinely smiling and playing.

The same goes for Dalia and Delphinium.

Ironically, Jihye and I weren’t very popular as magical girls within this orphanage.

I guess that’s natural? After all, we’re just residents here rather than magical girls.

Even if we transform, we probably just look like older sisters living in the same house wearing magical girl outfits.

And so, after what they claimed was playtime but was essentially volunteer work…

“Well… we should part ways now. It would be a bit problematic to live away from home without any reason.”

At the gathering in front of the orphanage, Rose spoke first.

“Aren’t they already very angry?”

“Probably?”

Rose scratched her head.

Actually, I haven’t properly heard what the parents of the other magical girls are like, except for Hayun’s. They might not be ideal, but they could be better than Hayun’s parents.

At least Rose has clear self-confidence and doesn’t have a particularly difficult personality.

No, actually, that might have changed a bit after living face-to-face with Hayun.

“…”

Rose stared at me for a while, then abruptly extended her hand toward me.

“Take care.”

I silently looked at her outstretched hand for a moment, then extended my own to shake it.

“I’m… grateful too.”

This time, Rose didn’t take my words playfully.

She just nodded seriously and stepped back.

“If it weren’t for you, we would have just been used until the end. Not knowing what was happening behind the scenes. Thank you. Thanks to you, I feel a bit relieved.”

“…If there’s anything you don’t understand at school, feel free to come to me.”

It was the same with Dalia and Delphinium. After shaking hands with both of them in turn, I turned toward Ju-a and Hayun.

“…”

Ju-a hesitated for a long time, trying to choose her words, then cautiously approached me.

And awkwardly raised both hands slightly.

Maybe she wants more than just a handshake?

Actually, I think I understand what she’s thinking. For some reason, she’s been showing various signs of affection toward me.

I’m not exactly sure what her mindset is…

Looking at Hayun beside her, she also seemed restless.

I took a deep breath and scratched my head.

Then I opened my arms.

Both of them brightened up but hugged me very awkwardly. Well, a hug in a place like this is bound to be different from when we’re alone.

After finishing the hug, I turned toward Rose, Dalia, and Delphinium, but the three of them quickly shook their heads.

That made me chuckle a bit.

“Then… see you tomorrow.”

I said to Hayun.

“…Yes, tomorrow.”

Hayun, who had been looking quite gloomy until just now, nodded at my words and smiled brightly.

Right. We’ll meet tomorrow anyway.

Our work as magical girls isn’t completely over yet, and we’ll be going to school every day, so it’s fine.

The kids slowly walked out of the orphanage.

They all kept glancing back as if they were reluctant to leave. Well, they’re all students after all. Staying at a friend’s house is bound to be fun.

It would be a bit troublesome if they had to live like that forever, but fun is still fun.

I quietly watched the kids walk away for a long time.

The pink hair kept fluttering as she repeatedly looked back.

I waved my hand every time Hayun turned to look at me. At the last moment, Hayun waved back at me with a faint smile.

I know what she’s feeling.

Hayun and I have been friends for a long time.

She probably wanted to show me that clearly smiling face.

Finally, the kids disappeared from view, and I stood still for a while, feeling as if a corner of my heart had emptied.

And as I finally turned around—

“Jieun?”

I came face to face with Jihye, who looked somewhat angry.

…Ah.

Come to think of it, did I not hug Jihye?