Ch.320IF Side Story: From the Beginning (88)

I always felt a sense of frustration.

In my past life, I might not have accomplished anything particularly remarkable.

I had only worked a little bit. And even that wasn’t proper employment—just part-time jobs and short stints here and there.

After returning from military service, I belatedly went back to the school I had taken a leave from, but I couldn’t easily keep up since the gap in my learning period was almost as long as the time it takes for a high school student to enter and graduate.

But still, I think I tried hard.

I pulled at my hair trying to keep up with other students’ studies, and I made an effort to earn my own living expenses.

So even if what I had built might seem insignificant to others…

To be honest, I was somewhat proud of it.

All of that turned to nothing when I crossed over to this world.

Though modest, the evidence of my efforts no longer remained. Family, friends—all gone. I simply became a child with nothing in my hands.

Well.

I’ve gained many things as I’ve grown up here.

Jihye became my sister. Even after our first meeting when we fought and I behaved badly, Jihye consistently remained by my side.

The same goes for Hayun. Despite living in a world so different from mine, and having the option to become a magical girl without me, Hayun invited me to become a magical girl too.

I’ve made many other friends as well. Things I can no longer bear to lose have filled my arms and heart to the brim.

But still, I continued to feel frustrated somewhere inside.

The reason I came to this world.

I still couldn’t accept it. If there really were a god, if there truly were a being with consciousness who placed me here, I wish they would just laugh at me. Then I could proudly declare that I lived this way and I’m satisfied with it.

As if knowing that’s what I want, that being doesn’t show any sign of existing.

No, that’s what makes it even more frightening. That my arrival here might truly be just a coincidence. That I simply happened to die and be reborn in this world.

I’m greedy.

Even the things I gained through others’ help, I wanted to paint over with my own efforts and make them truly mine.

Hayun created a magical girl position for me, but within that role, I wanted to become someone truly worthy of being a magical girl, to make it seem like I had earned that position through my own power. I wanted to somehow win the children’s favor and create a reason for me to be there.

“Haa, haa…”

Have I done well?

I still don’t know. Whether even this was something someone else wanted. Or something I wanted.

Even when reading webtoons and leaving comments, was I really disappointed in the comic, or was I just tired from studying and working part-time, merely jealous of someone who had achieved their dream of serializing a comic?

I really don’t know.

“…”

Looking at the fallen kaijin, I thought.

But still. I have no choice but to keep moving forward.

The connections that have filled my arms are connections precisely because I cannot discard them. As I said, I’m greedy.

People say that connections come and go, so there’s no need to worry too much about them, but well, I don’t want to agree.

I want to know the children around me for my entire life. Even if we drift apart after marriage, I want to occasionally meet for meals, go on outings, and share drinks together.

And for that to happen, not a single one can be left behind. Yes, every single one must remain by my side. Right?

Because if they’re near Jupiter, I can’t just meet them for coffee whenever I think of them.

“Phew.”

I exhaled.

There was some blood on my white clothes. I tried to brush it off with my hand, but it only smeared. Despite being clothes forcibly created by magic, they still stain so easily.

The other girls were also breathing heavily.

“What were those things doing…”

They say kaijin aren’t at fault, but no matter what, it’s impossible not to harbor some resentment toward an opponent you’ve fought.

This wasn’t a match in a ring with protective gear—the opponent truly tried to kill us.

“More importantly,” said Ju-a.

“This thing in their chest is a circuit, right? How can kaijin operate circuits?”

We fell silent.

Earth humans cannot become kaijin. That’s the characteristic. Since kaijin are created when mana in the body abnormally reacts with Earth humans’ emotions, conversely, Earth humans without mana have no reason to become kaijin.

This kaijin did have a circuit embedded right in the middle of its chest, but…

No, maybe it has nothing to do with the circuit. Rather, this life form itself seems to be… specially created.

Either way, it’s the worst scenario for Earth humans.

“Let’s resolve this situation quickly,” said Ju-a, and we all nodded.

“I’ll take care of this,” Cherry said.

“Will you be okay? There are so many kaijin.”

“Once they faint, they rarely get up again. We just need to quickly load them onto the Federation spaceship and take them outside the atmosphere… Once they’re far from Earth humans’ emotions, at least their appearance should return to normal.”

Cherry answered my question with a serious expression.

Then, looking up at me, she said:

“Hurry and go. Even though the ship’s departure is slow, the timing is getting precarious now. Oh, right.”

As if remembering something, Cherry floated into the air. Riding what looked like a UFO-like equipment that she only used when absolutely necessary.

Riding that equipment, she quickly flew to her room and soon returned with something like a small backpack.

The backpack had a somewhat angular design. Rather than a backpack, it felt more like… a mechanical device itself.

Looking at that snow-white, sharply angled backpack, I recalled something.

“…A generator?”

“Yes. The Federation still hasn’t taken it, so I made it to help you guys instead.”

I received it and put it on my back.

“Thank you. It will be a great help.”

We could take turns using it if necessary. Like we did last time.

“By now, the ship should be taking off. It will take a bit more time to leave the atmosphere, but if you’re too late, you’ll be in danger too.”

The ship apparently shot up from below the complex.

Since it forcibly broke through the ground, there seems to be quite a bit of damage to the exterior. That’s probably why we still have time even after defeating the kaijin.

My friends and I looked at each other.

And nodded.

“Ju-a, looks like you’ll have to work hard again.”

When I said this with a bitter smile, Ju-a’s face turned slightly red for some reason.

“No, it’s what I should do. I studied hard for this skill to use in situations like this…”

That warp technology, too.

“You’re amazing, really.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Ju-a said, twisting her body even more.

Without further conversation, we quickly gathered in one place.

Ju-a removed the fuse from her gun and inserted a new one. Click. The gun was loaded, and its barrel pointed toward the sky.

“Let’s go. This time too, we’ll probably be slammed hard onto the floor.”

Ju-a said.

We held onto each other tightly. I could feel the bare skin of Hayun’s arm next to mine.

Hayun’s pink eyes were looking at me.

In those eyes, I could see Hayun’s characteristic firm resolve.

Always gentle and thus often hurt, but inside there is a clear soul that never wavers. Drawn to such a Hayun, I was here even now.

I’m not sure if the situation has improved because of me or worsened, but even if it’s the latter, Hayun would never give up on me.

Ju-a pulled the trigger.

A purple beam shot up into the sky, then split in all directions.

It scattered over our heads, and the scene before our eyes changed.

*

This time, we didn’t roll on the ground. We had all experienced it once before so we could prepare somewhat, and above all, we were holding onto each other tightly so there was no chance of wobbling. Maybe Ju-a herself had gotten a better feel for it too.

The sound of wind was strong. And, above all, it was a bit cold. At the same time, it was hot.

We had arrived at a precarious moment, just in time.

We all looked at each other and signaled that we understood the situation. Only Jihye seemed a bit more flustered.

Holding one of Jihye’s hands, I followed Seo-hee, who had started moving first.

I heard a humming sound from behind me.

The sound of the generator running.

It must be running on not just my emotions, but also Jihye’s who was following right behind me, and Hayun’s who was sticking close to my side.

…Indeed, just like magical girls.

It was somewhat amazing that they didn’t lose hope even in this situation.

We quickly found the entrance door.

Perhaps because the altitude wasn’t too high yet, we were able to break down the door itself.

Rolling in, we jumped to our feet.

“…”

I gripped my hammer tightly.

Yes.

Let’s see that face.

I’ve been wanting to smash it at least once.