Ch.5252. Tying the Knot

In the dead of night.

With the bright lights turned off.

The only sources of light were the city’s lighthouse and the moon illuminating the sky.

And in this room, where the only other light came from the redhead’s smartphone.

The silence outside couldn’t penetrate within.

Whatever had sparked this argument between them this time.

Arin and Elli were fighting again.

“No, listen! Even if you’ve been with Bine unnie for that long!”

“That’s why! Of course I’m right!”

“No! Her preferences could have changed!”

“Ugh! This is so frustrating! You think Bine’s taste would change in such a short time? Say something that makes sense!”

“No, I’m telling you I saw it with my own two eyes!”

The subject of this fight was whether I liked pink clothes or not.

“Is that really so important…”

“It is important!”

The two lying on either side of me on the bed shouted simultaneously.

This isn’t some surround sound movie theater…

“Unnie, this is truly an important matter! Can’t you see the evil intentions of that villain trying to deny all the affection I have for my unnie?”

“No, Bine. Listen? Honestly, how many pink clothes have you thrown away! I’ve heard you nagging endlessly about not wanting to wear pink clothes except when infiltrating. That little brat is the one denying my affection!”

“Unnie, please tell us the truth!”

“Yes, Bine. Hurry and tell us which one is right. Hmm?”

Sigh, really…

How many times have they fought like this since Blanc left, just with different topics.

Even the redhead sitting on the sofa playing with her smartphone, who had been listening at first, eventually put in earphones.

The redhead is quite insensitive to these things, so she doesn’t feel uncomfortable.

But still, they must have been incredibly loud.

It’s fortunate that the Association Director isn’t here and only essential personnel remain in the Association building at this hour. Otherwise, we probably would have been kicked out for fighting so loudly…

Sigh…

“Why is that important… I just wear whatever I’m given. Even the clothes I have now… were all chosen by Blanc and Citrus together.”

“No, you clearly used to run away whenever I tried to put you in pink dresses and such, saying ‘If I wear that, my identity will…!'”

“That was then, now I wear whatever I’m given. Now I’m not a person of power but a slave to debt. Just being able to wear clean clothes is enough.”

“Hmm…? Bine, can’t you access Eden’s emergency funds…?”

“To access that money, I’d need to leave the country. By plane, by ship.”

“But you hid some in this country too, didn’t you?”

“I don’t really remember that. It was such a small amount that I forgot about it.”

“Then, until now…?”

“Well, I’ve been thinking of it as my punishment anyway. I also had a personal desire to pay for your sins too, so you could live a peaceful life.”

“No, then… what kind of life have you…?”

“It’s a long story. And Arin is here too. It’s not a very pleasant story. I’ll tell you separately later.”

Indeed, the slums. A shantytown, at that.

It’s common knowledge that such places tend to be high-crime areas.

In such a place.

If a fragile girl were living alone.

And if that girl were a wicked villain who had completely lost her powers and become a helpless girl living in that shack—someone against whom private sanctions were somewhat forgivable.

On that street where even the streetlights flickered due to unstable electricity.

Smelly alleys, empty bottles rolling around everywhere.

A girl living in such a place would easily become a target for crime.

Sometimes, I couldn’t even bring myself to enter my home.

On such days, it was better to just take short naps in a public park bathroom stall, unable to even lie down properly.

I used to spend time lying on park benches outside.

But the parks in such neighborhoods weren’t any different.

Busy avoiding strange people approaching while drunk.

Busy running away bleeding after being hit by stones thrown by such people.

I was once beaten nearly to death with a thick metal pipe someone had picked up from somewhere.

Whenever I think about those times…

I’m afraid.

That person looks like they might attack me again.

I’m scared, don’t come near me.

I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…

I was wrong please spare me I was really wrong I’ll live like a mouse I’ll never be happy again I who stole your happiness will hide happiness away for the rest of my life so please spare me please…

My vision fades to black.

I can’t see anything.

It’s cold, so cold.

I’m lonely, so isolated…

It’s freezing… All of this…

Someone, save… me…

“…ne!”

Haa… Is this my karma…?

“…ine!”

If it’s karma, there’s nothing I can do…

“…ine!”

Hmm…?

“Unnie!!!”

“Uh, uhm…?”

“Ah, ahh… Unnie!”

“Uh, umm… Yes?”

“Bine, are you okay?”

Why is it so bright…?

I was definitely in a dark park.

Hmm…?

Oh, right.

But weren’t the lights off?

Why is the redhead like that…?

Elli, why are you crying…?

“Bine, are you conscious? Look here.”

“Yes…? What happened…? What are you doing above me…”

“Haa… Looks like you’re back… You really scared us…”

“Yes…?”

“Do you know you just passed out? Arin called you but you wouldn’t wake up. The kids were so shocked.”

“Ah… Was that what happened…? In my memory, Arin and Elli were fighting… and then old memories… Oh.”

“Haa… Those old memories must have really remained as trauma… To lose consciousness suddenly in the middle of the night…”

“I lost consciousness… I see. Yes…”

“This won’t do. We need to monitor your condition a bit more. I’ve already told Yunseul unnie. That you’re awake now… Oh, oh?”

“Why, what’s wrong…?”

“She says she’s coming now… Flying…?”

“Yes…? Just because one villain passed out…”

Before I could finish speaking, Arin started pounding on her chest frantically, even before the redhead could react.

“Stop! Saying! ‘Just a villain’! It’s not like that! Why do you keep undervaluing yourself like this!”

“Ah, no…”

“You’re not someone who deserves to be undervalued! Really… Haa…”

I wonder how I should interpret the various emotions contained in Arin’s sigh.

“How can I fix this self-deprecating attitude of yours…”

“What? Fix what?”

“Nothing. For now… Haa.”

“Arin…?”

“Your condition seems to have improved a bit now. Seohyun unnie. Is Yunseul unnie still com… Ah.”

Before Arin could finish speaking, Blanc burst through the door.

“Is Bine okay? Ahh…”

“Blanc, you’re here. In the middle of the night.”

“Haa. Really… Who wouldn’t come running when they hear someone collapsed?”

“Hmm… You didn’t have to…”

“No, I would have come running even if it was Arin or Seohyun who collapsed! Especially when someone who just woke up and isn’t in good health faints!”

“Hahaha… I understand. I just got scolded by Arin on the same topic, so please forgive me. Look, I’m perfectly fine, aren’t I?”

“No, let’s keep monitoring you for a while. I should stay for another week. Seohyun, you can’t stay here for too long, so let’s talk about who will watch over her. Arin too. If you’re going to stay that long, we need to tell your teacher.”

“No, a whole week…”

“You don’t have any say in this, do you? Just rest quietly.”

“Aah… B-but…”

“Rest.”

“Yes.”

Pitying my situation where I couldn’t resist Blanc’s firm voice anymore.

Hmm, I can guess why I collapsed.

It must be… a mental issue.

Hmm, but. Just from recalling such situations…

“But. I’m really fine… Since this was caused by my mental issues.”

“Still, you must have used a lot of energy when you collapsed. We need to monitor your condition for a while.”

“Yes… I understand… But a week is…”

“Ahem. I was going to make it a month, but Seohyun told me you woke up, so I reduced it to a week. I wasn’t even planning to reduce it. I decided on that after hearing you were fine, so don’t complain.”

“Ugh… My bones are aching…”

“Just take this opportunity to really rest. Understand? Haa. Then I’ll be going now.”

With those words, Blanc left the room again.

Oh, through the window, not the door.

I’m pretty sure she came in through the door earlier.

Ah, Blanc was in her magical girl form.

That’s why Elli was frozen in fear like that…

“Um, Elli?”

“Uh, ueh…”

“Elli?”

“J-just now. A m-magical girl…”

“What’s wrong? She was here earlier too.”

“No, j-just now, th-that form that b-beats up m-monsters…”

“Haa… Calm down, Elli. Why are you suddenly so surprised by that?”

“N-no… Yeah…”

“Why make such a big deal out of it. Arin is a magical girl too, you know?”

“No, other magical girls are fine, but th-that… only Blanc…”

“Hmm, I see. Why so suddenly?”

“No, that Ragnarok… back then…”

“Ragnarok?”

“Never mind… I’ll tell you later… Let’s take care of you first… Haa… Haa… Phew. There, I’ve recovered. I’m more worried about you who collapsed than about myself.”

“That’s right. As that Elise person said, we’re worried about you, unnie. Now, let’s go back to sleep. It’s really late.”

Well, I have a lot I want to say.

But since this forced time has been created.

At least during this period, I should talk to keep from getting bored.

“Come on, everything’s fine now. Arin, you sleep too. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

Arin seemed to forgive my sins by embracing me.

And as if she couldn’t just watch, Elli also hugged me tightly.

This short but intense day finally came to a close.