Ch.268IF Side Story: From the Beginning (36)

Recently, it seems like Hayun had a fight with her parents.

“Why?”

I was so surprised when I heard this from Hayun that I asked her again.

We weren’t in the lounge where we usually spend our time.

Even though my staff might look simple, it wasn’t made purely of magic but was equipment with delicate mechanisms inside.

Mainly devices that help with mana operation.

I occasionally needed to disassemble it to check the contents, and since I always felt a bit bad about leaving everything to Ju-a, I learned from her how to examine the equipment.

Enough to know what’s broken and how, unless it’s completely damaged beyond repair.

While I was quietly inspecting the equipment in my room, Hayun came to me and after serious contemplation, brought up this topic. I forgot about checking my staff and sat looking at her.

“Didn’t you say your parents were happy after you became a Magical Girl?”

That had been the most positive aspect of Hayun becoming a Magical Girl.

“They were, but…”

Hayun fidgeted with her toes as if debating whether to continue this conversation or not.

“…They said I don’t seem to be the most outstanding one.”

“…”

My expression became a bit blank.

Ah, right.

That’s definitely the kind of people they were. Hayun’s parents.

Before becoming a Magical Girl, Hayun attended quite a few academies. And not all of them were related to studying.

Piano competitions, honestly, unless you’re really dedicated to playing the piano, there’s no reason to participate, right? But Hayun had to try those too. Even when she managed to win awards, her parents never seemed satisfied.

“So, did they tell you to quit?”

“No, not that…!”

Hayun exclaimed in surprise.

“They just told me to take the lead, you know. That’s all.”

“Huh.”

There’s no such thing as leadership among us.

Well, yes. The other girls do like me quite a bit. So my opinion does carry some weight.

But that’s only because I listen to everyone’s opinions before speaking, not because those proud girls would just go along with whatever I want to do.

In the original story, Hayun got along well with the other Magical Girls, which is why she could become their actual leader.

She was also known for fighting well, which made her famous.

It’s the same now. Hayun is famous for being a good fighter. Even if she’s not the top in popularity like in the original story, if we had to rank, Hayun would probably be slightly more popular than me.

But Hayun’s parents, without knowing any of this, want her to be ‘overwhelming.’

“You don’t need to worry too much about it.”

That’s how I answered.

With Hayun’s personality, she wouldn’t have fought with her parents just because of such comments. There must have been… something else said afterward.

Could it be about me?

While the other girls come from fairly well-off families, I’m the only one without such a background.

Could Hayun’s parents have investigated my background and mentioned it?

But there was no such expression on Hayun’s face.

I mean… a look of pity.

I don’t mind if other people have that expression. They’re probably not related to me anyway.

But I didn’t want Hayun to look at me with that expression. That’s why it was a secret.

“You…”

I needed to add something, but I couldn’t think of what to say.

After pondering for a moment, I nodded and placed my hand on top of Hayun’s.

“You’re doing well. Regardless of what your parents say, you’re doing excellently.”

When I said this with a smile, Hayun looked at me with slightly surprised eyes.

Then she nodded with a bright smile.

“Yes!”

*

When working as a Magical Girl, sometimes you have to go on missions alone.

Of course, Cherry isn’t that cruel of a boss. As a Magical Girl mascot, she’s been diligently managing our mental health too.

But human affairs sometimes can’t be helped.

Seo-hee, Yeon-woo, and Chae-yeon all had family matters. According to them, “it’s nothing major.” So rather than significant family events, it’s probably just family gatherings that haven’t happened in a while.

But for teenagers, it can be a bit burdensome to act separately from such family affairs.

And Ju-a mentioned she had some exam. Her family is also overly enthusiastic in many ways, so Ju-a occasionally has days when she can’t make it.

Usually, Hayun would be by my side, but today, even Hayun was absent.

…Could it be because of the conversation about her parents from the other day?

In this situation, it does seem a bit odd for me to go out alone. It’s just that, by coincidence, I was the only one at the Magical Girl headquarters.

“I’m really sorry, Jieun.”

Cherry, perched on my shoulder, said. It’s impressive how she can hold on even as we fly through the sky.

“Normally—”

“No, it’s fine.”

I was the one who suggested going out first and then calling the others if I couldn’t handle it alone.

I didn’t want to disrupt the others’ time. If their conversations get interrupted, then afterward…

…No, should I call them instead?

Maybe I just needed some time to think alone. That’s why I chose to go out by myself without calling the others.

Cherry is with me, but having personal conversations with Cherry isn’t something that happens often.

In the distance, I could see the villains.

As always, one executive and combat troops—

And one particular combat troop I often see was also there.

“Ha!”

The executive laughed loudly, as if making sure I could hear.

“Looks like the Magical Girls’ unity has crumbled! Only one person—”

Hmm, unity, huh?

That’s such nonsense.

If anything, I’m being considerate.

Thinking that, I raised my hammer high above my head.

Alright.

I’ve had a lot to think about and many things annoying me, so let’s just give them a good beating.

Realizing that I was quite angry, the executive let out a “Eek!” and immediately fled. The combat troops beside him also—

—except for one.

Oh ho.

Seems like this one doesn’t have any intention of running away even in this situation?

Alright, let’s fight.

With that thought, I swung my hammer with all my might.

*

And so, the battle ended anticlimactically once again.

Of course, since I was alone, it was a bit less one-sided than usual, but the gap was still too big.

What remained was just one combat troop.

I was swinging my hammer carefully to avoid causing severe injuries, but it’s impressive that they could withstand it and still stand.

And aliens can’t even operate circuits.

“…”

“Jieun?”

“Cherry, is it okay if we call it a day?”

I said as I undid my transformation.

“The executive has gone home, and the combat troops have retreated anyway.”

“Ah, yes, I see.”

Cherry looked back and forth between me and the combat troop but didn’t add anything. Thoughtful Cherry seemed to have noticed that I was a bit tired today.

“Then, home—”

“It’s not late enough for the last train to have stopped, so I’ll go by myself.”

“Okay, be careful.”

Even though one combat troop was staring at us, Cherry didn’t seem particularly worried.

Because I’m a Magical Girl.

Cherry pressed something like a remote control, and soon boarded a small UFO-like object that had flown over, then departed.

I watched Cherry for a while before turning around.

“…”

When I stared at the combat troop, they seemed a bit flustered.

Maybe they don’t have a mouth? I’m not being sarcastic; some aliens genuinely don’t have mouths and communicate in different ways.

Funnily enough, I don’t remember any of the other combat troops, but I do remember this one. I’ve been seeing this one for quite a while.

From my first real battle until now.

So there’s a kind of internal familiarity. Not enough to trust them completely, though.

But, how should I put it?

I thought this one seemed a bit more taciturn than the others. While I don’t know if the others get replaced or not, this one doesn’t.

I trudged over to a nearby vending machine and got a coffee.

Then I sat down in a suitable spot nearby. There was a bench, conveniently.

As I poured and drank my coffee, the combat troop hesitantly approached.

And sat down a bit away from me.

“What, are you one of those combat troops who actually like Magical Girls?”

I asked, but the combat troop didn’t answer.

I’ve heard such stories before.

To see a Magical Girl up close, you either have to attend the same school or become a combat troop.

…Ironically, that’s not wrong.

This familiarity I feel is for that reason too.

Well, I can’t have too serious a conversation, but sometimes I did wish for a friend who doesn’t say anything.

Someone I’ve never had a proper conversation with might be okay, right?

I just silently drank my coffee.

They just silently sat there.

We stayed like that for quite a while.