Ch.179IF Side Story: Galactic Love (4)

The argument didn’t last very long.

In truth, I was the one who gave up first. Pang Pang was quite stubborn about these things.

I really couldn’t understand why she insisted on following me, or why she would voluntarily put herself through such hardship.

I get that she considers me a close friend, but still.

“You’re really something else.”

“Just be honest.”

At my words, Pang Pang grinned and said, “You want at least one friend around too, don’t you? Someone other than James over there.”

James shrugged his shoulders in disbelief at her comment, but I couldn’t say anything.

“…What if I let you come with me? What will you do when I go to work?”

“I’ll guard the tent.”

“…”

“And don’t worry. I know how to fight pretty well too.”

I knew that, but still, there would be limits to what she could do alone.

She didn’t even have combat gear.

But…

“Let me think about it a bit more.”

That’s what I told Pang Pang.

Perhaps relieved that I wasn’t completely rejecting the idea, she smiled at me.

In truth, even as I gave that answer, I was planning to leave her behind. In the middle of the night or… well, I was someone who could leave anytime, so that would be enough.

She said she’d follow me, but tracking someone is a completely different matter. I knew Pang Pang had done various jobs here, but they were all just part-time jobs that ordinary people could do.

Being a Combatant was somewhat unusual, but even that didn’t teach investigative skills.

…After searching around a bit, she’d eventually get tired and go back home.

That’s all I was thinking.

*

But such carefree thoughts are bound to be shattered eventually.

It’s like thinking “I’ll just work at this job and collect a paycheck” only to have the entire workplace disappear, or something happen to the boss, or to yourself.

In fact, I’d already experienced something similar in this world. Just planning to take it easy as a Combatant, then quit after graduation and work at a normal job.

And if I could defeat a Magical Girl once along the way, even better.

…It was a plan that ultimately fell apart. I should have known better then. My life in this world was never going to be smooth sailing from the beginning.

It was when I had finally packed enough to be able to stay outside.

Pang Pang must have sensed that I was planning to leave, because she suddenly said, “Jieun, want to go somewhere fun together?”

“…Fun?”

I tilted my head at Pang Pang’s words.

I hadn’t even considered it. I was essentially on the run, with lots of people chasing after me.

Of course, things had quieted down a bit after nearly three weeks. The media outlets that had been swarming my school, the orphanage, and other places had started to reduce how often they showed my face (albeit mosaic-blurred) as the public interest in me began to wane.

But still, I was a fugitive. I obviously couldn’t go far away to have fun.

In fact, even going out to work like this was somewhat risky.

I looked toward James, who was vigorously shaking his head from side to side. It was a clear signal that this was absolutely not allowed.

“I don’t mean going somewhere far.”

Pang Pang quickly added after seeing my expression.

“Just… how about taking one day off from work and relaxing somewhere fun?”

“Where?”

“Hmm… somewhere in Seoul?”

That made me think of Hongdae, where I’d gone with Jihye and Hayun.

…Well, we didn’t end up enjoying ourselves properly until the end there. A stalker had followed us midway through.

But still, it had been quite enjoyable until then. We didn’t do anything extraordinary, but still.

As long as we don’t go into a café with this girl, it might be okay.

I looked at James again.

James slumped his shoulders and said to both of us, “You’re going to do it even if I tell you not to, aren’t you?”

“…”

“Well, I suppose it’s fine if you can get back within an hour. After all, you’re already traveling some distance for work.”

Seeing Pang Pang’s face brighten, James quickly added a condition.

“But go during a weekday afternoon. And choose places with as few people as possible.”

We nodded.

*

When something like this happens, you might think I’d be discovered because of it—well, we didn’t go out completely unprepared.

We didn’t just project holographic faces over our own; we properly covered ourselves with fake skin.

Pang Pang and I went out together to a nearby busy district. There were people around even during the day, but not too many.

And that moderate number of people actually helped conceal us better. We were careful not to spend too much time in any one place.

It was a relaxing time after so long.

Just like when I chose albums at the bookstore with Hayun.

“…”

“What’s wrong? Are you tired?”

“No, it’s not that.”

Oops, I got lost in thought.

I don’t think for a second that I’ll never see them again. We’re just apart for now.

My ultimate goal right now is revenge, and though the chances of success are slim… if I do succeed, I’ll try to live normally again afterward.

And that’s also why I’m not taking Pang Pang with me. If I can’t overcome this, the people left behind would only be put in danger.

…Right.

Let’s consider this the last time.

Today is the last day I can be at ease. James was nearly finished with his preparations, and we had properly prepared everything needed to survive outside.

Pang Pang had even made a list of things needed for camping and bought them for me too, so we probably wouldn’t lack anything.

“Ah, that’s not allowed.”

I said when I noticed Pang Pang’s gaze drifting toward a café.

“Coffee only at home.”

“Hmph.”

Despite making that sound at my words, Pang Pang linked her arm with mine.

Come to think of it, had we ever been like this before?

…Was she that lonely?

Yes, she must have been lonely. Living abroad without family. Doing work that doesn’t get much respect from others.

So, having a friend like me and spending some time together—well, it might not have been a bad thing.

The thought of leaving without saying anything weighed heavily on my mind.

*

Our outing didn’t cause any major problems, surprisingly.

In fact, it might have even helped a little that we went out.

“Excuse me!”

When we returned home, someone was waiting in front of Pang Pang’s house.

I immediately tensed up with a wary expression, but Pang Pang casually greeted the person as if they were an acquaintance.

“Hello.”

“Hello nothing! Some young people came by earlier. Shouldn’t you answer when your friends try to contact you?”

“What?”

“Several of them came and knocked loudly on the door calling your name. When I came down, they left.”

“…”

“When I asked what was going on, they said they were your friends—”

But the person’s expression became somewhat strange as they continued.

“They are your friends, right?”

“Yes, they’re my friends.”

I nodded.

The person stared at me intently. It seemed like they found it a bit strange that I was living here.

Come to think of it, this was my first time seeing this person, but they seemed to be a neighbor Pang Pang already knew. She must have been living alone at that time.

“…Thank you. I’ll contact my friends.”

“Ah, yes, well, it was noisy…”

After Pang Pang responded, the man walked away while still staring at me with an awkward expression.

We entered the room with stiff faces.

James was already waiting, having completely packed all our belongings.

“Where have you been until now?”

Before he could finish speaking, Pang Pang and I closed the door.

“Who came?”

“…Company people, obviously. Government officials would never use that tone.”

So, people from the company came looking for us two.

“Was staying too long our downfall?”

“Maybe, maybe not. It could simply be coincidence. They might have quickly investigated and found out that your friend is close to you.”

I wondered if they had reviewed past CCTV footage and noticed my friendship with Pang Pang, or if they had just found out that I had a friend.

“I erased all the information before we left, so maybe they’re only now able to properly investigate.”

James said.

“We need to leave right away. Fortunately, we’re ready to go.”

Pang Pang looked at me.

“…”

I pressed my lips tightly together.

We stared at each other without saying anything for a while.

In the end, I lost this time too.

In this situation, I didn’t have the sharp mind needed to leave Pang Pang behind.

…Ironically, part of me was actually sighing with relief.