Ch.306IF Side Story: From the Beginning (74)

One fortunate thing about Magical Girls is that they’re genuinely kind.

Sometimes they were peculiar in strange ways, oddly oblivious, or did things I couldn’t understand—but I decided to overlook that, thinking it was just because they were innocent.

So naturally, they treated Jihye well too.

Actually, Jihye had interacted with Magical Girls before.

Jihye was much more sociable than me, so I thought she’d quickly make friends with the new girls. From what I’d heard about her school, she seemed to have many friends.

But in reality, Jihye hadn’t become very close with the Magical Girls. At least, not as close as Pang Pang, who happily chatted with Hayun and me.

Still, she was my guest, and we’d be spending the next few days together.

The other girls were making an effort to talk to Jihye.

They were cracking light jokes and offering her grilled meat. Jihye, though a bit flustered, was gradually blending in with them.

“…It’s quiet, isn’t it?” Hayun asked, suddenly appearing beside me.

“Is it?”

I looked at the chattering girls. Laughter erupted around Jihye, who seemed to have grown comfortable enough to make jokes that amused everyone.

It didn’t seem particularly quiet to me.

“Not them. Over there,” she said.

“Ah.”

I turned my head again.

I’d heard that Seoul was considered one of the major cities. With a population exceeding 9 million, the city was filled with towering buildings that seemed to pierce the sky.

Even if that vast space were packed with just 4-5 story buildings, there would be an incredible number of people. But there were countless buildings much taller than that. So many that they were visible even from here.

But even Seoul has mountains.

Actually, I’d heard that for a city of this size, it has quite a few mountains. And this headquarters is located in one of those mountainous areas.

Even in Seoul, it’s rare to see a neighborhood wedged between mountains. The land was quite spacious, and of course, it was packed with tall apartment buildings, but right in the middle of our view, another mountain stood prominently, making the space between our mountain and that one look particularly narrow.

Despite Seoul’s brilliant lights—or perhaps because of them.

The mountainous areas were dim, but the light flowing between them looked like a river.

In the distance, I could see cars passing by. If I narrowed my eyes and looked carefully, I could even see people walking between buildings.

Since our building was located further up the mountainside, not many people were visible in the immediate vicinity… but I could see people wandering through residential areas and others in what appeared to be a bustling district in the distance.

Surely some of them were talking loudly. It was the weekend, a good time to get drunk.

But even such scenes, when viewed from afar like this, seemed silent. I could hear cars passing, dogs barking in the distance, and occasionally what sounded like someone shouting excitedly, but strangely, at this hour, even those sounds seemed somehow empty.

“You’re right.”

I think I understand what Hayun meant by “quiet.”

“It’s been a while.”

“…”

Ah, that’s right.

How long has it been since we were together like this?

I’ve been too busy since becoming a Magical Girl. Not so much with work, but with spending time with my suddenly expanded network—no, friends.

Hayun rarely got depressed anymore, so there was little reason for me to take her somewhere quiet to comfort her. If anything, I’ve had many more incidents where my mental state was shaken.

Perhaps that’s why we’ve hardly had any “quiet moments alone together” lately.

Another burst of laughter came from behind us.

Actually, come to think of it, we haven’t really changed locations.

The rooftop was spacious, so being near the railing put us at some distance from the party area.

“I’m glad. They look like they’re having fun.”

“Yeah, they do.”

Hayun said this and then fidgeted, moving her body restlessly.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s just…”

When I asked, Hayun rolled her eyes around and scratched her cheek.

“Well… it’s been a while.”

Yes, we just talked about that.

Oh.

I realized a bit belatedly.

When I took Hayun to quiet places, we weren’t just doing nothing.

I’m not sure who leaned in first, but before I knew it, I’d be stroking her hair, holding her hand, or embracing her.

I don’t think it’s strange. Maybe not the head patting, but hugging is something girls can do with each other.

“…”

I reached out and placed my hand on Hayun’s shoulder.

It was more like a side-hug than a full embrace, but Hayun’s restless movements subsided.

Could she really have wanted this?

…

I see.

Yes, Hayun must have been tired and stressed in many ways too.

Being a Magical Girl isn’t always easy. It’s a job where you sometimes have to fight people, face monsters, or battle against the largest corporation in this country.

Just recently, I almost had my life ruined, and we even infiltrated that company’s building in what amounted to a brawl.

I was shot multiple times inside. If it weren’t for magic, I would have been seriously injured or dead.

I’m starting to wonder if I’m the problem for not being more concerned about these things.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“Yeah… you too, Jieun.”

When I spoke, Hayun responded.

Truthfully, the hard work is far from over. Noir Corporation… isn’t a company that will disappear easily.

Honestly, I don’t think it will disappear before I retire. If anything, the Federation might abandon this country and leave.

So my short-term goal is simply to get Pang Pang out.

And after that… well, just fighting as usual.

I’m not sure how long we can keep this up.

“…”

Hayun leaned her body toward me, as if reassured. Even though it’s been years since she became a Magical Girl, she still seems to long for my embrace.

Perhaps I comforted her too earnestly in the past.

“Hey, Jieun—”

“What are you two doing?”

Just as Hayun was about to say something, an angry-sounding voice interrupted.

When I turned around, I saw green eyes glowing fiercely.

“…Jihye?”

As Hayun and I turned, Jihye stared at my hand on Hayun’s shoulder.

Feeling like I should remove it, I tried, but Hayun had already wrapped both arms tightly around my waist, just like Chaeyeon and Yeonwoo had done, and showed no intention of letting go.

Behind Jihye, other Magical Girls gathered.

“What’s going on?”

“…”

“Jieun… what exactly are you doing?”

“Jieun, you…”

Seohee looked at me and trembled for some reason. She was definitely a year older than me and had been acting as the leader until Hayun and I joined, but sometimes she had these strangely childish moments.

“You finally made a move on Hayun.”

“What on earth are you talking about?”

I asked, bewildered.

“Hah!”

Suddenly Jihye shouted and rushed toward me.

And buried herself in my arms.

Of course, Hayun was still clinging to me, so Jihye’s position became awkward.

“…”

Hayun slightly raised her head and stared at Jihye.

Their gazes clashed intensely.

Within my embrace.

Seriously, what did I do wrong?

It’s fine if they want to have a staring contest, but I’d prefer if they did it away from me.

Besides, I don’t understand why Jihye is acting this way with Hayun. Does she want to be a Magical Girl too? But if so, shouldn’t she feel competitive toward me? Like how I felt somewhat inferior to Hayun.

…Well, Jihye isn’t really that type of person.

“What’s going on here?!”

Seohee shouted and then simply rushed toward me.

And hugged me.

Naturally, since Jihye and Hayun were already clinging to me, Seohee’s position became even more awkward than Jihye’s.

Ah, I get it now.

This must be a hidden camera prank.

I looked around to see if anyone was holding a smartphone, but no one was.

“That’s not fair!”

Jua exclaimed indignantly and rushed over.

“You think I’m going to miss out?”

Yeonwoo did the same.

“…”

Chaeyeon approached me without saying a word.

So, in the end, I was surrounded from all sides.

When I came to my senses, I was so tightly held that I couldn’t move. If it had been just one person, I might have managed somehow.

“…What are you all doing?”

You all smell like meat.

It’s obvious my clothes will be completely permeated with the smell.

I thought the weather was a bit cool after sunset, but apparently not.

My body was already drenched in sweat.