Ch.1919. So, the Conclusion.

“No, that can’t, that can’t be…! Are you saying I made a mistake back then…? Ha, haha…”

“No, I’m the one who’s more surprised. To think that you were that innocent-looking child. I remember everyone who gives me gifts because there aren’t many.”

“No, but that doesn’t make sense! The candy box that Ellie brought to my room back then! The candy inside was… No, no. I, I couldn’t have failed…!”

“Hmm, what I received was candy. I still have the box in my room. I keep refilling it with candy when it’s empty, and when work gets tough, I think about that child while working. To think it was you. Haha…”

“No, h-how could that, th-that’s impossible. I, I’m sure I checked. Why, how…”

For now, my mind is in disarray.

I definitely delivered the bomb and successfully escaped.

Yes, the fact that the Association President is standing perfectly fine before my eyes… Sure, I could accept that she somehow blocked it under the protection of a magical girl.

Or maybe the Association President has some minimal magical protection that prevents her from being harmed by this level of explosion.

But what the President said.

She received candy as a gift?

No, that’s impossible.

My perfect mission execution…

“Was it really just an ordinary candy box with no signs of anything suspicious?”

“Mmm, I’m more surprised by the fact that you were that small, innocent, cute little girl. I had no idea.”

“Hah, of course you didn’t. It was a special disguise that Ellie prepared for me. Of course, Blanc might have noticed, but I didn’t think any other magical girl would catch on.”

At that moment, Blanc, who was drinking coffee next to the Association President, answered.

“Hmm, when the President was happy about receiving a candy gift from a child, I did find the box suspicious… but there were no strange traces, and I figured the President’s protective devices could withstand that level of small explosive power.”

“So even Blanc couldn’t tell. Hah, what can I do? In the end, it was a failed mission. I failed to assassinate the Association President.”

Really, this is so unfair.

After all that trouble infiltrating and delivering the bomb, you’re telling me it didn’t even explode.

Ha. Seriously.

“Hmm, to think the Association could be infiltrated so easily by a villain. Ah, so that’s why Eden was invaded… I see. To think it was you, Vine.”

“Well, in the end, it was a failed mission, wasn’t it? So, if you’re not here for revenge over that bomb gift, what’s your reason for coming? Besides that…”

“I really just came to check. And now that I’ve confirmed you’re okay, I can go back with peace of mind.”

“Hah… When you say it like that, what does that make me? Fine. I guess I’ll just keep working, trapped in this magical girl den.”

“Um, yes. That’s right. If you ever have any difficulties, you can come to me. The version of you I’ve seen now is definitely different, I can tell.”

“I haven’t changed at all.”

“No, the pure, innocent girl you showed me. I felt that pure goodness.”

“What do you know to judge me?”

“I’m an adult. I can tell that much.”

“I’m an adult too.”

“Haha. Both Yoonseul and you are still children. I can tell by how you act.”

What is she even saying? Really.

“Vine, I’m sorry for doubting you. I shouldn’t have suspected a civilian who has already paid for their crimes. As the Association President, I did something I shouldn’t have.”

“Why the sudden apology? I’m a villain anyway. I’m used to such treatment, so it doesn’t matter.”

“Hah, Yoonseul. I’m sorry for doubting. Hmm… Later, bring Vine to visit the Association. I’ll return that candy box.”

The Association President made the absurd suggestion to Blanc about bringing a villain to visit the Association.

“Yes, I was planning to go anyway.”

“I never said I would go. You want me to enter that place again? No thanks. Beyond the magical girl den… hah.”

“Vine says she wants to go too, President. Are you leaving now?”

“Yes, I think I can leave Yoonseul in your care now.”

Really, these people.

“No, when did I say I wanted to go to the Associa—”

“Then Vine, see you later. I still have the candy box in my office, so I’ll return it to you. Filled with candy, of course.”

“I’m not a child, what’s with the candy? If you’re returning the box, I welcome that.”

With that, the Association President stood up.

And then she left, saying she had other appointments.

Passing strange words to Blanc.

“Yoonseul, you were right. To think she would become this docile.”

“I told you she was safe, didn’t I? So, about that public opinion thing we discussed before, you’ll help with that, right?”

“Yes, but for that to work, there needs to be some exposure, so you two should go out together, or even go out with the other girls and show yourselves a bit.”

“Well, that’s something we can work on going forward.”

“Alright, I’m off. Take care, Vine! Make sure to come visit the Association!”

“Goodbye. I have no intention of going to the Association.”

“I’ll only return the candy box if you come to the Association in person.”

“Ha, are you holding it hostage? How can people on the magical girl side do something only villains would do.”

“Take care, President. I’ll bring Vine soon.”

“What? Yoonseul, aren’t you coming back with me?”

“No, this was all I needed to do.”

“Ah, I see. Alright. So you’ll come later with Vine?”

“Yes, see you then.”

“Hey, who’s making decisions for me!”

My heartfelt question didn’t reach the Association President who had already left beyond the closed door.

“Hah. So. What is all this about? Please explain, Blanc.”

“Hmm, sounds good. If you come to the Association, you could help with our training too, right? With the President’s permission, we could even enter Eden headquarters. You said you had clothes you couldn’t bring.”

“Hah, do you know what might happen if you remove this collar? If I were to launch a surprise attack, are you confident you could handle it?”

“Hmm, the current Vine doesn’t scare me at all.”

“What did you just say? Ha. Really. Ha, come on. Me losing to someone like Blanc? The idea of a monster suddenly doing the hula dance in the town square sounds more realistic.”

“If you’re curious, we can test it at the Association.”

“Fine, let’s go. At least unless all the magical girls here attack me at once, defeating me would be like reaching for the stars—no, like picking up a black hole in space.”

Hah? The only reason I was captured and defeated this time was because 20 magical girls attacked me at once. I can still beat Blanc.

What does she take me for?

* * *

“I’m home! Vine unnie, today too… Wow… I’ll come down quickly, just wait a moment!!”

Arin tossed her shoes in the entryway and dashed up to her room.

The redhead followed behind her.

“Vine, I’m back. Arin was so excited on her way home from school. She seems to have completely forgotten it’s her exam period.”

“Well, education is important even for magical girls. As long as they’re students, they should fulfill their basic duties, shouldn’t they?”

“Well, what’s so important about exams for an elementary school student?”

“Ah, then aren’t you in exam period too, redhead?”

“…Oh, right.”

“‘Oh, right’? Go upstairs right now and get ready. Let’s have dinner quickly and then you can go study.”

The redhead’s face turned red in embarrassment.

Hah, students these days.

While eating, I asked the two of them:

“How are both of you preparing for your exams?”

“Um, well… that…”

“Never mind the redhead, what about you, Arin?”

“W-well…”

“So neither of you has done anything. Aren’t there plenty of people here who could help? Blanc, didn’t you consistently rank in the top 11% of your school?”

“Ah, yes? Me? How did you know…?”

“How I know isn’t important, is it? So, can you help them with their studies?”

“Ah, no… it’s been too long since I’ve studied…”

“So both the crybaby and the unemployed… hah. Judging by your expressions, I guess not.”

That’s when Arin, who had been pondering, asked me:

“Couldn’t Vine unnie help us?”

“Pardon? Are you referring to me?”

“Yes. Couldn’t you help with my studies…?”

“Hmm, the redhead’s grade level… I could probably help both of you.”

Blanc, seizing the opportunity, cheered while looking at me.

“That’s our Vine! So, could you help Arin and Seohyun with their studies?”

“What? I’m here as a housekeeper, not a home tutor…”

“Come on, don’t be like that.”

“That’s right. If Vine unnie helps me, I think I can do well on this exam!”

“Hmm… If that’s the case, I’ll help Arin first. Redhead, everyone knows self-study is important for high school. I’ll just answer your questions.”

“I’ll bring everything down right away! Just wait a moment!!”

With those words, Arin ran back to her room in the middle of eating.

“Arin…! Finish your meal first… hah.”

Blanc, sitting next to me, laughed and said:

“Pfft! Arin must really like you. To think she’d leave her favorite braised chicken to run off.”

“Hah, I don’t know why she likes someone like me. Someone who doesn’t deserve to be loved.”

“Come on, why wouldn’t you deserve love? Let’s not dwell on things that are already over.”

With that, Arin came back downstairs with her study materials.

She almost tripped on the stairs, but I’ll let that slide.

Hmm, I wonder why she wants someone like me to help her study.