Ch.300IF Side Story: From the Beginning (68)

# Enhanced Translation

I’ll be honest—our operation was half a failure.

The reason I say “half” is simple. Originally, this was supposed to be a covert mission where we couldn’t afford to be discovered.

The reason we infiltrated from above in the middle of the night was because the Federation wanted us to retrieve that item “secretly.”

Even the Federation couldn’t have seriously expected us to get it out completely undetected. They must have at least anticipated we’d be discovered inside.

Even if a big fight broke out inside, as long as we disappeared without being seen by reporters, it would just be the company’s word against nothing.

The problem was that we exited through the first floor and were completely exposed.

“Well, at least we accomplished what we needed to.”

After showering at headquarters, I tossed and caught the “core” I’d retrieved with one hand as I spoke.

It was already late at night. Even if we headed home now, it would be dawn by the time we arrived, and we still had things to discuss.

Cherry was busy working even at this late hour.

It looked like I’d have to spend the night at headquarters for the first time in a while, but I felt good, like I’d finally resolved something that had been bothering me.

The operation was “half” a failure.

At least we retrieved the “objective.”

Now that we had it, the Federation wouldn’t likely try to take it back.

“…If I had perfected my teleportation magic…”

Ju-a spoke with a slightly guilty voice.

That was the magic she’d been researching recently.

It was magic she used in the original work, but in this world, Ju-a seemed to be researching it more carefully, perhaps because of my influence. Rather than a spell that could send anyone anywhere, she was trying to develop a more proper personal teleportation magic.

“It’s okay. Magic development isn’t our mission anyway, right?”

I patted Ju-a’s shoulder as I spoke.

…I’m not sure why Ju-a became so cautious despite being influenced by “me.”

She says incomplete magic hurts when it hits you, but still, there’s nothing better than teleportation for emergency escapes.

Well, creating magic is Ju-a’s job, not mine to meddle with.

“You look refreshed.”

Seo-hee, who had also just showered, plopped down in the seat across from me.

She looked a bit tired too, though not as much as when she’d faced the Kaijin.

“Yeah, well. I said everything I wanted to say.”

When I answered, Seo-hee and Ju-a blinked.

Then they stared at my face.

“What?”

“No, it’s just… when did you get so close to that alien?”

“When? It wasn’t that long ago. I found her collapsed on the street and helped her.”

“Huh? She looked underage. Isn’t she about our age?”

“She is. But she was intoxicated by caffeine, not alcohol, since she’s an alien.”

“…”

Seo-hee and Ju-a blinked again at my words.

“You haven’t known each other long, but she did all that for you… and even got kidnapped?”

Seo-hee asked.

“…I guess.”

I leaned back deeply into the sofa. My excited mood subsided a little.

I may have blown off the executive’s limbs, but I still didn’t get a proper answer.

When I asked where she was, answering “far away” doesn’t tell me anything.

“I don’t think the length of time matters,” I said, staring at the ceiling.

“It’s the same with you guys.”

“We’ve known each other for years.”

“That’s right. We’ve built up all that time together.”

“No, I mean before that. When we first met.”

I looked at Seo-hee and Ju-a with a slight smile.

“Seo-hee, you were… well, you were more friendly than the others, but you were still a bit prickly, weren’t you?”

“…”

“It didn’t take us that long to become friends.”

That’s right.

Like classmates who become friends by sitting near each other, that’s how Seo-hee and I became close.

We grew close naturally by training and sparring together.

It definitely didn’t take years.

“And from then on, we went to karaoke together, ate meals together. You even initiated physical contact quite often.”

“D-did I? I don’t really remember…”

In a rare moment, Seo-hee blushed and darted her eyes around.

“You did.”

I answered with an incredulous look.

But I didn’t dislike it.

I enjoyed becoming friends with the magical girls. I also disliked making Hayun uncomfortable.

In the end, they only acted for my sake, but I think the result was definitely good.

“Ju-a… you followed me from the beginning.”

“I did!”

Ju-a’s eyes sparkled as she exclaimed.

“I’ve always admired you!”

“…But when you joined, I wasn’t even properly active as a magical girl.”

“That’s not it!”

Ju-a got angry at my words.

Wait, why?

“That’s what I thought after I came! Because you were more passionate than anyone!”

“…”

Was I?

Honestly, I’m the type who likes the perks more than the magical girl work itself. Not that I dislike the job—

“I’m here because I like you all.”

“…What?”

“Huh?”

Seo-hee and Ju-a froze.

“Jieun?”

I heard another voice from behind me.

Turning around, I saw Hayun, who had just finished showering, staring at me with wide eyes. It was an expression the usual Hayun would never make, which was a bit scary.

Wait, why?

I felt refreshed after saying everything I wanted to say, but I don’t understand why everyone around me keeps getting upset.

“What did you mean just now?”

Hayun asked as she strode over.

I floated a question mark above my head.

“I said I’m here because I like you all.”

“So… including me?”

Hayun’s face suddenly changed again. This time her cheeks turned slightly pink.

“Of course.”

Well, beyond that.

Since Hayun was the one who brought me here, she’s a bit special. I like her as a magical girl and as a friend, but it’s not simply because she’s “a magical girl” or “a childhood friend.”

How should I put this…

It’s hard to express, but… I like her because I like her. Without any particular reason.

…Even I couldn’t say something that cheesy out loud.

“Heh.”

Hayun made a silly sound and sat down next to me.

Seo-hee stared at Hayun and me. So did Ju-a.

It was an expression I hadn’t seen often lately because we’d been busy. It’s been a while. I still don’t understand why.

“Wait a minute.”

As Hayun sat beside me, someone else interrupted our conversation.

It was Yeon-woo.

“…”

And Chae-yeon too.

Both of them stared at me as they walked toward us. I was worried they might trip over something, but fortunately, the floor was clean.

“Are you saying you only like those three?”

“What are you talking about? Of course I like all of you.”

I frowned.

These girls sometimes seem obsessed with the nuances of words. Maybe it’s because they’re all smart.

I don’t know if they’re trying to make a point about how one wrong word in a contract can completely change its meaning, but honestly, it gets annoying sometimes.

“Hmm.”

Seo-hee said that and sat down in the remaining chair with a haughty expression. She crossed her legs, rested her elbow on her knee, and propped her chin on her hand.

“…”

Chae-yeon approached expressionlessly as always and took a seat.

She sat properly, but her gaze was also fixed on me.

The subtle gazes of all the magical girls were simultaneously directed at me.

For someone who hadn’t done anything wrong, this felt rather unfair.

…Well.

If you asked whether I did anything wrong during the operation, I wouldn’t have much to say. I was the one making most of the noise, and when our path was blocked, I was the one who suggested running toward the lower floors where combatants were coming up.

I could be blamed for immediately encountering reporters who appeared out of nowhere as soon as we came outside.

And I was the one who had to say something to those reporters instead of just passing by.

But somehow, I didn’t think that was why they were looking at me like this.

“What? Do you dislike that I like you?”

When I asked honestly, the girls looked a bit flustered.

This is also a solution I’ve figured out on my own. These girls are quite sensitive to my emotions.

It might sound a bit manipulative to use that, but what can I do? It’s necessary to escape the feeling of being a herbivore surrounded by carnivores.

“I see. You don’t like that I like you… I guess it could be uncomfortable to hear something like that from someone of the same gender.”

“N-no, no, no!”

Hayun panicked the most.

Sitting right next to me, she suddenly hugged me tightly. It was a soft, warm embrace, but a bit strong due to her surprise.

Not that I minded.

“That’s not it, no. I’m happy, Jieun.”

“Really?”

The expressions of the others changed completely when they saw Hayun hugging me. From surprised to somewhat angry.

Then they all jumped up from their seats and rushed toward me.

In the end, I was completely surrounded by hugs. I couldn’t move at all.

It was stifling, but it felt nice.

…

Yeah.

Despite feeling refreshed and all that.

Maybe I needed some comfort after all.