Ch.294IF Side Story: From the Beginning (62)

The orphanage building was in better condition than I expected, but it wasn’t suitable for everyone to return today.

The structure itself was fine except for some minor cracks in the concrete exterior.

The problem was that many of the windows throughout the building were completely shattered.

If the children went inside carelessly, they could get hurt, and even if they managed to enter safely, they might injure themselves when leaving their rooms in the morning.

But cleaning up all the broken glass wasn’t an easy task either. Most of the children living at the orphanage were much younger than me. We couldn’t ask them to clean up glass shards.

A few teachers and some kids around my age would have to handle everything… Even if we cleaned everything up late into the night, we’d need to check multiple times before we could safely let the children back inside.

“…I’m sorry.”

“No, no, Jieun.”

When I apologized to the teacher, that was her response.

Certainly, the Kaijin appearing was just bad luck. There happened to be an alien nearby who could potentially transform, and that alien became a Kaijin.

But the fact that the Combatants arrived before me…

I can fly. And it’s not like we were in Busan or on some distant island.

Yet I arrived at the orphanage too late. By the time I got there, the Combatants had already evacuated all the children.

…What if.

Just what if.

What if Noir Corporation orchestrated this to make the people around me take their side?

I hated myself a little for having such paranoid thoughts even in this situation.

Anyway, we needed to reorganize the building as soon as the sun rose tomorrow. Fortunately, some areas had intact windows, so we decided to have all the children sleep in those sections for now.

“Jihye.”

After putting the children to bed and finishing various cleanup tasks, I was finally able to go back to Jihye.

“Yes, Jieun.”

Jihye gave me a bright smile. That expression seemed forced, like she was trying hard to appear cheerful for my sake, which made me feel sad.

“Are you really not hurt anywhere?”

“No…”

Jihye nodded as she answered.

Only then could I finally let out a deep sigh.

“…”

Today, all the other Magical Girls had followed me here to help. Even at this late hour.

And…

In the distance.

There was that woman who claimed to be my mother.

Since we needed all the help we could get, I ended up accepting her assistance too. Actually, before I could say anything, she had already gotten permission from the teachers and was inside the building, diligently sweeping with a broom.

“…”

Looking back and forth between them in the same place, I could sense more of Jihye’s aura. I thought this might just be my imagination. Strange convictions can often cloud one’s vision.

After a moment of hesitation, I finally headed toward her.

“Thank you.”

That’s how I greeted her. Her name was Jeong So-yeon. She had the same surname as us.

If we had a mother but no father, we would certainly have grown up with that surname. I don’t know whether the person who first found us knew our family name or not.

“Oh, no, I…”

So-yeon seemed flustered by my words. She waved her hands frantically, then glanced at Jihye standing beside me.

I didn’t really want to introduce them.

It was just another manifestation of my selfishness.

The reason I wished I had no family was because I didn’t like the idea of someone suddenly appearing after all this time, trying to constrain me.

At first, I thought this feeling was like those who run away from home.

Leaving for a place where no one could directly interfere with me, living freely. Meeting with my friends, some of us sharing apartments together—that’s the life I dreamed of.

But thinking about it again, I simply didn’t want to lose the people around me to others.

Whether it’s me leaving or the children around me departing, it’s still a loss. …Even if it’s because of real family. Or even if it’s because they found someone they love and get married.

I’m really awful, aren’t I?

Inwardly laughing bitterly, I forced a smile and said:

“This is Jihye.”

“Pardon?”

Ms. Jeong seemed a bit surprised by my sudden introduction. Jihye wasn’t as startled. Actually, her reaction was more natural. Ms. Jeong was just overly timid, though it wasn’t her fault—she had lied to me before, claiming to be my mother.

“She shares my room. I’ve mentioned her several times.”

“Ah.”

Only after my explanation did Ms. Jeong nod.

“She has the same surname as me. We grew up like sisters.”

Neither was a complete stranger to the other. This person had already met me several times when visiting the orphanage. We had even greeted each other.

But this was the first time they were properly introduced to each other.

Neither Jihye nor Ms. Jeong seemed to notice anything unusual. Perhaps because one of them was looking at her own face, or maybe they simply didn’t think they looked alike just by facing each other.

That’s fine for now.

It’s not really my place to interfere anyway. Until they notice something and confirm it themselves, I had no intention of bringing it up first.

…This too was probably just because I didn’t want to let Jihye go.

“Thank you for staying so late today.”

“Thank you!”

When I thanked her again, Ms. Jeong awkwardly returned the gesture.

She would probably come back even if I didn’t call her. Even knowing we weren’t blood-related.

…So I thought I couldn’t completely dislike her.

The teachers came over to speak with us. They seemed to be going around thanking the outside helpers.

While Ms. Jeong was talking with the teacher, I took Jihye and left.

Next, I needed to thank the Magical Girls.

“Thank you so much.”

I felt more comfortable with these girls. We were already close enough to entrust our safety to each other.

…Sometimes close enough to do politically risky things together.

“That’s what friends are for.”

Seo-hee spoke first, and the others nodded, each adding their own comments.

“Don’t worry about it too much,” Yeon-woo said, and Ju-a smiled, saying, “Not helping in this situation would have been too cruel.” “…Right. It’s only natural,” Chae-yeon answered, which made me feel a little better.

Next time, someday.

If there’s something I can help with, I’ll do it.

“Jieun.”

Hayun called out to me.

“Are you okay?”

Well.

To be honest, not really. Too much had happened today. I was also a bit scared about what might come up tomorrow.

But what happened has already happened. Next time… I’ll just have to go with the flow.

“…What are you going to do? There might be some spare rooms.”

“Oh, no.”

Hayun shook her head at my words.

“We’ll head back now. If we stay, the teachers and children will probably worry about us.”

“I see.”

I appreciated those words. The other girls were all nodding seriously too.

“Then…”

Hayun paused briefly, then reached out to hold my hands.

“Then, Jieun. See you tomorrow.”

Why did those words make me feel so relieved?

My circuit started spinning a little faster at those words.

I wonder if Hayun actually knows when my circuit activates?

If she does know, I just hope she doesn’t understand too deeply.

After saying goodbye, my friends flew away like proper Magical Girls. Each in their own direction… dispersing.

All of them, toward the wealthy homes across the street.

I stared blankly at their departing figures, then muttered:

“I want to sleep a little.”

I laughed bitterly.

Looking down, I saw Jihye staring at me with her mouth slightly open.

“What? Is there something strange on my face?”

“No, no. Just…”

“Just?”

“Just… you look exhausted.”

Jihye answered my question somewhat evasively.

I shrugged.

There was a lot to think about, but I was getting too tired even to use my brain.

Honestly, I’ve reached my limit now.

I trudged along, and Jihye quickly came to my side to walk with me.

After bowing to the teachers, I walked through the quiet hallway where all the children had already gone inside.

The wind was blowing in through the broken windows. After hours of cleaning, at least there were no visible glass shards.

Jihye and I entered our room.

Too exhausted to bathe properly, I just washed my face and hair before changing clothes.

Without even drying my hair completely, I laid out the blanket and collapsed onto it. It would be damp in the morning, but whatever.

I just wanted to sleep now.

I didn’t even have time to check if Jihye had lain down beside me before darkness covered my vision.

When I opened my eyes again, it was morning.