Ch.248IF Side Story: From the Beginning (16)

“That’s great!”

Ju-a’s eyes sparkled as she exclaimed at my idea.

I had casually thrown out a suggestion since Ju-a seemed so excited about the upcoming Christmas party, and she immediately took the bait.

What I talked about was, of course, about wands.

Should I be honest?

I think I’m a bit different from the other magical girls. I’m training passionately in my own way, and I believe my skills are improving accordingly.

According to the magical girls, transformation itself happens naturally as long as you have enough magical power, so I wasn’t too worried about that part.

However, I still couldn’t figure out how to create my own wand.

In comics, while transformation isn’t explained in detail, wands are given significant attention. They’re magical objects formed based on something related to your dream, something you’ve actually possessed before.

Since their very existence is a manifestation of magical power, they’re helpful in battle. They can be used in various ways, not just for their strength—like slicing through armor and weapons without harming the person, for example.

I don’t necessarily need that level of versatility, but I thought it would be good to have at least one device that could focus and channel my magical power.

That’s the idea I shared with Ju-a.

“Even if you’re not planning to make a wand right away, you could adapt it into a device! Plus, you could make various types!”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

But isn’t she getting too excited?

Isn’t this something anyone could think of? In fact, aliens use magical power as weapons too. Actually, most alien military weapons run on magical power, as they operate various equipment with materials infused with magical energy.

“Since you have incredible innate magical power, having a weapon that can focus and use that power would be much more efficient. You could make disposable control devices in cartridge form and swap them out.”

I offered advice anyway. The sooner Ju-a gets her weapon, the less guilty I’ll feel about asking her to make one for me.

…Well, I still feel a bit guilty. It feels like I’m just using her.

So, to ease my conscience a little, I added:

“And, if you’re going to make one, could I watch? I don’t have a wand yet either, so I’d like to study how they’re made.”

“Sure!”

Once again, Ju-a accepted my request far too easily.

Feeling even more guilty, I briefly looked away into the distance before turning back to Ju-a.

“But, I’m not… very good at that kind of thing. Even if I try to learn by watching, I might just get in your way.”

That’s right. Because my conscience hurts, I’m adding that you might end up doing most of the work if you accept.

Though it seems like the longer I talk, the more pathetic I sound.

“That’s okay.”

Ju-a nodded.

“Senior Jieun.”

“…No, we’re the same age, so you don’t need to call me senior.”

I don’t want to be treated like a senior just because of a few months’ difference. It’s not the military. In the workplace, skill differences usually only matter when there are years between people.

Besides, I’m still in training too.

At my words, Ju-a smiled even more brightly. I have no idea which part of what I just said touched her so deeply.

“Effort.”

“Huh?”

“Since I’ve been here, I’ve seen Senior Jieun constantly putting in effort. Even with your talent, you don’t just leave it be.”

“Oh, no…”

It’s more like I’ve been showing off because I want to win. Well, I’m happy if she sees it positively.

“Even when you have shortcomings, you don’t just give up! I’m sure you’ll be able to make a wand later too!”

“Oh, yeah, you think so.”

Somehow more overwhelmed by her calm tone now than her energetic responses earlier, I answered somewhat awkwardly.

“That’s why I like that you want to learn alongside me. It means you’re not giving up. Not everyone can become an expert, but your attitude of wanting to learn is admirable!”

I decided not to say anything more. Somehow I felt like if I spoke, I’d reveal too much.

Instead, I just pretended to listen attentively to Ju-a’s words.

“Actually, I don’t know anything about this either, but if we learn together, I’m sure we can make something useful! That’s the starting point!”

Does she have some kind of grudge against effort?

Actually, she seems like the most suitable person among us for this. Perhaps, despite her mature appearance, she really loves being a magical girl.

If she had constantly admired idols since childhood and then was selected by an agency to become a trainee herself, well, I could understand that.

I was the same way.

I admired magical girls too, which is why I nodded eagerly when Cherry, whom Hayun introduced me to, asked me to join.

“Hmm, alright.”

I nodded.

“I’m counting on you.”

“Yes!”

Watching Ju-a nod with a smile, I took a sip of my grape soda and glanced at her hair.

It was still straight. It even seemed like she’d grown it a bit longer.

I wonder when she’ll start wearing a ponytail?

As I was thinking this and looking away, I was startled when my eyes met a pair of pink eyes staring intently at me.

Hayun was sitting next to me, so close she was almost touching me, looking right at me.

“Jieun.”

“Uh, yes?”

Hayun called me with such intensity that I responded somewhat timidly.

“I know a lot about that stuff too.”

“…Oh, yeah.”

Indeed, she did. Hayun was a top student wherever she went. She had the best grades in the classes we took here too.

Magical girls don’t have grade distinctions. We’re all just magical girls.

In the first place, research in this field was still in its infancy, so even if you delved into it professionally, there were far more unknown areas.

Besides, as I said before, unless there’s a difference of several years, workplace colleagues’ skills are all pretty similar. That’s true unless it’s extremely specialized work.

In such situations, exceptionally talented people tend to stand out.

“I can help too.”

Hayun looked at me with a very passionate gaze as she spoke. It was almost a whisper, but she was close enough that her breath touched me, so I could hear her voice very clearly.

“Oh, yeah. Then… will you help?”

“Yes!”

When I spoke, Hayun exclaimed with a bright smile. It was like flowers blooming on her face. Like cherry blossoms blooming about four months early.

“Is that okay?”

“Yes, of course.”

Ju-a’s eyes sparkled even more. Phew, it seems her relationship with Hayun is similar to mine.

Well, I don’t think I’ve created any negative relationships here. That’s one thing I’m proud of.

That I could have a positive impact in this world.

Even if I was the only one who knew about it.

Seeing Hayun humming happily as she bit into a cookie, I let out a small sigh of relief.

Well, then, I guess the wand is secured.

From now on, I should focus on gathering magical power to transform.

*

January 1st.

Whenever I think about it, Christmas is in such a peculiar position.

December 31st and January 1st are often grouped together as the year-end and new year. And if we’re being precise, that day is closer to waiting for the beginning of a new year rather than the end of the old one.

Rather, it’s because of Christmas, which comes about a week before the new year, that we become more conscious of the “year-end” period.

Naturally, I spent December 31st with Jihye. Even in my past life, there was a sense that this time should be spent with family.

“Happy New Year!”

“Oh, you too, Jihye.”

We clinked our cans together and exchanged New Year’s greetings.

Since we’re not old enough to drink alcohol yet, we bought soda and snacks, turned on a broadcast on our phones, and tried to stay up until midnight before falling asleep.

The next morning, we went out together. And Hayun too.

No, not just Hayun, but also Seo-hee, Yeon-woo, and Ju-a.

It seems I’ve somehow made this many friends.

Jihye seemed a bit displeased, but her expression softened a bit when Seo-hee and Yeon-woo gave her autographs.

We had a fun first day of the new year. We ate at a nice place, sang at a karaoke room, and chatted at a cafe.

Jihye, who seemed a bit awkward at first, was soon mingling well with the others, talking and having fun.

However, Delphinium wasn’t there.

It’s not that we didn’t invite her. She just didn’t come.

I felt somewhat upset about that.

I didn’t know I was this greedy when it came to people.

…No, I mean, it feels uncomfortable, like we’re excluding her.