Ch.178IF Side Story: Galactic Love (3)

I thought for a brief moment that maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to just keep living like this.

But that’s not possible.

I’m ultimately in a position where I’m receiving help from Pang Pang, and I can’t keep receiving that help indefinitely.

Besides, I had to wear a mask on my face whenever I went outside. How long could such a life continue?

The possibility of me being discovered existed at any time, and the possibility of Pang Pang getting caught up in it existed at any time too. So, in the end, we had to part ways.

It’s just that I was cunningly dragging out the time because this lifestyle was too comfortable.

I instinctively sense that the end is approaching. Of course, ending it and leaving depends on me. James hasn’t pushed me that much yet, and there was still a lot to prepare.

“…What’s wrong?”

And, quite unkindly, Pang Pang seemed to have noticed my mood.

When I told her not to drink too much, Pang Pang really did cut down on coffee. I’m not sure if she’s forcing herself to hold back because of what I said, or if, as she claims, she really doesn’t have a dependency.

However, if she’s forcing herself to hold back because of what I said, I do feel a bit sorry. After all, I’m imposing such rules after coming into someone else’s home.

Who am I to do that? I’m just one of the friends Pang Pang has made in this world.

No, perhaps her only friend.

So feeling guilty, I decided that occasionally, maybe once every few days, it would be okay to drink coffee.

Drinking at a cafe is problematic. I can’t risk my identity being exposed while helping Pang Pang.

Whether it’s cafe coffee or canned coffee, we’d buy it with dessert and have it at home.

After reaching that agreement, while leisurely having a cup of coffee today, Pang Pang said that to me.

“Did something happen?”

Although we’re almost always in the same room, I often have various conversations with James. Most of them were about future plans.

Since I hardly shared those conversations with Pang Pang, I might have made her anxious.

“A problem… no, not really.”

I answered while sipping my decaffeinated coffee.

“I was just thinking about the future.”

Pang Pang was silent for a moment.

“Are you planning to leave here?”

Pang Pang asked after a long silence.

Somehow, I thought there was a hint of disappointment in her voice. Was it my imagination?

“…I can’t stay forever. You know I’m a fugitive, right?”

At my answer, Pang Pang nodded.

“You can stay a bit longer. Though my income has decreased since I can’t work as a combatant anymore, we’re still managing since both of us are earning.”

“…Managing and being able to continue are two different issues.”

Pang Pang was at a loss for words again at my response.

“To be honest, I’d like to keep staying here too. If I were to live independently, would I find such a nice atmosphere? It’s nice living with someone I can communicate with.”

Of course, if we’re being precise, I was the one unilaterally causing trouble.

I’ve been helping with household chores and contributing to living expenses, but it’s true that Pang Pang’s workload has increased because of me. The trash has doubled, no, tripled including James, and there’s much more to clean, and more dishes to wash.

On top of that, she had to be considerate of me. This coffee issue was one of those considerations.

“But… I have things I need to do.”

I said, looking down at my wrist.

There was a device like a watch there.

The Despair Circuit.

A circuit that operates on my despair. I transformed with it, and immediately after, I fled and came to Pang Pang’s house.

I had directly asked Pang Pang for help out of the blue, but she helped me too easily.

And still continues to do so.

She even seems disappointed now that I’m saying I’ll leave.

How kind can a person be? It’s surprising that she was a combatant with this personality.

“Revenge?”

“Revenge… yeah, I guess so.”

To be honest, I’m not sure anymore. Do I really want revenge?

When I think about it, anger rises from the depths of my heart. I wanted to find all the people who put me in this situation and crush them.

I’m not trying to say that revenge is futile. I don’t really agree with such sentiments.

However… if there’s something I want, it’s probably just to live peacefully rather than actual revenge.

I want to defeat the magical girls. I want to beat them just once and give them a taste of their own medicine, and I want to find the one who made me like this and do the same to them—

But in the end, that’s close to the anger stemming from the fact that I ended up in this situation.

If, as Pang Pang says, it were possible to just keep living here—or if it were possible to just go back to the orphanage and live quietly, I might have just given up and done that.

…It’s too late for that now.

Gulp.

We both sipped our coffee.

“I see.”

Pang Pang murmured.

Her face was a bit flushed. Come to think of it, even when Pang Pang acted like she was drunk, she didn’t smell of alcohol. Well, it’s natural since what she drank wasn’t alcohol in the first place.

That’s not to say there’s no smell at all. Coffee with dairy products honestly sometimes had a bit of an odor. Though it quickly disappears after brushing your teeth.

“If that’s your decision… well, it can’t be helped.”

Pang Pang nodded.

We reached an agreement like that. I would stay a bit longer to prepare, and once preparations were complete, I would leave.

Without causing any harm to Pang Pang.

*

…or so I thought we had agreed.

“…Hey, what’s this?”

I asked, looking at Pang Pang’s belongings that were piling up in the corner of the room.

“Camping gear.”

Pang Pang said proudly, standing next to me with her hands on her hips, gazing at those items.

I didn’t even know she was buying these things. She bought them online and they arrived by delivery.

“…Are you planning to go camping?”

I asked with a slight hope, but Pang Pang shook her head.

“You’ve been buying these things, so I bought some too.”

I felt a bit uneasy. I had a feeling I knew what Pang Pang was trying to say.

“Don’t tell me you’re planning to come with me?”

“Hmm…”

Pang Pang looked around, and when I stared at her, she sighed deeply.

“Yes. That’s what I’m thinking.”

I rubbed my face.

“Are you out of your mind?”

“Hmm, maybe.”

Pang Pang said, slightly furrowing her brow as if seriously contemplating.

“I might not be in my right mind.”

“What?”

“I came all the way from far away to Earth to find what I want and work here. You know that, right?”

At Pang Pang’s words, I slightly opened my mouth and then closed it.

Well, yes, I know that.

“So, this time too, I might just do what I want.”

“…”

After staying silent for a moment, I spoke again.

“What if I don’t take you with me?”

“Well, I’ll search for you. I’d like to know if you’re planning to go to another country or stay in this one.”

I was at a loss for words again.

No, it would be better to say I couldn’t find the words.

So, it’s like this.

I have friends too. I care about Hayun in my own way, and I consider Jihye almost like family.

Pang Pang, in that sense, is also my friend. So I didn’t want to put her in a dangerous situation.

But at the same time, the fact that Pang Pang was saying such things was somehow gratifying.

Rationally, I believe I absolutely shouldn’t take her with me.

To be frank, before I stayed here, I even mentally referred to Pang Pang as an “Earthaboo,” keeping my distance from her.

It was always Pang Pang who approached first, and I found it somewhat burdensome.

But now, the fact that my heart wavers when Pang Pang says such things is a bit… I felt pathetic about myself.

Even though I couldn’t share these feelings with Pang Pang.

“So, if you want to be a bit more comfortable, don’t just leave alone. I think I know what kind of person you are.”

“What kind of person am I?”

“Someone who can’t just leave people they know behind.”

“…Even though I’m planning to attack the biggest company in this country?”

“Can’t those two things be separate?”

At Pang Pang’s words, I was once again at a loss for words for a while.

*

“Are you insane?”

That was James’s reaction to my words.

“Of all people, what benefit do we gain by taking an outsider, practically a civilian woman, with us?”

“I know. There’s absolutely no benefit.”

I answered with a deep sigh.

Pang Pang was knocked out by caffeine and sleeping soundly.

James and I were having a meeting during that time.

“How did you even come up with such an idea…?”

At James’s question, I fell into thought for a moment—and then answered like this.

“…Maybe I just don’t want to be alone anymore.”

Yes. That’s what I thought.

I didn’t want to be alone.

Despair, honestly, isn’t something you should experience too often.

James placed his hand on his forehead and sighed deeply.