Ch.5050. Since When Were You Two So Close?

The Association President mentioned that the damage to the training ground was manageable and promised to build an improved facility.

“Is there really a need to make the training ground bigger?”

I could tell the answer to that question just by the way the Association President stared at me.

“Um, could we go inside to talk first?”

“Ah, yes. Where can you sit…”

I did leave the Association President standing outside the door for a bit too long.

Haha… that crybaby is so lost in his own weird thoughts that he’s blocking the way.

“Crybaby, what are you doing? Instead of standing there gawking, if you want to ask Blanc something, go sit next to the redhead and ask. Can’t you see you’re making the Association President uncomfortable behind you?”

“Uh, okay.”

“No, I’m fine actually…”

The Association President mumbled something from behind.

Hmm, that crybaby just blocking the doorway and staring at Ellie isn’t accomplishing anything. Better to just move him out of the way.

Besides, the staff will be barging in again soon.

They’ll occasionally drag equipment in.

That idiot needs to be moved aside.

“Come on, where’s a chair… Ah. There’s one. Arin? Could I ask for your help?”

Arin placed the chair next to her so the Association President could sit down.

This means the President will end up sitting next to Ellie. Hmm…

Well, it’s not like I can move, and it would be awkward to ask Ellie to let go of my hand and sit among the magical girls over there.

I guess the best thing to do is just make introductions.

“Ah, you already know Ellie beside me, right?”

“Uh, huh? Oh. Yes. I’ve already heard. Yunseul said she was br—kidnapping, I mean, bringing someone who was essential for your recovery. So it was her.”

“Well, you and Ellie should be acquainted already. You must have seen Ellie with your own eyes in that underground prison when she was captured. And after Ellie was rescued, she talked about you a bit.”

“Hmm… I was still somewhat active in the field back then. Even now, I often go to interrogate villains… Huh?”

“What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s just Ellie’s neck. Ah. So that’s what Yunseul took. Well, she must be used to it. Whatever.”

Hmm…?

Ellie’s hand, which was holding mine, tightens.

Painfully so.

And Ellie seems angry.

That expression. It’s the face of someone who’s been holding back and finally snapped…

“Hey! What…? Used to it? Why would I be used to this! You Association President…! You’re really pushing your luck after not seeing me for so long!”

Hmm…?

Wait, what’s going on here…?

“Elise, caught again, huh?”

“Argh…! This is…! Really…! Ugh!!”

Elise is so angry she’s pounding the bed.

“E-Ellie…? Did you get that close with the Association President…?”

“N-no! I was just being friendly! Always coming to my room saying you’re bored with nothing to do, asking this and that, and when I didn’t answer, bringing games like you’re entertaining me, but you’re terrible at them, and then betting with Eden information? So…”

“Ah, I get it. So you are close…?”

“No, I’m just being friendly with him.”

“Association President…? You have a good relationship with Ellie, right…?”

“Yes. When interrogating, I set so many traps, but unlike what you’d expect from Eden’s brain, she fell for each one, making my job easier.”

“What…?”

“Especially when I asked about you, Bine, she would spill even information I didn’t want to know…”

“Hey! Association President!! When did I ever…!”

Haha… what a mess.

Anyway, they’re not on such bad terms that they’d fight to the death, right?

“S-so… you’re really okay, Association President…?”

“Huh? With what? Ah, I don’t particularly hold any grudges. It was a bit difficult to filter out the false information, but it was useful in the end.”

“What? Filter? Ha, you think you could filter it out with your abilities?”

“Well, when we had enough personnel to spare, sending them all out solved the problem. Your false information, that is.”

“W-what kind of brute force…!”

“Sometimes such crude methods are what solve problems.”

“Ugh…! I swear, with my own hands, I’ll…!”

“What can you do wearing that seal? Ah, Bine. How are you feeling?”

The Association President casually ignores Elise’s threats and asks about my condition.

“I’m fine, but… Elise, is it really okay to leave her like that? It wouldn’t be surprising if a fist came flying from right beside you…”

“Ah, well. You can take a hit or two. You’re tough enough.”

“Even though she’s a monster…?”

“It doesn’t hurt much. Anyway, about what you asked earlier. Why make the training ground bigger.”

“Ah, I did ask that.”

“There’s no special reason. Based on this recent data, I thought we needed an enhanced training ground.”

“Data?”

“We recorded everything when you went wild. All the data we could get to improve our forces. And since you’ll need to help us going forward, it’s hard to train properly in such a small training ground, right? Well, actually, that training ground wasn’t designed for such intense training in the first place…”

“I see. But how long do you think I’ll be helping? If you heard the reason I collapsed, you’d want to stop that construction immediately.”

“Hmm. I have my reasons for being confident. But do I need to tell you? If I do, you’ll just deny it and do whatever.”

I see.

Well, I don’t mind them taking my data.

I knew it from the moment I readily agreed when asked if I could analyze the magical girls’ capabilities.

Actually, I didn’t know then, but now I understand why they so readily gave permission.

Anyway, it’s all the same.

“So, why did you come here?”

“Because Yunseul called me? No, more than that, I came because I was worried about you.”

“Ah, worried about me…”

Oops, I misspoke.

Arin is shooting me an incredibly painful look.

No, she’s actually hurting me.

She’s gripping my hand so tightly…

“Ah, th-thank you for your concern. Haha…”

“Bine, are you in pain? Why are you frowning like that? Did something go wrong? I should have told the staff to come faster…”

“N-no! The pain is gone! Really!”

That’s right, all the pain is gone.

Except for Arin hurting me, there’s no pain…

I’ve gotten weaker, but I’m not in pain…

“A-anyway. I want to talk about training now. So the training ground has been fully restored, right?”

“Yes, why? Do you need to use it that roughly again? I’ll let you test the new training ground when it’s ready…”

“N-no. I’m thinking of having Arin and Ellie spar… is that possible for Ellie too, like me?”

“U-um… if she… well, if you promise to be there with her, I’ll allow that much. A monster of Ellie’s level shouldn’t break it so easily.”

“Yes. When I sparred with Arin, I didn’t wreck the training ground. If I control my strength, I won’t destroy it… I must have been too excited that time. I apologize again.”

“No, it’s fine. So, what was the cause of your collapse?”

“Ah, that’s…”

I was about to answer, but Ellie, who was beside me, must have been itching to speak because she answered instead.

“What else? Evil deed deficiency. It’s obvious just by looking, Association President.”

“Ellie!”

“What? I did most of the diagnosis and found the cause. As your attending physician, I should be the one to explain!”

She’s claiming to be my attending physician while acting like that… Sigh.

Couldn’t she just hold my hand quietly like Arin…

Arin seems relieved just that I’m awake and not like a doll just lying there breathing, so she’s just fiddling with my hand.

“Huh? Evil deed deficiency?”

“Yes. Because your association prevents us from doing bad things, our Bine collapsed!”

“Hmm…?”

“Sigh… really. Association President, you’re taking Ellie’s words at face value again.”

“I haven’t believed it yet. But evil deed deficiency? That’s the first I’ve heard of it. Bine, do you know anything about this?”

“Sigh… for now, I’ve agreed to look into it with Blanc and Chacha. Right, Blanc?”

Surprised at being suddenly called, the flustered Blanc said,

“Y-yes! Association President, don’t worry. I told you I felt something strange when he collapsed this time. We need to find a definite solution, for both me and Bine. It would be good for the association too, right?”

“I understand. I’ll leave that to you, Yunseul. So, what are you planning to do with this little one, Bine?”

“Ugh…! Little one?!”

“Be quiet.”

“Ack! The Association President is hitting an innocent high school student!! Police!!”

The Association President gave the rebellious Ellie a light tap on the head, which made her yell and cause a scene.

She’s sulking because I’m not paying attention to her, just gripping my hand tightly.

“Hmm, you mean Ellie…? For now, since the magical girls didn’t object, we decided she would stay with us. Didn’t Blanc explain this to you?”

“Yes, stay together?”

“Neither Ellie nor I want to be separated. Who would want to be apart from family?”

“In that case… I don’t mind. Then I’ll need to register Ellie’s seal with Yunseul.”

“While you’re at it, please arrange an access card too. For training, as I mentioned earlier.”

“Ah, that’s easy. You should be able to get it before going home today.”

“Oh, can I go home today?”

“If the staff approves.”

Hmm, home.

I thought I wouldn’t be able to go today. Guess I was wrong.