Ch.234IF Side Story: From the Beginning (2)

I hate losing.

Even with Hayun, who I consider a friend, I’ve felt this way. Ever since I learned she was destined to become a Magical Girl.

I once thought about becoming a Combatant.

No matter how talented I might be, I probably wouldn’t be able to defeat a Magical Girl, but I wanted to somehow beat Hayun.

Ironically, I ended up becoming a Magical Girl myself.

…No, to be precise, I wasn’t one yet.

“Hmm.”

I glared at the red Magical Girl in front of me, breathing heavily.

A Magical Girl one year older than me who had already begun her activities.

“Your fighting skills seem a bit lacking.”

Of course they are. I was just beginning my preparations to become a Magical Girl.

To be honest, I was a little annoyed that Rose would say something like that to me. Wasn’t Rose the first generation of Magical Girls in this country? She obviously wouldn’t have had any seniors herself.

I didn’t mean to belittle whatever training she had before becoming a Magical Girl, but somehow I felt Rose had probably never directly heard such words from anyone else.

What made me even more irritated was that Hayun never fell behind in fights against Rose.

In other words… Hayun was a genius. The kind of genius who could be the protagonist in a manga.

“But I like that glaring expression of yours.”

Rose grinned.

“Your body’s reaching its limit, isn’t it? Yet you still want to fight?”

“…Bring it on.”

I answered, clenching my fists tightly. I heard my fingers crack.

Even if I get hurt, I’ll heal quickly. That’s magic. That’s what being a Magical Girl means. If I were to lie in bed just because something broke, I wouldn’t be able to stop a Kaijin on a rampage next time.

But my reason for wanting to fight was much more personal.

In this world, I want to prove my worth.

For some reason, this world I was suddenly thrown into seemed to be telling me I had no value. Just because I said one thing. Because I said that manga wasn’t as good as it used to be, I was thrown into this world.

…If there was someone who sent me here, I wanted to tell them that such a thing was pointless.

At least there was hope.

“Impressive.”

That’s what Rose said.

It was clear from her face that she wasn’t entirely sincere. But separate from that, she did seem somewhat interested.

Rose raised her fists. Unlike when she normally fought, there were no gauntlets on her hands. Perhaps she was afraid I might get seriously hurt—

No, that would make it impossible to fight for long.

That fact annoyed me. I didn’t even have anything that could be called a staff yet.

“Rather than me coming to you, why don’t you come at me?”

Rose asked with a smile.

I gritted my teeth and charged at her.

*

“Owww…”

“Jieun, you don’t need to push yourself so hard.”

Hayun said, looking down at me.

The bruises all over my body had healed quickly. At least enough that I wouldn’t get scolded by Jihye.

Nothing was broken either.

Magic is truly an amazing power that provides some protection to the body. It seems my level of hope wasn’t small enough to die instantly from Rose’s attacks.

“Sigh, just because she’s a senior, she’s so full of herself.”

“Jieun…”

I want to win.

Sincerely.

Hayun seemed to have something she wanted to say to me but was holding back.

Right. Somehow, I think I know what Hayun wants to say. There’s one thing that would suit me in this situation.

You don’t need to be the best at everything.

Wouldn’t it be better to have as many Magical Girls as possible? Whether a Kaijin appears or an alien gang using magic shows up, it’s good for this country to have someone who can respond to such threats.

Even with my level of skill, I’d surely be of help.

But originally, I didn’t become a Magical Girl for such justice.

“Jieun.”

Hayun gently placed her hand on mine.

The person I wanted to beat the most was still Hayun.

Ironically, I got here because Hayun recommended me. Thinking about it again, that was a bit frustrating.

It should have been frustrating, but…

The circuit on my wrist was spinning vigorously.

Does it mean my hope is directed toward Hayun?

I closed my eyes slightly.

“…”

Well, that can’t be helped.

After all, the reason I became friends with Hayun wasn’t just because she was the protagonist.

I’ll work hard.

So that Hayun won’t regret having recommended me.

*

“…Impressive.”

Rose would occasionally say that to me.

At first, there was no real emotion in her voice. It was just a perfunctory compliment—the kind you give when you’re teaching someone and see them grow, because it’s the right thing to do.

But this time, there was a hint of sincerity in Rose’s words.

“Your growth rate is fast, isn’t it?”

Well, I wonder.

I’m still no match for Rose. I can barely transform and use mana to block attacks and counterattack, but I still don’t have a staff.

Even Hayun, who joined at the same time as me, has a staff. Just like in the original story, Hayun’s staff was a bouquet.

Something precious to me.

I have quite a few things. What about the gifts Hayun gave me? Well, those would be problematic to fight with in many ways. A CD? How would I fight with that? It’s not like I’m going to throw it at enemies.

Maybe I could make a weapon directly, like Jua who will join later. Of course, I don’t have the skills to make such things myself, so I’d need someone’s help.

…Well, those things don’t matter right now.

Anyway, my sparring with Rose is done with bare fists wrapped in mana, without weapons. I understand why we train this way. It’s easier to learn how to control mana by fighting like this.

“No, is it that your mana has gotten stronger rather than your skill? What’s your secret?”

“…Is there a secret to spinning the Hope Circuit?”

“Well, I guess not.”

I still don’t have a staff.

But then, from what should I draw hope?

…Well, the answer was simple.

Hayun.

Ironically, Hayun was my hope. Of course she was. After coming to this world, besides Jihye whom I’ve known from the beginning, Hayun was the first person I befriended. Just as I had some influence on Hayun, she had an impact on my childhood.

I want to beat Hayun. So, I can’t lose to anyone else.

After all, Hayun is the best Magical Girl.

That’s what I decided in my heart.

“…”

Though I can’t say it out loud to anyone.

“Well, it’s admirable that you don’t give up.”

Rose said with an unexpectedly refreshing smile.

Before I could react to seeing such an expression for the first time—

This time, Rose charged at me first.

“So,”

SMACK!

Intense pain shot through my arm. Even though I raised both hands to guard my face, my body was pushed back.

Somehow managing not to fall, I glared at Rose through a slight opening in my guard.

Seriously, I never attacked while talking to her.

Rose looked down at her fist and then at me.

And once again, she smiled.

“So, let’s play a little more.”

“…Come at me as many times as you want.”

Rose responded to my provocation.

*

I managed to stay standing until Rose said we were done for the day.

Though I was battered, nothing was seriously injured.

Right.

I don’t expect to win right away. After all, being a Magical Girl isn’t something you do for just a day or two.

Rather, little by little. Gradually improving.

Rose chose this training method to increase my mana. If so, I’ll continue fighting and gain better control over it.

There’s still time. I have a bit more to go before I become a Magical Girl.

Thud.

Phew.

I fell flat on my back and exhaled deeply.

“…”

Rose looked at me for a moment, then approached.

She crouched down and ruffled my hair vigorously.

“What the heck?!”

I shouted with an irritated voice. I was already drenched in sweat. Well, I’d shower before going home anyway, but having my hair messed up was annoying.

“Nothing, just…”

Rose removed her hand from my now-messy hair and looked down at me with a grin. This smile wasn’t predatory, but rather one of satisfaction.

“I was just thinking how nice it would be if our junior kept growing well like this.”

When I furrowed my brow, Rose shrugged.

“Why, I need at least one person to play with too.”

I’m serious here.

Did she still think this was just play?

“Well, see you tomorrow.”

Rose smiled at me once more before standing up.

Thump, thump, her footsteps grew distant.

As the training room door opened and Rose was about to leave—

“…Don’t give up like the others.”

I heard her mutter quietly.

Suddenly, I realized I had never seen Rose engage in hand-to-hand combat with other trainees the way she did with me.